An Update from the Stewardship Campaign;

On behalf of the Wardens, Clergy, Vestry and, well, the whole church community, I want to thank all of you who have participated in the 2009 Stewardship Campaign: St. Peter's is My Home.  To date, we have received pledges from about 110 families totaling more than $300,000. 

In times of transition and uncertainty, people tend to return to that which nurtures and sustains them -- most notably to our homes.  We find comfort in our family home, the homes of good friends, and our church home. You are welcome in your home at St. Peter's regardless of your employment status, portfolio balance, or any other material measure.  As a community of Christ we look to the soul; we offer a place to rest your burdens for a moment. That you continue to give in times of uncertainty is an act of deep and abiding faith. 

As stewardship chair, I see the notes attached to pledges, and the after-church comments in which parishioners tell of their affection and gratitude for the church and its role in their lives.  I see increased pledges that reflect stronger connections to the church.  I see stable pledging from families in transition.  And I see commitments to participate, albeit at a lower level from families living through job losses, salary cuts, college tuition spikes, and lost retirement savings.  What I see is a church on the move, growing, striving, and praying; and I am to be a grateful to be a part of that.

We expect to fall short of our initial goal to raise $425,000, set in September.  Thanks to the strong .leadership of our Treasurer, Finance Committee, Vestry and generous pledges in 2008, we enter 2009 in a strong financial position.  However, we must re-evaluate the 2009 budget with the awareness that we will have less money to do the work of our church this year.

So I appeal to you now: this is not the time to shrink from the dreams we have set in motion - we have gone forward in faith, and must not loose it now.  The joy, the hope, the anticipation and engagement are palatable.  Advent, the season of expectation, has passed. But we are still in advent as a church community. We have much to anticipate in the New Year: the continued engagement of our youth, the ministry of a new music director, workshops for adults, an evolving church school program and outreach opportunities to help our neighbors.

If you haven't made a financial commitment to St. Peters for 2009, please do so now.  We need your help to fulfill our dreams and to do the work God is calling us as a church family to do.

I wish you a New Year of peace, joy and love.

Marty Rodgers, Stewardship Chair