To the Blessed People of God:

By Wisdom is a Church built, and by understanding is it established. ('Proverbs 24.83)

Let it be understood that the collective wisdom, and understanding of dedicated men and women actively contributing their time, talents, and resources have built and established the Church, Schools, Organizations and Ministry of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY.

Every word in this booklet is dedicated to the furthering of our faith, together with its rich Holy Tradition, and our most ancient yet prominent Hellenic heritage as it has been enhanced by our Church.

Salvation is our aim, sanctification is our goal, none of which could be even thinkable without Christ, His Church, without Y 0u -all of Y 0u -and your beloved families and children.

Sent is another word for Apostle -and we are sent as Apostles with wisdom and understanding to propagate, to sustain and to perpetuate the Church -His Church -Our Church.

Won't you BLESS your Church, yourself and our future generations by reading this booklet and signing your pledge card?

The generosity of past generations has borne so much fruit in our community. The gratitude of God is abundantly bestowed upon us now and upon our future generations; to those who hear His voice and respond.

Rev. Protopresbyter George G. Passias

ON FAIR SHARE

As Christians, our whole life is a partnership with God. We cannot give anything to God in exchange for our life here or in the next world, but we can certainly fulfill His will by using our time, talent and treasure wisely and sharing them with others. After reading this brochure, we hope each and every person fills out the pledge cards provided and gives back a "fair share" of time, talent and treasure.

"'Everyone to whom much is given, a/him will much be required ~.'" Luke 12. –48

THE CHALLENGE WHICH IS BEFORE US

Together we are rediscovering the need to participate in the life of Our Church -spiritually, educationally, culturally and socially. For this Our Church has always served the spiritual, educational, cultural and philanthropic needs of its communicants. Indeed, we can reflect on the history of Our Church, view the many challenges it has faced and take a great deal of pride in its progress. Now we must consider the future and respond to the needs of our church with our personal commitment.

In this way, we are taught that, all men, women and children are called to make His work their own according to their availability of time, talent and treasure. The Lord asks of us to make a commitment in proportion to the blessings we have received, and we should respond to Him out of love and concern. If we answer that call with the same generosity of spirit shown by those who preceded us, our future as a Church is secure and our goals will be achieved.

". .Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. Yet my people and I cannot give You anything, because everything is a gift/from You, and we have only given back what is Yours already. " I Chronicles 29.11-14

ESTABLISHING YOUR FAIR SHARE COMMITMENT 0F TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE

Each of us has been endowed with natural abilities, which can be physical, social or intellectual. We have also been endowed with spiritual gifts, which we received from the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. All of our natural abilities and spiritual gifts must be used to serve God.

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church has established the following program as a means of providing some assistance to you in determining what level of financial commitment you make, to our Church.

(Basic Membership Dues)

Senior Citizen Membership $100.00

Single Adult Membership (23-29) $125.00

Single Adult Membership (29+) $175.00

Family Membership $200.00

(Includes base membership amounts above)

Missionary Membership $201-$599

Centurion Membership $600-$999

Millennium Membership $1,000 and above

For those of us who choose to participate in the Fair Share Program, we will individually and with our families decide how we want to meet our financial commitment to the Church.

Each individual will make the option of donating weekly, monthly, quarterly, or with one annual payment. For many of us, it may be easier to use a weekly envelope and donate $20 per week rather than try to pay the total commitment in one lump sum. Whatever the amount you decide is your and your family's "Fair Share", the decision should be based upon the inner reflection of the many gifts which we have received from the Lord

'""What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me?" Psalm 116.12

Our pledge -our commitment of time, talent and treasure -will, in essence, return to God the fruit from the gifts he has bestowed upon us. It will assist our Church's mission of preaching the word of God in order to sustain the local Ecclesia and Community of which we are a vital part.

As we give of ourselves Yes, the result will be similar to what happens in the Eucharist. We offer bread and wine, and the Lord consecrate and blesses these gifts. The same will happen in our lives. As we offer ourselves, the Lord will bless and consecrate our lives.

"'Every man shall give as he is able, according "to the Blessings of the Lord, your God, which He has given you." Deuteronomy 16. -17

1. QUESTION: What is the Fair Share Program?

ANSWER: It is a simple, fair and Christian plan to operate and finance our Church. It places the responsibility of supporting our Church where it belongs -on every member. Each of us is asked to make a Commitment of time, talent and treasure to help our Church sustain its ministries and grow into the future.

