Stewardship

Instead of thinking about dollars first, think about the ways in which God has blessed you and you are able to live an abundant life. Imagine what happens if you commit a portion of that abundance to our life together in community: we are strong, we are whole, we serve others with vitality.

Your stewardship commitment may be

• 10% of your annual income

• A match of what you spend on coffee weekly

• A percent of what you spend on TV, internet, or phone subscriptions

• “Rounding up” on all your purchases

While this page is filled with resources to discern, ultimately this is a personal question which only can be answered by each individual person. Here’s a way of assessing your own position:

Ask yourself frankly to look at what you have been giving to the Church, then decided whether it has been “token,” “adequate,” or “sacrificial.” This is is a tremendously individual matter. Only you can answer it.

If your giving has been “token,” try to increase it generously.

If your giving has seemed “adequate” to you over the past few years, bear in mind the ways in which matters like inflation have been running at exceedingly high rates (10%+ in several years), and an increase of these proportions would support the Church in keeping pace.

If you have been giving “sacrificially,” nothing in the world will change that.

There are multiple ways: 

• Make a one time gift. This can be done at anytime using the form above and selecting “One-time donation”. You will receive an email confirmation.  

• Make a recurring gift. Use the form above and selecting “Recurring donation”. Your first gift will process the same day and all subsequent gifts will process on a schedule you determine.

• Make a pledge. Pledges can by returning the card mailed to households, or completing this online form. Pledges can be paid through the end of the year. If you need to change your pledge, all we ask is that you write a brief note to giving@saintpeters.org. You do not have to give a reason to cancel your pledge.

To use other charitable distributions or appreciated securities, you can contact giving@saintpeters.org. 

It is also possible to give by stewardship envelopes. To receive envelopes write to Edgar Guerrero, parish secretary, at eguerrero@saintpeters.org

There are many opportunities for individuals to make a commitment beyond the foundational stewardship needs of the Church, specifically for one of the four pillars — the organ, preservation of Modernism in our Sanctuary, Nevelson Chapel, and even the Center for Community, Arts and Culture — of the For the Future campaign. Given how crucial stewardship is from year to year, think of stewardship as a base, with giving to other initiatives, including the capital campaign, after this base commitment.

All gifts to Saint Peter’s Church are deductible for income tax purposes in accordance with IRS regulations. This may make it possible for your giving to go even further with various tax benefits, based on your income tax bracket. SOme may find that the gift of appreciated securities provides them with additional tax savings. While the Church cannot provide tax advice, you are urged to discuss this matter with your lawyer and/or tax accountant.

Your commitment can be fulfilled at any time over the next year. However, it is naturally helpful to the Church if you were to set up some sort of regular contribution. For some this is annually or twice a year; for others this is monthly or weekly. A regular pattern is what is most helpful to developing and maintaining a plan.

Saint Paul puts it better than any other theologian: 

“...the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as each has made up in their mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

— 2 Corinthians 9:6&7, 11