*** Pledge cards were due in worship on Sunday, October 23, but will be gratefully received as soon as possible. Due to factors beyond our control, we understand that not all members of Trinity received this year’s Stewardship mailing that included a 2023 Commitment Card. Hard copies are available at the both entrances to the Nave and Chapel and can also be downloaded at the link availabe in this article. We thank everyone who has already submitted a Commitment Card and for all who continue to financially support the ministry of Trinity Church. ***
Link to the 2023Commitment Card here: 2023 Commitment Card.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Dear friends in Christ,
As part of this year’s Stewardship Campaign, we are inviting members to Step Up 1% – to increase their annual pledge for 2023 by 1% of their annual household income. This is not about increasing your pledge amount by 1% over the past year. Inflation alone is between 8-9%. Rather, this is about each member growing to the next percentage of income giving. Fourteen members of the Council and Finance Committee have already signed on to this idea and submitted their increased pledges for 2023 representing a combined 13% increase in their total pledged amount.
Please either email your completed commitment card with your 2023 pledge to [email protected] or mail to the church office, Attn: Lisa Stone, Financial Secretary by Commitment Sunday, October 23. Paper copies were mailed to all members of the congregation on Thursday, October 6 and are available at the entrances to the Nave and Christ Chapel.
We are asking for an increased financial commitment as we celebrate the ministries made possible through our stewardship of God’s gifts. The October issue of Trinity News includes a graphical depiction of how our budgeted income for this year has been allocated for ministry, summarized in six main areas:
Outreach & Mission 23% $157,614
Worship & Music 22% $149,237
Faith & Education 18% $125,722
Pastoral Care 16% $108,418
Fellowship 11% $ 77,474
Welcoming 10% $ 69,554
The dollar amount for each of these includes a more or less equal share of the costs of operating and maintaining the church buildings and grounds. It also includes a proportional share of the compensation of the professional staff (pastor, cantor, and minister of youth, families and outreach), based on their percentage of participation in activities related to that ministry. Much of Trinity’s ministry is done, supported or otherwise made possible by the professional staff.
Our pledged gifts account for over 54% of Trinity’s total income. About 35% comes from donations collected from building users. Another 11% of income comes from our Mission Endowment Fund, drawn from the growth and earnings of its investments. That 11% equals about five percent of the total value of the MEF. While using five percent is sustainable over the long run, we’ve been using nearly twice as much each year, upwards of 10% of the total value of the MEF to fund our current staffing configuration and ministry programming. Any attempt at economizing by cutting back on ministries would involve a reduction in staff, which would drastically reduce or eliminate the associated ministries.
In order to close the income gap without reducing the scope of our ministry, we are asking members this year to Step Up 1%–to increase their annual pledge by 1% of their annual household income. Please give prayerful consideration to this request. It will require planning, and perhaps courage. When you’ve made your decision, please submit your commitment card during worship on October 23, 2022, or by email or postal mail it to the church office by that date.
Thank you, and thanks be to God for your faithful participation in ministry at Trinity!
Yours in Christ,
Nathan Pipho, Pastor
Kevin Erkkila, Stewardship Chair