St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a church bountifully blessed by God and we believe in sharing those blessings: sharing the abundance of spirit that is present whenever we gather in worship or fellowship; sharing the talents God has given each of us to make the world a better place; and sharing our financial resources to sustain our parish and to help others in our community. We are all called to be stewards of God’s creation and of the particular gifts we have been given to share with others.
The Annual Fund Campaign, usually conducted in the fall of year, funds our operating budget. We currently have an operating budget of approximately $264,000 annually. Another $100,000 or more is expended from non-operating monies for maintenance of our Columbarium and Memory Garden, for outreach programs such as our food pantry, The Free Farmers’ Market, and for our support of other ministries and programs such as Church World Service, the United Thank Offering, Habitat for Humanity, and many others.
A Guide to Annual Fund Giving at St. Paul’s Parish
Give what you can, and give it cheerfully – the point isn’t the amount of your annual pledge to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, but the attitude with which it is made. Responsible and disciplined financial stewardship – giving back to God a portion of what God has given us – is critical to spiritual health. Give freely, bountifully to God’s work through the work of our parish, and we will all reap bountifully – internally, in running the parish, and externally in our many important outreach ministries.
Proportionate giving, in which one starts by pledging some percentage of one’s annual pre-tax income and then increasing that percentage in subsequent years, makes it easy to become a “cheerful giver” and to begin to let go of the hold that the “love of money” has on all of us.
The members of St. Paul’s Parish are by tradition generous givers, clearly moved by the Spirit to help those in need and promote justice for all. Based on income demographics for the City of Medina, Ohio, the average pledge at our parish represents nearly 4% of household income, with some families tithing – giving the Biblical 10% – and others just beginning their stewardship journey.
Pledges can be made weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. The pledging process is simple, with individual pledge amounts kept confidential; tax statements are issued to those who wish to deduct their pledge contributions from their taxable income.
If you are a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and would like to complete a pledge card, just call the Church Office at 330.725.4131 and request one.