WHAT OUR BUDGET SUPPORTS
GROUNDED IN CHRIST
WorshipThis year, as we observe our annual giving campaign,
“Grounded, Growing, Giving in Christ,” we celebrate all the ministries
at St. David’s which constitute our life in Christ. As we use the
metaphor of a tree to help us think about parish life, of course we
begin by acknowledging that Christ is with us, in and throughout all of
our ministries and relationships at St. David’s. Our reason for being
the church is to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, in Word, in
sacrament and in action.
Our ministries and budget information are organized below under "Grounded in Christ," "Growing in Christ" and "Giving in Christ." You can use these links to move quickly up and down the page if you like.
Our ministries and budget information are organized below under "Grounded in Christ," "Growing in Christ" and "Giving in Christ." You can use these links to move quickly up and down the page if you like.
GROUNDED IN CHRIST
Worship ministries form the soil from which our parish life tree grows. In today’s changing world and church, we recognize that one worship style cannot satisfy the needs of a growing congregation. St. David’s offers a traditional Eucharist at 8 a.m. without music, for those who prefer a quieter and reflective service. At the 10 a.m. Eucharist we are mindful of reaching out and including our children in our worship. Throughout the church year, we offer worship services geared especially to children, observing holy days like Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter. Monthly First Sunday festivals give the congregation the opportunity to explore newer liturgical resources. There are weekday services of Morning Prayer and Eucharist. The Celtic Contemporary Eucharist is designed as a seeker’s service, reaching out to those who desire a different liturgical experience from what Episcopalians usually do on a Sunday morning. Our goal is to offer a variety of worship styles.
Building & Grounds
Our building serves as the trunk of our parish life tree. While it is tempting to relegate bricks and mortar to a lesser category, in reality without a building we would be hard-pressed to offer any ministries at St. David’s. Place and space is important in Anglicanism, and we treasure our worship space here. St. David’s is home to most of us and, as such, sometimes we fail to note that some of our facility is in need of upgrading. Volunteers work hard to keep the building running and maintain the property, but every once in a while it is necessary to call in a professional and those dollars add up quickly. While St. David’s is blessed with a capital improvement fund, the utility costs and simple repairs account for a significant portion of the budget.
Administration & Finance
Administration is the sap that flows through our parish life tree. The Rector, while hired to perform ministries associated with worship, teaching and pastoral care, also functions as a program director. Calendar and program planning are accomplished with staff and lay volunteers. The Rector also hires and supervises staff and other lay volunteers. The parish secretary however, is the person who insures the day to day operation of the church. From parish record keeping, to building oversight, to communication systems management, without efficient administration, St. David’s would not be able to fulfill its ministry and mission.
Diocese
The nature of being Episcopalian is that St. David’s is part of the wider church. As one of the largest parishes in the diocese, our contributions help to support the smallest mission parishes. The annual asking (currently 22% of the previous year’s operating income) also supports the bishop and other diocesan staff, Camp Cross, youth activities, Hispanic ministries, training programs, outreach, and contributions to the national church. St. David’s also pays the registration and meal costs for our delegates to attend the annual diocesan convention.
NOTE: Once we cover the basic expenses involved in having a church building and staff, and being a member of the Diocese ("Grounded in Christ"), only 3% of our budget is left for ministries involved in "Growing in Christ" and "Giving in Christ." A larger budget would allow St. David's to increase our faith formation and outreach ministries. See below for more information on those!
Back to top
GROWING IN CHRIST
We use the metaphor of a tree to help us think about parish life–-these ministries may be considered
our limbs and branches. As our ministries grow in these areas, so too will our tree or parish life.
