The basic formula was simple: a one-day group retreat on “your faith, future, and finances” with concurrently scheduled one-on-one sessions with financial professionals.  The results were transformational and liberating.   

Many young people do not talk to anyone about their personal finances, especially if they do not have a spouse or if money talk is taboo with their parents.  But discussing our personal finances can be a spiritual act. Jesus discussed economics more than any other social subject. Talking about our money, or lack thereof, in religious spaces may be, as my friend Dana says, the only antidote to the emotions most of us feel regarding money - fear, resentment, failure, imprisonment, anger and isolation. We can exorcise those demons by the simple act of sharing our own financial stories and situations. Only then can we move on to the work of oikonomia (ancient Greek for "getting your house in order").

The professional financial analysts who met with the young adults on the Saturday of our retreat were members of the congregation who volunteered their services.  Participants signed up for 45-minute slots to discuss their budget, debt, goals, or specific financial areas where they wanted council (we asked them ahead of time to bring financial documents they might need and an approximation of their budget). Afterward, our finance people commented on the blessing of listening to the stories and working with people living on considerably less means than their usual clients! Note: The number of people who could attend a retreat at your church would depend on how many volunteers you could get. 

Included below is the schedule we used, with some alternative ideas.  Please feel free to alter this “open source” schedule as would work best in your context.  We charged a nominal fee to cover the cost of two meals and materials.   

10-10:30             Arrive, breakfast, register for one-on-one slots

10:30-11:30        Opening Discussion

1. Introductions (name, occupation, family status, why you are here today) 

2.  We would like everyone to share a bible story that guides how you think about money in your life

3.  Can you describe a way that money issues interfere with (or distract from) your relationship with God?

4.  What steps do you need to take to make peace with money?

11:30-11:40        Break

11:40-12:30        African Bible Study – Matthew 9:9-13
(We read the call of Matthew, the tax collector who became a disciple; other forms of Scripture study on money-related texts would work)

12:30-1:30          Lunch

1:30-2:30           Walking Meditation on Cathedral Close
(We opted for a physical, non-talking meditation after lunch; you could try yoga or walking a labyrinth) 

2:30-3:30            Discussion: Socially Responsible Investing (Led by one of our financial professionals who specialized in this topic and really encouraged us to think creatively about investing our finances for a greater good and to get a return on investment, a very positive way to end the day)

3:30-3:45            Break, clean-up, gather stuff

3:45-5:00            Closing “Instructional” Eucharist

In our opening discussion, debt and the true "value" of education were hot topics for many (bringing some to tears), along with "manna" jobs (tasteless employment that provides only enough for sustenance), being the first financially independent woman in one's family, and knowing friends who did sex work to pay for school.

When we asked people to "share a Bible story that guides how you think about money in your life," they brought up the parable of the sower and of the talents (our stewardship of God's gifts), the lilies of the field and widow's mite (put your trust in God), the prodigal son and year of jubilee (amazing grace trumping the almighty dollar), and Jesus' teaching that we can't serve both God and money. These economic stories illustrate some of the Bible's most important lessons, inspiring and challenging us to find new frameworks to understand old fears.

By the end of the day, everyone left with a greater sense of peace and purpose regarding their personal finances, future goals, and ways these themes related to their faith. 

Bowie Snodgrass was Co-Convenor of the 20/30 Connection at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine from 2004-2006, when she planned this one-day retreat.  She is former Web Content Editor for www.episcopalchurch.org and currently works as Director of Faith House Manhattan, www.faithhousemanhattan.org. bowie@faithhousemanhattan.org

Quests, Communities, Stewards
Kai Harris, Diocese of California

Stewardship is a common thread in church life – and beyond that, it is basic to life with God. All that we have – time, relationships, resources, our very being itself – are gifts from God.  When we give gifts of time, talent and treasure to our church community, we are doing far more than “keeping the lights on.”  We are taking part in the quest to connect our own small life with God’s Life..... >>>

Gives Me Hope
The Rev'd Sarah Midzalkowski, Michigan State University

A former student of mine recently introduced me to a facebook group called GMH or Gives Me Hope. This group calls themselves an optimist’s answer to the ever-popular FML. (I trust I don’t have to translate) While I agree GMH is more optimistic than FML I don’t think mere optimism is at the heart of this site. Rather, GMH is a collection of thankfulness... >>>

A Culture of Stewardship
The Rev’d J.R. Lander, Diocese of Olympia

Today’s young adults resonate with a holistic conversation about stewardship--a conversation that isn’t limited to how much of one’s money to give to the church annually.  Young adults are more likely to give financially to organizations in which they are personally involved- whether this connection is through volunteerism, leadership, or personal benefit from the organization’s mission ... >>>