Stewardship Update
Dear friends in Christ,
I am writing to provide an update on our 2025 Stewardship Campaign, “Walk in Love.” When we began this campaign last fall, we set an ambitious goal of 80 pledges, totaling $375,000, building on our 2024 achievement of 65 pledges, totaling $283,000. To date, we have received 52 pledges, totaling $268,000. The Vestry and I remain deeply grateful for these generous commitments. I must share too our significant distance from our goal.
Our current shortfall stems from several challenges. In the past year, we lost 9 pledges because of relocations and the deaths of beloved parishioners—a loss representing nearly $60,000 in annual pledges. Furthermore, our buildings and grounds required urgent attention: for instance, while we budgeted $4,000 for maintenance and repairs, necessary HVAC repairs cost $32,000, leaving currently only $17,000 in our reserves.
Yet even amid these challenges, Saint Andrew's continues to flourish in wonderful ways. Our ministries are stronger now than they ever have been in the past three decades, as evidenced by our remarkable service.
Trinity Commons has transformed our capacity to serve both parish and community. We now provide full administrative and programmatic oversight of both Trinity Commons and Birmingham’s Episcopal Campus Ministries. This versatile space enhances our parish gatherings, welcomes students, houses our music program, facilitates our successful and growing Vacation Bible School, and more.
Our newly established Center for Anglican Music at Trinity Commons stands as a unique initiative in both the Diocese of Alabama and The Episcopal Church. This residential choral scholar program serves local undergraduate and graduate students, enriching our musical tradition while nurturing young talent.
Saint Andy's Pantry, celebrating its sixth anniversary this year, continues to expand its vital mission through community partnerships. Twice monthly, we open our doors to serve approximately 300 individuals from 90 families, meeting crucial needs in our community. We hope this will increase to weekly distributions. Meanwhile, our music program, though small in numbers, delivers one of Birmingham's finest sacred music experiences through monthly Choral Evensong services, sung Compline, and various performances that enhance our worship.
Looking ahead, we're preparing for exciting transitions. We plan to relocate Saint Andy's Pantry to the formation wing of the Parish Office by mid-February, and consider ways of replacing the aging Saint Joseph's House with a new pantry building and garden space—a transformation that will better serve our community for years to come.
Your generosity touches every aspect of our ministry in ways both seen and unseen.
Through your pledge, our red doors remain open to Birmingham's Southside as a beacon of hope and welcome. Your support enables Saint Andy's Pantry to serve thousands of neighbors in need each year. Our baptismal font stands ready to welcome new members into God's family, while sacred music enriches our liturgies, supported by talented musicians and a well-maintained organ.
Your pledge allows Trinity Commons to reach students and faculty from UAB, Samford University, and Miles College, extending our community beyond our walls, and helps us fulfill our commitments to the diocese and the wider Episcopal Church.
From changing light bulbs to covering cleaning expenses, every aspect of our common life—even those ministries supported by separate funding—depends on the foundation your pledges provide.
Although a good many of our programs operate through grants and dedicated donations, we rely on general funds to maintain the foundation that makes these ministries possible. To ensure our continued growth and service, we need your support in one of these ways:
Submit your first pledge for 2025
Consider increasing your existing pledge
Make a one-time contribution to address our current shortfall
Saint Andrew's mission statement is “Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Altar and in the Street,” and your pledge matters more than ever as we seek to live faithfully into this mission. Together, I am confident that we can overcome the financial challenges we face and continue growing in faith and service.
Yours Sincerely in Christ~
Fr. Peter Helman
Rector
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church