Stewardship
2025 Stewardship Campaign
Friends:
In a recent guest sermon by a fellow parishioner we were reminded that our faith may be individual, but it is lived out in community. At Christ Church, our community of faith is a uniquely special group that spans generations, backgrounds, and ideologies, bound by the knowledge that all are welcome here. Since 1794, ours has been a community united by God’s grace through faith, worship, and service.
We are the grateful inheritors of a legacy stewarded by generations who came before us at Christ Church. That legacy invites us to see ourselves as part of a much larger story – one in which our faith in God connects us to something far greater than ourselves. When we offer our time, talent, and treasure, we do more than support the present; we contribute to the living narrative of faith from which future generations will draw strength and purpose.
Just as we draw inspiration from the past, we are also shaped by those we worship alongside today. Each day, Christ Church parishioners live out their faith with courage and trust in God – a profound gift to all of us in these unsettled times, marked by division and economic uncertainty. Every week we are reminded that, as Christians, we are called to be swift to love and make haste to be kind. We are deeply fortunate that Christ Church remains a place where we can gather in unity around God’s table.
As our mission to draw others closer to God has grown, so has our church. To meet this growth, we need the resources to sustain – and expand – our ministry. Your pledge during this stewardship campaign allows us to plan responsibly in order to support programming, expand outreach, care for our historic buildings, and sustain our dedicated clergy and staff. We are called to invest in this community, so it may continue to nourish all of us and extend that care outward to our neighbors.
We know this has been a uniquely difficult time for many. With that in mind, our primary stewardship goal this year is participation: to reach 162 pledging households. A pledge of any amount is a meaningful act of commitment and faith in our shared life together. We understand that not everyone is in a position to increase their giving, but community means that those who can, will help carry the load for those who cannot. If you are able to increase your pledge for 2026, we would be deeply grateful, as our expenses continue to rise. Please know that – apart from a voluntary, program-specific fundraiser in the spring – this campaign represents our church’s primary financial request for the coming year.
God’s path forward is often one we cannot see or predict. But together, with faith in one another and in Christ, we can rise to meet the future, continuing the living story of faith of which each of us is a vital part. Please join us in expressing your faith in community by submitting your pledge by Sunday, October 26.
With deep appreciation,
Stephen Bellum, Del Crandall, and Kate Trueblood
2026 Stewardship Co-Chairs
When done thoughtfully, giving can be a truly spiritual practice. There is an act of faith inherent in giving of your treasure, trusting in the abundance of God’s grace. We are grateful to live out our faith in community with each of you, and hope the information below may help guide you in your prayerful consideration.
We value and appreciate gifts of all sizes, and trust each household to determine what fits their own budget. It’s not just what you pledge that matters, but THAT you pledge.
More than half of our pledgers donate between $1,000 and $5,000 a year, or between $84 and $417 a month.
While each month’s expenses can vary, the average monthly cost to operate our community is no small sum. With pledges accounting for more than 80 percent of our operating budget, each gift helps us keep our doors open and programs running.
Being part of a community means that you can lean on one another in tough times, and that you commit to being there when you, in turn, are able to offer support. As such, if you have the ability to increase your pledge for the coming year, we ask you to consider doing so, further supporting those in our community who have found themselves in a more difficult season.
FAQ’s about pledging & giving
Why does the church need money? Isn't it funded by the national church?
Why pledge? Can't I just put money in the plate on Sunday?
How do I pledge?
How much should I pledge?
What is the best way to give to fulfill my pledge?
Does the church budgeting process really rely on my pledge?
How does the church spend its money?
That’s a great question. Next year’s budget is released at the start of the year based on stewardship season outcome and end-of-year numbers. Our finance committee and Vestry oversee our spending, and we as a church strive to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given. We offer a full report on the previous year’s finances at our annual meeting, and in our annual reports, in February of each year.
