Dear Calvary family and friends,
It seems that almost all churches find themselves having stewardship campaigns in the fall. Working with mostly small congregations over the years, and while I know most of you consider Calvary small, most of those I have worked with would have been pleased to have had two or three months of combined attendance equal to what we had this past Sunday. In the past, yes, they were larger when coal was a vital part of their local economy and before the young people went off college and then moved out to find good paying jobs. One blessing they have that helps them eek by financially is that they do not have to pay salaries for clergy. The downside though is that they do not have clergy. Many go on worshiping week after week with Morning Prayer and an occasional Holy Communion service. Needless to say, with few or no children, clergy on occasion, and small attendance, they find it very hard to grow, and still, they continue on, worshiping and giving enough to keep the doors open and the heat on. Over the last few years, the stewardship program you have used focused on giving out of gratitude for what you have received. That is a very sound understanding of stewardship. There is another side of stewardship as well, and that is caring for what we have and working to increase ministry not just within ourselves, but in the communities in which we live and work. Calvary has a very large physical plant. It is expensive to heat and cool, to operate. This past year the Vestry admitted that there was a need to make the sexton a full-time position because so much maintenance was being put off. By eliminating some of our outside contracts, we were able to find the money to do this. Earlier this fall we were able to make the youth director a full-time position due to a designated gift restricted for that purpose. Now that you have called a new Rector, it was realized that the salary package was far below what is normal even for our diocese, which has the lowest compensation in the whole southeast. Luckily, prior generations had foresight to set aside funds to pay much of the clergy’s compensation, but not all. For Calvary to continue to grow, we need the help of everyone. Unfortunately, one of the first tasks Father Jon along with the Vestry will have is trying to match our expenses with the income. We have been working on what we can for now, but what remains is knowing what to expect from your pledges. I hope you will prayerfully consider what you will be able to give for the care and ministry of Calvary in 2024 so together we can continue to move forward doing the work Jesus gives us to do.
Peace,
Bryant+
