STEWARDSHIP 2027 | ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Wise Design: Building on a Sure Foundation
“Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:10
Just imagine: we’ve been given the materials for an enchanted treehouse—a generous, vision-expanding gift intended for expanded mission and new ministries. But without a strong, unwavering foundation—the church’s regular operating budget funded by our faithful annual pledges—this beautiful treehouse cannot stand.
Together, let’s ensure that our essential foundation remains solid, enabling new initiatives to flourish and thrive! By solidifying our foundation, you directly support and promote the real, living ministry of St. George’s.
"The Gift Builds What Is Next. Our Pledges Sustain What Makes It Possible."
What Your Annual Pledge Holds & Sustains
Our annual pledges sustain the essential life, worship, and community care that define St. George’s every single day. While special gifts allow us to dream about tomorrow, our regular pledges empower us to be the church today.
Your financial pledge supports:
Worship & Music: Inspiring liturgy, sacred music, and traditional worship that draw us closer to God.
Children, Youth & School: Spiritual grounding, moral education, and a nurturing community for our youngest members.
Pastoral Care & Community: Support during seasons of grief, illness, transition, and celebration.
Outreach & Service: Extending Christ’s love to our local neighbors and the wider world.
Clergy, Staff & Facilities: The dedicated team and sacred spaces that host our shared life.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Renew. Increase. Begin.
Stewardship is a prayerful response to God’s generosity in our lives. Whether you are a longtime member or new to St. George's, there is a meaningful place for you in building this foundation.
RENEW: Recommit your annual financial support to sustain our vibrant programs and operations.
INCREASE: If your circumstances allow, consider increasing your pledge to support our growing costs and expanding ministries.
BEGIN: If you have never pledged before, step into active partnership by making your very first commitment—every pledge, regardless of size, strengthens our foundation!
PLEDGE CONFIDENTIALLY ONLINE
Make Your 2027 Commitment
Recognizing that all we possess is a gift from God, we rejoice in the opportunity to participate in our church’s annual stewardship program as we prayerfully consider a responsible level of giving.
KEY DATES & PHYSICAL CARDS
Ingathering Sunday: October 25
Bring your physical Promise Card to church service for a special blessing and community celebration!
Prefer Paper? Pick up a physical Promise Card in the narthex or parish hall, fill it out, and turn it in during Sunday service or mail it to the church office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q: Why do we need annual pledges if the church received a large special gift?
A: The special gift (from the Court sale) is restricted for expanded mission, new ministry initiatives, and long-term endowment funds. It is the "treehouse" above! It cannot be used for daily operating costs. Our annual pledges provide the solid foundation needed to sustain our daily worship, staff, facility maintenance, and ongoing pastoral care.
Q: Can I pledge my time and talents in addition to treasure?
A: Absolutely! Stewardship encompasses our time, talents, prayers, and financial resources. We encourage every parishioner to share their spiritual gifts across our internal church ministries as well as community outreach programs.
A message from Deanne Quarrie, D. Min.
As many of you know, I live at St. George’s Court. I enjoyed almost 10 years under the ownership of St. George’s Senior Housing, that is, St. George’s Episcopal Church. As a cradle Episcopalian, it pleased me to have that connection to the Church that I was born into.
I served on the Board of St George’s Senior Housing and was involved in the sale and saw the care in which the handover was made. While I am sad, we have given up ownership, all for very good reasons, I am happy to know that the funds from the sale are going to help our Church do the good works we are known to do. It is a lot of money, and we are going to do great things with it, and that makes me really, really happy. Living at the Court tells you that I have little income. At the Court, we are all well below any poverty levels our government chooses to publish. Because of that, I dislike it when I am asked for money. Perhaps I feel guilty that I can’t do what they ask. I don’t know.
A while back, I had a “sit-down” with Father Matt to discuss how I could be of service. At the end of our conversation, Father Matt said, “Deanne, do you know what I really need?” I looked at him, and he said, “I need someone to serve on the Stewardship committee.” Well, because of how he asked, I said yes. I had no idea I had just volunteered to ask for money!!!!
After I said yes, I went home and looked up the word stewardship. “Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” Living as I do and being constantly strapped for funds makes me very aware of how important that saying “first things first” is. When I receive my Social Security check each month, on that very day, I pay my rent, pay my utility bills, and pay any other commitments I have made. Then, I buy my food for the whole month. I leave a reserve in my bank account for the perishable items that won’t last a whole month. See, I am committed to not going hungry! It is only after I have I done that, what little I have left goes for me to spend on anything else. Maybe a good book and perhaps a plant for my garden.
So here I am, asking for money!!!!!!
Again …“Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.”
Our Church is entrusted to our care. We have a budget, made from the knowledge of what it costs to keep this Church here - in service to God. We must pay our bills. We need to do that to be here. We need to do that to go out into the world and do all the wonderful things we do. And now, just think, we can do even more! But first, we must honor our commitments - by paying the bills.
Please, as a caregiver of this Church, recommit your annual financial support to sustain our programs and operations. And if you can, add an increase, for our costs go up every year. If you are new to St. George’s and know that this is your new spiritual home, YAY for that!!!!! Won’t you consider making your first pledge?
I found a couple of passages from the Bible that seem like a good way to conclude …
From Timothy: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
And then, this ….
From 2 Corinthians: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Thank you!
Deanne Quarrie, D. Min.