ST. STEPHEN S PARISH Growing in Generosity STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2014
St. Stephen s members making a new pledge or increasing their pledge over the last year will receive a Growing in Generosity tote bag! Make it your mission to have your very own! THANK YOU FOR Growing in Generosity!
To the community of St. Stephen s Church, in Pittsfield, Grace and Peace! It s hard to talk about stewardship in a fresh way, because our minds have so often equated stewardship with fundraising. Another word for steward is the lovely old-fashioned word viceroy. Look at that word for a moment: viceroy. Vice - to be in the place of and roy - the king. A steward, a viceroy, is sent by a king to take his place in some specific city, region, or country. Ah! So have we been sent, by our King, to serve this good place and the people around us. Even our parish mission statement reminds us that we are God s hands in our community. Keep an eye on your hands today on what they touch and how, on how you use them, on what they communicate. Every moment of every day, we have the opportunity to remember that what we do with our hands is Holy. We have been sent, by our King, to use our hands in a way that resonates with our deepest values of gratitude and generosity. This attentiveness to our hands will encourage us to be good stewards of God s abundant love, for when we remember that we are Viceroys of Grace, our hands and our hearts will naturally open to the world around us. I am excited that I, too, will soon stand with you in this place, to serve. Yours, The Rev. Cricket Cooper+, Rector-elect worship of God. I remember the joy and delight I felt watching a tape of a U2 concert in Boston Garden where Bono, the lead singer, finished the song yelling out to the crowd again and again Hallelujah!, with the crowd of thousands yelling back each time Hallelujah! The roar of thousands of voices then came together to chant with Bono, Give back! Give back! Give back! I had no doubt that the Holy Spirit was moving in that place and that Bono was leading You are riding the crest of the wave of all of the efforts of the Search Committee and the Vestry. The call of your next rector will only sustain and strengthen the crest of that wave. I am deeply grateful to have been in ministry with you these last months. I know that you will do all in your power to rise to the call of this stewardship campaign to give the leadership and ministries of this parish the financial commitment that will provide staffing and the other supports required to sustain and strengthen the place where we are right now. Grateful for all that awaits, may your pledge grow from your heart and your soul to sustain this life that is yours to share here at St. Stephen s. Yours in Christ, Ann Broomell+, Interim Rector Saint Stephens has been the place for the slow awakening of the Spirit within me. It always comes as a surprise and a challenge. It always comes as a revelation of strengths I barely know I had. And it always comes with a new and special relationship with another human being and with God. -Jim Cawse, Jr. Warden 1
Over the years I have come to love St. Stephen s I love singing and the whole choir, serving at the Table and loving the people who eat here. I am in awe of sacramental mysteries and the expression of sanctification in the liturgy. To paraphrase Thomas Merton, St. Stephen s and its people are shining like the sun. I want to be here. -Susan Wojtasik We are entering into a new life at St. Stephen s with new vision, new energy and new hope for our future. As part of that we chose to create a Strategic Plan as a guiding path for our steps. When you look at it, one thing is clear; it is a plan based on mission, on being the Heart and Hands of Christ in this world today. Being the Heart and Hands of Christ takes many forms but, all of them enable each of us, to offer to God what we have received in one way or another. When you fill out a pledge card or put an offering in the basket, or bring food for the table or put change in the bowl for the Saturday lunch program, you do so with the hands of Christ. With those hands you provide shelter, a place of worship, food and clothing for the hungry and homeless. You provide a means for our children to see a life that is based on love instead of hate and peace instead of war and giving in place of greed. You provide opportunities for our youth to do mission work with the poor and those in need not only in our own community but in places where others refuse to go. You give fuel oil to a family who is freezing on a cold winter day. You buy a bus ticket to get someone home again. You give a family a few nights shelter and a warm meal. You allow this church to keep the lights on, to provide heat and a place to gather not only for our own regular worship but for all of those groups who share our building seeking