Ascension Stewardship Campaign 2022
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November 10, 2021
Dear Friends, “Now is the time.” That was what St. Paul urged the church in Corinth to embrace. They were in a time of instability and change, but now is the time to be the church, he implored. Now is the time, to welcome… to care… to heal… to do justice. We’re not waiting for the pandemic to end or the settled pastor to join us. We’re not waiting for some elusive “normal” time. Now is the time to be the church. The ELCA has a tagline, God’s work. Our hands. Saint Paul might add, “God’s work. Our money.” In Second Corinthians, he is not shy to connect the grace of God to the church’s generosity as he encouraged the Corinthians to give for the saints in Jerusalem, who were “suffering an ordeal of affliction.” (2 Cor. 2:8). Generosity of spirit and resources has always been a way to engage the faith more deeply, even as we give thanks for all that God provides for us. We’ve seen this at work at Ascension. We’ve seen this at work through you. As we consider our pledges once again during a time of instability and change, know your commitment is as important as ever. We continue to adapt, respond creatively to our mission, and reach out into the world with welcome and grace. We need you to continue our mission growth and to support our staff, program, and outreach into the neighborhood and world. Pledging now for what you plan to give to Ascension to carry out its mission in 2022 allows our leadership to better monitor short term expenditures and long term finances. If you have always pledged – thank you. And if you have not, please do so this year. This year we will begin a new pattern of making two pledges, one for the operating budget (our program mission) of Ascension and one for the capital budget (our building mission). As you may recall, the budget was divided last year with that distinction for the ease of identifying ministry expenditures from major building costs. As you are abundantly aware, everything costs more since 20 months ago. In addition, we will return to a full-time pastoral package. And we have good things God is calling us to do! If you are able, we hope you will consider even a small increase in what you pledged last year. Please plan on bringing your pledges to church on Sunday, November 21 or 28, or you can mail or submit your pledge online by November 28. Join us in the joyful work of being a disciple of Jesus. God’s love has held us this far, and God’s love will hold us for all the days to come. NOW is the time, dear friends. Let’s be the church of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world. With love, and grace, and courage, Pastor Karen Asmus-Alsnauer |
