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 Church, which are linked to our core values. These ministries impact lives daily--- in the formation of disciples who then act in the community at large. These ministries are a direct result of giving of our resources, money and time, as a spiritual practice. We honor God when we respond with gratitude and generosity. As you prayerfully consider your pledge for 2013, we would invite you to examine the question "Is God at the center of your giving?" One way to begin this process is to examine your/your family's relationship with money. How does that relationship with money impact your soul? In developing financial giving as a spiritual practice, you may want to consider the following: Is your giving systematic? Is your giving a regular habit, engrained in your beliefs and in who you are as a disciple? Is your giving proportional? Does it reflect your blessings? Is it proportional to your financial blessings? Is your giving sacrificial? Does what you give impact your lifestyle or is it just ancillary? Does it reflect your values? We will consecrate our pledges on Sunday, November 18, followed by a celebratory chili cook-off to support the youth mission trips. If you cannot bring your pledge to church that day, you can mail it to the church or email it to our pledge secretary, Connie Long ( connie.long6@comcast.net ). If you have never pledged, will you consider pledging? Pledging is a statement of intent and may be altered as circumstances warrant. If you have pledged in the past, will you consider increasing your pledge? The rest of this booklet shows how the money and time you give support the mission of Saint Mark. The Stewardship Ministry Team Dana Johnson, Angeline Butler, Richard Ridge, Walla Dempsey
From the Pastor Dear Beloved of God In this booklet is a display of the ways in which this congregation is blessed with spiritual vitality and opportunities to serve one another. In some ways this booklet is an invitation to gratitude for all that God has done for us in our life together. It is also a call to service as a grateful response. I think it actually describes the combination that is the heart of the Christian life where gratitude and service come together. This is our vision as a congregation: to grow in Jesus Christ with gratitude to God that is expressed in service to others, in the congregation, with our neighbors and with the wider world through our mission partners. Of course, it takes money to support our ministry and our facilities, and it is simply impossible to do all the things we would like to do without sufficient funds to do them. That includes support for our staff and our ministries, as well as the overdue necessary repairs on the education building. We have a great tradition of giving substantial funds to support local and global mission. If we are going to continue at the same and higher levels, we will all need to all give generously in gratitude to God. For those worried about personal financial hardship, Saint Paul offers these words: For if the eagerness [to give] is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. (II Corinthians 8) Paul also tells us that Jesus once said it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) He is speaking truthfully about the secret to a well-lived life before God. There is joy that comes from giving to the ministry of the church that cares for others, forms us as Christians and enables us to worship God. I ask you to consider your financial stewardship as a joyful obligation and increase your giving in 2013 that we may fulfill our calling to be a witness to God s love in the world. Grace to you and peace Roy
: We offer ourselves, our time, our gifts and our resources to the service of God Presbytery Support o Per Capita o Committee Service Weekly Ushers/Greeters Choir Facilities Use o Girl Scouts o Head Injury Group o AA meetings Volunteers for the Vital and Growing Youth Program: o Activities; o Youth Gatherings; o Mentors Vacation Bible School Volunteers Ministry Team Volunteers
: We are a caring family of faith, honoring the gifts of all people and celebrating our life together Parish Life and Fellowship Youth Fellowship Activities SMPC Small Groups Booklovers Young Mothers Group Nursery Support Annual Church Picnic and Retreats New Playground Communication Tools Weekly e-news Website Messenger
: We care for all God's Children, responding to those in pain and nurturing one another in love St Luke's House Deacon's Ministry Teams Homeless Shelter Meals Interfaith Homeless Shelter Services Local (Psychiatric Assessment and Care Support) Primary Care Coalition MANNA Food Center Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity Global Disaster Relief Haiti Partnership
: We welcome EVERYONE to our community regardless of race, class, marital status, sexual orientation, ability or disability. Renovated barrier free sanctuary Facilities use by community groups NIH Choir and Orchestra Institute of Music Tradition Summer Jazz Camp Welcoming Ministry Friend's class and ARC ministry Professionally staffed nursery Interfaith dialogue and education
: We listen and respond to the needs of the world, reaching out to serve others in our community and throughout the world Trips Food collections for Manna (Food First Sunday ) Christmas Angel Tree Annual School Supply Drive Crossways Kitchen Facilities Use by Charitable Groups (Head Injury group, St Luke's House, AA) Bethesda Cares Living Waters for the World ary Support Cameroon Well Project
Disaster Relief Haiti Partnership : We grow closer to God through the disciplines of prayer, study, service and worship. Dynamic and Inclusive Worship Program Vigorous Christian Education Programs for all ages Lenten Study Series Saint Mark Lecture Trips Special Services SMPC Library Confirmands Class Vacation Bible School Soaring Music Ministry o Emerging Voices Program o Instrumentalists Development
What does it cost to keep these ministries alive? (Each area includes expenses and staff costs) : SMPC 2012 Budget 14% Pastor (13%); Associate Pastor (20%); pro-rated Property/AST expenses and Finance expenses; office support; Parish life ministry, Youth fellowship ministry Spiritual Develop 31% 21% 12% 10% 12% : Pastor (12%); Associate Pastor (10%); pro-rated property/ast expenses and finance expenses; office support ; outreach for disaster relief. : Pastor (16%); Associate Pastor (20%); pro-rated Property/AST expenses and Finance expenses; office support; Welcoming ministry : Pastor (19%); Associate Pastor (5%) prorated Property/AST expenses and Finance expenses; office support; Local and Global Ministries. : Pastor (8% time); Associate pastor (20% time); pro-rated property/ AST expenses and finance expenses; Per Capita Fees; office support; stewardship ministry : Pastor (32%); Associate Pastor (25%); pro-rated Property/AST expenses and Finance expenses; Office support; Music Director salary/support; Worship Ministry; Christian Education Ministry
Number of Pledges The ministries of Saint Mark require significant resources. In 2012, 157 households pledged $535,000. The dollar ranges for the pledges are shown below. Pledges 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Less than $500 $500 - $999 $1000 - $1999 $2000 - $2999 $ Range $3000- $4999 $5000 - $7999 $8000 or more An increase in the pledge amount per member would allow us to continue to grow our ministries and complete some much needed building repairs. We also ask all members to please cover the cost of their Per Capita assessment. The Per Capita assessment is a designated amount that Saint Mark sends to the Presbytery for each member we have on record. For 2013 that assessment will be $34.65 per confirmed member. A special envelope for this purpose is included in all offering envelope boxes.
November 2: Pledge cards and envelopes will be mailed to all members November 18: Consecration Sunday (Pledges will be dedicated at both services) December 9: Deadline for final 2013 Pledge s for Budget Development 2013 Pledge "HONORING GOD" RESPONDING GENEROUSLY IN GRATITUDE Name Address Phone Email We understand that all we possess is a gift from God. We rejoice in this opportunity to support the programs of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church and have prayerfully considered our pledge of: $ Weekly or $ Monthly or $ as follows Signature This is a statement of intent and may be altered as circumstances warrant.