Why . . . “Exciting and a Challenge”?
Our Stewardship Campaign this year is exciting as we use the input we’ve received from the Congregation over the last couple of years to develop a future vision for Good Shepherd. It is also exciting as we enter the third year of the Priest-in-Charge process with Father Gary and we begin to discern the calling of a permanent Rector.
The challenge is that we will need to have parishioners consider increasing their pledges to meet an ambitious goal in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We challenge new parishioners and parishioners who have been members of Good Shepherd but have not pledged in the past to consider pledging in 2021.
Our 2021 Stewardship Campaign goal is $500,000 and we hope to meet it with 170 Pledges. This compares with 2020 when we had 160 Pledges for $463,172. In 2021 we hope to gain 8-10 pledges from the 60 families that call Good Shepherd home but for various reasons have not pledged in the past. We also hope that those who pledged is 2020 will increase their giving as we try to reach the $500,000 goal. While the goal is a challenge, we believe it to be one that is realistic and achievable.
The 2021 Stewardship Program will start on October 4 with a commissioning for the Stewardship Team with our 20 Ambassadors, our 15 Prayer Team members and the Stewardship Committee. We will tell our story in our Stewardship brochure—to be sent out in October along with the pledge cards. We will enclose a stamped return envelope in the Stewardship Package to make it easier for you to return the card. If for financial or personal reasons you will not be able to pledge for 2021, we are asking you to return the pledge cards to make it easier on telephone calls by our Ambassadors. You will, of course, be able to pledge online also.
We have designated November 4 as Commitment Sunday. We hope to have pledges in by then . . . and we will update the congregation regularly on our progress!
Our theme for 2021, “Celebrate, Serve, and Share the love of Christ”, will encourage us to come together as congregation—both in the Stewardship Campaign, as well as in continuing mission to our broader community.
We thank you in advance for your support and your consideration.
Jim Lee Wolfe and Anne McMahon, Co-Chairs for your Stewardship Committee and the Team, Keith Anderson, DeeDee Atwood, Nan Behringer, Tom Billings, Rev. Gary Brower, and Andy Folkerth.