ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN TOOLKIT INTRODUCTION
See, I Am Doing a New Thing — An Introduction to the 2022 Annual Giving Campaign Toolkit
“See, I am doing a new thing.”
Isaiah 43:19
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:
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- 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.
A Note on Stewardship
While these materials are crafted to be used with a targeted, months-long Annual Giving Campaign, stewardship is a year-round process.
The Episcopal Church reminds us:
Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26). The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time and talents, and volunteering for ministry and mission. It’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity.The Financial Resources Committee of the Diocese of Washington is committed to helping our parishes in all aspects of stewardship. Please let us know how we can help.
Other Resources
If you are looking for Stewardship materials that encompass more than an Annual Giving Campaign, we’ve gathered many wonderful resources with tools for year-round stewardship practices as well as seasonal stewardship activities.
Project Resource
Project Resource seeks to change our culture and systems around financial development in the worldwide Episcopal Church, as it provides the tools to inspire radical generosity and engage faith communities in this life-changing work. Learn more
Episcopal Church Foundation
The Episcopal Church Foundation helps Episcopal faith communities develop strategy, leadership, and financial resources for ministry and provides materials and resources specifically for stewardship and annual giving. Learn more
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
TENS is a network of leaders, churches, and dioceses devoted to building healthier giving cultures for greater ministry impact. They provide numerous resources for annual giving. Learn more
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