What’s happening with the plan to call a new clergyperson or lay associate to shepherd our children, youth, and families?
Are we able to do this given the budget shortfall discussed in early March?
I want to assure you on behalf of the wardens and vestry that calling the next generation of children’s and youth leadership for St. Paul’s is a very strong priority for our parish. Although the vestry has had to adopt a deficit budget to do it (deficit estimate is currently $35,000 for 2025), they are utterly committed to hire another full-time priest (or soon-to-be ordained person) to support our formation of children, youth, and families.
This current budget shortfall this year is created by some extraordinary one-time expenses that hit in late 2024/early 2025 (including a pricey “no choice” repair of a sinkhole that is forming under a section of our parking lot!) and inflation, inflation, inflation in fixed costs like utilities and health insurance premiums.
As we meet these challenges, I ask each member of St. Paul’s to encourage yourselves and your fellow parishioners to give a bit more financially to St. Paul’s — if and as you are able in these uncertain times — so we might strive to be “in the black” by year’s end despite this shortfall. St. Paul’s has “some” cash reserves on hand as a buffer, but it’s important to keep those reserves available for unexpected expenses…. like sinkholes in the parking lot! Please do all you can to keep St. Paul’s strong. We want to be here as a spiritual resource and a difference-making force in the world, now and into the future!
As of today, Fr. Javier and I already have vetted three excellent candidates who soon will be interviewed for the role that Mo. Alice vacated last fall (Curate or Associate for Children’s and Youth Formation). A representative group of children’s and youth ministry leaders and staff is currently being invited to discern with us as we call one of these folks to begin their ministry with St. Paul’s this summer! Our target start date is July 1.
With Duke Divinity School nearby and many other good connections around the diocese, I am confident that we also will soon identify a spiritual leader to fill Ben’s shoes and work as Youth Ministries Coordinator under the supervision of our new Curate or Associate Rector, to start in the late summer.
There’s lots of change happening at St. Paul’s these days, and that can make for uneasy feelings. But you have weathered seasons of big change before and come out stronger for it. Just think of where we all were five years ago in March 2020!!
Please feel free to reach out to me or to our wardens, Dan Loughlin or Randall Robinson, with any questions or to engage in conversation about any of these transitions.
Thank you, St. Paul’s, for your continued investment of your time, your talents, and your love for the kids of this parish.
Mo. Sarah+
The Rev. Sarah Phelps, Interim Rector