Pledge Campaign for 2024

How will St. Gregory's journey into a radiant future?

Walking Forward Together

Dear friends,

We will live into a radiant future by Walking Forward Together. During the month of October, I invite you into a season of prayer and contemplation about your pledge of financial support to the ministries of this faithful community in 2024.

Can I admit something to you? I carry my own baggage when it comes to churches asking for money. I’ve seen a lot of toxic theology out there that guilts or shames people into opening up their wallets to fill a pastor’s hand, which always seems to be out. That’s not what this is about.

This campaign is about everybody knowing that they are a part of building a community sorely needed in Deerfield and the North Shore - a community in which people connect with the divine by connecting with one another in love, understanding, and common service.

With gratitude for your steadfast commitment to this parish, I invite you to be part of building up that sort of community at St. Gregory's. On Sunday, October 29, please bring your pledge card to church or be ready to submit your pledge online if worshipping remotely.

Please also join us on Sunday, October 22 after church for a “Town Hall Meeting” for updates on our fianncial picture, our building and grounds, and the visioning process. We will also broadcast on Zoom, and it will be recorded for distribution.

Thank you, and may God bless you abundantly,

Dan Puchalla
Priest-in-Charge

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The Practice of Walking

St. Gregory’s gorgeous labyrinth teaches many spiritual lessons. One of them is the importance of keeping one foot in front of the other one. Jesus was always on the move: not running, not galloping on horseback, yet certainly not standing still either. His was a ministry centered on purposeful, steady walking. He walked to the places he needed to be, the places that the light and love of God needed to be seen, heard, felt, tasted. In this way he carried on the tradition of his forebears, the Israelites who walked out of bondage and slavery into freedom and justice, carrying the very Presence of God before them in the Ark. This is the walk we have been and will continue to retrace on Sundays during this season.

StGs has also carried on this holy practice of walking. You have endured a number of challenges, some shared with all churches, some unique to you. Yet you have continued walking through them. Not running in panic for the doors, not rushing head-long into desperate schemes. You have walked purposefully, carefully, with prayer and faithfulness, with courage and compassion, and by connecting more deeply with one another again ...

Forward Movement

Through the visioning process, we have already learned that the future of St.G’s is building on your strengths:

To continue to be and become a welcoming and inclusive community, diverse across many dimensions.
To serve and support families and family life, across the entire age spectrum and families of all kinds.
To deepen our spiritual lives through excellent worship and music.
To serve directly those in need within our reach.

The work ahead in 2024 is to focus and revitalize these areas, and to orient our work toward the needs of our neighbors - those who are not among us yet, but who need to be.
St. Gregory’s can be known as the church for people who feel that church isn’t safe for them or their families.
St. Gregory’s can be known as the church where one’s deepest spiritual thirsts are sated.
St. Gregory’s can be known as the church passionate about helping its neighbors in greatest need.

Only Together

It takes all of us to make that work happen. This is not the time for hanging back. It’s not the time for wait-and-see. We are walking forward toward something amazing, toward being a unique and sorely needed manifestation of God’s love for all people. Our light is ready to radiate for all to see. But we can’t do that unless we do it together.

FAQ

What is a pledge?

A pledge is simply how you let us know how much you plan to give to financially support the ministries of St.G’s in 2024. It is crucial to crafting a good budget and planning programming.

What kinds of things does my pledge help support?

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

How do I figure out how much to pledge?

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.

Pledge Campaign for 2024

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No matter who you are, where you are from, what is hurting you or bringing you joy, who you love, what you do, where you live, or what brought you here – you are welcome at StGs!

We are people from all walks of life, all ages and stages, and all parts of Chicagoland. Most people who worship here didn’t grow up Episcopalian, but seek to radiate God’s grace by gathering community and sharing joy and hope in the world.

We take faith seriously, but not ourselves, so we find exuberance and joy in worship and all other things we do. Seriously, even most of our meetings are fun! We are passionate about food and gathering, so most of our focus goes to those things within our worshipping community and in our broader communities.

We look forward to getting to know you.

Everyone is experiencing the Pandemic in different ways. Many people are experiencing deeper loss than they ever have before, and we are here to support them during this time. If you are experiencing loss and grief, we are here to pray with you, talk with you, and help financially.

The Body of Christ exists to care for each other. Sometimes we can be generous, and sometimes we receive generosity. Both are equal acts of faith and grace, and one cannot exist without the other.

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Pledge Card for 2024