October 3, 2011

Dear Members and Friends,

Picture a “typical” evening at Northminster Presbyterian Church:

The choir’s music fills Logan Hall, much to the delight of the hangers-on from the ToGather dinner, who are talking and playing board games with the guest families hosted by Family Promise; the confirmands gather with their mentors in a nearby classroom to discuss their faith statements; the Night Ministry crew packs up homemade meals in the church kitchen before heading out to serve at-risk youth on Chicago’s north side; upstairs in the library, a bible study group debates the latest book by Marcus Borg; and the Deacons are busy in the Guild Room preparing holiday care packages for college-age members and friends.

Of course, this is not a typical night at Northminster. Otherwise, you would also see at least three different Session committees hard at work, the ASP mission group planning its next fundraiser, Rummagefest volunteers sorting that day’s contributions, and the two pastors examining the lectionary with the church’s seminary interns.

Night or day, Northminster is an active, bustling, energized and caring body of faith. Its ministries and missions are alive and thriving, a testament to the church’s commitment to build a community – at Northminster, in Evanston, and throughout the world – that “embodies God’s kindness and compassion.”

But here’s the bottom line…We can do better, we can do more. Just imagine the possibilities if we give our time, our talents and our possessions more generously. Our 2012 Stewardship campaign embraces this challenge by asking you to view “Northminster in 3D”:

• Dreaming Possible Dreams: Looking beyond our own individual needs (e.g., mortgage payments, tuition costs) and Northminster’s basic needs (e.g., personnel budget, building expenses) to find new, creative ways that we, together, can serve God;

• Dedicating Our Gifts: Recognizing our many blessings, as individuals and as a congregation, and our unique position to share our gifts with others; and

• Doing God’s Work: Applying our gifts in support of our vision for Northminster by saying “yes” even – and especially – when it is more comfortable to say “no.”

As you consider “Northminster in 3D,” ask yourself: What does Northminster mean to me? What role does faith play in my life? What more can I do in service of God’s work on earth?

We hope and pray that your answers to these questions lead you to accept our “Northminster in 3D” challenge by (i) increasing your pledge to Northminster and (ii) increasing your involvement in the ministries and the life of the church. We ask that you bring your pledge card to worship on Stewardship Sunday, October 30, 2011, return it to the church office by that date, or pledge online at www.northminpres.org.

Yours in Christ,

THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Bob Regan (Chair), Cindy Clark, Liz Holding, Ned Lott, Kurt Peters, Lois Trautvetter

Use this form to send your pledge information directly to the Stewardship Committee chair, Bob Regan, and Financial Secretary, Mike Jin. This information will be kept confidential. No bank account information should be sent with this form. Please submit your 2012 pledge information by October 30, 2011.

Name(s) Street address City/St/ZIP Email addressPrimary phone

For 2012, my/our total pledge is  $  …which will be paid Weekly Monthly Other If "Other," on what schedule?

Please check as applicable: I/we want to participate in Northminster's automatic debit program. [Enrollment form available here]   Please contact me/us about the tax benefits of donating appreciated stock directly to Northminster.   I/we will need offering envelopes.
 

The following fields are optional, but will be valuable to the Stewardship Committee in our efforts to make future campaigns as effective, meaningful, and relevant as possible, and to strengthen the financial life of the church. Please respond as thoroughly as time permits. When you are finished with this form, click the "Send Info to NPC" button at the bottom of the page.

Please share any comments or concerns you have regarding Northminster Presbyterian Church: Please provide any other comments regarding the 2012 Stewardship Campaign: