Dear All Saints parishioners,                                                                                   

Were you to ever examine the Landry family budget you would discover your typical household expenses: a mortgage to keep a roof over our heads, insurance in case of emergency, utilities to keep the lights on, groceries - A LOT of groceries - to feed three youngsters, automobile expenses for transportation, clothing costs, kid’s allowances, medical bills, veterinary bills, and so on and so forth. On the surface there is nothing terribly exciting or unusual about our income and expenses. 

What you would not be able to decipher by the numbers alone are the family meals where silliness and laughter ensue, nor would you see the memories being made. The expenses would not show curious young minds diligently doing their homework in a snug but sufficient abode, animals that offer endless companionship and entertainment, and a residence that will become much more than the sum of its parts - a house that becomes a home. The ledger alone never quite captures the entire story of our domestic life together. 

The same could be said of the household of God, the church. Like your own home or business there are line items that add up to tell a larger story: sacred spaces that require regular maintenance and repair, skillful musicians that deserve their due; bread and wine, books and vestments that lend shape to our liturgy. There are the many meaningful relationships that require careful communication via computers, newsletters, phone calls, and websites. Taken on their own, any of these items may seem trivial and insignificant. But given the correct context, by filling in the blanks, by narrating the story we begin to see a much larger picture of our common life together as the household of God. 

The mission of the church is not to raise money, for that would be far too small a vision. The mission of the Church is much more ambitious: to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ (BCP 855). The carrying out of that mission, however, does require the financial support of its members.

One item that stands out as essential in our household budget is our tithe to All Saints. It reminds us how much this sacred space and special people mean to us. And it reminds us what it feels like to act out of hope instead of fear, abundance instead of scarcity, faith instead of certainty. 

I hope you will join Elizabeth and me in putting our money where our mission is. Our parish budget is much more than the sum of its parts. In between the bank statements and bills there is a larger story to be told - the story of this household, our parish community, your church. 

Would you share in the narrative?

We will collect and bless our 2023 pledge cards on Sunday, October 30th. If you will not be present on that day, please bring your pledge card before then, mail it in, or fill out a pledge on our website. May we with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.

Grace & peace,

The Rev. Bradley J. Landry

Rector