FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE STEWARDSHIP THE WAY FORWARD YEAR ONE. Understanding Our Needs

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE STEWARDSHIP THE WAY FORWARD YEAR ONE. Understanding Our Needs"

Transcription

1 FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE STEWARDSHIP THE WAY FORWARD YEAR ONE Understanding Our Needs

2 Let love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the Saints; extend hospitality to strangers.... From Romans 12 THE WAY FORWARD Dear Friends This fall our Stewardship Committee begins a three-year appeal to set First Church on a more solid and sustainable financial foundation. Following our incredibly successful capital campaign, our theme for this appeal is The Way Forward. Early Christians were called the people of The Way, as in the way of Jesus the way of radical love, compassion, and hospitality. These values infuse everything we do at First Church. They ensure that we will continue to move from strength to strength as a congregation, following the way of Jesus and finding the way forward from our for such a time as this capital campaign into the annual, ongoing generosity needed for our shared ministries to flourish and our spiritual lives to thrive. Given our passion for ministry, we need your support more than ever. Indeed, our financial life is in need of some urgent care and attention. Our current spending patterns are not sustainable; we are spending our endowment funds at a rapid rate. The good news is that we can see a way forward! Our three-year journey together will be set along the following path: 2018 THE WAY FORWARD Understanding Our Needs 2019 THE WAY FORWARD Deepening Our Commitment 2020 THE WAY FORWARD Sustaining Our Future Starting this fall, we are reaching out to every person in our community for conversations about what First Church means to us and how we can better share the journey of life and faith together in annual pledges. We will also be laying groundwork for a Planned Giving campaign, so that people of every age can think about including First Church in their wills and estate planning.

3 brings mewhat to First Church: worship and programming that involve both my head and my heart, and inspire me to use my feet to get out into the world. Beth Spaulding We know there are many, many organizations that ask for such gifts, annually and beyond. Most of those organizations have enormous databases to draw from. We have each other. Please know that every gift of time, talent, and treasure matters, and matters greatly. Our ministries to one another, our community, and our world depend on your generosity. As we begin our three-year appeal, we focus especially on the last line of our passage from Romans 12. Together, let s understand the needs of the saints of our First Church ministry (i.e., all of you) and how we can extend God s welcome to each other and the world ever more widely, every more joyfully! The Stewardship Committee Palm Sunday, April

4 THE WAY FORWARD Understanding Our Needs Over time First Church has answered my needs and my family s health concerns, bereavement, Bible study, friendships we ve grown together. Hui-Hui Hu First Church s outreach ministries to Cambridge and beyond are important to us and our faith journey. Charles La Shure What the world needs from First Church First, the world needs First Church! Why? Because the world needs values, beauty, healing, justice, connection... and space to gather for all of the above! In a world where values are constantly contested, the way and message of compassion, mercy, healing and justice is needed now more than ever. In a world where headlines are getting uglier by the day we create arts with our children and glorious sound through heartfelt hymns and anthems. When our world is scarred by local or national tragedy, we offer healing gatherings solace services and candlelit vigils of silence, when words aren t enough. In a world of human suffering, we offer shelter to homeless men, feed hungry bellies through the Friday Café, offer sanctuary to immigrants, and organize rallies and protests to speak the truth to power. In an increasingly fragile democracy, we help people learn how to be public citizens and how to make our voices heard together. One voice crying out alone will rarely be heard. First Church continues to be a place that connects voices, a bridge that joins communities of faith and secular organizations around common cause. And to people of all walks of life, within our church community and well beyond, we offer much needed space... for soaring musical performances, for 12-step and addiction recovery groups, and for non-profits working on climate change and peace building. For many in Cambridge and Greater Boston, we are considered to be a center of community, a center for the arts, a center for healing! The world needs First Church! 50th Anniversary of Duke Ellington s Service of Sacred Music, March 2017

5 What we need from First Church What s more, we need First Church! For members and friends, First Church provides a spiritual home, enabling us to deepen our faith, to be engaged and connected in an active way to complex social and political issues of our time. For some, our community has been an oasis in life s storms. But it is also a place of joyous celebration. We come to FCC for quiet and reflection in a busy week; we come for the music and worship opportunities; we come to enjoy the riches a multi-generational community affords; and we come for shared ministries with like-minded people. We need spiritual formation to keep us grounded whether through worship, sermons, small groups, or 10 am hours. We need community whether through choir, committee work, family night, or pastoral care exchanges that help us feel a little less alone. We need our staff to create music that uplifts our souls, poetry that speaks to our hearts, vibrant programs for kids, ministries that serve the world, care that calls on us in our darkest hours, their voices of public leadership that can speak on our behalf! And we need to gather around the table with Jesus and break bread together in Sunday worship, at church luncheons, at family nights, at men s breakfasts, and at covenant dinners. Our covenant with each other weaves us together in community and helps us reach beyond ourselves with the power to transform. We need First Church! I find in First Church uplifting services and opportunities to be of service. Margaret Gooch

