"Sharing the Gifts"
Fall 2008 Stewardship Canvass

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance…so that you may share abundantly in every good work.  Corinthians 9:7-8

Dear Members and Friends:                 
                                               
We are very excited to be the chairs of this year’s stewardship canvass campaign. Our involvement was sealed this summer when we responded with a simple “yes” to Jon Walton’s cryptic e-mail inquiry “Are you there...?”  This exchange is symbolic of the dialogue that takes place during canvass season as we each consider our personal commitment in response to the question “Are you there?”

The theme of the 2008 Stewardship Canvass campaign is “Sharing the Gifts.”  This phrase emphasizes the fact that God has generously given so many gifts—the gifts of life, family, health, work, shelter, and countless others—to each of us.  And we shouldn’t forget a gift we all share—this church and our church community.  As Christians we are invited to respond to God’s generous giving by sharing with others the gifts we have received.

So this year we will be counting on the continued commitment of members and friends to support the important programs, activities and outreach of First Presbyterian.  Programs such as our nursery school, school for autistic children, Sunday School, outreach to ex-offenders through the Church of the Gethsemane, GLBT ministries, the homeless shelter, the Caring Community and our weekly worship services each support our members and the community.Our church is a congregation committed to faithful stewardship in all areas of our life together

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Your pledge is an opportunity for you to share the gifts that God has provided so abundantly by returning a portion to support the mission and ministry of our church in the coming year. Please consider becoming a regular giver and making an annual pledge. If you already pledge, step into the spiritual discipline of a higher percentage of giving.

If you haven’t had a chance to submit your annual pledge for 2008, you can find pledge cards in the pews or in the lobby of the Mellin-Macnab building at 12 W. 12th Street.

Faithfully yours,

Heather Mee and Glenn Muscosky
2008 Stewardship Canvass co-chairs