project + resource updates
PROJECT + RESOURCE UPDATES By the Rev. William Stomski and Peter Steinbrenner Several congregations in the diocese have begun to make use of a radically new thought on parish stewardship programs Project+Resource. Workshops held this spring have created a great deal of excitement as Stewardship Committees, vestries, clergy and other church leaders have enthusiastically responded to the many bold, fresh ideas and approaches presented.
P+R is a radical switch from the traditional" stewardship norm" to adapt to a year-round program - a challenge which is creating some excitement! Robyn Powers, a member of Trinity's stewardship commission expressed, "It enables us to remove that uncomfortable and stressful, concentrated period of 'begging' for funds to meet the budget, and take on a healthier approach to presenting our ministries, showing how our support has impacted our parish and broader community." Through the new P+R program, St. Paul's Sparks has established a timeline of events through November for their pledge campaign as they seek to identify members to do "Ministry Minute" presentations. Jon Mittelstadt, Stewardship Chair, states that the vestry has been able to focus on their role in stewardship leadership using the book "Fearless Giving" by Charles LaFond. St. Paul's has also organized focus groups to present ministry plans and the support needed at the August congregational meeting . Epiphany has focused on the thanksgiving and gratitude portion of the P+R program and have adopted the name "Committee on Gratitude". This committee has already begun an advance stewardship campaign which was rolled out in June. St. Peter's has jumped on the P+R bandwagon with a move to a year-round stewardship plan. "Ministry Moments" a monthly presentation by parishioners will take place during worship services, and monthly gratitude infomercials from community wide initiatives will be presented. Susan Sutton, chair for stewardship, reports that "we are anxious to get into our hands this material to tailor it to our needs with this year long process."
E-Giving has been of key interest to the vestry of Grace in the Desert. Grace has also incorporated several ideas from the P+R program for their current capital campaign. Trinity has taken bold steps with a seven member Stewardship Commission who will evaluate the pledge campaign, planned giving, and major gifts. In addition, program committees have been asked to create a project description, impact statement, and detailed budget for their needs. The new P+R program has allowed Trinity to also focus on an ongoing, year round stewardship education campaign and advertise this program through monthly newsletter articles,weekly bulletin blurbs and two "ministry moments" presentations at worship services. A Planned Giving seminar is projected for a presentation in the fall, and a "Naming Book" is being investigated to promote major gifts for improving and enhancing our ministries. Interested in learning more about Project+Resource? Please visit the diocesan website under "Stewardship Resources".
P+R is a radical switch from the traditional" stewardship norm" to adapt to a year-round program - a challenge which is creating some excitement! Robyn Powers, a member of Trinity's stewardship commission expressed, "It enables us to remove that uncomfortable and stressful, concentrated period of 'begging' for funds to meet the budget, and take on a healthier approach to presenting our ministries, showing how our support has impacted our parish and broader community." Through the new P+R program, St. Paul's Sparks has established a timeline of events through November for their pledge campaign as they seek to identify members to do "Ministry Minute" presentations. Jon Mittelstadt, Stewardship Chair, states that the vestry has been able to focus on their role in stewardship leadership using the book "Fearless Giving" by Charles LaFond. St. Paul's has also organized focus groups to present ministry plans and the support needed at the August congregational meeting . Epiphany has focused on the thanksgiving and gratitude portion of the P+R program and have adopted the name "Committee on Gratitude". This committee has already begun an advance stewardship campaign which was rolled out in June. St. Peter's has jumped on the P+R bandwagon with a move to a year-round stewardship plan. "Ministry Moments" a monthly presentation by parishioners will take place during worship services, and monthly gratitude infomercials from community wide initiatives will be presented. Susan Sutton, chair for stewardship, reports that "we are anxious to get into our hands this material to tailor it to our needs with this year long process."
E-Giving has been of key interest to the vestry of Grace in the Desert. Grace has also incorporated several ideas from the P+R program for their current capital campaign. Trinity has taken bold steps with a seven member Stewardship Commission who will evaluate the pledge campaign, planned giving, and major gifts. In addition, program committees have been asked to create a project description, impact statement, and detailed budget for their needs. The new P+R program has allowed Trinity to also focus on an ongoing, year round stewardship education campaign and advertise this program through monthly newsletter articles,weekly bulletin blurbs and two "ministry moments" presentations at worship services. A Planned Giving seminar is projected for a presentation in the fall, and a "Naming Book" is being investigated to promote major gifts for improving and enhancing our ministries. Interested in learning more about Project+Resource? Please visit the diocesan website under "Stewardship Resources".