6 What does First Church need from us? I come to First Church (even though I no longer live in Cambridge) because of the opportunities to sing beautiful music with the choir and to engage in social justice work and conversations and to be a part of a vibrant community of faith. Kelsey Peterson Finally, First Church needs us! It needs our whole-hearted support, both spiritual and financial. In addition to Sundays, our church is open seven days a week, from 7 am to 11 pm! In addition to our strong lay leadership, our staff works hard, from early morning to late at night to offer amazing programs for our community and to serve the wider world. First Church needs our funds to keep the lights on, to compensate the ministers, musicians, Director of Creative Worship & Arts, administrators, and sextons. First Church needs our funds to heat the building and repair the historical structure. It needs our funds to support our relief efforts across the planet and our social action closer to home. Besides our time and talent, First Church needs our unstinting financial support. For more than 375 years, First Church has welcomed seekers who share the same goals on the journey of faith. It has been through times of robustness and times of relative weakness. From the late 1960s to the 1990s, First Church experienced smaller membership and shrinking finances. Over the past fifteen years, we have witnessed a renaissance of faith formation, fellowship, and social action. Our membership is steadily growing. Our new vision and active outreach, however, have seriously stretched our financial resources.

7 THE WAY FORWARD Understanding Our Financial Needs We have been running a significant annual budget deficit for a number of years. We survive financially because of the generosity of past members who gave their estates and created endowment funds for First Church. However, we are spending down these funds. Unless we make some changes, within two decades they could be largely gone. Our three-year Stewardship campaign, The Way Forward, aims to put First Church on a sound and sustainable financial basis. After a careful analysis of our current data, the Stewardship committee has set the following ambitious yet realistic goals. In 2017, our pledge income totals $445,000. For 2018, we need to raise $485,000, an increase of 9%. Some of that will come from new pledges, but we are asking the members/friends, on average, to increase their annual pledges by 6% for the year 2018, 7% for 2019, and 8% for We understand that everyone is in a different situation. Some can give a great deal more, some only modestly, and some are already stretched to their limit. For those who can give considerably more, we are asking you to think about a 10% increase for I give because my resources will be used for things I believe in. By joining together, each of us multiplies the impact of our gifts and we accomplish more than we can do on our own. First Church supports me, nurtures me, and multiplies my ability to do God s work in the world. Marian Smith

8 Projection of First Church s annual financial condition under two scenarios First Church has been running a deficit budget for many years. We have a large appetite for ministry and we have also made a commitment to avoid deferring maintenance on our building. The lower curve of the Chart shows the amount of expected annual deficits if there are no changes to our giving patterns. If there are no further contributions to our endowment, the discretionary portion of our endowment will be largely depleted by year We are initiating a three-year pledge campaign this year along with a planned giving program, intending to balance our budget within several years and put First Church on a financially sustainable position. The upper curve of the Chart shows the pathway. First Church needs your generous financial support. (Amount in thousands of dollars)

9 Annual financial balance forecast: Three-Year Pledge Campaign and Planned Giving Annual deficit based on current trends First Church provides more than just weekly services for me. It also actively pushes me to be a better and more loving person, a better citizen, and a better Christian (with a definition of Christian that focuses on inclusivity and not exclusivity). From the sermons to the programming to the relationships with other institutions of faith, First Church has exposed me to so many wonderful people from all different walks of life so that now when I walk around in Boston and Cambridge I feel like I am a part of the community no matter where I am. And that feeling helps me feel empowered to cultivate and grow and give to that community. Julie Pridham

10 THE WAY FORWARD Pledging and Giving at First Church Groundbreaking June 2017 Our custom at First Church each fall is to ask our members and friends to consider the time, talents, and treasure they can share in the coming year by filling out a Stewardship Card. We call this a pledge an intention, your best estimate of how much you can stretch to share your financial resources with our church. We bring our pledge cards forward on Stewardship Sunday, November 19th, prayerfully and joyfully, and hope to have each member s participation in this important covenant of support. Once you ve made a pledge for 2018, how can you make financial gifts to First Church to fulfill your pledge? There are many different ways, depending on what works for you: Set up a recurring, automatic, online contribution from your checking or savings account, or make a one-time online payment on our website, click on Give, then 2018 Pledge for instructions. Download the Give+ app for iphone or android By check in the Sunday offering plate By cash in the offering plate Give-by-Text text any amount with the dollar sign to With a gift of stock 10

11 However you give, we will a statement to you in the spring and again in the fall so that you can review your contributions. Also, all who contribute will receive a full statement in January for income tax return documentation. Thank you, as always, for your generous support of First Church! The Stewardship Committee Bill Hsiao, Chair Moana Bentin Barbara Hume Elizabeth Lovance Rev. Karen McArthur Perry Neubauer Harris Parnell Rev. Dan Smith My spiritual life is centered on First Church. The music, the sermon, the prayers, and the congregational participation are what draw us all into a community. Perry Neubauer 11

