As Christians, we know that all we have received is from God. Everything on earth belongs to God, as we belong to God. In faith and love, we ask the Lord’s help and guidance to do his will. We pray for the wisdom and insight to understand the responsibility God has given us to take care of God’s creation, one another, and most especially the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the prisoner. That is the work of the Church and God invites us to support that work with a portion of what God has given to each of us from our time, talent, and treasure. 

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How Do We Sustain The Church? 

The Stewardship Commission of St. John’s is made up of parishioners who feel called to serve in the mission of encouraging and educating our community to support the work of St. John’s Church. The Annual Stewardship Appeal is an important and vital part of their work. 

 

The formal Annual Stewardship Appeal to all parishioners begins in October to facilitate the process of how God is calling St. John’s to make a difference in the world through our budget.  St. John's Vestry, your elected leaders, plan and approve the budget for the upcoming year.  Your financial gifts and annual pledge are accepted year-round, and by making a commitment during the fall giving season, we can better prioritize our commitment to our mission.  Your pledge can be fulfilled in many ways: direct debit, check, credit card, or gifts of stock; and through weekly, monthly, or occasional giving throughout the year. 

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Please contact Kathy Hahn, Finance Director, for more information. You may pledge by completing the online form (click the red "Make a 2023 Pledge Online" button above) or by downloading a pledge card to mail into the office. Annual Giving at St. John’s supports all our ministries. Your generosity ensures God’s work is taking place through our many ministries. 

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The goal each year for annual giving is 100% of our faith community. God has given us so much and asks we return a portion of that back to God’s Church to make a difference in the world. Everyone is encouraged over time to move towards the Biblical proportion for giving of 10%, known as the tithe. Most households begin with a smaller proportion but all are encouraged to take the “Three Steps to Tithing.” 

 

Three Steps to Tithing

• 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.

• Become a Percentage Giver

No matter how large or small, decide what percent of your income you want to give to God and begin doing it through your financial pledge to St. John’s.

• 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. 

 

Stewardship at St. John’s

In addition to the efforts of the Stewardship Committee, there are many individuals who care for St. John’s by serving in the committees listed below:

• Buildings & Grounds Committee

• Rain, Memorial, and Brittany’s Garden teams

• Finance Committee

• Investment Committee

• Planned Giving Team

• Children and Youth Formation

• Technology & Communications Committee

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Please consider your own talents and get involved with Stewardship at St. John’s. You will be sure to find insightful, caring individuals that take seriously and joyfully their responsibility to care for all God has given us. If you are curious about how to be a good steward, please contact the Rev. Ann Ritonia, at aritonia@stjohnsec.org or 410-461-7793, for more information.

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What is Stewardship? 

Stewardship is first a spiritual practice and it also affects our ministries at St. John's, since the mission of the church including day-to-day operations are funded by a financial commitment from all our members.   Member support through an annual gift or pledge allows the Vestry to budget for all that St. John's offers the community, including Worship and Music, Small Groups and Bible Study, Parent and Youth Programs, Outreach, Pastoral Care, Walking the Mourner’s Path and many intangibles that cannot be measured. We pray that 2023 will be a year of renewed financial vitality, as each member evaluates how to give God the first fruits of our labor.

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All gifts are gifts to God and are received in God’s name so that we can achieve our mission of “bringing all people into a closer relationship with God and each other through Jesus Christ.”

 

All members are encouraged to make an annual monetary gift or pledge each fall.  Our goal is to reach 100% of St. John’s member households during our annual campaign. 

 

St. John’s relies on your financial gifts for:

• Worship & Music

• Formation

• Mission and Outreach

• Social Justice Initiatives

• Community Building

• Spiritual Care

• Care of our facilities to support our mission (including our Parish Day School)

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Have more questions? Check out our FAQ.

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