2. QUESTION: How is Fair Share different from "dues"?

ANSWER: Fair Share views Church support as a matter of personal choice. Since each member offers a "Fair Share" it eliminates the inequities and imbalances of other systems (such as dues) and focuses on what each person is willing to sacrifice for the Lord. W e each must give according to our ability. Fair Share provides a means of meeting the needs of our Church with personal dignity and fairness to all.

2. QUESTION: Why are there 3 separate groups in the "Fair Share \ Membership Program"?

ANSWER: As we are currently building upon our existing Membership Dues system, which has 4 predetermined levels of giving, it was decided to follow the same basic structure. We have now added 3 additional levels (Missionary, Centurion and Millennium membership) where you decide what your "Fair Share" is.

3. QUESTION: What should my Fair Share be?

ANSWER: The amount of your commitment is based on each Member’s means, conscience and faith- it is a reflection of your love for God and the Church and will express your commitment to insure and promote the future of our Church.

4. QUESTION: How will I pay my annual Membership?

ANSWER: Those who continue to participate in the current Membership Dues system will pay in the same manner -annually with one payment. For those of us who participate in the Fair Share Program, we will have the choice of donating weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

5. QUESTION: What about my Time and Talent Pledge Card? How will it be used?

ANSWER: When your Time and Talent Pledge Card is received, the areas you have indicated will be entered into the computer in your record. When, for example, the Festival Committee begins its work, a list of all those people who offered to help will be provided to the committee so that they can be contacted. The same goes for all areas listed on this card.

6. QUESTI 0 N: What happens if a personal or financial crisis keeps me from fulfilling my pledge?

ANSWER: Remember, your pledge is a statement of intentions and not a contract. If you encounter a personal crisis, a time of financial need or if you move out of the area, you may decrease your pledge at any time by confidentially contacting your Priest. Y au may, of course, raise your pledge at any time, too!

7. QUESTION: After so many years, why has the Church adopted this "new" program of "Fair Share"?

ANSWER: In reality, "Fair Share" is not a "new" program, but something, which has been a part of the Orthodox Church for centuries. In the "old country", people would offer whatever they could to support the Church and their offerings were accepted equally. It was not until the parishes in America began trying new means of support that the "dues" system was introduced into Orthodoxy. The Church is not introducing something new, but returning to its roots of allowing the people to support it from their hearts with their "Fair Share".

"Let everyone give as his heart tells him. Neither grudgingly, nor under compulsion, for God loves the man that gives cheerfully." II Corinthians9. -7

(Please Print)

Name _____________________________________________________________________ Occupation ____________________

Last Name First Name Middle Initial

Spouse’s First Name __________________________________________________________ Occupation ____________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

Telephone (Home) ____________________________________ (Business) ______________________________

Children

Name ___________________________ Age ______________ Name _____________________________ Age ____________

Name ___________________________ Age ______________ Name _____________________________ Age ____________

Name ___________________________ Age ______________ Name _____________________________ Age ____________

Please register me as a (Please Check One):

€ Senior Citizen € Single (23-29) € Single (29+) € Family

"Our Church merely Asks us to help, to give back whatever we can; to give to the church our "fare Share" of the riches which our Lord has bestowed upon us"

Basic Membership Dues or New Fare Share Program

(Please Check Box) (Includes membership Dues)

Senior Citizen Membership € $100 Missionary Membership ($201-$599) ___________

(Amount)

Single Adult (23-29) Membership € $125

Centurion Membership ($600-$999) ____________

(Amount)

Single Adult (29+) Membership € $175

(Amount)

Family Membership € $200

Method of Payment

1. If you checked a box for basic membership dues, please mail your check with your membership commitment card.
2. If you made a commitment with our new Fair Share Program, your Faire Share may be paid (please check one box):

Weekly € Monthly € Quarterly € One Payment €

3. If you choose the weekly, monthly or quarterly payment, do you wish to receive envelopes to submit your payment?

Signature _____________________________________________________________________ Date ______________

Please return this card to the church office with your donation.

"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessings of the Lord, Your God, which ha has given you." Deuteronomy 16:17

I would be interested in helping Holy Cross by assisting and/or participating in the following areas:

(If this is a family pledge, check the left box for Husband and right for Wife in each area)

We would appreciate any feedback that you may have for us at this time ________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________

Please return this card with Membership Card to Church Office