2027 Annual Pledge Campaign: Celebrating God’s gifts
BY THE ANNUAL PLEDGE COMMITTEEDear Saint James’ family,
When we gather for worship each week, we are reminded that our parish is much more than the building in which we congregate. It is a dynamic community of people who care for one another, teach and learn from each another, celebrate life’s joys together, support each other through difficult times, and share a commitment to serving God and our neighbors.
For many of us, this church has been a constant presence through many seasons of our lives. For those who have more recently found a home at Saint James’, we hope this church will become a constant light in your lives. Saint James’ is where our children are baptized, couples are married, loved ones are remembered, friendships are formed, and faith is nurtured. It is a place that welcomes us as we are and continually invites us to grow into the people God calls us to be.
CELEBRATING GOD’S GIFTS
As we begin the 2027 Annual Pledge Campaign, we invite you to reflect on what this parish means to you and your family, and to consider how you can help sustain its mission and ministry in the year ahead.
We have so much to celebrate. We have emerged as an even more vibrant parish after the lean years of the pandemic. We completed a resoundingly successful capital campaign earlier this year. We have clergy and staff who care deeply about this parish and minister to the congregation and the wider community every single day. None of these things happen by accident. They are made possible by the faithful generosity of parishioners who care deeply about the future of this church. Together, we can ensure that this church remains a place of faith, fellowship, service, and hope for future generations. Thank you for your ongoing support and for the many ways you contribute to the life of our parish.
WHY PLEDGING MATTERS
This pledge campaign supports the operating budget for 2027. Your pledge allows the Vestry and parish leadership to plan responsibly, fund payroll for clergy and staff, support existing ministries and maintain our facilities. As you consider your commitment for the coming year, we ask that you do so thoughtfully and prayerfully.
We start each year with $0 in operating revenue. That means pledged giving is essential to maintain current levels of staffing and keep our century-old building in good repair. Unlike many nonprofits, we don’t receive any outside grants or sponsorships or ticket sales to underwrite our operating expenses.
SUPPORTING OUR CLERGY
Our 2027 budget goal is to support our excellent staff and clergy, and manage cost increases tied to inflation. Like all organizations, inflation means it costs more each year just to maintain our current staffing and programs. Insurance premiums, utilities, building maintenance, technology needs, and program costs have all increased significantly.
As our congregation and programming continue to expand after the pandemic, it means we are putting more on the shoulders of our clergy, especially with Father Ben acting as chaplain of Saint James’ Episcopal School in addition to his pastoral care of the church.
The Vestry has identified the need for an assistant rector to support Father Ben. We’ve been blessed by the faithful service of Father Randolph and Bishop Ted in part-time roles, and we’ve made it work. The projected 2027 budget does not yet include the estimated $100,000 increase to hire a full-time assistant rector. However, this is a financial need we will need to support in future years. We are being bold in our faith — and our ask — especially after the wonderful response by the congregation to the Campaign for Ministries. We know it may take several annual pledge campaigns to build the financial foundation needed to support an additional clergy member. We are beginning that journey with this pledge campaign.
OUR PLEDGE CAMPAIGN GOALS
Our pledge campaign goals are therefore twofold:
$750,000 to sustain our current staffing and continue offering meaningful worship, educational programs, outreach ministries, and a facility that serves as a gathering place for both our church family and the broader community.
Up to $100,000 toward hiring a full-time assistant rector, to further support pastoral care, outreach to those in need and continue to be the welcoming environment that so many have come to cherish.
This is what we’re asking as part of this goal:
If you have pledged in previous years, we’re asking you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge this year by at least 5% as your finances allow. The vibrancy of the parish has given us faith, hope and optimism that all who pledged so generously in 2026 and prior years, will continue to pledge in 2027 knowing that every gift of every size makes a meaningful difference. Any increase above the 5% goal will be attributed to funding a full-time assistant rector in the future.
If you’re new to the church or have simply never pledged before, we ask you to prayerfully consider committing your financial support for the 2027 budget. Know that gifts of every size make a meaningful difference. Last year, we were delighted and grateful that 20 households pledged for the first time. Our goal is for 20 additional households to pledge a combined $50,000. Any increase above this goal will go toward funding a full-time assistant rector in the future.
Please pledge online or return a paper pledge form by Sunday, Nov. 1. This deadline is important; it allows parish leadership and the Vestry sufficient time to review and prepare a 2027 operating budget before the new year begins.
Please contact Casey Rigney, the parish accountant, at 540-347-4348 or accountant@saintjameswarrenton.org if you have questions about the pledging process. If you have any questions about the budget, Patrick Heijmen, Ross Fuller or Father Ben would be happy to talk to you.
With gratitude,
The Annual Pledge Committee
Colin Borgstrom • Kevin Carter • Ross Fuller • Chris Giglio
