Dear All Saints Family,
Greetings in the excellent name of the Lord, our Provider!
It is the season of our annual stewardship campaign. This time is set aside every year to prayerfully consider how each of us will use our time, talent, and treasure to cheerfully support the mission of our church as we’re admonished in scripture:
Greetings in the excellent name of the Lord, our Provider!
It is the season of our annual stewardship campaign. This time is set aside every year to prayerfully consider how each of us will use our time, talent, and treasure to cheerfully support the mission of our church as we’re admonished in scripture:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
In his book, The Living Church, John Stott reminds us that giving is central to what it means to be part of the body of Christ. It’s not a mundane or simply practical matter but “is rooted in three central themes of the gospel: the grace of God, the cross of Christ, and the unity of the Spirit.”
Over the past year, we’ve experienced change. Seasons of change are always seasons of instability—filled with a myriad of emotions (highs and lows), gains, and losses.
As I reflect upon the past 14 months I’ve served as your Rector, I am reminded of the many signs our Lord has given us to strengthen our faith and encourage our hearts:
As we celebrate the significant growth brought by God, I also want to focus on where God is leading us in the coming year. All Saints is a missional, catechetical, family-centered, and life-together church. Three things I hope we can strengthen and establish with God’s grace in 2024:
While these endeavors require investment, they significantly expand our outreach and establish long-term stability in the overarching ministry of All Saints. As we celebrate God’s work through All Saints, may we “[stand] firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by [our] opponents” (Philippians 1:27-28).
At the beginning of this stewardship campaign, I ask you to prayerfully consider what you will pledge to the ministry and mission of All Saints for the coming year. We ask you return your 2024 pledge by October 22. What a joy and privilege it is to live out God’s mission together!
Gratefully and humbly yours in Christ,
Kaelan F. Clay
Rector
Over the past year, we’ve experienced change. Seasons of change are always seasons of instability—filled with a myriad of emotions (highs and lows), gains, and losses.
As I reflect upon the past 14 months I’ve served as your Rector, I am reminded of the many signs our Lord has given us to strengthen our faith and encourage our hearts:
- Average Sunday service attendance has grown nearly 30%.
- 36 people were confirmed/received. This is no doubt the fruit of discipleship through eight new catechesis courses, plus a renewed emphasis on Sunday school.
- Strengthened sense of community: 10 monthly church-wide fellowship events and the launching of six Neighborhood Gatherings.
- Our two church plants reached significant milestones in 2023: The Table is planning to be geographically planted by the end of the year, and King of Kings is now a fully established mission church with a priest in charge.
- Deepened relationships: Ordained three parishioners, set in motion a five-year staffing plan to support the ministry of the church, and established 16 ministry partnerships, including Headington Hill Classical Academy (a hybrid school using the All Saints facility).
As we celebrate the significant growth brought by God, I also want to focus on where God is leading us in the coming year. All Saints is a missional, catechetical, family-centered, and life-together church. Three things I hope we can strengthen and establish with God’s grace in 2024:
- Establish an All Saints third service on Sunday evening.
- Set the conditions (staff positions and programs) to cultivate a dynamic youth ministry.
- Celebrate the All Saints 20th anniversary year, culminating with our first All Saints lecture series and European Christmas Market.
While these endeavors require investment, they significantly expand our outreach and establish long-term stability in the overarching ministry of All Saints. As we celebrate God’s work through All Saints, may we “[stand] firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by [our] opponents” (Philippians 1:27-28).
At the beginning of this stewardship campaign, I ask you to prayerfully consider what you will pledge to the ministry and mission of All Saints for the coming year. We ask you return your 2024 pledge by October 22. What a joy and privilege it is to live out God’s mission together!
Gratefully and humbly yours in Christ,
Kaelan F. Clay
Rector