Nurturing our Gifts - Building our Future Together

Dear Friends,

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received… so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 4:10–11

A friend once preached that joy should be a practice of the Episcopal Church. Joy is rewarding. Joy is motivating. Joy is the light that draws us to the manger Joy also brings us to each others’ sides when we are in darkness. Joy, a manifestation of God’s love, finds us when we share with each other the gifts that God has given us. We invite you to see this gift as the gift we all share as we support each other in our lives in Christ. 

As we continue our annual stewardship campaign, we give joyful thanks for the generosity shown by our parish community. We are now halfway through our fundraising effort. Here’s what the data show:

• So far, pledges have come from about one-third of our parish households, bringing us to roughly one-third of our overall goal, or $250,000.00. 

• A sustaining pledge—the amount that each pledge would need to be if we divided our goal evenly among all who pledge—is $4,827.59. 

• If we receive no new pledges and everyone renews at last year’s level, we will fall short by about $41,000. 

• To close that gap without additional pledges, we would need an average increase of 6% across all existing pledges.

We know that determining the amount that you pledge can be complicated and varies greatly among us as we consider the financial responsibilities and resources of our lives. As you consider how much to give this year, we wanted to share with you the thoughts of some of our fellow parishioners.

Why do you pledge?

• Pledging helps me feel connected to the work our church does in the community.

• I pledge because I believe in what this church stands for.

• I pledge to support the work my faith community is doing.

• Because Trinity being here now and in the future is extremely important to me.

• Desire for Trinity to be a beacon for God’s light locally and beyond

• I feel like my treasure belongs in the same place I love

• To support the church financially; it doesn’t run for free and it costs a lot!

• To enable the church to continue its spiritual journey.

What do you think about when deciding what to pledge?

• I look at my blessings and try to respond in proportion to them.

• I think about the people who will be touched by our shared ministry.

• I figure out the appropriate amount to pledge and then figure out how to make it work financially with all the other financial needs in the family. 

• God does big things with our small gifts and faltering faith.

• Where would I be without my church?

Friends, we have baptized our babies and collectively mourned those we have lost. We have fed the hungry and lifted up our voices in praise. We have clothed those in need and provided comfort to those who suffer. Our prayer life, our faith, our mission is powerful, joyful, and a manifestation of God’s call. Thank you for being part of this community of faith and generosity. Every pledge—no matter the size—helps build the common good and sustains the life we share in Christ. We look forward to celebrating, supporting, and sustaining all this and so much more for years to come! 

As Jesus said to Peter: Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.

Wishing you Joy,

Brian and Peg