Heart of Gratitude: We give because we receive.

Every message about our stewardship campaign this year has begun with Gratitude.  I am pleased to continue this message of gratitude for the final week of our 2023 Stewardship campaign.  Every gift of time, talents and treasures goes toward our ministry and mission, and your gifts are essential to us.  This week we turn our focus to our gift of Treasures and we ask you to consider what you will pledge in the coming year to sustain our ministries and to serve our neighbors.  As you consider your intention to give, consider how you have been impacted, and how you will impact this church and our neighbors.  What is the story of your gift, how will it unfold?  How will your blessing be a blessing to others?

Parish Finances

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

All Saints Anglican Church is entirely supported by the generous donations of parishioners and funds collected through other fundraising efforts.  Eighty-six percent of our funding comes from the offerings that we receive from you. 

Financial Stewardship as a Spiritual Discipline

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”                                                                                                                             Matthew 22:22

By considering our gift to the church as a proportion of income, we establish priorities that reflect our relationship with God.  Determining our giving to God through the Church requires prayer and faith.  Biblical tradition, as well as the teaching of the Church, suggests the practice of giving 10% (a tithe) of our income.  For some, it is helpful to calculate the current percentage of income given to the Church and to grow one or two percent per year until the tithe is reached, or even exceeded.

You want me to do what?

We know that this year has been a challenging year for some people in our community.  For some, giving back 10% (or more) of their annual household income is a daunting challenge.  This is why stewardship is about growth.  It encourages us to assess where we are in returning a substantial proportion of our blessings to God out of gratitude for everything we have been given.  It is about finding the level of giving that brings us joy.

The proportionate giving chart here shows annual giving in proportion to annual income as a guide for your stewardship journey.

Planned Giving

Planned Giving is another way to give.  Good estate planning is a sign of hope in the future and benefits other people, particularly those we love.  King David made the first planned gifts in the Bible in 1 Chronicles 22 and 28.  Jesus told a parable on the consequences of a lack of planned giving in Luke 12:16-21.  Planned gifts align with our beliefs and values and are an expression of our gratitude to God.

Please pick up a brochure on Planned Giving or contact Catherine if you would like to receive more information.

Thank you for the ways you have shared your gifts with us this year – your time, your talents, and your treasures.  Without your generosity we could not offer the many ministries that we do.

With gratitude,

Floyd Siegle

Incumbent’s Warden and Stewardship Chair