Stewardship 2019: Letters from our Clergy

A letter from our Rector, the Rev. Noah H. Evans

In the year and a half my family and I have been with you at St. Paul’s, I have seen how the people of St. Paul’s truly are seeking to be the hands, feet and heart of God in the world.I see this in the many ways we serve our community through are many Outreach programs, how we seek to mentor and raise our young people in the faith, love to grow in our relationship with God through music, worship and education and how we graciously welcome each individual and family who comes to St. Paul’s who is seeking a spiritual home.

Together, we are building a community of faith that is the Body of Christ in the world.

In the Episcopal Church, members of the congregation are asked each year to make a pledge of what they plan to give to the Church for the entire coming year. For some people, especially for those new to the Episcopal Church, making a pledge may be a new experience. My family pledges in order to support the parish community which we are a part of and to further its mission of striving to be the Body of Christ in the world. By making a pledge, we are also giving the Vestry and parish leadership the ability to plan for the ministry of the parish in the coming year. We want to see St. Paul’s to continue to grow in its service to the world in Jesus name, so we pledge. We love our church, and we love to give to her work.

My prayer is that pledging will bring you the joy it brings my family and me. Join us in pledging to St. Paul’s this year.

Peace,
Noah

A letter from the Rev. Garrett Yates

I pledge to St. Paul’s because we have a promise to share - that God loves you as you are. Of all the messages that can shape my life, this is the one I want to take deepest root. I see this promise lived at St. Paul’s.

I was a sophomore in college when I first heard this promise. I went to the priest at my home church in Alabama after a service and
admitted, “I’m really struggling to have faith right now, and I kind of don’t feel honest receiving communion.” She put her hand on my shoulder and without a blink said, “Please keep receiving – the church’s meal is less about our faith in God, and more about his faith in us; which includes you.” This promise saved my life. And this promise is one that I’ve seen in our midst here at St. Paul’s.

To “pledge” is to make a promise to the church: “I’ve heard the promises of God, and now I am ready to respond with a promise of my own.” People often make contributions to hospitals because that hospital has saved their life, or the life of a loved one. This is how I feel about pledging - I pledge because I feel God’s promise of love saved my life.

What inspires you to pledge? How have you heard God’s promise to you – to love you, and guide you, and to believe in your life – here at St. Paul’s?

Peace,
Garrett