Stewardship

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Growing the Beloved Community

Stewardship is the act of attending to God’s gifts in order to do God’s work. Whether those gifts are the gifts of creation, or more specifically, the financial resources we have at our disposal, as good stewards, we aspire to care responsibly for them and trust they will multiply and grow. We also hope to grow meaningful relationships within and beyond our walls.

Whether gathering on a Sunday morning, reconnecting at Shrine Mont, listening in Sacred Ground Dialogue circles, or volunteering together in ministries with an outreach partner, we each find ourselves delighted and inspired to be part of this beloved community.

This year’s annual stewardship campaign, “Growing the Beloved Community,” calls on you to join in making a pledge that will support the day-to-day activities of St. Michaels, as well as the outreach we do in the wider beloved community. In 2023, St Michael’s will achieve the goal set by the vestry 5 years ago to devote 10% of our pledge income to our outreach partners. Not only does your commitment make a difference within our walls, but far beyond, throughout the Arlington community. Your faithful giving brings us to this point of affirming and expanding our call with great confidence and joy!

Our commitment to the wider beloved community, our neighbors, has a measurable impact and is only possible with your reliable financial support. For that, I wish to extend a very sincere thank you. As we enter into our “Growing the Beloved Community” campaign, I ask you to prayerfully reflect on your hopes for St. Michael’s, and to consider an increase in your pledge that falls somewhere between Jesus’ calling to give away all we have, and that which is achievable.

Please join your fellow parishioners on Sunday, October 23, as we joyfully proclaim our intention to Grow the Beloved Community. On that day, the Stewardship Committee Chair and our Treasurer will briefly remind us of the importance of stewardship. Our campaign will conclude on November 13, when we hope you will prayerfully submit your pledge card.

2023 Stewardship FAQs

What is a stewardship pledge? A pledge is a financial commitment to donate a specific amount of money to St. Michael’s in 2023.

Why are stewardship pledges needed? Pledges allow church leadership to estimate next year’s income and make informed decisions while building the Mission Spend Plan (budget). Last year, pledges comprised 98% of St. Michael’s routine operating expenses. Leadership won’t make assumptions about your continued giving, so we ask you to submit a new pledge card every year.

How much should I pledge? The traditional guideline in The Episcopal Church is the tithe, a pledge of one-tenth of your household income. That said, for many the tithe is a goal to work toward through incremental pledge increases. What’s most important is to establish, through prayer, a level of giving that is meaningful to you.

What are we striving for next year? We ask you to prayerfully reflect on your hopes for St. Michael’s, and make a pledge that reflects those hopes. The table below illustrates that increase given specific pledge amounts:

What if my financial circumstances change? You can revise your pledge. We certainly understand that life is full of the unexpected. Please just inform the rector or a member of the Stewardship Committee so we can plan accordingly.

When and how should I turn in my pledges? Please turn in your pledge on or before November 13th. We will gratefully receive your pledge cards by mail, dropped into the south porch mail slot, or an emailed picture or note to our parish administrator.

When and how are pledge payments made

You may make payments at any time throughout 2023, periodically or in one lump sum, through the collection plate, scheduled bank payments, or online. If submitting cash via the collection plate, please use one of the envelopes in the pews or a pledge envelope (which you can request via the pledge card) so we may give you credit for the amount. Please note that non-cash donations such as hardware or equipment do not apply to pledge fulfillment.

How else can I give?

Stock transfers can be made in cooperation with The Diocese of Virginia. Contact the Parish Office for more details. We also participate in the Amazon Smile program, where a percent of your eligible purchases made using our charity link goes to the church.