Giving to ST. JOHN'S LAFAYETTE
Living Generously: The 2017 Annual Campaign

During the Sundays in October, our Sunday bulletin has included reflections on ways we can live generously as members of St. John’s. The first week, our rector, Bradley Pace, wrote about living generously by worshiping God—that is giving to God the gift of our thanks and praise. The second week, Maggie McClure wrote about Jubilee Christmas—a ministry that helps provide Christmas gifts for nearly 40 families and 100 children—and how we live generously by sharing God’s love with those in need. Katie Mason then wrote about her experience in the youth group and in confirmation. She focused on the ways we live generously by making Christ known through our formation programs, in discernment, and in mentoring. Our Associate Rector, Hilary Cooke, writes about the way we live generously in community. 

The last reflection is about the ways we can live generously through our financial giving. I hope that you’ve had the joy of giving to something that is meaningful to you, something that makes the world a better place. If you have found meaning and joy at St. John’s, one way to support this community—one of the ways you can live generously at St. John’s—is through making an annual financial pledge. Nearly 75 percent of St. John’s income comes from annual pledges. These annual gifts allow our church community to offer beautiful worship, share God’s love and care beyond our parish, and spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom known in Jesus Christ.

While the church’s leadership is still working out the details of next year’s budget, we have determined that it will take around $500,000 to fully fund St. John’s ministries in 2017. If fully funded, our budget would include a continued commitment to repair and restore our historic building and grounds, a 3% cost-of-living increase for our staff, and continued support for the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry. If you have questions or would like more information about the budget, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. You are also encouraged to speak with one of the wardens or another member of the vestry. Members of the vestry understand the importance of this year’s campaign, and members have already pledged their commitment.

As you consider making a pledge, I would like to ask you to consider two things. The first is “proportional giving”.  Proportional giving is based on the Biblical idea of a tithe—an offering of the first one-tenth of the harvest back to God. These are the “first fruits” of those blessings we receive from God.  I encourage you to think of your gift to St. John’s (along with all the other gifts you give) as a priority in your or your family’s budget, as coming from those first fruits rather than from what is left over.

Secondly, in the past year, we have taken on a considerably larger portion of the St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry’s operating budget. In 2016, we raised an additional $10,000 through a single, one-time gift to cover those increased expenses. I would ask you to consider increasing your pledge this year or, if you have never pledged before, making an initial pledge in support of the pantry’s budget. If each family that pledged in 2016 increased their pledge by only $80, we would more than cover the difference. New pledges would make that even easier.

You will receive a pledge card soon (if you have not already).  If you do not, please contact the church office or pledge online. With the information included in this letter in hand, please prayerfully consider making a pledge to St. John’s. We would like all pledges to be submitted by Sunday, November 6th.

In my nearly four years at St. John’s, I have found this community to be supportive, caring, and deeply committed to God’s work in the world. The people of St. John’s live generously in all the ways I mentioned above—in their worship, in sharing with those in need, through learning and teaching the faith, by loving and supporting those around them, and by giving. As someone who has found a home at St. John’s—a place where you can worship God; share God’s love; learn more about God’s work in the world; and find love, acceptance, and community—I encourage you to look for opportunities to live generously as well—sharing the love and many blessings you have received with the world that God loves beyond all measure.

-Bradley Pace, Rector

For more information, contact the St. John’s office at 765.742.4079 or by EMAIL. You can also support St. John’s ministries by pledging online.

The St. John's LIVING GENEROUSLY Series

Sunday, October 2nd: Living Generously by Worshiping God
Sunday, October 9th: Living Generously by Sharing God's love
Sunday, October 16th: Living Generously by Making Christ Known
Sunday, October 23rd: Living Generously in Community
Sunday, October 30th: Living Generously by Giving

PLEDGE ONLINE

or donate directly to a St. John’s ministry using PayPal

St. John’s, Lafayette uses PayPal which is a secure online donation process. Because the church pays a small fee on these transactions (2% + $.30), it is suggested that this method of donation be used for one-time or occasional donations and not for regular giving.  Unless otherwise designated, all donations will go to General Operating Fund, which supports the regular mission and ministry of St. John’s | Lafayette.

Steps for making an online donation through PayPal

1. Click the “Donate” button on this page which will take you to PayPal’s secure website.
2. Fill in the amount of your donation and click “Update Total”.
3. To use a credit or debit card, click “Continue” and enter your information when requested or, if you already have a PayPal account, log into your account to complete the transaction. (Card information stays within the PayPal secure system and is not seen by the church.)
4. On the page asking you to review your donation, you may designate a particular purpose or ministry for your donation by clicking on “Designate a purpose or ministry” link and typing the fund or project name. Examples include:
   • The St. John’s Endowment Fund
   • The Operational Subsidy Fund (OSF)
   • The General Operating Fund
   • The St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry
   • Specific Programs or Ministries such as Children’s Formation or Music
   • Capital/Long-term Improvements
   • Other Non-budgeted Ministry Needs such as “Sharing Love with South Sudan” or “Habitat for Humanity”
5. Then click “Donate $X.XX Now” to complete the donation.
6. You will receive a receipt via email sent by PayPal. 

As an alternative, you can mail a check to:

St. John’s Episcopal Church
600 Ferry St.
Lafayette, IN 47901