From Generation to Generation: Stewardship for 2026

From Generation to Generation ONE GENERATION WILL COMMEND YOUR WORKS TO ANOTHER; THEY WILL TELL OF YOUR MIGHTY ACTS

STEWARDSHIP 2026

Since 1941, St. James’ Episcopal Church, rooted in East Austin, has sought to be a people awake to God’s dream of beloved community from generation to generation. In our life together, we seek to sing a song full of faith, remembering the courage of those founding generations who came before us who built their church on the bedrock of God’s radical hospitality and love. We seek to proclaim God’s marvelous deeds, passing on stories of a Love that resists oppression and brings about new possibilities for human life together. We seek to become something new by taking up the holy wisdom of faithful generations and figuring out how to live that out in new times of challenge. During this season of stewardship, we invite you to consider how your generosity helps us plant seeds of hope for future generations.

St. James’ Episcopal Church sets tables of welcome where all can encounter Christ’s love.

We are an inclusive, multicultural, and affirming community.

Lift every voice to sing a song of faith.

In 2025 We supported a full year of ministry for the Associate Rector for Latino Ministries, and, in partnership with the diocese, our Curate who works with Campus and Young Adult Ministries.

We completed a campus-wide signage project, took care of interior painting, dealt with unexpected storm damage, and repaired sidewalks.

We hosted an historic 30th Anniversary Jazz at St. James’.

We completed a Strategic Vision that draws together the hopes of English and Spanishspeaking communities.

We did not miss a beat with music ministry transitions, and our music programs continue to thrive and provide a space of connection with the community.

The Vestry has set a goal of $834,285.42 in pledges for 2026, so that we can: keep new staff in place to support multilingual Christian formation for all ages (including the planting of new campus ministries at Huston-Tillotson University and beyond); keep up with rising costs of insurance and maintenance; right-wise salaries; creatively gather diverse communities around the table for spiritual nourishment.

About the money This is where the money comes from Lease income 8.1%

Curate Grant 6.6%

Unpledged giving 16.6%

Pledges 68.7%

Pledged gifts account for most of our funding. In 2025, 172 households pledged a total of $756,743. The median pledge was $2600. Our total budget was $1,050,839.29.

In 2026, our goal budget is $1,116,405.

This is where the money goes Community Care & Outreach 31%

Christian Education 17%

Worship & Music 31%

Community Life & Pastoral Care 21%

Lift every voice to sing a song of hope.

How will we reach our goal?

We believe that we can reach our goal with your prayerful support so that St. James’ can continue to be a home for hope and an oasis of welcome and love.

If you have never pledged before, let us know that we can count on your support in 2026. A pledge is a confidential promise of support that helps us boldly plan for big things. Sometimes circumstances change unexpectedly, and that is okay. Know that you can adjust your pledge during the year through a confidential conversation with Parish Administrator Aimee Estep or Rev. Eileen O’Brien.

If you are in the habit of pledging, don’t forget to fill out your card or the online form this year, and consider increasing your gift to the work of St. James’ Episcopal Church.

The Stewardship Team is asking that you make your pledge online at stjamesaustin.org/give or by turning in your pledge card by October 31. Mail it to the church office at 1941 Webberville, 78721, bring it to an in-person service, or drop it off in our mailbox on campus. Turning your pledge in by October 31 allows the Vestry Finance Committee to enter the budget process with confidence. We build our budgets based on your pledges. Your pledge makes a difference.