Rector's Annual Appeal Letter

Beloved of St. Paul’s,
Shining our Light is an appropriate theme for this year’s Stewardship Campaign because it focuses us outward.

In January, I laid out a vision for St. Paul’s: Building up the People of God. On a solid foundation. With a better campus. This vision is an essential and significant starting point for us; it calls us to focus on what is important for our future. A proper ordering of the household is critical for any community, especially ours, because when our house is in order, we create and provide new opportunities to serve our neighbor.

Archbishop William Temple was known to say that “The Church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members.”

Why do we work to build up the people of God?  So that they might see the light within themselves and shine it out into the world. Why do we build on the solid foundation of worship and music?  Because worship is the first commandment.  Worshiping God in the beauty of holiness and receiving the word and sacrament changes us and calls us into a deeper life of service.  Building a better campus allows us to do everything better. It allows us to be more hospitable to our neighborhood and the greater Wilmington area.  It allows us to be that city on the hill that cannot be hid.

Your generosity and faithfulness allow for so much to happen at St. Paul’s.  With your annual pledge we are able to pay our hardworking clergy and staff.  We are able to fund the music program that serves as a light to us at St. Paul’s but also to the larger community. We are able to provide new programs for Christian formation of all ages and hands-on outreach opportunities.  Of course, some of your pledge goes toward keeping the lights on and regular building maintenance.  None of it is spent in vain. It all has a purpose, and we need every bit of it every year to continue shining our light.

A pledge card is included with the letter sent to parishioners’ homes. You may also make your pledge online, here. How are we praying about our pledge this year? Are we stretching ourselves appropriately and keeping up with the world around us? As everything costs more, what is our commitment to the work of the church, that institution that exists for those who are not yet its members?  Together, how might we shine our light?

Thank you for your faithfulness!
Blessings,
Caleb+

Stewardship Moments

During each week’s 10:30 a.m. worship service in October, a member of our parish shared what stewardship meant to them.  Please find the recordings and text of these presentations below.

Oct. 10: Rector’s (Senior) Warden Bill Anlyan (Video) (Text)
Oct. 16: Anne O’Dell (Video) (Text)
Oct. 23: Spencer Weig (Video) (Text)
Oct. 30: Julie and Evie Frederiksen (Video) (Text)