This has been a remarkable year at Trinity Cathedral. Each week our community continues to grow, both spiritually and numerically. God is blessing our efforts and showing us that, though small, we have More Than Enough to share Christ’s love of with our city. It is an exciting time to be a here and we’re glad you’re a part of what God is up to.

While our Cathedral is built on a solid foundation of prayer and volunteer support, without continued financial assistance it would be impossible for Trinity Cathedral to minister the way that we’ve been. Currently, the Cathedral is funded by three primary revenue sources: diocesan grant support, modest endowment earnings, and financial gifts from parishioners. Though financial resources from the diocese and our endowment help to cover portions of staff salaries and the cost of maintaining the aging Cathedral building, the expense of daily operations and outreach efforts remains the responsibility of local parish members. Every autumn, members of our church leadership review last year’s budget and expenses, as well as church member pledges. These numbers guide next year’s budget and directly affect our plans for how the Cathedral will serve and minister in the community.

Will you please prayerfully consider making a financial pledge of support for 2024? A pledge of financial support is simply a statement of faith and intention, an indication of your intention to give to your church. It is not a legal obligation. God has called all of us to help support his work in this community and as your priest, I want you to know that my wife and I will be pledging and giving alongside you. Trinity Cathedral is not just my place of employment, it is my family’s church. We are all in this together and Mel and I plan on doing our part to contribute.

If you’d like to pledge a contribution to Trinity Cathedral, you will find a pledge card in the mailing sent to your home or on the tables in the narthex and nave. Please return the card via mail or toss it in the offering plate during your next visit to church. Please note the new option this year to make an automatic recurring pledge through our online giving portal, Pushpay. If you are interested in this option, please visit the stewardship webpage at www.trinitycathedralpgh.org/stewardship and fill out the secure digital pledge card. Our family will be using this tool to make our pledge in 2024. Please try to hand your pledge in by Sunday, October 29, 2023. I invite you to come to the celebratory lunch that will be held that day following the 10:30 service.

It is the prayers and participation of all our people that make us the Cathedral for the city of Pittsburgh. Thank you for your contribution to our community. You are needed here.

Sincerely,
The Very Rev. Aidan E. Smith