Stewardship campaigns over the years haven’t really changed! It’s about getting enough people to pledge enough dollars to cover the costs for the operating budget of the parish for the following year. It’s about helping people to understand how the money will be used and inspiring them to contribute to support the ministry. Stewardship time is always a bit awkward for everybody, but it’s necessary. It’s impossible for the church to hire staff and plan program and activities if it does not know how much money it has to work with. It also forces staff, leadership and parishioners to think about and focus on what type of program and ministry is important.
Back in year two of St. Mark’s existence, the staff went through the exact same process. On November 21, 1949, the Vestry met and approved the proposed budget for 1950 (Vestry Minutes). The church hoped to raise $23,000 (taking into account inflation, $23,000 in 1950 equals about $254,000 in 2021) (savings.org). This was the second pledge drive for the fledgling parish which was growing rapidly and attempting to raise money to construct new buildings as well as support its operating budget.
The stewardship letter written by Treasurer (Duncan McFadden) and mailed to parishioners on November 26, 1949, read as follows:
“Later this month, your Church and mine, will start our canvass of parish members to secure pledges of financial support for our 1950 budget. Canvassers will make personal calls on all members in order to make certain each parishioner is fully informed about our needs and plans.”
When they say call, they did not mean a phone call or an email…they visited parishioners in their homes to discuss their pledge. This letter was designed to help everyone avoid that awkward social occasion…see next!
“The purpose of this letter, however, is to give those of you who made pledges for our 1949 budget an opportunity to renew your pledge next year before our canvass begins. Thereby, you will save the time which would be expended by you and the canvasser in a personal call. And we feel you will be interested in this advance notice of our canvassing plan.
Our sound financial program, established last year, makes it unnecessary to increase our 1950 budget…$23,000. Of this total amount, $14,000 covers our regular operating expenses, including salaries, utilities, insurance, etc. and our pledge to the diocese for the parent church. The remaining $9,000 is required to continue our effective debt retirement program, which is meeting with gratifying success.”
This meant that 40% of the annual budget went to debt reduction to retire loans incurred from SPACC during the construction of the various buildings. Read Show Me the Money to understand how this worked. This cycle continued for many years at St. Mark’s. Money had to be raised above and beyond the operating budget to pay off debt incurred to construct the various buildings.
“When the parish was first organized, however, one member pledged $5,000 to get us started. As that amount will not be available this year, can you increase your pledge somewhat to help make up the difference? If you can, you may be sure your generosity will be deeply appreciated.”
Robert and Amy Clarke were the parishioners who often seeded new church ventures with a large financial gift. Over the years, they also funded housing for the Rector, and the hiring of the first assistant.
“In closing, I want to express to each of you the sincere appreciation and thanks of Dr. Brown and the Vestry for your generous and loyal support during 1949. Your help and the help of your fellow parishioners enabled us to carry on our work on a sound financial basis.
Let’s give our Rector and ourselves a real vote of confidence by making our pledges large enough and soon enough. Enclosed is a pledge card and a stamped envelope for its return. We would like to have these cards returned by November 19, because the canvassers’ calls will be assigned on November 30.
Why not do it right now, while the card is in your hand!”
This was the first Stewardship mailing! Parishioners received the letter, a pledge card, and a stamped return envelope to use to send the card back.
At the January 16, 1950 Vestry meeting, the treasurer reported that stewardship was going well. They had received “195 pledge renewals totalling $17,050, which represented an increase of approximately $500 over similar 1949 pledges” (Vestry Minutes). Even better, there were 56 new pledges totally $2,394 (Vestry Minutes). The Vestry voted to send a special letter of appreciation to Mr. Cutter “for his efficient work in organizing the every member canvass and also voted a final confirmation for the 1950 budget (Vestry Minutes). By the Annual Meeting on January 23rd, 1950, the treasurer was able to report 251 pledges had been received for a total of $19,444.05. That’s an average of $77/pledge – about $850 in 2021.
If this all sounds remarkably familiar that’s because this is almost exactly how Stewardship drives at St. Mark’s are organized today. We now have a few bells and whistles (such as digital pledge cards, web sites, e-mail and e-newsletters) not available to the staff and vestry in 1950. But the basics have remained the same. The church lays out its vision for its ministry in the coming year and what that will cost, and asks parishioners how they can support this vision. Materials describing the budget and the vision are mailed out. Pledges are collected and the budget stands or is amended accordingly. Over the past 70 years, St. Mark’s has been remarkably successful and blessed with financial support by generations of congregants. Thanks be to God!
Lee Anne…….!!!!
My wife, Juanita, who passed in April 2014 and I joined St. Mark’s in September 1964.
So, your history stirs lots of memories……..!!
Keep up the thoughtful and good work….!!