A Healthy Church

Last Sunday’s annual meeting, including the BBQ afterward, had so many wonderful moments. The moment when I, as your rector, was proudest of you came when our treasurer showed the slide pictured above. It tells all we need to know about who we are. For that reason, I want to show it to you again.

The purple bars show onetime gifts, while the green bars show our income over the past four years, as well as 2026 projected income. You can see how with each year, the purple bar, which is not sustainable, has shrunk, and the sustainable green bar has grown. As our treasurer, Annalisa Parker, reported: “What’s encouraging is the inverse relationship: Pledge income has increased each year as onetime gifts have decreased. That tells us we’re becoming more self-sustaining through annual giving—a healthier long-term model for the church.” 

This is such good news for St. Bart’s. After a few bumpy years, we are returning to a healthy, self-sustaining version of ourselves—great reason to rejoice and be proud! But let’s not rest on our laurels. We must continue our focused work to uphold this trend into the coming years. I applaud you all daily—go and grow!

Blessings,

Mother Nina+