Faith in Action through Giving 2008

For the month of September, as we have celebrated St. Andrew’s volunteers, the focus has been on Faith in Action through Service. In October, we turn our energies toward expressing our Faith in Action through Giving – via stewardship support for all the ministries of St. Andrew’s. We are grateful to all of you for sharing in this vibrant and committed community of faith, and for your financial support.

Our annual budget for 2007 was $963K, and as costs rise, our upcoming budget for 2008 (to be set by the Finance Committee) will likely approach a million dollars!  The majority of this money comes from annual pledges, from members of our parish family like you.  How do we spend these funds?  Functionally, the major expenses break down into the following three categories:
 
Salaries and Benefits for Clergy and Staff:                                        64%
 
Outreach Giving including the Diocesan Assessment:                       16%
 
Keeping the Lights On  (Utilities, Office Supplies, Insurance, Phone, Computers, Maintenance, Repairs, etc.):                              16%
 
As we enter into our annual stewardship campaign for the coming year, we ask God to bless us as we plan for the year ahead.  And we ask you to consider the messages in this prayer:  “O gracious Father, you open your hand and fill all things living with plenteousness:  Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let your Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show your loving kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what you give, that men and women everywhere may give you thanks; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.”  [Book of Common Prayer, p.828]

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
-Winston Churchill

But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
-2 Corinthians 8:7