Dear St. Paul’s Family,
As we approach the Celebration of our New Ministry in the presence of our Bishop this Thursday, I want to express my deep gratitude to the entire St. Paul’s family. It is truly a blessing to be your new rector. I want you to know that this celebration is not about me, it’s about us. Together we are celebrating a new beginning. In God’s holy presence and with all of you as witnesses, I will officially take on the mantle of your spiritual leader, faithfully promising to uphold the sacred trust you have given to me.
Over the weekend, you received a letter in the mail from me, asking you to prayerfully consider your pledge to St. Paul’s for 2022. What was not included was a specific dollar amount that we need for next year’s budget. At present, the finance team is working on a budget for 2022 to guide us thoughtfully and responsibly out of pandemic operating mode (God willing). While I am involved, the reality is that it would be presumptuous of me to cast a vision for a budget having only been here for three months. We will certainly need more time together before we can develop a realistic financial plan for St. Paul’s future. However, I do have the beginnings of a vision for St. Paul’s in 2022 that I would like to share with you now. Throughout the service on Thursday evening, you will see portions of this vision manifested in the liturgy.
Here are a few areas of ministry priorities for your consideration. Your generosity will help us fund the following:
1) A creative approach to funding additional clergy and program staff to help us maintain and support our growing congregation in the areas of:
a) liturgy and music,
b) pastoral care,
c) community engagement, and
d) Christian formation of all ages
2) A strategy to attract and retain children, youth and families.
3) Additional assistance in the areas of communications and livestreaming
4) Continued maintenance and enhancement of our campus as we prepare for the next phase of our work with the Strategic Plan.
I am confident that we, with God’s help, will provide the necessary funds for the work to which God is calling us.
Let us celebrate together this Thursday, all the good work set before us!
Looking forward in faith,
Caleb+
For your prayerful consideration, we have provided two ways to submit your pledge. You may submit you pledge online at https://spechurch.com/