Two weeks ago, Josephine gave a beautiful testimonial of what Grace Church means to her and her family. If you weren’t there, it was in Enews – I encourage you to go back and read it.
Each evening before dinner, Cary and I take turns praying. I don’t think a day goes by that we don’t mention Grace Church. We pray for Amy, the congregation, and the future of the church, so that all who come after us can experience what we get to.
Last year, we moved. We had talked about possibly leaving the area. But many times we said to each other –”How would we ever leave Grace?”
So I ask you – what does Grace mean to you? What would life be like without it?
Last week Carlyn outlined our finances. In a nutshell, we are running at a deficit of about $150,000 and have been for a couple of years. We have had reserves to use, but those are running low as well. She asked everyone to consider increasing their pledge by 15%.
When Missy and I met to talk about Stewardship this year, we talked about what subjects we would discuss and one of them was asking folks that are regular pledgers, to consider giving more. For many years, Cary and I have pledged the same amount. We get the pledge card, fill in the number and that is that. So when Missy and I talked about this, it’s like a lightbulb came on – I’m thinking “Giving more – I guess we could do that”!!
As Rev. Amy said in her sermon on Sunday, she did some rethinking of her own budget. Where the software labeled their pledge “charitable giving,” she changed it: “Instead I put ‘gratitude’ in my budget. And I have to tell you, it really started to shift things. That fear, that sense of scarcity, that desire to hold on started to open up.”
Here are a few numbers to think about:
We are hoping for 100 pledges this year. If every one of those was able to give $25 more per week or $100 per month – that would equal $120,000 – almost there. We realize that not everyone can do that. What if 50 people gave $15 more per week and 50 people gave $100 more per month (about $23 per week) – that would be $99,000. I could give many more examples, but you get my point.
Another thing to consider is putting some extra cash in the plate. Each week roughly 80 – 100 people attend church. If each person put $10 in the plate that would equal $46,800/year. If everyone could take a look at what they can do, we can get there.
Amy reminded us that our pledge is part of something bigger: “What is received as a gift from God is given back, and what is given is then received again, and it’s this circle that is God’s economy.”
So please think about what Grace means to you and help us get to a balanced budget this year!
We have talked about changing the name of the stewardship committee to the gratitude committee because we are all so grateful for Grace. I know all of you are too!
Which brings me back to Sunday. Amy said, “I want to encourage you to think about gratitude as a verb. Gratitude is something that we do…Until we act on that gratitude, until we give back out of gratitude, we’re not participating in the circular economy that is God’s economy.”
You can make your 2027 pledge anytime online HERE, or by dropping off, placing in the offering plate, or mailing back the pledge card in the packets mailed out a couple of weeks ago. Remember, your pledge is just your estimate of giving for the coming year, which enables the vestry to approve the budget. You can change your pledge (or address any other giving questions) by emailing our financial secretary, Alexandra Haslip at finance@grace-episcopal.org.
Our “Gratitude Committee” is so grateful for you!
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