November 7, 2011
A letter from Janet Rowe Hoffman, Stewardship chairman
Greetings to you from Christ Church by the Sea. As autumn is gradually
turning into winter, most of us are having thoughts of our annual journey to
Puerto Vallarta. While I am not yet in PV, it is very much on my mind as is
our precious church community. Being a member of Christ Church has been
such a boon to me--as I have said before, it fills in the gaps that were empty
in my life in paradise. Walking into the church now feels much like coming
home. And seeing the dear friends is just heartwarming. Of course, some of
us keep in touch through the summer and many of us are praying for each
other. Still, it is not like actually being together. That is part of the joy of
returning to Vallarta.
The other thing that is looming large for us is the stewardship season in
our "home" churches. In November we will be asked to make our pledges for
the following year. As you consider this amount, I ask you to please keep in
mind a figure for Christ Church by the Sea.
As you know, we have a bare bones budget. Our costs are for rent, maintenance
and cleaning, electricity, gas and water. Father Jack and Dale Mattson, our
organist, are not compensated for their efforts which, at times, border on heroic.
As our attendance grows we are naturally seeing an increase in the Sunday
offerings. That is, however, not enough to keep our doors open. Won't you
please consider making part of your Annual Gift to the church to Christ Church
this year? Our pledges go only to operating expenses and, if there is any
surplus, to outreach. The ongoing construction on the property is being paid
for by special designated gifts. You will be hearing more about that later in
the winter.
Meantime, we must pay the basic cost of keeping the doors open
and hope to support our various outreach projects: layettes for the newborns,
continuing support of the impoverished Huichol community, English classes in
the kindergarten and primary school we have "adopted', food and clothing
donations in the neighborhood of the school, lap rugs for the elderly and
others. We have, by the way, been informed that the Colonia in which the
schools are located is the second poorest one in the metropolitan area.
Last year only a handful of families made pledges to our church. We
fervently hope to see that number increase this year. Our future depends
upon it. Go here to download our pledge form and please make your pledge for
the 2012 calendar year.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Janet Rowe Hoffman
Stewardship chairman