PLEDGE NOW FOR THE YEAR 2025
The first point we need to make this year is probably the least important: we are heavily involved in the physical reconstruction of St John’s buildings. The theater space is being rebuilt and the Waverly Place façade being restored, making both the theater and the gallery ADA accessible. Wainwright House (which contains the Rectory and three other apartments) needs all its plumbing replaced. These are all expensive projects and now that we have come to our annual stewardship campaign we need to say that we do need to raise money. Our stewardship includes the care of the built environment handed down to us from previous generations. The good repair and accessibility of all our historic buildings is essential to our ministries to the Greenwich Village community and beyond.
While many of you support financially in giving in plate or by other form of donation (which is most gratefully received), it is by PLEDGING support that you identify yourself as a supporter of St John’s. The dollar amount does not matter; it is the commitment that counts – a declaration that you consider St John’s to be your spiritual home, or your regular place of worship, which you consider important.
Worship, prayer, and service at Saint John’s in the Village are open both in-person and webcast. As we have re-opened our doors to in-person worship, we cast our net further as we continue to experience remote growth through YouTube. Live-streaming our services and many events has allowed Saint John's to expand its ministries--worship and the arts--to those far off and to those who are near. Our worship, spiritual direction, 12-step groups, counselling, spiritual direction, theater, art gallery, children’s art classes, concerts, and other arts events have returned in-person and we're enjoying again the richness Saint John's brings to our community.
A pledge is not the same as a tithe (10%). Pledges include time, talent, and treasure. All these make Saint John's the vibrant community we are. When we pledge Saint John's is able to budget that amount. Our pledges make it possible to provide outreach and hospitality, secular arts, sacred music in worship, and much more. The Rector, for example, gives 5% of his after-tax income to Saint John's. Some of us write our very first check out each week or month as an intentional spiritual practice. Even a pledge of, for example, $5 per month, is still a pledge, and therefore much appreciated.
Stewardship is an invitation to prayerfully consider pledging (no matter how big or small the amount) to Saint John's rich ministries. Pray about what makes Saint John's so deeply meaningful to you and how it enriches your life and the lives of others.
You can fill in an on-line 2025 pledge form here. You can also pay your pledge (labelling it as pledge in ‘additional information’) here.