Make a World of Difference!

Dear Beloved Community of SAPC,

This year’s stewardship campaign is guided by the theme “Make A World of Difference.” Everyone I know longs for something they can do personally that would make an impact on the overwhelming challenges facing our beleaguered planet. Global warming, fiercely destructive weather patterns, famines, wars, deeply entrenched racism, gun violence, financial greed, toxic masculinity, disdain of truth, abandonment of democratic principles, terrifying new technologies… the list seems endless.

That’s where you come in. You are in a position to make a world of difference, because you are part of Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church. We are a small but mighty congregation. Our long-held tradition is to be directly connected to numerous other organizations that provide direct service to immigrants, unhoused residents, exploited women, under-nourished families, victims of natural disasters, and other needy groups.

We are a small but mighty congregation as well in serving the needs of our participants, both locally and in our beloved diaspora. Our contemplative worship services are the rock of our spiritual health, offering beautifully planned and coordinated music, liturgy, silence, and fellowship. Our resources for impactful preaching are truly remarkable. The children in our congregation will grow up knowing that they are treasures to us and in God’s eyes.

Many people today are unbelievably lonely. They are despairing. Some of them live nearby. I believe we have what they are searching for – ways to discover that they matter, to us and to God. As we develop both our live and virtual presence in the Inner Sunset and beyond, we can build our numbers and do even more to address the problems around us.

Operating an outstanding, if small, church is an expensive undertaking. For the past couple of years, we have had to dip into our reserves to operate a balanced budget. The Stewardship Team would like to challenge you to lift this small but mighty congregation to the point where that is no longer the case.

To help in your decision making, here are some interesting statistics. There are about 62 giving units in our congregation – some individuals, some families. Our proposed 2024 budget for pledged income is $232,000. If the number of people giving remains the same, that means we need to have the average annual gift to SAPC be $3,742. While individual pledges vary, ranging from $25 to $15,000, each one is helpful.

The traditional biblical guide to giving is that 10% of your net income belongs to God. In San Francisco, the current poverty level for an individual is around $105,000. For a family of 4, the figure is around $115,000. Circumstances vary from family to family, and of course not everyone will be in a position to tithe. But we hope you are among those who can help us raise that average gift.

We also request your pledge of the ways you can see yourself participating in the life of the church in the coming year.

Whatever your pledge, it will be most welcome! November 5 will be Stewardship Sunday, when you will have the opportunity to offer your pledge card during the service. Please give your response to this call your prayerful attention.

Blessings and peace to you,

Carol Campbell

Stewardship Team Leader