December 17, 2025
Dear Christ Church,
Following the Rector’s Roundtable, I felt it was important to put our conversation in writing and extend the same invitation to everyone.
Many of you have already stepped up in your generosity. On Sunday, I shared that the average pledge at Christ Church Anglican increased by 9%. The good news is that the number has grown to 11.6%. Praise God and thank you! Additionally, we received new pledges from households that have not pledged in prior years. In a season when costs are rising and many households are feeling real pressure, you chose to lean in. This act of faith says you believe in what God is doing here. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, you “excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8.7). On behalf of our finance team, Vestry, staff, and myself—thank you.
Our calling at Christ Church is to experience together the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ. God is already doing that among us. However, there is a challenge before us: our current giving has not yet caught up with the ministry taking place. We are still $72,461 short of next year’s ministry budget.
I know talking about money can cause us to feel weary or even anxious. Many of you are carrying your own financial concerns, and the last thing I want is to add guilt. My goal is not to add guilt, but to be clear and invite us to listen to the Lord together.
We are at a decision point.
Our budget is built around serving people: discipling children and youth, forming adults, offering worship and music that draw hearts to Jesus, providing pastoral care and hospitality for the hurting, and supporting our diocese and ministry partners. We are not trying to do everything; instead, we are trying to do the right things well. You may be able to help keep these amazing ministries going.
The vestry and I invite you to consider three simple ways to help:
- If Christ Church is your home and you have not yet pledged, would you prayerfully consider doing so this year? Every pledge, even a modest one, helps us plan wisely. A pledge card is enclosed.
- If you have already pledged, would you ask the Lord this week if He is inviting you to take one more small step? I am deeply grateful for what you are already giving. If you feel led to increase your pledge, please note the change on the enclosed card.
- If you are unable to adjust your pledge but are in a position to make a one-time gift this year, would you hold that possibility in prayer? Several such gifts can close the gap by spreading the burden among many.
If you can help close this gap, your generosity will sustain and deepen the ministries of Christ Church that are already bearing fruit:
- Children and teen ministries that grow the faith in and love for Jesus.
- Worship that draws us to God.
- Pastoral care that meets people in their pain and shares the love of Christ.
- Spiritually deep Christian formation that shapes the head, heart, and hands.
- Newcomers welcomed with open arms into our church family.
- Ministry partners who are supported with our generosity as we work alongside them.
- A dedicated staff that serve our congregation and grow these ministries.
Above all, it will mean we are growing together in the grace of giving and living more fully into the abundant life Jesus offers—not just as individuals, but as His body.
My request is simple: in the coming days, would you bring your pledge (or your decision not to pledge) before the Lord and ask, “How are You inviting me to participate in the life and future of Christ Church?”
You have my commitment to remain transparent, careful, and prayerful with everything entrusted to us. Your generosity is already making a difference, and the increase is a real blessing. Thank you for that—and thank you for considering how the Lord may be leading you in this next step.
In Christ,
Fr. Chase
Questions or to submit or increase a pledge, please email Erin Jones