Stewardship & Pledging at St. Nicholas

At St. Nicholas, stewardship is at the heart of our parish life. It goes beyond financial giving, inviting each of us to contribute in ways that reflect our gifts and abilities, helping our parish thrive and fulfill its ministry.

 

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is the joyful and purposeful giving of your time, talents, and treasure to support our parish and its ministries. It is an expression of living a life in Christ and a way to share His love with our community.

Through stewardship, we cultivate a spirit of generosity that glorifies God and strengthens our parish. When we give freely—whether by volunteering, sharing our skills, or supporting the parish financially—we live out our Orthodox Christian faith and make a tangible difference in the life of St. Nicholas and the wider community.

Stewardship nurtures Christ’s message in our hearts, in our families, and in the life of the parish. It helps create a spiritual atmosphere of worship, service, and engagement that inspires and equips us to bring God’s love into the world, following His example of selfless giving.

 

What is a Pledge?

A pledge is the financial expression of stewardship at St. Nicholas, reflecting your commitment to support the parish’s mission and actively participate in its life. Pledging allows us to plan our budget, meet financial needs, and continue serving our community. To be a voting member in good standing, each individual or family must submit a pledge form annually. The amount you write is your promise or estimate of giving for the year, representing your personal dedication to the work of Christ through our parish.

 

What are the Pledge Guidelines?

When making a pledge, take time to pray and reflect on how you can share your time, talents, and treasure. We encourage pledges to be given consistently throughout the year—weekly or monthly—using Tithely or other methods that work for you. Whenever possible, consider pledging a percentage of your income, as this allows your giving to grow with your means and makes a meaningful impact on the church. Families are encouraged to submit a pledge together. If your financial situation changes, for better or worse, you may update your pledge by submitting a new pledge form. Every pledge, big or small, helps St. Nicholas plan its ministries and serve the community more effectively. For current guidelines, see the pledge form.

 

How to Pledge

Step 1: Fill Out a Pledge Form

Forms are available in the narthex or online.

 

Step 2: Pay Your Pledge
Choose the option that works best for you:

  • Lump Sum Payment – submit your payment, in full, to a member of the parish council.

  • Recurring Giving – weekly or monthly payments through Tithely using credit card or bank transfer.

  • Blue Envelope Giving – drop your envelope in the offering tray or hand it to a parishioner at the candlestand.

 

If you have questions, please contact Kyle, our Stewardship Chair at kyle.laham@stnicholasbridgeport.org

 

“Tithing, like praying and fasting, puts God first and teaches us to trust Him rather than ourselves, as our leader.  When we tithe, God is given the first part, the first tenth of the gifts that He gave to us.  When we tithe, we enter into His ministry at a serious level that will allow the parish and the Archdiocese to minister as they should.  Only when the parish and the Archdiocese operate at a level pleasing to God, can the people receive the ministry that God wants them to have.  Contributing tithes to the Church is different than making a pledge.  Tithes are based on what God has given us, not what we think the local parish needs to operate.  Tithes also represent the first part, not what is left over after we pay our bills and have our recreation.  Tithing represents a significant shift in thinking.  That is why tithing, like praying and fasting, is a spiritual gift that deepens our relationship with God and changes our life.”

     -- Bishop JOHN, referencing remarks made by Metropolitan PHILIP