Why is the Cathedral seeking pledges in its Annual Appeal at the same time that it seeks pledges to its Capital Campaign?
Both are critical. At a fundamental level, the Annual Appeal provides the means for the church to accomplish, on a daily basis, the work of Christ in the world. Capital campaigns focus on long-term goals that are beyond the reach of an annual budget.
Specifically, the Annual Appeal provides the funding needed to meet our annual operating budget. It pays for everything we need to operate the Cathedral – e.g., clergy and staff salaries, heat and light, mission and outreach, building maintenance. These expense categories translate into services of worship, pastoral counseling, Sunday school, music programs, support of mission projects– the daily life and work of the church.
Being exceptional rather than annual, capital campaigns such as Together in Faith usually fund major building projects. The Together in Faith Capital Campaign will correct decades of deferred maintenance in our buildings; it will enlarge the useable space for parish meetings, Sunday school classrooms and offices; it will overcome deficiencies in accessibility.