to find a better way to live. You offer a church and priests for baptisms, weddings, funerals and marriages. You give shawls and bread and prayers to strangers and those in need. You send the Love of Christ to homes and hospitals and jail cells and gutters and railroad bridges in the form of pastoral care and outreach. You show all people the face of Christ in ways they may never have experienced it before. It will never be enough. We can never give enough. The needs that exist will always exceed our ability to provide for them in full, and in that is our blessing. As we grow in our generosity, our willingness to support our parish and its mission by giving of what we have received from God, we are set free, and in that freedom we find the Heart of Christ. 2
A Narrative Budget for St. Stephen s The Mission of St. Stephen s is to be the heart and hands of Christ; nourishing people, transforming lives. As a regional Episcopal Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, we are a faithful community prayerfully responding to God s call in all that we do. Day by day, week by week, we use our many resources to accomplish our mission and fulfill God s vision for us. Members of the Stewardship Committee have created this narrative budget to help everyone understand how dollars translate into ministry. Unlike a line-item budget, a narrative budget tells our story. It is a descriptive account of how St. Stephen s uses its time, talent, and financial resources. A narrative budget bears witness to the depth and breadth of our life together at this pivotal moment in our parish history. Our annual operating budget is allocated into four primary areas of ministry. Worship 35% Christian Formation 12% Serving 30% Parish Life 23% In the following pages, you will read about these ministries, and about the many ways we as a parish contribute to their work. In the coming year, your financial contributions will strengthen these ministries, maintain our St. Stephen s is a place where I can nourish my spiritual relationship with God and transform my life to more fully serve God. I pray that the St. Stephen s community continues to bring Christ and people together in the world. -Al Symonds building and grounds, and deepen the connection we share in our life in Christ 3
Worship Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. - From the Venite, Book of Common Prayer (Psalm 95:1) Through Saturday and Sunday worship and numerous mid-week services, we are inspired by fine preaching, nourished at the altar and sent into the world renewed for service. Our worship is the foundation of the life we share in Christ here at St. Stephen s. At the 10:00 AM service on Sunday our 20 voice choir leads the congregation in singing the liturgy and hymns and provides anthems at the offertory and communion. Quieter, spoken services are offered Saturday evening and earlier Sunday morning. Through our Strategic Plan, we will develop a yearly plan of supplemental music and worship services that reach out to the broader community. St. Stephen s is my Christian home where opportunities abound for service to others and where I am blessed to be in fellowship with other like-minded Christians. Each week, through the celebration of the Eucharist, I am spiritually fed and open to receive the good news. I believe that this community is where I am meant to be as I prayerfully discern God s call for my life. -Paula Morey We believe that all people are called into ministry. At St. Stephen s there is a whole-hearted response to this call. The altar guild prepares and cares for the vestments, altar frontals and linens, and the linens and vessels used in the Eucharist. Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers serve at the altar, and Eucharistic Visitors take communion from the weekend services to our members who cannot worship with us in church. Lectors take turns reading the lessons, and ushers and greeters help people move comfortably into and through the church. There is a social hour after the 10:00 AM service to which all are welcome. Children regularly serve as acolytes and are invited to participate and lead in the service. We joyfully welcome the children with song as they join us for communion after Sunday School. Last year, four middle and high school students sang with the Chancel Choir on a regular basis. This year we have a new choir for younger children. All ministers are well trained and commissioned in their various callings. The level of commitment in lay leadership and service at St. Stephen s is consistently high. Parish Worship: 35% of the total budget This total includes a portion of clergy salaries, benefits, housing allowance, and reimbursable expenses. It also includes a portion of payments made to parish administrator, administrative assistant, music director, nursery caregiver, sexton, plus insurance, employment taxes, annual audit, phones, copier, office supplies and more. 4
