“See, I am doing a new thing.”
Isaiah 43:19
If you are new to stewardship or would like to gather with others who are doing the same kind of work in congregations across the diocese, you are warmly invited to attend one of our Annual Giving Workshops.
Annual Giving Campaign Workshops
Saturday, July 9 | 10:00 AM | Grace Church, Silver Spring
Thursday, July 28 | 7:00 PM | Zoom
Annual Giving Campaign Toolkit Resources page
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is pleased to share the 2022 Online Annual Giving Toolkit. The theme for this year, See, I Am Doing a New Thing, comes from the prophet Isaiah, and reminds us that God is always doing something new. As ever, undertaking an Annual Giving Campaign is an opportunity for parish leadership to remind congregations that their financial pledges are a crucial investment in the future life and ministry of the church.
For many, the recent past has been a mixture of uncertainty and concern, excitement and hope. We have continued to live with the ongoing pandemic, never quite knowing what the next day might bring or when the next surge in cases might come. At the same time, we have been able to regather inside our churches, worship together in-person, see old friends and welcome new ones, many of whom we have only known online.
While we continue to cherish the traditions that ground us and help provide some much-desired stability, the wilderness of the pandemic has also given us a chance to reevaluate how we can best follow Jesus into, as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry proclaims, a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God, with each other, and with the earth. Long standing ministries have been revitalized with new ideas and focus. Buildings, sanctuaries, and worship spaces are being viewed with fresh perspectives. New ministries have sprung to life. Across the Diocese of Washington, we have:
- Sponsored families fleeing war and hardship from around the world
- Helped people experiencing food insecurity find healthy meals for their families
- Supported community members on the edge of homelessness in finding resources to pay utility bills
- Offered a warm and safe place to rest for people who are unhoused
Throughout the Scriptures, we see God and God’s people “doing a new thing.” In Genesis, God did the first new thing by creating the world out of a dark void, promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, and gave the 10 Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The prophets reminded the Israelites to look for new things in unexpected places. In the Incarnation, we see and experience the ultimate new thing as Jesus lives, dies, and rises again in our midst.
God is also inviting us to continue the work of discerning how best to preach the gospel afresh in this and in every generation. Through the financial support of our parishes, we join together with the Holy Spirit in breathing life, light, and hope into the world. This kind of engagement requires thoughtful and prayerful financial commitment from each of us.
No two congregations are the same in terms of available time and resources to conduct their Annual Giving Campaign.
With this in mind, we invite you to explore, modify, and use the materials collected in this toolkit in whatever ways will be most helpful to your parish. Your greatest success will come from adapting the timeline and other offerings to reflect your congregation’s unique needs and experiences. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions if something seems unclear or if you’d like further guidance. The Financial Resources Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington is ready to assist you in conducting a successful Annual Giving Campaign.
