Does St. Cross really need my pledge? Haven't we had surpluses in recent years?

Yes and Yes. But let me say more. Part of the reason we have had surpluses is that we were underpaying our staff who had not had raises for at least five years. Both staff and clergy were given raises to be on level with other parishes of our size. We also had a surplus in 2021 because we were still budgeting and spending shrewdly as we came out of the COVID time. The 2022 budget was passed with a known deficit, and it looks like we will likely end the year in the red rather than in the black. Your pledge, including when you can increase, helps us to build and maintain ministries. Without you, there is no church. YOU are the church.

Some of you may ask about our pledge at the 2022 Annual Meeting to give 10% of our surplus to programs in need. We have done this and want to fill you in on the process. The first was a donation of $20k to the Diocese who is in the middle of a capital campaign. Our donation was in good faith to help as they move out of the silent phase. THEN, Camp Stevens is having their 70th Anniversary. We were asked if we could give a donation. As the Finance Committee looked at the budget, and the fact that we know we will likely have a deficit this year, we wanted to stay true to our pledge to give away 10%. The Finance Committee recommended and the Vestry approved a gift of $15,700. $900 was from this year's budget where we try to give to Camp Stevens every year. The subsequent $14,800 was the rest of the surplus we had promised to give to other entities in need. Our gift was far beyond what Camp Stevens had hoped we would give in honor of their 70th (which is where many members of our St. Cross community will be this weekend as they have been involved for many years). The following is a note from Kathy Wilder, the camp director:

This is an amazing gift and I cannot thank you enough. In a time we are navigating our way post pandemic while looking to the future, this support is transformational for camp and for the access and richness of our event. Answers to your questions below! This money allows us to offer free access to the event for our local Julian community (high school students, teachers, nonprofit leaders, kids, etc.), for our Indigineous elders of the Kumeyaay and Iipay people, and to folks from other faith traditions (Sikh, Muslim, Jewish neighbors and friends) who are less familiar with Camp Stevens and the Episcopal faith. We are also able to pay our presenters fairly and equitably. We have intentionally recruited presenters who identify as people of color and/or LBGTQIA+ from a variety of faiths, traditions and cultures.

Thank you again St. Cross,

Kathy Wilder

We hope to have Kathy on campus for an Adult Education forum in December so we can all learn more about how we can enjoy and support Camp Stevens.

Peace,

Rachel+