David Cratty
Senior Warden

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“To proclaim in word and action God’s justice, love and mercy for all creation”—this is the purpose of Trinity Cathedral, our purpose. The community that is Trinity lives its purpose every day—in A Place at the Table; in the work for peace and justice; in the way each of us embodies God’s love for each other and the wider world. Trinity is a community grounded in the radicalism of Jesus’ love of forgiveness and service. This is the reason I attend Trinity and why I pledge my time, talent, and treasure.

Catherine Smythe Zajc
Stewardship Committee member

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I attend Trinity Cathedral because it nourishes me spiritually, intellectually and fraternally. Its diverse congregation, talented leadership, rich programming, commitment to radical hospitality, invitation to all to commune at God’s table, and proactive social justice and outreach mission – each resonate and touch me so deeply. It is a precious gift to me to have found such a nurturing home and family here, nestled in the beauty of a spectacular architectural and sacred space.

I am so richly blessed in all aspects of my life, so I support Trinity Cathedral financially and volunteer my time and expertise because God has asked me to give according to the grace I have received. I give because it is necessary to ensure that all the reasons I value Trinity Cathedral can continue to exist and thrive and so that our faith community can proactively respond to compelling needs in challenging times.

As someone who works in the non-profit sector, my philosophy of giving has evolved over time. Giving for me is an act of joy and thanksgiving and is simply the way that I affirm God’s grace in my life. He entrusts me to redistribute my abundance through philanthropy to my church, community, and beyond. In turn, I trust the leadership at Trinity Cathedral to steward my gifts appropriately and maximize them to their fullest. Collectively, we at Trinity are making a difference in the lives of so many, including our own. Through our gifts and by “paying forward” we are supporting our collective journey of faith and are extending a hand to those in need.

Patricia Roberts
Vestry member

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My work on the Vestry brings me to the Cathedral at all different times, on different days of the week. Sometimes I see the obvious—the hustle bustle of the piazza on a Sunday morning. Friends greeting friends, committees conducting business, speakers sharing a professional or personal aspect of an important subject. On weekdays, I often see teenagers involved in educational programs, outside organizations holding conferences, senior citizens making their way to a concert. On a nice quiet Friday morning, I can share coffee and crafts with a small group of friends. And sprinkled throughout, I encounter folks so different from me. Folks down on their luck, folks who are passionately committed to some cause that I may not know anything about, folks from other countries and cultures.

I feel good about the fact that my pledge helps all of this. I know it takes a “loaves and fishes” kind of miracle every day to pull this off. As a vestry person, I can tell you that our clergy, staff and volunteers squeeze every nickel in an attempt to make it into 6 cents. The utility bills, the guest speakers, the free sandwich—I know my pledge goes toward all of this. I’m not the kind of person who thinks, ”Oh, I can’t make a difference,” or “the need is so great, what could I possibly do?” I’m thankful that Trinity gives me the opportunity to do so much good by being the sum of all of our parts.

Aretha McCreary
Vestry member

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Trinity Cathedral has grown into my (church) home and family. As I have grown and changed, so has Trinity: It has seen changes to its building, the people who tend the building, and with the people whom it serves. Now, attending church is like a family reunion. There are new messages through the sermons and interactions with the people one sees. There is continued camaraderie with members I see regularly and Trinity staff. There are new faces with visitors and friends. There are reunions with those who have moved away and return. I attend Trinity, because Trinity, for me, is home. It is a place where I can be myself. It is a place where I can give and receive understanding and support.

The reason why I pledge is two-fold. There have been times when due to relocation or downsizing, I was without employment. While I worried about finances during that time, when I look back at those times, I realize there was always enough for what was needed. Even when it didn’t seem possible that some obligations or needs would be met, there was an unexpected event or series of events that met or provided for the particular need/obligation. It may not have been what I thought was needed, but things were always remedied. There was a mighty high power at work during those times; how can I not give back?

