Rev. Hillary T. West

It is with great pleasure I write to you to share the good news of the success of our capital campaign largely due to your consultant’s efforts in bringing the campaign to its peak. Our consultant eagerly arrived on our doorstep in the early summer. Instantly, he jumped in to learn of the life of St. Thomas’, working diligently and so collaboratively with Barbara Stechert, our Stewardship and Campaign staff director. He quickly learned the names of parishioners, attended countless cottage meetings, and gatherings to hear the story of St. Thomas’. Early on he mastered the complexity of the campaign and the need for the many capital improvements, and deferred maintenance of our current 43 acre campus and nine aging buildings. Our consultant was never daunted by the task. In fact, he was energized and challenged by it and dove in to help us conquer the challenge.

His attention to detail, his consistent focus on the importance of regular reporting, and his patient diligence in teaching the fundamentals of a campaign to the leaders of St. Thomas’ is unsurpassed. He established trust, built relationships, approached folks with enthusiasm and passion about the life of St. Thomas’ and helped so many come to the understanding that we needed to raise $6.25 million. Prior to his departure, our consultant knew he had done his job and worked well beyond the call of duty. At his leaving, we initiated the public portion of the campaign able to declare that we were already well over half way to the desired goal as well as achieving a 24% increase in our annual giving! His constant willingness to give us his very all facilitated this remarkable goal.

On a personal note, I found our consultant to be a person diligent in the Word, faithful in worship, and a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. He practices the way of Jesus Christ in his actions, and by his word. He is cheerful, kind, patient, a true active listener, and one who loves his vocation and all those to whom he ministers. He’s unique in his ability to form fast friendships and collaborations with authenticity and respect.

While the consultant has moved on from St. Thomas’ as we come to the last stages of our campaign, he is not gone from us. Those who walk in the Lord never see one another for the final time. Such is the case with him.