ANNUAL GIVING

Each spring, St. Paul's solicits its members for financial commitment. These annual funds pay the lion's share of the parish's operating budget.  

The following series of questions and answers should help you understand the nature and importance of our annual stewardship campaign.

Stewardship?  What does that mean?

A “steward” is one who has been entrusted with gifts and resources which are not of his or her own making.  How well one uses these gifts determines the faithfulness of one’s “stewardship.”  Stewardship is about transformation that is life long and lived out in every season of the year.

What is Christian Stewardship?

It is the use of one’s time, talent and treasure to the Glory of God, in response to God’s gift to us of life and of new life in Jesus Christ.  To be a good steward is always to be grateful for and responsive to the trust placed in us by God.  The environment, other creatures and other human beings are not ours.  They belong to God.  We have been asked to care for them and are endowed with the capacities for that care.  So Christians, among other human beings, are asked to care for nature, for the young, the old, the less fortunate and those unable to care for themselves.

What is a pledge?
A pledge is a financial estimate of what an individual, couple, or family intends to share with God at St. Paul’s Church in the year to come.  We call this giving in response to God’s gift of life and love an act of stewardship.

Why should I pledge?
God’s desire is for a world of meaningful connections, prayer, compassion, hospitality, hope and peace.  This is the mission of the church.  Our compelling interest is that the church be supported adequately to do the right things for the right reasons.  It takes a commitment from each of us to work with God in making a difference in the world.

Do I have to pledge?
The church is one of the few institutions where there is no fee to be considered a member.  However, to truly be part of any group or family, one usually makes a substantial contribution (time, talent and treasure) to its life and missions.

Does my pledge really matter?

Absolutely.  Regardless of the amount, your pledge matters and will help St. Paul’s support the operating cost of its mission and ministries, the building that inspires us and the staff that serve us.

Why not just give when I come ?

Contributions in whatever form are always valued for the hope they represent.  A pledge to give over the course of a year takes giving beyond what is casual and at the same time affords meaningful connection and community with God.  In a practical vein, your pledge helps St. Paul’s carry out its mission, enabling the parish to budget, to allocate resources where they are most needed and to plan which is a necessary part of any community be it a family, organization or business.

St. Paul's looks like a wealthy parish. Doesn't it have an endowment? Why do you need individual pledges?
Previous generations have given us our beautiful campus and its buildings. The programs and ministries that you see here are made possible by the hard work of a dedicated staff and committed volunteers. St. Paul's does have an endowment but it is minimal for the size of the parish. It cannot sustain the level of maintenance required by the aging buildings or the wonderful work of our ongoing ministries.

How do I pledge?
In the spring, every household will receive a pledge card.  It can be filled out and brought to church or it can be mailed to the church office in the envelope provided.  Pledge cards are also available in Dixon House, the Narthex and the Parish Hall throughout the year.

What if I have an emergency?

If you have an unexpected health, financial or other emergency during the year, the church always respects your right to modify your pledge.  You have only to notify the Stewardship Chair or Rector.

Do the clergy and vestry pledge ?

In most churches, the clergy and vestry are among the most committed of individuals to their institution.  They take their role as financial stewards seriously, so yes, they, too, pledge!

What is proportional giving and tithing?

Proportional giving is choosing to give a certain percentage of your household income.  Tithing is a scriptural tradition of offering 10% of one’s income back to the work of God.  The Episcopal Church asks us to recognize the tithe as a standard to aspire to and achieve.

How much should I give ?

A simple guideline is to pledge an amount that represents a genuine and sincere commitment given your income and resources and the place of St. Paul’s Church in your life.  What is most important is that your gift not be an arbitrary amount, but one that represents a thoughtful process and a grateful heart.

REJOICE, GIVE THANKS AND SING!

22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: 215-242-2055 | Fax: 215-242-1620

Copyright 2005 St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Photos: L. Bindrim, SJU Press; Ken Garner; Diane Powell; St. Paul's Archives

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