Annual stewardship campaigns are critical revenue generators for congregations, providing the primary source of funding for everything from educational programming and missional outreach to deferred maintenance and capital projects. Yet it isn’t easy to come up with fresh ideas for these annual appeals, or to energize parishioners. That is why the diocese is committed to working with congregations to provide the tools to develop an effective campaign.
In her blog last week, Bishop Mariann wrote about Project Resource, an effort organized by the Episcopal Church to provide resources for parishes to increase their capacity to raise finances for ministry and encourage good stewardship. This summer, every parish is invited to send leaders to intensive workshops on annual campaigns that will help congregations to develop, refine and execute their pledge drive.
Topics will include campaign fundamentals such as planning timelines for campaign communications, tailoring messages to appeal to your congregation, and equipping parish leaders and their stewardship teams to have conversations with donors. More advanced topics include facilitating parish conversations on fundraising, creating video, email, and social media communications and increasing church membership.
The workshop will be offered on Saturday, July 23 at Christ Church, Kensington and on Saturday, August 6 at St. Paul’s, Piney in Waldorf. Participants will gather at 8:30 a. m. for a program from 9 a. m. to noon. Register online. The cost of the workshop is $15. Register before July 5, for a $5 discount.
An additional workshop will be offered from 9 a. m. to noon on Saturday, September 17 at a site yet to be determined.
