An Important Message from the Vestry: Funding our ministry together

Brendan Murphy on December 4, 2023

Dear Members of St Paul’s,


As we approach the end of our stewardship campaign and grapple with the task of developing a church budget for 2024, your Vestry asks you to consider increasing your pledge and recurring gifts to St. Paul’s. Here’s an update on our stewardship progress and its impact on our 2024 budget.

Our current level of pledged giving for 2024, and the cost of operating at our level of programming currently put us at a projected $70,000 operating loss. (In the Vestry’s original three-year plan, we had planned for a 2024 operating loss of $31,000.) While that seems like a huge gap to close, it is possible. We are asking you to consider what you can do to help us close that gap.

Despite not yet reaching our targeted total, there are significant and positive developments to acknowledge at St Paul’s.
  • In the face of a broader decline within the Episcopal Church, our congregation has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 1,200 to 1,700 members—an exceptional 42% increase between 2017 and 2022.
  • While numerous congregations nationwide are grappling with declines, our community stands strong, with impactful programs, worship experiences, and robust small groups to foster sustained growth and connection.
  • Our children and youth programs, serving approximately 150 youth, is three times larger than the next closest congregation’s youth program in our diocese.
  • Notably visible within our congregational gatherings are numerous new families with young children—an encouraging sign of hope and promise for the future of St Paul’s.
  • While operating at a loss since the pandemic, St Paul’s has remained steadfast in its service and outreach to others giving $56,780 (plus-Covid funds) in 2021 and $73,482 in 2022 and we are on pace to finish the year at the level as well. We are committed to similar giving levels in 2024.
These facts are a testament to the dedication of our leadership, the vibrancy of our programs, and the success of our growth. Yet, aligning this growth with financial demands to support that growth remains our collective challenge.

For those yet to pledge, we encourage reflection on the pivotal role you play in our community. To those who have already generously contributed, we express gratitude and welcome additional support if you are able. For those unable to contribute financially, your past and prospective contributions in the form of time and service would be deeply valued. Please email or call the church office at (412) 531-7153×10 with any questions or for help increasing your pledge or recurring gift.

Grateful for the boundless blessings at St Paul’s, let us faithfully steward with hearts full of reverence and gratitude.

St. Paul’s Vestry
Kathleen Davies, Senior Warden
Michele Baum, Junior Warden
Frank Horrigan, Secretary
David Sharbaugh, Treasurer
Bob Johnston, Asst. Treasurer
Greg Hammer, Asst. Jr. Warden
The Rev. Noah H. Evans, Rector
Dana Bloomburg
Gina Brownfield
Karen Schneider
Gretchen Crane
Paul Golebie
Jon Delano
Jen Lingler


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