Stewardship Plans 2005-2006

At the Church Council meeting on June 10, it was decided to conduct our annual stewardship campaign to enlist the financial support of members and friends for the work of our church next year after, not before the congregation adopts a budget at the 2006 annual meeting.  Traditionally, September and October are the months we are encouraged to make pledges indicating our intended giving for the coming year.  This invitation coincides with the development of the budget for the coming year, and it is not until the annual meeting in January that the whole congregation has a clear understanding of the financial needs of the church. By that time, however, the level of anticipated income is also set, so the actual church budget (and the variety of needs it represents) can’t help members determine their level of giving.

This coming year the congregation will approve the 2006 budget at the Annual meeting on January 22.  January 29, 2006 will be our Stewardship/Commitment Sunday when we will invite member and friends to make pledges to support the budget approved on the previous Sunday.  We hope this Sunday will be a festive occasion! (Weather permitting, of course.)  Follow-up calls will be made through February with weekly reporting to the congregation.  A concluding report and celebration is planned for February 26, 2006.  How we will make the transition between 2005-2006 with this new schedule has not yet been worked out.  We will undoubtedly send out envelopes to everyone encouraging members to continue giving at their 2005 level as they are able.  We are hoping this new approach will give all of us a better understanding of the financial needs of the church and a willingness to support them.

This does not mean that the fall season will be free of stewardship concerns, however.  Our plan includes five goals.  Those goals for 2005-06 will be:

Plan a stewardship program that is exciting and conveys a sense of urgency.

Develop a vision for our church that is widely shared by members of the congregation.                     A special all-church gather will be held on Saturday, September 24, to develop that vision.  Mark the date on your calendar now.

We aim to increase our donor base by reaching out to inactive and new members.

We will regularly inform our membership about the financial needs of our church and emphasize the privileges and responsibilities of stewardship each month. Along with this regular reporting, we recommend that the 2006 budget be presented and approved before our annual stewardship campaign.

We will develop a Stewardship Campaign and Commitment Sunday that involves as many members as possible.

A late summer meeting of our Stewardship Taskforce will be held on August 24 at 7:30 p.m.  If you would like to assist with new approach to inspiring generous giving in our church please plan to be there.  If you have questions about any of this, give Ruth Healy a call—928-9410.  You will be hearing more about all of this in September and throughout the fall.