October 1, 2011
Dear Members and Friends of Church of the Servant,
Fall is the time of year when Church of the Servant begins a new year of Christian education, restarts and refreshes our outreach ministries, and plans new programs and liturgies to celebrate the Church seasons. We also have our Annual Giving Campaign which helps to make possible this work that God calls us to do.
The Annual Giving Campaignprovides a time for us to reflect on how we share our financial blessings to further the work of Church of the Servant, the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, and The Episcopal Church. This year, Church of the Servant's Annual Giving Committee will share materials with the theme "Feasting on Gratitude." These materials and special liturgies will focus on readings from the Gospel of Matthew and guide us as we explore the ideas of abundance, gratitude, stewardship, and the generosity of God.
We are all invited to participate in this endeavor through the following means:
1.Review special bulletin inserts in our Sunday bulletins and as e-mail attachments to our weekly announcements beginning October 2. These inserts provide reflections written by a range of thoughtful people in the wider church. (If you are not able to attend services and do not receive the weekly e-mails, please contact Rebecca Blake at 910-231-9155 so you can receive copies in the mail.)
2.Attend services on October 16, 23, and 30 at which special liturgies will celebrate our theme of "Feasting on Gratitude."
3.Prayerfully review your plan for financial support of COS next year and submit the enclosed pledge card. You may submit the card in person at the church as a part of your offering during October, return it by postal mail addressed to the treasurer at the church address, or e-mail your pledge information to the treasurer. Pledges received by any of these means will be blessed at the altar on October 30.
Sincerely,
Church of the Servant Annual Giving Committee
Susan Beam, Betsy Bilger, Rebecca Blake, Mary Ames Booker
Annual Giving Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does COS have an Annual Giving Campaign?
A: The Annual Giving Campaign serves two main purposes:
1.To provide a focused opportunity for us as members of a faith community to reflect on and explore the concepts of intentional and proportional giving as a spiritual practice that reflects gratitude and generosity for all God has given us.
2.To raise support for the life-giving ministries of our congregation
Q: What is “intentional and proportional giving”?
A: Intentional giving means that we review our financial means and determine that we will do our best to give a certain amount of funds over a certain period of time. We will set an intention to give and do our best to uphold that intention, not just give whatever change we may have in our pockets.
Proportional giving means that we review our financial means and determine what portion of those means we can share to continue the work of Church of the Servant, the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina, and The Episcopal Church.
Q: Why should we give intentionally and proportionally?
A: There are many good reasons to give intentionally and proportionally.
1.It allows us to plan our household finances and helps us stick to our plan.
2.It allows the COS Vestry and Finance Committee and the Diocese to plan and administer their respective budgets.
3.It helps us cultivate gratitude. In the words of Rev. Laurel Johnston, Episcopal Church Officer for Stewardship, “We know it is not always easy to be grateful. Work and life pressures abound and anxious worry often wins over trustful surrender. Gratitude is not always the obvious choice, it needs to be cultivated, nurtured and tended to with inner attentiveness. Cultivating gratitude turns what we have into enough and more, turning a meal into a feast, a house into home, a stranger into a friend.”
Q: What is the “expected or best proportion” for our giving?
A: There is no expected or best proportion for giving. This is a personal and private decision. The Bible and many churches suggest 10%. Many people pledge a percentage of their income (either net or gross) and strive toward fulfilling the biblical tithe. Others start with a set amount and try to increase it each year by a set amount. Each one of us must review our situation and determine what proportion we can commit to the work of the church. It differs for each of us.
Q: How are my donations to Church of the Servant used?
A: In 2011, the General Operating Expenses for COS are about $325,000. The breakdown of uses is:
45% salaries (4 people)
13% staff insurance/retirement
11% building loan payments
11% building maintenance and utilities
9% pledge to Diocese of East Carolina
3% program expenses
3% office administration
2% other staff benefits
2% property/liability insurance
1% miscellaneous expenses
Q: Does revenue from Annual Giving typically pay all the General Operating Expenses for COS?
A: No.In 2011, the budget required approximately $20,000 from fundraisers to cover operating expenses.
Q: What if I make a pledge and then my life circumstances change?
A: A pledge is a statement of intended giving; it is not a contract for giving. If you need to amend your pledge during the year, contact the COS Treasurer, who will revise our records.