St. James' Episcopal Church Skaneateles, NY

Giving

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

Jesus' message to us about how we use our gifts and resources can be a challenging part of the Gospel. Stewardship is one way to take up this challenge. When we are generous, we acknowledge the abundance in our own lives, and our confidence in God's bounty. And when we give to St. James', we participate in this community, embrace its heritage and help to realize its potential.

Each autumn, the Stewardship Committee asks parishioners to pledge for the following year. These pledges help the Vestry build a budget, as our fiscal year is the same as the calendar year. Pledges can be paid in a single gift or transfer of stock, or they can be paid throughout the year by putting cash or checks in the offering plate in the envelopes made for that purpose.

If we choose to "tithe," our challenge is to give 10% of our earnings to support God's work. That's hard to do overnight; many start at a lower point, perhaps 2%, then try to increase that percentage each year.

At any time, we accept donations given in memory of a loved one.

You can also support St. James' Church through planned giving. A planned gift might be a bequest, a trust, or by naming St. James' Church as the beneficiary of an insurance policy or a retirement account. All of these commitments support our work in the long term and are gratefully received.