Abundant Life

Stewardship at St. Mark

Abundant Life is the Stewardship Program of St. Mark. It is a program that invites us to witness to the abundance of God - and to share what that abundance says about our work together as people of God.

Abdundant Life | Hope in Action

a pledge campaign for 2025

Hope is a powerful thing. Throughout the Gospels, we encounter story after story of God’s movement in the world – actions of hope that call us together. The message of Jesus is clear – hope is promised for us all and we are invited to share that hope with the world around us.

I am thrilled to introduce our 2025 pledge campaign, Hope in Action. As we embark on this new journey, I am prayerfully anticipating the movement of the Holy Spirit in our community. God is up to something in this place! I believe that when we open our hearts and minds to the presence of God, we can see the powerful ways God’s love is growing all around us.

Hope in Action is more than just a financial appeal; it is an invitation to engage deeply with the mission and ministry of our church and the neighborhood beyond our doors. This campaign encourages us to reflect on three key aspects of our lives as people of God: spiritual, relational, and financial. You can read more about this three-fold approach in the enclosed stewardship booklet. You’ll have a chance to hear about these three approaches during the campaign from folks within our community and from the pulpit.

Hope in Action is not just about money – it is an invitation to intentionally renew your relationship with St. Mark and our community. Instead of talking about money or volunteer hours, with this campaign, we want to ask a new kind of question: how are you sustaining your relationship with Jesus and with our community?

I know it has been a while since St. Mark conducted a pledge campaign, so I’d like to highlight a few important points. I highlight these to make sure we are all on the same page about the intent and goals of this campaign.

There is no right or wrong way to respond. As you review the enclosed stewardship materials, please take time to prayerfully reflect on how the Spirit is guiding you and respond in a way that makes sense for you and your family. If you can increase your commitment, that is wonderful! If you can maintain your commitment, that is wonderful too!
Honesty is crucial. Your pledge will remain confidential. What matters most is your honest and authentic response. An honest response, rooted in prayerful and intentional discernment helps us to plan effectively for the seasons before us.
Pledges are aspirational. They serve as a goal rather than a binding contract. Life circumstances can change, and our community is here to support one another in every season of life. You are always welcome to reach out to me or any of the congregational leadership with questions or concerns. We are in this journey together.

When you receive these materials, please read them – then set them aside for a few days. We are asking that pledges are returned to church starting November 10^th. This ensures everyone has a chance to spend some time intentionally thinking through the question of how we are sustaining our relationships with Jesus and with our community.

As a final note, please save the date of November 24, 2024, for a special celebration marking the conclusion of our pledge campaign. We are already planning ways to celebrate – including a visit from a member of the Bishop’s staff and a special coffee hour!