Giving at Christ Church

Dear Parishioners,
Christ Church is thriving! Our membership continues to grow as does the energy and excitement. Volunteers are focused on every aspect of pastoral care, education and outreach. Your gifts of time, talent, and treasure are truly immeasurable.

“Let Your Light Shine” is our guiding tenet for the 2012 stewardship campaign. It comes from Matthew 5:16 - “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We need your light to shine and help keep Christ Church a flourishing, spiritual home.

A few important facts that impact our finances and operations:

• We have grown to more than 5,000 parishioners, yet we are still served by only 5 clergy.
• Revenues in 2011 are $3.8 million, $300,000 below 2008 levels.
• Despite decreased revenues and increased costs, Christ Church maintains a balanced budget.
• The total number of pledges has remained flat for the past four years.
• The Annual Stewardship Campaign pledges fund 95% of the operations of our parish.

We need your pledge to help fund the following:

• Pastoral Care - An additional minister is needed to maintain our commitment to pastoral care.
• Education - Our growth has created needs for additional programs for children, youth and adults.
• Outreach - In uncertain times, the need for help has grown, yet the Outreach budget has not.

The Bible reminds us that God is the true and ultimate owner of all of our possessions. We are each accountable to God for the care and use of these possessions.

Now, more than ever, “Let Your Light Shine” and offer your support by making a pledge. If you have never pledged or given before, now is the time to join those parishioners whose gifts sustain our church. If you are a regular supporter, we invite you to consider increasing the amount of your gift in order to keep our church strong for the future.

Please join us in sharing your gifts from God by making a 2012 pledge to Christ Church. Stewardship packets will be arriving in your mailbox soon, or you may pledge online, here.

Thank you so much for your love and support of Christ Church.

John and Julie Stedman
2012 Annual Stewardship Campaign Chairs

Click here to see testimonials.

Stewardship is lived out in:

• Living and telling the Good News
• Sharing God in seeking justice, peace, and the integrity of creation in an interdependent universe
• Wisely employing God-given human resources, abilities, and relationships
• Sharing the material resources we hold and giving them in service, justice, and compassion
• Providing for future generations, sharing in the life, worship, and responsible stewardship of the Church and of its mission.

Both for the individual and for the community, stewardship is a joyful act for the sake of God's world (this definition comes from the Standing Rules of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. The Episcopal Church is a founding member of this group and remains active in its continuing work).

Christian stewardship is the grateful and responsible use of God's gifts in the light of God's purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ. Christian stewards, empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves to conscious, purposeful decisions.

Click here to download the Service in the City, Consider Your Call and Our Strategic Plan books.