A Message from our Moderator
A message from our Moderator | 2025-26 Asking Budget | Income and Expense Trends | Progress Toward our Goals | Estimated Giving Form | Carrying Through | Committee Members | Update Contact Information
Stewardship of Our Church
As we look forward with hope and gratitude, this year’s 2025–26 Stewardship Campaign invites us to celebrate a remarkable milestone: 125 Years of Presence and Service.
For more than a century, FCCPA has been a place of spiritual depth, comfort, and action—a community where we gather to worship, to serve, and to walk alongside one another through all seasons of life. That legacy continues today, and it’s sustained by each one of us.
A Legacy We Inherited—A Future We Shape
Church member Robyn Crumly captured a wonderful history of our church in her book, The First 100 Years: First Congregational Church of Palo Alto 1900-2000. Here is an excerpt describing Dr. Cyrus G. Baldwin’s vision of our church’s formation. Dr. Baldwin was the former president of Pomona College and pastoral candidate:
"My plan was not a simple, conventional church like all the rest in Palo Alto, existing mainly for itself and by itself, but what might be called rather ‘The Congregational Settlement’ of Palo Alto on a block about Bryant and Channing toward Emerson. A fine lot and trees, not very expensive at the time. And plenty of room for playgrounds and buildings to spring up as might be needed. A simple plain big hall as a first building. Room for students above classrooms and auditorium below to develop."
We have fulfilled Dr Baldwin’s vision even as we grew and moved to the Louis and Embarcadero campus.
Time and Talent
One reason we’ve been able to limit this year’s pledge budget increase to just 3.5% is because of the many volunteers who offer their gifts of time and talent. Thanks to their work, our facilities remain safe and beautiful, and our Sunday services can be experienced both in-person and online with a high level of quality. Volunteers also power projects like the Courtyard Renovation and so many behind-the-scenes efforts that often go unseen—but never unnoticed.
These faithful contributions of time and talent save the church tens of thousands of dollars each year. More than that, they remind us of the spirit of generosity and service that defines our community.
Treasures
Whether you find spiritual nourishment in the Sanctuary or from your living room, you know how important it is that FCCPA continues to thrive. Your pledge helps us offer meaningful worship, strong programming, fair compensation for our staff, and a warm welcome to all who seek a church home.
We know the challenge of rising costs isn’t new. But with your support, we can meet those challenges together and step boldly into the next 125 years.
We are asking those who are able to consider increasing their pledge by 3.5% or more. Every pledge is meaningful and kept confidential. More than anything, we strive for 100% participation because when each of us contributes what we can, the whole community is strengthened.
So please, join us—bring your light, your love, your presence—and let’s continue building our Congregational Settlement together.
With deep appreciation,
Karen Routt, Moderator
2025-26 Stewardship Committee
As we look forward with hope and gratitude, this year’s 2025–26 Stewardship Campaign invites us to celebrate a remarkable milestone: 125 Years of Presence and Service.
For more than a century, FCCPA has been a place of spiritual depth, comfort, and action—a community where we gather to worship, to serve, and to walk alongside one another through all seasons of life. That legacy continues today, and it’s sustained by each one of us.
A Legacy We Inherited—A Future We Shape
Church member Robyn Crumly captured a wonderful history of our church in her book, The First 100 Years: First Congregational Church of Palo Alto 1900-2000. Here is an excerpt describing Dr. Cyrus G. Baldwin’s vision of our church’s formation. Dr. Baldwin was the former president of Pomona College and pastoral candidate:
"My plan was not a simple, conventional church like all the rest in Palo Alto, existing mainly for itself and by itself, but what might be called rather ‘The Congregational Settlement’ of Palo Alto on a block about Bryant and Channing toward Emerson. A fine lot and trees, not very expensive at the time. And plenty of room for playgrounds and buildings to spring up as might be needed. A simple plain big hall as a first building. Room for students above classrooms and auditorium below to develop."
We have fulfilled Dr Baldwin’s vision even as we grew and moved to the Louis and Embarcadero campus.
Time and Talent
One reason we’ve been able to limit this year’s pledge budget increase to just 3.5% is because of the many volunteers who offer their gifts of time and talent. Thanks to their work, our facilities remain safe and beautiful, and our Sunday services can be experienced both in-person and online with a high level of quality. Volunteers also power projects like the Courtyard Renovation and so many behind-the-scenes efforts that often go unseen—but never unnoticed.
These faithful contributions of time and talent save the church tens of thousands of dollars each year. More than that, they remind us of the spirit of generosity and service that defines our community.
Treasures
Whether you find spiritual nourishment in the Sanctuary or from your living room, you know how important it is that FCCPA continues to thrive. Your pledge helps us offer meaningful worship, strong programming, fair compensation for our staff, and a warm welcome to all who seek a church home.
We know the challenge of rising costs isn’t new. But with your support, we can meet those challenges together and step boldly into the next 125 years.
We are asking those who are able to consider increasing their pledge by 3.5% or more. Every pledge is meaningful and kept confidential. More than anything, we strive for 100% participation because when each of us contributes what we can, the whole community is strengthened.
So please, join us—bring your light, your love, your presence—and let’s continue building our Congregational Settlement together.
With deep appreciation,
Karen Routt, Moderator
2025-26 Stewardship Committee
Please Pledge Today!
Thank you for supporting the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto with your time, talents, and treasures!
Thank you for supporting the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto with your time, talents, and treasures!
