Dear Christ Church community,
Our Rooted in Abundance stewardship campaign wraps up this week. When we gather for worship next Sunday, December 3, we will celebrate a special blessing of the gifts. If you haven't yet pledged, please fill out the secure online form from the link below, mail the traditional paper card back to the Church office, or deposit the card in the offering plate or through the Church office door on Sunday. You can also access the online form via the "Donate to Christ Episcopal" link on the Church website or via the QR codes in the eNews and Sunday bulletins, in the stewardship mailing to your home, and on posters around the church.
We give thanks for the abundance of blessings we experience in our life together at Christ Church and for all whose time, talent, and treasure sustain the mission and programs of this special community.
Your Christ Church Stewardship Committee members,
Jon Chenette
Mary-Jo Cliff
Barbara Dolansky
Rev. Susan Fortunato, Rector
____________
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the
stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in
the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. - Jeremiah 17:8
Poughkeepsie -- November, 2023
Dear Christ Church community and friends,
The theme for our annual stewardship campaign,
Rooted in Abundance, reminds us that we are inspired to give because so much has been given to us. This is not transactional – we do not give in proportion to how we feel we have benefitted or suffered – rather we give because of the love we experience in our life in faith. Trees, roots, flowers, and fruit all serve as metaphors for how we dig deeply into what nourishes us to transform our abundance into work, service, and joy in a world that needs us.
As we conduct this annual process of telling the story of our abundance and our gratitude, let's all celebrate what connects us to Christ Church and how we flourish where we have been planted. Every gift matters this year, and each gift will be accepted, brought to the altar, and blessed before God and our community.
As you fill out your paper or online pledge cards, you’ll notice that part is about your financial intentions for the year, your wealth. The other part is dedicated to how you might want to share your works and your wisdom. Beyond staffing committees, our work of wisdom is about unlocking creativity to grow our mission, collaborating with other people and institutions to serve more of our neighbors, and forming generous, grateful hearts through our education programs. Our works bring us opportunities to roll up our sleeves, to volunteer for service, to pitch in to help make things better.
This month, as we pray together about our commitments to Christ Church, please tap into that nourishing structure of faith and generosity shown to us by an extravagant God who calls us to extend our networks and share our gifts with the world. When you are rooted in abundance, you realize that giving can be as boundless as the Creation that gave birth to us all. Thank you for your generosity and your prayerful consideration of your pledge to Christ Church.
With gratitude and in Christ,
Stewardship Committee members:
Jon Chenette
Mary-Jo Cliff
Barbara Dolansky
Rev. Susan Fortunato, Rector
P.S. The last Sunday of our campaign is December 3rd, the First Sunday of Advent. Please send or submit your gifts by that date so that we may gather them together and bless them.
