A Letter from Your Rector - May 7, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and health be with you in the name of our risen Lord! As the first church in Jerusalem would say upon greeting each other in the streets, I say to you today: “Your God reigns!”
I need to be upfront with you. This is a long letter. But it is an important letter to the life of our parish, so please take the time to read it through. It was sent as a mailed letter to the Parish on Tuesday, May 5.
Life has changed in innumerable ways over the last eight weeks. It has been since March 15 – our Patronal Feast Day – since we last gathered in-person to worship God and share our eucharistic feast. It has been eight weeks of self-isolation, well beyond the forty days implicit in the Italian root of the word, quarantine, and yet, how quickly perspective has shifted in such a short time. Those things we once took for granted and enjoyed, from next-day Amazon deliveries to breakfasts at Mimi’s on Sunday mornings after church, the “pause button” has been pushed on our economy, our schools, our way of life, and that can make one feel rather powerless.
However, one thing remains changeless and untouched by the pandemic’s reach: Jesus is alive and the Church as the Body of Christ continues to this day to live and breathe and have its being serving the world in Jesus’ name because God has called each of us to the sacred priesthood of all believers. We live because Jesus lives, and just as our ancestors of faith relied upon God for their own deliverance over four millennia ago as they wandered the Sanai desert for forty-years, today we find in Jesus’ victorious defeat over death the courage and resolve to find God in the silver linings, coincidences and in the “little things.” I have gleaned many lessons from this experience so far, as I’m sure you have, but none is more salient to living in the Kingdom of Heaven now, come-what, come-may, than my fervent prayers that God give me eyes for the Kingdom. And God delivers! My eyes continue to be opened to heavenly blessings all around me, even in my present circumstances: in my prayers, in my home, in my workplace, even online. God is showing up in big and little ways every day, to remind me that I am not alone and that though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because God is at my right hand I am able to walk by faith, not by sight. And, in that promise, there is not only courage and strength, there is peace surpassing all earthly understanding.
In many ways, the work we do together as Jesus’ Body on earth continues. Many of you have been connecting with your friends, neighbors and fellow parishioners throughout this pandemic, checking-in and ministering to one another in many “little ways.” Pastoral Care ministers continue to reach-out by phone to transform lonely hearts and remind folks that they are not forgotten. Sunday Online Worship participation continues to grow and reach folks far beyond the Conejo Valley, as our program staff continues to successfully pivot to deliver fresh and meaningful online ministry opportunities for children and youth, their families and the whole congregation. The strength of the ties that bind this community are a testament to your grit, determination and above all, your love.
And, as the work of the Church faithfully continues, it is essential that your pledges and financial support of this work faithfully continues as well. Since the end of March when, in order to comply with state, local and Diocesan orders, we discontinued in-person worship, closed our facilities to our support groups and paying renters alike, our total revenue has decreased by fifty-percent. Our Pledgers of Record income is down fifty-percent, and our non-Pledging Givers of Record, that is, folks who attend and contribute regularly but do not pledge, has gone from $8,000 per month to $800 per month over and against our budgeted expectations and revenues from this time in 2019. From the beginning, the leadership of Saint Patrick’s has been clear and resolved in its commitment to its employees’ well-being and to our mission, to be Monday through Saturday followers of Jesus who worship on Sundays. Our employees, along with our parishioners, are the greatest resource we have for making a love-spreading difference in the world and your Vestry is taking steps to help ensure their employment is not in jeopardy. As we lean into faith in God’s provision, we have prioritized keeping our parish staff employed and working at their pre-pandemic hours, and believe me, there is plenty of new and exciting work to be done in this post-pandemic world.
We believe the drop in giving is most likely attributed to the issue of access to alternate avenues of giving while we are not together in-person. That is, we believe that if easy to use avenues of fulfilling pledges and giving to Saint Patrick’s were more available, our deficits would shrink and our financial situation would become more viable. To that end, we have developed a few new ways to give to St. Pat’s.
