REACH IN, REACH OUT, REJOICE!

The St. James’ 2007 Annual Fund

As faithful members of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Potomac, Maryland, we humbly dedicate ourselves to step out boldly in 2007, rejoicing in witness, grateful for God’s many blessings, committed to walking with our Lord Jesus Christ in loving ministry to others.

How will that happen?  Together we can:

·        Reach in to the abundance God has so freely given us and give back generously;

·        Reach out in Christian love to serve others in our parish, the community and the world; and

·        Rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire us!

ST. JAMES’: SEEKING AND SERVING WITH A PURPOSE IN 2007

Members of St. James’ will dedicate ourselves as we find ever more abundant opportunity for:

• Seeking and serving Christ in each other.

St. James’ ministry will be centered in inspirational worship to praise and thank God; to strengthen the spirit of all who share it; and to support those in our midst suffering pain and loss, those who aspire to minister to others, and those children and youth in our church family who are growing in Christ. 

• Seeking and serving Christ in our parish.

St. James’ ministry will provide adequate care and protection for our buildings and property to ensure that they are safe, welcoming and enduring.

• Seeking and serving Christ in others.

St. James’ ministry will reach out to those who are hungry for food or for faith, or who have other needs, and to all those who seek the special blessing of a life-embracing Christian community.

• Seeking and serving Christ in global church ministries. 

St. James’ ministry will support the work of our diocese, both in helping its parishes and people and in ministry to those in need, and support our national church as it provides leadership and collaboration with the worldwide Anglican Communion.

GOALS FOR 2007

Accomplishing the following goals will require increased operating costs in 2007 and calls for generous financial support from you as a member of St. James’.

• Increased funding for a full-time second clergy. The special fund to provide a part-time clergy extends through Summer 2007. It is time to enlarge the depth and breadth of spiritual leadership to guide our parish ministry and help sustain its people in their faith and work.

• Increased funding for missions.   We REACH to help those in need in our community and the world.

• Increased funding for our diocese and national church.  St. James’ has not been financially able to provide equitable support for the past three years. This increase would greatly help to close the gap.

• Increased funding for repairs to our church property. While our 2003-2005 capital campaign accomplished major capital improvements, we are now faced with serious maintenance needs and replacement of aging equipment.   All of our current members can now use their 2007 pledge to support this important area of parish need.

• Increased funding to cover inflation-related expenses, especially utilities, and a modest salary increase for staff. The outlook for costs of our ongoing operations is daunting. As a point of reference, the facilities budget for 2006 increased more than $27,000 over 2005 costs.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?  NOT WITHOUT YOU!

REMEMBER THE THREE R’s

 Fulfilling St. James’ funding goals for 2007 requires a total annual increase of at least 25% from continuing and new pledges.    How can we achieve such ambitious goals?

• First, REACH IN to your experience as a beloved Child of God, blessed with abundance.  Each of us enjoys the blessing of many gifts from God in our personal lives.  To paraphrase a famous poem, “How does God love me?  Let me count the ways.”  Pray that your giving is inspired to do God’s work in this parish and in the world.  Then make a promise—a pledge—to faithfully give back a share of what God has entrusted to your care.

• Next, REACH OUT, in faith and with thanksgiving. All of us enjoy the blessing of a church that nourishes our faith, provides life-sustaining relationships, and offers rich opportunities for outreach within and outside our walls.

• Then, REJOICE! By the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, we are a family of faith, joined together in Christ’s love and challenged to follow in his ways.  Let’s celebrate God’s presence among us at St. James’!

YOUR PLEDGE:

SOME GUIDELINES AND QUESTIONS THAT ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER

Each of us is challenged to evaluate our capacity to give thanks through our pledge to the 2007 Annual Fund. The Bible asks us to give back a first portion, and sets the tithe as a starting point. Each of us needs to pray for guidance about the response. Find a quiet uninterrupted time for serious discussion in your family.

·        Consider your total income. How much is a tithe (10%)?   Write it down here. Think about it.

·        If circumstances make this amount just too challenging, what portion of the tithe is possible in 2007?

·        Does this amount reflect a percentage increase over 2006 giving?  Is it commensurate with the growth in your gross income?  Does it reflect a tithe or progress toward a tithe in the future?

·        Is a pledge greater than a tithe called for? Consider your options. Most important, will your pledge reflect a heartfelt expression of gratitude to God for life’s abundant blessings? 

·        Will your pledge help St. James’ rely on a total budget to meet its needs and avoid special fundraising? 

These are questions for you and your family to consider prayerfully before making a pledge to St. James’ for 2007. Use the worksheet enclosed to help answer them.  Mail, FAX, or bring your pledge to church one Sunday, on or before November 19, and let’s step forward together as a committed Body of Christ, to strengthen and expand the ministry and mission of St. James’ Episcopal Church. 

Your pledge is a benchmark in your spiritual journey.  The reward is worth some risk.  Your pledge is a good faith commitment, not a legal obligation. If your circumstances change during 2007, the pledge can change, too. But for now, it’s time to reach in, reach out, and rejoice!

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