What is Stewardship?
Simply stated, stewardship is using the gifts that God has given us to do the things that God calls us to do. At St. Andrew’s, stewardship is a spiritual practice beginning with a joyous awareness of God’s great love for us and gratitude for the abundance of God’s gifts and the wonder of Creation.
Stewardship of Time and Talent
Stewardship also involves giving authentically from ourselves, in ways that honor and celebrate our individuality. We are asked to serve as a channel of God’s loving abundance for our families, friends, our neighbors, and the world. Some of the ways that parishioners give of themselves include: volunteering in the church office, helping take care of the church building and grounds, serving in one of the positions of leadership in the church, or volunteering to help with church activities – e.g., The Shop, Love Thy Neighborhood Dinners, Altar Guild, Lectors, Acolytes, Ushers. Artists contribute their work to bulletin covers and our walls to enrich our worship experience. Singers and instrumentalists make beautiful music to glorify God.
Stewardship of our Financial Resources
St. Andrew’s is blessed each year by the generous giving of its members. Parishioners’ gifts of time, imagination, wisdom, and money have created a place of worship that is full of life and enable us to support our community. Each fall, members are asked to consider what proportion of their financial resources they will give back to God in thanksgiving for all they have received. Members of our congregation make an annual monetary pledge and/or give regularly in the offering plate to support our ministries and enable our finance committee to prepare our budget. The parish’s fiscal year corresponds to the calendar year. Of course, pledges (estimates of giving) can be made at any time.
Planned Giving
St. Andrew’s is also blessed with endowments from parishioners who have remembered St. Andrew’s and the work we do in their wills. These professionally managed resources sustain the parish and provide support for new ministry opportunities and outreach. If you are interested in making a bequest or any other planned gift to St. Andrew’s, please be in touch with our Finance Chair, Bill Hedberg.
Monetary Donations
Your contributions are always welcome. Here’s how to give:
- Online
- At a worship service, by cash or check (payable to St. Andrew’s Church)
- Or a check can be mailed to St. Andrew’s Church, 10 N. Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203