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CELEBRATE WITH US THIS SUNDAY MAY 5For Our Patronal Feast Day & the Celebration of Our Campaign This Sunday we'll be celebrating the completion of this phase of our capital campaign! Join us for a festive coffee hour after the 10:30 am service. We'll also publish the full list of those who've donated to the campaign. See you Sunday! |
Prosperity, Progress, and a New Phase of our Common Lifeby Ocean Mills, Co-Chair + April 30 I was listening to a talk show the other morning and they were discussing a word that means the period between a major event and the passing of the last person with a memory of the event - Saeculum. It is believed that the ancient Greeks and Romans used the word to mark significant periods and would hold celebrations complete with sacrifices to mark the passage of each saeculum. It is believed these sacrifices would bring prosperity and progress for the next saeculum.
What does this word have to do with our capital campaign, you ask. It got me thinking that while we have had a number of large projects (e.g., the installation of the Klais organ, the upgrades to the offices, and even the addition of the All Saints Chapel), however it has been a saeculum since we embarked on a major capital campaign. We haven’t raised millions to transform our church campus since the early 1950s or 75 years ago.
As we enter the final week of our active campaign phase, I’ve become reflective on what we are trying to accomplish and what we have done towards that goal. It is truly amazing and will be transformative. Join us as we start the new saeculum with a sacrificial gift to the capital campaign to set this parish on a path of growth and prosperity.
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Come Be Part of Something Historic!
Our Senior Warden reminds us that being part of the capital campaign is being part of something historic. "Get your name down in the history books." And before that, come celebrate this Sunday with us! Our patronal feast day is a great opportunity for us to mark how far we've come in raising money to restore our beautiful buildings. For more infomation visit:
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NEW: "Next Phase FAQs"As We Enter a New Phase of our Campaign, What Are People Asking NOW?
What's important about the May 5 deadline?
This Sunday, May 5, concludes the "Active Phase" of the campaign, where we've attempted to contact every member of the church to give them the opportunity to make a pledge. On May 5 we will celebrate how far we've come, and publish the list of people who've pledged to the campaign. Note that names will not be published in giving categories, except for those who gave on a Memorial Level ($100,000 and above), and only if they consent. After May 5, we will be able to map out the cash flow over the next few years and time our projects accordingly.
Can we expect the campaign number to grow after this, or is this the final number?
Yes, it will continue to grow. After this active phase, we will enter a phase we call "Keeping the Campaign Alive." During this phase, we'll continue to contact active parishioners who, for whatever reason, weren't able to meet with us before May. We'll also invite newer members, neighbors, friends, and alumni of St. James the Less to contribute to the campaign. Finally, we'll apply for more grants. Two are in process now: a diocesan grant for up to $40k for the exterior masonry work by the cloister entrance, and a grant (amount TBD) through Sustainable Westchester for the boiler replacement.
Who will decide which projects are carried out and in what order?
A Capital Campaign Steering Committee has formed (more volunteers are always welcome), consisting of parishioners with a background in finance and development, and the rector. The group will begin meeting after May 5, and will meet frequently. They'll start by mapping out gifts and cash flow over the next year, two years, and beyond. Then, starting with the top projects (boiler and parking lot), they'll create a draft timeline for those projects. An architect and project manager will be brought into the process to help structure the projects in a way that fits our income flow and practicalities of the jobs -- seasonal considerations, best sequence of projects, accommodations for the parish during peak construction time, and so on.
What about projects that may not be done?
All the projects outlined in our Focus Groups last fall were important to someone. Overwhelmingly, we agreed on the top projects, and have secured pledges for those. Projects further down the list--window restoration, interior floor replacement, the downstairs kitchen--may need to wait for the next campaign. If you're passionate about one of these, however, and would like to give an extra donation to cover them, please talk to us!! Note that projects addressing safety issues will get completed, even if further down the list. This may include particular items in the downstairs kitchen, and the ceiling in the Great Hall.
Where do things stand on our Sustainable Westchester Grant for replacing the boiler?
Sustainable Westchester and Blocpower are continuing to evaluate our buildings for the best possble energy efficient system for our space within our limited price range. While they are evaluating a number of options, we are simultaneously pursuing quotes on a more conventional system so we can compare the upfront costs, ongoing costs to operate, and environmental impact in order to give our vestry the most complete set of options.
Because of the age and nature in which they were built/added onto over time, our buildings are tremendously complex and require a signficant amount of advanced study. We're moving as quickly as we can. Mother Storm and Co-Chair Bill Haffner are the primary contacts for this project at this point, to keep communication as clear and efficient as possible. We expect to have several proposals in hand this summer or fall.
Is it too late to be visited and/or make a pledge?
No!! Someone will visit you right up to midnight on May 4! (Though we'd prefer to see you sooner.) Bear in mind that the visit really does make you think about your commitment to the church, and so you may want some time afterward to think and pray about your gift. In other words: the sooner, the better. You can schedule a visit by clicking the box below OR by responding to this email, and someone will be in touch with you quickly.
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Schedule Your Campaign Visit
Having trouble connecting with a visitor or haven't yet been contacted? Please let us know! You can also schedule your own visit, even selecting (if you wish) who 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. For more infomation visit: http://stjamesscarsdale.org/blog/schedule-your-own-campaign-visit--6
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Volunteer to HelpFirst Meeting in Mid-May Choose from a variety of roles, from visiting, to serving on the project team once work begins. Our first meeting will be in mid-May, so if you'd like to help, please let us know as soon as you can. For more infomation visit:
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