Adult Education and Spiritual Formation
These ministries happen in both formal and informal ways at St. David’s. Faith formation happens best in community. To that end St. David’s offers members programs like EfM, spiritual direction, healing ministries, Adult Sunday School and Cursillo. From time to time the Rector offers classes which have ranged from traditional Inquirer’s classes to book studies. Several lay people have a ministry of teaching and the Travis library is a valuable resource. Prayer classes and prayer groups meet at different times. As important as this ministry is in helping members to grow, currently only one program is funded by the annual budget and that is the cost associated with the Forward Movement publication called Day by Day.
Children’s Ministry
The Children’s Ministry at St. David’s is growing. This year’s program offered at a new time has attracted new teachers and new volunteers eager to plan other program and activities for children. The church offers the nationally recognized programs Godly Play for small children and the Journey to Adulthood series for teenagers. Children acolyte, sing in an informal choir, and enjoy intergenerational services on designated Holy Days. Our goal is to fully integrate children and their parents into all aspects of our parish life and so worship and programs are always planned with that end in mind.
New Member Ministry
Currently there is no formal new member ministry program at St. David’s-- a failing to be sure. While individuals are greeted warmly there is no follow up on member prospects by lay members of the congregation. Advertising is something that the vestry would like to do, but currently no funding exists. Clearly this is an area of ministry that is in need of leadership, volunteers and funding.
Celtic Eucharist
The Celtic Eucharist, while providing spiritual enrichment for some members of St. David’s, is also an experiment in evangelism. Can we add new members through this side-door ministry? It is a test worth trying. So far it has attracted one non-member who subsequently has become active at St. David’s. It is a service supported by members of other churches and is an offering for the whole church and wider community.
our limbs and branches. As our ministries grow in these areas, so too will our tree or parish life.
Adult Education and Spiritual Formation
These ministries happen in both formal and informal ways at St. David’s. Faith formation happens best in community. To that end St. David’s offers members programs like EfM, spiritual direction, healing ministries, Adult Sunday School and Cursillo. From time to time the Rector offers classes which have ranged from traditional Inquirer’s classes to book studies. Several lay people have a ministry of teaching and the Travis library is a valuable resource. Prayer classes and prayer groups meet at different times. As important as this ministry is in helping members to grow, currently only one program is funded by the annual budget and that is the cost associated with the Forward Movement publication called Day by Day.
Children’s Ministry
The Children’s Ministry at St. David’s is growing. This year’s program offered at a new time has attracted new teachers and new volunteers eager to plan other program and activities for children. The church offers the nationally recognized programs Godly Play for small children and the Journey to Adulthood series for teenagers. Children acolyte, sing in an informal choir, and enjoy intergenerational services on designated Holy Days. Our goal is to fully integrate children and their parents into all aspects of our parish life and so worship and programs are always planned with that end in mind.
New Member Ministry
Currently there is no formal new member ministry program at St. David’s-- a failing to be sure. While individuals are greeted warmly there is no follow up on member prospects by lay members of the congregation. Advertising is something that the vestry would like to do, but currently no funding exists. Clearly this is an area of ministry that is in need of leadership, volunteers and funding.
Celtic Eucharist
The Celtic Eucharist, while providing spiritual enrichment for some members of St. David’s, is also an experiment in evangelism. Can we add new members through this side-door ministry? It is a test worth trying. So far it has attracted one non-member who subsequently has become active at St. David’s. It is a service supported by members of other churches and is an offering for the whole church and wider community.
Back to top
GIVING IN CHRIST
As we use the metaphor of a tree to help us think about parish life, these ministries may be considered the leaves of the tree. Each time a pledge form is received a leaf will be added to our giving tree. The goal of our annual giving campaign this year is to grow a tree with a generous and gorgeous canopy.
Stewardship
While the annual giving campaign focuses on fund raising for the annual budget, stewardship is a personal decision by individual members to give a percentage of their income to the glory of God for the ministry and mission of the church. This year as members fill out their pledge forms, they are asked to make a pledge of 5% of their income or to raise their pledge by one percentage point. Forms to help parishioners determine their proportional pledge are included in this year’s stewardship packets. Children are also invited to fill our pledge forms and “My First Pledge Form” have been handed out in Sunday School classes. Their leaves will be added to the giving tree and will be a light shade of green, denoting the new growth in our life in Christ. Stewardship opportunities beyond the giving of treasure are plentiful at St. David’s. Specific projects utilizing members time and talent are available and can be found in the pledge packets.
