Stewardship
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
Howard Bradley, Treasurer
Dear Fellow Parishioner: As we move into the fall season, signaling a time of change and anticipation, we begin the St James Church Annual Stewardship Drive in preparation for the 2010 operating budget.
Stewardship is the use of the gifts God has given each of us for the work God is calling us to do. When we share our gifts of time, talent and monetary resources, we are truly giving back to God a portion of his blessings given to us. The vestry and the congregation are dependent upon you for your generosity and support during the pledge drive as we prepare for next year's budget. This is the time to renew your commitment to St James Church. The Stewardship Drive begins Sunday, October 11 and ends on All Saints' Day, November 1.
St. James supports worthy outreach programs through the budgeting process. They include: St James Episcopal School
The Jesus Clinic
Family Renew Community
Pregnancy Crisis Center Halifax Habitat for Humanity
Mali, Africa Women's and Children's Hospital
Halifax Urban Ministries
Vince Carter's Embassy of Hope Caring Through Sharing
(A list of all ministries supported by St James Outreach is on the reverse side of this page).
Volunteering your time and skills to these programs and ministries, in addition to your financial pledge, will enrich your life. In addition to providing for the outreach of our parish, your gifts pay the parish operating costs. Most of the parish budget consists of fixed costs that do not vary. The electric bill, insurance payments, salaries for the clergy and lay employeesare determined before the start of the year and will change little over the course of the next twelve months.When there is a budget shortfall, it often impacts our outreach and worship programs the most.
Please pray about your gift before you complete the enclosed pledge form. You have blessed me so abundantly, instill in me a desire to share all you have given me, my time, abilities, and money to bring our Gospel to my family, friends, community and those in need, through Jesus Christ my Redeemer. Amen.
In God's Peace,
Howard L. Bradley, Treasurer
Please note:the time to make a tax free distribution from your IRA to a charitable organization has been extended to December 31, 2009. It is set to expire on January 1, 2010.
MINISTRIES SUPPORTED BY ST. JAMES OUTREACH
Camp Wingman - St. James provides scholarships for this Central Florida youth camp.
Caring Through Sharing - a sponsorship program that provides nutritional assistance monthly to families in our community. St. James Church and School support 25 families in addition to periodically replenishing their food pantry. Diocese of Central Florida Mosquito Net Project - St. James provided over 220 mosquito nets for Tanzanian families.
Family Renew Community - Provides long-term housing for homeless families with children in Volusia County. Our annual pledge and other activities provide on-going support. Gifts of Grace Fair - Advent season Alternative Gift Fair to support St. James ministries.
Holiday Bridge Challenge - held the Saturday after Christmas. A 5K run to support ministries of St. James. Halifax Habitat for Humanity - Partners with families to provide decent, safe, affordable housing. St. James has been involved in building 3 houses within the past five years.
Halifax Urban Ministries - responds to the hungry, homeless and low income people in our area. St. James staffs the hot lunch program monthly, provides on going food collection, and responds to additional program and facility needs. Jesus Clinic - provides free medical care to uninsured working families and individuals. This clinic, run entirely by volunteers, is supported by an annual pledge.
Mali Women's and Children's Clinic - supports the ministry of Dr. Brett MacLean in West Africa. Meals on Wheels - provide volunteers for one weekly delivery route.
Mountain of Hope - Provides medical care and community resources to our companion diocese of Honduras. Next Generation Nepal - supports an orphanage in Nepal and works to reunite children with their families.
Pregnancy Crisis Center - St. James provides material and financial gifts on Mother's Day. St. James School - gave substantial contribution to scholarship fund.
St. James Youth - monetary support of summer mission trip. Vince Carter's Embassy of Hope - addresses needs of children and families with support of many programs including after school enrichment programs and children's medical services.
