Giving
Christ calls us to be stewards of God’s creation. Stewardship defines every part of our life and who we are as individuals by actively committing to stewardship as a way of life. The essential component of this way of life is thanksgiving. It is recognizing that everything comes from God and our natural response is gratitude. Financial stewardship, or tithing to the church, is one method of expressing gratitude to God and challenges us to be crucifixional in our material desires to serve God. Tithing gives us the opportunity to be a part of something great, show our love for the church an ensure she continues to thrive.
What is the appropriate amount to contribute to the Church?
When deciding how much to pledge, consider your annual income. Tithing is defined as giving 10% of your annual income. If you are not in a position to give 10% of your income, give what you can and consider it as a starting point. As a steward and as a Warrior Saint, make it a goal to increase your tithe every year and challenge yourself to be crucifixional every year.
What does my contribution do?
On an annual basis, Warrior Saints pledge a financial contribution to Saint George. This financial contribution is a primary source of income and enables the Saint George Parish to thrive. The funds from parishioners are spent in a number of ways:
- Charitable giving
- Operation of church (staff, facilities, grounds, etc.)
- Archdiocese assessment
- Programs that facilitate the expansion of Warrior Saint message to help others unlock their inner greatness
What does it mean to be a member in good standing?
A member in good standing at St. George includes being a member in good standing of the Antiochian Archdiocese, which requires meeting three of the following criteria:
- Make an annual pledge to St. George
- Contribute to and fulfill the pledge
- Satisfy annual Archdiocese Dues of $75 per baptized soul
Benefits of being a member in good standing
As a member in good standing you will be eligible to vote at the St. George Annual Parish meeting and have the opportunity to take advantage of a discount at The Legacy Ballroom. To inquire about pricing call (480) 382-3829 or email Jennifer at jennifer@thelegacyballroom.com.
How do I Pledge?
Making a pledge is simple. We ask parishioners to pledge and indicate their financial commitment to St. George on an annual basis. This year, in addition to the paper Pledge Cards that we’ve made available in the past, we now have an option to Pledge online.
To fill out a Pledge card, you can visit the Stewardship kiosk in the narthex of the church or visit the Stewardship table in the ballroom during Coffee Hour after Sunday liturgy. Complete the form and deliver it to one of the Stewardship committee team members attending the Stewardship table during Coffee Hour.
If you prefer to complete your Pledge online, visit https://www.stgeorgeaz.org/2019-commitment-card/.
To fill out a Pledge card, you can visit the Stewardship kiosk in the narthex of the church or visit the Stewardship table in the ballroom during Coffee Hour after Sunday liturgy. Complete the form and deliver it to one of the Stewardship committee team members attending the Stewardship table during Coffee Hour.
If you prefer to complete your Pledge online, visit https://www.stgeorgeaz.org/2019-commitment-card/.
How can I Tithe and make my contribution?
There are several ways you can fulfill your annual contributions. We encourage our stewards to use the PushPay application which has many benefits and conveniences as are described below. However, the use of this technology is not for everyone and checks and cash are commonly used by our stewards as well.
- PushPay – just follow these simple to receive the PushPay application on your Smart Phone.
- Text “Dragon” to 77977 and follow the prompts to set up your PushPay account.
- Once the account is set up you will be able to choose the type of giving you want to make from a drop-down menu.
- For your Stewardship giving you will use the “Archdiocese Dues 2019” to pay your dues and “Tithe 2019” to honor your 2019 Commitment
- Check – Please complete the check payable to St George and ensure your name is noted on the check. If the check is for your Archdiocese dues then note that on the note line on the check
- Cash – Please insert cash into an envelope that has your name written on the envelope. Giving envelopes are provided in the church narthex at the Stewardship kiosk. Note on the envelope if the cash is for the Archdiocese due or Tithe
- Credit Card – Complete the information requested on the Pledge card to include your credit card number, expiration and CCV and we will set this up for automatic payments through PushPay
How can I include St. George in my estate plan?
Your support of St. George can carry on past your lifetime by including a percentage or a specific amount of a gift in your will or revocable trust. Consult your attorney or legal advisor for the simple process of setting this up.
Can I contribute to St. George in other ways?
St. George is a vibrant community and there are many opportunities to share your talents for internal functions as well as outreach. We have an Annual Festival that brings many visitors to St. George to experience our Middle Eastern culture with delicious food, festive dancing and live music. Volunteers are needed every year to support this major event. Additionally, Matthew Peters is our Ministry Lead and provides leadership for our parishioners to provide crucial outreach in our community. You can contact Matthew at mdp9572@hotmail.com or (602) 228-5941.
Further Questions?
Please contact 2019 Stewardship Committee Chair
Bill Fender • bill.fender20@gmail.com • (937) 232-9594
Bill Fender • bill.fender20@gmail.com • (937) 232-9594