STEWARDSHIP: Discerning a Pledge

As we joyfully continue the 2025 stewardship season, it’s important to understand the impact that every generously donated dollar has on our parish. From the funding for church staff, outreach, administration, building and grounds, and parish life, the financial gifts entrusted to Church of Our Saviour are used prudently, responsibly, and gratefully. But what does a pledge really support?

Your committed financial pledge supports the incredible staff and clergy who lead us in our mission and ministries. From worship to music to adult and youth formation, to outreach ministries and community togetherness, your gift enables us to properly maintain the campus that houses all of these spiritually uplifting programs. This is how church revenue was spent last year:

Church administration, clergy, and staff give 110 percent every day to ensure that your parish runs smoothly, is well maintained, and is ready to provide the best ministry possible to our COS family. There is no wasted money in the COS budget: every dollar, every volunteer hour, every good idea—all are needed and put to the best use possible. But where does the revenue come from?

COS’s sources of funding vary and include bequests, rental income, and events on campus, such as weddings and memorial services. The vast majority of COS’s revenue, however, is generated through pledges and the interest generated from COS’s endowment, the Kirk and Keck funds. Pledges at COS are extremely important and enable the church to continue its mission.

Whether it’s to make a contribution from a retirement account or to better understand COS’s finances, I often get asked questions about when the best time of year to contribute might be. My answer would unequivocally be monthly. Our accountant Anh Nguyen pays light, electricity, heat, AC, and water every month, just as we do in our homes, enabling us maintain our facilities and to welcome all. While many gifts and pledges arrive at the end of the year, mid-year cash flow can be less abundant. This is why monthly contributions are important and impactful. 

This season, we invite you to pray and discern the ways in which you are thankful for Church of Our Saviour, and to make your pledge from that place of gratitude. We invite everyone to do one of the most meaningful and generous things you can do for your parish: make a pledge. Pledge payments can be made via personal check, credit card, ACH, or wire transfer straight from your bank account. Also gratefully accepted are gifts of appreciated stock, qualified charitable distributions from 401(k)/IRA accounts, or via our newest giving platform, text-to-give. Your support is essential to the life and ministries of Church of Our Saviour. Thank you.

Questions about stewardship? Interested in joining the COS Stewardship Committee? Email roseg@cosepiscopal.org or call 626-282-5147 x 18.