WE CAN DO THIS!
Thank you for your encouraging feedback after the All Parish Gathering yesterday. St. Columba’s is moving forward in so many wonderful ways. It’s a privilege to be on this journey with you.
For those who weren’t able to be at the All Parish Gathering, there is important information for you to have.
We launched the
Annual Pledge Campaign
on Sunday. As the leaders of the campaign shared, this is a great opportunity for all of us to grow spiritually, as we examine the intersection of our relationship to God, to our possessions and “stuff,” and to think about how we can put our treasure where we want our hearts to be. We were invited to consider generosity as a spiritual practice.
We also shared information about our church finances. In July, you received a
letter
from the wardens and Ledlie explaining that the vestry had passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2019 that required a significant leap of faith. Our collective giving to support St. Columba’s has frequently been just barely enough to cover our costs (not even including saving for major expenses). In 2018, our pledging was significantly lower than what we needed and what we had budgeted for. For FY 2019, we trimmed everything we could without reducing staff and we were still faced with a tough decision: either cut staff or step out in faith that St. Columbans will respond when they understand the need. We chose the latter course. There is too much great work and energy at St. Columba’s to cut back right now. We want to keep moving forward.
Here's what that decision means. Our pledges for 2019 (which will be made this fall) need to be 17.8% higher than in 2018. That amounts to almost $400,000. No individual can make up that difference. We all need to pitch in, as we are able. In 2018, 570 household pledged. Thank you if you are one of those households! Will you prayerfully consider increasing your
pledge
? And those of you who are contributing to life at St. Columba’s in other ways – making sandwiches, teaching Sunday School, attending classes – thank you for being important parts of the life of St. Columba’s, AND please
pledge
. We need your energy and your financial support so that all of those great programs can continue.
We told those attending the Parish Gathering yesterday
to remember two things:
1. If you want to know more about our parish finances, the budgeting process, how we are spending our money, or the status of the audits, please join us this
Sunday, September 30 and/or October 28 from 12:30 to 2 pm. We’ll meet in the Church Nave;
and
2.
Now that you understand, we know you will respond. It will take all of us working together but
WE CAN DO THIS !
Peace!
Elizabeth, Steve and Ledlie
St. Columba’s wardens and rector
