All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 1, Number 40, November 9, 2008

Putting Our Pennies Together

Growing up with only one sibling, my brother and I learned early on that by combining our money, we would be able to get more of the things we wanted.  Whether it was allowance money from our parents, or later on, money we earned delivering newspapers, we figured out that if we both went in on something together, we could usually buy more and enjoy it together.  Later, we figured out that by asking our parents to match our contribution to something (a new bicycle, for instance), we could purchase a better bicycle than we might have gotten.   

A church is a family with a particular mission: the church is called to be in this world as the Body of Christ and to do everything we can to bring others into God’s love.  We do this through worship and mission, through education and pastoral care.  And we also do it by simply being here and being our (best) selves, welcoming all, and witnessing to the love of Jesus Christ in our own lives.

The economics of a church are much like those of any family—we have fixed expenses and we also have our wish lists.  Just as a family might save and hope for a vacation or an addition on a house, the church family saves for renovations, additional programs, missions, and staff.  We ask all of our church family members to do their share, to put their pennies with others and to help us create a good and strong budget for the next year.  We ask everyone to make a pledge.
Below is a chart that shows All Souls pledges for 2008 in categories.  You will notice that most of our pledges are less than $3,000 for the year (or just about $60 per week).  Of the 162 pledges All Souls received for 2008, you will also notice that only 28 people were able to pledge $5,000 or more for the year.  And yet, these 28 people contributed more than half of the pledged income for the year.  Most of the 28 are not wealthy people, but they have structured their lives in such a way as to place the church very high in their list of priorities.    

There are some in our parish who are facing extreme uncertainties.  Retirement income is shaky and investments have shriveled.  A few people have lost their jobs and those who are independent contractors or freelancers are not getting work. These parishioners probably will not be able to contribute what they might wish to contribute.  But there are others in our parish who can do more this year.     

If you do not know what you will be able to give in the coming year, I still encourage you to fill out a pledge card and simply write $50.00 in the blank.  Chances are that, in some way, you will be able to make that contribution. 

Even though the current economy is challenging, I also ask you to examine how you spend your money and ask yourself whether your spending reflects your faith.   How much money is spent eating in restaurants or on entertainment?  How much is spent on alcohol, or movies, or weekend trips?  How much is spent on clothing?

The church teaches that there are spiritual blessings related to being generous, and the Biblical tithe (giving one-tenth of one’s income) has historically been the starting point for sacrificial giving. This is not cheap theology or the language of a money-loving ministry.  Rather, it is simply a fact.  When we begin to give sacrificially, when we LIVE sacrificially, helping others, putting our pennies (and our prayers) together, we begin to live into a faith that knows no bounds.  Many of us support other charities and organizations, but we should ask ourselves, “Are we doing our part for All Souls?”
Please pray about your support for our church.  Please also pray all members of our parish, as we discern together what it means to love God, what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves, and what it means to live as faithful stewards.  John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Susan Morrison, Chris Cobb, Suzanne Eyman, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Carol Atnip, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field. Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . .If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

Around the Parish . . . Pledge cards have been mailed. If you did not receive one please call the parish office.  You may also obtain a card in the narthex (foyer) of the church . . . The Adult Forum at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 9 will continue our study of Anglican Lives with a presentation by Dan Davis on the Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Capetown . . . Attendance on Sunday, November 2 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 40; at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, 139 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $13,853.00. The total plate offering this week was $980.00.       

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar are offered to the glory of God and in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Marti, given by Phil Marti . . . Christ the King Sunday is November 23.  This is also the Sunday when our 2009 pledge cards are due. 

The Parish Photo Directory has arrived . . . All whose pictures appear in the directory receive a free directory. Others may purchase one for $3.00. Last week, we thanked Tony and Martha Domenico, Barry Huber, and Todd VanCantfort, Mimi Clark, and Sybil de la Renaudiere, but we also wish to thank Robin Jones, Jim Child, and Tom Mabon who also helped.


Readings for the Daily Office

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy;

Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Mr. Philip Cave, director of music and organist;
Mr. Oscar Prado, sexton

2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008-1505

Voice: 202-232-4244, Fax: 202-232-8593

Email: allsouls1@aol.com

www.allsoulsdc.org

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