12 I find in First Church inspiration in words and music, fellowship in community, and when you come for a long time, it becomes home. Art Anger First Church in Cambridge Congregational, UCC 11 Garden Street Cambridge, MA Design & Production: Christine Reynolds Photo credits: Page 4: Francine LaChance, First Church Communications Coordinator; Pages 1, 3, 5 (lower left, center), 6, 10, 11: Christine Reynolds; Pages 2, 5, 7, 12: First Church Archives; FCC logo design: Perry Neubauer

St. George s Anglican Church Narrative Budget A Home for Hope

St. George s Anglican Church Narrative Budget A Home for Hope St. George s Anglican Church Narrative Budget 2019 A Home for Hope Dear Friends, There is a Miranda Lambert song called The House that Built Me. In it, she sings about returning to her childhood home and

More information

Christ, Our Hope Carousel Lane Richmond, VA richmondcatholicfoundation.org ANNUAL REPORT

Christ, Our Hope Carousel Lane Richmond, VA richmondcatholicfoundation.org ANNUAL REPORT Christ, Our Hope 7800 Carousel Lane Richmond, VA 23294 richmondcatholicfoundation.org 804.359.5661 2018 ANNUAL REPORT All photos by Jay Paul, except where noted. 16 17 Fostering Hope and Charity Hope is

More information

How Stewardship Works

How Stewardship Works How Stewardship Works People come to First Church from many different faith traditions. The essence of our Congregational way is that each congregation is independent and manages its own affairs. We decide

More information

our ƒabric each strand strengthens the whole Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ

our ƒabric each strand strengthens the whole Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ Weaving our ƒabric With your help, each strand strengthens the whole Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ Our Vision The United Church

More information

Your giving makes a huge difference in our ministry and outreach, now and for future generations.

Your giving makes a huge difference in our ministry and outreach, now and for future generations. Jesus says: It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. (Luke 13:19) Two years after moving into

More information

Grace Episcopal Church Capital Campaign

Grace Episcopal Church Capital Campaign Grace Episcopal Church Capital Campaign Grace Episcopal Church 160 High Street Medford, MA 02155 www.gracemedford.org Dear Friends, Grace Episcopal Church is a beacon of hope and faith to our members and

More information

Travis Park Narrative Budget. United Methodist Church. Today and Every Day

Travis Park Narrative Budget. United Methodist Church. Today and Every Day Travis Park United Methodist Church Today and Every Day 2012 Narrative Budget Today and Every Day 2012 Narrative Budget Summary and Purpose God is at work in our lives and church in ways we cannot see

More information

Joining All Souls. New Member Orientation Harvard St NW, Washington DC

Joining All Souls. New Member Orientation Harvard St NW, Washington DC Joining All Souls New Member Orientation 2017 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington DC 20009 202.332.5266 www.all-souls.org All Souls Mission and Vision Mission Statement To create a diverse, spirit-growing,

More information

St. Thomas: A Transforming Community

St. Thomas: A Transforming Community St. Thomas: A Transforming Community September 2015 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which

More information

FAITH FAMILY TRADITION

FAITH FAMILY TRADITION FAITH FAMILY TRADITION STEWARDSHIP 2019 FAITH (doctrine/growth) Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. TRADITION (worship)

More information

Transforming Lives. Your ChurCh s guide to giving. Lay Development. Clergy Development Communities of Practice. Church Development.

Transforming Lives. Your ChurCh s guide to giving. Lay Development. Clergy Development Communities of Practice. Church Development. Your ChurCh s guide to giving Third Edition M a s s a c h u s e t t s c o n f e r e n c e, u n i t e d c h u r c h o f c h r i s t Transforming Lives Lay Development Super Saturday Church Development Web

More information

Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish

Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish October 2018 Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Annual Report Parishioners, Staff, and Father Frank, The members of the Finance Council, Parish Council, and parish staff are very pleased to share this annual report

More information

from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. John 1:16 every member c a n va s s 2019 Time and time again, Christ Church has proven to be steadfast and strong, generous and compassionate. In

More information

Church Profile. Prepared by the Polk Grove Settled Minister Search Committee 2017 POLK GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church Profile. Prepared by the Polk Grove Settled Minister Search Committee 2017 POLK GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Church Profile Prepared by the Polk Grove Settled Minister Search Committee 2017 POLK GROVE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 9190 Frederick Pike Dayton, Ohio 45414 937.890.1821 www.facebook.com/polkgrove/ Part

More information

The Stewardship Development Team

The Stewardship Development Team The Stewardship Development Team By: Ruben Swint We have become very familiar with the long-term trends of congregational giving. Contributions as a percentage of income are down from 3.11% in 1965 to

More information

Remember the Kingston Trio (1961) or Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) classic

Remember the Kingston Trio (1961) or Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) classic Deut 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Cor 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28 The Rev. Linda Spiers 4 th Sunday after Epiphany February 1, 2015 Annual Meeting Trinity Episcopal Church Remember the Kingston Trio (1961) or Peter,

More information

20 September A Time to Act!

20 September A Time to Act! 20 September 2017 A Time to Act! When I was ordained prophet president I promised to do my best with God s help to speak truth to you. Sometimes truth is good news. Sometimes truth is hard to hear. The

