We have readers!

Well, okay, I mentioned this blog the Sunday I spoke at both services, but yup, we haven't done a great job at advertising.

The other day, the following landed in my in-box:

When I received the little postcard with the note acknowledging receipt of our pledges, it's one of the few times I have been able to think that, "Someone at Trinity who knows how to manage, communicate and market their ministry!" And then I read the part about the blog. What a wonderful way of keeping the parish informed. Finally, someone who knows how to help bring Trinity into the 20th century! [Yes, I mean the 20th century.]

Who knew? It's a great site which you have been working on for months but was never mentioned. How was anyone to know it was there? If it was communicated, I certainly did not hear it, read it in a bulletin, or find a notice or link on the parish website. Perhaps I was away when it was mentioned. Be that as it may, thanks for your hard work. Too bad most of the information from the parish meeting was not communicated in the same manner.

I need to admit I didn't sent the postcard. Jean Hanbury has been diligently writing out the addresses each week. She's the persistance behind the thanks.

I have asked members of the finance committee but the answer was not as clear as I would have liked. At the Parish Meeting, when Mrs. Peacock reported on Mission and Outreach, she mentioned as best as I could remember and try to follow, two items that I didn't understand. One was about $1000 going to help purchase/refurbish/repair the former Coleman Nursery Christmas figures. The other was something about $500 going to recover some antique dental chair. My question is, did I hear this correctly and did those monies come from church pledges? Any advice on obtaining this answer would be welcomed.

There's a good question. I believe the monies mentioned for these two donations came from the annual Christmas Shoppe and were not monies from either pledges or endowment. I'll find out for sure, however.

Thanks, all, and keep reading!

Thanksgiving Day 2004

Here it is, Thanksgiving Day 2004. I've left the comfortable confines of Portsmouth and have traveled north with Jenny and the boys to visit with my parents in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This morning we attended the Eucharist at Old Union Church in Audubon. What a wonderful service, using the 1928 Prayer Book and the 1940 Hymnal. A traditional Thanksgiving Day Eucharist; reminded me of services growing up, although it was less patriotic then those services in my father's church. And during the service, between Elliot's cooing and the hymns, I thought about how much I have to give thanks for. I am thankful for much.

And this thankfullness is really at the heart of our stewardship effort here at Trinity. I hope that each and every member of our parish community stops and thinks about the gifts they have received. We have all been given much in terms of time and talent and treasure. Today is a day set aside to give thanks for all of it.

And our stewardship focus is a time to not only give thanks, but to give back. What we have in time, what we have in talent, what we have in treasure, has been given to us by the Almighty. He has given it to us to use, and to use wisely. Part of that using wisely is to return time, return talent, return treasure for the work of the Church, for God's work here on earth and in our community.

Be thankful today. Be thankful every day. But also, give back.

Peace and thanks to each of you.

I'm somewhat disappointed

Well, our Stewardship every-member-canvass has officially ended, but we are a long way from our goal of 100% participation from every member. Funny, but it's difficult for an every-member-canvas to live up to its name if everyone doesn't participate. Sort'a the meaning behind the every member part. Anyway, we're still hoping more cards come in. That would increase our percentage of participation.

We're still a little shy on the goal for pledge amount, also. The Senior Warden informed me today the latest pledge tally comes in a around $202,000, which is still some $20,000 off from the amount pledged for 2004 and is way off from our goal for 2005.

I'm concerned that many people think that Stewardship is all about money, and that pledging is for somebody else. Stewardship isn't about money; it's about taking care of that which has been entrusted to us and putting it to good use... including returning a portion of it for the work of the Church. And, pledging isn't for somebody else; pledging is for each and every one of us.

Stewardship Report as of 11 November 2004

Well, friends, here are the numbers provided to the Vestry this evening. We still have 45 current year pledgers who haven't turned in cards for this every member canvass. The news, however, is not strong:

Number of pledge cards sent: 235

Pledge cards returned to date: 111

Pledge cards indicating no pledge: 8

Pledge cards returned with pledge: 103

Total amount pledged by 94 current year pledgers: $164,071

Total amount pledged by 9 new pledgers: $11,160

Pledge from trust fund: $3,000

Number of persons increasing pledge: 35
Amount of increase in pledge: $14,279

Number of persons decreasing pledge: 14
Amount of decrease in pledge: $16,373

Overall pledged to date for 2005: $178,231

Current year (2004) total pledge: $233,194

We are $71,769 short of our goal for 2005.

Stewardship Report -- Before the Ingathering

The following are the numbers before today, Ingathering Sunday... As you can see, we are not close to our goal...

Number of pledge cards sent: 235

Pledge cards returned to date: 92

Pledge cards indicating no pledge: 7

Pledge cards returned with pledge: 85

Total amount pledged by 78 current year pledgers: $134,225

Total amount pledged by 7 new pledgers: $9,080

Pledge from trust fund: $3,000

Number of persons increasing pledge: 29
Amount of increase in pledge: $10,403

Number of persons decreasing pledge: 9
Amount of decrease in pledge: $13,817

Overall pledged to date for 2005: $146,305

Current year (2004) total pledge: $233,194

Consider what you have

Another beautiful November day, following a spectacular service last night at the Church. The choir was fantastic. We are truly blessed.

Our ingathering of pledge cards is this Sunday. If you haven't turned in your card, please do so on Sunday. We need every member to participate. As noted before, it's not an every member canvass unless every member participates.