Rector’s Report
THE REV. EVAN D. GARNER
This has been a year of celebration for St. Paul’s! Although our 175th anniversary festivities in May were our most visible celebrations, I think the smaller occasions of growth, health, and renewal throughout the year were collectively even more significant. In February, we welcomed back to St. Paul’s the Rev. Sara Milford as our new Associate Rector. She has done an incredible job of loving and caring for our parish, helping us transition seamlessly to the next chapter in our parish’s life. In August, Beth Maze joined us as our new Director for Christian Formation, bringing deep experience and commitment to lifelong formation to our church.
Given those crucial staff transitions, you might expect that 2023 was a year to focus on maintaining the status quo, but instead it was a year of considerable growth and action. The Bassett Discernment Group, which was charged by the Vestry with helping us discern how to use our real estate on College Avenue, presented its initial work to the parish this fall. After listening to the congregation, they have updated their recommendations for next steps, including a community needs study to help us discover new outreach opportunities and a capital campaign to pay off our debt. During the year, we also helped bring Family Promise to this community, and we deepened our connection with NWA Community Building.
We also grew in our commitment to our church buildings. In congregations like ours, major capital improvements are usually funded through special capital campaigns. We are overdue for such a campaign, but the pandemic and the need to gain clarity about how we will use the property along College Avenue have required us to hold off on such an endeavor. Unfortunately, leaking roofs and broken HVAC units do not wait until the timing is convenient, and our Vestry has devoted considerable resources to fixing some of our deferred maintenance issues. There is still much to be done, and our 2024 budget reflects that, but we also know that a capital campaign is in our near future.
A sense of growth was also manifest in our weekly attendance and financial health. In 2023 our average Sunday attendance was up from 332 to 404. Our total giving income was up from $1.37M to $1.51M. I anticipate that we will continue to grow in 2024, and our budget, which is up 4.9%, reflects that.
During the summer, I was on sabbatical, which gave me an opportunity to seek my own personal renewal and growth. I spent time reading, praying, and travelling through Arkansas, seeking a deeper sense of connection with this place as home. That sabbatical was a gift, and I remain grateful for it. Although ministry continues to surprise me in wonderful, life-giving ways, I feel that, in my sixth year as your Rector, I have had a chance to get to know you well, and I hope you feel the same about me. I believe that the work ahead of us is even more exciting that what we have done together in the past. Serving as the Rector of St. Paul’s is a privilege, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be in ministry in this place and among such faithful people. Thank you!