Frequently Asked Questions
What is stewardship?
To be a steward of something means that you take care of it. In this case, we practice stewardship of the church, both as the people of God who participate in God’s mission of reconciliation in our community, but also as caretakers of our church buildings and facilities, and the staff and resources needed to maintain this work.
How does St. Peter’s participate in God’s mission of reconciliation?
Every day, St. Peter’s brings God’s love to our neighbors, and each week in worship we nourish and strengthen each other to go out into our own communities as God’s heart and hands. St. Peter’s hosts food, housing, health, and other community programs that help meet the needs of this community. We also equip and encourage all those who walk through our doors to grow deeper in faith and to take the hope of the Gospel back out into the world.
Why do we ask for specific commitments in the fall?
Fall is traditionally a time when many congregations run a giving or stewardship campaign, but really we should be talking about our role as stewards all year long! Stewardship fits in well with themes of harvest, abundance, generosity, and thanksgiving, but we also need a clear sense of financial reality as our Vestry makes a budget in preparation for the new year in January. While we emphasize committed giving in the fall, we welcome contributions of time, treasure, and talent at any time!
What does St. Peter’s need in this season?
We ask for your commitment to our community and to our ministries in this season, and throughout the year. Financially, commitments made before the end of the year allow us to plan for the coming year, and to generously and faithfully support God’s work in our congregation and our community. We also need presence, in ministry, leadership, and prayer. Each of us brings unique experiences and insights to the variety of ministries here--these are gifts too!
What can I do?
As we move through the fall giving campaign, listen to our stories, learn about our ministries, and ask God where you are called to contribute.
Consider making, renewing, or increasing a financial commitment to the ministries of St. Peter’s, which impacts our community on a daily basis. These gifts are a major source of our funding as a congregation in worship and in ministry.
Find where your skills, interests, or dreams intersect with the needs of our community, in ministry and in worship, and commit to regular participation in service through ministry.
Share our story with others. We are a community rooted in faith, and reaching in God’s love throughout our community. Together we can change lives!
How does pledging work?
We call a financial commitment to our congregation a “pledge,” because individuals and families are pledging, or promising, to give a specific amount of money over the course of the coming year. Pledges may be offered weekly, monthly, quarterly, or as a yearly donation. They may be submitted in person (in the collection plate or via the church office) or set up electronically. Pledges are confidential, known only to the Business Manager, and if circumstances change and you need to increase or decrease your pledge, we fully understand and will never bill or harass you for money. Committed giving, or pledging, is a major source of funding at St. Peter’s, and having an accurate financial picture helps our leadership make a healthy budget and plans for the coming year.
How do I make a financial commitment or pledge?
You can make a pledge at any time during the year, by contacting our Business Manager. We have forms available online, or traditional paper forms available in the church office and at the back of the church in the narthex (church entrance). During Stewardship Season in the fall, we will also mail cards to each household. We will collect commitments on Harvest Sunday on October 25, which will be a special worship service at 9:30 am, followed by a celebratory potluck brunch in Crossroads Hall. Pledge cards or electronic commitments can be made any time, although submitting them by mid-November allows our finance committee to present an accurate picture for the budget planning process in early December.
What if I can’t afford to give money to St. Peter’s?
We acknowledge that many people are facing economic uncertainty right now, in the Freehold community but also in our congregation. We welcome commitments of any amount—there is no threshold for generosity! We also invite you to contribute in other ways, including with your time and with your talents.
Why do you ask for participation (‘time and talent’) in addition to money?
A congregation is a body of people worshipping God and working together in ministry, modeled by Jesus Christ. Each of us has been given skills, characteristics, experience, and other gifts, by God, to fulfill this calling. While we are each called and equipped in different ways, none of us can do this work alone. We rely on the participation of our congregation and community to be the Church in this community and in this time. At this particular time, we are without the leadership of a Rector. We are led by a part-time staff and Wardens and Vestry who volunteer their time. Everything from worship to faith formation to serving others is made possible by the ministry of the members of our congregation. This cannot be bought, no matter how generous the pledging!