Pledging

Stewardship at St. Peter’s

DATE: December 1, 2022

Dear St. Peter’s Parish Family,

St. Peter’s is facing a financial crisis.

The Vestry has learned that unless we can raise $45,000 more in pledges for 2023 St. Peter’s will be forced to make major cuts to the 2023 Parish Operating Budget, including eliminating the Assistant Rector position and going from three to two services to decrease music and printing costs.  The Vestry does not want to make these drastic cuts and is appealing to all parishioners to engage in prayer and to help us raise these additional funds by December 21 when the Vestry votes on the budget.

Here’s what I am asking you to do:  First, pray this prayer below every day that you can:

St. Peter’s Church Prayer

Almighty God, who entrusts to us the stewardship of your parish, have mercy upon St. Peter’s Church as we face this financial crisis.  Help us secure the resources we need to continue carrying out the work of this parish.  Turn the hearts of those who have the capacity to be generous so that they may give to your church abundantly in thanksgiving. Reveal to us new giving opportunities.  Provide your church with what we need to do your will.  Do not let us drift into darkness but guide us into your light so that we may continue to serve you mightily in the days, months, and years to come.  All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

• Second: If you have already made a pledge consider raising that pledge by 10%.  If every household increased their pledge we would more than make our fundraising goal.  IF YOU HAVEN’T YET PLEDGED: now is the time to do so: every pledge is critical to averting this budget crisis.  Your pledge is needed! Please turn in a pledge card.

The Vestry does not want to eliminate the Assistant Rector position.   Pastor Greg is a great help to the Rector in liturgical and preaching responsibilities.  In the 24 hours a week he devotes to St. Peter’s, Pastor Greg visits the sick and homebound in our congregation every week, provides pastoral counseling to many who are in crisis and need, works with the homeless and food challenged and, given his knowledge and expertise, provides adult education opportunities on a variety of topics.

The Vestry does not want to eliminate a Sunday service, but having to slash the music and print budgets leaves little choice but to remove the 9am service next year.    Right now, St. Peter’s is able to offer a variety of styles; with less funds and being down a clergy person we would be forced to do what most declining churches end up doing—cutting worship services.  This is something we hope to avoid.

Your help is needed now. Will you act?  Fill out and bring a pledge card to church on Sunday, or to the office during the week, or put it in the mail today. You may also pledge now using the form on the right. We will count your latest pledge as your current pledge, so if you filled out the form before your latest entry is the one that will count.  Thank you for your prayers and actions you can take to help your church in this time of need.

Sincerely,

Jeff Cottingham, Senior Warden