Introducing Online Giving at Saint Patrick's, a secure and easy way to give through our church’s website. To make a one-time gift to Saint Patrick’s, either to fulfill a pledge, or as your regular non-pledged offering, you have options. You can do so the old-fashioned way by sending a check to the church, by stock donations, through a credit/debit card, via electronic funds transfer, or text giving.
Peace and health be with you in the name of our risen Lord! As the first church in Jerusalem would say upon greeting each other in the streets, I say to you today: “Your God reigns!”
I need to be upfront with you. This is a long letter. But it is an important letter to the life of our parish, so please take the time to read it through. It was sent as a mailed letter to the Parish on Tuesday, May 5.
Life has changed in innumerable ways over the last eight weeks. It has been since March 15 – our Patronal Feast Day – since we last gathered in-person to worship God and share our eucharistic feast. It has been eight weeks of self-isolation, well beyond the forty days implicit in the Italian root of the word, quarantine, and yet, how quickly perspective has shifted in such a short time. Those things we once took for granted and enjoyed, from next-day Amazon deliveries to breakfasts at Mimi’s on Sunday mornings after church, the “pause button” has been pushed on our economy, our schools, our way of life, and that can make one feel rather powerless.
However, one thing remains changeless and untouched by the pandemic’s reach: Jesus is alive and the Church as the Body of Christ continues to this day to live and breathe and have its being serving the world in Jesus’ name because God has called each of us to the sacred priesthood of all believers. We live because Jesus lives, and just as our ancestors of faith relied upon God for their own deliverance over four millennia ago as they wandered the Sanai desert for forty-years, today we find in Jesus’ victorious defeat over death the courage and resolve to find God in the silver linings, coincidences and in the “little things.” I have gleaned many lessons from this experience so far, as I’m sure you have, but none is more salient to living in the Kingdom of Heaven now, come-what, come-may, than my fervent prayers that God give me eyes for the Kingdom. And God delivers! My eyes continue to be opened to heavenly blessings all around me, even in my present circumstances: in my prayers, in my home, in my workplace, even online. God is showing up in big and little ways every day, to remind me that I am not alone and that though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because God is at my right hand I am able to walk by faith, not by sight. And, in that promise, there is not only courage and strength, there is peace surpassing all earthly understanding.
In many ways, the work we do together as Jesus’ Body on earth continues. Many of you have been connecting with your friends, neighbors and fellow parishioners throughout this pandemic, checking-in and ministering to one another in many “little ways.” Pastoral Care ministers continue to reach-out by phone to transform lonely hearts and remind folks that they are not forgotten. Sunday Online Worship participation continues to grow and reach folks far beyond the Conejo Valley, as our program staff continues to successfully pivot to deliver fresh and meaningful online ministry opportunities for children and youth, their families and the whole congregation. The strength of the ties that bind this community are a testament to your grit, determination and above all, your love.
And, as the work of the Church faithfully continues, it is essential that your pledges and financial support of this work faithfully continues as well. Since the end of March when, in order to comply with state, local and Diocesan orders, we discontinued in-person worship, closed our facilities to our support groups and paying renters alike, our total revenue has decreased by fifty-percent. Our Pledgers of Record income is down fifty-percent, and our non-Pledging Givers of Record, that is, folks who attend and contribute regularly but do not pledge, has gone from $8,000 per month to $800 per month over and against our budgeted expectations and revenues from this time in 2019. From the beginning, the leadership of Saint Patrick’s has been clear and resolved in its commitment to its employees’ well-being and to our mission, to be Monday through Saturday followers of Jesus who worship on Sundays. Our employees, along with our parishioners, are the greatest resource we have for making a love-spreading difference in the world and your Vestry is taking steps to help ensure their employment is not in jeopardy. As we lean into faith in God’s provision, we have prioritized keeping our parish staff employed and working at their pre-pandemic hours, and believe me, there is plenty of new and exciting work to be done in this post-pandemic world.
