Stewardship 2024-25
Dear First Congregational Friend,
It is almost April and time to think about our collective opportunity to “grow together” as a church community as we begin our 2024-2025 Stewardship campaign. First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor has been rooted in faith, family, and friends since 1847, and the impact on our faith community has been truly spiritual. As we look to our commitments of time and treasure to our beloved church, we ask you to reflect and consider the impact First Congregational has had on you and your family.
As my wife Colleen and I have reflected in our over 30 years at First Congregational, we feel blessed to be a part of such a diverse and supportive faith community that has impacted us personally. These relationships and our faith journey have helped us raise our family and are even more important today.
Our new fiscal year begins July 1st, and the church is experiencing many of the same challenges we are all facing – trying to do more with less. Our Trustees have been excellent stewards of our financial resources, and even with prudent budgeting, our operational needs continue to grow.
The Trustees have set a stewardship goal of $580,000 to be raised during this campaign (basically flat from last year). If everyone matched their current pledge amount (though we won’t turn away increases!) and with the generous support of our new members pledging for the first time, we can achieve this goal! If, on the other hand, your circumstances have affected your ability to pledge, we understand and support you and welcome any contributions of your time and talent. The buttons above are linked to an online submission of your pledge card and the time and talent form. You can easily set up your pledge for the year and pay it through our secure portal.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
Mike
Mike Creal
Stewardship Committee, Chair
What is Pledging?
Pledging is the name we give to describe our annual giving commitment to the church. If you call FCC home, through membership or through your participation here, we ask that you consider making an annual commitment of giving by pledging. This allows us to create ministry opportunities for the year ahead and know we will have the support to do so.
Many of our members set up an ongoing monthly payment through direct debit or credit card, while others prefer to give in person during worship. If you are unable to fulfill your pledge because, well, life happens, you are in no way indebted or in a contract. We give as a response to the blessings in our lives and as a commitment to God and to the church.
If you have more questions about how to give, please contact Crystal McBride, our FCC Bookkeeper.
How It Breaks Down
The chart above provides sample annual giving amounts at various household incomes and giving levels.