More information

LOCAL CHURCH REPORT TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

LOCAL CHURCH REPORT TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE Instructions for Table I of the 1 This is auto-filled from Line 9 of last year s Local Church Report. 2.a Report the number of persons received into the church on profession of faith. 2.b Report the number

More information

Parish Mission Statement

Parish Mission Statement The three R's theme for our 60th anniversary is because the core of our faith as Catholics is to:.~ Remember God's abiding presence with us in Jesus Christ Renew our relationship with Jesus Christ again

More information

Strengthening Our Foundation. A Campaign of the Advancement Foundation. campaign case statement

Strengthening Our Foundation. A Campaign of the Advancement Foundation. campaign case statement Strengthening Our Foundation A Campaign of the Advancement Foundation campaign case statement apital campaign prayer God our Father, we thank You for Your many blessings: For our lives, for the gifts and

More information

Saint Clement Parish. Stewardship Report. Pray.Serve.Give.Learn.Belong.

Saint Clement Parish. Stewardship Report. Pray.Serve.Give.Learn.Belong. Saint Clement Parish Pray.Serve.Give.Learn.Belong. Stewardship Report 2017 Saint Clement Parish 642 W. Deming Place, Chicago, IL 60614 t. 773-281-0371 f. 773-281-2509 www.clement.org LETTER FROM THE PASTOR

More information

Completing and returning your 2016 pledges and forms by October 14 th

Completing and returning your 2016 pledges and forms by October 14 th Rideau Park 2016 Stewardship Campaign Materials E ach year at this time of stewardship we are asked to pause and reflect prayerfully on Rideau Park s needs and what our church means to us, our family and

More information

Covenant Conversation on Church Finances. October 16, 2017

Covenant Conversation on Church Finances. October 16, 2017 Covenant Conversation on Church Finances October 16, 2017 Main Focus Points 2016 Financial Events 2016 Cash Flow Looking toward the Future Making connections Stewardship update Questions Finance Committee

More information

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7 Photo by ChallengingPanoramas.com VISION A MESSAGE

More information

Embracing God s Future...

Embracing God s Future... Embracing God s Future... Centreville United Methodist Church Holy and Gracious God, We know that where two or more are gathered together in your name, you are there. So we give thanks for the presence

More information

Our Journey TIMELINE TOTAL COSTS $17,700,156 $4,803,285. Congregation celebrates vote to purchase Dave Lyle property

Our Journey TIMELINE TOTAL COSTS $17,700,156 $4,803,285. Congregation celebrates vote to purchase Dave Lyle property A Message From Our Pastor Three years ago I shared with our Family of Faith that I believed God wanted us to pay off our existing debt. Three years later, I still believe that. Why? First, simply stated,

More information

We held our annual Valentine s Party in February and hundreds of you came and celebrated love and friendship

We held our annual Valentine s Party in February and hundreds of you came and celebrated love and friendship 1 2 Dear Parishioners: The time has come for me to present to all of you the Annual Report of St. Rita Parish for the first time as administrator. While the report is from before my time being appointed

More information

Stewardship 101. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Highway Tampa, Fl

Stewardship 101. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Highway Tampa, Fl Stewardship 101 Test me in this, says the Lord almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. (Mal. 3:10 NIV)

More information

Holy Name of Mary Parish

Holy Name of Mary Parish 55 East Jamaica Avenue Valley Stream, New York 11580 January 22, 2008 is about many things as a parish community - matters of the soul and spirit, matters pertaining to our faith and relationship to Jesus

More information

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 When God first spoke those words to Israel, it was a reminder that He was not finished working through them and

More information

A Campaign for thriving Lutheran mission and ministry

A Campaign for thriving Lutheran mission and ministry A Campaign for thriving Lutheran mission and ministry The Arkansas Oklahoma Synod And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may

More information

Transforming Lives. Your ChurCh s guide to giving. In our Church In our Conference In our World

Transforming Lives. Your ChurCh s guide to giving. In our Church In our Conference In our World Your ChurCh s guide to giving Fourth Edition M a s s a c h u s e t t s c o n f e r e n c e, u n i t e d c h u r c h o f c h r i s t Transforming Lives In our Church In our Conference In our World T r a

More information

Leave a legacy of faith by building a solid foundation for the future of the Catholic Church in Vermont.

