Stewardship
Giving Back
“Only a fool would not give away that which he cannot keep in order to gain something he cannot lose.”
- Nate Saint, martyr
Time
Although money is an important aspect of stewardship, it is not the only aspect. Most Episcopalians today have more money than they have time. Time is a precious commodity to most of us. Consider stewardship in your own life and whether you are being a good steward of the time and talents that God has given you. All that I do, with all that I have, after saying “I believe.” That is stewardship. It is serving God in everything that we do, with all the talents and riches that we have been blessed with. Our giving back is a showing of thanks to God for the life and gifts we have received. Your gifts, freely given, make it possible for the Church of the Holy Comforter to serve the greater Vienna community through worship, discipleship and mission. But there is more.
God promises us eternal life - a new quality of life that begins the moment we place our confidence in the gift and person of Jesus Christ. We cannot pay Him back, nor can we bribe Him to give us more of what was given. His gift is full and complete. We return our gifts to God, not because God needs them, but because we need to give out of love. And through giving we are able to fully experience God’s unconditional love and peace for us - peace, which passes all understanding.
For more information on the numerous ways that you can serve God at Holy Comforter, please explore the member's area of the Holy Comforter web site.
Pledging
How can I make a pledge to Holy Comforter? Pledge cards can be found at the Greeters Table or from one of the Ushers. You may also request a pledge card from the Church office. Fill it out and either mail it to the Church, place it in the offering plate, or give it to a member of the staff, Vestry, or an Usher.
Why is pledging better than just making a weekly donation in the offering? Pledging allows the Vestry and staff to anticipate the Church’s annual income and budget accordingly. It helps the Church to make vital decisions concerning growth and expansion, new programs, and extended mission outreach.
Is a signed pledge a contract? When you make a pledge, we ask that you do so prayerfully. You and God should determine the amount that is right for you. When you fill out and sign a pledge card, you are pledging that amount to the Church in good faith. It is not a contract.
What is proportional giving? It is making a commitment to give a specific percentage of your income to Holy Comforter. The appropriate percentage is up to you.
How do I determine what percentage is right for me? Most importantly, ask for God’s guidance. Consider what 2% or 3% of your income is and then determine whether you feel comfortable with that amount. Everyone’s situation is different. Just like any significant goal in life, your financial pledge should be a stretch but should also be attainable. And consider trying to increase that percentage by a small amount each year.
What is tithing? Tithing is the Biblical standard of giving God the first 10% of your income. While tithing is a worthy goal, it would be difficult for many people to achieve in one leap, which is where proportional giving comes in.
Does my pledge really matter that much? Absolutely! Holy Comforter needs $1800 per member family to meet its operating budget. But not every family pledges and of those that do, not everyone is able to pledge $1800, which means that every pledge, no matter the size matters. And it matters a lot.
Why is proportional giving better than agreeing to give Holy Comforter a flat dollar amount? First of all, stewardship should be intentional. Committing to a percentage helps you focus. You make a decision about the level of financial support you will work towards, then reaffirm that commitment every time you give. Proportional giving also has built-in flexibility for any ups and downs in your personal situation. As you prosper, you give more. If you are struggling, the church gracefully accepts that. History proves that as more people practice proportional giving, the church’s resources expand.
Charitable Giving
Is it possible to give through my estate? Holy Comforter accepts gifts through parishioner's wills, living revocable trusts, life insurance policies and other forms of charitable estate planning. All estate gifts benefit the church's endowment fund and are kept in perpetuity to benefit areas of need throughout the church that do not benefit from annual pledges. Parishioners who establish gifts of this nature become members of our Bishop Denig Society and are recognized as living members of this important society that will help secure the future of the Church of the Holy Comforter.
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If you have questions regarding stewardship at Holy Comforter, please contact the church office .
For information on gifts of securities and personal property, memorial gifts, bequests, charitable gift annuities, the Bishop Denig Society, charitable remainder trusts, and life income gifts, contact the church office. The Endowment Board provides assistance on structuring a charitable gift.
