The Stewardship Committee is a standing committee reporting directly to the Session. Although the Stewardship Committee has been active in the past, for about the last three years it has been inactive, giving way to two ad hoc committees. They were the Building Fund Raising Committee and the Endowment Fund Committee. Concerns by the Session regarding the increased budget to cover the future building costs, (loan principal, interest and increased utilities) reinstated the committee with a much broader mandate.

The new mandate is to provide for the congregation an educational and promotional focus on stewardship in its broadest perspective, and in particular the area of financial givings. Membership in the committee includes a member of the Session, a member ofthe Board of Managers and the convenor ofthe Finance Committee. Remaining members are chosen from the congregation and offer leadership with a variety of skill sets and experience. Other members of the congregation may be engaged in some ofthe stewardship activities.

The committee also provides reports to the Board of Managers and the Committee Liaison Group.

The office of the church in Toronto provides stewardship information, some of which has been passed on to the congregation in articles in the update or bulletin inserts. The Stewardship Committee also utilizes email and weekly announcements at worship.

The Stewardship Committee also promotes and/or provides fundraising programs. The most recent and ongoing at the end ofthe year is the raising of funds to pay remaining outstanding invoices at the end of the building project. The committee encouraged the use of interest free loans from members of the congregation to cover the cost to prevent legal action by the construction trades. In turn it has set up the current campaign for congregation donations to repay the loans.

The Stewardship Committee looks forward in 2011 to meeting the financial and budget challenges, and provide education on the theological reasons for giving.