Your pledge provides resources vital to the ministries of St. John's Church. Our goal of $1.3 million in pledges for 2009 is a modest increase over the current year. We will be able to continue our ministries of worship, education, and outreach while better preserving our beautiful building and grounds. The following questions and answers may help you decide what size gift is right for you. Thank you for your generous support of St. John's Church.
$1.3 million. This includes normal increases in operating costs plus retaining the recently expanded ministry in adult education and an additional focus on property preservation.
Christian stewardship is using the gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do. All that we have in this life is a gift from God: our time, our talents, and our treasure. Part of being a good steward is giving back to God some of what we have been given, in loving gratitude for God's many gifts to us.
Although money is an important aspect of stewardship, it is not the only one. Many Episcopalians today have more money than they have time. Please consider all aspects of stewardship in your own life and how you can be a good steward of the time and talents that God has given you.
One of the special gifts that God has given us is the vibrant community of St. John's Church. Through its many opportunities for worship and service to others, and through its ministries of fellowship, education, and spiritual growth, St. John's Church nurtures and sustains each of us in numerous ways. By giving back to the Church, you help to ensure that these ministries will continue to reach many people both close to home and far away.
To sustain and strengthen St. John's Church, the Vestry and Stewardship Committee ask every parishioner to pledge for the coming year. If you have pledged before, we ask you to continue your commitment to this congregation and prayerfully consider increasing your pledge. If you have not pledged before, we ask you to join in our mutual commitment to maintain and strengthen this Christian community for the future.
A pledge is a commitment of financial support to your Church over the coming calendar year. It is an act of stewardship and a reminder of the blessings God gives us every day. Pledge income is essential to the upkeep of all of St. John's facilities and the continuation of our core ministries. In 2008, pledges accounted for more than 80% of our operating revenue budget.
The Biblical injunction to tithe, to give one tenth of our income, is a familiar benchmark for many. Others may be familiar with the concept of proportional giving – making a commitment to give a specific percentage of your income to the Church. We urge every member of the parish to pledge at least two percent of their family income to support the important ministries at St. John's Church.
We believe this is a very achievable commitment level for our parish – and one that would allow the church to readily achieve its pledge goal for 2009 of $1.3 million if all members of the parish participated. The following table provides weekly giving levels corresponding to certain percentages at several income levels:
| Income Level | Tithe | 5% of Income | 2% of Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $96 | $48 | $19 |
| $100,000 | $192 | $89 | $38 |
| $200,000 | $385 | $192 | $77 |
| $400,000 | $770 | $385 | $154 |
Stewardship should be intentional. Committing to a percentage helps you focus. You make a decision about the level of financial support you will work towards, and then reaffirm that commitment every time you give. Proportional giving also has built-in flexibility for any ups and downs in your personal situation. As you prosper, you give more. If you are struggling, the Church gracefully accepts that fact.
A pledge pyramid has also been constructed below for 2008. For some, this pyramid is a helpful starting point of comparison with others who have pledged to St. John's Church.
| Pledge Range | Number of Pledges (2008) |
|---|---|
| $30,000 and over | 5 |
| $15,000-$29,999 | 6 |
| $10,000-$14,999 | 15 |
| $5,000-$9,999 | 44 |
| $3,000-$4,999 | 55 |
| $2,000-$2,999 | 42 |
| $1,000-$1,999 | 96 |
| <$1,000 | 75 |
| Total Pledges: | 338 |
| Total Amount: | $1,213,523 |
Pledging allows the Vestry and staff to anticipate the Church's annual income and budget accordingly. It helps the Church to set priorities and to make vital decisions concerning our mission and ministry. We will not be able to make the commitments to expanded missions and educational ministries without your pledge of support to St. John's Church.
Most parishioners pledge by giving cash on a weekly or monthly basis, while others make a one-time gift. In some cases, pledges are pre-paid for the next year in whole or in part for tax planning purposes. Some also meet their pledges by donating appreciated stock directly to St. John's Church. You can also give electronically using electronic bank transfers or a credit card. Learn more about E-Giving.
If you wish to discuss your pledge or have any questions about pledging, please contact any member of the Vestry, the Stewardship Committee, or Greg Stayin, Chair of this year's Every Member Commitment Campaign.