Stewardship 2012

Bridging All Saints into the Next 100 Years

Throughout this calendar year, we have heard how the various ministries at All Saints have celebrated the 100th anniversary of our church building. The ministries have been creative and thought-provoking in the ways they have reminded us of our heritage at 16th and Central.

During the month of October, we will be asking you to carefully and prayerfully consider your financial pledge of support to All Saints for 2012. The search committee has been working very hard and it is not unreasonable that we will have a new rector by early spring. This is very exciting! However, it is important that we be able to show candidates that we are in a position to pay a full-time rector’s salary.

As the Treasurer, Clergy, Finance Committee and Vestry have worked to provide a preliminary budget for use by the Search Committee, we realize that our expected needs for next year fall just below $200,000.

So, as you might guess, in order to Bridge All Saints into the Next 100 Years, we need your support. Throughout the month, you will be provided with facts about what next year’s budget will address and why we need nearly $200,000. You will also hear from other parishioners – from some who have been members for 30+ years and from other who are much newer to our parish family. We hope you will read what these members of the All Saints family have to say as you consider your pledge for 2012.

How much should you pledge? The historic (and biblical) standard is to set aside 10% of your income for the church, a sometimes challenging figure. Some members of All Saints have given that much for years. Some among you may feel called to increase your giving to 10% for the first time.

For others, that may feel daunting at this time, and that’s okay. But challenge yourself by comparing your giving to your spending. If your cell phone plan is $50 per month, do you think you can pledge $60? If your cable bill is $100 per month, can you pledge $150? If your car payment is $300, do you think you can pledge $400? Think about what you spend on Netflix, Starbucks, whatever is meaningful to you.

Regardless of the amount you choose, pledging is a spiritual act. And giving can be a source of great joy. During the coming weeks, the members of the stewardship committee will be sharing with you their experience of generous giving, and how it has brought new meaning to their lives. We hope that you, too, will reflect on how being generous has changed your own life.

PROPORTIONAL GIVING