giving
Gifts
In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was at the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. [John 1:1-5]
Our lives, and indeed all of creation, began with God’s act of giving, and what God began, God continues with love and mercy in abundance. All that we are and all that we come from God, and it is but one more gift that we have the opportunity to continue the good work that has begun in us.
At St. Stephen’s, we believe that our lives are deepened when we give from a grace-filled and grateful heart, upon reflection, and with loving intent. Giving generously gives one strength and hope for the journey ahead, no matter what that may hold.
St. Stephen’s is strong and vibrant because generations of members have counted themselves blessed and have gratefully and joyously supported its mission in many ways. We pray that your giving will come from a deep and abiding sense of gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed on you. Share in the gift that is this place, this community of faith, and the gift we have in each part of St. Stephen's, and in Jesus, the one who does not leave our side in our daily experience of faith.
An essential part of our stewardship and growth efforts is the generous financial commitment from parishioners. These gifts enable us to transform lives in our community and beyond in the name of Christ. With this generosity, we can support outreach partners like Housing for New Hope and Urban Ministries of Durham. We can provide opportunities like our educational offerings for all ages or our music ministries. These efforts strengthen our relationship with God and equip us all to better make a difference in the world.
By financially supporting St. Stephen’s ministries and mission, you also extend your response to God into the future and help shape the way God’s presence here is known and shared.
Annual Giving
Each fall, St. Stephen’s has a pledge campaign, which provides a yearly opportunity for parishioners to make a financial commitment to the parish in the form of a pledge. Others will choose to make a general contribution. Either way, these demonstrations of support enable us to anticipate levels of funding and responsibly prepare a budget for the upcoming year.
Information for Annual Giving 2023 is available here.
Planned Giving
In addition to annual giving, there are many ways to make a planned gift to St. Stephen’s, gifts that go beyond our lifetime. This type of giving is for anyone at any stage of their life. Here are eight ways to make such a gift. The advice of legal counsel and your financial advisor is highly recommended.
Create or revise your will to leave St. Stephen’s a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate.
Designate St. Stephen’s as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or retirement plan.
Designate St. Stephen’s as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Create a Donor-Advised Fund with St. Stephen’s as a beneficiary.
Name St. Stephen’s as a “pay on death” beneficiary of a bank account.
Create a Charitable Gift Annuity.
Create a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT).
Create a Charitable Lead Trust (CLT).
Any gift that supports the future of the parish is beneficial and much appreciated. For more information about planned giving, please contact the Rector or the Parish Treasurer.
Legacy Society
One of the most wonderful stories about a legacy gift is found in Genesis 15:5-6. God makes a promise to Abram that he will have that seemingly impossible opportunity—biological and spiritual descendants to whom he can leave his legacy of worldly goods and faithfulness to God:
[God] brought [Abram] outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
In the end, we will be remembered in part for what we leave behind that makes a difference in the lives of others.
St. Stephen’s established the Founders Legacy Society for those who have engaged in Planned Giving or have otherwise made a financial contribution to these efforts. The generosity of the members of this society ensures the future of our parish and its ministries. This group also serves as a way of encouraging and spreading the ministry of legacy giving. To find out more information about enrolling in the Founders Legacy Society, please contact the Rector or the Parish Treasurer.
Give Online
No matter how you choose to support St. Stephen’s financially, we have made it easy for you to give online. You can make a pledge payment or contribution, a donation to the church, or a donation to one or more of our outreach efforts. You can also set up an account to make recurring contributions.
Every day St. Stephen’s is blessed by all the ways you give.
We could not do what we do without the money you give, the service you offer, and the gifts you share.