Our annual Pledge Drive is getting underway. Each year we invite all parishioners to consider their gifts to St. John’s for the following year and if possible, make a pledge for that amount. Pledging is an “honor system” with individual amounts kept confidential in the Parish Office. The total amount pledged, however, is a helpful way of telling Father Jared and our vestry what kind of a budget they can expect for the next year. This enables our church to plan for ministry needs and avoid making cuts to services and ministries if possible. We hope you will consider making this extra commitment of a pledge to aid in planning for 2024.
I have been especially proud of our impact in the broader community these past few years. Not only do we provide the Loving Spoonfuls program with free meals for those in need, we have also been instrumental in organizing the Hispanic Fiesta in Grand Haven and now the Pride Festival as well. We are sending a physical and tangible message that St. John’s and our broader community are inclusive of all…as God would want us to be. In addition, we have a Gun Violence Prevention committee that has been very active. St. John’s is providing leadership for this message in our community. You are part of sustaining all this work and our many ministries with your pledge and gifts. You are leading the way with your generosity and support. Thank you so much for this.
In addition, you may note on the Pledge Card that St. John’s offers you an opportunity to be a Sustaining or Sustaining+ pledger. That simply means you would not need to bother with returning all this information each year. Your pledge can simply renew automatically at an amount you determine. You can of course adjust or cancel this pledge at any time, just like any pledge. It is just for your convenience and to save you time and hassle. We welcome all gifts whether you pledge or not.
We hope to conclude the Pledge Drive by September 25. This allows the vestry time to react to the expected budget and avoid conflicting with the holidays and Advent. We would appreciate your help with a prompt reply. Our Harvest Celebration on September 25 will be our time to celebrate our blessings and gifts as a church. Please plan on joining your fellow parishioners on that Sunday (you can sign up at http://sjegh.com/harvest). Your Stewardship contact person will stay in touch with you during the pledge drive if you should forget or need to ask questions about pledging or giving. They are happy to receive calls and reach out as well. Please remember that Stewardship Commission members never ask you for the amount of your pledge or gift. That information is confidential and kept by only the office staff. Our task is to organize the Pledge Campaign and remind everyone.
Thank you so much from all of us on the Stewardship Commission. We look forward to hearing from you soon