A message from the Rector |
In at least two ways, our stewardship effort for this coming year is different than in years past. First, we are beginning later than normal, due in part to the pandemic and in part to changes to our accounting system that are underway. Second, and more significantly, this is the first time in a very long time that Christ Church’s vestry has committed the parish to significant, incremental increases to our pledged income. Each year, for the next five years, the vestry has planned growth in pledged income of at least $35,000 so Christ Church can move steadily toward a balanced budget, while also investing in ministries central to our growth, renewal, and continued faithfulness to God’s calling.
This plan — part of the overall strategic plan your vestry has led over the last 18 months — is a significant milestone in the history of this parish and a bold step that commits us as a community to follow in faith where God is calling. For 2022, our budget depends on at least $148,500 in pledged giving from households who call Christ Church home.
I want to share with you how my family plans to respond to this challenge. For many years now, we have been committed to proportional giving. Specifically, in addition to whatever we might give to other charitable organizations and good causes throughout the year, we practice the tithe as our church commitment: giving 10% of our income to our local parish church each year. We do this because it is the biblical norm for Christians, and because it has been the teaching of the Episcopal Church for decades that the “tithe [is] the minimum standard of giving for Episcopalians.” For 2022, we plan to give 10% more than our pledge for 2021. In the grand scheme of things, it won’t get us substantially closer to an additional $35,000 for the parish. But it will be our share in that effort, and will mean a real but joyful sacrifice to our family for the benefit of our parish.
I invite you to consider prayerfully how you will share in this effort also. What financial pledge to Christ Church will you commit yourself and household to for 2022? If you do not yet practice the tithe as your standard of giving to Christ Church, begin making plans now to increase your giving incrementally over the next few years to meet that goal, starting with this year’s pledge. If you are currently tithing to Christ Church, consider if God is calling you to contribute more to our common life and mission in the year ahead.
And above all else, give thanks to God, not simply for what he has done but for what he is doing, even now, for the building up of this congregation.
Next week, you'll receive an invitation by e-mail to record your pledge online (with the option of setting up safe, secure, and convenient giving online) and will receive a traditional pledge card the week following by mail.
Yours faithfully,
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Over the last several months, you've been hearing about Realm, our new church management solution. It will help the Rector, staff, vestry, and lay leaders with church administration, accounting, and community management, as well as providing each of you with easy, direct access to your own giving and membership records, a parish directory, serving schedules, and more.
Watch your email next week for the invitation requesting you to login, set up your account, and update your records! Look also for an invitation to record your 2022 pledge electronically! It's very simple!
If you can't wait or want to explore now, you can click here to set up your account in Realm and begin adding your information! |
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Christmastide 2022 Calendar |
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist
9:30 PM Choral Prelude
10:00 PM Solemn Mass
Saturday, December 25
Christmas Day
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
Sunday, December 26
1st Sunday after Christmas
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
Monday, December 27
St. Stephen's Day (transferred)
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)
Tuesday, December 28
St. John the Evangelist (transferred)
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)
Wednesday, December 29
Holy Innocents (transferred)
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)
Sunday, January 2
The Second Sunday after Christmas
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist (Rite II)
Thursday, January 6
The Epiphany
7:00 PM Holy Eucharist
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Our Shoe Drive is a Runaway! |
Christ Church continues our ongoing shoe drive through December 21, so there is still time to collect more shoes!
Every shoe you donate turns into funds for us, is kept out of landfills, and help micro-entrepreneurs around the world.
Drop off at the church on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and during church office hours. We will also host a convenient drive-by, drop-off on Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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