Reaching stewardship goals through reminder letters
Stewardship reminders can serve multiple purposes and build good relationships with your parishioners.
Photo from Photos.comFor many years now, parishes in Western Washington have been encouraged to send periodic stewardship reminders to their parishioners. They were encouraged to do so because:
1. Parishioners need to be thanked frequently for their support of the parish.
2. Many of us often fail to follow through on commitments, even for things we know are good.
3. Reminders help us keep on track, even when it comes to giving and volunteering in the parish.
Here are some ideas for stewardship reminder letters.
Thank people
“Thank you” should be the very first thing the letter says. Put it in all caps and in bold, so people can’t miss it. Thank people for all the ways they support the parish, for their prayers, volunteering, and their financial support.
Remind them of their goals
Don’t hesitate to remind parishioners of their financial pledge. List what their goal was, what they have actually given by the date of the letter, and the difference between the two amounts. When it comes to ministry, you may want to remind them to call the ministry coordinator and/or the parish office if they haven’t been contacted yet.
Send a letter to all parishioners
Even those who have some record of giving, but haven’t committed, should receive the letter. It will serve as a good reminder, and they will often respond when they see what they haven’t given. It has been reported that parishes that send reminders see an increase in giving, even in the loose collections. If a parishioner has previously indicated they don’t want to receive these letters, respect their request.
Include additional items
If you are mailing the letters, include a business reply envelope. This increases the response rate. Include additional materials about stewardship, for example, a stewardship prayer or educational material about stewardship. On the back of the letter include write-ups or pictures of how parishioners’ support of the parish is carried out in ministry. You can vary those stories or pictures every time a letter is sent.
Frequency
Send letters out at least quarterly or more frequently if you think it will help. Track the commitment fulfillment rate. We know the more often parishes send reminders, the higher the financial commitment fulfillment rate.
Email if possible
Most parish census software programs have modules that enable you to email letters. This will save on postage and maybe get more attention. If you email, you should include the email address of ministry coordinators in case people need help getting involved in ministry. If you set up online giving, include the web address so people can make an online gift or catch up with their financial giving.
Include an explanation
Make sure you include an explanation as to why you do this, such, as “we all need reminders” or “we want to provide you with accurate information.” Include a contact for the parish office for people who have questions or need to correct some information.
Feedback
Experience of parishes in Western Washington is that the first time you do this, you will have a small number that object. Don’t let that shake you. Tell them you will take them off the list. Make sure you do this. A key thing to minimize objections is to make sure data is accurate in your parish census program.
Stewardship reminders can serve multiple purposes and build good relationships with your parishioners.
Scott Bader is the director of parish stewardship for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
