by Bob Meo

Our theme for this year’s pledge drive is “New Horizons”, representing the dawning of a new future for a church that has had a long journey to get to where we are today. Thank you, Marilyn, for
the idea.

The definition of stewardship is careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. We are the ones entrusted to the care and management of this church, and there are so many people, too many to mention individually, who have gone above and beyond to keep this church moving forward over the past 3 years which was difficult at times. Thank you to everyone who stepped up in so many different ways.

Our stewardship theme for the past two years was “The Little Engine That Could”, the idea that “I think I can, I think I can” as the little engine struggled to get up that hill. Well, we made it! We now have a new minister, music director, and a lot of new faces here in the pews. The three T’s of stewardship are time, talent, and treasures. So many of you have successfully contributed your time and talent over the past three years. Now that we have made it over the hill, we must consider our treasures and how they can help us keep chugging along to new horizons.

That’s where the pledge drive comes in. A pledge is a promise of financial support to the life and mission of the church. It is important so we can plan the budget for the following year. We have 2 separate budgets, one for the operation of the church which pays for salaries, maintenance, taxes, insurance, everything that it takes to keep our doors open and our church operating, even down to the little things like the coffee in globe hall to the bulletins in your hands.

The second budget is for missions which funds all the outreach of the church: disaster relief, blessing bags, dinners we bring to the Mens’ Shelter in Woonsocket, and anything else the Missions Committee feels is a worthwhile and necessary cause.

Our pledge drive takes place during the month of November so that the finance committee will know how much money we will have to put together a budget for 2025. What each of us gives is a personal choice. Only the treasurer and the financial secretary know what you have pledged. No one else, including the minister.

You will receive a pledge package in the mail in about a week with more information than I am giving you now. Next week Margaret, our Treasurer, will present our current financial situation and the following week Terry, our Missions Committee Chair, will review our missions budget. I will conclude in three weeks to summarize where we are and where we hope to go.

We would love to have the pledge cards returned by or on November 24th which we designate as Thankful Sunday. Once you receive your pledge card, you are welcome to return it anytime during the month of November, either by mail or in the collection plate.