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Letter From the Rector Preceding the Time of Parish Stewardship Recommitment

(Letterhead)

(Date)

<Inside address
<Personalized
<For each recipient

Dear <personalize>,

As we continue to prepare for our stewardship focus this month, I offer the following list of questions for us to consider as we discuss what it means to be a child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a part of a parish family.

1. Has it been more than three years since I have been actively involved in the life of this parish? If so, and this is not caused by illness or a major change in work hours, why?

2. Am I actively involved in at least one ongoing ministry at the parish in addition to Sunday worship? (Some of these ministries are Altar Guild, Choir, Lector/Ushers, Coffee hour hosting, Sunday School, Ad Hoc Committees.)

3. Do I know what percentage of my income I give away to help facilitate “God’s work” in the world? Am I working on ways to increase that percentage?

4. Does my church receive a significant percentage of the amount I give away?

5. If my income has risen in the last two to three years, does my charitable giving reflect this positive change?

6. Does my financial commitment to the parish represent a proportion of my total income? What proportion does it represent of my total income? How do I feel about that percentage? Is it enough?

7. Does my commitment of time represent a percentage of the total number of hours I have available for charitable activity?

8. Is there an element of sacrifice in what I give of my time, energy and money to the church? Or do I tend to fall back on what is easy?

9. Is the check I write to the parish as my offering the first weekly or monthly check I write? Do I write my check for my offering based on faith, or do I play it safe and give what’s left over?

10. Have I been willing to make a pledge to this parish as a tangible sign of my devotion and dedication to its ministry? Or do I wait and assume others will do it for me?

I realize some of these questions are challenging. They are meant to be. Only when we are willing to challenge each other in constructive and healthy ways can we really say we are doing the work of God in the world.

I cannot answer any of these questions for you. No one else in the parish can. Each of us must struggle with what they mean for us and come to a conclusion, a decision we can each live with. Rest assured these questions are no easier for me than for you. My spouse, children and I will be struggling with each one as this month unfolds.

Remembering that, let us make promises to each other:
 that we will each look seriously at the things listed here;
 that we will be honest with ourselves, and where appropriate, honest with others in dealing with our fears, hopes, and dreams about this place;
 that we will rely ultimately on our understanding of God's purpose for us, and be guided by our intuition of God's will in addressing our understanding of parish commitment.

With that, we will pray for God’s grace as we approach the next few weeks.

Fondly and faithfully,

      Signature
Rector (Vicar)