Sure Foundation: Laying the Cornerstone for Good Shepherd's Tomorrow
$15,405
Raised
132
Donations
$300,000
Goal
The rain fell, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. (Matthew 7:25, NRSV)
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus mentions a wise man who built his house on rock. Against all odds, that house remained standing through lashing storms, deluges and floods. No matter what beatings it took, the house endured, because a house built on a sure foundation stands firm in times of trial—perhaps emerging even stronger than it was before having been so tested.
On Pentecost Sunday, the Church of the Good Shepherd kicked off a fund-raising campaign to cover short-term financial obligations over the next year and a half. We are calling this effort Sure Foundation, a name deeply rooted in the Holy Spirit’s call to transform our lives by establishing a sure foundation upon which to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and continue the vital mission of Good Shepherd in the heart of our community.
The Vestry has been working diligently over the past two years to reduce our operating expenses and move toward a balanced budget. This has been beneficial, but we still have a bit of ground to cover. Having not initiated a new capital campaign in more than seven years, the funds generated are nearly exhausted after being used to pay down the better part of the loan for our beautiful Duncan-Giersch Parish Life Center.
Unlike previous capital campaigns, Sure Foundation will be a limited effort aimed at addressing a short-term deficit we expect to occur between now and the end of 2020 that requires us to find a way to cover our mortgage and interest fees as well as our operating expenses. In addition, we are setting a goal that, if met, should enable us to begin a search for a youth minister, a position that quite literally is key to laying the cornerstone for Good Shepherd’s tomorrow.
The good news is that we expect our financial situation to improve in 2021, and that is why we are making this fundraising effort laser-focused over a short time frame. If we can clear this hurdle, we indeed will be standing on solid footings from which to move forward confidently to fulfill our mission to spread the Good News of God in Christ.
Sure Foundation runs from now until August 11. Our goal is to raise $300,000 from member pledges, which can be paid as a lump sum or incrementally over the next year and a half. As with any capital campaign, it is important to remember this effort is separate from and supplemental to our annual Stewardship season coming up in the autumn. We recognize this is asking a lot of our congregation, but we also believe it is vital for our future. We believe this so wholeheartedly that each member of Good Shepherd’s vestry has pledged financial support. We hope you’ll join us by contributing whatever amount you’re able toward continuing our mission and work in this community to which we all belong.
We soon will call a new Rector to lead and inspire our church to continue and grow the rich tradition of worship, service, formation and inclusion that Good Shepherd has exemplified since its founding as the first free Episcopal parish in Raleigh. We can think of no better welcome for that new Rector than to have a solid foundation in place to grow our parish and its ministry in our downtown Raleigh neighborhood and beyond.
We ask that you prayerfully consider making a pledge to the Sure Foundation. And we thank you for your faithful support of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
In Grace and Peace,
The Vestry of the Church of the Good Shepherd