January 18, 2006
Dear Members of Heavenly Rest,
I ask that you give careful and prayerful consideration to making a financial pledge in support of the mission and ministry of Heavenly Rest.
If you have pledged in the past year, I thank you, and I ask that you consider increasing your pledge for the coming year. I do not make this request lightly for I know the demands on so many budgets, the Church’s among them.
If you have not pledged, I invite you to begin now in thankful response to God for all the gifts—of time, of skills and opportunities, of community and support, of love, and of life itself—that God so freely gives.
Most of all I am asking every member of our parish family to imagine what might be possible if the mission of this great parish were fully funded and supported by the giving of every member. We have been given a sacred trust and we are called to be good stewards of all the treasures God has entrusted to us. Now more that ever, I believe our world, our community, and every one of us, needs the Church. Our mission to be a source of praise, spiritual strength and growth, and outreach to our community is vital – now more than ever!
In order to expand the ministry of our parish and fund the operating budget for 2006 the Vestry has set a goal of $1,150,000 in pledge and giving revenue. That is a fact.
In order to express our gratitude to God for all the many blessings continually bestowed upon us, and to strengthen our relationship and commitment to God, we need to entrust to God a portion of our material wealth. That is the truth.
In order to grow as a community of faith we need one hundred percent involvement from all our households. That is our challenge.
With my prayers for God’s blessing on our parish and her members, and my thanks for your faith, your commitment to the mission and ministry of Heavenly Rest, and your financial pledge I am,
Faithfully yours,
James L. Burns +
Rector |
