Stewardship

We are now entering the season in which the worshipers of St. Stephen's pledge to support the work of the church in 2012.  This year, we are focusing on the ways in which our fellowship is Touching Lives and Transforming Hearts.  Over the next several weeks, various members of the St. Stephen's community will speak during the worship services and here online about the ways in which their lives have been touched and their hearts transformed through faith, worship, and service. 

Stewardship is our response to God's gifts to us.  As a community, part of our opportunity as members is to offer ourselves and our money for the work of God. We do that by making commitments we call pledges.  Those pledges include our time and talent and our money. This allows our church to plan responsibly for St. Stephen's financial commitments and our ministries for the coming year. 

If you feel called to support our continued ministry and outreach with your gifts of money and service, please fill out a pledge card and return it to St. Stephen's by Sunday, November 13, 2011.  You can download and print the card below, or get one at the church.  Cards can be returned via the offering plate, by mail, or via email attachment. 

To maintain the privacy of your pledge, please seal the card and address it to the attention of our Accounting Administrator, Brenna Beaver.  Her secure, direct email is bbeaver@ststephenshouston.org. 

Download the pledge form here: http://ststephenshouston.org/media/4859/st._stephens_2011_stewardship_one-page_for_web.pdf

Special thanks to photographer Todd Parker for the stewardship logo, as well as to Hector Vasquez, Peg Nevers, and Elizabeth Hawes for the use of their hands in the photo.

Time And Talent Offerings

The offering of our time and talent is a way of getting involved, growing, creating friendships, and personally making a difference. We have many volunteer opportunities, whether it's helping in the garden or teaching Sunday school or working in homeless shelters. We invite each person to look at the different ministries described on our website and help St. Stephen's by being involved with one or more of them.

Money Offerings

The biblical standard for giving is 10% (a tithe). Few of us start there. We encourage everyone to begin that process by giving a portion of their income and growing through this spiritual practice. Through our financial support, the work of the church is carried out locally, regionally, and globally.

Environmental

Environmental stewardship is a growing area of stewardship at St. Stephen's. We compost, recycle, and host many organizations in the Houston community which advocate for care of the planet.

Endowment

Stewardship is for everyday need but the Endowment provides for the future life of St. Stephen's. The Endowment fund receives gifts and bequests of any size. There is a board that oversees our investment and disbursement from the fund. The current ministries are funded by the interest on the investment's principal. We encourage people to remember St. Stephen's in their wills. For more information, please contact David Kelley or the church office at 713-528-6665.