Outreach

The Mission Endowment Fund of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was established by the congregation in 1990 as an expression of long-term faithfulness and trust in God’s ongoing work in the world. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, the Fund reflects the belief that what we have been given is entrusted to us not for ourselves alone, but for love, service, and the building of God’s kingdom.

Jesus taught his followers to care for those in need, to use what they had wisely, and to remain faithful with an eye toward the future. The Mission Endowment Fund grows out of that teaching. It exists so that gifts given in gratitude, memory, and hope may continue to serve God’s purposes across generations, extending the Church’s mission beyond the limits of any single year.

The Endowment is intentionally separate from the parish’s annual operating budget. While the operating budget sustains the daily life and ministries of the parish, the Mission Endowment Fund is set apart to support missions that reach outward in love and forward in faith. It enables ministries and initiatives that respond to Christ’s call to serve the poor, welcome the stranger, form disciples, and share the good news.

Gifts to the Mission Endowment Fund often come through bequests, memorial gifts, and other designated contributions. These gifts are invested with care and prayer, reflecting Jesus’ teaching about faithful stewardship. For this reason, the principal of the Endowment is preserved, and only the income generated by the Fund is distributed, allowing generosity today to continue bearing fruit in the future.

Income from the Mission Endowment Fund supports the mission of St. Peter’s in several interconnected ways. The Fund helps care for the Church’s physical home so that it remains a strong foundation for ministry. It supports the formation of Christian leaders through scholarships and educational assistance. It extends Christ’s compassion into the wider community by supporting outreach and programs that serve those in need. It also supports mission projects of the Episcopal Church, both at home and overseas, answering Jesus’ call to love, teach, and serve in his name.

The Mission Endowment Fund does not replace annual stewardship or support routine operating expenses. Instead, it stands alongside the ongoing generosity of the parish as a faithful response to Jesus’ teaching that what is entrusted to us today should bless others tomorrow.

Oversight of the Mission Endowment Fund is entrusted to the Mission Endowment Fund Committee, which serves as custodian of the Fund on behalf of the congregation. Working in partnership with the Vestry, the Committee reviews grant requests, recommends distributions, and ensures that all uses of the Fund reflect the mission of the Church and the teachings of Jesus. Through transparency and accountability, the Fund is administered with care, humility, and trust.

The Mission Endowment Fund stands as a living testament to the faithfulness of those who came before us and a sign of hope for those who will follow. Through it, St. Peter’s seeks to follow Jesus more fully—loving God, loving neighbor, serving those in need, and sharing Christ’s love far beyond our walls, today and for generations to come.