As we prepare this week to observe the three most sacred days of our Church year, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day, I'm thinking of course of those of you I'll be seeing at our Holy Week services. But I'm also mindful of the many generations of St. James parishioners before us who attended these same services in their own day.

As a priest, it can be hard sometimes to shift from the "spiritual" things that happen in church to the more earthly, "mundane" things, like managing buildings and raising capital to keep them standing. Yet one beautiful aspect of our Anglican tradition is that we don't draw a sharp line between the spiritual and material. We worship God through things, and we gather as a community in sacred, well cared-for spaces.  

We Anglicans also place profound importance on our history and forebears, the people who passed down these traditions and buildings to us, as we are now endeavoring to do for others. You'll notice that's a theme in this week's email. 

As you attend Holy Week and Easter services, do think about all the men, women, and children who worshipped in these pews before us. Look around at the plaques on the walls and notice the dedications. Consider all the love that's been poured into our building and campus, and then consider what part you can play in keeping our church vibrant and standing for those who come after us.

A blessed Holy Week to all.

Parishioner Geoff Loftus talks about the role St. James has played in his family's life for 25 years, and the importance for him of making sure other families, now and in the future, can have that same relationship to our parish. Geoff and his wife Margy are Capital Campaign contributors *and* visitors. They are definitely people you want to get to know!

Help get us over the 2 million dollar mark! And remember, pledges come in all sizes and shapes. We're thankful for every pledge, whether it's $5000.00 or $50,000+ (and remember, gifts are typically given over a 3 to 5-year period). Schedule a visit below, and/or with the visitor who reached out to you. Look for our progress every week in this email and see the difference each and every one of us makes to this campaign.

Why am I being visited? Is that really necessary?
Absolutely. The goal of the Capital Campaign is to visit 100% of the member households to inform you about this effort and to answer any questions you may have. It is important that every household participates in this campaign for it to be successful. Everyone counts.

Will I be asked to give a specific amount?
No. You may be asked to consider a gift at a specific level, but this is a personal and thoughtful decision to be made by you and you alone. While the foundation of our campaign is “Sacrificial Giving”, there is no requirement to contribute to the campaign. No one who visits you, nor any members of the vestry or capital campaign will know what you give. Only our staff finance director and Mo. Storm will know what was pledged.

Is this part of my annual pledge?
No. While we are running both campaigns at the same time, there are two separate and distinct campaigns. We need your annual pledge to keep the lights on and the staff paid. The annual pledge is just that, an annual pledge. The capital campaign is a multi-year campaign that you contribute to over a period decided by you. However, both are being discussed during this visit. While they are independent pledges, they are intertwined with the health and future of St. James the Less.

NEW! How does the pledge work?

We recognize that everyone’s circumstances are different. The beauty of the pledge is that it is customized to your specific ability. Some people choose to make a fixed donation each month, quarter, or annually for the entire 3-5 years, while others have given stock. Depending on your specific financial circumstances, the timing of your gift (either cash or stock) can have tax advantages.

Why do I have to have a visit now?
The period for pledging is from now until May 4, 2024. On May 5th , we will announce the amount pledged towards the capital campaign and determine which projects we will undertake. If we do not raise the full $4MM, lower priority projects will be tabled for another day. In short, without everyone’s commitments, we cannot plan, nor can we determine which projects we can embark on. The sooner members pledge and start contributing, the sooner we can start all these exciting projects.

What should I expect when I am visited?
You can expect a friendly, informal conversation about what St. James means to you and the person visiting you. It is a lovely, personal experience. Everyone who has been visited walks away knowing a little bit more about a fellow parishioner and St. James.

Does it have to be at my home? Can I choose who visits me?
No. You can select any location you please. Some enjoy making it a social occasion and meet at a restaurant. Others meet in the Isom Room. And others have invited the visitors over for wine and cheese. There is no wrong answer. And yes, absolutely you can choose who visits you. This is an important decision, and it is critical that you feel comfortable.

You can schedule your own visit, and even (if you like) select the person, whether Mother Storm or a fellow parishioner, you'd like to have come visit you. Visits are the heart of this campaign--and people often say, the best part! We hope to see you soon.

Choose from a variety of roles, from visiting, to serving on the project team once work begins.