WELCOME The Ascension Sanctuary Annual Report
Stewardship Committee Report
Members (former or current):
Mark Browning
Kelly Condon
Matt Domsch
Carter Naylor
Armond Paulson
Brian Peterson
Melrose Zimmerman
The Stewardship committee focused on congregation-wide stewardship education, and two major events: our first (in recent memory) time, talent, and treasure commitment; and a congregation-wide survey.
Our stewardship education program, focusing on Holistic Stewardship, consisted of four bulletin inserts, several brief "temple talks" preceding our Sunday worship services, and an excellent worship skit featuring PoppyYawn the Clown. These led up to our Commitment Sunday when we invited congregation members to return their commitments of their time, talent, and treasure, of which we received a fantastic response of nearly 70 forms. These were tabulated and the results distributed to each committee, and each individual was given a report showing the other people who indicated similar skills and interests - a "buddy system".
In the Fall, the committee developed and distributed a congregation-wide survey soliciting feedback on how effective our various ministries are, and how we as a church might do better. We've received back about 25 surveys, and are busy tabulating the results which we will share at an upcoming congregational meeting.
In 2004 we expect to put special emphasis on getting more people to share their time and talents with the committees and missions of the church.
Respectfully submitted,Matt Domsch - chairperson
The Stewardship Committee began several new initiatives in 2003 that impacted the congregation positively and established new precedents for the future. The committee was well chaired by Matt Domsch. Members were Carter Naylor, Mark Browning, Matt Domsch, Armond Paulson, Brian Peterson, Kelly Condon, and Melrose Zimmermann. Their generous use of time and talent led to a great beginning. We are thankful for them and their dedication to our congregation. The committee established a new and very biblical approach to stewardship. Gone was the word “stewardship” meaning only money. The new, and perhaps not so new, understanding and projection of “stewardship” was that it meant giving back to God of our time, our abilities/skills, and our money for God’s work. Holistic stewardship means that all that we have: ourselves, our time, our skills, our financial accumulations, our possessions, all come to us first from God as a gift. They are gifts to be nurtured, developed and then shared for the benefit of not only ourselves but for our families, church, communities and other people.
The stewardship of God’s gifts to us calls us to be gifts. And to not narcissistically hoard what we have received.
A plan of stewardship education and interpretation was planned and implemented through Sunday Temple Talks, a Bible study, bulletin inserts, sermons and newsletter articles given and/or written by members and our pastor.
Our church budget was converted to a narrative program budget to show where time, talents and money was needed and would be used for ministry.
A new time and skills indicator was given to all members allowing them to describe what ministries they would commit time and skills to. The congregational response was excellent with 57 members responding caringly with over 518 ministry opportunities being volunteered.
For the first time in years at Ascension, members were asked to consider making a financial pledge on a pledge card. Many did and many others pledged in their hearts if not on a pledge card. The result was a $15,000 increase in money given.
The whole holistic stewardship effort culminated in a special “ingathering Sunday” in February of 2003. As a result, we have more people giving more time and abilities to our congregational ministries plus more money to support our mission.
In 2004 we will begin our stewardship education and understanding program in February culminating in an “ingathering Sunday” in May of our time, talents, and money commitments for the mission of our congregation.
The words of the old, favorite hymn come to mind:
We give thee but thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee
WE THANK THEE LORD. THANKS BE TO GOD!
Respectfully Submitted,
Armond Paulson—Council Liaison for Stewardship