An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
and to sing praises unto your name, O most High!"
We have just compiled the number of dollars that this parish, the Cathedral of St. Philip, sent away from our parish, to mission and outreach, during the year 2005. I am humbled and amazed by the total: $1,010,163. That's over one million dollars that faithful members of this parish gave away from the parish.
As I reflect on this total, let me say, first, that every dollar contributed to the Cathedral goes toward God's work and Christian ministry, whether that dollar gets counted for work inside or outside the Cathedral community. Presently, our cathedral budget depends upon over $3,257,000 received in annual pledges from the parish. As you all know, that money pays for our facility, our kitchen, our utilities, our staff, our worship, our music, our programs, our education classes, and (some of) our outreach.
In the final analysis, whatever money we give to the Cathedral is transformed into gospel service for the world. Actually, therefore, all of it goes to God's work; and there is no distinction between what is spent "in" the parish and what is spent "outside" the parish. Indeed, the more we are strengthened and inspired by what goes on in the parish, the more we are empowered to be God's witnesses and workers outside the parish!
Nevertheless, it is gratifying to note that our parish life of worship, prayer, study, and fellowship is resulting in tremendous generosity outside the parish. From our annual operating budget, we contributed $345,000 to ministry through the Diocese of Atlanta and $259,212 in various outreach grants (as recommended by our outreach grants committee). But away from our operating budget, our ECW annual antiques show gave away $171,000. We raised over $59,000 to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. We gave to Episcopal seminaries and institutions, and to international Anglican groups. Our Thrift House and the Cathedral Bookstore gave mission gifts away. Our Sunday School classes and various Episcopal Church Women guilds raised special outreach funds. Folks gave over $28,000 in special gifts to our Discretionary Fund for the Needy. We raised money for Buckhead Christian Ministry food drive twice in 2005. All these contributions, including those outside our operating budget, came to over one million dollars!I give thanks for each of you who has responded to God's call to give. St. Paul told the Corinthians that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7); and when I hear of your giving, I am cheered to give more myself! Maybe the world will give more, when it sees the faith and generosity of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Blessings and Thanks to you all!
The Very Rev. Sam Candler