Help Folks End the Year: Remembering the Parish
In this article, TENS Board Member John Hoskins offers sage advice on the why and how for sending an eleven-month giving statement to encourage payment in full by year end. You will also be inviting additional gifts and pre-payment of 2009 pledges to the extent that this may be tax advantageous.

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“The boost of giving at year’s end can be a windfall and a blessing. But end-of-year contributions are not always gleaming treasures. The gift that looks like a brightly wrapped present can actually be a lump of sooty coal carelessly stuffed into a stocking.” So begins this article offering guidance on accounting for year-end gifts.

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How to Be Generous and Raise Generous Children Especially In Tough Economic Times by Dr. Steve McSwain
“We are in an economic crisis. So, what will we learn? If I were to ask you to identify the most important thing you would hope your child would learn from this and carry into adulthood, what would it be?

“For me, I would want my child to learn that happiness and security has little to do with career choice, how much money she might make and salt away, or even what she might accomplish. Instead, it has everything to do with knowing for herself what her purpose is on earth. That is, to know why she showed up here. What could be more important for her to know with absolute certainty? Knowing why she’s here will enable her to survive anything—an economic meltdown, notwithstanding.”

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When times are hard and money is tight, consider the Church as a place to find help. “Living Wi$ely” is a budget counseling ministry designed to serve every size congregation. Join the Rev. Laurel Johnston, newly appointed Stewardship Officer for The Episcopal Church, and explore this way of introducing a personal budgeting ministry to your congregation and community. Plan now to attend the “Living Wi$ely” training event January 23-24, 2009, at The Episcopal Church Center of the Diocese of Utah.

Click here for details.