A LETTER FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP CHAIR
Church Family,
As I reflect on the recent past and look forward to 2024, I am reminded of the Charles Wesley hymn “And Are We Yet Alive”. The first stanza of which is: “And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face? Glory and praise to Jesus give, for His redeeming grace.” It has been a long process for Killearn to become a member of the Global Methodist Church, but we can now joyfully state: “We ARE yet alive!”
Thankfully, our GMC connectional giving for 2024 (formerly known as apportionments) is only 2.5% of operational income, compared to approximately 7% last year. This change frees up significant funds that we can invest in our missions and ministries. We can now choose all of the missions that we support as a church instead of sending significant funds to denominational agencies.
Even so, maintaining the ministries, providing uplifting worship experiences, expanding small groups, and emphasizing outreach requires participation and support of all members. Please prayerfully consider your pledge of time, talent, gifts, and service to support Killearn as we live into our new beginning. Commit to regular worship participation, join a small group, find places to serve to which you feel called. Finally, pray with your family to seek God’s guidance as you prepare your financial pledge.
Below is a link to a commitment card for financial gifts as well as gifts of time and talent, along with a serving guide listing the ministries where you may serve. These cards should be submitted by Sunday, October 29. Hard copies are available on Sunday mornings or in the Church Office if you would prefer to make your commitment in this way. Your commitments may also be made on the Killearn app. It is important that your commitment is received by October 29 in order that the 2024 budget and ministry plans may be completed in a timely fashion.
With Joy on the Journey,
Dave Elyea
As I reflect on the recent past and look forward to 2024, I am reminded of the Charles Wesley hymn “And Are We Yet Alive”. The first stanza of which is: “And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face? Glory and praise to Jesus give, for His redeeming grace.” It has been a long process for Killearn to become a member of the Global Methodist Church, but we can now joyfully state: “We ARE yet alive!”
Thankfully, our GMC connectional giving for 2024 (formerly known as apportionments) is only 2.5% of operational income, compared to approximately 7% last year. This change frees up significant funds that we can invest in our missions and ministries. We can now choose all of the missions that we support as a church instead of sending significant funds to denominational agencies.
Even so, maintaining the ministries, providing uplifting worship experiences, expanding small groups, and emphasizing outreach requires participation and support of all members. Please prayerfully consider your pledge of time, talent, gifts, and service to support Killearn as we live into our new beginning. Commit to regular worship participation, join a small group, find places to serve to which you feel called. Finally, pray with your family to seek God’s guidance as you prepare your financial pledge.
Below is a link to a commitment card for financial gifts as well as gifts of time and talent, along with a serving guide listing the ministries where you may serve. These cards should be submitted by Sunday, October 29. Hard copies are available on Sunday mornings or in the Church Office if you would prefer to make your commitment in this way. Your commitments may also be made on the Killearn app. It is important that your commitment is received by October 29 in order that the 2024 budget and ministry plans may be completed in a timely fashion.
With Joy on the Journey,
Dave Elyea
WHY GIVE?
We believe that God created the world, that we are created in the image of God, and that all we are, and all the material things we have accumulated, belong to God. Consequently, we are stewards for God. When we give our gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we are returning a portion of all that God has given us to be used in God’s work through Killearn Methodist Church.
As a church, we strive to discern God’s call for our community, stewarding the gifts of time, talent and money that you give and putting them to work through ministries that present Christ, encourage growth and holiness, and send out others to present Christ. We do this because we believe we are called to grow God’s Kingdom in our community and around the world!
WHY PLEDGE?
During the Annual Stewardship Campaign, we seek pledges to help project income for the upcoming year and enable the most effective planning for our ministries. A pledge is an act of promising a monetary sum, your time, and your talents to God through the church. When you make a pledge, you are intentionally setting aside a portion of your income and your time to give back to God, ensuring that your gifts to God are a part of your budget and your calendar. Your pledge to Killearn is in two parts: a pledge to the Operating Fund that supports our ministries and a pledge to the Missions Fund that supports our various ministry partners.
