St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
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St. Stephen's Stewardship
 

Our vision includes "mindful stewardship of our many talents and resources" as an important parish value. We are stewards of the gifts with which God has blessed us. What we do with these gifts ultimately defines the character of our life and the depth of our spiritual understanding. Knowing that it is not how much we have but what we do with what we have that is important, a Christian steward serves God out of love and gratitude for these gifts.

Financial support is both symbolic and highly practical - it allows the church to carry out its mission.

2010 Budget

Our 2009 Financial Statements and 2010 budget are available in the Members Only area of the website.

How can I support St. Stephen's?

Every member of St. Stephen's can provide valuable support to the parish.

Prayer. Every member, young or old, strong or weak, can pray for St. Stephen's. The prayer For the Parish on page 817 of the Book of Common Prayer asks God to "Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent." Your prayers will help sustain St. Stephen's.

Time and Talent. Within the life of St. Stephen's, there are many opportunities for members to contribute their time and talent. These opportunities include working on the Outreach Team; assuming a leadership role in the parish on the Vestry or on a committee; taking part in worship as a lay reader, Eucharistic minister, usher, or part of the altar guild . You might sing in the choir, take part in our educational programs, help in our social and fellowship activities. You might even think of something that we're not doing today, and start a new program. The opportunities are endless; and your help is needed!

Financial Support. St. Stephen's also needs your financial support. St. Stephen's depends on the voluntary offerings of its membership to rent our worship space and maintain the parish house, pay the clergy and choir master, and carry out the outreach programs of the parish. Your contribution, large or small, helps keep the parish going. How and how much you choose to contribute to St. Stephen's is up to you. Your support, though, is crucial.

Should I Pledge to St. Stephen's?

Only you can answer this question. Your Pledge is a commitment to the parish: a promise that you intend to provide a certain level of financial and other support in the next year. Your pledge is vital to St. Stephen's, because we depend on it to plan for the future.

Pledges are the most important building block of the budget - at St. Stephen's, pledges account for about 80% of the budgeted operating income.