Give to St. Philip’s
In John 13:34, Jesus says to us, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” So, how do we love? We start with each other - our community here at St. Philip's. Supporting one another in our physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We continue to spread that love outside these walls, to our wider community through outreach into our neighborhoods, into our workplace, our cities and into the world.
As you consider your 2026 pledge, we invite you to reflect on what St. Philip’s means to you and how our work serves the community. What would it look like for your commitment to be truly meaningful—perhaps even a radical act of faith?
Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pledging?
Pledging is the act of declaring a specific financial commitment to St. Philip’s over a specific period of time (for the annual pledge campaign, one year’s time). It is a spiritual discipline, rooted in scripture, of prayerfully considering what portion of the resources with which each of us has been so blessed we will share back with the church over the course of that period.
What is the pledge campaign at St. Philip’s?
The pledge campaign at St. Philip’s takes place each fall and is the annual parish-wide Initiative of considering and declaring our individual financial commitments to St. Philip’s for the coming year. On the basis of these commitments, our church leadership is able to plan its budget for that coming year.
What do pledged dollars pay for at St. Philip’s?
Your pledge dollars, broadly speaking, pay for all the things that collectively comprise our “life” as a parish each year: the costs associated with our robust calendar of worship, educational offerings for children and adults, social gatherings for our parish community, and our ministry to those beyond our parish walls. From heat and electricity to the glorious music of our choirs each week to the maintenance of our buildings and grounds where St. Philip’s is a welcoming space in the heart of Garrison, your pledge dollars make the life we share together as a parish possible.
Why does pledging matter?
The importance of pledging is twofold: First, pledging is a spiritual discipline of prayerful generosity that our faith tradition calls on us to engage in; it is a practice that is a fundamental aspect of our shared life as a parish. Second, pledging is important because it is the means by which our church leadership knows what financial resources it has to plan for the coming year programmatically and operationally.
How much should I give to the pledge campaign at St. Philip’s?
The spiritual practice of giving to the church is grounded in the tithe, emphasizing concepts of proportional giving and giving back to God and the church as a priority. 10% is the standard, but some begin with 5%, or even 1%, if 10% feels out of reach to start.
We encourage you to pledge an amount that is significant in your charitable budget and prioritizes St. Philip’s. A pledge should be in an amount that is personally meaningful to you.
Can I give without pledging?
Yes. St. Philip’s is always grateful for the generosity and support of all its members and visitors in whatever way it is given. We encourage and place particular emphasis on pledged giving because of its rooting in our spiritual tradition and well as the important fiscal planning that it facilitates.
What are St. Philip’s other sources of income?
St. Philip’s receives income supporting its general operating budget from a variety of sources, including event space rentals, Nursery School tuition and fundraisers, columbarium and cemetery plot purchases, with some additional / limited funding released annually from our endowment. That said, the single largest source of income to our operating budget comes from individual pledges and giving.
Does St. Philip’s receive money from the Diocese of New York?
No. On the contrary, St. Philip’s pays an Apportioned Share to the Diocese each year out of its overall income. This practice is required for all parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
