St. Gregory's Stewardship 2022/2023

LETTER FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Beloved Members of St Gregory’ s,

Our theme for this year ’ s annual giving and stewardship campaign is “Making a Difference.” Every week our staff identifies a person

or a moment in the previous week that truly made a difference. These inspiring stories point us to an undeniable conclusion: St Gregory’s impacts our world with the transforming love of Jesus every day

This is who we are This is who God calls us to be As the spiritual teacher St Catherine of Siena writes, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire ”

The Holy Spirit ignites that fire in many ways. Sometimes it is through worship that touches the heart, sometimes it is through a meal served to a neighbor in need, sometimes it is through a caring call filled with love, sometimes it is through nurturing a child in Christ’s love, sometimes it is through gathering young people to grow in faith, sometimes it is through hearing God’s voice during a bible study, sometimes it is through watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes it is through drinking water arriving in Bondeau, Haiti, and sometimes it is through observing the sun blazing through our stained glass windows At St Gregory’s, God’s love in Jesus is making a difference a difference that transforms hearts and community every day.

Your giving makes this happen

I am so grateful to God for St Gregory’s and for the privilege of sharing life together in this beloved community of faith This is a special place with a sacred calling As you pray about your giving to support God’s mission at St. Gregory’s, please pray about how God has made a difference in your life. And from that place of loving gratitude, make your gift. I especially ask those members who have not made an annual commitment to St. Gregory’s to make that commitment this year. Every gift ignites a spark. Every gift makes a difference. Every gift matters. Together let us set the world on fire!

In Christ

The Reverend Andrew J. Sherman Rector

St. Gregory's Episcopal Church of Boca Raton

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. St. Catherine of Siena

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH WORSHIP

WORSHIP AT ST. GREGORY'S

Our worship at St. Gregory' s, traditional and dynamic, is the sacred beating heart of our Life in Christ. We rejoice in the rhythms, words, images, the colors, sounds, and smells of traditional Anglican Episcopal worship that has fed souls and touched hearts from generation to generation. Tim Brumfield, our exceptionally talented Director of Music Ministry, Organist and Choirmaster, and our choir and special musicians enhance the glorious beauty of this holy worship Married to this is our deep commitment to God' s living word proclaimed with grace and power in our preaching and teaching.

St. Gregory' s worship life combines both new and ancient creative expressions. Yoga Masses and Sunrise Beach Eucharists, Rise and Shine family worship, and Choral Evensongs enlighten hearts and serve as on ramps into our life in Christ

Making a Difference through the radical love of Jesus, worship at St. Gregory’s feeds our souls and prepares us to move forward in our daily lives with renewed hope. And, our live streamed services enable us to spread Christ’s message of love both near and far to those unable to attend in person.

MUSIC

Music is one of St Gregory’s greatest strengths which continues to help identify us as we move steadily into the twenty first century.

Your gifts provide unique musical opportunities for adults, children, and youth by helping to purchase music for our incredible choral program, maintain our instruments, and provide our adult choral section leader positions and choral scholarships In addition, your various contributions help underwrite our Great Music at St Gregory’s Concert Series, and special music during Christmas and Easter with extra musicians who greatly enhance our worship experience during these holiday services.

DECLARATION OF LOVE

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church is a community that openly welcomes all who are seeking God’s love and grace.

All are welcome regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, life situation, or doubts you may have about faith and church.

Our unity is in Christ. Your family, children, friends, spouses, and partners are welcome.

Individual diversity and uniqueness greatly enrich and expand our community.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH THE RADICAL LOVE OF JESUS

GOD'S LOVE IN DYNAMIC ACTION

St. Gregory's is a vibrant community that seeks to serve God in all we do. We are a church of generous hearts and servant hands that serve our congregation and community with more than one hundred ministries.

FEEDING THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT BOTH NEAR AND FAR

Our Meals with Meaning Ministry provides meals, essential items, and spiritual nourishment to the most vulnerable among us from our own backyard. We currently serve more than two hundred fifty guests per week and, with inflation, anticipate the number will increase

Our love extends from our backyard to Bondeau, Haiti, Madagascar, and eyond As we sing in the great gospel hymn: n Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North, ut one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth " t St Gregory's, the Holy Spirit is building that beloved community!

PIRITUAL GROWTH

central emphasis of our Life in Christ at St Gregory's is prioritizing our piritual lives and encouraging our members to take a deeper dive into their lationship with God in Jesus Christ Growing in our love for God and love or our neighbors as extensions of ourselves (spiritual growth) is a ndamental core commitment of St. Gregory' s.

hether in person, online, or at an offsite destination, our Bible study groups, isdom Circles, and spiritual retreats are just some of the ways we seek to of life in Christ.

