The 2026 Annual Appeal:
A Time to Grow
Dear Fellow Parishioner,
On behalf of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church, we are writing to thank you for all the wonderful ways you have contributed to the life of this parish. We are blessed to have a church where people can flourish in their faith, community, service, and worship. We recently shared with you the joyous announcement of welcoming a new Rector this fall. As we begin this new chapter in the life of Mount Calvary, we need your help to support the important work of this parish. Our life together is a series of seasons, each with its own purpose and appointed time ordained by God. Now is the season for Mount Calvary to grow in every way – to deepen and strengthen our faith, to attract and serve new members, and to engage more fully with our community.
Over the next few weeks, we are inviting the congregation to reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed on us as individuals and as a parish family- and the responsibilities we joyfully accept as disciples of Christ – to create new momentum for our call to growth. The world needs to see the good news of Jesus Christ and experience God’s love in our lives and the communities that we serve. Our church blesses us in many ways, from meaningful worship, inspirational music, creative youth programs, thoughtful Christian education, and impactful outreach efforts. All this is possible because of the grounding of your financial support.
Please consider pledging for 2026. Pledging strongly impacts one’s spiritual relationship with God and the church’s mission. When you pledge you truly become vested in the church: it is a blessing that opens new opportunities in many ways. Your financial support is critical as we look to the future. We have determined that we will need to raise an additional $35,000 (a 14% increase) above our 2025 pledges received if we are to do all we believe God is asking of us. The commitment you make now will unfold through the coming year to sustain our discipleship and prayer together.
We hope that you will complete the enclosed pledge form or the on line version and through doing so, find your love of God growing. Over the 3 weeks starting on Sunday 9/14, you will hear testimonies of fellow parishioners whose stories of how their love of God, and all we do at Mount Calvary, inspires them. May they in turn inspire you during the weeks of our annual giving campaign. October 5th is our Dedication Sunday with the in-gathering of pledge cards. You can also return the pledge card by mail to the church office or fill out the on-line version at mtcalvary@mtcp.org. Your financial support is needed now as we embrace a season of growth.
May God’s love be with you,
The Wardens and Vestry of Mt. Calvary
Ways to Give
Stewardship is about recognizing God’s work in our lives and responding with a “Grateful Heart.”
Donate Online through Realm
Matching Gifts
Planned Giving
Planned giving, also known as legacy giving or gift planning, is a process where a donor commits to giving a charitable gift to Mount Calvary Episcopal Church at a future date. Planned gifts are typically made as part of a donor’s estate or financial plan, and are often given after the donor passes away.
Planned gifts can be made in a variety of ways, including:
- Will or trust: A simple charitable gift that can be included in a will or trust
- Charitable gift annuity: A model that can provide income for the donor
- Charitable remainder trust: A trust that can provide income for the donor while also avoiding capital gains tax
- Charitable lead trust: A trust that pays a fixed amount to a charity for a set period of time or for the donor’s lifetime
Planned gifts can be a way for donors to make larger gifts than they might be able to from their regular income. They can also provide tax benefits and other advantages for the donor.
Endowment
The endowment fund is comprised of financial assets that have been gifted to Mount Calvary to support the mission and ministries of the church. Through a donation of money or property to the endowment, you secure the future of Mount Calvary with prudent stewardship and unwavering commitment. These sacred funds, safeguarded for the tomorrows to come, carry the promise of renewal and sustenance for our parish.
Transfer of Assets
Gifts of long-term appreciated stock or other assets allow the contributor to take advantage of the tax benefits of donating appreciated assets directly to Mount Calvary. By making a direct donation of long-term appreciated stocks or securities to the church, Mount Calvary will receive the full amount of your stock or securities value and the contributor will not be subject to the capital gains tax on the appreciated securities. With a direct transfer donation of long-term appreciated stocks, you become eligible for a federal income tax deduction of the Fair Market Value of the appreciated securities, as long as they have been held for more than one year.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
Parishioners can contribute directly from their IRA accounts to Mount Calvary to take advantage of tax benefits and fulfill their required IRA minimum distributions. IRA charitable gifts to Mount Calvary are excluded from the contributor’s gross income for federal income tax purposes. If the contributor is over the age of 72 (or age 73 if you reach age 72 after 12/31/2022), a Qualified Charitable Distribution, which involves a direct transfer of money from the contributor’s IRA to Mount Calvary, is not taxable, but it counts towards satisfying your required minimum distribution for the year.
Please contact us if you have any questions about giving. The information herein is not written or intended as tax, legal or financial advice and may not be relied upon for such purposes. Individuals are strongly encouraged to seek advice from their finance, tax or legal counsel.