- Download the Pentecost Reflection and prepare for the Summer
- 2023 Annual Pledge Campaign Materials ready for download
- Register for our next webinar on creating effective materials for stewardship
- Member pricing for Vanco Faith for your online giving programs
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Dear Davey,
For many of us, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season. Summer is a time of rest for some - long days, vacations, airing out the cabin, dusting off the golf clubs. Summer is also a time of great change - graduations, summer jobs, new schedules to get used to.
In Church, this is a time of reflection and preparation. We ask questions about our programs: did our youth program serve the needs of our kids? Were our adult education programs well attended? Did our food pantry or our thrift store serve more clients? These evaluation questions help us determine how our efforts paid off, and where we might grow or change to emphasize the things that are going well and improve the success we have achieved.
Summer is a good time to check in with the goals we set at our annual meeting around our programs and budget. How are we doing with the new ministries we wanted to create? Are we on track with our budget? Are we meeting our goals for growth? Asking questions like these over the summer months will help us to know what programs to strengthen when the church year picks up again in September.
As you take the time to rest this summer, spend just a little time evaluating your ministry and your impact. It will help you come back renewed and ready in the fall.
All good gifts,
Cn. J. Davey Gerhard III
Executive Director
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Rooted in Rest: A Pentecost Reflection
I have a vision of the Holy Spirit leaning against a tree, or perhaps sinking into her favorite chair, and feeling both exhausted and exhilarated after the day of Pentecost. Rushing wind, fire, tongues, and the many gifts of the Spirit that blast into the world on that day must take a lot of energy, even for God. Much as God the Creator rested on the Seventh Day, I imagine the Holy Spirit must need a bit of a breather after her big day.
This is an appropriate feeling as we look onto the Summer. Half of the year is over, and schools, families, and rectors might be considering or looking forward to Summer plans for rest. We need this – time off to recharge and time to pursue our hobbies and personal interests. A couple of days to sleep in, the chance to look at a different landscape, a trip out of our comfort zone give us the opportunity for new perspectives, new ideas, new approaches.
Rest is so important, that we should require it or at the least remind ourselves to take advantage of it when we can. We are called to offer our gifts to our churches, communities, and families and the gifts we offer will be strengthened if we have had a chance to get new perspective and energy and ideas. Find the ways this Pentecost season to rest up for the challenges that the fall will bring.
For Reflection:
What are the ways that you find to rest and recharge?
What about ministry gives you energy or joy?
You may download this, and all seasonal reflections with the annual pledge campaign materials
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Reading and Formation Resources for Renewal
Summer is a great time to read a book or share insight on stewardship formation. Check out the TENS Resource Library for some great ideas on books, study materials, and other resources for reflection.
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Bibliography for Stewardship
Whether you are looking for books for a book study in your stewardship team or your adult education, or simply engaging the spiritual topic of generosity, these resources are a great starting place for self-reflection, study, or conversation.
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A Stewardship Reading List for Kids
These commonly available titles help young children, youth, and young adults learn about the power, pitfalls, and promises of money and generosity. Use this reading list to get started on cultivating gratitude in your family or youth formation program.
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A Money Autobiography
Take this short inventory individually or as a part of a stewardship formation exercise to learn more about your habits regarding generosity and gratitude. This tool is perfect for a stewardship committee formation tool, as well. Try it out to deepen your stewardship theology or create a close-knit team.
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Online Giving in Episcopal Congregations Increases by 26% with Vanco!
Have you been monitoring online giving in your congregation? In looking at Episcopal congregations using Vanco, there has been an increase of 26% in contributions since the pandemic began. This reflects both a growth in the number of donors and the average amount of contributions.
Congregations have found Vanco easy for contributors to use and a time-saver for administrators. Vanco provides customized service to get started and resources to communicate with donors about the benefits of online giving. And, Vanco provides tools to look at giving patterns and trends.
In addition to volume growth, the number of congregations using Vanco has continued to grow. Here are the three most common reasons:
- Integration with church management software. Vanco offers integration with more than 50 different companies. These would include ACST, Church 360, Church Windows, Quickbooks, Power Church, Servant Keeper, Shepherd Staff and more. Effective integration means easier transfer of online and card reader transactions, saving you work.
- Product Features and Functionality - This includes Vanco Online which uses storytelling tiles to inspire giving. You select the ministries you want to highlight and share their impact. The tile for each ministry has a unique URL and QR code so you can share this story with many audiences and provide an easy way to contribute immediately.
- Special Pricing for TENS Members- Some congregations are looking to save money on their processing. Vanco offers special pricing for small and larger congregations when their diocese is a member of TENS. Congregations in other dioceses can also get savings.
Visit https://www.tens.org/vanco-partnership/ for more information on how TENS members can increase giving and save money on transaction costs.
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The 2023 Webinar Calendar is uploaded - fill out your training plan today!
We are revisiting some favorite trainings and offering some new ones this year as we combine materials for annual campaigns with practical teaching on stewardship topics. See our Webinar page to learn about and register for all our webinars this year!
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Preparing for Stewardship Season: Best Practices
Consider this your pre-campaign pep talk for committee members, stewardship chairs, and clergy alike! Join us for a session where we walk through this year's campaign theme and materials and talk about best practices for effective campaigns.
Register today for our webinar on Saturday, July 29, 9AM Pacific / 12PM Eastern
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Breaking Through the Pledge Plateau
There comes a time with each congregation when the campaign plateaus: when members make the same gift year after year; when the pledges are on autopilot. What can you do to shine a new light on your programs and ministries to help your members make their best gifts?
Right as you return from your summer break, learn best practices for breaking through the plateau and increasing the impact, gift size, and cheerfulness of your members so that your ministries can flourish.
Sign up for our free webinar on Saturday, August 26 at 9AM Pacific / 12PM Eastern
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Complete Materials for 2023-2024 Annual Pledge Campaigns
Ready for Download
The 2023 - 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign materials have been uploaded and are ready for use. All year, you have been using the Seasonal Reflections to underscore good stewardship practices, and taking advantage of training and the timeline to form your committee. Now you have access to the complete package for your annual campaign. In addition to the weekly reflections, this year's package includes:
- Sample letters from the Clergy, Wardens, and Committee Chair
- Prayers for the Pledge Cards and Prayers at Ingathering
- Prayers of the People during your campaign season and a Post-Communion Prayer you may use during the weeks of your pledge drive
- Pledge cards that focus on time, talent, and treasure
- Proportional Giving cards
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