2027 Pledge Campaign
A Worthy Offering: Giving in Faith and Hope
October 17, 2026
“Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.’” ~ Luke 19:8-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that God's grace reaches beyond judgment and restores us to right relationship with God and one another. Though others saw only a despised tax collector, Jesus saw a beloved child of God. Transformed by this encounter, Zacchaeus responded with extraordinary generosity, giving to the poor and making restitution to those he had wronged.
Zacchaeus teaches us that generosity is not the price we pay for God's love, but our grateful response to the love we have already received. This is worship in its fullest sense: worth-ship—offering our gifts in recognition of God's goodness and the immeasurable worth God sees in each of us.
Your pledge is an act of worship.
As Scripture reminds us, we are called to offer our praise to God, to do good, and to share what we have (Hebrews 13:15–16). Our pledges to the Cathedral of Saint James are tangible expressions of our faith and gratitude. Through our giving, we sustain worship, nurture spiritual growth, care for our neighbors, and welcome those seeking a spiritual home. Whether through tithing or another faithful commitment, our generosity strengthens both our community and our relationship with God.
This year's stewardship season holds special meaning for me as I prepare to retire in the summer of 2027. As I reflect on the years we have shared, I am filled with gratitude for your faithfulness, generosity, and commitment to the Cathedral's ministry. It has been a privilege to serve alongside you in this sacred work.
Transitions naturally bring questions about the future. Yet our stability rests not in any one person, but in Jesus Christ, the foundation of our faith. Generations before us have nurtured this Cathedral through their prayers, service, and generosity. Now it is our turn to sustain this ministry and prepare the way for those who will follow.
As part of this year's stewardship season, the Cathedral Chapter and Wardens will conduct an Every Member Canvass, reaching out to members of our congregation to invite everyone to prayerfully consider their place in, hopes for, and commitment to the Cathedral's life and ministry. This is an opportunity not simply to raise the resources needed for our shared work, but to celebrate our common life, listen to one another, and renew our commitment to the mission God has entrusted to us. Every pledge, offered in faith and according to one's means, helps sustain our ministry today and build a hopeful future.
As I look toward retirement, I do so with confidence and hope. The Cathedral's story continues, grounded in God's faithfulness and enlivened by the gifts each of us brings. Our pledges are more than financial commitments; they are expressions of trust in God's abundance and our shared commitment to the future of this beloved community.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I invite you to give thanks for God's goodness, pray for those who need to know the love of Christ, and ask for guidance as you consider your pledge. Reflect on how the Cathedral has nurtured your faith and how your generosity can help others experience that same grace.
May we, like Zacchaeus, respond to God's abundant love with grateful hearts. May our faith provide stability through times of change, and may our generosity sustain a ministry filled with hope for generations to come.
Thank you for your faithfulness, your generosity, and the privilege of sharing this ministry with you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always.
With gratitude and hope in Christ,
The Very Rev. Brian G. Grantz
Dean & Rector, Cathedral of Saint James