And Much More

Paul Carew, Junior Warden

I have been thinking about and working on an enclosure to this year's Annual Giving Campaign mailing for some time. It has not been easy. What can be written that you have not seen or read many times before? What can be printed that will focus your attention on our needs - all of us at the Chapel of the Cross and those to whom we minister - for the coming year? What are the facts that will influence you to increase your pledge or stimulate you to pledge for the first time?

For the last two years, the Chapel of the Cross has struggled to provide the vibrant ministries and programs that you anticipate and expect with the resources pledged. Though many in the parish were generous and forthcoming in their stewardship gifts (63 percent of our parishioners made a stewardship commitment), the results of the Annual Giving Campaigns for these two years were level and short of our goals, requiring the vestry to make hard and difficult decisions when approving the budgets. It is true that the Chapel of the Cross has other resources to draw on - the income from investments and endowment, and undesignated gifts and bequests - and does so; but these resources by their nature and design provide only a fraction of the total required to meet our budgetary needs.

This fall the Chapel of the Cross needs both an increase in total dollars pledged and an increase in parishioners pledging.

The goal for the 2005 Annual Giving Campaign is $1,110,000. This is a 15 percent increase above last year's total and will provide our continuing Christian commitment to vibrant liturgies, pastoral care and outreach, programs and activities for our diverse parish family, and the maintenance and preservation of our facilities. The pledge goal covers the significant growth in the parish's fixed costs, though most church programs and other activities will be held at last year's levels.

A 15 percent increase is a big jump, but I would not be writing this if I did not believe it was achievable. To lead the way, the members of the vestry are stepping forward early with leadership pledges exceeding the 15 percent, as will other parish leaders past and present. When you receive your pledge information in the mail, please study it carefully and prayerfully consider your commitment as a steward of God's gifts. Make a new generous pledge, if you have not before, or increase yours by 15% or more so that we will reach our goal, and much more.

The chart below shows various income levels and percentage amounts based on each level. You may want to consider these numbers as you determine the amount of your pledge this year.