October 15, 2007

Dear People of Trinity,

Tomorrow I will celebrate my first anniversary as your rector. This has been an incredible first year. Having the opportunity to meet with many of you one on one or in small groups, talking about your hopes and dreams for Trinity, learning about the rich and wonderful history of our church. Together we worship, together we learn, together we deepen our faith, together we celebrate life's joys and together we face life's challenges. Together we are Trinity Church!

Attached to this letter is a document that tells the story of Trinity. It presents the mission and ministry of our church and it informs us about the commitment required to accomplish our mission and ministry: commitment of time, commitment of talent, and commitment of treasure, the commitment necessary to accomplish the work we are called to do. This document is called a Narrative Budget and differs from budget information we have presented in the past, as it tells the story of who we are and how, in our life together, we live into Jesus' summary of the law. How we "Love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Might" and how we "Love our Neighbor as Ourselves."

Please read the Narrative Budget and then prayerfully consider your commitment of time, talent and treasure, how you will help make the work we do together a reality.

In addition to the Narrative Budget, you will also find a pledge card and return envelope. The pledge card provides a means for you to quantify your participation in our community of faith.

You are invited, as honored guests, to our Trinity Church Harvest Dinner for a celebration of our life together! On Saturday, November 3rd at 6pm, we will gather in the Trinity Church Parish Hall for fellowship and dinner, hosted by our Vestry, to break bread with old friends, meet new friends and share our stories of Trinity Church. To help us plan for the Harvest Dinner, please let us know that you can attend by responding (RSVP) to the church office on or before October 30th.

Sunday November 4th will be our ingathering Sunday when all our pledge cards are presented and offered up as a gift to God to further the mission and ministry of God's kingdom here at Trinity Church, our community, our diocese, and the greater world. Please return your pledge card prior to November 4th, or bring it with you on November 4th to place in the offering plate.

Yours in Christ,

William MacDonald Murray, Rector
Mary Torian, Stewardship Chair