Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
Over the last few months, there has been talk about conducting a Capital Campaign at St. James. Since the summer, Council has been involved in multiple conversations about conducting a special offering to meet needs that go beyond our mission budget. In September, they approved the formation of a team to work out the details, goals, and process of conducting a Capital Campaign.
I am grateful for the work of our Capital Campaign leadership team of Konrad Gastony, Judy Jenson, and Matt Schaefer. For the last three months, they have devoted many hours flushing out the details of this special offering that will strengthen our ministry beyond the pandemic.
Basically, the Capital Campaign has three objectives:1) Enhance our worship, ministry and relationships through investing in new technology; deepen our relationship with our "neighbors" and strengthen our partnership with the St. Paul Area Synod by supporting a larger effort to impact lives locally; 3) demonstrate generosity and put into action our St. James value of Encouragement by providing significant funds to construct a medical dispensary (clinic) in Idunda, Tanzania. Not only is each area connected with our overall vision for mission, but each will play a significant role to strengthen St. James Lutheran's ministry in the future.
Why now?
The answer to that question is simple; “now” is both the time of need and opportunity. As we regather for worship in the sanctuary, our old screens no longer work and our aged sound system is giving out. Online ministry is now a reality and we need to be able to interact as best we can, using video conferencing for meetings, Bible Studies, and other events. We need to work with other congregations to meet needs in our area that are too large for any one of us to take on alone. Pregnant women in Idunda need to walk five miles of mountain roads to get the necessary care for themselves and their unborn children. In each of these areas, the love of Jesus guides St. James to respond now.
In the course of the next week, you will hear more information about the Capital Campaign from our leadership team (Konrad, Judy, and Matt). At the Annual Meeting on January 30, we will vote on conducting a Capital Campaign in 2022. I encourage you to support this initiative. Please note that the vote is on whether we should simply conduct the offering. It is not to spend money that isn’t gathered. We are simply allowing the opportunity to hold a post-Easter campaign where we will share the full details regarding all three areas and let folks decide to give. Generosity will decide the outcome of the effort.
As with any part of our ministry, I am happy to answer questions and have further conversations. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me and we can talk.
I look forward to greeting you in worship, whether at 8:00 a.m. (parking lot/sanctuary) or 9:30 a.m. (online/sanctuary) or whenever you log on (website/YouTube archive).
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt