ANNUAL FUND We thank God for His faithfulness and thank you for your generous support, as 2026 brings another year of sustained growth to Trinity Episcopal Church and School. We are now the 5th largest parish in the Diocese—and we continue to be one of the fastest-growing. Our school continues to grow alongside our church, we added a fifth grade this year, and we are now wait-listed for most of our grades. Our Annual Fund Campaign kicks off on October 11th this year. Allow me to explain why we’ve shifted from our normal January launch schedule. In February 2027, Trinity will open the public phase of Building our Future, our capital campaign for a new school building. This campaign is the most exciting building project in our church’s recent history, and we must clearly separate the operational focus of the Annual Fund from this special building project. Therefore, rather than launching the Annual Fund in January, the 2027 Annual Fund Campaign will begin in October. Trinity’s Annual Fund is extremely important as it allows us to pay our clergy and staff, to teach our children in Sunday School, to worship together every Sunday, and to provide outreach in the name of Jesus, twelve months a year, no matter what capital projects lie ahead of us. Building our Future will help us dream and make a difference in tomorrow. The Annual Fund allows us to live faithfully today. Our Annual Fund target for 2027 is $1,850,000 — about 6.3% lower than last year’s operating budget. It reflects real cost savings and fiscal discipline by our staff. Please be as generous as you are able. Our Annual Fund depends entirely on the members of this church.
If you don’t already, consider tithing (giving 10% of your income as your annual pledge.) I tithe, our clergy tithes, our Vestry tithes, and a growing number of you tithe— 43% of our parishioners now participate in tithing. I am convinced that our commitment to the tithe is the key to our Lord’s blessing on our parish (Malachi 3:10). Please prayerfully consider your 2027 Annual Fund pledge, and return your pledge card by Commitment Sunday, November 15th. Pledges can also be made online at https://trinityvero.org/give (select Annual Fund 2027). We have an exciting year ahead of us, and I am looking forward to seeing how Jesus will continue to shape our church, our community, and the world through our shared ministry.
With a grateful heart I remain,
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Christopher M. Rodriguez, SSC. Rector
Thanks to your support, Trinity Episcopal Church is experiencing a season of blessing • Last year, Trinity was blessed to baptize 18 new Christians. By contrast, The Episcopal Church had a national average of 2.93 baptisms. • Trinity grew by 5% in average Sunday attendance last year, while The Episcopal Church declined nationally by 7%.
• 43% of Trinity members tithe. The national average of members who tithe in The Episcopal Church is 5%. • This year, Trinity Episcopal School’s enrollment went from 99 to 111 students as we added the 5th Grade
• Trinity gained 60 new members last year, while the national average of new members in The Episcopal Church was 4.5.
THE 2027 ANNUAL FUND PLEDGE GOAL IS $1,850,000 MINISTRY SUPPORT
9% 11%
14%
WORSHIP
2027 Ministry Budget*
39% OUTREACH
SPIRITUAL GROWTH & CARE
27%
COMMUNITY FORMATION
*A Ministry Budget is a budget that breaks the expenses down into allocations for ministry and mission priorities.
KEY DATES Annual Fund Launch Sunday, October 11, 2026 Commitment Sunday Sunday, November 15, 2026