Michael Goldsmith, T’13, credits Sewanee for formation that included his family. He is rector of Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama, which has recommitted to 1% giving.
A thriving Church of the Nativity will mean greater 1% donations
"W hat you should really think about is how parishes thrive in the face of a global pandemic,” says Michael Goldsmith, T’13, rector at Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama. Goldsmith and others at the parish have been ramping up their online presence in the face of COVID-19, and people are responding. “It’s interesting,” Goldsmith says. “If you invite someone to come to a worship service, they may politely agree but not come. But the chances that they will join an online service, especially now in the middle of a pandemic, are really good.”
In a letter to parishioners, Goldsmith urged them to create a sacred space in their homes that could serve as an altar. “As we worship together online, we can all gather together around our home altars to celebrate the resurrected Christ. Let’s be creative!” Goldsmith is collecting photos of personal altars on the church’s Facebook page and offered special instructions for remote worship for Palm Sunday and Easter. In a time of social distance, Goldsmith is working hard to ensure his parishioners (and all who wish to join in) have access to the social connectedness worship represents.
In recent months, the parish has recommitted itself to 1% giving to the School of Theology. “We’re only an hour away from Sewanee. Priests from the parish have gone to Sewanee and come from Sewanee to serve. Many from our parish have had kids go to the college. We just have a really good history with the University,” says Goldsmith.
In considering recomittment, the parish really thought hard about what it means to support a residential seminary. “I went to seminary with five dependents, and Sewanee found a way to support me,” says Goldsmith. “That time away on the Mountain gave us time apart to learn how to be a clergy family. No priest serves by himself of herself. Being a clergy family is really important, and Sewanee is really good at that.”
The concept of 1% giving was established in 1982 by the Episcopal Church, wherein parishes designate 1% of their net disposable budgeted income to an accredited Episcopal seminary. Participating churches comply with the spirit of 1% even while putting different interpretations on how it is calculated. The Church of the Nativity has pledged 1% of plate and pledge. So when the parish is thriving, it contributes more to seminary education; and when times are hard, the parish can still keep its commitment, even if that means the contribution is less. “You know, strong parishes require strong clergy, and as a parish, we at Church of the Nativity want to be a strong parish and be part of what makes other parishes thrive,” Goldsmith concludes.
For more information about 1% and parish giving, contact Bess Turner at strongertruergifts@sewanee.edu
