2021 Stewardship Campaign
For during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. - 2 Corinthians 8:2
October 25, 2020
The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Dear Friends in Christ,
There is no doubt that this year has presented us with “a severe ordeal of affliction,” as Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. At a time when our lives have been turned upside-down, we would naturally turn to our church community for comfort, support, and healing—and yet we have had to search for these gifts from God in new and different ways. Still, All Saints’ Church has continued its ministry in new and creative ways. We are watching as the Holy Spirit is reshaping our church before our very eyes and guiding us to adapt to new realities. Yet if there is one thing this severe ordeal has made clear, it is that there is nothing to replace God’s graciousness and the community of saints dedicated to God’s work. All Saints’ is providing crucial spiritual, emotional, and material support to our parishioners, our Brooklyn community, and a new virtual community in ways we could not have anticipated a year ago.
The 2021 Stewardship Campaign at All Saints’ Church is a celebration of abundant joy in a time of affliction. We become channels of God’s joy when we overflow in a wealth of generosity. If you are looking for a way to add hope and light to your life and your community, please consider taking part in this campaign.
I invite you to begin prayerfully considering your 2021 pledge to All Saints’ now.
Our pledge goal for 2021 is $240,000. We are blessed to have welcomed a new virtual community to our parish family this year, and many of you may be unfamiliar with pledging. A pledge is a statement of the amount of money you intend to contribute for the ministry of the church in the coming year. The amount of your pledge is between you and God, and your pledging information is kept strictly confidential. The Biblical standard of giving is the tithe, or 10% of your expected income. I’m blessed to be able to pledge 10% of my 2021 salary (before tax) to the work of All Saints’ next year, but everyone’s financial and spiritual situation is unique. You can pay your pledge in any way that works for you: weekly, monthly, quarterly, by cash or check, or online. Many pledgers find it especially convenient to set up an automatic check payment through their bank. Detailed instructions on giving can be found at allsaintsparkslope.org/giving.
When you have discerned your pledge amount, please fill in the online pledging form at www.allsaintsparkslope.org/pledge-card-2021.html . Unlike previous years, paper pledge cards will not be available. While this is a break with the long-standing tradition of physical pledge cards, the practical realities of online worship and uncertainty with the postal service this year have made this switch to online pledging necessary. If you have trouble using this online form or would prefer a paper document, no problem! Simply contact the parish office and we will help you. Please submit your pledge by Sunday, November 8, the final day of the campaign. Pledging online does NOT mean you have to contribute online; once you pledge, you can make your contributions however you chose.
Be sure to watch our streaming 10am services on Facebook Live each Sunday from now until November 8 for stewardship testimonials from parishioners and stewardship sermons, and join the Sunday Forum from 11am to noon on Zoom for a theological perspective on giving. As always, the Stewardship Team co-chairs Anne Kelsey and Veronica Browne and I are always available to answer your questions. God bless you for your generosity!
Faithfully,
The Rev. Steven Paulikas
October 25, 2020
The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Dear Friends in Christ,
There is no doubt that this year has presented us with “a severe ordeal of affliction,” as Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. At a time when our lives have been turned upside-down, we would naturally turn to our church community for comfort, support, and healing—and yet we have had to search for these gifts from God in new and different ways. Still, All Saints’ Church has continued its ministry in new and creative ways. We are watching as the Holy Spirit is reshaping our church before our very eyes and guiding us to adapt to new realities. Yet if there is one thing this severe ordeal has made clear, it is that there is nothing to replace God’s graciousness and the community of saints dedicated to God’s work. All Saints’ is providing crucial spiritual, emotional, and material support to our parishioners, our Brooklyn community, and a new virtual community in ways we could not have anticipated a year ago.
The 2021 Stewardship Campaign at All Saints’ Church is a celebration of abundant joy in a time of affliction. We become channels of God’s joy when we overflow in a wealth of generosity. If you are looking for a way to add hope and light to your life and your community, please consider taking part in this campaign.
I invite you to begin prayerfully considering your 2021 pledge to All Saints’ now.
Our pledge goal for 2021 is $240,000. We are blessed to have welcomed a new virtual community to our parish family this year, and many of you may be unfamiliar with pledging. A pledge is a statement of the amount of money you intend to contribute for the ministry of the church in the coming year. The amount of your pledge is between you and God, and your pledging information is kept strictly confidential. The Biblical standard of giving is the tithe, or 10% of your expected income. I’m blessed to be able to pledge 10% of my 2021 salary (before tax) to the work of All Saints’ next year, but everyone’s financial and spiritual situation is unique. You can pay your pledge in any way that works for you: weekly, monthly, quarterly, by cash or check, or online. Many pledgers find it especially convenient to set up an automatic check payment through their bank. Detailed instructions on giving can be found at allsaintsparkslope.org/giving.
When you have discerned your pledge amount, please fill in the online pledging form at www.allsaintsparkslope.org/pledge-card-2021.html . Unlike previous years, paper pledge cards will not be available. While this is a break with the long-standing tradition of physical pledge cards, the practical realities of online worship and uncertainty with the postal service this year have made this switch to online pledging necessary. If you have trouble using this online form or would prefer a paper document, no problem! Simply contact the parish office and we will help you. Please submit your pledge by Sunday, November 8, the final day of the campaign. Pledging online does NOT mean you have to contribute online; once you pledge, you can make your contributions however you chose.
Be sure to watch our streaming 10am services on Facebook Live each Sunday from now until November 8 for stewardship testimonials from parishioners and stewardship sermons, and join the Sunday Forum from 11am to noon on Zoom for a theological perspective on giving. As always, the Stewardship Team co-chairs Anne Kelsey and Veronica Browne and I are always available to answer your questions. God bless you for your generosity!
Faithfully,
The Rev. Steven Paulikas