Make A Pledge

In celebration of God’s generosity and love, we invite you to commit to a generous financial pledge to support the mission and ministries of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. We are blessed by the many ways our parish family enables us to encounter Christ in community. Whether we are worshiping together, growing through formation ministries, serving others, or enjoying fellowship, we share in how the Spirit is moving in our midst and your support is critical to ensuring these cornerstones of our parish life continue in the coming year.

Giving a yearly financial pledge is the primary method of funding St. Stephen’s ministries and operations. Ongoing support of our parish, or Stewardship, is an outward sign of how we give back to a faith community that means so much to each of us. We can show our gratitude by sharing our time, talents, and treasure. Responding generously to a generous God by making an annual commitment now, enables our parish to make plans for 2024 based on a predictable financial base to sustain our thriving church.

There are two simple steps to making your commitment to St. Stephen’s Church

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE

DECIDE HOW TO PAY YOUR PLEDGE

Once you have shared your pledge with the church, decide how you would like to pay your pledge –

    • New Automated Payments: To set up a new automated bank draft or credit/debit card payment online, visit our online giving site –  be sure to select “Pledge Payment” in the TO: field to set up your pledge.
    • Existing Automated Payments:
      • If you have already an automated bank draft or credit/debit card payment through our online giving site (Tithe.ly) you simply need to access your account and make any adjustments to your pledge amount according to your 2023 commitment.
    • Gifts of Stock or Other Means: Contact finance@ststephens.com or call the church office.
    • Pay by Check: You may pay by check by mailing your check to the church, 4439 West 50th Street, Edina, MN 55424.

Thank you for supporting our church community!

STEWARDSHIP FAQs

What exactly is Stewardship at St. Stephen’s? 

Ongoing support of our parish, or Stewardship, is an outward sign of how we give back to a faith community that means so much to each of us. We can show our gratitude by sharing our time, talents, and treasure. The Stewardship Committee is charged with helping to increase awareness of Stewardship and raise funds for the church’s annual operating budget through member pledges.

Why are members asked to make a financial pledge each year and where does the money go?

Giving a yearly financial pledge is the primary method of funding St. Stephen’s ministries and ongoing operations. All members and regular attendees are asked to make a pledge so that church leadership can plan and budget for the coming year, pay our staff salaries and benefits, support our ministries, and be good stewards of our building and resources. It literally keeps the lights on at St. Stephen’s.

Why not simply give on occasion, and what if my circumstances change and I want to adjust my pledge?

While all gifts are always welcomed and appreciated, a financial pledge provides a predictable source of income that allows church leaders to plan responsibly for our annual operating budget. In addition to providing financial assurance of resources, pledging is also a spiritual commitment to support St. Stephen’s as a faith community.

Members are welcome to pay their pledge over time (e.g., weekly/monthly/quarterly) or in a lump sum (e.g., a gift of appreciated stock), whichever is most convenient. We recognize that life is unpredictable, and members are able to adjust their pledge amount or check the status of their pledge at any time by contacting Deen Hubin in the church office.

Doesn’t the National or State Episcopal Church provide financial support for St. Stephen’s? 

No. We receive no funding from the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (the Diocese) or the National church.  In fact, on the contrary, we (along with all Episcopal churches in Minnesota) provide financial support from our operating budget to the Episcopal Church in Minnesota to support its operating budget.

Does St. Stephen’s Church have an endowment?  

Yes! Annual distributions from the St. Stephen’s Fund help support operating expenses. Distributions vary and depend in part on the St. Stephen’s Fund’s investment returns. Support from the St. Stephen’s Fund currently covers approximately 10% of our operating budget. Without it, we would need more pledge income.

Does St. Stephen’s anticipate an increase in its operating budget for 2024?

Yes, we do anticipate increased costs, given that the Church is operating very near our envisioned levels of ministry and near anticipated budget levels.  We expect increasing costs due to current inflation in things like utility bills, facilities maintenance, cost of living, and benefits for our church staff.  Your increase in pledges to the church will create a stable financial base for 2024 and beyond.