Participating by pledging
In 1971, Intel released the world’s first microprocessor, which found its most widespread use in desktop calculators! National Public Radio began broadcasting. Disney World opened the Magic Kingdom in Florida. A new stock market index, the Nasdaq, debuted. A start-up called Federal Express offered overnight delivery. And, All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Cabarrus County, population 75,000, opened the doors of its new sanctuary.
How the world has changed! Computers, smart phones, social media – an entire world has come into being online. Locally, the population of Cabarrus County has nearly tripled.
And then, COVID. All Saints’ marked the sanctuary’s 50th anniversary with a building that was closed for most of the year.
But your church – the Body of Christ – was as active as ever. While the pandemic has changed the order of all our personal lives, your church has pivoted, adapted, and transformed to continue to keep us centered on our Lord Jesus Christ as our spiritual foundation.
Worship has been offered online Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays each week, in addition to in-person worship, which began again this summer. Your church has also brought Eucharist to 125 parishioners in their homes, nursing homes, and hospitals, averaging more than twice a week, even in the midst of this pandemic.
Fellow parishioners provided 117 meals following surgery or illness and wrote more than 250 cards of support. The people of God from All Saints’ have given or transported over 25,000 pounds of food for distribution to neighbors in need.
Zoom has provided us the opportunity to meet virtually to keep the business of the church moving, but also for small Christian formation groups and social gatherings that include Virtual Foyer Groups during lockdown. Eight new small groups began meeting last Advent, creating new opportunities for more than 70 people to grow in Christ.
Teens at All Saints’ engaged in virtual group meetings together and across the Diocese of North Carolina. When Mayden McDaniel, the new Director of Youth and Family Ministry, came on board in August, teens began meeting in-person for study as well as gathering for service projects, fun outings — and bringing their friends.
We are people who can do great things. And we need money to pay for all of this, which is where your stewardship comesin.
Providing an estimate of your giving in the coming year by returning your pledge card allows your vestry to build a plan to make sure your church continues to provide a place to gather and worship and dream. Your pledge ensures that our skilled and compassionate staff will be able to support, encourage, and comfort the people called to do the work of Jesus from this place.
God has done, is doing, and will do miracles in this community. God also asks us to participate in the miracles. Sometimes by making a meal, or transporting someone to a doctor’s appointment, or leading a small group. And sometimes even by filling out a pledge card!
With gratitude,
Nancy Hunter, Sr. Warden