Stewardship

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." Saint Augustine

Click here to contribute online. It is helpful if you are willing to pay the service fee for the online transaction.

Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Bible. The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time and talents, and volunteering for ministry and mission. (Source: The Episcopal Church)

Your support of the church pays the Rector, Organist/Choirmaster, and Sextons; keeps the lights and heat/AC on, covers building maintenance cost, and pays for all other general operating expenses. Generosity to our parish, though, is much more than that. It is a sign of our commitment to the real meaning of life. It's about making the world a better place where Christ's promise of abundant life is made real -- touching and changing lives in ways we may never see or know.

2021 Stewardship

October 2020 is Stewardship Month. Video messages, based on the theme of "Loving the Lord and Loving Our Neighbor, will be sent to parishioners weekly, beginning October 20. An email from Senior Warden, Kevin Babb, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee should reach parishioners by October 26. The email will contain Kevin's letter and the 2021 pledge form which should be completed and returned prior to Sunday, November 8. The ingathering of pledges will occur on this Sunday and the pledges will be blessed at the altar.

You may print out and complete the pledge form attached to the stewardship email or follow this link to the online 2021 pledge form and fill out the form on your screen then click on "submit.". Alternatively, completed paper forms may be scanned/emailed to [email protected], mailed to St. Andrew's at 406 Hillsboro, Edwardsville 62025, placed in the offering plate, or put in the envelope on the church office desk designated for 2021 pledges.

We hope you will support the work of St. Andrew's as we begin anew in 2021!

Gifts of Stock

Parishioners may find there is a tax advantage to making a stock gift to St. Andrew's. If you are interested in doing so, we have an account with Bridwell Financial Group in Edwardsville. Jim Bridwell, the owner, has worked with St. Andrew's contributors for many years. The phone number for his office is 618-692-6556. It is also helpful to let St. Andrew's Treasurer know that you (or your financial adviser) are making a stock transfer to St.Andrew's account at Bridwell Financial.

IRA Charitable Rollover

In response to the pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress. Included in this giant relief package was a provision that waives required minimum distributions (RMDs) for 2020 from retirement accounts.

You may be wondering if you can still do a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD for 2020 even though your RMD is waived. The answer is yes. QCDs can still be made even in years when no RMD is required. QCDs from IRAs are still available in 2020 and still offer tax benefits, even though RMDs are not required.Under recently reinstated law, you may give gifts from your IRA directly to a qualified charity like Saint Andrew's without having to pay income taxes on the money. This law applies to those persons who are 70½ or older who must take a minimum distribution each year. This is how it works:

• If you are 70½ or older, you can give gifts of any denomination (up to a total of $100,000) directly from your IRA to the parish.
• The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you still benefit even if you do not itemize your tax deductions.
• If you have not taken your required minimum distribution or RMD for the year, your IRA charitable rollover gift can satisfy all or part of that requirement.
• The transfer may be made in addition to any other charitable giving you have planned.
• Contact your financial adviser for assistance as the check will be prepared by your financial adviser.

Giving Through Your Will

A bequest to Saint Andrew's can be added to an existing will with a simple codicil or will change. Rather than a particular sum or piece of property, some donors designate a certain percentage of the estate is to come to the parish.

Time and Talent Contributions

In addition to monetary support to St, Andrew's, consider contributing your time and talents:

• Parish Leadership (Vestry);
• Parish ministries;
• Outreach / Community ministries;
• Parish Administrative Support;
• Pastoral Care;
• Worship and Music.