Stewardship
Each autumn during our stewardship campaign, St. Brendan's asks its members to make a financial commitment--a pledge--to support our church, our mission, and our ministries.
The Episcopal Church says this about stewardship: Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26). The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time and talents and volunteering for ministry and mission. It’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity. Read more about stewardship in this blog post.
While the annual stewardship campaign asks us to reflect about our level of giving, it is NOT so much about providing funds for a budget but instead about supplying fuel – the hours, energy and, yes, the dollars – that enable us to be who we are and what we represent to the world outside. St. Brendan’s is not a light bill or a handful of salaries. It is all the wonderful things that happen here – the garden that grows vegetables for the food bank, the food cooked for homeless women, the Sunday School and teen programs that are shaping the next generation of thinking, acting, caring Christians.
What is a pledge?
A pledge is a written document that outlines your intention to donate a specific amount of money to the church during the coming year on a recurring basis. On a practical level, they help St. Brendan’s leaders make financial decisions for the coming year. When members put their name to a pledge card, they are giving church leaders assurance that this level of support can be counted on for the coming year. On a spiritual level, making a pledge is a way to put your faith into action. By pledging, you are making a personal commitment to share your own blessings and participate in the life of the church. Without everyone’s contribution of time, talent and treasure, we could not fulfill the mission to which God has called us.
How do I a make a recurring contribution?
At St. Brendan’s some members place their contributions in the offering plate when it’s passed during worship; others choose to give online. You can easily set up your giving through your online banking, just like paying bills. This option is the most efficient and cost effective in helping St. Brendan's be good stewards of our resources.
Personal contributions to St. Brendan’s are kept in strict confidence. Only the parish’s administrative assistant knows the names of contributors and the amounts given, including pledges. You will receive quarterly statements detailing your contributions and an annual statement in the new year which can be used for a possible tax deduction.
What does my contribution support?
Your contribution goes to support all of the services, ministries, fellowship, and activities that take place at St. Brendan's. Parishioner contributions make up the largest portion of St. Brendan's income. (Did you know that since St. Brendan's founding, we have always given 10% of our income to charity through C.R.I.E.S., which stands for "Christian Response in Emergency Situations.")
Watch the video below to learn more about how your contribution helps St. Brendan's achieve our mission.