Annual Giving 2026

Dear friends,

Let me confess something: There have been many mornings this year where I wake up with deep doubt in my heart about what we can do in the face of so much aggression, violence, uncertainty, and confusion in the world. The world is a big, messy place. We are but one congregation. 

My doubts always give way to hope, though, when I see you at work in your various ministries at St. Gregory’s. You are a living reminder to me of what is eternally true in Jesus Christ: it is only by the transformation of individual lives in communities that the world can be changed. Friends, we are changing the world. Here are some highlights from 2025: 

Community Collaboration: The Pumpkin Patch, a long-beloved institution, has taken the next leap forward. Not only are we raising money for the hungry, we are also becoming a nexus of partnership between other organizations and businesses. We are helping everyone to become better neighbors to each other. You are making that happen.

Stewardship of Land: Your honest and faithful involvement in the Better Neighbors Project this year has made this process not just about managing assets but also about making a positive impact on our neighborhood. The way we are conducting ourselves is faithful to the gospel we preach.

Deeper Connections: I believe this might be St. Gregory’s strongest — and most needed — gift. Whether it’s Love-in-a-Dish, outings to Grant Park, Common Threads, Wednesday Morning Prayer, the Pastoral Care Team, the Altar Guild (which is as much about caring for each other as caring for the altar), Speed Dating, the Epiphany Pageant, or the thousand other invisible ways you do it, you show up for one another, get involved in each other’s lives, create joy, and continually invite others into this place where no one walks alone.

It’s not just about the work we do. It’s about the people we are, and the people God is creating us to be. By faithfully following the teachings and practices of Jesus, we are changing the world.

So, let’s keep going.

On behalf of the Vestry, I ask you to prayerfully consider making a pledge of financial support to St. Gregory’s for 2026. 

If you are already a pledger, and if you are able to do so, we ask you to consider adding 3% to your pledge so we can stay current with inflation.

If you are new to St. Gregory’s or haven’t pledged before, please read the FAQ on the opposite page, and reach out to me if you have questions. 

We are grateful for and we depend upon pledges of all amounts. Your generosity, with God’s help, enables us to change the world.

Dan Puchalla
Rector of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A pledge is simply the way you let us know how much you plan to give to financially support the ministries of St. Gregory’s in 2025. It is crucial to crafting a good budget and planning our programming.

  • That happens! If you need to change your pledge during the year, just let us know. 

  • Income from pledged giving goes toward the regular operation of our ministries, including staff compensation, facility expenses, and community service programs. 

  • It’s up to you. It might be helpful to know that some calculate their pledge as a percentage of their monthly or annual budgets. Others base it on what they give every Sunday. We encourage generous (but not irresponsible) pledges.

  • We have a set a goal of $420,000 in pledged giving for 2025. This is an increase of $20,000 from our 2024 pledge goal, which we have exceeded in actual giving.