“Go out into the city, and you will be told what to do” Acts 9:6

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

This may be the first time you have been asked to participate in the parish’s yearly giving campaign, or you may have pledged many times before. Either way, we can all agree that there is something special about St. Paul’s. We feel it in the silence and stillness. We hear it in the music and smell it in the incense. We taste it in the Eucharistic feast. We see it in the way our children’s program is flourishing, and witness it as creative ideas and efforts flow with abundance. We grow in the listening, learning and fellowship. And we carry it with us out into our lives.

Jesus told Paul at his conversion – ‘go out into the city, and you will be told what to do’. These words appeared on the parish’s stationery in the 1960’s, and we believe these same words are true for our parish today. Each year we listen for God’s voice to help us as we discern what God is asking us to be and to do.

Thanks to you, St. Paul’s has achieved a great deal in 2009. We have hired an Associate to the Rector for Adult Formation and a Lay Pastor for Children’s Formation, begun a children’s music program, commissioned an architect for the upcoming building renovation and, in direct response to the growing spiritual interest of our community, introduced a third liturgy called ‘Sunday Evening at St. Paul’s’ which began on September 27, 2009. All of this happened despite a challenging financial year for all of us.

Along with these specific efforts, St. Paul’s continues to provide the deeply reverent Anglo-Catholic liturgical and spiritual life that is at the center of who we are. This includes our Sunday morning masses, an outstanding music program and observance of the Daily Office. Mutual discernment groups, social action projects, The Umbrella Theatre, and adult formation classes are just some of the ways St. Paul’s prepares us to ‘go out into the city’. For all of this, we thank you.

This year, we need your continued support to maintain and care for St. Paul’s and all it does. Your support of St. Paul’s helps assure that the gifts of this place and the people in it continue to touch lives.

The Vestry and Wardens want to design a realistic budget for 2010. The goal is to receive at least 130 pledges that total $275,000. We need pledges of all sizes. If you need to, you can adjust your pledge at any time – up or down – by contacting the parish Treasurer.

Enclosed you’ll find a Stewardship Q and A, a two-sided pledge card and a stamped return envelope for those who wish to return the card in the mail. On Sunday, November 8, we will collect the cards at the 8am, 10:30am and 5pm liturgies. You are also invited to bring a bottle of red port wine to give as communion wine. We will celebrate this in-gathering with a brunch after the 10:30 service. Please join us.

Thank you again,

Denise Crawford, Senior Warden
Jennifer Forman, Junior Warden

October 2009

Pledging Support to St. Paul’s: Questions and Answers

Who pledges? Is pledging just for ‘official’ members of St. Paul’s?

Making a financial commitment to St. Paul’s through a pledge is something anyone can do. ‘Official’ on-the-books members, newcomers to the parish who are considering membership, and former members who have moved away but still want to support the parish. We invite you to make a pledge if you feel connected to St. Paul’s, grateful to God and to the parish for what you have experienced in your spiritual life, and desirous of supporting the parish as it moves forward.

Why pledge instead of just giving what I can, when I can?

Pledging helps the Vestry and the parish plan for the upcoming year. Included in this are things like: salaries, the music program, utilities, building upkeep, parish programs and support of the diocese and its programs. Pledging also tends to knit people more intimately to the parish and to one another.

How much should I give to St. Paul’s? Am I being asked to tithe?

Our hope is for everyone to prayerfully consider the parish and to give accordingly. We know it has been a difficult economy this past year. So it may be helpful to think of giving in a proportional way based on income – 1%, 5% or 10% (what some people call tithing). We’ve included a percentage chart here. In order to fund our budget, we do need people to consider being generous in their giving. We hope that a person’s pledge will be a real and generous part of his or her personal budget, reflecting how St. Paul’s is a real and generous part of his or her spiritual life.

Some people say that pledging is connected to spiritual issues. How does St. Paul’s see this?

In our experience, every decision about giving time, money or energy to someone or something - instead of holding on to it - makes it a spiritual decision. Making a financial commitment to St. Paul’s is part of this. For many, a commitment to the parish is directly related to gratitude – quite literally a thanksgiving to God for all the blessings of our lives and for the specific blessing of life in Christian community at St. Paul’s. Many who pledge say that the decision leads to a deeper intimacy with the parish, which ends up drawing them closer to God.

What does St. Paul’s include in its budget?

In 2010 we will continue to focus on those things that will a) help to grow the spirit and the numbers of members in the parish; b) remain faithful to our relationship with our diocese and support its local, regional and global programs; and c) cover basic operating expenses.

Will anyone know how much I pledge?

Only the parish treasurer, the Rector and perhaps a small number of people working on the recording of collected monies will have some idea of the amount of individual pledges. This information is considered absolutely confidential and it is not shared with others inside or outside the parish.

What happens if I make a pledge and then my financial situation changes?

We understand that circumstances can change unexpectedly. If you need to adjust your pledge in any way, simply contact the parish treasurer.

If I decide not to pledge, do I still need to turn in a pledge card?

We want to hear from you, regardless of your decision about pledging. Please mark the box on the pledge card that indicates that you will not be making a pledge, and return the card to St. Paul’s.

What happens if the parish doesn’t get enough money in pledges to fund the 2010 budget?

We’re sincerely hoping to begin 2010 with a balanced budget. If we don’t get sufficient pledges, we will either need to re-evaluate plans or draw on the parish’s financial reserves. We don’t want to do either. We believe the 2010 budget level is necessary to maintain and grow the parish.

Is my pledge tax deductible?

St. Paul’s is a non-profit religious organization. However, it’s best to consult your IRS materials or ask your tax advisor as to whether your pledge to St. Paul’s will be tax deductible for you or your household.

What about giving money for non-operating expenses?

Our first priority for 2010 is to fully fund our operating budget. Special projects, like our building renovation will soon begin in earnest, and you will have the chance to contribute to that fund separately.

What else can I do to support St. Paul’s 2010 Stewardship campaign?

Please remember the parish and this effort in your prayers. Pray for God’s presence with the parish and its leaders as we plan for 2010, and that we as a parish may be faithful to the ministry that God is revealing to us here at St. Paul’s. Remember , too, that the gift of time and talent is always needed and appreciated.

Who in the parish is involved in the 2010 Stewardship campaign?

Many people will be involved in this effort over the next weeks. Among these are our Rector, Mother Melissa Skelton, our Wardens, Denise Crawford and Jennifer Forman, Vestry members Adam Conley, Sharon Cumberland, Denise Minard, Kathryn Nelson, Sarah Sutton, Brian Tajuddin and Michael Zubitis; Vestry Clerk Heather Kmitta; Treasurer, Catharine Reid; Lay Homilists Andrew Stone and Sharon Cumberland; Webmaster Barb Levy; Robin Jones; and Bob and Prue Kluckholm.

Does St. Paul’s offer a planned giving program?

Yes. If you would like more information, please check the box on your pledge card and we will send you a brochure. Or, contact the church office to set up a meeting to explore how you might give to specific needs of the parish.

If you have any further questions, please let us know.

A pledge card with a place to make your pledge and a proportional giving chart is available for download or at the church. Download a pledge card.

Information on electronic giving may be found on our news page.

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