Stewardship is the grateful response for all the gifts we have received from God. Stewardship is a way of life and a lifelong faith journey of commitment to our Loving Creator. Stewardship is more than just contributing money to the church; it is the totality of our participating in the church’s ministry, missions, and programs.
Many people have questions about Christian Stewardship and the various ways to give financially to Saint Luke’s. To better serve our congregation and make it easier for you to share your gifts, Saint Luke’s has added the explanations and links below. Please reach out to one of the Church pastors to discuss your personal stewardship commitment or to a member of the Church finance committee to address any outstanding questions regarding ways to give financially to Saint Luke’s.
WAYS TO SHARE YOUR FINANCIAL GIFTS:
Saint Luke’s Member Pledges
Saint Luke’s annual Member Pledges are our most important annual advancement effort. Each member is asked to contribute to the annual operating budget. Financial support from every member is critical in supporting our programs and ministries, enabling us to fulfill Saint Luke’s vision and mission, such as maintaining and enhancing:
Community & Global Outreach
Saint Luke’s Little Saints Program
Pastor & staff salaries
Building & Grounds
Church Programs
Operating Expenses
If you would like to make a pledge to Saint Luke’s, please reach out to a member of the Finance Committee.
One-Time Unrestricted Gifts
If you wish to make a one-time non recurring unrestricted gift to Saint Luke’s, it’s use will be put to good use as determined by the Finance Committee. Please click here to make a one-time gift.
Memorial Gifts
Gifts to a memorial fund in remembrance of a loved one will be used only for the designated purpose for which you specify. This is a gift that is over and above your annual member pledge. If requested, the Church will recognize your contribution in a way that is meaningful to you and your family or, if you prefer, the Church will keep your gift confidential.
If you or a loved one is interested in making a memorial gift to Saint Luke’s, please reach out to a Pastor or a member of the Finance Committee.
Designated Gifts
Like memorial gifts, designated gifts are over and above your annual member pledge and will only be used for the designated purpose for which you specify.
Saint Luke’s currently has over 30 designated funds that include:
- Tartan Trot
- Vacation Bible School
- Friends of Music
- Mountain Top
- Children’s Ministry
- Habitat for Humanity
- Thornwell
- Youth Trips to name a few
If you would like to learn more about making a designated gift to Saint Luke’s, please reach out to a Pastor or a member of the Finance Committee.
Bequeaths
A charitable bequest is simply a distribution from your estate to a charitable organization through your last will and testament. A bequest is a meaningful way to support the Church without affecting your cash flow during your lifetime. Your attorney can include it when you prepare or revise your will or you can add a codicil at any time. A specific bequest indicates the amount of cash, securities or other asset you wish to leave to the Church, or it can indicate a specific percentage of the total value of your estate. A residuary bequest leaves the remaining portion of your estate (or a percentage of the total) after all other bequests have been satisfied. A gift from your estate can provide an everlasting impact to the programs and mission work at Saint Luke’s.
If you would like to learn more about making a bequest to Saint Luke’s, please click here to be contacted, or reach out to a Pastor to discuss in more detail.
Capital Campaigns
Periodic capital campaigns are held for specific needs, such as facility improvements. Recently, Saint Luke’s capital efforts were focused on investing in the long-term upkeep and maintenance of the church through the Foundation for Future Campaign.
The Foundation for the Future capital campaign was initiated in 2013 to raise capital to make significant repairs to the building facility, to refurbish the organ, and to fund a cash reserve. Saint Luke’s members overwhelmingly responded with pledges in the amount of $753,000 to be paid over a three-year period. Over 95% of the pledges were fulfilled and additional contributions were received which has brought the total Foundation for the Future contributions to $805,000. The funds have been used to:
- Repair the main church roof
- Replace the sanctuary windows
- Resurface the parking lot
- Refurbish the sanctuary organ
- Complete other major building and kitchen repairs
- Fund the Cash Reserve.
If you would like to learn more about contributing your gifts to maintain and enhance Saint Luke’s in this way, please reach out to a Pastor or a member of the Finance Committee.
Endowment Giving
An endowment is a donation of money or property to a nonprofit organization for the ongoing support of the organization. Saint Luke’s Endowment Fund acts as our “savings account” from which we may draw a set percentage of the fund’s investment income annually to fund designated projects or support the annual operating budget. Endowment giving is both timeless and limitless.
The Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund is separate from the operating budget and is managed by the Endowment Committee. Gifts to the Endowment Fund are over and above the annual pledge. Your gift to the Endowment Fund is maintained in perpetuity. At the discretion of the Endowment Committee earnings from the Endowment may be used to support the annual operating budget so long as the principle amount given is preserved.
Click here to learn more about the Saint Luke’s Endowment Fund, or contact the church office for more information.