THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: THE FRIENDS & FAMILY PLAN
Our small parish is endeavoring to do something great: to build a lasting landmark to Orthodoxy on the Central Coast within which our children and grandchildren will encounter the faith and traditions of our past. We estimate that to secure our building and rebuild the sanctuary will cost around $2,000,000—a seemingly impossible number! Yet we have already have over $750,000 toward that goal—an amount that even a few years ago would have seemed impossible. We have faith that we will one day see that blue dome hovering above Foothill Boulevard marking our presence known to all who pass.
The success of capital campaigns begin internally with the parishioners. For that reason, we will continue to meet with each family to see how you can contribute in order to be part of this dream. Each one of us must genuinely sacrifice if one day we will tell the next generation, “Here is a true house of God, built through the love of those who came before you in order that you might grow in your faith.”
It is not just your financial commitments that are essential to reach our goals; it is also the example of sacrificial giving that is important for the following reason. Mission parishes such as ours will always depend on some generous people outside the community that seek to support us and Orthodoxy as it grows into new areas. One way we demonstrate to them our commitment to this mission is through the vigor and passion by which we strive for our goals within the community. We do not need to raise all the $2,000,000 among our family but we do need to show that each of us has given sacrificially out of love to the church.
All of us know people that love us and/or love Orthodoxy. These are people that usually do not live in the area but are connected to us personally. It may be an older aunt who has always taken an interest in your faith. It may be a godparent who has prayed for you for many years. It may be your parents who want to support the faith of their grandchildren. It may be children or grandchildren who see you as the source of their faith. It may be a dear friend who wants to show their love and support of you. It may be one of the leaders of the parish in which you grew up who is eager to support the growth of Orthodoxy. These people are a part of our community is so far as they are a part of us as individuals.
In the next phase of the capital campaign, we will approach friends and family about supporting financially our goal. We will send them a letter and brochure about our parish and capital campaign. We will also encourage you to write a brief personal note. At first, this appeal may seem awkward for some of you. However, it will be carried out in a spirit of mutual love and respect—these are people who value you and want to support your faith. For many of them, it will be tangible way to express their feeling for you.
Not all will be able to contribute. However, we want to give everyone the opportunity to give. We ask that each family contribute at least three people (more is preferable) to whom we can send this information. We will prepare the letters and organize the mailing for you. This phase is essential for our sustained growth as a parish so I encourage you to think and pray about the individuals that might want to help.
Stephen R. Lloyd-Moffett
Chair of the Development Committee
For More information about this Campaign, please contact Dr. Lloyd-Moffet at the Church (805)546-8337 or lloydmoffett@hotmail.com