It started with Jesus. When Ann and Earl were first married, their desire to follow Jesus compelled them to give and to bless others as they had been. The sharing of time and talents was fairly straight forward. But what about money? The question was, to who and how much?
As part of a faith community, supporting the church financially was important. Ann and Earl also wanted to financially support the wider work of God in the world. They decided sixty percent (60%) of whatever money they gave would go to their church. Forty percent (40%) would go to the wider work of God in the world.
But 60% of what? Early on in their marriage, money was in very short supply. Ann and Earl made another decision to allocate another percentage—a percent of their gross salaried income—to be given away. That number started out at about 3%. Over the years, the percentage inched its way up to 10% of their gross salaried income and has stayed there.
Sticking to their decisions
One year, Ann and Earl had the good fortune to sell some stock options given to Earl as part of his employment. Ten percent of that seemed like a lot! It felt a little awkward to give that much away. Sticking to their decisions made it easier to see that money as a percentage, not a stand-alone number.
Facing retirement, what to do with no salaried income to take a percentage of? Ann and Earl’s current plan is to annually decide an “income.” How much do they expect to need to live on in the coming year? That will be their new base to use their percentages. Given a fixed income, the 10% may need to change but they want to continue give as they have been given.as been so grateful to find a church where her children can put down roots as they grow up in Kenmore.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.