Adopting a recommendation in the Strategic Planning Committee's preliminary report of September 7, 2011, the Vestry has set a specific pledge target for 2012: $194,150. It is based on the goal of a ten percent increase in giving, as a step toward reducing the anticipated deficit for next year.
As I noted at the October 2nd forum, the Vestry recognizes that we continue to live in difficult and uncertain economic times. While some parishioners will be able to increase their giving by ten percent, or perhaps more, others may be unable to make such a commitment.
What is important, though, is that we, as a community of faith, strive together to give back to God a portion of the blessings we receive from him. The act of all of us coming forward as parish family to lay our pledge on the altar of the Lord is a demonstration of love and commitment to God and one another.
Even if you do not know what you will be able to offer for 2012 please join in that demonstration. You can fill out your pledge sheet according to what you think you might be able to give, or, if you feel unsure of your circumstances, even just to say that you will make a pledge when you can. In that way, we are one in the Lord and we uphold each other in the love of God.
David Doneski. October 2011.