Dear People of St. James’,
This past week, we wrapped up our season of Stewardship having received $612,800 in pledges from 121 households for 2023. That is some incredible generosity, and it gets us pretty close to being able to maintain our 2022 budget, which was based on $665,780 in pledges from 165 households.
Here’s a hopeful thing: If the remaining households that pledged last year who haven’t pledged this year were to pledge the same amount, that would bring in another $135,000 and bring us to a place where we could do more than just sustain our ministries.
We could grow!
Today St. James’ serves a growing, socioeconomically diverse community with about 200+ people in the pews on Sundays and more worshiping from home and connecting through formation for all ages and faithful service to the community. We do this work with many fewer paid staff hours than other Episcopal congregations our size. We anticipate having our $82K/year mortgage paid off by 2025, maybe even by 2024. And our Vestry and leadership has been wondering: What marvelous works of love and mercy might we do with God’s help if we do not wait until 2024 to expand our clergy staff, but rather stretch to hire an Associate Rector mid-year in 2023? I believe that we are on the cusp of being able to make that kind of financial commitment to someone, and there are some gifted candidates out who would find an amazingly fruitful home for ministry at St. James’.
If you have not yet made a pledge for 2023, now is the time. If you’ve never pledged before, know that pledging now helps us plan for the future. In spite of economic challenges, we will continue to be a community that cares for and supports each other and those beyond the walls of the sanctuary. Every pledge makes a difference!
Thanks for your unwavering support for St. James’ Episcopal Church!
Rev. Eileen