E

n so many. In turn, ntered healing and support need. Included in our support

Healing Ministry Caring Callers

Prayer Shawls

Lay Eucharist Visitors

Healing Prayers of St Luke Racial Healing and Justice

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST'S LOVE.

NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD.

St Gregory' s continually strengthens and reaffirms its commitment to children, youth, and families

Our newly renovated nursery has opened and now serves families with infants and toddlers ages four years and younger each Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m.

St Gregory's Sunday School is a community of love and a place to belong It is a place where our children and youth and their families are learning and being rooted and grounded in love Our Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curricula for our children shape the lives of our youngest members.

The church's Confirmation program for Middle Schoolers prepare our teens for a mature affirmation of faith The High School Ministry engages young hearts and minds, while our Youth Group blends faith and fun with service and learning in life changing ways

Launched earlier this year, the church's Canterbury Ministry is devoted to sharing the good news of God's transformative love in Jesus Christ with college students and young adults in our community. The ministry includes a residential home and gathering place for young adults

St Gregory's has hired a new, part time staff member to coordinate our youth, young adult, and college ministries, bolstering our commitment to the next generation at St Gregory's and beyond.

Our commitment to local interfaith groups BRICA and BRIYA remains steadfast as we work to provide deeply enriching spiritual experiences and education to our youth

St. Gregory's programs are funded as follows:

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship calls us to be grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and the church comes from the Biblical practice of tithing, or giving a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26)

St. Gregory's Annual Stewardship appeal is the request for your support of the mission, ministries, programs, and operations of our church. Stewardship season offers us a time of reflection on what has been and what is to come for our faith community

Pledges are the church' s principal source of income. Along with God' s help, they make everything we do possible. Without your pledge, our services and ministries would not grow or thrive. Your support today helps ensure we will continue to do God' s work tomorrow.

YOUR PLEDGE AT WORK

Returning to normal operations for one full year (after the peak of the pandemic) brought an increase in expenses coupled with rising costs. These increases include:

Utilities and Telephone +24%

Health Insurance & Pension Costs +20%

Salaries and Wages +8%

Repairs and Maintenance +6%

SUPPORTING ST. GREGORY'S

Every day, St Gregory's works to make a difference in the lives of our parishioners, guests, and community. Your faithful giving makes a very real impact. Please take a moment to prayerfully consider your personal pledge to St. Gregory's to further God's work Each gift sustains our mission and ministries and builds a more secure financial foundation Thank you for Making a Difference

St. Gregory's makes a difference in my life by helping me with my spiritual growth while feeling the passion and commitment of God's love within our church family. -Joanne Stanley

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS

WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD

It is only through your support that St. Gregory's can continue our mission of Transforming Hearts and Community Through Jesus' Love

Please prayerfully consider your pledge in support of next year ' s budget.

YOUR ANNUAL PLEDGE

Once you have prayerfully considered your pledge and arrived at the amount you'd like to give, please share that amount with us Your pledge is non binding, so if your financial situation changes you will never be pressured from us The dollar amount of your pledge simply helps our financial committee budget and plan for the upcoming year.

ONLINE GIVING

To give online, please visit St Gregory's online giving page to make your secure, on time or recurring gift stgregorysepiscopal.org/give-online

CHECKING

MAILING YOUR CHECK

If you prefer to pay your by check, please mail it to:

St Gregory's Episcopal Church

P O Box 1503

Boca Raton, FL 33429

AUTOPAY

For optimum convenience, set up recurring payments with your bank's autopay feature. Your bank will generate and mail a paper check from your account to St Gregory's for you

MOBILE GIVING

ST. GREGORY'S APP

Download the free St. Gregory's Boca Raton app from the app store and click the Give button

Choose Use Pushpay to set up an account, make a one time gift, or schedule your giving

TEXT TO GIVE

Text SGEGive to 833 672 4095 to give from your mobile device.

SCAN TO GIVE

Open your camera on your phone, scan the QR code, and select your gift.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF STOCKS, MUTUAL FUNDS, OR IRAS

There may be distinct tax advantages to contributing to St. Gregory's directly from your retirement or investment accounts. Contact your financial advisor for additional information

In a time when all I knew was gone, and I felt no purpose or need - God and St. Gregory's team said "Come and serve the homeless through Meals with Meaning. You have a purpose.