Greetings Trinity Family, As we look forward to our planning for 2026 we would like to provide an update on the financial health of the parish. We hope that this update and the planning for our 2026 budget will let you reflect on how you may be called to support Trinity next year. At our Annual Meeting last February, we shared that our projected 2025 operating expenses – the day-to-day costs of keeping our parish active and vibrant, including salaries, utilities, insurance and our diocesan assessment – were already placing significant pressure on our budget. We projected our expenses for 2025 would be about $56,000 more than our income. We are on track to finish the year very close to that projection. As planned and communicated, we have withdrawn the funds needed from our Diocesan investments, reducing our investment holdings from $187,854 to approximately $136,000. While we were committed to having a full-time rector for the entirety of 2025, we also knew that we would need to have a different model to continue to be sustainable as we looked at 2026. We shared at the last annual meeting that we would need to move to a part time (50%) priest position in 2026 in order to continue operating while still supporting the work and mission of the parish. Over the past several months many of you have participated in very thoughtful and prayer-filled discussions on how Trinity could continue to be the thriving community it is in 2026 despite the reduction in the priest’s hours. We are so grateful, delighted, and blessed that Fr. Dan is willing to continue his ministry at Trinity despite the change to a half-time position. Our first review of our 2026 budget, covering a rector salary at 50% and continuing to maintain full coverage for the rector health insurance will result in a deficit for 2026 of an estimated $30,000. Our pledge target for 2025 was $95,000, and we will end a bit below that. We are hopeful that we can reach the full $95,000 for 2026. To continue the ministries, worship, outreach, and community life that makes Trinity who we are, we will need the highest level of generosity our parish community can offer. We know this request is significant, and we make it with gratitude and humility. Trinity has always been blessed by parishioners who give faithfully and sacrificially, and we are deeply thankful for every gift — large or small — that makes our shared ministry possible. Your generosity has carried us through many seasons, and we trust in that same spirit as we plan for the year ahead. In closing, we simply ask that you hold Trinity in your prayers and consider how you can support the parish in 2026. We are mindful and appreciative that the “time and talent” contributions so many of you make to the parish all year long are just as significant to our vitality as the financial contributions we receive. Please fill out below electronic pledge form as soon as you are able or pick up a physical pledge card at church on Sunday. We appreciate each member of our Trinity family, and we are grateful that you support and participate in our parish life. Together, with God’s help, we can ensure that Trinity continues to thrive as a place of worship, welcome, and service.
With gratitude, and best personal wishes for a blessed, healthy, happy holiday season and 2026,
Beth Stochaj, Senior Warden Ann Marie Lockwood, Junior Warden