The other reason why I pledge to Trinity is the reason I attend. Family supports itself and each other. Some are able to contribute more than others, but all give something. I don’t believe one can be a part of a family and not give towards the support of that family.

Dave Posteraro
Vestry member

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Why Trinity?
In the Nativity narrative of Luke, the evangelist writes that Mary laid her newborn son in a manger “because there was no room for them in the inn”. In the 1980’s the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland approached a number of churches to see if they could rent space for their fledgling organization. It was a time when people still thought AIDS could be contracted from a handshake. The churches refused. All, except Trinity.

In Matthew, Jesus teaches us that whatever we have done to “the least of these my brethren” we have done to Him. In the 1990’s the Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gay People (PFLAG) were looking for a meeting space. They approached a number of churches and were refused. Except Trinity.

At Trinity the invitation that says “All Are Welcome” is not some wind-beaten sign as you enter town but an active, vocal, lived and open-armed embrace. It’s a community that believes that following Christ means walking in his steps.

Stewardship.
The sermon on Stewardship Sunday usually begins with the preacher saying that stewardship is more than giving money. And from then on the rest of the sermon is about how Christian stewardship involves a grateful and responsible use of God's gifts, conscious and purposeful decisions, and everything that I do after I say, "I believe."

Stewardship is all those good and rightful things but it is also about . . . well, money.

The best sermon I ever heard on Stewardship Sunday was at Saint Thomas on Fifth Avenue in New York. Saint Thomas is in midtown Manhattan. Its neighbors are Gucci, Cartier and Tiffany. The rector preached to a congregation of old and new money and lots of it. He minced no words. “You don’t tip God” was his theme and he chastised his congregation that their contributions on any Sunday fell far short of the tips they regularly left their waiters and taxi drivers.

Stewardship is paying my fair share. I don’t expect my Dean or my Canon to work for free. I don’t believe the vestments are washed and ironed by themselves, the heat in winter donated by a benevolent utility company or the lights by a generous electric company. Sunday’s bulletin wasn’t printed with free ink on free paper. Everything that I take for granted when I step into the Cathedral or the Commons is paid for. My contribution is my fair share. I don’t tip God.

Dave Miano
Vestry member

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I attend Trinity because I value so many aspects of the community; the music, thought provoking and stimulating programming, the shared presence of others in worship, and the sense of being a part of a group that makes a positive difference in the neighborhood, the City, and beyond.

As I learn more about the history of Trinity and its contributions to the City, I appreciate the heritage and generosity of those who came before us. As we continue to pursue the currently developing ministry of place and purpose that Trinity offers to all, I become more aware that this is “our moment in time” to advance the cause.

Appreciating the community of Trinity leads me to want to contribute to the community with my service and financial gifts. The programming at Trinity doesn’t just “happen”; it is the result of dedication, hard work, and planning on the part of staff, leadership, and the entire Cathedral community. Our financial Pledge allows more accurate financial planning that is a part of the reality of the life at Trinity.

Melvin Jones
Cathedral Council member

Trinity is like a home! My wife and I are thankful for our family and all our blessings. We believe that Trinity has given us great spiritual leadership. We share our blessings in time and talent. Trinity is more than a place to worship—it is a place for giving and sharing. It is a place of giving people. Trinity is like a home.

Mary Ann Caston
Cathedral Council member

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My husband and I attend Trinity rather than another Episcopal church closer to where we live for the following reasons:

• We like the diversity of people and life styles of the people who come to Trinity.
• After attending Trinity for over 15 years we are still awed by the beauty of the Cathedral.
• We support and participate in the social justice ministries of Trinity.
• We like the variety of Sunday services offered and vary our routine by attending services at different times although the 9:00 is the service we most often attend.
• We enjoy music and Trinity has provided exceptionally good music both at the services and the Brownbag concerts and at the special music events.
• We greatly support the religious educational programs for the children and youth of the congregation.
• The Adult Forums are also important to us as are the various group ministries such as Third Half of Life and Health Ministry.
• Last but certainly not least we are spiritually nourished and challenged by the Sunday sermons of Tracy, Kurt and Judith and various visiting clergy.

