Stewardship
November 2026
Dear Pleasantville Presbyterian Church Family,
As we begin this season of thanksgiving, we are grateful for the many ways God is at work amongst us. We are blessed to be a community of faith that cares deeply about one another and is committed to the mission and ministries of our church.
Thanks to your generous gifts of time, talent, and financial resources, much has been accomplished during the past year. We have hired Pastor Katrina, bought a new manse, re-upholstered the pews, painted the church exterior, and established a youth program. With your continued support, there are many exciting things to look forward to, such as a community youth group, First Friday Fellowship, and an Artist in Residence program.
The church is now entering this year’s stewardship campaign season. As part of the campaign, we invite you, your family, and friends to come to a Stew Lunch on Sunday, November 15 after the worship service. The lunch will be in the Fellowship Hall, and we look forward to seeing you there!
As you are a member of this church community, we also invite you to participate in the stewardship campaign by making a personal financial pledge. As you consider your annual pledge for the coming year, we invite you to reflect on how God is calling you to give. Pledging is a covenant made to contribute a certain amount of money over a period of time. Your promise is an act of faith that allows our church leadership to plan and budget responsibly for the year ahead.
In order to assist you in calculating and updating your gift or pledge, please see the information on the reverse side of this letter. An increase of 3-5 % in your current giving is encouraged. Enclosed is a pledge card for your prayerful consideration. Please return your pledge by November 15. You can place it in the offering plate or mail it to the church office by that date.
Thank you for keeping Pleasantville Presbyterian Church close to your heart, and for the faithful ways you help sustain this community. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Stewardship Committee: Christine Alvis, Phil DuBon, Esther Kim, Jenny London, Roy Meares, Pam Mosenthal, and Pastor Katrina Zezza
Stewardship Q&A
How can I calculate & update my pledge giving this year?
1. 3 – 5% increase in your current giving is encouraged
2. Proportional Giving (see below for typical % giving based on income)
Why should I increase my pledge next year?
Just a slight % increase can help:
1. Plan & broaden next year’s operating budget
2. Expand our mission & ministries
3. Grow our Christian Education & Youth Program
4. Meet church staff & pastor salaries & benefits with 4.1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2027
5. Cover significant rise in cost of fuel
What will the pledge & gifts be used for?
Pledges & gifts will be used for our general Church operating expenses below. Each pledge and donation helps plan for next year’s budget and ensures that any increases in rates & expenses (fuel/utilities/etc.) are covered.
1. Compensation & Payroll Support (58%)
2. Properties & Facilities (34%)
3. Administrative (3%)
4. Christian Ed & Youth and Church Growth & Development (1%)
5. Mission & Outreach (4%)
Stewardship
In the Presbyterian tradition, stewardship is the spiritual discipline of managing and protecting God’s creation and resources in response to divine grace. It is a joyful response of gratitude for God’s unconditional grace and abundant blessings. We are expected to “leave a trace” of God’s love by offering our time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ties that God has entrusted to us.
At Pleasantville Presbyterian Church, there are many opportunities to serve as stewards throughout the year. Whether through worship, music, fellowship, mission, teaching, leading, or gardening, each individual is called to care for the church, the community, and one another in his or her own unique way.
Every fall at PPC there is an annual fundraising campaign, which culminates in a celebratory Stew Lunch. During the campaign, all members and friends of the church are encouraged to prayerfully consider making a financial pledge to the church. Pledging is a covenant made to contribute a certain amount of money over a period of time. These promises are acts of faith that allow our church leadership to plan and budget responsibly for the year ahead.
Financial gifts to the church can be given in a variety of ways: cash, check, online, or Venmo. Other ways to give include stock, IRAs, retirement plans, insurance policies, charitable trusts, memorial gifts, or wills. Speak to your CPA or financial advisor about the potential advantages and tax benefits of giving in these ways.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and for being such a vital part of the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church family. We are excited to see what God has in store for us as we live out our call and commitment together.
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
Moment for Reflection - Christine Alvis
Moment for Reflection - Phil DuBon
Moment for Reflection - Esther Kim
Moment for Reflection - Ruth Fischer
Moment for Reflection - Pam Mosenthal
Moment for Reflection - Pono Wong
We are pleased to share our new guidelines for sharing A Moment for Reflection. Please review them here!
