The Journey Continues:
All Aboard!
STE WARD SHIP 2013
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
The St. James Steward Ship was first introduced in this form at the St. James 2012 Ministries Fair and adapted for the 2013 Stewardship Program. It is from a photograph by Fred C. Frey, III of one of the needlepoint seat covers created by the St. James Needlepoint Guild. The chair displaying this work is one of two bishop-style chairs in the sanctuary of St. James Episcopal Church.
Stewardship Statement
St. James Episcopal Church We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the giver of all that we are and all that we have, and that we are entrusted to be stewards of His gifts. We believe that, as stewards, God desires that we joyfully give our treasure, time and talent to His glory. We acknowledge stewardship as a living witness of our faith and the tithe as a standard of Christian giving. We will work toward tithing as part of our total stewardship commitment and pray that the seeds of generous giving will grow the kingdom of God. We invite you, our St. James family, to join us in this affirmation of stewardship — gratefully acknowledging our blessings and giving out of thanksgiving.
The St. James 2013 Vestry The Very Rev. J. Mark Holland, Rector Denise Allen, Senior Warden Bob Bowsher, junior Warden
What I like about St. James Cookies and lemonade! — Eliza Cookies after worship: $2,408.02
Lay leadership. — Charlie
Choir and musicians. — Lynn
New name badges: $49.05
Music, musicians and cantors: $49,500.00
The bell tower. Property insurance: $64,600.00
Coming to The Table as one. — Lazette
Communion wafers: $571.02
— Stewart
Air-conditioned picnics. —Mark
Electricity bill: $93,406.83
More St. James by the numbers (2012 figures): Attendance at Sunday services: 25,943 Attendance at other services: 16,112 Baptisms: 27
Confirmations & Receptions: 24 Marriages: 15 Funeral services: 24
Weekday services: 113 Square footage under roof: 151,360 Facebook daily page views (avg.): 360
Cookies eaten: 8,736 Pots of coffee brewe Website page views:
is …
Child’s choir robe: $130.09
Nursery and choir friends. Mary Virginia Nursery supplies: $1,311.51
Going into church with Mom and Dad. — Margaret Sunday coloring packets: $831.60
Feeding the homeless. — Lolly
Fifth Sunday Meals: $5, 500.00
Acolytes!
6 ed: 2,560 : 33,179
I have best friends here. — Ella
Candles and oil: $253.84
Friendship: Priceless
— Crawford
The “River Jordan.” — Mary
Fountain cleaning supplies and filters: $167.61
Coffee and fellowship! — Ed Coffee for Sundays and gatherings: $3,202.13
Serving as a Eucharistic minister. — Katherine New purificators: $312.00
Unique website visitors: 11,183 Service Leaflets printed: 30,830 Pounds of crawfish served: 2,200
New purificators purchased : 12 Sunday worship volunteers (avg.): 57 We Care bags distributed: 2,550
Different songs by the adult choir: 279 Fifth Sunday meals to guests: 1,083 Bible verses about money: 2,350
What is Stewardship?
The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. —Psalm 24:1 Stewardship is a spiritual commitment to giving of our time, talent and treasure, and it is based on our belief that we give because we have received. All that we have comes from God and for this we thank God in many ways. Stewardship is about relationship, not about money. It goes beyond a pledge of time, talent, and treasure in the form of financial support — it is a way of life for Christians that is at the center of our relationship with God. Scripture is filled with teachings about the importance of giving of ourselves and doing so out of a spirit of generosity, rather than duty. Episcopal churches use the term “stewardship campaign” to describe the annual effort to collect pledges of financial support from parishioners to support the operating budget for the coming year. Pledging gives us a chance to assess our priorities in a planned and thoughtful way, both individually and as a parish. A prayerful and considered approach can lead us away from randomly giving what is “left over” after we have paid for other expenses to an intentional giving from the “first fruits” of our annual harvests and not just from the gleanings. As Christians, we strive to remember the source of our sustenance and strength is not our money, but rather the love of God so freely and generously given to us. The practice of giving, especially giving that which is so tempting on which to rely, is our way of living into our faithfulness and dependence on God. St. James Episcopal Church is a symbol of God’s presence and love in Baton Rouge. We have as our mission to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, and to invite others to join with us in ministry together in his name. We provide a spiritual sanctuary and a place of worship in the liturgical traditions of the Episcopal Church; we offer a welcoming hospitality to everyone, healing, hope, and opportunities to learn so that together we can build community in a troubled world; and, to stand ready to embrace many more than those who worship here regularly. All are welcome here where there is a caring community, spiritual nourishment, fellowship, opportunities to become involved, activities, events and enthusiasm. Everyone is invited to participate in the activities that happen throughout the year through the opportunities expressed in over 60 different ministries — to be involved as little as you like or as much as you need. When people give to the church, they are not just giving to an individual congregation, but are giving to God because they experience the congregation as a place where God’s work is being done. We fervently urge you to make a 2014 pledge as an expression of your commitment to St. James, regardless of the amount. Each pledge is a treasure.