Christian Formation Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Paul s letter to the Romans 12:2 trained as well as CORI checked. St. Stephen s offers Christian formation each Sunday for children and youth of the parish from pre-kindergarten through the 5 th grade, and classes for Middle and High School students. Our 20 volunteer teachers and assistants are safe-church The Living the Good News curriculum is used for the lower grades. Each classroom reviews the same scripture that their parents hear during the service. The curriculum provides bright, graphic handouts to further our children s understanding of the lessons and provides activities to encourage family discussion. Our teachers bring their many gifts to teaching; using music, Bible readings, crafts and acting to engage their classes. Our grade school enrollment has nearly doubled in the past two years. A nursery caregiver and assistant provide nurturing care in our nursery for children under the age of 3. This year we offer formation for Middle and High School students each Sunday after church, enabling their spiritual growth to inform their quickly changing lives. Community service and opportunities for fun times together complete the formation experience. Using a new curriculum, Akoloo, the Greek word meaning to follow, the youth will embark on a journey, much like the disciples learning what it means to follow Jesus by simply stepping out. St. Stephen s offers several opportunities for adult formation: Forums with guest speakers in person or via DVDs on Sundays at 9:00 AM, special programming focused on spiritual growth, our monthly Eclectic Book Club meeting, and a variety of mid-week activities during Lent. St. Stephen s is a community that for my entire life has provided nourishment and a guiding hand through all of life's obstacles. As a secondary family, they have been with me through a plethora of experiences. Finding a secondary home such as the church is something I believe many go through life without, and is something I am so grateful to have been a part of for my entire life. -Andrew Macfarlane Christian Formation: 12% of the total budget This total includes a portion of clergy salaries, benefits, housing allowance, and reimbursable expenses. It also includes the salary of our Sunday School director and a portion of payments made to parish administrator, administrative assistant, music director, nursery caregiver, sexton, curriculum, supplies, along with insurance, employment taxes, annual audit, phones, copier, office supplies, and more. 5
Serving: Mission/Outreach and Pastoral Care Will you serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? I will with God s help. From The Baptismal Covenant, page 305, Book of Common Prayer Mission/Outreach The outreach ministry at St. Stephen s strives to make God known to others by opening our doors and ourselves in God s name. When I walk into St. Stephen s, whether for service on Sunday, a Finance meeting on Tuesday, or altar guild on a Saturday morning, I am overwhelmed by the calmness that comes over me. It's as if Jesus says, "it's okay you are with me now". I can take a deep breath, let everything else go and be present in what I'm doing. This is one of the many reasons St. Stephen s is so valuable to me. -Josie Ellis St. Stephen s is a Jubilee Center, recognizing the value of our community outreach program and the commitment of the parish to serving those in need. Through our Strategic Plan we will bridge the gap between secular and faith communities. Our new Mission/Outreach Committee will be discerning new ministries through which we can strengthen the mission ministry of the parish. St. Stephen s Table serves meals on Thursday and Friday evenings to approximately 160 guests per week. We also serve lunch to approximately 40 on Saturdays. All programs are sustained by volunteers from both the church and the wider community. In addition we provide warm hats, gloves and scarves to our Table guests during the colder seasons. Through our Strategic Plan we will identify unmet needs within the parish and beyond. St. Stephen s is a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity, offering prayers, financial support and volunteers for local projects. We work on Habitat projects twice per year. Our facilities are made available to several 12 step and other non-profit groups without charge. Serving: 30% of the total budget This total includes our diocesan local share for common mission, a portion of clergy salary, benefits, housing allowance, and reimbursable expenses. It also includes a portion of parish administrator, administrative assistant, and sexton salaries, pensions and employment taxes, telephone, copier, utilities, property improvements, maintenance, support services, global missions, and audit fees. 6
