Back to school may be almost here but Episcopalians know that September means something else: getting ready for the fall pledge campaign. To help jumpstart stewardship efforts across the diocese the Fund Development Council held a "Just in Time" Stewardship Workshop at Episcopal House on Saturday, August 18. "We were a little worried about scheduling something in August," says Pat Yankus, one of the Council's members and presenters on Saturday, "but the room was filled!" In fact, over 20 separate congregations were represented among the 40 participants.
The idea for the Just in Time Workshop was conceived by the Fund Development Council after reflecting on the enthusiastic responses they’d received to three regional workshops held in Little Falls, Englewood, and Summit last spring. Using the text Ask, Thank, Tell and other resources, the group developed a workshop designed to cover a theological basis for stewardship, along with many practical tips designed to make pledge campaigns more effective.
Presenters at the August Workshop were Paul Shackford, member of St. Andrew's Harrington Park, and former CFO of the Diocese; Pat Yankus, parishioner of St. Paul's in Paterson; and Cynthia McChesney, parishioner of Christ Church in Short Hills and member of the Bishop's staff.
Members of the Council for Fund Development will be presenting three new Stewardship sessions at the upcoming Vestry University on October 6. Sessions include: A Holistic Approach: Stewardship as Good Governance; You Talking to Me? Strategic Messaging in Stewardship; and For What Purpose? Mission and Ministry in Stewardship. Registration for Vestry University is open now through October 1.
