Dear siblings in Christ,
Alleluia! I write to you with great joy and enthusiasm to announce that with the Holy Spirit’s gift of generosity in this community our Music Center major gifts campaign (click here to learn more) has just surpassed 90% of the $2.5 million goal! Because of the magnanimity of you all, 186 gifts have been received totaling $2,270,036, allowing us to move forward with exploring bridge loans and other preconstruction activities. We will take some time to ensure that all our generous donors are appropriately acknowledged, so watch for a list of donors/in memoriam coming in the next week. This means, if you haven’t already, there is still time to support the campaign in reaching our 100% completion of the goal, and you can do so now by clicking here!
After two-and-a-half years of working through an inquiry phase, a feasibility study, architectural designs, interviews, a leadership recruitment phase, a quiet phase, an anchor gift phase, the campaign launch, grant writing (we fulfilled the Parker Foundation grant matching $25,000!!!) and various campaign activities, we are on the precipice of making this project a reality. None of this would be possible without the gift of the Holy Spirit present in everyone involved. Theology is sometimes set in stone, and this is yet another expression of St. Paul’s desire to grow ever deeper into our identity as the Cathedral for the City. The new Music Center will not only be a place of rehearsal and growth for our own musicians and Music Department, but also for aspiring and professional musicians across our finest city. It is a generational project that will create harmony and growth for the decades to come. To God be the glory!
While celebrations are yet to be scheduled, we wanted the whole community to feel the gratitude from Dean Penny, Chapter, and myself for the heart and beneficence so many have shown for this project. We also want to express our deep gratitude for Rockette Ewell and Russ Okihara as cochairs of the campaign’s Steering Committee, and Dean’s Warden Kimberly Fernandez for her cochairing the Campaign Leadership Giving Committee with Russ. Their leadership proved pivotal in our success!
We are also thankful for the leadership of the Study Committee, Leadership Giving Committee, and Steering Committee:
Tonya Chavis – Campaign Study Committee & Campaign Steering Committee
Canon Konnie Dadmun – Campaign Study Committee
Darien DeLorenzo – Campaign Study Committee
Canon Martin Green – Campaign Steering Committee
Janet and Paul Hagen – Campaign Steering Committee
Sue Kelly – Campaign Steering Committee
Pat Kreder – Campaign Study Committee
Justin Lewis – Campaign Study Committee & Campaign Steering Committee
Maureen McNulty – Campaign Study Committee & Campaign Steering Committee
Betsey Monsell – Campaign Leadership Giving Committee
Allen Mutchler – Campaign Leadership Giving Committee
Don Pellioni – Campaign Study Committee
Blair Shamel – Campaign Leadership Giving Committee
The Rev. Thomas Wilson – Campaign Study Committee
Along with them, we also thank our campaign administrator, Roberta Price and our accountant, Wes Dayhoff. Likewise, we couldn’t have done this without our consultants from Netzel-Grigsby Associates, Cody Grigsby, Jeanne Schmelzer, Katie Khasim-San, and previously Yvette Herrera. We are in awe of what we collectively have achieved. When Christians lead a journey of generosity with love and vision for mission, anything is possible. This is the single largest fundraising effort in St. Paul’s history in total dollars, and it is a testament that will stand the test of time, allowing future generations to have the confidence to follow their call and faith. We ourselves have stood on the shoulders of giants who have gone before, we have answered our call, and it is pleasing in God’s sight! Blessed be the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia!
With joy and deep gratitude,
Rev. Cn. Richard Hogue
Yippee! Thanks to everyone for all the hard work and generosity to reach the campaign goal! This was the largest campaign in the history of the Cathedral and you did it!
Rev. Richard has thanked so many people for their efforts. Rev. Richard Hogue-thanks and congratulations to you for your dedication and leadership. You are a great partner in prose!