A 2026 message from Patrick Heijmen

This was published as part of the 2025 Annual Report, which can be found here. 

Patrick Heijmen

My dear Saint James’ Episcopal Church family,

I am honored to have served our church as senior warden this past year. I am so thankful to Father Ben, the Vestry, the amazing faculty and staff of Saint James’ and the countless volunteers that have made this year successful. Thanks to your support, our church is growing and thriving. This has enabled the Vestry to increase staff, maintain our beautiful church and support many of our ministries. These investments have led to increased family involvement, additional volunteering, thriving ministries and a growing church community. Praise God!!

One of the most important roles of the Vestry is to be fiscally responsible in managing the church’s budget and endowment while meeting the needs of the church, school, faculty and staff. We are pleased to report that we had another positive year in both balancing the budget and achieving growth in our endowment. This Annual Report will provide additional detailed information regarding these items, but in short, we are a vibrant, growing and engaged church community and we should not take that for granted. Clearly the Holy Spirit is working around and through us and your Vestry remains thankful and prayerful that this will continue for many years to come.

As we move into 2026, the Vestry is excited to share that thanks to you we have reached our pledge goal of $715,000 for the year! This is, in part due to 20 new pledges, 68 increased pledges and the continued giving of so many more. We can not say thank you enough to all of you for continuing to make Saint James’ Episcopal Church an important part of your life. Our goal for 2026 is to continue to build on our strengths, focusing on leveraging our incredible talent to address facility needs, expand our community outreach and support our wonderful ministries. This will include (but certainly not be limited to) completing the purchase of the far field, making necessary improvements to the rectory and church, supporting our school as they continue to discern the best use of the basement and, of course, serving the best breakfast in town.

I feel truly blessed to be able to continue to serve as your senior warden for another year. My personal goal is to put the necessary instruments in place that will enable the continued long term success of our beloved church. I am so thankful to Chris Giglio, Lori Working, Gita Grady and Lucian Niemeyer for their wisdom, experience and dedication to the Vestry these last three years. We would not be in the position we are without their significant contributions. They will be missed! At the same time, we are excited about the energy and enthusiasm of our four new Vestry members. We have a talented, dedicated group of people willing to serve our church.

Finally, we ask that you continue to serve the church with your wealth, works and wisdom. If you have been thinking about getting more involved, or joining a group or ministry, there has never been a better time. Take your time to review this report and prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do within the church this year.

May the Spirit be with you!

— Patrick Heijmen, Senior Warden

Reach Patrick at seniorwarden@saintjameswarrenton.org