Davidson, NC

St. Alban's Episcopal Church

  welcomes you

Annual Giving
Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest.

- Proverbs 3:9

St. Alban's 2022 Stewardship Campaign kicked off on October 10. You have two options to submit your pledge to St. Alban's.

  • Click HERE to print and drop it in the collection plate on Sunday or mail it in.
  • Fill out the online pledge form.

Dear St. Alban's,

If it's good to finally be worshipping together, is it bad to be in our pajamas watching church online?
It's not a YES or NO question. Life is a constant rhythm of separation and togetherness, exile and return, joy and pain. If we could choose, we'd prefer the good stuff, but the hard stuff is part of the story and in it we grow and see blessings we might not otherwise experience. Let's be honest, sitting on the couch and sipping coffee while watching church was a good deal! But, so is kneeling at the altar rail next to one another and hearing our choir sing hymns. 

Experiences of separation are at least as old as the ancient stories of the Garden of Eden, the Israelites’ exile in Babylon, and the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus and his followers were separated by betrayal and death, and then reunited by forgiveness and newness of life. Even on our most “normal” days, our lives are a rhythm of gathering and dispersing, dawn and dusk, opening acclamations and being dismissed to “love and serve the Lord.”

The pandemic has been another profound experience of this ancient pattern, and St. Alban's has navigated the loss of hugging as we pass the peace; new budget realities; ministering to isolated congregants; helping neighbors through sudden unemployment, homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and death; and many more unforeseen challenges. Now our church moves toward the future with a sophisticated online presence, outdoor worship opportunities, special support for St. Alban’s Weekday Preschool and La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool, and many other surprising blessings. Seasons of exile have strengthened our faith and the church as we hold strong to grace and hope. 

At our core, St. Alban’s is a loving and inclusive community offering God's light to all, and a life-giving presence in tumultuous times. Now more than ever, in a world full of exile, we stand together as a beacon of hope, welcome, and radical hospitality. You, me, God -- each one of us are St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Your annual pledge makes the indispensable work of our church possible. I invite you to fill out the pledge form above and prayerfully consider how you will participate in the hope St. Alban's brings to the world. If you are in a position to increase your pledge from last year, doing so will help our church enter 2022 in strong fiscal standing. Please fill out your pledge card by November 7. On All Saints’ Sunday, we will have a special blessing of our pledge cards. As we look ahead to 2022 together, we’ll celebrate God’s beautiful gift of “a future with hope.” 

Warmly,

Allison Kratt
Annual Giving Committee Chair

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pledge?

A pledge is a heartfelt, documented financial commitment to the ministry and well-being of St. Alban’s.


What’s wrong with just putting money in the collection plate?

St. Alban’s is grateful for all financial contributions, but pledges provide the Vestry with the expected income information that is essential to preparing our annual budget. St. Alban’s simply cannot operate and thrive without a reasonable estimate of its financial resources. And your pledge reinforces the importance of God and St. Alban’s in your life.


How much should I pledge?

The amount, of course, is a personal decision, but it should be grounded in your faith and commitment to the church’s ongoing work of building God’s kingdom. Scripture lifts up the tithe (ten percent of one’s income) as the aspirational giving level. We urge everyone to aspire to that goal, while we understand that reaching such a goal is a process. Regardless of the size, we hope you will make St. Alban’s your primary philanthropic priority. Your pledge should not be an afterthought or a casual decision.


Is my pledge confidential?

Yes. We will publicly thank (by name) all who pledge to St. Alban’s, but only a handful of necessary people know the actual amounts of individual commitments.


When should I pledge?

We have condensed the pledging season this year. We begin in early October and will conclude with Ingathering Sunday on All Saints Day, November 7, when we will ask God’s blessing upon all the pledges we have received for 2021. Of course, new pledges are also welcomed and appreciated after November 7 and throughout the year.


What if my situation changes and I cannot fulfill my pledge?

We understand that life’s circumstances do change, often unexpectedly. In this case, please alert the finance director, so that our records can be amended and the clergy can respond with pastoral care as needed.


How can I pay my pledge?

There are several convenient ways to honor your pledge:

-Make regular payments by check.

-Use your bank’s online bill paying system and set up regular monthly or other periodic payments directly to the church.

-Use appreciated stocks, donor adviser funds or IRA payouts to pay your pledge. (If you are over 70 1⁄2 years of age, your IRA payouts should be fully tax-deductible). In either case, please alert the finance director to ensure that your pledge payment is properly credited.


What else should I consider as I determine my pledge?

Prayer. We are members of St. Alban’s because of our love and commitment to Christ, so don’t forget to ask for God’s help to guide you.

Your life's blessings. Your pledge is a response of gratitude and joy for all you have been given.

St. Alban's impact on your life. Is it the liturgy, our service to others in the community and the world, our life-long Christian education, the music, or the fellowship and fun? All of these things are made possible by our pledges.

St. Alban's is not just another charity. We all give to worthy causes, but the church is more than a non-profit. We are a family. We are God’s family. Your pledge is an affirmation of your faith and commitment to ensure the vitality of our parish, as we have done since 1956.


Who do I contact with questions?

You may call or email our Financial Director, Erin Garrett, at erin@saintalbansdavidson.org or (704) 892-0173.