Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today is a new day. We continue on our journey to establish St. Mary’s on a sound, solid financial footing, which was made possible by a generous financial outpouring from our friends, neighbors, and parishioners.
Today is a new day of hope – as we offer our sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude for last year’s support of Talent, Time, and Treasure. We had an initial $40K goal, but thanks to your generosity, we raised $60K from about 100 donors! This was amazing and helped us further to enhance the facilities we make available to you.
These are some of the good works we continue to support: our biannual clothing Thrift Sales that support the ‘Care of Creation’ Episcopal initiative, with thanks to the energetic community volunteers; the Music at St. Mary’s series that supports musical artists, allowing their performances to be hosted in our sanctuary without charge; hosting two, instead of one, Blood Drives; hosting various support groups; providing the Great Lawns to Hops on the Hudson allowing them to host the ever-expanding Modern Makers Market which highlights local artisans and craftspeople; and lastly our notable Community Thanksgiving Meal, offered at no charge to anyone for the asking, which is done on a cooperative basis with local business, civic organizations, and interfaith congregations. Finally, this year, we were able to offer a $5K college and 2 summer camp scholarships. The point is that “It takes a village” in the best sense, and “Many hands make light work.”
Last Fall, I wrote that “St. Mary’s Was at a Crossroads” – as the Vestry and I explored and discerned new ways to be the Episcopal Church in this bucolic, historic place – the village of Cold Spring. So not only did many contribute their financial treasure, but perhaps more importantly, their time and talent. While those funding challenges have not been eliminated, we have built a buffer where we are able to explore new financial support models and keep the doors open. We were even able to complete some minor but necessary capital repairs to the Parish Hall and Church. That same financial need still exists.
But more than just financial donations, we experienced a wonderful outpouring of time and talent from community members who are helping to ensure that St. Mary’s facilities remain viable to support our mission to serve others. Again, we are grateful for your generous support last year, whether in time, talent, or treasure.
To help us better meet these community needs, I’m pleased to announce that we’re experimenting with new ways to support the parish for the long term. Some local residents were invited to form a new, separate non-profit group named “St. Mary’s Community Board.” You will learn more about this group in the first quarter of 2025.
Its purpose is to help me and the parish leaders grow two important funds to help us maintain our financial solvency through the next century. The first is the Legacy Fund, which will be restricted to providing an income-only revenue stream. The second is the Capital Fund, which will provide capital to maintain and renovate our buildings to energy-efficient standards. We introduced this goal in last year’s appeal. The members of the SMCB will also serve as our ambassadors to the larger community.
St. Mary’s is a Christian parish in the Episcopal tradition. We do not simply exist as an inwardly focused institution. Rather, in the best sense, our “mission” is to be the heart and hands of our God in Christ Jesus through the living examples described in the Gospels. We work to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. We work to build a just, verdant, and vibrant community founded on doing justice, loving kindness (in mercy and compassion), and walking in humble service. No matter where you are on your own religious or spiritual journey, you’re welcome here as we work to build a community that lives and works together by example, showing that we are all beloved.
The economic challenges of operating an iconic, historic church haven’t diminished. How we will maintain funding to preserve St. Mary’s in the years ahead has changed. Tomorrow’s church will rely more on commerce and community engagement. St. Mary’s leadership goal is to build and maintain a solid funding model that will sustain us through the next 100 years without developing our property assets, as everyone wants to keep our Great Lawn as an open, green space.
St. Mary’s Parish has historically served this community. In May 1895, the parishioners voted to remove the picket fence around our 3-acre property, which provided open access to our Great Lawn in the center of the village. The Great Lawn is the de facto gathering space, a hill for winter sledding, a place for the Veterans Memorial, a park, and our Memorial Garden of Remembrance. Twenty years ago, we began an interfaith alliance and journey with the Philipstown Reform Synagogue, which regularly meets in our Parish Hall.
Last year’s Annual Appeal gave us some necessary breathing room as we restructure our finances in order to leave a sustainable, income-producing legacy for future generations, both as the beautiful, historic campus and open space. Our physical assets are our property, along with the three renowned buildings. This past year, the Parish Hall hosted more events, and rooms in the Rectory continue to make office space available to many healing arts practitioners – therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and artists.
There are several ways you can donate: (1) by mailing a personal check, or (2) through our secure and efficient online payment portal; (3) if over 70 ½ years old, by direct Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA; (4) if over 73 years old a direct donation from your broker will also help satisfy the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA account by December 31st; or (5) lastly providing a gift of appreciated stock. Please call (845-265-2539) or email me at stmaryscoldspring@gmail.com for details on how to effect QCD, RMD, stock transfers, or final bequests. We also have opportunities where you can make a substantial gift dedicated to a loved one for a specific capital project.
Today is another new day, filled with new possibilities. Thanks to your support, we are open today and preserving our open green space. Once again, we ask you, this community, to support us financially. You do make a difference to this community and us.
With God’s every comfort and joy,
The Reverend Steve Schunk, 15th Rector
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church