October, 2017
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Every day I give thanks for you! I am so grateful for your generosity to Holy Trinity, giving faithfully in support of the mission and ministry of the parish. Because of your generosity, we are in a position to proclaim the Gospel boldly from our place on the Holy Hill across from Clemson University. With the addition of Chloe Cashwell to coordinate our ministries with young families and Deacon Christopher to oversee ministry with youth, young adults, and Canterbury, we are building a staff that strives to support the many ministries of the parish effectively and with care for every soul associated with Holy Trinity. The Vestry, Staff, Ministry Team leaders and I are working to build a parish structure to empower and enable our movement into a period of dynamic discipleship, and we couldn’t do that without you.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in his second letter to the church in Corinth that our giving is an avenue to grace and joy: “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The Stewardship Ministry Team has adopted that verse from Paul’s letter as the theme and tag-line for our Annual Campaign for 2018. Giving financially to support the mission and ministry of Holy Trinity is not something to do because it is an obligation that is imposed on you. We pray that any gift is given joyfully and in thanksgiving for the blessings God has bestowed upon you through worship, community, and service in this gathering of disciples of Jesus Christ, Holy Trinity Episcopal Parish.
This year the Vestry, the Stewardship Ministry Team, and I ask you to pray and to look deeply into your hearts to consider the gifts that God has given you. We ask you to ponder the value of Holy Trinity in your life and in the life of your family. I invite you to join us in a time of prayerful discernment about what gifts you have received from God, and about what gifts you will offer back in thanksgiving. Then please return your pledge card in the envelope provided by November 12 so that we can plan for more great blessings to come in 2018. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me. Grace & peace to you,
The Rev. Suz Cate