2024 Annual Giving
An Invitation & An Opportunity
Dear Members and Friends,
You may have received via postal or electronic mail a Pledge Packet – specifically, several documents meant to inform and encourage your financial support of the ministry of our church. The items in that packet are also linked at the end of this post.
We hope you will read and reflect on the content of these documents, and that you will be moved to fill out a Commitment Card. To make your 2024 financial commitment, please bring or mail your Commitment Card to the church on or before February 18, when we will dedicate our 2024 Giving.
Why give?
One important document in the packet is a letter from our new Moderator, Susan Morrill, highlighting the recent annual meeting vote to explore some form of shared ministry with the United Parish Church of Fort Fairfield. It’s very much a stewardship issue - the faithful and effective use of our resources. It’s an opportunity to make both our churches stronger and more sustainable.
Susan also writes about a “gift of compassion and love” she experienced from a friend. “The gift of love and compassion is available to us by grace. We are called to remember it, to live it, and to share it with each other and with those we encounter every day.”
Susan’s words are a faithful way of describing the mission of the Church. We are called to be places of extravagant welcome and generosity. Your financial support makes it possible for our church - with all our “fears,” and all our joys - to share both “God’s gift of compassion, trust and love,” and our own gifts – through worship, faith formation, fellowship, and mission outreach within and beyond the walls of our church building!
Thank you for all the ways you are sharing your gifts with our church family, and for considering a financial commitment, an investment in our ministry, together, in Presque Isle and beyond.
Stewardship Supporting Documents
# Please note: the first document below is a very practical explanation of “How We ‘Do Money’ at PIUCC,” a “Church Giving 101” explanation from Admin Assistant, Melissa Vance; The second document is a spreadsheet showing our Anticipated Income sources and amounts for the coming year, and was inadvertantly left out of the Annual Report for 2023. It is included here for your consideration as you decide what you wish to contribute toward Pledges and Contributions in 2024.
Admin Assistant, Melissa Vance Letter — a simple overview of the relationship between our budget and our stewardship campaign.
Anticipated Income for 2024 — Showing sources and amounts for income categories.
Moderator Susan Morrill Letter — “Dear Ones, Yesterday, God blessed me. A good friend texted me and offered an opportunity to reconnect after several months apart. I accepted it. After we each described the expected and fun updates of our family members and mutual friends, she asked me how I am.” read more …
What Jonah Learned — “At first glance, Jonah seems an odd choice for a reflection in stewardship. There is no offering of gifts here, no passing the plate, no mention of money at all.” read more …
Deciding What to Give — “While there are many ways to support the congregation, our annual giving campaign provides a chance to think in a particular and prayerful way about the choices we make with our money in support of the church. Without your gifts, we would not be able to engage in the programs, projects, ministry, and worship experiences that define our community life.” read more …
2024 Commitment Card — If you are moved to make a commitment this year, please complete and bring or mail the card to the church on or before Sunday, February 18. Thank you!