Wednesday Word from Rev. Grace - Stewardship Update

Friends,

The Lessons and Carols service on Sunday night was a glorious celebration. Enjoy the pictures below! Thanks to all who sang, read, attended, brought children, participated in the pageant, decorated, and shared in fellowship. We have so much for which to be grateful in this holy season.

2022 has been quite a year. In January, we were just beginning to return more comfortably to in-person worship. Wednesday dinners and activities finally resumed in March. By summer, we were starting to look ahead to a more typical fall schedule, still not knowing what the response would be.

St. Thomas parishioners came back with joy, and you brought others. We've been so blessed to welcome many new members to St. Thomas in this year of return. Looking at the nave on Sunday evening, it was hard to believe there had been any disruption.

Thanks to God for sustaining us through a challenging season. Thanks to our staff and leaders for their steadiness, creativity, and extraordinary faith. And thanks to all of you who prayed for St. Thomas, worshipped in person or online, welcomed newcomers, took part in formation events, and served with our ministries.

We offer particular thanks to all who give to support all that we do. I am delighted to share that we have received 143 pledges for 2023 so far, totaling $611,078, an increase of about 7.5% over 2022. Several households increased their pledge for 2023, which made up for pledges that were lost or reduced due to moves, deaths, or economic uncertainty. The overall increase is largely due to 18 new pledges, for which we are very grateful. We also received 48, pledges for the Continuing Faithfulness Capital Reserve Fund, for a total of $67,158.00. This will go a long way toward helping us address ongoing maintenance issues with our facilities.

Thank you all for supporting this congregation as we Love God, Love Every Person, Learn and Serve Together. You all play a vital role in sharing The St. Thomas Story. If you have not yet offered a pledge for 2023, you may do so here. If you'd like to make a year-end gift to help us end 2022 in a strong place, you may donate online here or mail a gift to the church office at 2100 Hilton Ave., Columbus, GA, 31906. All gifts for 2022 must be received by noon on December 30.

May you enjoy a glorious Christmas Season as we celebrate the good news of God with us!

Grac