An Invitation to Participate in God’s Mission at St. James’ in 2026
“To be a beacon of hope, living the Gospel, with love and compassion.”
This vision statement, created this year, is the theme of our 2026 Stewardship Campaign. This season we come together to celebrate how hope is lived out through the mission of St. James’ in Danbury and beyond. In 2026, we will need $405,000 to run the church and its ministries. Nearly 70% of this will come from parishioners like you. We are so glad that you are part of this journey.
Please take time to explore the materials in this booklet. You’ll see photos that tell our 2025 story and reflect our hopes for 2026. As you read, pray about how God is calling you to share your time, talents, and financial gifts so that we can continue to shine God’s love from West Street.
THE STORIES WE TELL
You’ll hear moving stories this season about lives touched through the St. James’ community. Our campaign runs for 4 weeks. Let us enter this time with openness and gratitude, recognizing how God is at work in our lives.
OUR GIFTEDNESS: TIME, TALENT & TREASURE
Each fall, parishioners join in generosity by pledging financial support for the year ahead and considering how to share their time and talents. This is that season. We each bring different gifts: skills we’ve developed, time we can offer, and financial resources that help sustain our shared work. At. St. James’, we walk in love - through worship, learning, fellowship, and service – all rooted in our faith and love of Christ. Every contribution matters, even those not featured herein, like the dedicated work of our Welcoming and Buildings & Grounds teams. It truly takes a village.
THREE MAJOR FOCAL POINTS FOR 2026: Community, Children, and Rental Income
This past year, we focused on strengthening community connections, including affirming and supporting LTBTQ+ members. We raised a Pride flag and continue to meet, learn and grow together. Our outreach efforts with Naugatuck Valley Community College and Wooster School are also growing.
In 2026 we are relaunching Godly Play for children and offering new programs for toddlers, parents, and youth. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this vital work.
Finally, this year we’ve experienced unforeseen declines in rental income, we are hopeful that we will have stronger rental solutions in 2026 with new renters in place.
THANK YOU!
Your support helps St. James’ remain a beacon of hope.
Stewardship Committee: Dave Parille (chair), Richard Arthur, Janet Brown, Michelle Cummings, Denise Holl, Susan Parille, Jewell Smith-Thornton, Linda Spaziani, Joe Walkovich, The Rev. Gina Gore
This narrative shows how we use the resources entrusted to us to carry out God’s work in Danbury.
How We Fund Our Budget
Like all communities of faith, we rely on pledges, rentals, endowment and gifts from our members to support our ministry. Pledges account for over 70% of our annual income, with plate offerings and other special offerings comprising another 4%. We are entirely self-funded. We do not receive financial support from the diocese for our operations.
How We Allocate Our Budget
Our budget reflects the values we shape and share with the world around us. Each of us in our varied ways, employing our many blessings and gifts, build a better
world through our love of God, self, and neighbor. We align our budget with the work of our life together.
Our budget reflects the values we shape and share with the world around us. Each of us in our varied ways, employing our many blessings and gifts, build a better
world through our love of God, self, and neighbor. We align our budget with the work of our life together.
WOW!! This year, we’ve quantified the many hours of volunteerism by members of our congregation. The estimated monthly number of volunteer hours is 621 (7,452 annually). Based on an average volunteer hour wage of $34.79, St. James’ volunteers will have contributed $237,000. WOW!! Combine that with this year’s pledges and see how God is hard at work through the people of St. James’.
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Sacramental Life Sacramental life is the foundation of our religious life together and includes Holy Eucharist, Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings, Funerals, Healing Prayer, and Reconciliation. We are blessed to worship in a beautiful, historic building and experience meaningful liturgy. Our worship is enriched by ordained staff and affiliate clergy, volunteers, children’s participation, and a rich music program. Children & Youth Children and youth are vital members of our parish and deserve vibrant opportunities for spiritual growth. We’re building programs that nurture, inspire, and include them – and their families – in parish life. With new volunteers, we’re making progress and appreciate your support for 2026. Adult Spirituality Activities to further Adult Spiritual Development includes: Sunday Forums, Bible Studies, LGBTQ+ & Friends, Wednesday Eucharist, Author Visits, Book Studies, Fall and Spring. |
Pastoral Care Pastoral care was a top priority when searching for a Rector. Rev. Gina makes it a priority to pastor all people in need, including home visits. This vibrant ministry is our largest one, led by 22 volunteers. These include Blessings outdoors at prayer wall, ARC Interfaith Services, Support and care in time of crisis, bereavement and need, Home visits, including Eucharist, Hospital visits, Glen Hill Morning Prayer, Healing prayer, Stephen Ministry, Blankets, bears and shawls, Prayer chain, Meals on Wings, Notecard writing, Flower delivery Community Connections The people of St. James’ live out our baptismal vows ‘to seek and serve Christ in all persons’ in a variety of ways. We engage in outreach projects that are locally focused. Community Life Our community life is enriched by hospitality, fellowship, care for each other, and fun seasonal outings and events. Some events include, Coffee Hours, Monthly gathering: Friday with friends, Newcomers welcome brunch, Mother’s Day breakfast, Lenten pancake supper, parish picnic, Museum visit, Painting with friends, Pysanky (Ukrainian egg dying), Men’s breakfast group, LGBTQ+ & Friends, and hockey game, apple picking, etc. |