Stewardship & Annual Giving

Each fall, the Vestry, Officers, clergy, and financial leaders spend focused prayer, Scripture study, and time discerning how God might be calling St. Francis to live out its mission in the upcoming year, and what financial resources St. Francis needs in order to fulfill that mission. Part of this work includes asking each household to prayerfully consider their annual gift (pledge) to St. Francis.

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What is a pledge?

A pledge is a commitment to make a financial gift that supports the mission of St. Francis. Your pledge amount may be changed, increased or decreased during the year, at any time, as your financial circumstances change.

What does stewardship mean?

Stewardship is the prayerful work of sharing our time, skills, and resources to participate in the mission of God through our church community. The tradition of giving back to God in thanksgiving for all that God gives us comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26).

The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time, skill, and your presence showing up for ministry and mission – whether at worship, making or serving meals, working in the Community Garden/Jardín comunitario or any other activity that benefits our whole community. Each of us contributing what we can to the work and witness of St. Francis makes all that we do as a community possible.

What is the relationship between Stewardship and Annual Giving and the budget process?

Decisions about spending are made by the Vestry, the church’s governing body whose membership is drawn from and elected by parishioners like you at the Annual Meeting.

St. Francis has a Finance Committee, an Investment Committee and a Stewardship and Development Committee that advises the Vestry on budget and issues related to future financial stability. These leaders are committed to prayerfully considering the needs of the community and the ways God is calling us as a community to serve and witness in the world.

How can I learn more about the financials at St. Francis?

The Vestry and Finance Committee meet monthly to review the past month’s financials, prepared by our bookkeeping service and to plan. Reach out to Reverend Amy, our Senior Warden, or our Treasurer if you would like to learn more. There are also opportunities to serve on the Investment Committee and Stewardship and Development Committee. Financials are presented to the whole community at the Annual Meeting.

When do I turn in my pledge for next year?

In order for St. Francis to have an approved budget ready for January 1st of the following year, St. Francis encourages all members to make a pledge by early November. We celebrate “Ingathering Sunday” in November and offer special prayers of thanksgiving to God for the commitment of the congregation to another year of ministry.

How do I turn in my pledge?

You may mail your pledge card, place it in the offering plate if you attend in-person services, complete it electronically, or send an email to or call our Treasurer, Diane Flayhart.

What options are available for giving to St. Francis or for fulfilling my pledge?

While we need to know how much people plan to contribute in the coming year in November, you have all of the next calendar year to complete your pledged contribution. You may give it in a lump-sum, on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. Most people use monthly electronic transfers through their bank account. Some give gifts of stock or appreciated assets. For more information, contact our Treasurer, Diane Flayhart.

How do I determine what amount to pledge?

If you are new to pledging or annual giving in a faith community, please feel free to reach out to Reverend Amy or Treasurer, Diane Flayhart. There are as many ways to approach giving and pooling our resources for the benefit of our whole community as there are households. Only you know what is a generous gift to St. Francis based on your specific financial situation. A tithe (10% of your income) has long been held as the standard of Christian giving. For many it is a goal to be reached through incremental increases each year. Every pledge, no matter what amount, makes a valued contribution to the mission of God at St. Francis.

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Diane Flayhart

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Treasurer

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Diane Flayhart

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Treasurer

The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter

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Rector

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The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter

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Rector

About Me:

Preacher, justice seeker, Episcopal priest, community organizer, theologian, parent of three artistic young adult children. Native North Carolinian. Bookish. I believe God is up to something beautiful in this world, and I’m grateful we get to be a part of it.

My Role:

Rector is an old-fashioned word for pastor and administrative head of a church. As Rector I get to do what I love: support and nurture a faith community in the Episcopal tradition. Rectors are generalists; I get to wear a lot of hats, sometimes all in the same day. Preaching and presiding at Sunday worship, connecting one-on-one and in small groups at Welcome Table Wednesday, checking in with folks in crisis or in immediate need of care, meeting with those mourning a loss or celebrating an upcoming baptism, writing sermons, showing up at county meetings to make our neighborhood a better place and so much more. Mostly, I listen deeply – for what God is doing here and in the world, for what people need, and for how St. Francis can keep becoming a community where everyone belongs and everyone matters.

My Dream for St. Francis:

Listens to the Spirit, practices wide and generous welcome, shows up for each other and our neighbors, and isn’t afraid to ask big questions and have hard conversations.

A Few of my Favorite Things:

Hobby: Spending time by the water recharging and reflecting; journaling

Book/Movie/TV Show: Narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction – faves include Patrick Radden Keefe

Fun fact:

I come from a theatrical family and began working as an actor myself as a kid.

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Giving News

A Stewardship Message from our Treasurer

Dear Community, We’re continuing our journey to Walk in Love for our Annual Stewardship Campaign. Pledge packets have been mailed. If you didn’t receive one, you can find...

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Stewardship & Annual Giving

What is a pledge?

What does stewardship mean?

What is the relationship between Stewardship and Annual Giving and the budget process?

How can I learn more about the financials at St. Francis?

When do I turn in my pledge for next year?

How do I turn in my pledge?

What options are available for giving to St. Francis or for fulfilling my pledge?

How do I determine what amount to pledge?

Diane Flayhart

Diane Flayhart

The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter

The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter

Giving News

A Stewardship Message from our Treasurer

Do Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with God.

Haz lo que es Justo. Ama la Misericordia. Camina humildemente con Dios.