Dear Member of the St. Thomas Community:

For our 2023 Season of Stewardship and Commitment we reflect on God’s life giving, light-giving faithfulness to us. This year your Vestry holds forth the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the world” [John 8:12]. We are charged to bring light, to help others find their way.

In celebration of our light in the world, “Bright Spot” is this year’s campaign theme. Bright Spots are about hope, meaning, moving forward together. This is a season of rebuilding, reconnecting, increasing our light as we find our way out of the darkness that has been the pandemic. St. Thomas is a Bright Spot in many ways.

· We gather for worship and share ourselves with one another in coffee hour following the service.
· We celebrate with events like the July 4th dinner and Oktoberfest.
· We reach out to new friends at fellowship dinners, a community plant sale, and the Blessing of the Animals on the Town Square.
· We restart our Circle of Security Parenting Program this fall.
· We return to our Arts at the Abbey program with a popular reader’s theatre production.

In these, and other ways, we build and serve our community. The gifts of our members make these things possible — your generous offerings are the lifeblood of St. Thomas. We need each of you to support our ministries. We came out of the pandemic intact but financially weakened. Our current income is not enough to fund the church long term, so we have to ask you to do more this year. When you sit down to fill out your Pledge Card, remember that you are not only supporting the church for those who attend now, but also helping to create a special place, a treasure that others who are seeking a spiritual home can discover.

This year we need financial pledges of $90,000 to meet the cost of our ministry, our “light” in the community. And we need 100% participation: every donation counts, no amount is too small. In the coming weeks you will hear personal, inspiring messages from vestry members and others of how St. Thomas has been a Bright Spot in their lives.

Included here is the address to the online pledge card for your 2023 commitment, which is also posted on the church website. Below you will find stewardship informational video presentations by Phil Smelser, Parish Treasurer, and Steve Prenger, Senior Warden, discussing our needs and this year’s stewardship campaign. Thank you for being the Bright Spot that you are and as bright as you can possibly be — the light that is St. Thomas.

We love you, and are yours in faith and courage,