Tricia Henderson
Josh Pesses Emile Rolfs
Mary Pesses
Susan Rolfs
Gina Tharp Stewart Tharp Ed Henderson
2013 Stewardship Committee
The Proportional Giving Journey All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. —1 Chronicles 29:14
Use your St. James Giving Statement and the chart below to find your proportional giving rate. Each person has a unique financial situation, so there can be no set amount of giving that is right for everyone. As God’s entrusted stewards we are designed for goodness and generosity. Making a pledge to St. James Episcopal Church helps to unlock our innate generosity and calls us to live our lives as a faithful response to a life-giving, generous God. Annual Gross Income 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% $5,000 $ 50 $ 100 $ 150 $ 200 $ 250 $ 300 $ 350 $ 400 $ 450 $ 500 $10,000 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000 $20,000 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 $30,000 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 3,000 $40,000 400 800 1,200 1,600 2,000 2,400 2,800 3,200 3,600 4,000 $50,000 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 $75,000 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 3,750 4,500 5,250 6,000 6,750 7,500 $100,000 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 $150,000 1,500 3,000 4,500 6,000 7,500 9,000 10,500 12,000 13,500 15,000 $200,000 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 20,000 Example: A parishioner making $45,000 annually would like to commit 6% to St. James. At the $40,000 row, 6% column, we find a corresponding amount of $2,400. By adding $300 from the $5,000 row at 6%, we arrive at a pledge amount of $2,700.
Consider stepping up your giving by moving one or more columns to the right for your 2014 pledge.
S
t. James has, throughout its 169-year history, been blessed with gifts left for those yet to come. The funds held by St. James Episcopal Church in endowment are generally designated for specified purposes. As return on investment accumulates from interest, dividends, and appreciation, distribution of funds to meet extraordinary capital needs of the parish and to underwrite special ministries and projects may be approved if important to our parish’s ongoing vitality and ministry; enhancements that are beyond the reach of annual operating revenues. Our endowed funds provide a means for donors to make a present day gift or estate bequest to support the growth and future ministry of the church, not our day-to-day operations. If you are interested in joining the legacy, please contact Helen Campbell, Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, at 225-387-5141, ext. 224, or hcampbell@stjamesbr.org.
Pledged Offerings - 64%
Unpledged Offerings - 14%
Diocesan Asking - 12%
Maintenance & Utilities - 21%
Worship & Pastoral Care - 30%
Fees & Misc. - 17%
Christian Education - 6% Center for Spiritual Formation - 4% Investment Income - 5% Youth Ministry - 8%
Income 2012
Outreach - 10% Music Programs - 9%
Expenses 2012
In order to fulfill our mission, we need your commitment.
After your prayerful consideration, please: • Return your 2014 pledge card by mail or in the offering plate between now and Stewardship Sunday, December 1, 2013; or, • Use our online pledge form at www.stjamesbr.org or email pledge@stjamesbr.org to register your 2014 pledge; or, • Phone our accounting office at 225-387-5141. Our stewardship volunteers will gladly visit any household whose pledge card has not been received by Stewardship Sunday, December 1.
205 North Fourth Street Post Office Box 126 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821 225 387 5141 225 387 1443 fax www.stjamesbr.org