Abundant Life
Greetings from the St. George’s Stewardship Team!
The world needs more compassion!
That’s part of what God’s “abundant life” looks like – not hostility, indifference, or
patronizing pity, but genuine compassion, the kind of mutual care evoked by Jesus’
call to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Compassion means seeing things from someone else’s point of view, experiencing
their struggles. The word’s roots literally mean “suffering with” (com, “with,” and passio,
“suffering”) – and then taking actions that benefit each other and the community as a
whole.
At St. George’s this kind of compassion is at the heart of everything we seek to do.
When we serve at St. Mark’s or host the Thanksgiving Dinner “Stuff a Truck” – that’s
compassion in action. When our young people travel to West Virginia or Pennsylvania
on a mission trip – that’s compassion in action. When St. George’s contributes to local
agencies seeking to ameliorate food insecurity, or housing issues – that’s compassion
in action.
And when we gather, get to know each other, and take care of each other when we
need it most – that’s compassion in action, too. The simple, beautiful work of empathy,
reaching halfway around the world or halfway down the block.
Now more than ever, in an age awash in suspicion and divisiveness, the world needs
more places like St. George’s, communities dedicated to bringing more compassion
into the world, more beauty, more abundant life.
Enclosed with this letter, you’ll find a pledge card, and on the back suggested options
for giving. We hope you’ll prayerfully consider how your compassionate action helps
create the abundance God intends for all.
And speaking of abundance: we’re looking forward to celebrating Giving Sunday with
you on December 1st. Come celebrate the compassion St. George’s has for the world
– and most of all, the compassion God has for us all!
With joy in abundance,
Chuck Jones
Paul Patton
Jeffrey Roy
As we step into this season of reflection and commitment, I want to extend my
heartfelt gratitude for the many ways you continue to support the life and mission of
our church. Your gifts of time, talent, and treasure sustain and enrich our community,
creating a place where worship, fellowship, and service thrive.
This year, as we launch our annual stewardship campaign, we introduce the "Giving
Pyramid," a tool designed to provide insight into the financial fabric of our parish. The
Giving Pyramid represents the tiers of pledged contributions, illustrating how gifts of
all sizes come together to form the solid base that supports everything we do. From
those who give modestly and consistently, to those whose substantial contributions
empower even greater possibilities, every level of support is essential.
Every pledge, regardless of size, plays an integral role in helping us carry out our
shared ministry of love and service. Whether you are among those who give in
smaller, steady amounts or those who have the ability to contribute more, please
know that your participation is valued deeply. Together, these gifts create a strong
foundation that upholds our worship, supports our mission and ministry, and nurtures
our life as a congregation.
As you prayerfully consider your pledge this year, I invite you to see it as an
investment in something much larger than any of us alone—a commitment to the
future of our shared faith, growth, and mission. Thank you for being part of this
extraordinary community and for all the ways you contribute to making it a home
where we continue to flourish together.
With gratitude and blessings,
We hope the chart below will provide you with additional information as you consider
your 2025 Abundant Life pledge to St. George’s by the River.
Pledge Amount Number of Pledges
$2,500 and below 190
$2,500.01-$5,000.00 30
$5,000.01 - $7,500 15
$7,500.01 - $10,000 7
$10,000.01 - $15,000 5
$15,000.01 - $20,000 3
$20,000.01 - $25,000 2
$25,000.01 - $50,000 2
$50,000.01 - $100,000 1
