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Stewardship



  

 

        At St. Margaret’s, we believe that we have been richly blessed as individuals and as a community by the abundant love God showers upon us through Jesus Christ. We believe that our response to that love is lived out in the joy of sharing our blessings at all times and in all places. We believe that the stewardship of those blessings reflects our thanksgiving for the love and generosity that flows from God’s grace. 

    As members of St. Margaret’s, we have the opportunity to praise God for our many blessings, to ask God for help in times of distress, and to reach out to others in need.  Our ability to give and receive assistance, faith and nourishment sustains us as individuals and community.  Please join us in prayerful consideration as we discern our gifts of energy and resources in service to St. Margaret’s and to our wider community. 

Financial Update, June 2011

    A few weeks ago, the finance committee met to review the 2011 budget in response to the shortfall in expected pledges. The 2011 budget was passed estimating a drop in pledge revenue, but this drop proved to be larger than expected. There were also one-time unanticipated expenses associated with the change in the parish administrator position. All other budgeted expenses are running according to budget.  The current budgeted shortfall for FY 11 is $77,000; our FY 11 budgeted surplus of approximately $9,000 leaves a current shortfall balance in the FY 11 budget of $68,000.
 
    The finance committee recommended the following reductions in lay staff. 
    1.  The full time Building Engineer position (Doug Clements) will be reduced to a part-time sexton position beginning in August.  This is a route that many other parishes have recently adopted and will lead to a savings of $16,000 in FY 11 and $40,000 in FY 12.
     2.  The part-time administrative assistant position will be eliminated.  The functions of the position are primarily production of the Sunday bulletin, the printed announcements and maintenance of our parishioner database. We are exploring other ways to produce the Sunday bulletin. Other tasks will be done by the newly hired parish administrator and clergy. This change will be effective July 5 and will save $6,500 in FY 11 and $15,000 in FY 12.
 
These actions only reduce the budgeted deficit to $45,500 for this fiscal year.  The finance committee struggled to find additional savings and decided not to make any additional cuts to clergy staffing (the assistant rector position) or to the Diocesan Assessment or to the choir section leader salaries. On Sunday, June 12, the vestry approved a deficit budget for FY 11 that draws on the Vestry Designated Funds to cover any shortfall.
 
A reduction in pledge income is not unusual when a long-term rector leaves. This along with the departure (primarily by moving out of town) of several large pledge donors and the economy are all factors in our situation. The staff changes continue the work that was begun a couple years ago to live within our income, and while we have a deficit budget this year, we are preparing to enter the next budget year in good shape.
 
The changes in the Building Engineer position mean that Doug Clements, a long-time staff member, will be leaving us.  He has found another position, and his last day with us will be at the end of July.  On Sunday July 10, we will be acknowledging the 19 years he has faithfully served this congregation with a party.  He will be missed! More details will follow. If you can help with party planning, please contact Kimberly Lucas.

 

Stewardship 2011

    Make Your 2011 Pledge Online

    Take the Time & Talent Survey Online

    This year’s stewardship theme is “Preparing the Way” acknowledging that we are looking to a new future, new directions and a new leader. Our reflection and evaluation on the time, talent and treasure we give to the life of St. Margaret’s is very much a part of how we prepare for this time. Our scripture for stewardship acknowledges the good gifts that are given to us by God, the Creator of lights, whose care and sustenance of us is not affected by any kind of transition or change. In this stewardship season, we pause to think about how we share those gifts - our time, talent, and treasure with our faith community. Ask yourself how your gifts fit into this interim period as the congregation reflects on what they have done in the past, what ministries they want to continue, and what new ministries they would like to grow. (from Anne-Marie's letter to the parish) 

Stewardship 2010

             Our theme, “Sustaining the Spirit,” recognized that in times of stress, such as a challenging economic period, we look to God and community to sustain, support and provide us with encouragement and hope.  Through our stewardship giving, we see that encouragement and hope continue through the worship and programs at St. Margaret’s. 

            Our financial goal for 2010 was $470,000, the same as the previous year and we came close.  We closed the campaign with pledges of $434,595, 92% of our goal and nearly $14,000 short of the 2009 amount pledged. We had 141 pledging units in 2010 compared to 145 the previous year with an average pledge of $3,061, down $34.00 from 2009.