Pastoral Care Pastoral Care is a key ministry of the parish. Our priests visit those who are critically ill and their families, and offer a listening ear to those in crisis. The level of pastoral care offered at St. Stephen s is possible only through the commitment of our clergy and our lay ministers. The clergy are supported by a lay Pastoral Care Leader and more than 20 dedicated volunteers. The leader coordinates Eucharistic Visitors and pastoral visits to homebound parishioners, members in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and wherever there is a need for a visit, including our table guests. Eucharistic Visitors, in teams of two, visit assigned shut-ins monthly. Five area nursing homes are visited by teams of two once per month to offer communion to those residents who wish to participate. The weekly church bulletin provides a daily prayer list. A prayer chain is offered in emergency situations and for those who request prayer. The parish has a nursing ministry that offers monthly blood pressure clinics, provides health information and coordinates exercise classes, workshops and lectures. Parish Life Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. From The Third Song of Isaiah, Morning Prayer II, Book of Common Prayer The Parish Life ministries focus on fellowship by welcoming one another in the name of Christ. Several teams support visitors and newcomers by providing them with parish information and we follow up with a personal note of welcome sent by the clergy. The parish holds informal brunches for newcomers periodically throughout the year. Our new Parish Life Committee is planning social events to strengthen the friendships we share. At St. Stephen s coffee hour provides an informal chance for parishioners to stay in touch with one another. More formal parish wide communication tools include service bulletins, the monthly parish newsletter, our website and Facebook page, online weekly updates and email. Living Green s mission is to promote awareness of and responsibility for our environment. Volunteers organize recycling for the parish, submit Living Green tips to be published in the weekly bulletin and offer reusable Living Green shopping bags. As a member of the pastoral care team, I am bringing to those I visit the representation of our church; all that makes up the body of Christ at St. Stephens. Whether it s a listening ear, a hand to hold, a prayer lifted up, or a visit to a shut in, I am a physical representative of the love and concern that Christ asks us to be to our brothers and sisters. I feel honored, privileged and blessed to do so. -Annie Rodgers Parish Life: 23% of total budget This total includes a portion of clergy salary, housing, utilities, expenses, insurance; parish administrator, administrative assistant, and sexton salaries, pensions and employment taxes, telephone, copier, utilities, property improvements, maintenance, support services, and audit fees. 7
Revenue Some who attend St. Stephen s may believe that all of our mission and ministries are paid by our generosity. Here is where our income comes from: Generosity from parishioners 61% Endowment Income 11% Endowment Principal 10% Other income 5% Outreach 9% Diocesan Support 5% In reality the Diocese funds ½ of our Priest Associate s salary for the Berkshire Servant Leadership Center. We are also taking endowment principal to fund current programs. At our present rate of taking from our endowment, it will be used up in 8 years. The Untold Story of St. Stephen s Endowment I first attended St. Stephen s because of the parish s reputation for music, and since then have never considered going anywhere else. The opportunity to connect the liturgy through music has always been an important part of my faith, and something I am so glad to be able to share with my family, and others at St. Stephen s. -Matt Behnke St. Stephen s is blessed to have an endowment of over $1.6 million. That raises the question: Why not just draw on the endowment to fund our mission and ministries? To answer that question, let us first explain what an endowment is: A dedicated pool of assets that is used to support the church s mission and ministries in perpetuity. That last word is bolded because endowments are meant to be forever, both to secure the life of the church and to ensure that future generations have the same benefit as generations past and present. St. Stephen s has been using the endowment for many years. It is essential to the future of the parish that we are able to Grow in Generosity to cover our operating expenses. We will be blessed many times over by our efforts to make this possible. 8
