Pledging at St. Peter's

We give because God has first given to us. Life, love, community, our daily bread, and the grace of God in Christ are all gifts, and giving is one way we say thank you.

During this season, we pray at the presentation of our offerings, “All things come from you, O Lord, and of your own we give to you.” Our giving puts that prayer into practice and helps us grow in generosity and trust.

Stewardship is about all of life: how we care for everything God has entrusted to us, including our time, our talents, and our money.

This season we invite you to consider your financial giving alongside your gifts of serving, teaching, singing, welcoming, cooking, and caring for our neighbors. All of these gifts shape our life together.

Begin with prayer, asking what would be a truly generous response to all that God has given you.

Many people find it helpful to give a percentage of their income, known as proportional giving. The biblical tithe of ten percent is a guide for Christian giving. For some it is already a joyful practice, and for others it is something to grow toward.

Everyone's circumstances are different. The invitation is to consider a generous and faithful response in your own life.

We encourage everyone to consider their giving afresh each year. If your circumstances allow, you might increase your gift or give a slightly greater share of your income.

For some, this may be the year to make a first commitment. Others may need to hold steady or give less because life has changed, and that too can be a faithful response. Our starting point is gratitude for God's blessings and openness to how we might grow in generosity.

Every gift offered in gratitude matters, and a small gift may represent great generosity.

Your place at St. Peter's does not depend on your ability to give financially. Your presence, prayers, service, and care for others are also gifts, and we are grateful for all the ways you share in this community.

A pledge is your prayerful intention for what you plan to give to St. Peter's in the coming year. Making a pledge helps turn generosity into a deliberate practice.

A pledge is a spiritual commitment, not a contract, and it can be adjusted if your circumstances change. Simply let the parish office know. Please don't hesitate to pledge because you're worried that life might change.

Deciding ahead of time makes giving an intentional part of our lives, rather than something we do with whatever happens to be left over.

Pledges also help the Vestry plan our ministry and develop a responsible budget. Our budget is built on our generosity, not the other way around. We hope every household will consider making a pledge, of whatever size.

Each week at St. Peter's, we gather for worship, our musicians and choirs lead us in song, children explore their faith through Godly Play, and Neighbors' Night and Cooking Matters bring people together through food and friendship.

Our giving also supports pastoral care, the staff who work alongside our volunteers, and the buildings where we gather. Together, we help make St. Peter's a welcoming presence in our Genesee Street neighborhood.

The Community Arts Academy is a ministry of St. Peter's, serving our wider community through music and dance. About 320 students attend weekly classes.

The Academy is financially independent, with its own budget, and pays rent to the parish. Our annual pledge campaign supports the parish's budget and ministry.

Our endowment is a wonderful blessing, made possible by generous benefactors including Rankine VanAnda, great-grandson of our first rector. It provides ongoing support for our ministry.

Spending the endowment freely on annual expenses would leave less to sustain the church in years to come. We are responsible for managing it wisely, balancing today's needs with those of future generations.

The generosity of past benefactors also invites our own response to God's blessings. Their gifts and ours serve the same ministry.

The apportionment is our parish's contribution to the shared ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and the wider Episcopal Church. For 2027, it will be $42,420.

It supports our bishop, diocesan services, and the Church's wider mission. St. Peter's also receives support from the diocese, including grants for Neighbors' Night. Just as each of us gives beyond ourselves, our parish does too.

Yes. The Vestry is developing the 2027 budget, informed in part by the pledges we receive, and will share a summary once it is approved. Questions are always welcome. Please speak with our Treasurer or a member of the Vestry.

Take time to pray, reflect, and talk with others in your household. Then make your pledge in whichever way is easiest for you:

• Complete the online pledge form. You will receive a copy of your pledge by email.
• Fill out a pledge card at church and place it in the offering plate, or mail it to the parish office.
• Call the church office at 315.789.4910.

We will gather and bless our pledges on Pledge Sunday, November 22.

You can give by check, in person through the offering plate, by automatic bank transfer (ACH), by credit card, through your bank's bill pay, and more. To set up recurring payments, call the parish office.

If you are considering a gift of stock, giving through an IRA, or remembering St. Peter's in your estate plans, please contact the parish office.

Please speak with Brent Cooley, our Stewardship Committee chair, Fr. Pierre-Henry, or the parish office at 315.789.4910.