Annual Giving Letter from the Rector

Dear People of Trinity,

When I go to see a movie in a movie theater, I’m usually one of the last to leave because, oddly enough, I like to watch the credits roll.

I enjoy seeing that huge list of people scrolling by, including not only the names of the actors who played the main characters, but those playing bit parts, as well. I like reading the titles of a bunch of jobs that I don’t understand—key grip and best boy, gaffer and foley artist. I like learning the locations where parts of the movie were filmed, and the little notes of thanks the filmmakers offer on-screen to the people of Nova Scotia or North Dakota or Nome who extended their hospitality to the film crew.

Although I know next to nothing about the film industry, what I take from seeing the many credits is that the 90-minute piece of entertainment or information I just enjoyed came about because of the work of a complex, interconnected community: hundreds of people creating something that no one person could ever do alone.

The author and activist, Parker Palmer, gives voice to this reality when he writes about a fundamental truth of humanity, living in community on this planet we share. “We must understand,” Palmer says, “that we are all in this together.”

We are all in this together is the theme we have chosen for this year’s Annual Giving campaign at Trinity. While the outward and visible sign of the Annual Giving season is the gathering of financial pledges to support Trinity’s operating budget (which funds our ministries, maintains our buildings, and pays staff salaries) the spiritual grace that underlies this ask is the building up of the church community, called to be Christ’s hands and feet and heart in the world.

A community, working together, multiplies the gifts and capacities of individuals. A community, working together, can “achieve voice”2 and raise awareness about the social changes necessary to bring about justice for all people, especially those most on the margins. A community, working together, kindles hope and courage in individuals that might otherwise be snuffed out when we imagine that we are acting alone.

I invite you to review the enclosed materials, including information about our proposed/draft budget for 2025, and consider what financial commitment you can make for your 2025 pledge in support of this faith community that provides so many opportunities to make God’s abundance, justice, and love real in our own lives and in the world.

Visit: trinitysb.org/make-a-pledge-2025

We are all in this together,

Elizabeth+