Stewardship Letter

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” 

1 Peter 4:10 

Dear St. Aidan’s Family and Friends, 

Welcome to St. Aidan’s 2027 Stewardship Campaign: Generosity & Grace in Action. 

This year, our campaign is rooted in these words from First Peter: each of us has received a gift, and each of us is called to use that gift in service to one another as a steward of God’s varied grace. 

That word varied is at the heart of this campaign. 

God’s grace is one gift, but it does not look the same in every person. The light of Christ is given to us in Baptism, and that light shines through different lives, experiences, abilities, resources, ministries, and acts of generosity. 

Think of light passing through a prism. What appears to be one beam of light suddenly fills the room with color. The colors were always there—they become visible when the light passes through the prism. 

We think that is a beautiful image of the Church. 

No single person carries the whole ministry of St. Aidan’s. Some of us teach. Some sing. Some pray. Some cook. Some visit. Some organize. Some repair things. Some welcome newcomers or sit beside someone who needs a friend. Some give financially so that ministries they may never personally use can flourish.

Each gift is different. Each gift matters. Together, they reveal more of God’s grace. 

At St. Aidan’s, that varied grace becomes worship and music, Christian formation and children’s ministry, pastoral care and prayer, hospitality and fellowship, outreach and community partnership. It becomes a meal, a visit, a lesson, a hymn, a listening ear, a helping hand, and the financial generosity that makes our shared ministry possible. 

Our stewardship journey begins on October 1. Following our kickoff, 2027 pledge cards will be available for pickup on October 4th and then will be mailed to parish households. When yours arrives, we invite you to place it somewhere visible and spend some time praying with it. 

Rather than beginning with “How much should I give?” perhaps begin with a different question: What has God entrusted to me, and how am I being called to put that grace into action? 

Then, on Sunday, October 25, we will gather for our ONE Ingathering Service at 9:30am. Together we will bless our 2027 pledges and continue the celebration with a parish potluck. 

It will be a Sunday of thanksgiving—not simply for what we give, but for the people who make up this remarkable parish and for what God can do when all of our different gifts come together. (Wear your St. Aidan’s shirts or your Halloween costumes). 

Thank you for the many ways you already put Generosity & Grace in Action at St. Aidan’s. 

Grace and joy, 

The St. Aidan's Stewardship Team 

Giving Methods:   

• Online: Set up recurring giving through your individual REALM Account by visiting onrealm.org/aidanvbva/Give
• Cash or Check: Please write your name clearly on your envelope or check so we can track your gift for your records.  Please indicate whether it is for your pledge or another giving fund.
• Bank Online Bill Pay: Easy, secure, and low-fee for the church and you!
• Zelle:  Zelle is a free online payment service through most large banks and credit unions. Access Zelle through your bank’s website or mobile app and send your gift to St. Aidan’s at bookkeeper@aidanvbva.net
• QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) Please indicate on your pledge card “QCD” and the month in which the payment will come in.
• Text Giving through REALM.  Text the word “aidanvb” to 73256