Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Committee

Mission

Our mission is to teach and promote Stewardship and interpret our mission to the congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Our goal is to provide opportunities for the congregation to learn about Stewardship in all its forms. Additionally we are responsible to help the congregation understand the need for faithful financial support of the church.

What we do...

The Stewardship Committee in partnership with the congregation raises funds to support the annual church operating budget and various missions. Funds are raised through special offerings, and during the annual Stewardship Campaign in the fall.

Stewardship is about making choices, as individuals and in community. It is more than collecting money for the church. Stewardship is also about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all of the talents that God has given us.

The Stewardship Committee is also responsible for Mission Interpretation, which means providing education and understanding of the mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church to the congregation. This takes the form of coordinating and participating as Moment for Mission Speakers, supplying bulletin flyers, writing Chimes articles, creating photo boards during the annual Stewardship Campaign and arranging display tables with information and literature.

Calendar of Events

Heifer Project International (HPI)
Heifer Project International takes on the threat of global hunger by offering hope, worldwide, to families who are poor and hungry. Gifts given to the HPI go directly to supporting Heifer's entire mission. Farm animals are sent on a voyage wherever they are most needed. These animals help families start on a journey to attaining self sufficiency - by securing food and a source of dependable income. Through the faithful support of churches & individuals, HPI ministers to families in need in these five focus areas: Helping Children, Enabling Women & Families, Caring for the Environment, Developing Community, and Passing on the Gift to others.
Timeframe Received = February/March
Website Link = http://www.heifer.org/

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGH)
Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Gifts given to OGH support three focused ministries: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. OGH provides disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that helps people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Through the faith we have in Christ, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find hope for a brighter future. 36% of the offering goes to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, 32% goes to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and 32% goes to self-development of people.
Timeframe Received = March/April
Website Link = http://www.pcusa.org/oghs/

Stewardship Campaign
Stewardship giving is vital in supporting the continuing mission of the Church. In the fall, the congregation is asked to pledge their giving commitment for the following year. Stewardship pledges allow for successful planning for the following year.
Timeframe Received = October-December
Website Link = (none)

Christmas Joy Offering
A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. 50% of the offering goes to assistance programs of the Board of Pensions, and 50% goes to racial ethnic schools and colleges of the PC (USA).
Timeframe Received = December
Website Link = http://www.pcusa.org/cjoffering/

Two Other Offerings (not directly administered by this committee)

Pentecost Offering
The Pentecost Offering is the youngest member of the PC(USA) special offerings family, first received by congregations in 1998. Like the three other special offerings, it provides direct ways for congregations to support specific causes that help those in need. 40% of the offering goes to Westminster's ministries with children at risk, 50% goes to the General Assembly ministries with youth and young adults, and 10% goes to Child advocacy at the national level.
Timeframe Received = May
Website Link = http://www.pcusa.org/pentecost/

Peacemaking Offering
Christians are called as Christ's people to be God's peacemakers as agents of reconciliation in families, individual lives, communities, churches, the international arena, and the whole of creation. Peacemaking is the human response to the divine gift of peace giving. The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level, and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world. 25% of the offering goes to Westminster's peacemaking ministries, 25% goes to Presbytery and Synod peacemaking efforts, and 50% goes to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the General Assembly.
Timeframe Received = October
Website Link = http://www.pcusa.org/peacemakingoffering/