Why Should I Make a Pledge? Some who attend St. Stephen s may ask Why should I pledge? In short, St. Stephen s depends on pledges to fulfill its mission... to do all that it does in the lives of people every day. The question is practical, but the answer is spiritual. All that we have in life -- love, peace and grace being central to our lives -- comes from God. We honor those gifts as we support our community and create our future through our pledge to St. Stephen s. When we give to build the ministries of St. Stephen s, we make that offering -- of ourselves, our souls and our bodies -- in thanksgiving. As God has given us abundant gifts, we give back to create our future in God s place. When we give our money, we become a full participant in St. Stephen s Christian community, making it possible for us to support each other and those in need outside our parish, to strengthen our faith, and to truly live as a community. Through all the years I have been a part of the life of this Parish, I have been loved, cared for, healed, lifted up, challenged to grow, and to share in the joy of who we are as brothers and sisters in Christ. St. Stephen's is willing to take chances to find ways to look ahead and believe in God's guidance. -Gwen Sears 9
Every Member CAN? In these uncertain economic times, every pledge is a leap of faith that expresses commitment to the mission of the church. As we welcome a new rector, and prayerfully consider expanding our mission, this commitment deserves more than the status quo. Every member can do something to renew and reaffirm his or her faith in the community of St. Stephen s. If you do not now pledge, consider pledging something. By doing so, you express your support for the mission of our parish and the dedication of the clergy and the laity who carry it into action. Every pledge -- no matter the size -- carries this vital message. For me, St. Stephen's is the antidote to my chronically poor memory. Each week St. Stephen's reminds me of everything that's important. Each week St. Stephen's helps me remember who I am, and to Whom I belong. -Craig Reynolds If you already pledge, consider raising your pledge. Specifically, consider doing so to fully fund all St. Stephen s ministry and mission. This sort of increased commitment will allow our mission to prosper and flourish. And this goal is within our reach. Pledge by pledge, we build our future together and in Christ. We can move beyond a deficit budget to fully funding our ministry through new pledges and those who raise their pledge by a small percentage. May we suggest this additional weekly amount if you are Annually pledging Or weekly pledging Additional Amount $0-520 $1 - $10 $2 $521-1300 $11 - $25 $4 $1301-3000 $26-58 $10 $3001-4999 $59-96 $20 $5000 + $96 + $40 Even modest increases will allow meaningful improvements and expansions to the ministries of St. Stephen s. 10
How much shall I give? A healthy spiritual life requires self-discipline. In the vows we make each time a new Christian is baptized, we promise to put God at the center of our lives, using Jesus life as a model for our own. Without some kind of schedule, each aspect of this vow is easily taken over by the demands of daily life. It s the same with pledging. Pledging is the discipline through which we give the fruits of our labor to God by supporting our parish. Many parishes advocate proportional giving as a way to Grow in Generosity -- determining what percentage you are giving now, and then raising the percentage given to ministry each year. This discipline offers us freedom from the hold that love of money and material possessions can exert on us. Giving is intentional, and any kind of intentional giving of ourselves to God rewards us beyond anything we can expect or even imagine. Generosity begets Grace begets Gratitude. You may think that St. Stephen s doesn t need what a higher percentage of your income would offer. Today we need to fund our budget, and the total income must rise if our mission and ministries are to remain the same. The need is very real. Beyond that, our future has no boundaries. It depends on your response to GOD s call. If your annual income is: Consider pledging 1.5% 2.5% 5.0% 7.0% 10.0% $25,000 weekly $7.21 $12.02 $24.04 $33.65 $48.08 monthly $31.25 $52.08 $104.17 $145.83 $208.33 $50,000 weekly $14.42 $24.04 $48.08 $67.31 $96.15 monthly $62.50 $104.17 $208.33 $291.67 $416.67 $75,000 weekly $21.63 $36.06 $72.12 $100.96 $144.23 monthly $93.75 $156.25 $312.50 $437.50 $625.00 $100,000 weekly $28.85 $48.08 $96.15 $134.62 $192.31 monthly $125.00 $208.33 $416.67 $583.33 $833.33 $150,000 weekly $43.27 $72.12 $144.23 $201.92 $288.46 monthly $187.50 $312.50 $625.00 $875.00 $1,250.00 I had only belonged to one church until I was 25. When my husband and I moved to Pittsfield 7 years ago, I started my quest for a new Episcopal Church to join. First stop: St. Stephen s. I was immediately greeted and welcomed as if I d been there all along. I never felt out of place or like I didn t belong. My search for a new parish ended the same day it started! I look forward to raising a family in this parish community. -Leah Luczynski $200,000 weekly $57.69 $96.15 $192.31 $269.23 $384.62 monthly $250.00 $416.67 $833.33 $1,166.67 $1,667.67 11
