Stewardship + Giving
Dear St. James' parishioners,
What a year it's been for all of us. Denise and I have seen every piece of our life, every norm, every expectation slightly frozen in place and no horizon within sight.
It's also been a year of truly learning what is important to us, what we really need to live and give us joy and what we also don't need. Our life with friends and family came so clearly into focus as we were denied access to their embrace and laughter. They come from many social circles, neighborhood, travel, childhood, sports alliances, common interests and church, my church-St. James'.
Like many members of St. James', we were affected financially by the pandemic and quickly had to adjust our spending across the board-new shirts, dresses, tools and WINE(!) started feeling like extravagances, but in a fun way. We could live without them! However, at no time was there any discussion of allowing this chaotic time to affect our pledge to our church. It was too important to us.
Denise and I joined the Episcopal church at The Chapel of the Cross so many years ago and made the commitment to pledge. It was embarrassingly small but it made a little difference for the Chapel and more importantly, it changed us. It was a leap of faith-new church, new neighborhood, starting a new business.
We continue that (now) tradition at St. James', and try to grow that surety every year. It is important to us to have a place where we can Be, a place that will embrace us when we need it and celebrate with others in their times of joy.
Remember on that Sunday in early May, you connected to Facebook and saw that Holy image of our beautiful altar. And there was clergy as if we were a few pews away. (I tear up even now thinking about it.) And you were there, images rising in tiny red balloons and we smiled-there's so and so and we knew you all. A modern day lifting of our "hearts" as holy incense in the sanctuary. Connected.
The money you pledged in the Fall of last year made that happen in spite of so many fears and unknowns. The Church, your church, was fighting to connect us all safely knowing how much, as a sacramental tradition, you needed that little bit of normalcy, our Liturgy. You could even feel the behind the scenes workings by our staff and volunteers to make this new normalcy, normal as you watched live.
St. James' is a "Fourth Place" for so many citizens outside our rolls-Stewpot, AA, grief meetings, so many community needs. We all probably drive past many other churches to meet together, worship and meet our call to "grow in the knowledge and love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ." Your pledge is essential to that. Your pledge! It has been said that tithing is not giving, it is BRINGING. So please consider signing your pledge card and return it to the church office, or email it to Judy at jjohnson@stjjax.org. And make it easy if I may suggest, a direct deposit is so helpful to the leaders to plan for the year.
Hope to see you at St. James' soon.
Mike & Denise
Please watch this message about our 2020 Stewardship Drive. Just click the Video!
Stewardship Campaign
The Stewardship Campaign looks at the way the community of St. James’ makes use of its collective time, talent, and treasure for the work and glory of God. This committee hosts a yearly vision for future programs and Commitment Sunday. There are approximately 30 member volunteers who help with making phone calls to fellow church members. The phone calls are organized to follow-up after the mailing of annual pledge cards.
The Endowment
The Endowment focuses on the future of the ministry of the church. This group is involved in helping inform the parish concerning opportunities for giving that benefit both the church and the giver. People skills as well as finance and legal talent are needed for this committee.
Finance & Budget Committee
There is a real ministry for those who want to utilize the church’s resources for service to God. The Finance & Budget Committee is a group of men and women who meet 4 or 5 times a year and make recommendations to the Vestry concerning the fiscal policies of our parish. A wide variety of experience is welcomed and needed.
Read More on the budget process +
If you have questions about pledging or are interested in any of these ministries, please contact Judy Johnson or you may call the Church Office, 601.982.4880