By John Fritz & Mark Kohler, Stewardship Committee Co-chairs
Greetings on behalf of Glen Mar’s Stewardship Team! We are serving as co-chairs of this team, following in the footsteps of the amazing Lisa Arbelaez, who served so well as chair for many years….Thank you, Lisa!
Glen Mar is known as a church that makes a difference. Our ministries and missions provide pathways for worship, discipleship, and service impacting our members and the wider community. God calls each of us to shine the light of Christ, and to light the way for others through our financial giving. Glen Mar could not do any mission or ministry at all without the financial giving of faithful people like you!
This May, we launch our annual Mission and Ministry (“Operating”) Fund Stewardship Campaign to support these vital efforts. Each year, we ask everyone to give their best financial gift to support our mission and ministries here at Glen Mar church. This fund covers everything except our mortgage payments. So, whether it’s worship and music, or service and outreach, Pastor Mandy’s salary or the electric and air bill, all those funds come from this campaign — from folks like you who give to our Mission and Ministry (Operating) Fund.
This campaign is especially significant as we celebrate Pastor Mandy’s ministry with us. Commitment Sunday, June 8, will be Lead Pastor Mandy Sayers’ last worship service at Glen Mar, and we await the arrival of the new Lead Pastor Chris Dembeck on July 1. A strong expression of financial support honors Mandy’s ministry and sets Pastor Chris up for success as he takes on this new leadership role.
We are so grateful for all who give so faithfully. If you can grow in your giving toward tithing, or even just up a percent or two, it would help fill in the gaps for those who cannot and would be particularly helpful in this season of transition. If you don’t give regularly yet, it’s a great time to start. If you have an idea of how much you intend to give, please let us know by filling out an estimate of giving (pledge) card or form. Every gift is appreciated, but knowing helps us plan. It’s not a legal contract, and if you need to change it, it’s easy to do so. Perhaps God might be nudging you to make giving easier through EFT or other automatic payment means. There’s even a QR code in the bulletin and a way to give via text!
In whatever way, and in whatever amount you give, we are so grateful. As we each consider if, what, and how to give, let our generosity strengthen our community during this time of transition and enable Glen Mar to continue its important work. Together, we can “Light the Way” into God’s future here at Glen Mar Church. And thanks to you, that future is bright. Questions? Contact us or call the church office.
PS Last year, our focus was on the building (Capital Fund) and paying down our mortgages of about $300K and $3M. Many of you have made and are contributing to 3-year pledges to our Capital Fund. By the end of this year, the smaller loan will be paid off, and the larger one will be significantly reduced, allowing more of our resources to support our outreach. This year, we turn our attention to the Mission and Ministry (Operating) Fund, which sustains the ministries that allow Glen Mar to serve the community.
