Stewardship FAQs
In early May a letter explaining our financial needs and challenges was sent to the entire Parish. It has prompted much discussion and several
questions. To help you make your decision, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Q. It's only May and we're already $400,000 short of budget! How much worse could it get?
A. We have a budgeted goal - for the entire year - of $2.5 million income from pledges and we currently have pledges for the year of just under
$2.1 million. So every additional new pledge and every increased pledge reduces that $400,000 deficit.
Q. What caused this shortfall?
A. There are probably many reasons, but the short answer is that we need more people to pledge. Right now, we have about 1100 active parishioner
households at All Saints', but less than half are pledging and giving regularly.
Q. Are we spending too much?
A. No, for the first quarter our expenses were actually below budget. It's strictly a top line income problem that can be solved by more people
pledging.
Q. Has the building been a drain on our budget?
A. The budgets for the building and for operating the church are entirely separate, so the answer is no, the building has not drained the
operating budget. But the building has had an effect. Many people are pledging to the operating budget and, in addition, have made a 3-year financial
commitment to the building fund. Giving to both is a stretch, especially with so many price increases and an uncertain economy.
Q. What about the endowment? Doesn't All Saints' have an endowment for just this kind of situation?
A. Our endowment has very little cash in reserve and does not provide appreciable income. Using it to bail us out is unsustainable, not good
practice and certainly poor stewardship.
Q. Wouldn't it be more realistic to reduce the budget to match the pledged income that we have?
A. Only if you believe that God is calling us to do less - and we don't. God has richly blessed us with the almost-completed renewed Parish
House and is expecting us to use it fully to fulfill our mission.
Q. So what can I do to help?
A. If you are not pledging, do so. As Christians we are expected to give back to God a portion of that we have received. The average pledge this year is $4,220. Some of us give more, some less. Pledge what you can.
If you are already pledging, will you give a bit more? Any amount will help. ($900 more from each pledging household would balance the budget.)
PRAY for the work and ministry of All Saints'. Our mission and call is clear. Only through God's grace working in us can we do what we do.
Visit the All Saints' Parish Stewardship Site by Clicking Here
Our Vision is A world transformed
by Jesus. Our Mission Statement
is To become disciples who make disciples through Christ. |
