Annual Giving -Pledge 2012

October 2, 2011

 Dear St. Christopher’s family and friends,

“Offer to God a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most High.”  Psalm 50:14

Each Sunday, we gather as a community.  The time we spend together, both in worship and in fellowship, is important for our growth as individuals and as a community.  And each Sunday since August, Father Peter has shared the words above as his “offertory sentence” – the words that precede the taking of the collection and the preparation of the altar for Eucharist.  The Annual Giving Campaign is our time to give thanks to God for all the many gifts he has given us, and to “make good our vows to the Most High,” through pledging to this church.  The photograph of our altar, set for Eucharist, reminds us that The Sacrifice given for our sake, is a gift without measure, and all we can do is find ways to show our gratitude.  Our shared treasure is about much more than paying bills and salaries, but in order to “make good our vows to the Most High” we have to keep the church solvent – it’s as simple and as complicated as that. 

Our common life at St. Christopher’s is on a new and exciting path.  As we welcome Father Peter into our lives, we are grateful to God (and to the Search Committee) for the call that has been made and answered.  We are grateful to God that we are family to one another.  We are grateful for this space – this place of holiness and love – that we share each week.  Gratitude is, indeed, our attitude at St. Christopher’s and our pledging should reflect that.  For what are you most grateful at St. Christopher’s?  The answer(s) to that question should inform your prayers as you decide how much your pledge for 2012 should be.

A narrative of the St. Christopher’s budget for the upcoming year is included in this packet, along with a pledge card.  Please make your gratitude your attitude, so that we can continue to be a giving presence in this community.

Finally, please return pledge cards no later than Sunday, October 30.  Thank you.

Yours in Christ,

Helen K. Spence   Christopher Erbe
Stewardship Committee Chair Vestry Stewardship Commissioner

Stewardship Committee members:  Jerry Rietman, Ruth Erbe, Richard Downie