We are co-workers in God’s service:
A Guide to Financial Giving at St. John’s
Everything we do at St. John’s—every service, every program, every church school class, and every bit of outreach—can happen only with financial contributions from our parishioners. We are the ones who are responsible for funding our parish. Our pledges made during the stewardship season will be the most important factor in determining our budget for next year. With broad increases in year-over-year pledged amounts, we can develop a plan that will sustain and grow our activities.
In the New Testament, Paul, one of the first leaders in the Christian faith, gives various accounts for his journeys around the earliest Christian communities. And he writes to support, pray for, and encourage those fledgling communities. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, he emphasizes the idea that everything we do as a faith community in the present establishes a foundation for the future and beyond. And uses the image of a master builder who sets a foundation upon which we can continue to grow for generations. Paul means this both literally and figuratively: from building actual churches to establishing a community and a sustainable way of life. In parish communities like ours, everything we do follows this pattern, from our physical building to worship, outreach, education, and the nurture of all generations in our midst.
To support and build the treasured programs at St. John’s, every one of us is needed. The pledge you make today allows us to plan for 2026. As you have felt in your own households, inflation has increased our parish’s expenses. Our pledge amounts must keep pace. The costs of repairs, maintenance and utilities rise each year. Your financial commitment will ensure that we can continue to offer the amazing worship services, educational offerings, and outreach opportunities that make our church community so robust and special.
We ask that you prayerfully consider your 2026 pledge today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “pledge?”
A pledge is a commitment to support St. John the Evangelist financially during 2026. Pledges help us plan, sustain, and grow. You are welcome here; your pledge helps extend that welcome to others.
Why is pledging essential to St. John’s?
Our Vestry will propose a budget for adoption by parishioners at the Annual Meeting (January 25, 2026) that is based largely on how much we collectively pledge in the coming weeks. St. John’s receives no annual operating funds from the Diocese or the national Episcopal Church. Quite the opposite: we pay an annual assessment to help fund the ministry of the wider church.
We are pleased to now have two full-time Priests at St. John’s, as well as a committed vestry and volunteers who contribute their creativity, leadership, and talents (and time). We offer sustainable and varied programming, support, and growth for parishioners (and their volunteer commitments are still essential).
A budget encompassing our current activity level is expected to require pledges of approximately $695,000. This is about 7% more than 2025 and could be met through a combination of participation from those who didn’t pledge last year, or increasing pledge amounts from those who did. Our “Stewardship tracker” is based on this amount.
We also want to consider building for future years. If we exceed these goals, we will give our vestry additional flexibility to add programming and plan for the future.
How do I decide how much to pledge to St. John’s?
Your giving is as personal as your prayer life, and only you can know what is right for you. The important thing is making a heartfelt commitment. As St. John’s grows, you are growing too.
How do we fulfill our pledges?
At any time during 2026—it does not require a one-time up-front contribution. Many fulfill their pledge weekly or monthly throughout the year. Our on-line program, Breeze, will allow you to track your giving throughout the year. We will also send you periodic updates.