Leave a legacy of faith by building a solid foundation for the future of the Catholic Church in Vermont. Leave a legacy of faith by building a solid foundation for the future of the Catholic Church in Vermont. ANNUAL REPORT, JULY 1, 2016 JUNE 30, 2017 Vermont Catholic Community Foundation, Inc. F u n d Sites

More information

Kemnay Parish Church of Scotland. Stewardship Season 2016

Kemnay Parish Church of Scotland. Stewardship Season 2016 Kemnay Parish Church of Scotland Stewardship Season 2016 Dear friends, I find it hard to believe that one year has already passed since my wife Heather and I arrived in Kemnay. Much has happened over the

More information

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING 2018

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING 2018 ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING 2018 2019 Proposed Ministry Goals & Budget November 11, 2018 Hearts consumed by Christ. As we focus on 2019 and the continuation of our 20/20 Vision priorities, Redeemer s board has

More information

The Cathedral Community

The Cathedral Community The Cathedral Community Rochester, New York Building a Solid Future in Hope Capital Campaign Building a Solid Future in Hope Campaign Prayer Gracious God, through Your Holy Spirit, You continue to bless

More information

Know. Pray. Communicate. October 9 - Spiritual Aspects of Giving. October 16 - Practical Aspects of Giving

Know. Pray. Communicate. October 9 - Spiritual Aspects of Giving. October 16 - Practical Aspects of Giving what and why you give. about what God is asking you to give. Each Sunday in October we will focus on a different aspect that highlights the impact giving has on you, St. Philip s, our community and the

More information

Light and Life at the Heart. St Barnabas Church Upper Avenue Istead Rise Gravesend

Light and Life at the Heart. St Barnabas Church Upper Avenue Istead Rise Gravesend St Barnabas Church Upper Avenue Istead Rise Gravesend 0 We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of

More information

E-Newsletter November 16-22, 2018

E-Newsletter November 16-22, 2018 E-Newsletter November 16-22, 2018 Prayer List Please remember those on the Prayer List when you pray. Click link for the list of prayer requests. Link to Scripture readings Preparing for Sunday Twenty-

More information

the zen practice of balancing the books

the zen practice of balancing the books the zen practice of balancing the books The Big Picture on San Francisco Zen Center s Long-Term Financial Sustainability By Robert Thomas, San Francisco Zen Center President, June 2, 2010 Money is a very

More information

The Church of the Good Shepherd Long Range Plan 2016

The Church of the Good Shepherd Long Range Plan 2016 The Church of the Good Shepherd Long Range Plan 2016 Page 1 Page 2 A Letter from our Senior Warden Dear Members of the Parish: Change is the New Normal. Just this year, The Church of the Good Shepherd

More information

What are your dreams? We are embarking on a new parish initiative. We hope you and your dreams will join us.

What are your dreams? We are embarking on a new parish initiative. We hope you and your dreams will join us. What are your dreams? We are embarking on a new parish initiative. We hope you and your dreams will join us. 2 DYNAMIC PARISH What are your dreams for your life? For your family? For your faith community?

More information

Storytelling Budgets. A fresh way to look at financing the work of the church. 24 Giving

Storytelling Budgets. A fresh way to look at financing the work of the church. 24 Giving Storytelling Budgets A fresh way to look at financing the work of the church by Susan Moser A little boy was crying as he tied his shoelaces. Why are you crying? his mother asked. I have to tie my shoes,

More information

to be what you will be Love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and souls and love our neighbors as ourselves. OurVision

to be what you will be Love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and souls and love our neighbors as ourselves. OurVision to be what you will be Love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and souls and love our neighbors as ourselves. OurVision A C a m p a i g n f o r S t. J e r o m e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h CAMPAIGN PRAYER

More information

STEWARDSHIP Honoring GOD: Responding Generously in Gratitude

STEWARDSHIP Honoring GOD: Responding Generously in Gratitude STEWARDSHIP 2013 Honoring GOD: Responding Generously in Gratitude Welcome to our 2013 Stewardship Pledge Campaign The simple goal of this booklet is to celebrate the ongoing ministries of Saint Mark Presbyterian

More information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Why is our church involved in another capital campaign? a. This capital campaign provides us with an opportunity to challenge one another to prayerfully consider our individual

More information

A Prayer a Day. 90 Days of Prayers For God s Blessing on Our Church and School And Our Capital Campaign

A Prayer a Day. 90 Days of Prayers For God s Blessing on Our Church and School And Our Capital Campaign bridges. We now need Your blessing so we can pay down our mortgage, update our aging facilities, and create new ways to reach out into the community with Your love. Help us to be good stewards of the resources

More information

MEMBERSHIP & PARTICIPATION Table 1 of the Local Church Report to the Annual Conference

MEMBERSHIP & PARTICIPATION Table 1 of the Local Church Report to the Annual Conference State County Charge Conference Church No. GCFA Church No. Employer Identification No. (Federal Tax ID No.) Pastor Church District Reports for the year ending December 31, or for the period to Mission Church

More information

A Letter From Our Pastor

A Letter From Our Pastor 2017 Year-End Report CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC PARISH A Letter From Our Pastor 2017 YEAR-END REPORT Thank You for Your Commitments to Our Parish 1520 South Rockford Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 584-4788 www.christthekingcatholic.church

More information

A Capital Campaign for Our Savior Lutheran Church

A Capital Campaign for Our Savior Lutheran Church A Capital Campaign for Our Savior Lutheran Church A Message from Pastor Krueger Come and see what God has done how awesome his works in man s behalf. - Psalm 66:5 Dear Members and Friends, Living Our Mission

