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New parish stewardship program comes ready-to-use

By Melodie Woerman
Editor, The Harvest

Char DeWitt, diocesan Director of Development and Stewardship, has distributed a ready-to-go stewardship program to every parish in the diocese, just in time for the annual fall pledge campaign season.

Working with the Stewardship and Development Committee, DeWitt has packaged information for parish stewardship committee members, sample letters to parishioners and even activities for children, all provided without cost.

The program takes its title, “Casting into deep waters,” from the theme for this year’s Diocesan Convention.

Committee member Heidi Wise and DeWitt developed the program around a spiritual journey that leads one from the shoreline into waist-deep waters and then into the deep water of abundance, generosity and spiritual grace.

DeWitt said that in the passage from Matthew 25 on which the theme is based, “Jesus was speaking to Peter about both abundance and about being a disciple. We wanted to look at Peter’s journey from shoreline to deep water abundance and then examine that same journey we need to make.”

Using Wise’s talents with graphic design, DeWitt says the materials have a look that is “unique and captivating.” All were produced in-house at the diocesan office and mailed to parishes just after Labor Day.

DeWitt said she’s getting lots of positive feedback about the materials for children, including a child’s pledge card. “We need to be our more aware of ways to teach children to become stewards,” she said.

Useful at other times, too

DeWitt said some parishes already had pledge campaigns in place before this program was distributed. She said the program’s text also could form the basis of an adult class series, a Lenten study or even an inquirer’s class.

This is just the first of a series of parish materials DeWitt and her committee plan to produce. Next on tap will be a two-year turn-key planned giving program, complete with sample letters and tips to help clergy discuss this topic with parishioners.

Yearly pledge campaign materials also are in the works, to follow on this successful inaugural program.

She also will have a generic stewardship presentation on DVD for use at any parish function.

“My intent is to provide resources for parishes for annual giving, planned giving and capital campaigns,” DeWitt said. “I am excited to provide important tools for our parish’s stewardship toolbox.”