Looking Forward to 2024

God continues to ask “who will go for us?” and we continue to answer, “Here we are, send us!” Our budget is a tool that enables us to go where God sends us.

We at Saint Peter’s are serving in a context that offers two particular calls. The first is our Diocese. Our budget is the eighth largest out of 130+ congregations. Our community service is easily in the top four. We are punching above our weight! Our clergy and parishioners are also active leaders in diocesan programs such as formation, ministry with those who have disabilities, those in the ordination process, and in communications. Bishop French very much appreciates our support as she begins her episcopate in New Jersey.

As a result, a budget goal is to continue to increase our diocesan financial support so that we finally reach the 10% minimum ask. With your support, this could be the year that the Diocese sees us fully at the table.

Outside of “Episcopal World,” we continue to hear voices telling us “You have what people are looking for. You need to tell people about it!” The Rev. Jeff Knauer, a Protestant pastor who was our capital campaign consultant once shared that the most frustrating thing about the Episcopal Church is that we have everything a seeker wants, but we are too shy to let them know we have it! More recently, a staff member had a conversation with someone who was not raised in a faith tradition about St. Peter’s. At the end of the conversation, she said, “There are many people looking for what you have.”

We worship faithful to ancient traditions yet with modern expressions. We serve those in need just as Christ told us that anyone who serves the vulnerable serves Christ himself. And we are clear that each person is a child of God regardless of their background, how they love, or who they are, and are called by God to be active and valued partners in faith and service.

God is calling us to be the faith community the unchurched need. God is on a mission to heal the brokenness in the world, and so much of what we believe and what we do is exactly what God is looking for in a community to join in this work. When we give, this is what we are giving to. How will our Stewardship for 2024 give the answer, “Here we are, send us?”