Financially speaking, this year has been a tough one for everybody—church treasurers included. The offertory has been down by some 10 percent since the beginning of the year, which means we have had to watch the expenditure of every last cent like hawks.
The Endowment Fund has shown encouraging growth, though at a rate somewhat less than we had hoped. Currently we are still some $60,000 short of our initial $200,000 goal.
A seasonal gift of shares is always warmly welcome by folks like us who are establishing an endowment fund. A gift of shares can also provide the giver with a useful tax write off, especially if they have an highly appreciated value. St. Stephen’s maintains a brokerage account and we can either hold the shares you donate or sell them if you think that best. The parish has already benefitted from gifts of highly appreciated shares.
The Endowment Fund is intended to provide the parish with the financial stability to sustain its growth. The income will be primarily devoted to reducing the mortgage.
The Endowment Fund Drive team welcomes contributions large and small. If you would like to donate to the fund, please send your check to the Treasurer, made out to St. Stephen’s Traditional Episcopal Church and marked on the memo line “Endowment Fund.” If you wish to make an donation in memory, or in honor of a loved one or friend, please give us the information in a separate note. Also let us know if you would like to be named in the newsletter as a donor.