More information

THE OFFERING MOMENT 90 SECONDS TO ENGAGE YOUR GIVERS

THE OFFERING MOMENT 90 SECONDS TO ENGAGE YOUR GIVERS THE OFFERING MOMENT 90 SECONDS TO ENGAGE YOUR GIVERS TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Introduction 4 Why Communicate With Your Givers? 7 The Seven Elements 13 Bonus Element 14 Giving On-Ramps 16 Next Steps 17 Thank

More information

Let the word of Christ dwell in you

Let the word of Christ dwell in you Every Member Canvass 2018 Let the word of Christ dwell in you colossians 3:16 For 178 years, Christ Church Cathedral has proclaimed that God is in the midst of the city. Our community has served, gathered,

More information

Sample Simplified Structure (BOD 274.2) Leadership Council Monthly Agenda

Sample Simplified Structure (BOD 274.2) Leadership Council Monthly Agenda So, you have downsized your church administrative board and simplified your congregation s leadership structure. More leaders are now moving from leading meetings to leading ministries. You might think

More information

Two Years of Imagination Becoming Reality!

Two Years of Imagination Becoming Reality! Two Years of Imagination Becoming Reality! RPC 2017 3 Children and youth are not the church of the future, but the church of today. The Rev. Jean-Paul Marshall A little over two years ago, unified as a

More information

our community and to God s kingdom. Since 1925, generations have discovered the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in this place, then grown in

our community and to God s kingdom. Since 1925, generations have discovered the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in this place, then grown in A Landmark Heritage Founded in 1925, Peachtree Christian Church stands as a witness to the glory of God and for the service of His Kingdom. The people of Peachtree Christian Church have faithfully served

More information

FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING LEADERSHIP FOR A DESIGNATED TERM POSITION

FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING LEADERSHIP FOR A DESIGNATED TERM POSITION FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING LEADERSHIP FOR A DESIGNATED TERM POSITION The covenantal relationship between a church and those called by that church to serve as pastors and teachers and in other ministerial

More information

A Future with Hope Mission Fund Campaign Manual The United Methodist Church Greater New Jersey Conference

A Future with Hope Mission Fund Campaign Manual The United Methodist Church Greater New Jersey Conference A Future with Hope Mission Fund Campaign Manual The United Methodist Church Greater New Jersey Conference Extending the Mission of the Church Locally, Regionally and Globally For use only by The United

More information

Vestry Orientation. Church Leadership Conference. February 20, Donald V. Romanik, ECF President and Brendon J. Hunter, Leadership Resources

Vestry Orientation. Church Leadership Conference. February 20, Donald V. Romanik, ECF President and Brendon J. Hunter, Leadership Resources Vestry Orientation Church Leadership Conference February 20, 2016 Donald V. Romanik, ECF President and Brendon J. Hunter, Leadership Resources The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) Independent, lay led

More information

Imagine. Remember Our Past Imagine Our Future! DEBT. Waynedale United Methodist Church 2017 Capital Campaign

Imagine. Remember Our Past Imagine Our Future! DEBT. Waynedale United Methodist Church 2017 Capital Campaign Imagine DEBT Remember Our Past Imagine Our Future! Waynedale United Methodist Church 2017 Capital Campaign Dear Church Family, I am thankful for each of you and your role as a disciple in the life of Waynedale

More information

GRACE GOSPEL. To be known as a people...who LOVE their God...who SERVE their community...who GROW in their relationship with Jesus Christ

GRACE GOSPEL. To be known as a people...who LOVE their God...who SERVE their community...who GROW in their relationship with Jesus Christ GRACE GOSPEL To be known as a people...who LOVE their God...who SERVE their community...who GROW in their relationship with Jesus Christ Our Values We believe that how we pursue our mission is as important

More information

LISTING INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK COMPENSATION & SUPPORT WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?

LISTING INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK COMPENSATION & SUPPORT WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? POSITION POSTING LISTING INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK COMPENSATION & SUPPORT WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? LISTING INFORMATION Church name: Trinitarian Congregational Church Street address: 54 Walden

More information

Building A Vibrant Spiritual Life

Building A Vibrant Spiritual Life Building A Vibrant Spiritual Life A Soul Care Self-Assessment Inventory This inventory will help you discern where you are on your spiritual journey and identify possible next steps. It is designed to

More information

Our Church is a Nest. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

Our Church is a Nest. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 Our Church is a Nest Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 S t e w a r d s h i p Campaign 2018 Erik Scheier Stewardship

More information

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7 Photo by ChallengingPanoramas.com VISION A MESSAGE

More information

Transforming our Diocese

Transforming our Diocese Transforming our Diocese Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples: THE NEXT FIVE YEARS Archbishop Sentamu reminds us that to be the Church means just one thing being a people of prayer constantly

More information

Covenant Agreement Documents. Diocesan Council June 10, 2009

Covenant Agreement Documents. Diocesan Council June 10, 2009 Covenant Agreement Documents Diocesan Council June 10, 2009 1 Covenant Memorandum For nearly five years, Diocesan Council and the Bishop s Office have encouraged our congregations to assess the vitality

