ST. ALBAN'S ANNUAL GIVING 2025

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

- Proverbs 3:9

St. Alban's 2025 Annual Giving Campaign, MAKE A DIFFERENCE, has officially kicked off!

If you would like to submit your pledge online, you can do so by filling out the online pledge form below. Otherwise, you can submit your pledge card by dropping it by the church or mailing it to 301 Caldwell Lane Davidson, NC 28036. Please do so by Wednesday, November 20 to be included in the Acknowledgment List published on GRATITUDE SUNDAY, November 24, 2024.

2025

PLEDGE

CARD

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

– 1 Peter 4:10

Online Pledge Form

A LETTER FROM THE RECTOR

Dear St. Alban's,

Things are looking different at St. Alban’s lately, wouldn’t you say? In the past year, we’ve watched with eager anticipation as a plot of dirt was transformed into our beautiful new Parish Hall. We’ve offered exciting new programs through our outreach and anti-racism ministries. And we continue to warmly welcome new faces who become beloved members of our parish family. Looking back over 2024, it’s easy to see the many ways God has been at work among us. And through it all, we’ve cared deeply for each other, on the good days and the hard days. You make a difference in my life, and I hope St. Alban’s makes a difference in yours too.

Christ’s earthly ministry was defined by the ways he made a difference in the lives of those he fed, healed, taught, and loved. As followers of Jesus, he summons us to join him in making a difference by feeding, healing, teaching, and loving people whenever and wherever we can. That is why our 2025 annual giving theme is a call to be even more deliberate about making a difference as a community of faith.

As we look to the year ahead, we need to fund our ministries and maintain our facilities appropriately in order to maximize the impact we can make in the lives of our parish family and the wider community. I invite you to help us reach our 2025 pledge goal of $815,000. Every gift makes a difference, of course, but every pledge, whether modest or sizeable, allows your vestry and staff to plan for how we will make a difference together in 2025.

As you prayerfully consider your pledge for 2025, also consider how God may be calling you to serve in the year ahead. If you feel so called, you are invited to make a difference through a commitment of your time and talents, not instead of a financial pledge but in partnership with your annual financial pledge. The back of the paper version of this year’s pledge card includes a list of ministry opportunities in our parish. Indicate any ministries in which you are currently involved, and/or let us know which ministries you’d like to begin. And there is also a space to write in ministries that are not listed—maybe you are a caregiver for an ailing relative, or perhaps you are involved with the PTO at your child’s school, or maybe you give a fellow resident of your retirement community a ride to church. It ALL makes a difference, so go ahead and put it down on your pledge card!

Thank you, St. Alban’s, for being you—people who give generously, serve joyfully, and love abundantly. Now let’s MAKE A DIFFERENCE together.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Carmen Germino, Rector

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 November and will conclude with Gratitude Sunday on November 24, when we will ask God’s blessing upon all the pledges we have received for 2025. Of course, new pledges are also welcomed and appreciated after November 24 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.

FAQs