2024 Giving Campaign:
Treasures Old and New
“Every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure
what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52
We have spent the last two years working together to discover how to restore the “old” treasures we have inherited and transform them into “something new” that continues Trinity’s historic mission in Highland Park and opens that mission in ways we have never imagined. Some of that work has been literal “restoration”: Our renovated parish hall and its stage, for example, now welcome events, classes, and performances that bring new people into Trinity. Our work to expand our place in the community has helped us to grow our ability to imagine how others might use our “sacred place.” That work continues as we welcome what is new into our treasured church.
“Old” and “new” reflect twin sources of energy that will fuel Trinity’s mission in this next year. We seek first to nourish the heritage we have received: our commitment to proclaim the good news in ways specific to our identity as Episcopalians. At the same time, we search for new ways to engage that ancient mission, whether in our migrant ministry and confirmation program with our Better Together partners or by remembering the events of July 4 with our Presbyterian neighbors.
How we choose to fund both “old” and “new” ways of doing things directly affect our financial outlook. For example, in the coming year, we will have new sources of revenue from the use of our building thanks to our efforts to refresh and promote our campus. At the same time, we continue to provide space for users whose contributions do not cover Trinity’s costs, including AA, Al-Anon, and English classes. Chief among these is the Tri-Con Childcare Center. Trinity’s contribution of space and utilities allows Tri-Con to serve working families that live at or below the poverty line. Your gifts are vital to making Trinity’s share in that mission possible.
As we make our gift for our coming year then, we offer ways of giving both old and new. As always, we will make our pledges to fund our church’s mission of faith through pastoral care, worship and music ministry, and service to persons in need. Beyond this, in a “new” way, we will also receive gifts for a dedicated “Trinity Fund for Community, the Arts, and the Spirit.” Gifts given to this fund will be devoted to maintaining Trinity’s campus for community and educational use by groups whose work runs alongside our own mission to promote human connection, education, and growth.
Passing on our treasured heritage and discovering new ways to share it always been a part of our mission as a church. I hope you will join me in supporting our two-fold call to be disciples by bringing from the storehouse treasures old and new to sustain that mission. Please be generous.
Bryan Cones, priest-in-charge
Trinity Episcopal Church