Stewardship Season

This is stewardship season at Pilgrim Congregational Church.  It's the time of year when we ask members and friends about their support for our ministry and mission in the following calendar year.  Our operating budget provides for our staff, routine building maintenance and operations, our support of interfaith and denominational missions, and our programs.  Most of our funding comes from donations from friends and members of the congregation.

In addition to the operating budget, we ask members and friends to support our capital needs.  In 2005 we put a new roof on the building and did some interior work to make the building attractive and safe for community use.  We are paying down a mortgage that was necessary to finance the 1.2 million dollar effort --we are nearing the last $100,000.

Every gift helps--whether large or small.  Together we can do things that we could not do alone.  Our theme for our stewardship campaign this year is "Surprising Gifts."  We hope to surprise one another with our faithful contributions to next year's operating expenses!

Sunday, November 17, we will receive pledges and gifts for 2014.  We will stay after worship for a brunch in Fellowship Hall.  Guests and visitors are invited!

Financial Planning

Jesus told more than a few parables about money.  At Pilgrim, we understand stewardship ministry to include encouraging families in developing financial health.  In part, that means making responsible plans that provide for children and their care, taking care of one's own health needs and living situations, making plans for the eventual distribution of assets, and using financial resources to help create a better world.  To this end, the stewardship ministry sponsors occasional seminars to acquaint members and friends with the questions they need to consider when talking with their own financial planning professional or adviser.  These seminars do not promote any particular plans or products; they are strictly informational so that families are better equipped to make sound decisions.

Seminars are being offered Wednesday, September 11 and September 18.  Each evening, the seminar from 6:30-7:30 will focus on financial planning for families with children.  The seminar from 7:45-8:45 will focus on financial planning for mature families.  Friends and guests of the Pilgrim are welcome to attend.  There is no charge.  Child care is provided.

Family Financial Planning Seminars

Pilgrim Church will offer two September seminars on the basics of estate planning, charitable giving, and, successful family financial planning. This is a topic for families that are decades away from retiring, as well as those who are near, or have retired. The seminars are planned to cut across age groups and provide value to all adults.

The first seminar will be on estate planning, and the second seminar will examine the range of applicable financial tools, how to efficiently use those tools, how to select your advisors, and finally, how to become successful through a disciplined approach.

The presenters, Greg Toscano and Aaron Bransky, are highly respected professionals and are very seasoned seminar presenters.