The story of Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is almost 400 years old. It includes thousands of characters who have come to this community and discovered how their story and God’s even larger story intertwine. It has twists and turns, ups and downs, but through it all our story is one of faith nurtured and faith enacted as this church community has sought to live and love like Jesus. As current members of Christ & St. Luke’s we are the inheritors and stewards of this story. But by the grace of God, we also have the chance to be its authors. That means we are well-positioned to write a powerful and important next chapter in the story of Christ & St. Luke’s.
You can read Father Noah Van Niel’s letter to the congregation here:
What motivates people to pledge?
We spoke with some parishioners about why they choose to pledge. Here’s a video of their testimonies.
This campaign is essential, as parishioner pledges and contributions account for almost three-quarters of our operating revenue. Many people have questions about pledging, and so we’ve tried to answer some of them for you here.
What is a financial pledge?
A pledge is a promised commitment for the amount you expect to financially give to the church over the course of the coming year (2027). You do not need to pay the money when you make the commitment. Your commitment helps the church responsibly plan and determine the budget for the upcoming year.
Why should I make a financial commitment?
Pledging is a way to sustain our parish and fund our mission and ministry. While we appreciate every contribution, our biggest hope is for maximum participation, not necessarily maximum contribution. Pledging is a mutual relationship — a way for you to show and claim: “This is my church,I am a part of it. It is there for me, and I’m there for it.”
Your pledge helps fund numerous aspects of the church’s life, including:
- Supporting Staff and Infrastructure: Pledges provide salaries for our dedicated staff team and help meet the rising fixed costs and expanding expenses of an increasingly busy and growing church. Based on the 2027 budget, it costs about $4,000 a day to run the church.
- Caring for Our Beautiful Building: Funds are used to care for our beloved buildings and grounds. We are committed to keeping up with maintenance, improvements, and repairs, rather than letting issues build up.
- Funding Mission and Ministry: Pledges directly support ministries such as the Thursday Lunch Ministry, our Caring for Creation initiatives, and our Youth and Children’s Ministries.
- Music and Arts: Your commitment pays for our liturgical music expenses, including adult and children’s choirs, as well as special instrumentalists for services like Easter and Christmas.
- Community Impact: We provide support to community organizations such as Ghent Area Ministries,the Urban Renewal Center, and others
- Supporting the Broader Church: We contribute 10% of our plate and pledge revenue to the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia to support the broader mission of the church.
Can’t I just put money in the plate when I’m at church?
Yes, of course you can. And we hope you do. But by making a pledge you let us know ahead of time what we can reasonably expect to receive in revenue for the coming year which is essential to planning and budgeting responsibly.
Who can make a pledge?
Everyone is invited to pledge. You do not have to be an official member or confirmed in the Episcopal Church to make a financial contribution. We welcome contributions from anyone attending, including those who watch our services online.
We want everyone to participate. That includes first-time pledgers and lifetime pledgers.
What is the average pledge amount?
In 2025, the average pledge at Christ & St. Luke’s was about $4,000 but the median pledge was about $2,000. That means pledge amounts range widely, starting from $20 up. For context, the median pledge across all Episcopal churches recently came out at about $3,100.
How many people pledge to Christ and St. Luke’s?
In 2025 we had 304 pledging households. A household could be a single person or a whole family.
How do I make my pledge and pay it?
You can make your pledge commitment using one of two methods:
- Fill out and return a physical pledge card to the church.
- Click to pledge online via the dedicated webpage.
Pledges can be paid in various ways:
- Automatic Payments: You can set up automatic bill payments or withdrawals to fulfill your pledge. This provides a consistent income stream for the church throughout the year. Note that the actual payment setup is done through a separate payment interface, distinct from the pledging webpage. This will open for you from the pledge online page. You can also pay with a credit card, but that will be subject to a 3% processing fee and will need to be kept up to date.
- Check or Cash: You can write a check or place cash in an offering envelope, ensuring it is clearly designated as a “2027 pledge.”
- Stock/IRA: You can contribute appreciated stock or use your IRA required minimum distribution.
Please remember that as a tax-exempt organization, gifts made to the church are tax-exempt.
When is the deadline to submit my pledge?
Please make your pledge by Sunday, November 8th. Pledging promptly is important because the progress we make in collecting these commitments will determine the budget we create for 2027.
If you have further questions about pledging not answered here feel free to be in touch with me via email or with our Church Office.
Thank you for your generous support and for being a part of Christ & St. Luke’s!
