Our Stewardship Pledge 2022

Dear People of St Catherine’s, 

See the video,  full stewardship letter and ministry plan below.

I am writing this on a windy Tuesday after the storms of the weekend. Grateful for the ways that God holds us and gives us the courage we need to persevere.  I want to express my gratitude to each one of you for your faithfulness to the St Catherine’s community, especially through the turmoil of the pandemic, and what’s more, participating with us in dreaming beyond this year into the future. Taking a risk to imagine ministry that is for us, our children, our grandchildren and their children. Here is a sampling:

• The creativity of alternating liturgies are bringing new life to our parish.
• Seasonal services such as All Souls services were offered to 36 people from our community  and beyond who needed space to grieve and remember loved ones.
• A group gathers on zoom at 8pm each Tuesday for spiritual practices and compline.
• There is currently a creative arts project in our community that is focused on spreading the values of Advent (Hope, Love, Joy and Peace) during a time when the consumerism value is at its peak in the lead up to Christmas.
• Those of you gifted to show compassion are praying, writing cards and offering support to others in the community.
• On Sundays during the early coffee time, I am amazed at the dedication of volunteers and the beauty of a lobby space now reimagined.

Thank you to all who are offering your gifts in small and big ways. 

2021 has been a good financial year for us. Thank you for your consistent giving to the ministry of St Catherine’s, 20% higher than budget. Thank you. We are grateful too for the work of our treasurer Bruce Davidson who applied for Federal Government pandemic relief and for the Diocese who granted us apportionment waivers and wage subsidies. This has been an unusual year. We are grateful.  

In order for us to grow ministry at St Catherine’s, we need to consider restoring and renewing our building, these sacred spaces that offer us a place to meet, to worship, and to welcome others. And we need to consider the hours worked by volunteers, staff and clergy to make ministry possible.  

You would have received a stewardship package in the mail this week. I ask you to prayerfully consider your contributions for 2022 and fill out the pledge card. You can do this by filling out the hard copy or making use of the online pledge card at this link: https://forms.gle/LYvzZPLG2132H4gp6  

As I look at 2022, I am raising my pledge by 15%. I encourage you to give as you are able.  Please note that we are launching a Major Gifts Campaign in March next year, following Vestry (our AGM) in February. This Campaign will be for us to build toward the restoration and renewal of our worship and other spaces; and for operating funds to grow the ministry of our parish. 

I leave you with the opening verses of Psalm 89.

Psalm 89