How much money will we  need in 2009?

 

The Vestry began the budget planning process earlier than in   previous years. In the past, we waited until after the pledges were received to start forming the annual budget. While that was the safe way to do business, it forced us to  do ministry with whatever was left over after all taxes, salaries and utility bills were paid. This year, we decided to reverse the process. Rather then fit the amount of ministry to the budget, we are hoping to fit the budget to the ministry that we hope to achieve. We have asked the ministry area teams to pray and discern what it is that they feel God is calling their particular ministry team to do, and determine the costs. In this “dream budget,” money is not an issue.  In the pages that follow, you will read about what each team has discerned.

So, what does this all mean?

 

 

It means that if you have never taken the time to prayerfully   consider what your giving might be and to submit a pledge card indicating what you have prayerfully decided to give back to God, you might find you can give more than you have ever imagined.

 

 

To take the time prayerfully and conscientiously to  evaluate your own giving ask yourself these questions:

 

What are the resources God has given to me?

What is God’s share of my resources?

 

Then with an open heart make your pledge. Consider proportional giving, consciously calculating a percentage of your income as your gift to God, with a goal of working toward the tithe. Take a step of faith and begin an exciting journey, walking in biblical stewardship and helping carry out the mission and ministries of St Mary's Parish.