KIMISIS TIS THEOTOKOU
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
COMMON QUESTIONS DIRECT ANSWERS
1. Question: What is the Stewardship Program of Church support?
Answer: It is a simple, equitable and Christian way by which each parishioner (family or individual) determines the amount he or she shall commit for the support of the church, proportionate to his or her income. It is believing in our church and wanting to support and keep its mission alive.
2. Question: Why the Stewardship Program?
Answer: Such a program eliminates inequities and places the responsibility of church support where it belongs - in the hands of each parishioner. It is the one way that views the support of the church as a matter of personal commitment and conscience. It is the way of meeting our financial obligations to our church with Christian concern, dignity and equity.
3. Question: How is this done?
Answer: By committing an honest portion of our annual income for the work and support of the church.
4. Question: Who is included in my family commitment?
Answer: A pledging family includes husband, wife, and children under 18, or attending college and not self-supporting.
5. Question: What about single working adults?
Answer: Each working, self-supporting adult over 18, should make his/her own commitment.
6. Question: How do we make our commitment?
Answer: In August of this year, pledge cards will be sent to every Kimisis parishioner. You will be asked to complete the pledge cards, and to bring them to church promptly. Let us keep in mind that our commitment obligation begins January 1, 2002.
7. Question: Who will know about my commitment?
Answer: Only Father George and the Financial Secretary will know your pledge.
8. Question: How shall I pay my commitment to my church?
Answer: In the manner that suits me best. Our commitment may be paid weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Weekly or monthly offerings are suggested because it is easier to manage small regular contributions, rather than large accumulated amounts. But the decision is ours. Envelopes will be available from the church office for the convenience of those who wish to use them.
9. Question: What does my Commitment cover?
Answer: Supporting Membership - Sacraments and Services - Tray Offerings - Archdiocese Assessment - All Church Publications and Professional Services – Operational Budget - A voice in Governing your Parish at the General Assembly.
10. Question: What is not included in the Commitment?
Answer: Our Commitment does not include candle offerings, and special offerings that are requested at different times for specific charities or projects. It is our goal that Religious and Social functions of the church be held to create fellowship rather than be fund raisers. We are concerned with creating a spirit of giving which emphasizes our personal responsibility and involvement, and not dependent upon many fund raising events.
11. Question: What if after I make a commitment, sickness, misfortune or loss of job occurs?
Answer: Our commitment is in the strictest of confidence, and is not a legal obligation, but a promise to God. Should it become necessary, a parishioner, by contacting the church office or the priest may adjust his commitment until circumstances allow him to continue his original commitment.
12. Question: Is a specific minimum or maximum amount required?
Answer: No. There is no mandatory minimum or maximum. Just as St. Paul speaks to the Christians in Corinth in the 1st century, he speaks to us in the 21st century, and encourages us to set an honest and fair portion of our income to the ministries and support of the church.
13. Question: Are additional commitments required for Baptisms and Weddings?
Answer: No. The only requirement is one’s pledge commitment at the beginning of the year except for gratuities for individuals involved in the service. Therefore, when a member seeks the services of the Church for a Baptism or Wedding, if he is not a supporting parishioner, he will be asked to make a commitment.
14. Question: How much does the parish need to operate?
Answer: To cover items such as mortgage, maintenance, salaries, Archdiocese dues, etc., the Church spent in 2000 about $320,000 in 2001 $360,000, and in 2002 estimate of $ 400,000.
15. Question: Where does the church get the money needed to function?
Answer: From our financial commitment.
16. Question: Why all this emphasis on proportionate and percentage giving?
Answer: Primarily because it is the way to meet our financial obligations to our church with Christian concern, dignity and equity. The emphasis is on equal sacrifice, not equal giving. We give according to our means. If we all had the same income when we could think in terms of one flat sum for all. But this is not the case. So, each should give according to his ability. Some can do more than others. God calls each of us to be faithful over that He has entrusted us with, whether it be 5 talents, 2 talents, or 1.
God loves a cheerful giver.
-R.
South (English Poet)-