It has been a wonderful year at St. James’! Even with all the unexpected events, we have weathered this year of transition with joy and grace. Last year we faced a recent history of a low percentage of pledging (only 37% of parishioners) and a consistently large budget deficit. As we began budget season last year, our projected deficit was $135, 000. Last year’s stewardship season yielded a large increase in pledged giving to 47% of parishioners. In addition to this increase, we were able to balance our budget due to our endowments growing by almost 18%. This was a huge blessing to help us maintain our programming as we began a new season of life and ministry at St. James’; however, this is unsustainable and not something we can do in the coming year.

As our season of giving begins again, we are hoping for our pledging to continue to increase, so that we can better prepare for the year ahead. With the vibrant programs we offer and the staffing necessary to support them, we do expect to once again be budgeting an operating deficit, and we are asking all of you to help in whatever way you can to help us bridge our deficit gap. As we know that this will continue to be something we face, this year our church leadership will begin to look at our church programming, the needs of our parish, and our expected growth to begin to discern ways to lower our deficit. We began our efforts to decrease the deficit this year with fundraising (our Jumble Sale raised $4000 this year!) and have increased our building use income.

With all of this in mind our Stewardship Committee and Vestry are inviting us all to prayerfully consider how we can all invest in St. James’ with our time, talent, and treasure, to sustain our ministry in this community for the generations to come.

Beginning in October our adult forum will focus on confirmation preparation and basic knowledge of the Episcopal Church, helping us to engage in the life of the parish and our own faith. October 19^h, we will begin asking you to fill out pledge cards and our adult forum will focus on membership and stewardship- “What does membership mean: An introduction to stewardship and membership in Christendom, St. James’, and the Episcopal Church. We encourage you to attend and ask questions and learn about the spirituality involved in all these things.

Our Finance Committee and Vestry can only budget what we receive in pledges. Whether you can give $5 a year or $5000, each of your pledges matter! Whether you can join one of our outreach programs or several, your Time and Talent matters! They are a reminder to us all of the sacramental life that we share and are an outward sign of our commitment to serve God in the community around us. St. James’ needs each of us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world and we want to continue to live into this ministry for many years to come. Please know that our church leadership is thankful for each of you and the ways that you glorify God among us.

Completed pledge cards, can be mailed in, dropped off at the office, or placed in the offering plate on Sundays. If you pledged in 2025, your pledge statement as of September 30^th is enclosed. If you have any questions, contact Nicole Bova.

Yours in Christ,

The Stewardship Committee of St. James’

The Rev. Pilar Parnell, Rector

Jamie Bova, Treasurer

Carol Murphy

David O’Neill

Kris Perkins