November 1, 2011

• Download the Stewardship Pledge Form
• View Budget Breakdown
• Click here to make an online pledge to the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

Dear Members and Friends of the Chicago Temple:

Our theme for the 2012 Stewardship Campaign is Strengthening our Foundation – sharing our gifts, showing our faith. Without question, the physical foundation of the Chicago Temple stands strong on the corner of Clark and Washington in downtown Chicago. Ever since the first log cabin church was moved here from across the river in 1838, our continuing presence on this corner has been just one of our many strengths. But more importantly, it is our worship within the building that is the very foundation of the Temple’s congregational life. It is the church’s chief reason for being. Our worship is what sustains us and empowers us to share our gifts and show our faith to the city and world around us.

This is the time of the year when we ask our members and friends to reflect upon the importance of our worship here at the Temple. We are asking you to think about the work of the church and make a financial commitment to help make all that the church does possible. Just as important, we ask you to think about how you can share your nonfinancial gifts and talents to support the ministries of the Temple over the upcoming year. The enclosed flyer is intended to show how the church’s financial resources are allocated and to show the richness of our programs that are made possible through our congregation sharing gifts of money, time and ability. Just some of what we accomplished in 2011:

• Worship – 30,000 attendees heard the Word of God and the gift of music during our weekly worship services
• Outreach – 7,000 hot meals served to the homeless citizens of our community
• Pastoral Care – 2580 counseling hours, plus hospital calls, home visits and telephone contacts
• Education – 500 individuals took part in our regular Sunday School classes for children, youths and and adults.

Please take a moment to record your commitment on the enclosed pledge card and return it to the church by mail (in the enclosed envelope) or in person by December 4. As an alternative, you can register your pledge online at www.chicagotemple.org by following the “Stewardship 2012” link on the homepage.

While we ask that you give what you can, the amount you pledge isn’t the most important point. What is important is that we hear from you and that you feel invested in the Temple’s ministries through your financial and nonfinancial contributions. Part of showing our faith is through sharing our gifts and it is those gifts that enable us to continue the ministries of the Chicago Temple.

Please reach out to me or the church staff if you have any questions. My email is horton8735@sbcglobal.net and the phone number of the church office is 312-236-4548.

Thank you and God bless.

Sincerely,

Robert Horton

Stewardship Committee