We have consistently pledged to Trinity because of two major reasons. We want to give financially to the church that so enriches our lives and we want the discipline of providing support on a predetermined and regular basis.

Debbie Hunter
Cathedral Council

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Why I attend Trinity and pledge is pretty easy for me to explain – my parents laid the foundation. It’s a journey that began from my beginning that I didn’t recognize until the end of an eleven year on-off relationship with “church”. I had just moved back to Cleveland in 1983 and after lots of noisy-wordy-clunky prayers, I heard God’s voice tell me “to get back to a faith community”. From an invitation from a co-worker who sang in the choir I came to Trinity and haven’t left.

Pledging/tithing has also been a life long journey. As a child, my folks had me pledge part of my allowance, but my few yearly dollars was a hit and miss for me (give me a candy bar anyday). But as I grew and learned more about my faith journey, my spiritual life also became more real and I started to trust more in what God asks of me, in part, to give back a small portion of all the gifts that God gives me in first place. “Trust” is the key word for me, trust in God’s blessings are real and each year it became easier to add to my pledge from the first fruits, right off the top before anything else until I finally got to a tithe. God has blessed me more than I could ever repay with this nurturing and still growing Trinity church family. Yes there are things I don’t have, but God’s promise is very real and my journey has been and still is quite a glorious up and down trip.

Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow – Amen, Amen, Amen.

Linda Anderson
Stewardship Committee chair and Cathedral Council member

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Shortly after visiting the Cathedral I made a prayerful decision to become a member of the community.

Trinity offered:

• a community that contains a wide diversity of people, programs and ministries
• a church that attempts to live into the “awesome otherness” of God where there is a place for everyone and everyone has a place.
• a community of like minded people who want to change the world into one that reflects God’s vision of love, justice and mercy for all

My pledging began immediately upon becoming a member. It interweaves both the practical and the spiritual elements in my life – a way to incorporate and reverence God in my everyday living. Pledging provides me with a tangible way of returning a portion of what has been gifted to me. It provides me with a way of demonstrating that I put God first in my life by making the decision on how much I will give to the church first and then order my spending on everything else after that. It provides me with a way of being accountable in my relationship with the Almighty on how well or not – I am sharing with others what has been gifted to me. It provides me with a way of deepening my dependence upon the Holy One since I can do none of this myself. It supports Trinity as we live out our mission and ministry together.

Years ago I reached the level of tithing and then for a variety of reasons had to back off. I have as my goal to get back to that level of giving. This fall the Almighty and I will again have a conversation on my pledge – it will be a bit of a negotiation – and I will move forward in trust with the amount that we agree on. Last year I was prepared to pledge more than I actually did, but my prayer insisted on a lesser number. Given the number of things that have not fallen into place the lesser number has turned out to be the wiser number. I don’t know how my pledge will turn out this year but I do know that I will not be alone in making and meeting that commitment.

Sally Lambert
Cathedral Council member

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In my quest for a faith community, I chose Trinity because of the welcoming congregation, social and community awareness, opportunity for various ways of worship and, ministry and progressive thoughtful educational programs. Stewardship for me is a financial commitment, as well as a personal investment of time and participation in various ministries. Both strengthen the Church’s mission to demonstrate God’s justice, love and mercy for all creation.

John Chapman
Cathedral Council chair

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Steward- (stoo-erd) a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others

Whether Jesus was speaking of the faithful steward in Luke 12 or the unfaithful steward in Luke 16, he was clearly defining a steward as one to whom a superior person—king or rich man or master—has entrusted his wealth and possessions.

God has made us stewards of all creation, and stewardship is nothing more and nothing less than our caretaking of all that we have been given. To understand this, we must first start from a position of humble gratitude—all that we have, has been given to us for safekeeping, to use for God’s work on this planet. In my eyes, the old quote of “Stewardship is everything we do after we say ‘we believe’” does not speak strongly enough to this charge. Rather, I offer up this newfound belief: “Stewardship is everything we do after we have said “I love God.”