We believe the drop in giving is most likely attributed to the issue of access to alternate avenues of giving while we are not together in-person. That is, we believe that if easy to use avenues of fulfilling pledges and giving to Saint Patrick’s were more available, our deficits would shrink and our financial situation would become more viable. To that end, we have developed a few new ways to give to St. Pat’s.
Introducing Online Giving at Saint Patrick's, a secure and easy way to give through our church’s website. To make a one-time gift to Saint Patrick’s, either to fulfill a pledge, or as your regular non-pledged offering, you have options. You can do so the old-fashioned way by sending a check to the church, by stock donations, through a credit/debit card, via electronic funds transfer, or text giving.
You can give safely and securely RIGHT NOW
with a credit/debit card by going to our website – www.stpatschurch.org.
with a credit/debit card by going to our website – www.stpatschurch.org.
You can always go to our website and click "GIVE" on the upper right hand Menu Bar. We accept most major Credit/Debit cards for recurring payments, too. However, these payments cost Saint Patrick’s about 3% in processing fees. (To set-up FEE-FREE Giving, see Electronic Funds Transfer below). You may have a credit card that allows you to earn cash back or reward points such as frequent flier miles on credit card payments, which makes this a more convenient method for you.
You can also give via Text Giving. Simply text the dollar amount you would like to donate to St. Pat’s to the phone number (805) 600-5029. This method requires you to set-up an account on your first payment, but afterwards, making your payment is as easy as sending a text.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the BEST way to give to Saint Patrick's, transfers your donation directly from your checking or savings account by entering your bank or credit union routing number and account number (found on the bottom of a check). Monthly payments offer the best balance of steady income and lowest costs, but Saint Patrick’s is happy to offer annually, quarterly, bi-monthly and many other options for payment frequency. If you’re going to give electronically, this is the best way to make sure your entire gift goes directly to Saint Patrick’s. A Credit Card/e-Check Authorization Form can be downloaded HERE - Credit Card Authorization Form 2020. Just print it, fill it out and send it in to the address provided.
We hope these new options for giving will provide easy and safe ways for you to support your church during these challenging times. As always, you are our first priority. Therefore, if you are currently experiencing or in the future experience financial duress due to the pandemic, please pause your giving. But, please let us know so we can prepare and so that we can pray for you. You are not alone. Remember we walk by faith, not by sight. What was true about God 5,000 years ago is true today and will be true always: God is our shepherd and God's mighty arm is strong to save. Jesus tells us over and over, do not be afraid. Now is the time to lean into his promise: I will be with you always, even to end of the ages.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the BEST way to give to Saint Patrick's, transfers your donation directly from your checking or savings account by entering your bank or credit union routing number and account number (found on the bottom of a check). Monthly payments offer the best balance of steady income and lowest costs, but Saint Patrick’s is happy to offer annually, quarterly, bi-monthly and many other options for payment frequency. If you’re going to give electronically, this is the best way to make sure your entire gift goes directly to Saint Patrick’s. A Credit Card/e-Check Authorization Form can be downloaded HERE - Credit Card Authorization Form 2020. Just print it, fill it out and send it in to the address provided.
We hope these new options for giving will provide easy and safe ways for you to support your church during these challenging times. As always, you are our first priority. Therefore, if you are currently experiencing or in the future experience financial duress due to the pandemic, please pause your giving. But, please let us know so we can prepare and so that we can pray for you. You are not alone. Remember we walk by faith, not by sight. What was true about God 5,000 years ago is true today and will be true always: God is our shepherd and God's mighty arm is strong to save. Jesus tells us over and over, do not be afraid. Now is the time to lean into his promise: I will be with you always, even to end of the ages.
God bless you. See you soon!
The Reverend George Daisa, Rector of Saint Patrick's
The Reverend George Daisa, Rector of Saint Patrick's
The Vestry of the Parish of Saint Patrick, Thousand Oaks
