Why I Give Statements

Stewardship Campaign 2010

Loretta W. Veney

I give because I need a spiritual place where I can feel both fed and at home. I give because after three years and some struggles, I can finally say that St Mark’s is that place. I can come to St. Mark’s any Sunday and be fed by Paul or Susan’s sermon, a hymn, a dance, a moment alone in the chapel or a warm hug during the Peace. I can come to St. Mark’s virtually any night of the week and find a meeting, a class, a production or a friend.

I give because I can make comments at Sermon Seminar about my journey and have members of my spiritual family hug, call or email me afterwards to see how everything is going. I give because I can’t imagine what I’d do if I could no longer enjoy some of the things I love about St. Mark’s because we didn’t have money to continue them.

Is pledging a scary process requiring a leap of faith that the economy will allow me to meet my pledge? Yes. But I’ve discovered that all the things I gain from St Mark’s makes the scary pledge process worth it. I’ve showed my commitment to this place by significantly increasing my 2010 pledge. I now tell everyone without hesitation that St Mark’s is my home. I give simply because I love St Mark’s.

Cecilia Monahan

I give because Paul makes me laugh. I give because sometimes the light in the nave glows from the stained glass windows in a way that brings me back to my wedding day. I give because my boys, Nat and Will, get something of substance from Sunday school, even when one might present me afterwards with crayon drawings of Star Wars scenes. I give because there are always projects and plans and good works bubbling. I give because my husband, Bill, has a chance to get out of his work head and reflect. I give because I feel welcomed and safe. I give because Sermon Seminar can soar to great and unexpected heights, or meander off to a strange and curious land. I give because of the comforting presence of Susan. I give because I want to support our lay-led programs, whether or not they are of interest to me. I give because those around me on Sunday morning have witnessed the same baptisms and the same prayers of the people and have shared the same bread and wine. And, yes, I give to keep our eco-friendly lights on, our temperamental heating and cooling running, and our staff paid. Which is all to say, I give because St. Mark’s is the place where I feel closest to God.

Kim Bayliss

The decision to contribute to St. Mark’s has never been the hard part of the question for me.

Once I became a member and had the privilege of sitting in a seat in our beautiful church, I understood that my financial support was necessary to attract the best clergy, maintain the historical facilities and fund programs like Sunday school and choir. The responsibility of membership to me has always included financial support. What I get from St. Mark’s in return is priceless, and therein lies the hard part of the annual canvass for me.

How do you put a value on spiritual nurturing that is received through a particular sermon or from teaching Sunday school? What is the price I would pay to help my children develop a moral compass and learn about service to their community? How can I translate into dollars the friendships I’ve made with people who have enriched my life and whom I would not have met otherwise.

It’s hard because St. Mark’s probably needs more from me financially that I feel like I can give. So I will once more take a look at my family budget, anticipate unanticipated expenses and be mindful of the budget needs of St. Mark’s as I try to come up with a meaningful and realistic pledge. I know that at the end of this process I will feel like I am not giving enough but hope that it will be sufficient.