What does pledging mean to me? Well in my lifetime of going to church (not that it's always been on a regular basis), I always thought it meant giving what you could afford, giving the extra you had. I never dug particularly deep, partially because I didn't always have a lot, but also because at other churches I never really saw where the money was going.
One of the best things about St. Andrew's Church is that you see where the money is going. Yes, it takes a certain amount to pay for the building and the salaries, but I love St. Andrew's emphasis on outreach. We are not a "profit" organization. Every year at Christmas time we're proud to help families in dire need. The loose offering goes to the discretionary fund, which helps so many worthy projects. We give to Open Door, to people in the military, and so many other worthy causes and projects.
So pledging and giving has come to mean something different to me than just giving the "extra". The money I give is making a difference in so many lives, not just outside the congregation, but inside as well. So it's become a high priority for me. I admit, some weeks are tight, and I can't give anything that week. But then on a better week, I give my pledge amount and make up for the week I couldn't give. And I use a very "high-tech" accounting technique to keep track-I keep the envelope in the box until I give my pledge amount. It's simple, but it works! I try to give to the church first before I "give" to Target or the dollar store, and I find a way to make it work.
I know some of you may feel bombarded from the vestry and budget committee with all the talk
about pledging and the 2009 budget. It's a tough subject to hear about, and I know it's not been easy for the vestry members who have gotten up to speak before services or during services (and thanks so much to them!). We all have to remember that not only is the economy in difficult times, but a transition time for a church is never easy. We definitely can't claim to have Father Chris' special touch when he sent out the letters for the next year's budget. However we are doing the best we can to give the congregation an honest, objective view of our current financial status, so everyone knows exactly where we stand.
This article and the budget committee article are the last ones you will see, and there will be no other talks given in the church about pledges or the budget, until our annual meeting, which is Sunday Jan 18. We will simply update in the bulletin the status of the pledge cards we receive. Thanks for listening, I think if we all look carefully at our situation, pray about it, think about all the good this church does, and have faith, we can move forward in a po$itive way.
Respectfully,
Francine Klein
St. Andrew's Mission Statement
The mission of St. Andrew's Church is to show forth powerfully the love of God in Christ, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by means of worship, fellowship and service to all who come to us, to those whom we seek out and to one another. Corporately, we will grow in numbers and in tangible and intangible resources. Communally as well as personally, we will grow toward the full maturity of Christ.