More information

2017 NARRATIVE BUDGET

2017 NARRATIVE BUDGET 2017 NARRATIVE BUDGET 2017 NARRATIVE BUDGET HADDONFIELD UMC Inspire, Connect, and Empower Along the Faith Journey In a time where the world seems to be on edge as people are more divided than ever along

More information

VITALCONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE2016

VITALCONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE2016 VITALCONGREGATIONS INITIATIVE2016 Content Vital Congregations 5 Overview & Getting Started 6 Setting Goals Online 8 Intro to VitalSigns 10 Available Resources 12 Moving Preparation 14 Transition Worksheet

More information

ABOVE & BEYOND. Gift Catalog

ABOVE & BEYOND. Gift Catalog ABOVE & BEYOND Gift Catalog 2018-2019 A Word from Your Pastors Dear Friends of St Stephens, St Stephens Lutheran Church (SSLC) is celebrating 120 years of blessings from God above so that we might be a

More information

Ministry Description PEACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE Growing in Faith and Love for God. Youth Ministries Elder

Ministry Description PEACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE Growing in Faith and Love for God. Youth Ministries Elder THE SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE Growing in Faith and Love for God "The purposes of the Spiritual Life Committee are to plan, organize and provide opportunities, programs, activities and events that nurture

More information

Outline Your Church Stewardship Road Map

Outline Your Church Stewardship Road Map 1 Outline Your Church Stewardship Road Map How to Avoid the One-Size-Fits-All Trap Joel Mikell & Bill McMillan 2 Table of Contents Introduction 4 Begin with an Assessment 5 Ensure Your Operational Giving

More information

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 2013 STRATEGIC MINISTRY PLAN

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 2013 STRATEGIC MINISTRY PLAN CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 2013 STRATEGIC MINISTRY PLAN We, the members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky, being grateful to Almighty God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,

More information

Treasure Our Past, Build Our Future

Treasure Our Past, Build Our Future Treasure Our Past, Build Our Future A Campaign To Build Our New Church our lady of the blessed sacrament church Westfield, Massachusetts diocese of springfield A Letter from Our Bishop the diocese of springfield

More information

things things FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST

things things FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST Martin Luther once observed that every Christian goes through three conversions in life---first, the heart, then, the head, and finally the purse. For God to be really first in the life of a Christian,

More information

Why ANGLICANS DON T GIVE and What Can Be Done About It

Why ANGLICANS DON T GIVE and What Can Be Done About It Why ANGLICANS DON T GIVE and What Can Be Done About It Why Anglicans Don t Give and What Can Be Done About It Revised and Approved by Director, Stewardship on March 24 2 Why ANGLICANS DON T GIVE and What

More information

Church Planting 101 Morning Session

Church Planting 101 Morning Session Session 1: Church Planting 101 Participant Book - Morning Page 1 Church Planting 101 Morning Session Welcome to the first session of the Lay Missionary Planting Network, a training opportunity offered

More information

ZÜÉã Çz? Z ä Çz? fxüä Çz. Ç tää ãtçá Ç V{Ü áà4. A Narrative Budget for St. Paul s Episcopal Church Brighton, MI

ZÜÉã Çz? Z ä Çz? fxüä Çz. Ç tää ãtçá Ç V{Ü áà4. A Narrative Budget for St. Paul s Episcopal Church Brighton, MI ZÜÉã Çz? Z ä Çz? fxüä Çz Ç tää ãtçá Ç V{Ü áà4 A Narrative Budget for St. Paul s Episcopal Church Brighton, MI St. Paul s is about people! As we journey into the future that God is calling we pray that

More information

ST. MARK S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SANCTUARY HVAC PROJECT

ST. MARK S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SANCTUARY HVAC PROJECT ST. MARK S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SANCTUARY HVAC PROJECT To the Friends of St. Mark s: Michelle Rekitzke, Senior Pastor Did you know that the 1st Sunday worship service in the Sanctuary at St. Mark s

More information

Did you know? Grace-Full Living. A resource from Women of the ELCA

Did you know? Grace-Full Living. A resource from Women of the ELCA Grace-Full Living Many women are motivated to act by a fairly simple type of value: a hope to leave the world better than they found it. This idea is sometimes described as giving back based on a woman

More information

CGS will Proclaim, Welcome, & Serve in Benevolence

CGS will Proclaim, Welcome, & Serve in Benevolence in Benevolence It will be like someone going on a journey, who called their servants and entrusted their wealth to them. Matthew 25.14 In the Parable of the Talents, from Matthew 25, Jesus teaches us that

More information

An amazing year of growth and renewal!

An amazing year of growth and renewal! Winter Newsletter and Stewardship Report An amazing year of growth and renewal! December 2018 1 Fulfilling Our Mission in The Light of the Christ Child As we approach the beautiful Season of Christmas

More information

Dedication Sunday is November 12, 2017.

