Calvary Baptist Church Stewardship Season 2013-2014
Many Voices. One Story.
We are an ecumenical, multi-racial,
multi-ethnic Christian body that reaches out to the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. To that end we strive to be welcoming, responsive, trusting, and prayerful in everything we do.
Many Voices. One Story.
Dear Calvary Community, It ’s amazing the stories we each have about how we came to be at Calvary in the first place and, even more amazing, how we came to care about and invest so much in this unusual community of faith. When I first learned about Calvary, the congregation ’s mission statement captured me right away. I loved it —you can read it on the cover of this newsletter. I figured, if these people really mean what they say, then I want to be part of a community like that. Turns out you did mean it, and you do mean it; and that has created the story of an amazing and wonderful faith community. Looking to the future, our story will
Calvary is fortunate to count marvelous church facilities, a gifted and committed church staff, and the support of so many to ensure that this congregation will continue to grow. Take a moment to examine your finances and compare to these statistics from the book, Passing the Plate, Where are you in terms of giving? The median contribution given by U.S. Christians is 0.62% of the median income. A tithe is traditionally understood as 10% of one ’s income. ($200 vs. $3,250 of $32,500 earned yearly). Nearly 20% of self-identified U.S. Christians give nothing to church; 46% of those identifying as “Other Baptist ” give nothing. % 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Percentage of Non-Givers by Denomination 46 37 34 31 30 27 17
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continue to evolve. I feel sure it will include chapters about our location and building, the legacy we hold in trust. There will be more stories to tell about prophecy, advocacy, and cutting-edge ministry. And the stories of lifegiving community steeped in the gospel call of Jesus Christ will continue to unfold, changing us and changing the world. We are all so amazingly blessed to have found this place where we can tell our stories of transformation and live out a larger story together. Thank you for your investment of time and money as grateful response to God ’s goodness.
Supporting Calvary ’s Story A Snapshot of Calvary ’s Operating Expenses Children and Youth 15% Worship and Music 27% Pastoral Care and Christian Formation 20% Action and Advocacy 16% Community and Resident Partners 21%
With these giving trends in mind, Calvary is working on becoming a community supported primarily by regular givers; we acknowledge that we have considerable work to do. Higher incomee a r n i n g Americans tend to give less money as a percentage of household income than lower income-earning Americans. Percent of Income Giv en to Religious Organizations by Income Lev el (All Americans) 3 2.3 1.7 2 1.4 1.3 0.95 0.91 1 00 ,0
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Growing our base of contributors and tithers is a strategic priority of the Stewardship Committee. Add your name to the list! Make a financial pledge to be part of Calvary ’s story in the year ahead by filling out and returning the enclosed pledge card. Thank you for adding your voice to Calvary ’s story. Calvary Stewardship Team
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Many Voices: What do you love about Calvary? “At church, we get to act out Bible stories and make crafts. ” -Rachel
“The more time I spend in helping plan the work of the church, the more I realize that the operation of the church depends on a projected budget, and our regular giving. Giving has become for me more than providing funds; [it ’s] also a way to participate in the planning of the ministries of the church I love. ” -Lu Shan
“The more of [our investment] we give, the better we feel about this place and the more important it becomes. Simply put, the more we have given of ourselves to Calvary, the more Calvary has given back to us in time and affection. ” - Bob Wood
“Everything! ”
Herald
“I like how the [Sunday school] classroom looks. ” -Cauã
“Como parte de Calvary, he sentido el deseo de ayudar a los que necesitan, aunque sea con poco. Como no puedo ayudar a todas las causas que tocan mi corazón, sé que la mejor forma de hacerlo es a través de mi comunidad de fe. Por medio de ella, puedo ayudar a muchas más causas. Ya no soy solo yo, somos todos nosotros. ” -Corina López
“For me, how much ‘good ’ an organization puts into this world directly correlates to how much of my money I give to them. If one of the criteria you consider is the amount of good an organization contributes to this world, I am sure you realize how high up there Calvary is. ” -Holly Miller
“I like to go to church because I get to do plays and art and activities. ” -Cristian
Pledge Card, 2013-2014, Many Voices. One Story. In grateful response to God's love, I/we would like to make the following pledge of my/our time, abilities, and resources in Christ's work through Calvary Baptist Church: My Time and Abilities I pledge to offer my time, abilities, and support in the following ministries: Action and Advocacy Children and Youth Community and Resident Partners Discipleship and Christian Education Worship and Music Other: _____________________
Name(s):
___________________________________
Signature(s):
___________________________________
Date
___________________________________
My Resources Pledge Amount: $__________Monthly / Weekly / Other:_____ (This commitment will continue until changed by notification to the Church Treasurer.)
I/we would appreciate monthly weekly no offering envelopes. I/we would like to set up automatic credit card charge direct debit.
Name(s): (Please Print)
Address:
___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
Signature(s):
___________________________________
Date
___________________________________
Thank you for sharing your voice and participating in the story of Calvary Baptist Church.
One Story: A Year in the Life of Calvary In 2012-2013, as committed members of this church, we offered our pledges of money and time in support of the following ministries in and beyond the walls of our community of faith:
Children and Youth
Action and Advocacy
We help create a space for the spiritual nurture of children and youth. Sunday School classes, story-telling, visual arts, music, discipleship, and Bible study.
We serve as the hands and feet of Christ, working for peace and justice in D.C. and the world. Alternative Gift Fair, Downtown Social Club, Capitol Pride Festival, Calvary Kids Camp, Future Fair, Thanksgiving Baskets for Johenning Center, Dinners for Calvary Women ’s Shelter, Congregational Work Day at Christ House, CROP Walk, Youth Chinese New Year Parade Hot Chocolate fellowship, Shalom Scholarship Luncheon, Shalom Yard Sale fundraiser, Forum on ‘Food for All, ’ Palestine Israel Justice Group, Immigration Forums, Youth and young adult intergenerational trip to Wild Goose Festival.
Worship and Music We seek the Presence of God together, participating in readings, songs, contemplation, and silence. Sanctuary and Festival Choirs, Live Nativity Christmas Eve Service, Prayer for Peace Services, Calvary Unplugged series in Woodward Hall, Sunday morning worship, Communion.
Pastoral Care and Christian Formation
Community Partnerships We collaborate with resident partners and local congregations as they carry out their missions. 12-Step Programs, Brainfood, City Year, Friday Morning Music Club, Grace DC Presbyterian, Kid Power, Milestones Enrichment Center, Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, Theatre Lab of Washington DC, Washington Hebrew Congregation.
We embrace opportunities to care for others and embrace healthy spiritual and physical growth. Theology on Draft, Wednesday Night Words, Latino Fellowship Small Group, Holistic Health Project, Sunday School, Promotion and Education Sunday, Retreats, Women ’s Missionary Society, Pastoral and deacon led visitations.
Many Voices. One Story.
Share your stewardship story at facebook.com/ CalvaryDC