Four T's - Guide to Stewardship for 2015

Ah - fall season again! The colors are beautiful and we begin to look forward to Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. And, in First Church, we begin to firm up plans for 2015, including asking each member household to pledge.

About November 1, you will receive our Stewardship letter. Our theme is the 4T's of real church stewardship - giving of your Time, Talent, and Treasure, which will be directed toward Transformation. Our call to action is transforming people to do God's work! For some, that is hands on work of Reaching Out; for some it is helping the Caring for Ourselves Program Ministry. Developing Our Faith, Caring for our Resources and Worshiping God are the other program ministries. We hope each of you can give of time and talent to at least one program ministry.

The other giving we ask from each of you is Treasure. If you are a member but have not pledged recently - or ever - think and pray on the opportunity to give back some of what God has given you. If you pledge every year, consider what more you can give for 2015, especially if you have not increased your pledge for two or more years.

With our letter, you will receive a brief summary of how the 2015 budget will be spent. Most of our money goes to pay people; almost all of it goes to support programs. Almost three-quarters of our revenue comes from pledge payments. Without pledges, we cannot develop a budget and we cannot make commitments to our staff and our vendors. And, most critically, we cannot make program commitments to you - the adults, youth and children who are the backbone of First Congregational Church.

If you have any questions, please ask Bill Bentley, the 2014 Stewardship Team Leader - phone 860-844-0008 or  billbentley@cox.net.

Coffee Hours Hosts & Flowers Needed    

Pastor Ginny on vacation

After a long and busy spring/summer/fall, Pastor Ginny is taking a much needed vacation. She and Doug will be touring Costa Rica from Oct. 31 - Nov. 12. She will be back with us in worship on Nov. 16.

From the Financial Secretary

The latest statements, either handed out or soon to be mailed, include only information related to your pledges. They do not contain any information on donations and or payments you may have made that have been attributed to other categories (such as memorial gifts, G-Crew Mission trip donations, Neighbors in Need, etc.) You will get a complete list of all items on the 2014 year end statement that will be sent out in January 2015. That statement will include all monies given to the church. As for donations made to the Kids Campaign, the amount of over/under may not be correct. This is due to difficulties with the software program we use and the fact that the campaign is a 3-year commitment spread over 4 years. The actual dollar amount given should be correct. I hope this has not created too much confusion