Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices

September 2016

Why Give?

Abre tu corazón a la misión de Dios
By Sandra Montes
Verónica Godinez nos comparte cómo el amor, el abrir su corazón, y dar a Dios de su tiempo, talento, y tesoro ha hecho viva la misión de Dios. (Video entrevista por Sandra Montes.)
Annual Giving & Elections
By Erin Weber-Johnson
Presidential election years bring questions about their impact on charitable giving. In “Annual Giving & Elections” Erin Weber-Johnson shares the results of her research into this question and offers five recommendations – the first is remembering the ‘why’ – to consider when planning an annual giving campaign.
Being One with God
By Wilmot T. Merchant II and Sally Davis
Their belief that “God is good! All the time!” helped sustain members of St. Stephen’s in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina after their diocesan leadership broke away from The Episcopal Church. “Being One with God” by Wilmot T. Merchant II and Sally Davis shows us how the parishes’ deep commitment to God and a sense of responsibility to give back for all they have received, as well as the strength and stability of their leadership, has helped the parish to both heal and grow.
Building a Legacy
By Demi Prentiss
Sometimes, the obstacle to creating an endowment is simply, “we don’t have the money.” In “Building a Legacy,” Demi Prentiss shares the story of how a smaller church, made smaller by a church split, found a way to build a legacy for future generations. Their experience might inspire others.
Building Our Trellis
By Celeste Ventura
In a vineyard, a trellis is essential to support and guide growth. Celeste Ventura’s “Building Our Trellis” invites us to explore our own financial trellis, and provides a framework for starting a conversation among members of your church.
La mayordomía es un estilo de vida
By José Leonel Ortez
El Padre José Ortez nos dice que la mayordomía tiene mucho más que ver con el corazón y la renovación que con el dinero. En La mayordomía es un estilo de vida, el padre José da una lista de seis actividades que han sido exitosas en su iglesia.
Rethinking Clergy Education
By Gary Shilling
What is good stewardship around educating our next generation of clergy? Gary Shilling invites us to consider changes in the way our church identifies, recruits, trains, and financially supports emerging clergy leaders.
Stewardship is a Way of Life
By José Leonel Ortez
Stewardship has more to do with our heart than with money. “Stewardship is a Lifestyle” by Florida priest José Ortez shares six stewardship-related activities that have proven successful in his church.
Why We Give
By Nancy Davidge
Congregational leaders willing to try something different were the catalyst for a new approach to St. Paul’s 2015 annual giving campaign. Working with all church committees and groups, this team wove all of their blessings into a compelling narrative. “Why We Give” by Nancy Davidge shares their story.