All Saints' this Sunday | Grace Giving 2011

Grace Brought Me Here: Eve

Meet Eve & John
In 2002, Eve Leonard and John Waldo came to Grace, found what
they were looking for, and settled in for the long haul. In this week's
Q&A, Eve tells why she and John commit to an annual pledge instead
of "dating the plate."

Q: How many in your family?
A.   Just the two of us at home on Bainbridge,
but John and I have five kids between us, three "kids-in-law," and two grandsons.

Q. What brought you to Grace, and when did you arrive?
We were looking for an Episcopal church where we felt welcomed. We found Grace on Homecoming Sunday, on the anniversary of 9/11.

Q. What keeps you at Grace?
A.    Grace. Every change and every growth step is good.

Q. Why do you pledge?
Because we belong here. I pledge because I feel a responsibility to do my part to continue what happens at Grace for myself, but mostly for those I see around the circle, and for those who will come later. I give because I've been taught generosity as part of life's flow. And, because when I step into the Communion circle to receive, I want first to have offered back a tiny part of what I have already received from God. It completes the circle.

Q. How do you decide how much to pledge?
We figure how our income will likely play out in the next year (we're both self-employed) and then we give what we think will hurt a little.
It never has.

Q. Any words of encouragement for others?
A. When you pledge - when you make a commitment instead of "dating" the plate offering--you will have a sense of investment that will change how you experience Grace - and grace.

Grace Brought Me Here:

Annual Giving 2011 Grace Brought Me Here

Our Annual Giving campaign to fund Grace's 2011 budget launches this Sunday, November 7. You can pick up your pledge packet, including a pledge card and copy of the budget, at church on that day - all packets not picked up will be mailed. Please help us save on postage, a nd pick-up your packet after church this Sunday in the narthex (front entry)

Important Notes:

· If you liked online pledging last year, rejoice! We had such good feedback we're doing it again. You'll find online pledging details in your pledge packet.

· We'll wrap up the 2011 campaign, celebrate the ingathering of ple dges, and report the results, on Sunday, December 5.

We look forward to engaging each and every member of the parish in this important and joyful effort.

If you have any questions at any time, please get in touch!

Your Grace Giving Team