Stewardship
The practice of Christian stewardship begins with the recognition that everything we have comes from God. Jesus taught his first disciples to be good stewards of the gifts God had given them: their talents, the earth and their money. 21st century disciples face many challenges and opportunities as we try to be good stewards of all that God has given us.
Every parish community depends on the financial support of its members - Saint Mark's is no different. We are only able to carry out our mission because of the support of all those who contribute to it in large ways and small. We happen also to be the stewards of beautiful and historic buildings as well as several treasures of ecclesiastical artistry. Our care of our buildings and its appointments likewise depends on the support of our members and those who take an interest in this community and what we stand for.
Each year, normally in the fall, a stewardship campaign is conducted in which the parish leadership asks for pledges of financial support for the coming calendar year.
Season of Stewardship 2026
Give us this Day
Give us this day our daily bread…
The theme for this year’s Season of Stewardship is Give us this Day. Familiar to us from the Lord’s Prayer, this phrase simply and plainly asks God to provide what we need: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The amazing thing is that God does, in ways both clear and mysterious. At Saint Mark’s, we give thanks that God has provided what we need for 177 years and counting, and we give thanks that God calls us likewise to provide for each other. We do this by sharing the daily bread we’ve received, and giving a portion of it back to God for the work of our parish. Throughout this year’s Season of Stewardship, we invite you to pray with us for our parish and its support, in the words our Savior has taught us.
Give us this Day: A daily prayer practice
Take a few quiet moments each day to say the Lord’s Prayer, for the health and vitality of Saint Mark’s Church. Pray alone or with loved ones. Pray early in the morning or late at night. Pray standing up, kneeling, or sitting in traffic. Pray out loud or in the silence of your heart. However you choose, take a moment each day to offer this prayer for Saint Mark’s, from now through Commitment Sunday on November 15. God answers prayer, after all, and there is no better place to start than the prayer Jesus taught his disciples.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Stewardship events
There will be opportunities outside of church for you to talk more about Stewardship and your experience of prayer for the parish. These are intended as friendly social gatherings, to drop in and out of as your schedule permits. Please come and join the conversation!
Monday, October 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Tir na nOg (1600 Arch Street, entrance on Cuthbert St.) Food and drink are generously covered by a donor.
Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. The 20s/30s will explore the meaning of stewardship and how it shapes the way we live, give, serve, and care for one another in our shared life.
Sunday, November 1 at 10 a.m. The Adult Forum will center around Stewardship and how your pledge supports Saint Mark’s.
Sunday, November 8 at 1 p.m. at the Rectory. Refreshments provided by the Stewardship Committee.
Save the date for Commitment Sunday on November 15
Make plans to attend Mass as we celebrate our common life at Saint Mark’s, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel. On Commitment Sunday, parishioners are invited to bring their pledge cards to church and come forward at the offertory. For those who pledge online, symbolic cards will be available for people to bring forward so they can participate. Celebratory Coffee Hours will follow the Masses this day, so please come and give thanks for all we are blessed with at Saint Mark's!
How to Pay Your Pledge
You may fulfill your pledge in a variety of ways. You may bring or send payments to church on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. You may pay your entire pledge for the year in advance. Or, you may pay your pledge online with either your credit card or bank draft payments through a secure online portal on our website following the instructions below.
Online Pledge Payments
If you would like to pay your pledge online, you can do so through our online system powered by Realm. You will need an account in our database to set-up recurring gifts. Please click the button below to login to the Realm system. If you have trouble or need a profile, please call the Parish Office at 215.735.1416, or e-mail Daniel Russell.