An Open Letter to launch our 2023 campaign
READ THE OPENING LETTER FROM OUR CHAIRS, BELOW, AS THEY DESCRIBE THE MOST COMPELLING ELEMENT THAT BINDS THEM TO THE CHRIST CHURCH COMMUNITY.
…consider this an intentional invitation to fully belong to this community, exactly as you are…
When Rev. John initially asked the three of us to serve as Stewardship Chairs, we wondered how we would find a common message that was still authentic to each of us given the fact that we represent such different groups within our community. Charlie and his wife have been members for decades, Eleanor and her young family joined years ago before moving abroad, and Greg is a relative newcomer. But in a true testament to the spirit of this place, we three quickly landed on the core element that makes this place so special: each of us belongs exactly as we are. This powerful and sometimes elusive value is one we want to invest in, strengthen, and support with our time, talent, and treasure.
This feeling of belonging is clearly one that resonates with others; so far this year we’ve welcomed more than 80 new members and baptized 11 infants. Yet maintaining a space and community that nurtures this value requires commitment from many. This parish family – like our own families and businesses – requires a secure and dependable revenue stream. We spent considerable time trying to pinpoint the correct revenue goal that would enable us to further our mission, retain powerful leadership, and serve our broader community before ultimately taking a leap of faith: we have committed to the ambitious 2023 campaign goal of $540,000, and we need your help to reach it.
As we emerge from our years-long pandemic experience, one true blessing has been a realization of the strength of our commitment to life here at Christ Church. Throughout this historically difficult time, we continued to reach out to one another, support each other in birth and loss, and care for the world beyond our doors in the rich tradition of this place. We made dinner for more than 200 women at Calvary Women’s Services, packed 900 bag lunches for our unhoused neighbors, supported 85 families heading to school, and delivered 55 flats of water to Shirley’s Place, among many other offerings. None of this would be possible without the feelings of safety, empowerment, and worth that accompanies our intergenerational community accepting each of us as we are. This community is truly built by you, for you.
That’s why we’re asking you to consider what belonging to Christ Church means to you and make a generous annual pledge of financial support for our work. 2023 will be another exciting year for our church as we continue to invest in our thriving children’s and family ministries, preserve and enhance our historic property, and offer new intergenerational opportunities to gather. None of this would be possible without your commitment.
In fact, stewardship is a practice that includes the whole community – even our youngest members. As full participants of Christ Church, children are also encouraged to submit a pledge for the coming year. This can be a few dollars from a lemonade stand, a donation to an Outreach ministry, or the gift of time or care for someone or something. Child-specific stewardship packets available at both church entrances, or download them here.
As we officially launch this stewardship season, consider this an intentional invitation to fully belong to this community, exactly as you are. Please take time to prayerfully imagine how you can help us further our mission of belonging, and submit your pledge by October 31.
Humbly,
Charlie, Eleanor, & Greg
Why do we give?
October 16, 2022
October 9, 2022
Words from our Stewardship chairs
October 2, 2022
September 25, 2022
Sermon launching 2023 Campaign
September 25, 2022
Interested in reminding your kiddos about the many ways they can and do contribute to our community & the larger world? Download the kids’ stewardship package here!
Sermon launching 2022 Campaign
September 26, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Giving
Why pledge? Can’t I just put money in the plate on Sunday? From a spiritual perspective, pledging asks us to reflect and intentionally align our financial resources in service to God’s work in the world. On the practical side, pledging helps the church to budget responsibly.
How do I pledge? There are several ways to pledge. The easiest way to pledge is to do so online here, after which you can also set up recurring gifts. If you need any help with online pledging or giving, feel free to reach out to Jordan. You may also send in the pledge card you received in the mail or simply drop off your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday. Please submit your pledge by Sunday, October 31.
How much should I give? The amount you give should be prayerfully considered and based on your financial realities. Many first-time pledgers find $100+ a month to be a doable place to start, while others find that a financial burden. Please remember that a pledge is really an estimate of giving – if life circumstances change, you can change your pledge at any time. And truly, no pledge or gift is too small to make an impact!
How do I give? Many congregants set up their automatic giving through our secure database. See additional details here. If you prefer, you may also give through the use of weekly pledge envelopes which can be dropped in the offering plate. You will be sent quarterly updates during the year to see your cumulative total against your pledged amount.
Does the church budgeting process really rely on my pledge? Yes. Pledges are an intended commitment to give a certain amount over the course of the year, and these commitments enable the church to devise an annual budget with some level of certainty. Our church family is growing, and an increased budget would allow us to expand programming, increase outreach opportunities, and create more opportunities for fellowship among members.
How does the church spend its money? That’s a great question. A 2022 budget will be released at the beginning of 2022 based on stewardship season outcome and 2021 end-of-year numbers. Our finance committee and Vestry oversee our spending, and we as a church also strive to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given. We offer a full report on the previous year’s finances at our annual meeting, and in our annual report in February 2022.