Outreach Ministries
The Vestry is committed to maintaining a line item for outreach ministries in the annual budget and is committed to working towards making a 5% level pledge to ministries and mission outside the doors of St. David’s. Members are also encouraged to contribute regularly to the food basket for Caritas, The United Thank Offering and the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. Additionally, fund raising opportunities for outreach ministries will be scheduled through the year. Donations of time and talent are always needed in this area.
Parish Life
Parish life includes all fellowship activities and hospitality. There is a line item in the annual budget for coffee and related supplies. Receptions for the Celtic Eucharist have been funded by the Rector’s discretionary fund and special receptions have often been funded by the altar guild. Increased pledges would enable us to fulfill one of Gospel mandates which is offering hospitality to the stranger. Donations of time and talent are always needed in this area. Please consider hosting a coffee hour, Muffin Sunday or Celtic Eucharist as part of your giving to St. David’s.
Pastoral Care
One line item exists for pastoral care and that is reimbursement for mileage for both the Rector and a Deacon for pastoral and hospital calls. Other Eucharistic Visitors donate both their time and pay for their own traveling expenses. Parish organizations such as Caring Friends have their own fund and are thus able to serve the congregation by providing receptions following funerals as well as food to the homebound. The Friendly Visitors see shut-ins and participate in a letter and card writing ministry. Members also give freely of their own resources when needs exist in the congregation. Donations of money, time, or food is always appreciated by the Caring Friends organization.
Stewardship
While the annual giving campaign focuses on fund raising for the annual budget, stewardship is a personal decision by individual members to give a percentage of their income to the glory of God for the ministry and mission of the church. This year as members fill out their pledge forms, they are asked to make a pledge of 5% of their income or to raise their pledge by one percentage point. Forms to help parishioners determine their proportional pledge are included in this year’s stewardship packets. Children are also invited to fill our pledge forms and “My First Pledge Form” have been handed out in Sunday School classes. Their leaves will be added to the giving tree and will be a light shade of green, denoting the new growth in our life in Christ. Stewardship opportunities beyond the giving of treasure are plentiful at St. David’s. Specific projects utilizing members time and talent are available and can be found in the pledge packets.
Outreach Ministries
The Vestry is committed to maintaining a line item for outreach ministries in the annual budget and is committed to working towards making a 5% level pledge to ministries and mission outside the doors of St. David’s. Members are also encouraged to contribute regularly to the food basket for Caritas, The United Thank Offering and the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. Additionally, fund raising opportunities for outreach ministries will be scheduled through the year. Donations of time and talent are always needed in this area.
Parish Life
Parish life includes all fellowship activities and hospitality. There is a line item in the annual budget for coffee and related supplies. Receptions for the Celtic Eucharist have been funded by the Rector’s discretionary fund and special receptions have often been funded by the altar guild. Increased pledges would enable us to fulfill one of Gospel mandates which is offering hospitality to the stranger. Donations of time and talent are always needed in this area. Please consider hosting a coffee hour, Muffin Sunday or Celtic Eucharist as part of your giving to St. David’s.
Pastoral Care
One line item exists for pastoral care and that is reimbursement for mileage for both the Rector and a Deacon for pastoral and hospital calls. Other Eucharistic Visitors donate both their time and pay for their own traveling expenses. Parish organizations such as Caring Friends have their own fund and are thus able to serve the congregation by providing receptions following funerals as well as food to the homebound. The Friendly Visitors see shut-ins and participate in a letter and card writing ministry. Members also give freely of their own resources when needs exist in the congregation. Donations of money, time, or food is always appreciated by the Caring Friends organization.