            The stewardship campaign also provided opportunities to donate time and talent to sustain our  41 ministries in liturgy, education, parish life and outreach.  It’s an impressive list from acolyte to web site development.  

Rev. Susan N. Blue Building Preservation Fund   

    The Rev. Susan N.Blue Building Preservation Fund recognizes Susan's dedication and love for the St. Margaret's buildings and properties over the last 13 years, including overseeing major projects such as the beautiful Parish Hall renovation, which is something we can see every day, and the repair of our roof, which is something we can't see but should still be thankful for.

    At the same time, we must recognize that our beautiful buildings at St. Margaret’s are over 100 years old. Maintaining our properties is vital to all programs and ministries. Several years ago, some very expensive infrastructure repairs were required to keep the buildings safe, including repairing leaking steam pipes, fixing leaking roofs, and replacing a worn-out security system. The Vestry carefully considered the options and concluded that the best strategy to pay for those repairs was to separate them from the regular operating budget.
To pay for the infrastructure repairs required to keep the building safe and habitable, a 15-year commercial loan of $175,000 was obtained. In order to pay it off rapidly to avoid burdening the parish, the Building Preservation Fund was established. The purpose of the Fund is to pay for capital costs (i.e., non-recurring costs) for repairing and improving our buildings. This fund is managed separately from the operating fund and is thus separate from pledges and the Stewardship campaign. Contributions to the Fund will not only help St. Margaret’s pay off the funds borrowed to complete earlier, vital repairs and improvements, but also ensure that similar future investments (such as the maintenance of our stained glass windows) can be made without impact on the annual operating budget we need to maintain our programs and ministries.
In recognition of Susan’s dedication and love for the St. Margaret’s buildings and properties over the last 13 years, the Vestry voted to rename our building fund the “Rev. Susan N. Blue Building Preservation Fund”. Her leadership has included overseeing major projects such as the Parish Hall renovation, which is something we can see every day, and the repair of our roof and plumbing systems, which is something we can’t see but should still be thankful for.
    You may complete the form by clicking on the link below. Please note the responses to the form are encrypted, your privacy is secured by the TRUSTe Privacy Program and VeriSign Secure, and only office staff see this information. We encourage you to respond online, but if you would prefer to contribute by mail, please contact Bridgette Harkless at the Parish Office (202.232.2995 or via e-mail at office@stmargaretsdc.org) to request that a copy be mailed to you.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FTR32FX

    We ask you to think carefully and prayerfully about how you can contribute to maintaining the warm and beautiful sanctuary that St. Margaret’s Church provides for our worship and for our outreach. We ask that you think also about how you can help honor Susan’s time at St. Margaret’s by ensuring the maintenance of our buildings for future generations of parishioners – and for all those in Washington, DC who benefit from our outreach. Please consider contributing what you can. No amount is too small.

Jim Dougan,Chair, Rev. Susan N. Blue Building Preservation Fund

How your pledge supports the work of St. Margaret’s

    As of October 1, 2007, St. Margaret’s has served Holy Communion nearly 7,300 times at more than 100 services for the year, plus 200 communion visits to home or hospital-bound parishioners. 
Charlie’s Place, St. Margaret’s ministry to the homeless, serves an average of 80 hot breakfasts four times weekly – approximately 16,000 meals each year. 
Your pledge helps pay for a doctor who provides essential medical care for more than 3,600 patient visits each year to the needy in Honduras. 
St. Margaret’s has a deep commitment to Christian education for all ages – children, teens, and adults. Approximately 35 youth are enrolled in three thriving Sunday School programs. 

Additional Ways to Give 

Gifts of Appreciated Securities & Properties 
St. Margaret’s welcomes gifts of stock and other property. So that your gift will allow St. Margaret’s to benefit from the full market value while enabling you to take advantage of significant tax savings, please consult your accountant or financial planner for more information. 

Gifts Through Estate Planning 
Estate planning allows you to leave a legacy for the ongoing operations or ministries of St. Margaret’s. We welcome gifts through such mechanisms as charitable gift annuities, life insurance, trusts, wills, retirement accounts and life estates. Please consult your attorney or financial planner to discuss these various opportunities. 

Designated gifts. 
St. Margaret’s welcomes one time or lump sum gifts to be designated to support a ministry of your choosing. Please contact the Rector, The Reverend Kimberly Lucas, if you need assistance in determining where your designated gift would best benefit St. Margaret’s.