Stewardship: Pledges for 2017

Dear Friends and Fellow Parishioners,

It has been a wonderfully fruitful year at Ascension. We have grown as a community and responded in faith to the changing world around us. We are blessed to have such a welcoming and vibrant spiritual home. Thank you for all you have done to help nurture and build our parish, and thank you, too, for your financial support over the past year.

With the fall season upon us, it is time to consider anew our stewardship of Ascension. Our 2017 campaign, A Time To Grow, is an opportunity to reflect on the ways we grow together as a parish family. Ascension offers each of us a place to grow in faith, service, and spirit through worship, music, retreats, forums, and outreach to our neighbors. Our financial support of these ministries is an expression of our gratitude for all God has given us.

Our pledge campaign goal for 2017 is $360,000.

We can achieve this goal with your help, and with the assurance that “whatever God does endures forever” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). Your pledge is essential for sustaining and growing the ministries we undertake together. All Vestry members are committed to increasing their pledge in some way for 2017. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to give when you fill out your pledge card for 2017:

  • Make a first-time pledge of any amount.
  • Increase your last pledge by 10% (or any amount that feels comfortable).
  • Determine your pledge by giving a percentage of your annual income.
  • Consider tithing (giving 10% of your income to the work of God’s church).

Increasing our pledge income also ensures the future financial health of our parish by eliminating our budget deficit over the next few years. This is one of our highest priorities, as it will allow our invested endowment funds to grow and provide increased levels of income for exciting new initiatives.

As we give thanks for the community of worship and service that we find here at Ascension, we invite you to join in pledging generously, and with a grateful heart give thanks for all of God’s blessings.

Bring your completed pledge card with you to church for the Blessing of Pledges on Sunday, November 20th, or mail it to the parish office.

We will celebrate our Harvest Dinner on Wednesday, November 9 at 7pm. The Rev. Canon Altagracia Perez­ Bullard, Canon for Congregational Vitality in our diocese, will join us that evening to speak about church growth and how we can continue to grow as a community. There will be a catered dinner in the Parish Hall, so please RSVP before November 2 to apjones@ascensionyc.org or 212-254-8620. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your support!

Yours in Christ,

The Stewardship Committee

Meredith Ward, Chair
Eric Achacoso, Lisa Bellamy, Peter Bellamy, Maurice Seaton, Rachel Sedor

A Time to Grow

Growing in Community

Your pledge pays for the operating expenses for our growing parish. Presently, only 30% of Ascension’s income comes from pledges. Increasing our pledge income will help us balance our budget. If you are new or have never pledged before, your financial support is an important way you can make a difference. We welcome your commitment to help us grow.

Growing in Service

Our pledge goal this year is $360,000. Meeting our goal will help to grow our ministries and strengthen our financial future. Your increased pledge of 10% or more will help us grow in service to others.

Growing in Spirit

Your pledge is between you and God. The Bible suggests proportional giving of 10% (a tithe). If that’s not possible this year, consider growing your pledge over several years. When you pledge, you put your treasure where your heart is, to give thanks for God’s blessings, to share Christ’s love, and to grow in your faith. Bring your completed pledge card with you to church for the Blessing of Pledges on November 20, or mail it to the parish office.

Thank you! Let’s continue to grow together.