Stewardship involves money, to be sure, but it also involves all that you possess—your time and your talent. We are stewards of this earth, and all the creatures on it, including our fellow humans who suffer and struggle around the world, as well as right here in Cleveland. Stewardship is less about a way of giving than it is about a way of living.

As many followers have said before: “God has given us everything and has told us we can keep 90 percent. That sounds like an offer too good to refuse!”

Ron Ross
Cathedral Council member

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Why I joined Trinity:

Trinity goes along with my values. It’s a mainline church where you can actually live out the way life should be. It’s the whole concept of radical hospitality. You don’t have to leave your baggage at the door. You are accepted for who you are and what you stand for.

Why is Stewardship Important to me:

I believe in what we do at Trinity as far as our mission and our ministry. We provide for those who are in need, such as with A Place at the Table and the Homeless Standdown. Also, if you have any ideas to start new groups or ministries, it’s welcomed and you’ll have help. Your talents are truly used if you want to help in any way.

Diane Gray
Cathedral Council member

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The Trinity Way

One of the first opportunities that drew me to the Episcopal Church was the encouragement to question. I've questioned since I was a child. Why?

When? Where? Some friends tire of my endless sentences ending with a question mark. With query being a given of the Episcopalians, the search was on to find a group of likeminded friends with whom to share the journey.

Trinity Cathedral offered a home wherein to explore spiritual themes of interest to me, such as humility, generosity and the everpresent, doubt.

Sharing thoughts and laughter with friends who understand and respect my search, as I do theirs, is a gift from God that I treasure.

And I am grateful for the freedom to be who I am in an ever so inclusive community. Being accepted has made me feel whole and very humble.

When I see how Trinity Cathedral nurtures those less fortunate with many forms of sustenance, when I see how Trinity sets the example of protecting our earth, and when I see, most importantly, how Trinity honors and respects the dignity of each person, I want to contribute financially. I want to join in the responsibility we have for each other, our planet and our community.

Martha Bifano
Stewardship Committee

T Take Action

R Renew

I Invest

N Nourish

I Invent

T Transcend

Y Yearly

Activity Infinity

Jeff Ackroyd
Vestry member

One way to approach the question of “What does Trinity Cathedral mean to me? is to think about what it isn’t.

Is it entertainment? I can find entertainment through concerts, sports, movies, books, television, and hobbies. It isn’t physical. I can get physical fulfillment through walking, yard work, hiking, kayaking, or other exercise. Is it social? I can get social fulfillment through interaction with friends, co-workers, clubs, and so on.

All of these things are beneficial to my overall well-being, but each in their own way, they are one-dimensional. Trinity Cathedral is something more. Trinity is for my heart, mind, and body, but most importantly it’s fulfillment for the soul. It’s the community that cares for me and prays for me; it’s the community of soul that welcomes me and all others without question. Trinity is intellectual pursuit that is so especially rewarding because it explores the nature of spiritual thought, in turn driving my faith journey into new territory. Trinity is the collected body, which gathers to worship in our grand cathedral space, with beautiful music, and with the words and traditions that lift the soul. Trinity is the spirit of service and outreach, the people who act on the words and the belief to give unconditionally to others, strengthening both individuals and greater community. Trinity Cathedral is all of these things, and because Trinity touches, strengthens and guides my soul, it is more valuable to me than my secular sources of fulfillment, and therefore uniquely worthy of my time, talent, and treasure.

Holly Carroll
Stewardship Committee member

Why do I attend Trinity? I have found a spiritual home at Trinity Cathedral. It is where social justice and diversity are championed, where the environment is cherished, and where my faith in God is nourished, and challenged. Everyone is welcome to worship at Trinity and the commitment to Cleveland and its urban challenges is sincere.

I pledge because I want the important ministries of Trinity to continue and thrive. I give because I believe in Trinity’s mission. My pledge of time talent and money, contributes to that mission. I pledge because it is the right thing to do.