Stewardship
Stewardship is ...
all that we do
with all that we are
and all that we have
after we say “I believe.”
Stewardship is not just about raising money. Stewardship is how we treat each other and all of God’s creation. It is how we use and share the time we have available and the talents God has given us. And yes, it is in part about how we use and share the financial resources with which God has entrusted us.
Stewardship Right Now! St. Paul’s accepts online donations by credit card or direct debit from your bank account. To make a pledge of support to the parish’s overall budget, use our online pledge form. You can choose to pay on line, or to receive weekly or monthly pledge envelopes. If you wish to make a one-time donation to a specific ministry, such as the Flower Fund or the Commission on Mission, please proceed directly to our secure payments site and select the appropriate designation for your gift. You will receive a confirmation e-mail after your payment is processed.
You also can help support St. Paul’s financially by shopping at Amazon. Click here to begin shopping at Amazon; the parish will earn a portion of your purchase price as a commission.
The Magi Bring Their Treasures to the Lord Jesus: Click to Enlarge (Photo: Laurita Liles)Stewardship Through Proportional Giving The Lord brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first fruits of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me. (Deuteronomy 26: 9-10)
Proportional giving is offering to God in a committed and faithful manner a portion of what God has given us. The Biblical guideline for tithing is 10% of one’s income, given in gratitude for God’s blessings and to further God’s work in the world.
Giving a percentage of our income—increasing each year toward or beyond the tithe—is a process that helps deepen our awareness of the abundance of God’s love. Over time, this kind of disciplined yet openhearted and joyous generosity helps us to overcome fear and live Eucharistic lives. We shall be changed!
Stewardship Through Pledging St. Paul’s has no endowment and operates only because of members and friends who pledge their financial support for the Parish’s annual operating budget. The pledges ensure that the clergy and staff are paid, the building, organ and physical plant maintained, and the Parish ministries and mission funded. Because we want to show our gratitude to God for his abundant love as expressed in the sacrifice of his son and his continued real presence in the Eucharist and in each other, we commit to giving back a portion of what God has given us.
Every pledge matters, no matter how large or small. God rejoices in all gifts, just as he rejoices in all people. Every pledge is a sign of faithful response to God’s generosity toward us. Sometimes a major change of circumstance requires a pledger to decrease—or increase—his or her pledge, and there is no dishonor in altering that commitment. And practically speaking, pledges enable the Vestry to make responsible use of the resources offered to this parish for God’s work by preparing a realistic budget based on pledged income. To make a pledge of support to the parish’s overall budget, use our online pledge form.
Stewardship of our Time and Talent Stewardship is more than financial giving. We commit to giving back a portion of all that God has given us—time, talent, and treasure—to express our gratitude. This is the intangible part of the act of giving. The fruits of our generosity—beyond our soul’s health—are more tangible, however. As this parish lives out its life from day to day, there are countless examples of nourishment, growth, formation, ministry, and mission where the time and talent of our parishioners are so important. We give our time and talent to Ministries within our walls, Missions to the wider world, and Pastoral Care for our members in need.
New Entrance: Click to EnlargeStewardship Through the Capital Campaign The new parish facilities are enabling the growth of St. Paul’s mission, pastoral care, outreach and ministries in our local community and beyond. With the completion of the building (including the long-awaited elevator), the parish has a welcoming and accessible space that will provide for many generations to come. This project has been made possible by many generous gifts from parishioners and friends of St. Paul’s to the Foundation for the Future Capital Campaign, to which which approximately $2.3 million has been pledged.
We give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed upon the parish by those who have so generously given to it. Gifts through the Campaign will reduce substantially our reliance on the parish’s annual operating funds to complete this magnificent building project. There is still time to contribute to the campaign! For more information, email David Schorrenberg at DSchnorrenberg@crowell.com.
Stewardship Through Bequests For generations, Saint Paul’s Parish has benefited from the generosity of many benefactors. Planned gifts – also known as legacy gifts - are given in response to a deep love of God, an affection and concern for his Church, and a desire to support its continuing work. The Legacy Society provides an opportunity for donors to give witness to their good stewardship in making provision for the church’s future life and ministry, thus encouraging others in the parish to make similar provisions in their wills and estate plans. For information on making a bequest to the parish, please contact the parish office at 202-337-2020 or by e-mail at adminasst@StPauls-KSt.com.