We spent time in celebration this fall, honoring our 250 years of raising up disciples of Jesus and serving our community of Atkinson. While honoring our past is right and important, we must also be looking ahead.  

Our stewardship theme this year From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving encourages us to take time to be intentional about the decisions we make with our resources and gifts in light of the open invitation to share in the Lord’s Table. God is working through us and the things we do to accomplish positive change in the world. Every time we give, that gift becomes ministry and mission. In that spirit I ask you to prayerfully consider what your financial pledge to The Light on the Hill will be for 2023.  

The Church Council and I thought it might be helpful for you to know our distribution of giving. In 2022 there were 53 pledges received from individuals or families – the amounts shown below are the annual total pledge: 

• 3 pledged more than $9,000 
• 3 pledged between $5,000 and $9,000 
• 7 pledged between $3,000 and $5,000 
• 7 pledged between 2,000 and $3,000 
• 23 pledged between $1,000 and $2,000 
• 10 pledged less than $1,000, 

...with many others choosing not to pledge. One trend that was noticed is that some pledgers give the same amount every year – sometimes for a decade or more.  

Where are you on this pledging list? And where could you be? 2023 will be a challenging year – our fuel costs for building heat are expected to double in 2023 – to over $14,000. Electricity rates have significantly increased as well. As you look at the distribution of pledges above, I invite prayerful attention to your pledge, and the possibility of much needed additional support. 

If you haven’t pledged in the past, perhaps this is the year to begin. 

If your pledge amount has been the same for some time, this would be a good time to consider an increase.  

I want to thank you for being a partner in the ministry and mission of Atkinson Congregational Church. Your financial gifts make a difference in the lives of many people and help our church reach them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Beyond that, many of you contribute in other ways, with your time and talent to help make our church thrive. In my message at our 250th anniversary worship service, I noted that not one of us built our beautiful church – it was gifted to us by generations of faithful saints who made sure to pass the church to the next generation intact or enhanced. That is our calling as well.  

Peace, 

Pastor Jim Thomas, on behalf of the Stewardship Team