Dedication Sunday is November 12, 2017. Stewardship Campaign for the 2018 Budget Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church How much should I give? Where am I on the Giving Chart? It is sometimes difficult to decide how much to contribute to church.

More information

St. George Episcopal Church Witte Rd. SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038

St. George Episcopal Church Witte Rd. SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038 Come. Journey Together St. George Episcopal Church 24219 Witte Rd. SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038 Sunday Services at 9:00 am & 11:00 am Our Mission Statement: Love God...Love your Neighbor...Change the World.

More information

E Newsletter November 2 8, 2018

E Newsletter November 2 8, 2018 E Newsletter November 2 8, 2018 Prayer List Please remember those on the Prayer List when you pray. Click link for the list of prayer requests. Link to Scripture readings Preparing for Sunday All Saints'

More information

First Parish Church Congregational United Church of Christ 180 York Street, York, Maine;

First Parish Church Congregational United Church of Christ 180 York Street, York, Maine; First Parish Church Congregational United Church of Christ 180 York Street, York, Maine; www.firstparishyork.net First Parish is a quintessential New England church in the heart of historic York Village

More information

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE 27 TH Sunday after Pentecost November 20, 2016 Stewardship Commitment Sunday Texts: Psalm 46 and Colossians 1:9-20 I have always thought of giving as being based on two fundamental

More information

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and

More information

Celebrating 50 Years of. GRATITUDE, HOPE and JOY. Diocese of St. Petersburg

Celebrating 50 Years of. GRATITUDE, HOPE and JOY. Diocese of St. Petersburg Celebrating 50 Years of GRATITUDE, HOPE and JOY Diocese of St. Petersburg ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Understanding the Financial Operations of the Pastoral Center The Diocese of St. Petersburg is a vibrant, growing

More information

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Congregational Mission Profile

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Congregational Mission Profile Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Congregational Mission Profile Part I Congregation Information 1. Congregation Congregation ID Number: Date Submitted: Congregation Name: Address: City: Postal Code:

More information

EAST END UNITED REGIONAL MINISTRY: A PROPOSAL

EAST END UNITED REGIONAL MINISTRY: A PROPOSAL EAST END UNITED REGIONAL MINISTRY: A PROPOSAL MAY 14, 2017 On September 25, 2016 Cosburn, Eastminster, Glen Rhodes, and Hope United Churches voted to continue to work together towards a proposal for becoming

More information

2016/17 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP REPORT Pray for Me Servant Leadership Initiative

2016/17 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP REPORT Pray for Me Servant Leadership Initiative As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. As each one has received a gift,

More information

New England Synod. Ministry Site Profile. Address: 132 Auburn Street, Portland, ME 04103

New England Synod. Ministry Site Profile. Address: 132 Auburn Street, Portland, ME 04103 New England Synod Ministry Site Profile Congregational Name: First Lutheran Church Congregation ID #: 10486 Address: 132 Auburn Street, Portland, ME 04103 Website: Does the Church own a Parsonage? http://flcme.org/

More information

E Newsletter November 23 29, 2018

E Newsletter November 23 29, 2018 E Newsletter November 23 29, 2018 Prayer List Please remember those on the Prayer List when you pray. Click link for the list of prayer requests. November 23 Parish Office CLOSED: Thanksgiving Holiday

More information

As you come to Him, the living stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a

As you come to Him, the living stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a As you come to Him, the living stone rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual

More information

THE CHURCH OF MY HEART

THE CHURCH OF MY HEART THE CHURCH OF MY HEART For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also Matthew 6:21 GIVING FROM THE HEART TO THE CHURCH OF MY HEART. You are invited to consider prayerfully your own pledge to

More information

John 6: Scarcity to Abundance. Rev Dr. Susan Cartmell. The Congregational Church of Needham. Sunday November 9, 2014

John 6: Scarcity to Abundance. Rev Dr. Susan Cartmell. The Congregational Church of Needham. Sunday November 9, 2014 Page 1 John 6: 1-15 Scarcity to Abundance Rev Dr. Susan Cartmell The Congregational Church of Needham Sunday November 9, 2014 This month our worship theme is stewardship. Now a steward is someone who looks

More information

State of the Parish Report July 2016 through June 2017

State of the Parish Report July 2016 through June 2017 State of the Parish Report July 2016 through June 2017 St. Peter Catholic Church THE JESUIT CHURCH IN CHARLOTTE S CENTER CITY Dear Friends, I am pleased to present you with our annual report on the state

More information

Holy Trinity Church, Shaw. in the West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership. Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 st December 2018

Holy Trinity Church, Shaw. in the West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership. Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 st December 2018 Holy Trinity Church, Shaw in the West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 st December 2018 HTS Annual Report 2018 Page 1 of 8 13/02/2019 Administrative

More information

Conversations Sample Report

Conversations Sample Report Conversations Sample Report 9/4/18 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and

More information

Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church For every good endowment and perfect gift is from Above, coming down from the Father of Lights. James 1:17 Dear Parishioners and Friends, For every good and

More information