September 19, 2008

Dear Fellow Parishioners:

For many this has been a long and arduous week, especially in New York where so many people work in finance. For some, jobs may be at risk, for others, retirement may be pushed out and for yet others, savings may be significantly diminished. In many ways, our world is a bit rocky and the future uncertain.

It was ironic that in the wake of a roller coaster financial week, a small group of Vestry members and parishioners gathered in the Parish House to begin discussions about St. James’ 2009 budget. The timing was the same, as we usually gather in the early fall to start discussing the budget objectives for the next year. What was different is our economic environment. It is uncertain, and at least for the moment, in many ways a bit frightening.

Our discussions took on a different direction this year. Our Parish Treasurer challenged us not to look at the numbers just now, but to look out 3-5 years and talk a bit about where we want St. James’ to be. What will it take to get there?

As we talked, it became obvious that we have plenty of good news to talk about. St. James’ is vibrant and bustling with programs that touch our youngest parishioners and parishioners who are young at heart. We continue to reach out into our neighborhood, our city and the world and serve the underserved who may otherwise be forgotten, especially in these times. We were buoyed to realize that in a shaky economic environment, St. James’ is not a sinking ship but a place where God is alive and among us. This does not mean that we won’t have to look hard at our budget and make our dollars work harder. St. James’ has survived almost 200 years of successes and adversities (World War I and II, the Great Depression and 9/11 are just a few), but it is still here and will continue to be here.

Our Rector reminded the small budget group that God may not always protect us from adversity, but God is walking beside us and will not let us go. We ask that you be reminded of that and that we are all here for one another. Psalm 121 reminds us that together we can walk with God and see out into our future together and in Christ.

Faithfully Yours,

Brenda Husson, Rector
Mary Malhotra, Senior Warden
Bill Hoar, Junior Warden

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?

My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth

He will not let your foot be moved
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber or sleep;

The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

So that the sun will not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep you safe.

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.