Pledge Season 2027

Dear Christ Church Family,

At our recent Newcomers’ Lunch, we had a room full of new people, twenty-one in all. As they shared what brought them to Christ Church, a common theme emerged:  the authenticity of this community and the life of Jesus they encountered here. 

This reminds me that God has entrusted us with something precious at Christ Church, and He calls us to share it with others. 

Before I say anything about next year, I want to begin with thank you.  Your generosity and sacrifice have helped sustain and strengthen our common life at Christ Church. You have given faithfully because you believe in what God is doing here. As a minister of the Gospel, I am deeply grateful. 

Looking ahead to 2027, I am reminded of what we find in Acts 2. We see the first Christians devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Their faith shaped their daily lives, their relationships, and even what they did with their possessions. As they shared life together, the Lord continued to draw others into His family. 

That is the kind of life I want for you. It is what we mean when we speak of our mission: to experience together the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ. And we seek to live that mission through three values that shape our common life at Christ Church: Sacred Space, Transformative Truth, and Charitable Community. 

Sacred Space. We want Christ Church to be a place where heaven touches earth—a place where we meet with God in worship, Word and Sacrament, prayer, beauty, and reverence. We want to continue building a music ministry that brings excellence, beauty, and richness to our parish’s worship.  Our desire is to glorify Jesus through music that reflects His beauty and draws us more deeply into worship, while welcoming members of the arts community who may come for the music and, by God’s grace, encounter Christ. 

Even the care of our campus serves this calling.  From the cross and bell to the beautification of our Narthex, improvements to our restrooms, exterior painting, and the ordinary care of our buildings and grounds, we want to be good stewards of the place God has entrusted to us.  These things are not ends in themselves.  They help us care for a place where people can worship God, encounter His beauty, and know that they are welcome among us. 

Transformative Truth.  We believe the Gospel is not simply something we know; it is the truth of Jesus Christ that shapes our entire lives. In the year ahead, I hope more of our church family will experience this through Sunday formation, Wednesday classes, our Bible studies, and our ministries to children and youth.  We want to keep pouring the love and truth of Jesus Christ into the lives of our children and youth, helping them know Him, live out their faith, and find friendships that encourage them along the way.  Studying Scripture is essential as we learn together what it means to follow Jesus in our homes, our work, our relationships, and our daily lives. 

Charitable Community. We also believe that the Christian life is something we live together. Sharing a meal, knowing what someone else is carrying, praying for one another, and bearing one another’s burdens are all part of following Jesus. 

We see this happening in many places at Christ Church. On Friday mornings, around twenty men gather for Courageous Men, including several who do not attend our Sunday services. They are finding a place where they can be honest about their lives, be held accountable, and experience Jesus’ healing. We see the same kind of community around Wednesday dinners, in Bible studies and fellowship, at Newcomers’ Lunches, and in the many quiet ways members of our parish care for one another. 

And as we learn to follow Jesus together, we also learn to be His hands and feet to our neighbors through our Ministry Partners and other opportunities to serve. Your generosity helps make room for this common life to grow. 

Our 2027 budget goal is $950,000, roughly the same as our goal for 2026. Your pledge enables the Vestry and Finance Committee to plan responsibly for the people and resources needed to sustain the common life and ministry God has entrusted to us. 

I am asking every household to prayerfully consider making a pledge. If you have never pledged before, this is a good year to begin. If you already pledge, thank you. Would you consider increasing your pledge for 2027 if you are able? 

As you pray, I encourage you to consider the biblical practice of tithing, giving the first tenth of our income to the Lord. Offering our first fruits teaches us to trust His provision and prioritize His Kingdom.  If tithing feels like a significant step, begin by praying about the next faithful step God is calling you to take. 

Please return your pledge card or complete the online form below by Sunday, November 1st, All Saints Sunday.  

Many have yet to join us, including children discovering Jesus’ love and neighbors seeking a welcoming community for their questions and burdens. Your generosity helps us welcome them. 

I am thankful to share this life with you, and I look forward with great anticipation to what God will do in and through us. 

In Christ, 

Fr. Chase