Stewardship – What is your Why? - Trinity Episcopal Church

The following thoughts were shared by Steve Brannigan during our Sunday Holy Eucharist service on September 13th. Steve is a member of our Stewardship Committee. The Stewardship Committee focuses on ways in which we at Trinity can use our time, talent, and treasure to support our mission and ministry to do God’s work. This includes our annual pledge drive, which supports and sustains parish operations throughout the year.

First, I would like to thank everyone for your generosity in supporting Trinity’s mission and ministries in the last year. You all demonstrated your faith in this congregation and its future during a time where we were all patiently waiting for God to reveal his plans for us.

With that in mind, we begin our 2027 pledge drive, continuing with the theme we introduced last year: Faith, Family, Home, along with a simple but meaningful question: “What is your Why?”

For each of us, Trinity probably means something a little different. But at its heart, Trinity is a spiritual home–a place where God’s love is experienced, shared and lived out. It is where children are baptized, friendships are formed, loved ones are remembered. It is where some of us seek comfort during life’s difficult moments and where we gather to celebrate life’s joys. Trinity is a place of worship, service, fellowship, and hope.

As we begin this year’s pledge drive, we invite each of you to take a moment and reflect on the question: Why do you make Trinity your spiritual home? What brings you through these red doors? What keeps you connected? What does Trinity mean to you, your family, and your faith journey?

Over the next few weeks, three of our fellow parishioners will share with us their own answers to those questions. Their stories will be different because each of our journeys is different. We hope their reflections will encourage us all to think about Trinity’s role in our own lives and why this community matters so much to us.

As you listen, we invite you to consider your own why and how your time, talents and financial support help make Trinity the spiritual home that it is for all of us and for those who have yet to find their way through our doors. It’s also important to remember how all our individual acts of stewardship are transformed into ensuring that Trinity’s mission continues and grows by welcoming, inspiring, strengthening and encouraging one another and others to love and serve God’s beloved community.

Our pledge goal this year is $220,000. This goal has been determined by the careful, responsible work of our Finance Committee. Our pledges will fund approximately two thirds of our projected operating budget. The rest is funded mostly by our ministries and community events like the thrift shop, turkey supper and bazaar.

Over the next week or two, you will be receiving a single letter with a pledge card and return envelope. Along with the letter will be an oak leaf. We invite you (and others in your household) to write your responses to two questions on your leaf:

● What does Trinity mean to you?

● Why do you pledge

All our leaves will be displayed as a beautiful reminder of the faith, gratitude, and love that unites us. Just as every leaf contributes to the strength and beauty of a mighty oak, every pledge strengthens our parish family and supports our ministries. We will also have extra leaves available at the table at the back of the church if you or a family member needs one or more.

It is our hope that as you reflect on your Why, you will be inspired to give as generously as you are able. If you have not pledged recently or ever before, please consider committing to a pledge for 2027!

I invite you to prayerfully consider what you can pledge for 2027, because, ultimately, what you give is between you and God. And we hope you can give from your heart with joy, knowing that your pledge is an act of commitment that becomes one of the leaves which strengthens the roots of this beautiful tree, Trinity Church.