Stewardship and Development is the ministry of Stewardship of Treasure. This ministry is responsible for parish programs involving the Offertory, Bishop’s Appeal, Gift Campaign, Accountability Sunday, Lay Ministry Fund, and any other related activities.

Last year during our Offertory Pledge Appeal, we introduced the definition of a Christian Steward that has been forwarded by the Bishop’s of the United States in their pastoral letter “Stewardship: A Disciples’ Response”.

A Good Christian Steward is one who:
Receives God’s gifts graciously;
Nurtures them responsibly;
Shares them in love and justice, and
Stands accountable before the Lord.

This definition speaks to the actions of a steward, as opposed to the names of the gifts (Time, Talent and Treasure). It gives us a guide as to how to be a good steward. We are to recognize that God is the source of all our physical and mental abilities and ultimately, of all our material goods. We are to develop and use them well, and share them generously with our fellow human beings.

The Stewardship Cycle at St. Francis of Assisi

The GIFT Campaign

Offertory Pledge Appeal
In September, we conduct our Offertory Pledge Appeal. We ask each family to pray for guidance on this important decision, and then to make a well planned, proportional pledge of financial support to the parish for the next year.


Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA)
In January, we join all other parishes in the Diocese and conduct the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. This is our opportunity to support ministries beyond our parish borders.


Accountability Sunday 
We added a new event in July 2005 called Accountability Sunday. This is planned to occur after the end of our fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). We send a high level report of financial activities and related data to all registered families, and a member of our Finance Council presents an overview of our business posture and controls.


Lay Ministry Education Fund
Our parish share of the gifts to the Diocesan God’s Work – Our Challenge campaign of 2001 have been used to create an endowment for the education and formation of lay ministers. Each year in the spring, applications are accepted for the coming year. This endowment has been able to fund numerous volunteers to attend conferences and other education events to further develop their skills in their ministries.