Dear Friends,

Last Sunday was a special day, with special activities at both services:

·         First, we had a visit from our patron saint, Nicholas of Myra, who regaled us with stories and gold coins (gold-wrapped chocolate, actually), and taught us how much better it felt (and tasted) to give than to receive.

·         Then, we held our Ingathering and Blessing of our 2010 Giving Estimates, at which I prayed the above prayer.

·         Finally, we ended our time together with a special fellowship time that included a Christmas Cookie Potluck Social.

We have heard from a fair number of you that the icy conditions kept you from making it to church as you had planned.  Even so, we had a combined attendance of over 100 people at the morning and evening services (not bad for bad weather).  When all was said and done, we had gathered and blessed 50 Giving Estimates for 2010, for a total of about $198,000.  (Thank you!)

That’s impressive for a two-week official ingathering period, but we’re not done yet. To fully close the gap between 2010 Estimated Income and Expense, we need at least another $100,000.  Now, that may sound like a big number.  But if you take the 2009 Estimated Giving households whom we still expect will renew or increase their Giving Estimates for 2010; and if you add to them the number of potential first-time Estimated Givers, that seemingly large figure is within our reach.

To use a football metaphor: We just finished the second half, we’re into overtime, and we’re within kicking distance of the goal. We just have to pull off this last play in the time remaining.

While you are more than welcome to submit a 2010 Giving Estimate any time in the coming year, the Vestry will be meeting on Wednesday, December 16, to approve a preliminary budget for 2010.  And it would make passing that budget a lot less of a nail biter for them if all of you who are planning to submit Giving Estimates for 2010 got them in before then.

As always, you can submit your Giving Estimate from the SaintNicks.com website by clicking here. Or you can copy the form below and mail it in or place it in the offering plate this Sunday.  And if your financial circumstances don’t permit you to make a Giving Estimate now, please drop us a note to let us know that you’ll be keeping us in your prayers.

Thanks for all you give, all you do, and all you are!

Ken+

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2010 Estimate of Giving

Estimated Financial Giving

[   ]  YES.  Recognizing that all that we have and all that we are comes from God, we estimate that during the next year we will give to our church to carry out the work God has given us to do:

Amount: $ 

Frequency:         [   ] weekly          [   ] monthly        [   ] quarterly      [   ] annually        (check appropriate frequency)

Name of Household: 

Address:

Tele:  

* I understand that this giving estimate may be raised or lowered at any time simply by notifying the treasurer.

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Estimated Time & Talent Giving

[   ]  YES.  We would like to explore ways to that we might give of our time and talent to carry out the work of God through our church.  Please contact us to discuss how our specific gifts and talents might best be put to work. 

(Give the name of each member of the household and what ministries may be “calling out” to him/her – see list below for examples.)

Name:

Possible Ministries:

 

Name:

Possible Ministries:

 

Name:

Possible Ministries:

 

Name:

Possible Ministries:

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Current Ministry Opportunities

Worship

Adult’s & Children’s Choirs

Acolytes & Acolytes Coordinator

Lectors & Chalicists

Healing Prayer

Ushers

Vergers

Spiritual Formation

Sunday School Teachers

Youth Group Leaders

Adult Bible/Book Study Leaders & Hosts

Parish Life

Greeters

Hospitality Coordinators & Helpers

Potluck Coordinators and Helpers

Social Events Coordinators and Helpers

Support Group Coordinators

Outreach

Germantown HELP Helpers

Nursing Home Communion Volunteers

El Hogar Fundraisers & El Hogar Missioners

Administration

Assistant Treasurer

Offering Counters

Building & Grounds Care Committees

Communications Committee

Office Proofreader

Stewardship Committee

Advisory Committees: Seminarians & Staff