Gracious and loving God, you have given us everything that we need. Come now and do a new thing in us. Help us to live with open hearts and open hands. Awaken in us the gift of gratitude, that all our works may praise you. Deliver us from the fear that leads us to horde your blessings. And teach us to hold what we have reverently, but lightly. Be with us as we seek to do your will. And give us your blessing always. Amen.
During the last week of September 2022, an Annual Giving packet is being mailed to our homes. Annual Giving is when parishioners are asked to give thanksgiving and pledge their financial gifts for the coming year. Our parish budget is based on our gift giving. Our Vestry has determined that the goal for this year’s campaign is $290,000.
The Annual Giving packet includes an invitation letter, annual giving visual, and pledge card.
Throughout October 2022 during Sunday’s worship service, we will briefly share “Ministry Moments” of our blessings and ask how we might share our gifts with our church and others.
- Oct. 2, 2022 – what is annual giving and what is expected of me? “For it is in giving that we receive.” (See YouTube version.)
Joy Lynam, Annual Giving Chair - Oct. 9, 2022 – Spirituality of Annual Giving.
“There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord.”
Helen Spence, Annual Giving Ministry (See YouTube version.) - Oct. 16, 2022 – our pledges determine our budget and makes the gift giver a voting member of our parish. How your financial gift makes a difference.
Mike Grabowski, Finance Ministry (See YouTube version.) - Oct. 23, 2022 – giving to our community. St. Thomas’s is “practiced” at caring for God’s children.
Madeline Johnson, Vestry and Outreach Ministry (See YouTube version.) - Oct. 30, 2022 – celebrating what we’ve been given and continuing to consider what lies ahead. Celebrating Children’s Ministries.
Kristin Sausville, Senior Warden (See YouTube version.) & Shonette Carew, Children’s Ministries (See YouTube version.)
We hope you will use these weekly “Ministry Moments” to pray about your annual gift to our church and how our church might serve in our community.
The Annual Giving theme this year is “Behold, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:19
An opportunity exists before us to examine how much we give and whether we can do more. Opportunities welcome us if we seek them.
Watch our poster bloom with flowers representing our gifts. Thank you for gifts given so far.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information.
Won’t you please pledge your financial gifts on your pledge card and return it by October 30, 2022?
In thanksgiving,
Annual Giving Ministry
Fr. Howie, Joy Lynam, Kristin Sausville, Helen Spence, Jinglan Redder