Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,

 As you know, Stewardship is an awkward time for me as your Rector. Some people feel like I am begging for my salary, and if I am honest, sometimes it does feel that way, even though I know I am not. The other day I was getting my hair cut and the barber asked me what I did for a living. I jokingly answered, “I tell old stories to people and listen.” She pressed a little harder and I answered, “I am a priest.” I waited for the usual line of questions, but they didn’t come. Finally, after a long silence she asked, “May I ask you a weird question? How do you get paid?”

I realized immediately where we were headed. I explained that a portion of the money given does come to me. Money comes in and the vestry decides on a budget that is presented to the church and they vote. And yes, I get paid out of that. I felt very small at that moment. I then explained that we give a portion to the diocese, and it gets fed up through the church network and eventually it has some global impact. I talked about the Anglican Communion, The Sutton Scholars, The Reparations Taskforce and the Episcopal Development and Relief Fund. She said, “Oh you mean you don’t just keep it all tax free?” “No, I don’t get to keep it all tax free.”

Church finances are convoluted. And that causes us to be hesitant to give. Most of us are familiar with the idea of tithe, or 10%, and it comes from the Hebrew Bible. That has been a standard for giving in the church as long as I can remember. We lean on the 10% because in the New Testament the message is much more radical than the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible says 10% but Jesus says give it all.

So, we have accepted 10% as a standard of faithful giving. But I don’t like the 10%. I haven’t always been able to give 10% and I know plenty of folks who could give more but take 10% as an easy out. 10% is impossible for some and virtually unnoticed by others. So, I am not going to press you to give 10% this year. I am not going to ask for 10% of your time, talent or treasure. But I am going to ask you to pray.

If 10% is helpful, then use it as a guide for your giving. If you fall into the category of 10% is way more than you could ever possibly give, we understand and honor your desire and your reality. If you are someone who doesn’t even notice 10%, I would ask you to consider what you give to this parish. And if you spend more on a Friday out with friends and family, than you give to your church in a month, prayerful consideration of your pledge would be appropriate.

The coming liturgical year will focus on the many ways that stewardship can be expressed in a religious community. Through stewardship of all that God has given us, ourselves, our souls, our campus and yes, our money.

We maintain a deficit budget. It is a large deficit, pushing $250,000 a year. We are also building momentum and I imagine we don’t want to scale things back. The Vestry and I are asking you to pray about your stewardship of St. Mary’s, what it means to you and to the world. And after you have prayed, consider your pledge to St. Mary’s for 2024 and you can contribute to what God is doing here on St. Mary’s Church Rd.

The Reverend Paul Bennett