GRACE IN ACTION:
2024 Stewardship and Pledge Campaign
Our campaign for 2024 is based on God’s abundant possibilities that come to the surface when we trust deeply and give generously!
“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” Jesus told the disciples.
– Luke 5: 4
This past year we have given thanks to God in inspiring worship with wonderful music, provided a place for children and their families to grow in faith, offered a grief group for healing, and prayed for one another and the world. Together, we enabled 18 teens and family members to travel to Safe Passage in Guatemala, welcomed new neighbors from Central Africa, shared wood/warmth with families in our community, and supported a trip to the Maine Seacoast Mission to rehab homes. All of these initiatives, big and small, rely on the financial support of our church and community members. Thank you for making our ministry possible in 2023. We hope that you will consider making a pledge to support the Church’s ministry for 2024. See Frequently Asked Questions below.
You can make a Pledge Online HERE
Download the 2024 Stewardship materials here:
2024 Stewardship Letter
2024 Giving Guide
2024 Narrative Budget
2024 Pledge Card
HOW DO I MAKE A PLEDGE?
You can make your pledge for 2024 online HERE
The form asks for your estimate of financial giving for the year ahead. You can set up recurring payments annually, quarterly, monthly, or weekly, given electronically from your bank account, or indicate that you’ll pay later by cash, check, text, or online.
If you would like a paper pledge card, you may print one out here, pick one up from the Pledge Campaign table in the Parish Hall, or email the church office to request that one be mailed to you.
WHAT IS A PLEDGE AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
A pledge is a commitment of financial support for the year, often paid monthly or weekly. Many people set up recurring online contributions. Others give annually at the beginning or end of the year, or prepay a gift intended for next year.
You can give to the Church without pledging, of course. However, annual pledging is very important because it enables the Church to plan for ministry (and keep the lights on!) through careful budget planning. Please know that if your circumstances change, a pledge can be changed at any time by contacting the Treasurer or the church office. Pledging is also an important spiritual discipline that fosters faithfulness and generosity.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE/PLEDGE?
God invites us into lives of love, generosity, and joy. That often means making choices as we live our faith. Every gift makes a difference in the work of the Church. We prayerfully ask you to make Cumberland UCC your giving priority this year as we worship God, serve our neighbors, nurture our youth and our own faith lives, and put “Love in Action.”
When you think about how you manage your financial resources, what does it mean to be a person of faith? Our faith teaches us to start with gratitude for the gift of life as we remember how much God has given us. We are then invited to generously share those gifts as Stewards. We do this because our gifts (combined with others) can truly become a sign of God’s grace in our lives and the lives of our neighbors. That kind of generosity brings joy!
There are many ways to decide how much to give. One traditional way is “percentage giving,” calculating your contribution by a percentage of your income. This is a Biblical practice—dedicating the “first fruits” of one’s labor, rather than offering what is left over after all other expenses are taken care of.
We are clearly living in a culture of consumption and materialism. How much do we really need and how much are we to share? What would it be like to live on 90% of our household income? How can we share more of what God has given to us and learn to trust more deeply?
The modern tithe is the practice of giving 5% to God’s work through our Church and 5% to other special offerings or organizations that are a part of God’s justice, peace, and love in the world. Some people give at this level, but not everyone is able to do so.
Try this practice of faith: Start by calculating what percentage of your yearly income you give now (or plan to give) to CCCUCC. If you already give annually, challenge yourself to increase the percentage you give by 1% or 2% of your yearly income. If your circumstances change, you can always change your pledge. Your gifts make a difference and they are gratefully received as we seek to reach out with God’s love in our community! Remember that God can bless others through your gifts (no matter the size) as our Church comes together with the power of the Spirit at work in us.
WHAT IS CHURCH’S BUDGET AND ROLE OF PLEDGES IN CHURCH INCOME?
Our primary source of income is contributions from our members and friends. Please see the 2023 Narrative Budget above for more detail or contact the Church office for a copy of our line item 2023 Budget.
Thank you to all who have submitted your pledges and gifts via mail, e-mail, in-person, or online! With your help and the Spirit at work, we can be signs of “Abundant Possibility!