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.

We commit to live out our Mission Statement as we respond to Christ’s call to be faithful stewards in and outside of our parish community. We commit to using our God-given gifts to bring about the kingdom by actively participating in the ministry of Christ. We commit to share our riches and blessings with one another and with others.

Our opportunities are limitless with your support. So much of what we have achieved is due to the countless and unselfish acts of donated time, talent, and treasure to how we worship and how we serve. We are a remarkable community, and unusual in the degree of lay-led activities the reach the homeless through Charlie’s Place, serve communion and provide fellowship to shut-ins, maintain our focus through worship, music and meditation, and create a sense of community around projects ranging from a health clinic in Honduras to cabarets and rummage sales in our own Parish Hall.

Many are doing God’s work in their daily vocations by simply being a visible sign of Christ’s love in the world. All we have is a gift from God – all we own, all we do, and all that we are. Our stewardship gives us an opportunity to demonstrate giving back to God through our time, talent, and the treasure of our financial support. These gifts make our outreach, our education and our worship possible.

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.

Stewardship 2008

Time and Talent Surveys.

The Stewardship 2008 Campaign commenced in October 2007 with the issuance of Time and Talent Surveys to all parishioners. Unlike previous years, this year’s campaign is being conducted in two parts. The first part focuses on the many opportunities for service that are provided at St. Margaret’s. To aid our ministry leaders in planning for the coming year, and to allow parishioners the opportunity to refresh and engage, we are asking for information regarding three important areas: current areas of service; interest in new areas of service; and areas to conclude service. We encourage all parishioners to devote a portion of their time and talent toward the many ministry options at St. Margaret’s, but to do in a manner that is joyful and mindful of the need to recharge one’s batteries and refocus one’s energies. With this change in our campaign, we have committed to following through on each expressed interest from our church family. If you have not received a survey, please contact the church offices.

Contributing Our Treasure.

Part II of the 2008 Stewardship campaign focuses on the commitment of one’s treasure. Commencing with Stewardship Sunday on October 21, 2007 and concluding with St. Margaret’s Day on November 18, 2007 our efforts will be directed on the need and the meaning behind annual pledges.

Making Your Pledge

There are two easy ways to make your pledge:

1. Contact the church office, 202-232-2995, ext. 14, to request having a pledge packet mailed to you. The information will include a pledge card for you to return, and a table with suggested proportionate giving figures along with information regarding the church budget.
2. Email stewardship@stmargaretsdc.org and include the amount of your annual pledge, how frequently you will be making pledge payments (weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually), and if you would like to receive pledge envelopes.

That's all there is to it. If you have any questions, call Deborah Dana, Parish Administrator, at 202-232-2995, ext. 11.

Annual Giving

With an annual budget of about $888,000, St. Margaret’s requires an income of approximately $17,000 each week from all funding sources to pay for its operations and ministries. Pledging accounts for more than one-half this amount. Our average individual pledge continues to increase. This increase was 16 percent in 2006 for the 2007 campaign; a similar increase this year amounts to $8 more each week and would provide an additional $50,000 to sustain and expand St. Margaret’s ministries.

A sampling of how your pledge supports the work of St. Margaret’s includes:

  • 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.

We recognize that there are many ways to give. At St. Margaret’s we encourage giving in proportion to your income to the extent possible, based on the premise that first fruits are given back to God in grateful response to what God has given us.

After our pledges are received on St. Margaret’s Day, pledge envelopes will be prepared and distributed at the church in mid-December. Account numbers will be affixed to these envelopes.

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 Susan N. Blue, if you need assistance in determining where your designated gift would best benefit St. Margaret’s.

The 2008 Stewardship Committee

Each of us has been blessed by abundance, so let us give generously and joyfully in thanksgiving and hope for the Kingdom. If you have any questions or concerns about stewardship, please contact Stewardship Committee members Mike Armstrong, Michael Daniel, or Charlie Grizzle. As members of the body of Christ, may we all live and serve God and one another as the stewards we are called to be.

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