Letter from the Rector: Christmas Letter
Dear St. Christopher Family,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s hard to believe we are near the end of another year together. 2017 has been quite a year! We launched a “New Beginning” in August with a new service schedule and breakfast ministry. We’ve continued our outreach through Living Waters Ministry, Days for Girls, the Community Garden, youth mission trips, and the Thrift Store. Our Lay Pastoral Assistant ministry continues to grow, walking with many of this community in their pastoral needs. Our children’s chapel ministry has been realized and lived into in powerful and exciting ways. All this, and so much more, has happened over the last 12 months. God is so very good, and He smiles at the Kingdom work that is done through your willingness to serve!
At the same time, 2017 brought its fair share of challenges. The devastation of Hurricane Harvey will remain ever present for months and years to come. Many families lost everything, including their homes and businesses. The church suffered greatly from water damage as well, forcing us to redo flooring in the narthex, administrative wing, and parts of the sanctuary. Paint and drywall also had to be redone in these areas. In addition, part of the education wing was shut down due to structural concerns, forcing the Mother’s Day Out program to suspend its ministry.
We have had a strong year of giving. Pledges have remained on track, even in the midst of Hurricane Harvey. Yet, with the unexpected expenses because of the hurricane, expenses that insurance did not cover, we find ourselves with a shortfall for the year. The staff and vestry have done a tremendous job remaining fiscally conservative throughout 2017, and have been appropriately cautious with the resources of the church. I’m so very grateful for their tireless efforts of being good stewards.
With all of this said, as we approach the end of the year, I ask everyone to consider the following:
- If your pledge is not up to date, please make every effort to complete your giving for the year. Our budgeting process is based in large part on pledged income.
- If your pledge is up-to-date, perhaps you are in a position to give more in an effort to help with the unexpected expenses the church has faced this year.
St. Christopher is blessed! We have a fantastic staff, a dedicated vestry, and lay leadership and ministers that that serve for the glory of God. As you live into the season of Advent and the new church year, in anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child, please keep St. Christopher in your thoughts and prayers, and consider giving as you are able and the Spirit leads.
Faithfully,
Fr. Brian+