The Rev. Noah Van Niel
The Chapel of the Cross
November 14th, 2021
Proper 28 (B): 1 Samuel 1:4-20; Song of Hannah; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
We have designated this Sunday at The Chapel of the Cross “Ingathering Sunday” — a suitably seasonal metaphor for the deadline in our annual fundraising appeal. Just as we imagine farmers gathering in the harvest, so we hope to “gather in” your promises of financial support that we might give thanks for those gifts and get to work setting next year’s budget. The salaries of those who work here, the buildings in which we worship, the ministries and programs which we engage in, are almost entirely funded by your contributions. We do not have a large endowment to fall back on, so it is your financial support, year after year, that facilitates the work of God in this place and from this place out into the world. As of yesterday, we stand at 369 pledges which have gotten us over 80% of the way to our goal. That’s pretty good. But it still leaves us about $300,000 short of what it will take to fully fund the parish next year. In past years we might expect another 150 or so pledges to come in. But the continued dispersion of our community makes that uncertain. So, my message this morning is as simple as it is sincere: if you haven’t yet pledged, please do. If you have pledged, thank you, and prayerfully consider whether an increase might be within your reach.
But seeing as it’s “Ingathering Sunday,” there’s another issue we need to talk about. In addition to gathering in your pledges, we need to gather in our people. Right now, we are running about 99% of the church with about 50% of the people. That means worship attendance, but it also means the many ministries that are essential to the functioning of our parish. Participation in our fabulous Altar Guild, those who lovingly and faithfully prepare the communion table and ready our sacred spaces for worship, is down more than 50%, meaning half the people are doing twice the work. We don’t have nearly enough ushers or greeters to welcome you and ensure a safe and orderly Sunday experience. We have great readers, but our current rotation is thin, so we lack a diversity of voices and faces up at that lectern. We need acolytes to lift high the cross and lead our procession to the altar of God. We need your help.
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