Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

The list of expenses was long.

Over the past year, this Appalachian church installed a new boiler system, purchased an industrial stove and oven, and dug up half the parking lot to repair the water and sewer pipes. Bids are out for a new roof, and the organ builders are nearly finished with a major overhaul.

These weren’t budgeted items.

But as the junior warden recounted the spending, he didn’t bemoan the financial implications. But rather, he shared about being blessed. Each time, the projects came in at a lower price than expected. Sure, the church had to dig into savings, but it could have been worse.

Next on the agenda: discussion of a bequest.

Logic might dictate socking all of the money away to pay for another rainy day, another year of significant and unexpected maintenance projects. And to be sure, as good stewards, the vestry decided to invest and save a portion of the funds. 

But they also voted to tithe 10 percent off the top as a donation to Haiti as part of the “Rebuild our Church” effort being coordinated by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church Foundation. And, the vestry said, let’s challenge the congregation to match the donation. 

In total, they plan to give $20,000 to help a sister diocese. 

This isn’t a big church. Average Sunday attendance is less than 100. And it’s located in an Appalachian river town where unemployment and anxiety run high. 

But it’s a church with a big vision of God, that the resources they have are meant to be used wisely and to be shared generously. 

How are your churches embracing stewardship with optimism and mission? Share your stories. Be an inspiration.