Stewardship Moments 2026

Austin Guo | October 16, 2026

What do you think of when you think of our church? Do you think of the beautiful building, the amazing people, or maybe its storied 157 years of history. A large part of why I was drawn to this church is because I saw firsthand how we have continued to follow God’s call of choosing Justice Love and Inclusion and I’m sure many of you have too. From helping found Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, to AWAB to so many other great initiatives I’m grateful to be part of a community that has historically continuously loved all our neighbors. Looking forward it is our time to do so.

The Theme for this Stewardship season is “Give Back to the Future.” As we look forward to where God is calling us, I just want to mention two things that I’m looking forward to. 1. The All Church Retreat that’s coming up in November and our growing small group/Sunday school. SFBC has a rich history, but more importantly we have an exciting future. This stewardship season, we invite you to imagine the future you want to give to. On Sunday, November 8th we will give back to the future together by offering our pledges of financial support and engagement for 2027.

Abid Bhatti | October 25, 2026

As this Stewardship season, we have been asked to look to what is before us as a church and where God is calling us, we want to know what are your hopes and dreams for the future of SFBC? Where do you sense the Spirit nudging us? What does following the way of Jesus look like in the years ahead? I would like to share my reflection in response to these questions:  

My hopes and dreams for SFBC are that may it continue to provide a sanctuary to all in of a place to find solace and peace; may it’s congregation continue to be that welcoming and loving community to all in need of being seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are and as they are – unconditionally and without judgement; may it’s pastoral leadership continue to bless us with their with their care, support, kindness, grace, and compassion that we have all gotten to experience and cherish; and lastly, may its signature spire continue to stand tall as a beacon of hope, love, justice and inclusion to all. I believe that with this intention, the Spirit is nudging us to show up with a stronger than ever sense of stewardship in order to sustain us with hope during the lows and humility during the highs we navigate through, both individually, and as a collective, in the present times and for years to come.

Kira Walmsley | November 1, 2026

While preparing these remarks I started with a brainstorm listing all the reasons I’m proud to be a member of SFBC, to belong here with all of you in this physical place and spiritual space we steward together. My list was long, but I’ll share a few highlights:

I love the opportunity to connect across generations. I’m so lucky to have friends at this church from age zero through 90s, and that we all get to learn from and be inspired by each other.

I’m proud that my church stands for justice: against harmful anti-trans legislation on our ballots right now; marrying all couples since the 70s; praying for Gaza, naming genocide, and being anti-apartheid; being famous in Seattle for our anti-war legacy.

I’m proud of the accessibility measures we have in place to make our church a more inclusive space: our livestreams; all-gender restrooms; the audio-assist headphones; and that we lowered our chancel, so it is easier to access for all to worship together.

I’m incredibly proud whenever I greet a new person at coffee hour and ask how they found us, and usually hear “Oh, I just googled the gayest church in Seattle.”

I’m proud of our art: I’m still thinking about the paper cuttings from last advent, and I love singing in the choir and hearing our organ every Sunday.

I’m proud that our building is the home of The People’s Breakfast: a growing mutual aid meal distribution serving our neighbors, no questions asked, like Jesus would have.

I love that we have old traditions and also start new ones, that we build meaning, memory, and belonging, together.

All these things on my list describe a community where God’s people are cared for from so many angles—by our pastors, by our staff, by each other, by our building—physically, emotionally, and, of course, spiritually.

I also think that the things on this list describe a place where Jesus would have liked to hang out.

I first came to SFBC because it was the closest church to my house. But I kept coming back because of all the things on my list, these things that fill me with joy and pride. And when I formally joined our church as a member, I got to claim all these things! And, alongside my pride for SFBC, I also, proudly, claim responsibility for SFBC. And that means, joyfully, sharing my funds with SFBC so that together we can continue to be this church we are proud of, far into the future. The kind of place that Jesus would have liked to hang out.

Join me in pride and join me in responsibility. Please give with your heart wide open.