Diocesan Stewardship Commission Report

by Carolyn Dicer
Stewardship leaders along, with their rectors and vicars, have given the new Stewardship Commission a close up look at stewardship activities in this Diocese. The information gathered is already being put to use as the Commission makes plans for the immediate future.

Gleanings about what works well in our congregations include:

• the Alabama program with its emphasis on stewardship education;
• the personal letter writing program where individual letters are written to all parishioners by the stewardship committee and vestry;
• festival dinners;
• letters and preaching;
• follow up calls made by vestry members;
• placing a pledge card in the weekly bulletin for three consecutive weeks;
• year round stewardship education.

Respondents were generous in stating ways the Stewardship Commission can support them in their education and programs. They asked for:

• more education and training;
• information of what has worked for other churches;
• someone to come in with assistance or to be a guest speaker;
• regular information to assist with the fall commitment program and year around stewardship;
• an annual workshop on stewardship;
• materials for newsletters and service sheets;
• materials for youth and adult Sunday school classes;
• a booklet of suggestions for small churches.

In response to the gathered information, the Commission is planning a workshop on March 31 with speakers Tom Gossen and Charlie Gearing. There will be more information available later.

Carolyn Dicer Bishop’s Deputy for Program in the Diocese of East Tennessee.