These are fitting words from Jeremiah 29:11 to anchor our stewardship campaign this year. Speaking as a Foundry parent with a small child who only recently was vaccinated against Covid-19, it has been a long, often lonely two years living through the pandemic.

Now, more than a year after Foundry returned to in-person worship and with young children recently eligible to be vaccinated, “a future of hope” feels like an apt description as we lean into community building and in-person connection. 

None of us picked up exactly where we left off in March 2020, and Foundry is no different. In many ways, it’s a transitional period for us as a congregation as we fully return to in-person programming and also continue our virtual worship and Zoom classes.

In the midst of this transition, the Foundry Board is committed to rebuilding and re-establishing community within our hybrid congregation and deepening Foundry’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice both within Foundry and the broader community. Your pledges will support these priorities as we all work to create our future of hope.

The Board developed a $2.27 million goal — a 3% increase over Foundry’s 2022 budget — for this year’s stewardship campaign based on what we know Foundry needs to continue its mission. We recognize it is a challenging economic year for some, but we also know that a 3% increase does not keep up with inflation and will effectively be a cut in Foundry’s budget. 

For those who are able, we encourage you to increase your pledge more than 3% over last year. For those who have not pledged before and support Foundry’s mission, we are inviting you to join in pledging this year. Please know that every pledge makes a difference, and that making your pledge now helps the Board set the budget for the coming year.

Beyond the hard numbers, the stewardship campaign is about the promise of community. Pledging is a way for everyone in our congregation to engage with Foundry and support it. Pledging is an act of love. Please join us in making your pledge. 

Blessings, 

Amanda Peterson Beadle 
President, Foundry Board