Questions and Answers About Pledging Q: What is pledging, anyway? A: Pledging is the commitment of financial support to the mission of the church. The work of ministry requires our time and benefits from our talents, but it also depends on tangible resources. Pledges fund the operating budget for clergy, staff, programs, and facility maintenance. Q: Oh, I get it. This is about keeping the lights and heat on? A: In a way, yes. But the bills we have to pay are for things that further our spiritual lives. Imagine coming to Sunday worship and finding the church dark and cold! Of course there is a dollars and cents dimension to the budget, but what it buys is the means to spread the gospel. Q: When you put it that way, I see what you mean, but it still feels uncomfortable to think about church in financial terms. A: Don t underestimate the spiritual dimension of pledging. Whether you re a newcomer or a longtime member, you probably remember the first time you came to St. Stephen s. Remember what it meant to you to discover this community of faith? You probably have stories about what St. Stephen s has come to mean to you since then, too. Very simply, our pledges today mean that St. Stephen s shall continue to be all it is now, for those who find their way to us tomorrow. When I think on St. Stephen's, three things immediately come to mind. The first is my sense of St. Stephen's as a supportive and caring community. The second is choir. I think of my fellow choristers as family. And, third, but certainly not least, is service. I have been privileged to work in Pastoral Care in many ways, all of which are gratifying. I thank all who helped me in this journey. -Bill Frazier Q: This sounds like a nonprofit fund drive. Are you saying I should give because of what I get back, or to support things that matter to me? A: That can be a part of it. But pledging isn t just about what is meaningful to any one of us individually. It s also about doing something that has a meaning that can t be measured in money. We re spreading the good news of the Gospel. We re reaching out to help others. We re sustaining each other. We re committed to these things because we believe they re important. We re not looking for what we get out of it. After all, the blessings of our lives come to us from God with no strings attached. Q: Can t I just put my contributions in the offering plate on Sunday? Why pledge? A: Pledging is important because it is a commitment to God, to the ministry of Jesus Christ in and through our parish. It helps parish leadership know how much we can support our ministries next year. Q: How much should I pledge? A: That s an individual decision. Elsewhere in this brochure you ll find discussions of proportional giving to sustain ministry activities. The narrative budget breaks expenditures down by ministry area. Think about all these things and do what you feel inspired to do. 12
Benefits of 2 Clergy at St. Stephen s Essential, compassionate pastoral care for parishioners who are hospitalized, housebound, recovering at home or in an extended care facility, as well as the ability to offer effective pastoral care and support to families and individuals in times of crisis. In order for the parish to grow, there should be one full-time clergy for every 100 people attending church on the average Sunday. We typically have 175. Offer 2 services per month at Kimball Farms Also provide Easter and Christmas communion to shut-ins. Support for ministries that benefit from and may be impossible without two clergy. Greater spiritual development for parishioners in the form of adult formation/education, forums, retreats, courses and quiet days. Greater presence in the community (a part of our Strategic Plan). A different voice in the pulpit; parishioners hear from clergy who know them individually and are deeply engaged in the life of the parish. Richer parishioner spiritual experience during peak periods, such as Holy Week and Advent/Christmas. Healthy working environment and greater productivity/creativity for clergy who, in a parish this size, can easily become overextended and isolated if there is only one. I have been a part of the St. Stephen's community for over 45 years, through good times and challenging times, both personally and within this community. The love and support for each other within this community is sacred and special. St. Stephen's has been, is now, and will always be an integral part of who I am as a child of God. -Sue Smith Narrative budget brought to you by your Growing in Generosity team; Marcie Nevin, Al Symonds, Josie Ellis, Leah Luczynski and the Rev. Ann Broomell 13
ST. STEPHEN S PARISH 67 EAST STREET PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 413-448-8276 www.ststephenspittsfield.org