I claim All Saints Episcopal Church as my own.
My yearly pledge acknowledges my responsibility for its future
and affirms my support for its ministry of faith, hope and love.
Dear Friends:
On October 23, Alan Greenspan, who was Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board for
18.5 years, testified in Congress concerning the world economic crisis. He said that he was
in “shocked disbelief” because his faith in the power of markets to regulate themselves had
been proved false.
I believe that Mr. Greenspan’s “shocked disbelief” speaks for many in these times. Everyone “believes” in a great many things that have nothing to do with Jesus. It is common to believe in competition and in free markets or that the Yankees will be in the playoffs every year. We have seen in these last days that these beliefs are not as solid-looking as they once appeared.
What can you count on in these uncertain times? In the best of times, and the worst of times, your church is there for you. Remember that All Saints has seen its members through two world wars, the Great Depression and 9-11. All Saints will see you through whatever times are here now, and are yet to come.
I can make this promise on behalf of All Saints because our church preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our ultimate allegiance is to the one who died and rose again so that sin and death could be defeated. As St. Paul said to his letter to the Romans, “we are more than conquerors through [Jesus] who loved us…for…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation; will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39.)
I am asking you, as your pastor, to make a pledge to claim All Saints as your own. By making a pledge to for 2009, you are giving thanks to God and assuming your share in the support of the community of faith that is All Saints. You cannot make a contribution anywhere else and see your dollars used more wisely, or for a higher purpose.
Giving at All Saints in 2008
All Saints received pledges in 2008 in amounts ranging from $200 to $3,900. Five pledges were for $3,000 or more, and five additional pledges were made for amounts between $2,000 – $2,999. Each year many of you make additional donations beyond a pledge; in 2007, the largest total donation from one pledging unit was about $7,000, and this year, one of the smallest pledging units has already contributed $500 in addition to their pledged amount.
I am convinced that even in these times most of you can give more. I am convinced because of your passion – as your pastor, I see how much you care about All Saints and your faith, your fellow parishioners and the communities and neighborhoods we serve. At Vestry meetings, at Annual Meetings, and at many more occasions in between, I see your fervent hope that All Saints will excel in its mission of faith, hope and care. It is a privilege to be your pastor.
So I am asking you, as pastors must, to do more in giving, in worship and in prayer. Together, we will face whatever challenges are to come, knowing always that the ultimate victory has already been won.
This year you are asked to return your signed pledge card on Sunday, November 16. If you aren’t able to be here then, I ask that you mail your pledge card by November 24. Remember that payments can be made by MasterCard and Visa, and this year All Saints is offering an electronic donation program, through which your donation can be automatically deducted from your checking account.
As always, the Wardens and I are ready and interested in answering your questions about pledging and about All Saints and its finances. We believe that the more you know, the more you will want to give.
May God bless you, and all whom you love.
Faithfully,
The Rev’d Dean Weber
