The following is a copy of a recent "Emblem" article.

A few weeks ago on a Monday evening I heard that my friend Michael was seriously ill, and had just been sent to the Evergreen Hospital Emergency Room. Knowing nothing of the circumstances, I hurried to the ER. Upon arriving I found Michael seriously ill, in great distress, and barely coherent. Fr. Scot Wright was already at his bedside speaking softly. All was quiet except for the mechanical sounds of the heart monitor and oxygen flow, the scurrying of medical personnel, and Michael's labored breathing. Then I heard Fr. Scot say, "Michael I am here…and God is here." Immediately my friend's breathing quieted as Fr. Scot gently held his hand and prayed.

As I stood at the end of the bed, an ER technician entered with pen and clipboard. Glancing around the room she softly asked, "What did Michael have with him, what possessions accompanied the patient?" Hospital policy is to quickly inventory and account for personal items. A short but thorough search revealed there were no personal effects. Skeptical that a patient would arrive without at least a garment of some kind, the search continued. But no, there was nothing, no shirt, no trousers, no coat, no shoes, no socks no under-clothing, no jewelry, no watch, no ring, nothing. My friend was totally naked and without possessions except for the blanket provided by the emergency medical technicians.

Seemingly without anything, my friend did have something very dear and precious. He had the care, concern and prayers of his priest. Clearly this was what Michael wanted and needed. Possessions and material things were just not that important to him. There was a certain irony here, he who had nothing, really had everything!

As Michael's vital signs began to stabilize, I pondered what was happening and thought of all we at St John's have that really matters, the stuff that makes us who we are, our parish family, our clergy, our faith, our life of ministry together. Surely, these things are more important than mere possessions? The greater irony was that at that very moment, the very moment Fr Scot was praying with Michael, our Vestry was meeting to cut the 2008 budget because we (all of us) had not pledged enough to meet the basic needs of our Church. By necessity they were making cuts to ministries that define who we are!

I wondered what would be really important if it was me lying there. What would it be worth to hear the prayers for the sick? How much value would I put on the last rites if circumstances were really dire? As much as a new plasma TV, fine clothes, a new car, perhaps that special vacation, what's it worth?

A wise Chaplain once told me that our main purpose in life is to save our immortal soul and to help save the souls of others. Here at St John's that takes meaning in our ministry and parish life together. So, what's it worth?

I know that there is great concern about our national Church and the Anglican community during these trying times and that this may have adversely affected 2008 pledges. I also believe that the real work of the Church is done at the local parish level. Important though their work may be, I don't think that a single commission, council, convention or meeting ever claimed the saving of a single soul? No, that work is done here by what we do at our Church, in our community, in our ministry. So, what's it worth?

In the end I decided that it is worth a great deal to me, enough to reconsider my pledge. It is a matter of value, after all. Now it is up to you. So, what's it worth?

Editor's Note: Neil Eney, author of this article is a long-time member of St. John's, who has served on many ministries. He recognizes the importance of our ministries both to the greater community and to our parish family. Neil knows the importance of congregational support of the budget to sustain the scope of the ministries with which we are blessed; they do touch lives, as he so vividly illustrates. He submitted this article with the permission of both his friend Michael and Fr. Scot.