Dear Parishioner,
Stewardship season is a time each year in the Episcopal Church where parishes take stock, look ahead, plan, and pray for the next year of ministry. This year’s stewardship theme at Saint Gabriel’s is Growth Through Giving. We are a Parish which continues to grow by welcoming new parishioners and staff members, embracing new ways of exploring the Christian faith, and by continuing to authentically follow the teachings of Jesus Christ each day in our lives. We are a Parish that has been reinvigorated by all the growth we are seeing and feeling. Now we are witnessing more liturgies, youth and adult formation programs and courses, fellowship activities, and outreach opportunities happening around our campus each week! We are a VERY busy Parish. We all need to do our part to continue to support the mission and ministries of this Parish.
Like most Episcopal Parishes, we are self-sustaining. Funding is not given to us from our Diocese. The majority of our budget is formed from the pledges of our parishioners. Financial pledge support is vital to the life and health of Saint Gabriel’s. Each year we set a budget by early winter, and we can only do this accurately and responsibly if the Treasurer and Finance Committee have a clear understanding of what is pledged.
A “pledge” is not an envelope you bring to church every Sunday. A pledge is your anticipated promised contribution to the church sent in by Ingathering Sunday on November 3rd. Whether you plan to contribute cash or check, weekly, monthly, or one lump sum. All who choose to support the Parish financially (whether in person or though the online giving program) must fill out a pledge card.
It takes all of our support to help ensure the Parish is in a healthy place financially for this year and the years to come. (Please see the chart on back for an overview of what your pledge helps support.) You are part of the generous spirit of giving here. Without your financial support Saint Gabriel’s exciting growth can not continue.
All of what happens here depends completely on your commitment of time, talent, and treasure. Each one of you knows your own financial situation better than anyone, and you know how much you are able to give financially to help support all that this Parish stands for and will do in the community in the year ahead. We ask you to please prayerfully fill out the included pledge card, and bring it with you to Church on All Saints Sunday on November 3rd, “Ingathering Sunday 2024”, where we will give God thanks for all that He does in this community of faith.
Yours In Christ,
Father Eric E. Fialho & the Stewradship Committee
Co-Chairs: Mr. Bill Parziale & Mr. Richard Poyant
Members: Mr. Ian Trombly, Ms. Carol Larsen, Ms. Gale Kaloplastos