A Letter To THe Parish on Stewardship

 September 29, 2020

Dear Calvary-St. George’s,

Last year, as I wrote the stewardship letter, never in a million years would I have imagined the challenges we all would face in 2020. Before the pandemic hit New York City in mid-March, all of our services were well attended, the Gospel was being preached, and people were coming to know Jesus as their savior and lord. After six months of the parish being closed, we have been reminded of that great question posed in the burial service of the Book of Common Prayer, “in the midst of death, we are in life of whom may we seek succor?” The answer of course at Calvary-St. George’s is, “but of thee O’ Lord the maker of heaven of earth.”  The following are just some of the ways he provided that relief here in the parish:

Our online ministry was created seamlessly and increased dramatically:

  • We created a successful and professional Livestream service that now regularly streams in homes across the country and around the world.

  • We saw a 10% increase after COVID in new pledging givers, many residing outside the city.

  • Our social media went from 600 Instagram followers pre-COVID to 3000 during COVID and 500 Facebook followers pre-COVID to 1200 during COVID. 

Our pastoral ministry continued and shifted online in order to share the Gospel with everyone right where they were at:

  • Sunday School and Creative Arts Camp aired in people’s homes weekly sharing the Gospel with our littlest members.   

  • We expanded our pastoral care to online care groups that met throughout the week, including a group for teens.  Ben regularly led prayers on Instagram Live.  

  • Several solid teachings which included a hymn sing, Christ in the Old Testament, a class on the Psalms, and Christ in pop culture. 

Your generosity helped us in the midst of it all continue to serve our neighbor well:

  • We’ve been able to help ease the financial burden for our parishioners who have lost their jobs and are experiencing other hardships.

  • We became a mask distribution center for midtown south and downtown churches.

  • Our Common Table reopened in September and is handing out bagged lunches to those in need. 

Theologian Michael Horton speaks about the importance of not only getting the Gospel out, but getting the Gospel right. During the pandemic Calvary-St. George’s continues to do both.  There will be lots of organizations vying for your financial attention this year.  I want to encourage you to read our brochure and prayerfully consider making Calvary-St. George’s your top priority.  So please, I want to invite you to join us as we Get the Gospel Right and Get the Gospel Out. 

When you pledge to Calvary-St. George’s, wherever you are, you are committing to partnering with us for the next year, and participating in the mission God has been and is doing in the city of New York.  The focused pledge campaign runs through November 1st this year (although we will take your pledge whenever).  Our country and the world need the Gospel now (not more than ever), but like they always do. This time it just happens to be a little more in our face.

Love, 

The Reverend Jacob A. Smith
Rector