Thank you for your commitment to Transfiguration. Together we have raised a total of $1,612,601. However, it is not too late to turn in your Pledge Card (pdf)! If you are interested in other ways to donate, view our Room Dedication/Furnishing Opportunities flyer (pdf).
Dear Holy People of God,
When I think of Transfiguration – of you – I am amazed at what we’ve accomplished together over these now nearly 30 years – of how we’ve grown, both personally and corporately – spiritually and numerically. Transfiguration is known throughout our nation and across the national church as a place committed to careful and loving worship – a place of contemplation and spiritual depth – and as a place of abundant hospitality. I am convinced that we can maintain and build on the level of health that this great parish has long enjoyed.
I want to assure you that it was with prayerful and careful consideration that the Vestry made the decision to launch Capital Campaign 2010. I appreciate the support and questions as you have come to learn more about this campaign. I want to address the most common question: “Is this the right time?” Please know that the first priority of this campaign is to retire the debt on the existing Church Life Center South building to free up funds from the operating budget that would otherwise have to be used to pay that debt. According to a very favorable agreement with our banker, we must pay $250,000 annually on the principal and make monthly interest payments of approximately $7,000…a total annual outlay of nearly $335,000. The operating budget, funded by your annual pledges, simply cannot accommodate an expense of that size without severe impact on staff, programs and ministries.
The second goal of this campaign will be to complete the original plan for the Church Life Center South by adding a chapel, a multipurpose space and expanding our Sacristy space. Personally, I would love for us to finish this phase! Nothing would thrill and honor me more than to complete the building during my time as your rector. There are several reasons I would hope we could build the rest of the building, most especially so that we might respect the significant financial commitments that several families have already made to that project. I firmly believe that the completion of these spaces will not only support the needs of our growing parish family, but provide new opportunities to serve those around us in ways we have yet to imagine.
I have a dream, one that I hope you can help move from fantasy to reality. That dream is to witness to the Christian world that we had 100% participation in this Capital Campaign 2010. I know that many of you are stretched to financial tautness. I know that there are those among us who have the means to make large gifts and I know that there are those among us who have the means to make small gifts. But every gift is significant…significant not only because every penny, nickel and dime given, added to those of others, helps secure the future of our ministries and contribute to the witness of Christian outreach from this congregation…but also significant because it means each of us has done his or her part. My hope, my dream is that when all is said and done each of us can look back on this time and say, “I had a part in making this parish great.”
Let us pray together both for the life of our parish family and for the greater good of God and the building up of God’s kingdom in and through this place. Together, we can continue to grow and become more! Help us say YES to our vision and Transfiguration’s glorious future.
JD Godwin, Rector