A Letter from the Annual Appeal Co-Chairs, Barbara Palmer and Jim Hallowell
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Dear St. James the Less Family,
This is now the season for the St. James the Less 2023 Annual Appeal. The past several years haveconfirmed that our church is strong, and will continue to provide many blessings to us and to the widercommunity for years to come.
As a Christian community, St. James the Less is defined by faith, hopeand charity—values that we realize in inspirational worship, sacred music, engaging events for childrenand adults, and steadfast service to the needy. We can all be proud to belong to a church that is thesource of so much goodness for the world.
Despite these great gifts, we know that St James the Less will always confront challenges, and needsresources to thrive. As the pandemic recedes, the coming year provides an opportunity to reinvigorateour worship and to recommit as active members of St. James the Less … to our future, our works, andour community itself.
And so we have chosen Renewal and Commitment as the theme for this year’sannual appeal. A successful appeal, with everyone pledging, ensures a healthy, vibrant and growing congregation. To accomplish this, we need a strong financial foundation and your generous participation. (Please refer to the enclosed information sheet, with income, expenses and activities.) At St. James the Less our faith comes to life in worship. Worshiping together builds our relationships,sustains us, and amplifies our prayers. As Mother Tish Harrison Warren, an Episcopal priest andauthor, has observed: “Congregating, music, communion are not mere accessories to worship … they are who we are and what we believe.”
Worship, music, communion and connection not only make make us stronger but also instillhope…hope that we can grow, hope that God will provide, hope that as people of faith we can makethings better for others, through our prayers and active ministries: children and teen activities, food pantries, Midnight and Breakfast Runs and more.
Along with faith and hope, charitable works through outreach demonstrate love -- the essence of what we believe as Episcopalians and as Christians.So we ask you to commit to St. James the Less in the spirit of renewal, faith, hope and love and to support the church by giving time, talent – and, yes – treasure (see the enclosed pledge card or go to our website).
This annual appeal allows us to be good stewards, supporting our church, which is dearto us and entrusted to our care. Please be as generous as your heart will allow and consider increasing your pledge by 5% or more to support St. James the Less and all that it gives to us, our children and the greater community that we serve.