“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Grace,

I write to you with hope. 

Hope is a spiritual posture. It is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead, wise about the pitfalls in the road, and savvy regarding the rogues along the way. Yet, it ventures forth into the future anyway, with courage and a sense of possibility. Hope trusts that somehow the Divine is at work, even in the mess, the conflict, and the decay. Hope is a way of being which has two feet firmly planted in the conviction that God is good and making all things new, despite abundant evidence to the contrary.

We are people of faith traveling the road towards hope together. We need each other for wisdom, encouragement, and sustenance. That is what a church is — a group of people who grow spiritually because they come together and share as they ponder, pray, and give thanks. We refuse to be defined by our stuff. We resist the forces that pull us into division and fear. We work for the common good and a society where the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of all might be respected. We are in awe of the beauty of creation, and we strive to protect it.

You have experienced all this at Grace. You know that, as a spiritual community, we exist to bless and be part of the world’s salvation, rather than its damnation. We pray and strive to be transformed into the kind of people who are learning to love each other, the world, and even the rogues. In order for our church to do this and function well, we need to invest ourselves in its flourishing — supporting it financially and volunteering our time and talent. Hence, our 2025 Stewardship Campaign.

Our current staffing needs exceed our pledge income. Our Grace leadership believes that hiring and maintaining good staff is necessary for our growth as a community.  First, I came to Grace a year ago, bringing greater stability and possibility. People are more likely to commit to a church when there is a full-time priest they can rely on. Second, the Vestry hired Kim Cockroft as Director of Faith Formation, with the hope that her talents would help attract new families to Grace. Third, we’ve hired Kim Thompson as our new Music Director. In addition, we continue to benefit from the care and talents of Lindsay Masters as our Parish Administrator; and Eric Matthews, as our Building and Property Manager. As Grace grows, we trust our income will as well.

In addition, the Vestry and Program Ministry Council are at work, laying a foundation for our future growth through the “Growing Grace Campaign,” and by focusing our energies through the “Invite, Welcome, Connect” evangelism paradigm. Typically, it takes around three years for such changes to come to fruition. We are just now completing our first year in that process. We have two to go, and we need your help.

Historically, Jews and Christians have supported their religious communities by giving back to God the first fruits of their harvest: a ten percent tithe. By doing this, we are giving back a portion of what we’ve received out of gratitude for the goodness in our lives. This is a spiritual practice, and those of you who live generously know its benefits. It’s a paradox — in giving you receive something of even greater value.

Some people might balk at the notion of giving back ten percent. But let’s think about what it would mean for us at Grace. Let’s assume that the average net household income of a family at Grace is $50,000. Currently, we have 161 households who pledge. If they all tithed 10% of their income, that would be $5000 each. 161 x $5000 = $805,000. That $805,000 would not only meet our projected budgetary needs of $750,000, but it would also allow us to hire a part-time youth worker and grow our youth program.

A ten percent tithe may seem like a lot. Curiously, our ancestors practiced tithing, and they had fewer resources than we do. Yet, we inherit the legacy of their generosity. I respect that not everyone can afford to tithe 10%. For me personally, I aspire to it, but I can only currently give 7% of my net income to Grace. You need to discern what portion of your income feels appropriate. I also realize that people give charitably to many organizations, such that their tithe may be distributed to various groups. Let’s celebrate that. The call here is not to make Grace the sole focus of your generosity.

The invitation is to consider what it means for you to give as a spiritual practice. To do so prayerfully, and out of gratitude. Give not out of obligation or duty, but out of freedom and desire for spiritual growth. Don’t give out of charity but give out of faith. Give from the posture of hope.

Please do take the time to prayerfully consider making your pledge.


Peace,

Rev. Eric Mason