Stewardship
in the
Diocese of Western Michigan http://www.edwm.org/diocese/Stewardship.htm
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Stewardship in the Diocese of Western Michigan http://www.edwm.org/diocese/Stewardship.htm
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3 Steps to Tithing |
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1
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BECOME A FIRST FRUITS GIVER Whenever you receive money, give thanks by giving something back to God. Don't worry about how much, just do this FIRST, before all of your other spending
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2
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BECOME A PERCENTAGE GIVER No matter how large or small, decide what percentage of your income you want to give to God and begin doing it.
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3
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INCREASE AS YOU ARE ABLE Pray often. Talk it over with God so that God can help you decide when to take risks and when to play it safe.
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A message from the Stewardship Office of The Episcopal Church
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Stewardship Committee |
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Mr. Tom Perrin St. Martin's, Kalamaoo co-chair |
(269) 382-0435 |
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The Rev. Dan Scheid St. Augustine, Benton Harbor co-chair |
(269) 925-2670 |
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Patrick Foster St. Mary's, Cadillac |
(231) 775-7120 |
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| Rosemary Hagen Grace, Traverse City |
(231) 946-3065 |
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| Michele May St. Paul's, Muskegon |
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30 parishes represented at the Diocesan Stewardship Conference Saturday, September 8
A note from the Bishop
To: Rectors, Vestry Members, Stewardship Committees
From: The Office of the Bishop
Re: Working toward partnering for wholeness and financial health
Date: August 22, 2007
As you know, our April, 2007 diocesan convention passed the “Canon for Parish Apportionment” and “Canon 14 – On Restoring Congregational Health” (they are availble by clicking here). I believe each Vestry needs to create a plan, which will enable them to begin to live into these canons during the phase-in period. Primary to each parish’s plan is Stewardship education. It is difficult to adopt an attitude of living in abundance, trust in God, and healthy giving which reflects our gratitude for what God has given us, if we don’t have a strong foundation and knowledge of what it means to be a steward of the resources God has entrusted to us.
To that end I am asking that you make every effort to be present at the Diocesan Stewardship Conference on Saturday, September 8, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at Grace Church, East Grand Rapids. I believe this conference is the beginning of the journey of each parish to achieving or maintaining financial health, which will result in the financial health of the diocese. Many of our parishes struggle to make ends meet, resulting in a maintenance mode of operating, which results in the same being true for our life together as a diocese.
At my request, the registration deadline has been extended until September 5. Phone registrations may be made by contacting Mr. Tom Perrin at 269-568-0140. The only cost is $10.00/person to cover morning refreshments and lunch.
I hope to see you there.
+Robert
Click here to download the memo
A note from the Diocesan Stewardship Committee
Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
Stewardship Committee
“Stewardship is using the gifts God has given us, to do the work God is calling us to do.”
Stewardship is one of the ways we thank God for all of our blessings.
This year’s diocesan stewardship conference will focus on financial stewardship, offering you the golden opportunity to finish practically all the preparatory work in a single day so this year’s pledge drive at your church will be a satisfying experience for all involved.
The conference, at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, on Saturday September 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offers a wealth of helpful information. Keynote speaker, The Rev. Bonnie Perry from All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Chicago, will tell how she helped transform a church on the verge of closing into a vibrant parish with average weekly attendance of 250 people.
With help from the experts, your parish representatives will work together to describe special moments of connection in your congregation, choose three pictures illustrating your successes, select five compelling members to share their stories, and could even write your campaign kickoff letter. We will also discuss forms of congregational giving above and beyond financial support.
We’re asking a $10-per-person registration fee to defray the cost of the morning snacks and a box lunch, but don’t let the expense discourage you from coming. If you can’t afford it, register anyway, and the diocesan stewardship budget will pick-up the tab. We need your registration as soon as possible, but no later than September 5, so we know how much food to order and how many handouts to prepare. To register by phone, call Tom Perrin at 269-568-0140.
Don’t miss your chance to get a head start on next year’s financial stewardship program. Please announce the conference to your vestry and congregation so you can register those who are responsible and those others who feel called to serve in this important ministry.
In peace and gratitude for God’s abundant blessings,
Stewardship Committee Members
The Rev. Dan Scheid, St. Augustine’s, Benton Harbor, clergy co-chair
Tom Perrin, St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo, lay co-chair
Michele May, St. Paul’s, Muskegon
Rosemary Hagan, Grace Church, Traverse City
Patrick Foster, St. Mary’s, Cadillac
Click here to download the letter from the Stewardship Committee
Links and More Information