Giving through the Annual Stewardship Campaign provides the resources for the ministries of Killearn Methodist Church to live out our mission - to present Christ, encourage growth and holiness, and send out to present Christ. We ask you to prayerfully consider how you will support our ministries in 2024.
PROJECTED OPERATING FUND FOR 2024: $1,957,000
PROJECTED MISSIONS FUND FOR 2024: $206,000
PRESENT - ($1,068,738)
Killearn is a place that presents Christ by inviting all to experience the transforming love of Jesus through ministries to and with our members, guests, community and world.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
GROW - ($529,070)
Killearn is a place where you can grow in your relationship with Jesus through study and service in the many transforming ministries available for people of all ages.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
(Luke 10:27)
SEND - ($565,192)
Killearn is a place where you are equipped to be sent out to share the love of God with others in our community and around the world.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)
FAQ
HOW MUCH IS APPROPRIATE TO PLEDGE?
In the Bible, God asks the people of Israel for the first tenth, of 10%, of the harvest. The act of giving a tenth is called tithing. We understand this may not be the “right” amount for every family at this time. Regardless, the concept of tithing is a good model for giving. We suggest that instead of setting a dollar amount, pledge a percentage of your income. You may need to start at a lower percentage and work towards a goal of 10% over several years. We encourage tithing and ask that you prayerfully consider your pledge, as well as incrementally increasing your gift to God through Killearn this year.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CHANGE MY PLEDGE?
We understand that in the course of a year, your circumstances may change. You may increase or decrease your pledge at any time by contacting the Church Office. If you give electronically, you will need to adjust your giving amount by logging into your Killearn CCB account.
WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT MY PLEDGE?
We are asking that pledges be offered no later than Sunday, October 29. They can be mailed or dropped off at the Church Office or you can bring them to worship services that Sunday. The best way to submit your pledge is online or on the Killearn App
MAY I SEE A LINE ITEM BUDGET?
Yes. A line Item budget is available upon request. Contact the Church Office for more information.
WAYS TO GIVE
ONLINE
Giving online is the the safest and most cost-effective way for Killearn to put your gifts into action. You can make a one-time gift or set up recurring transactions. Setting up a recurring gift is a simple way to practice tithing the “first fruits” of your income. If you have questions, contact the Church Office at (850) 893-1116.
KILLEARN APP
To securely make a gift, download the Killearn app from your smartphone app store. Once in the app, scroll down the home screen until you see the "Giving" button. When you click this button, it will ask you to set up an account. Once you've done so, you will be able to make gifts quickly and easily at any time from the app, including setting up recurring payments. All your transactions in app will automatically reflect in CCB.
CHECK OR CASH
Giving cash or check in worship each Sunday is a meaningful tradition that is important for many. When you give by check, please indicate special disbursements on the memo line. If you are giving cash, please use an envelope and indicate your name and any instructions on the outside. You may also bring or mail your gift to the Church Office.
Giving online is the the safest and most cost-effective way for Killearn to put your gifts into action. You can make a one-time gift or set up recurring transactions. Setting up a recurring gift is a simple way to practice tithing the “first fruits” of your income. If you have questions, contact the Church Office at (850) 893-1116.
KILLEARN APP
To securely make a gift, download the Killearn app from your smartphone app store. Once in the app, scroll down the home screen until you see the "Giving" button. When you click this button, it will ask you to set up an account. Once you've done so, you will be able to make gifts quickly and easily at any time from the app, including setting up recurring payments. All your transactions in app will automatically reflect in CCB.
CHECK OR CASH
Giving cash or check in worship each Sunday is a meaningful tradition that is important for many. When you give by check, please indicate special disbursements on the memo line. If you are giving cash, please use an envelope and indicate your name and any instructions on the outside. You may also bring or mail your gift to the Church Office.