Timetable for Conduction Stewardship Sunday
This timetable in reverse shows the sequencing of activities for conducting a Stewardship effort in the parish.
To use the following calendar, first establish the date of Stewardship Commitment Sunday, then fill in the dates working backwards from there. On this calendar, the "X" represents Commitment Sunday. For example, the designation "X-10" in the calendar signifies '10 weeks before Commitment Sunday."
X-10
Week of:
Pastor and Stewardship committee begin recruiting lay witnesses or couples to speak at all Masses on Weekend 1 and Weekend 2. If the parish is not able to recruit volunteers from the parish, the diocese will help provide lay witnesses from other parishes. Generally speaking, it is much more effective to use individuals from your parish.
X-9
Week of:
Mailings to parishioners are planned and scheduled beginning this week.
X-8
Week of:
Envelopes and letterhead for cover letters are ordered from local printer.
X-7
Week of:
Article about Stewardship is written for the parish newsletter, if there is one.
X-6
Week of:
Special activities, such as making posters or banners, are planned and assigned. Lists of parishes time and talent opportunities are developed.
X-5
Week of:
First bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. Coordinate volunteers for Time & Talent Fair.
X-4
Week of:
Lay witnesses meet with pastor to coordinate their remarks. Second bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin.
X-3
Week of:
Mailing #1. Is made to all parishioners following this weekend. What is Stewardship? Third bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin.
X-2
Week of:
WEEKEND #1. Pastor's homily #1. First lay witness presentation. The fourth bulletin is placed in church bulletin. - Diocesan Website
X-1
Week of:
WEEKEND #2. Pastor's homily #2. Second lay witness presentation. The fifth bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin, announcing that commitment cards will be mailed to homes during the week and they are to be returned to church the following weekend.
X
Week of:
WEEKEND #3 COMMITMENT SUNDAY. Pastor's homily #3. Cards are presented at Mass. Sixth bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. Sponsor a "Time & Talent Fair" After Masses
X
Week of:
During the week a thank-you mailing is made to those parishioners who have responded with time, talent and treasure commitment cards.
Practical Tips for a Successful Parish Ministry Fair
- Conduct the fair after masses or incorporate the ministry fair into an existing parish special event
- Serve snacks or beverages
- Provide ample space for representatives from ALL parish ministries to be available to talk with people
- Set up tables outside (under tent cover) of mass or in popular gathering areas with high foot traffic
- Have pastor and other parish leadership present.
- Make the fair fun!
- Invite other organizations such as the Knights of Columbus to have a representative present
Forming a Stewardship Committee
Diocese of Charleston, Office of Stewardship and Mission AdvancementWe suggest the parish form a stewardship committee as a committee under the Parish Council with the general responsibility for stewardship awareness and the annual stewardship "effort". We suggest that the stewardship committee not be under the auspices of the Finance Council because that tends to put too much emphasis on the treasure instead of equal emphasis on time, talent and treasure.
The committee should consist of five or more members, less with a smaller parish or mission. A smaller parish or mission may even need to add Stewardship responsibilities to an existing committee or council. Members could be appointed to serve three years.
MEMBERS OF A STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
In recruiting parishioners to serve on a Stewardship committee, consider the following qualifications or criteria:
1. Spiritually Motivated-It is important that members be people of prayer and be concerned about parishioners' relationship with; God not about the needs of the church. If their primary concern is raising more money for the church or getting more volunteers for the church, then they would not be appropriate to be on the stewardship committee. Look also for people who are Eucharistic, who have a deep relationship with Jesus, who are grateful for that relationship and who act on that gratitude. Such persons, spend time in studying Scripture and often are people who go to Mass daily.
2. Exemplify and Live Out Stewardship-Look for members who are already personally committed to Stewardship as a way of life. They may NOT call it Stewardship but they live it. Those committed to Stewardship volunteer their time in various parish and community activities. The pastor will certainly know or can find out about people's volunteer activities at the parish and may even know about a person's involvement in the community. Those committed to Stewardship will also be committed, regular and generous givers to the offertory. Again, the pastor will know or can find out about people's giving history.
3. Envision Where Stewardship Can Take the Parish-It is important that all members of a Stewardship committee have the same understanding of Stewardship in a general way before they join the committee and, more specifically, after they join the committee and are educated. Some may see stewardship only as tithing your money; others may see Stewardship as recycling paper products; others may see it as volunteering your time to church organizations only. Developing a working definition of Stewardship will help consolidate the diverse viewpoints of the committee members. It is also important that the members be able to develop a vision of where the parish can be 5, 10 or 15 years from now.
4. Have Personal Qualities that Contribute to Success-Look for people who are accountable (they do what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it), persistent, optimistic, organized, patient, creative and willing to share their faith with others.
Produced by the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina
