August 2004

Link: Poruka Svestenika (na Srpskom)

CHAIRWOMAN’S MESSAGE

 Dear Friends and Angels of the Cathedral of St. Sava. It is my fervent hope
that your all-too-short summer holiday has been restful and fulfilling.
 This September the Cathedral awaits another segment of its restoration
project: the church roof and its exterior. Unarguably, a roof is the most
essential part of a building, yet it is by far the least dazzling.
Nevertheless, it is thrilling to view the newly replaced office and altar
roof, and the beautifully repaired and cleaned façade, costing $1.2 million.
Try to imagine our old, magnificent, landmark church once the entire roof is
complete and the exterior walls repaired and cleaned! It will be among the
most incredibly impressive churches in the United States. What pride it will
bring to us and the general public! Articles are being written now in
several American publications and will continue to be written about this
small community of predominantly immigrant Serbs who is preserving a huge
landmark church in the middle of the most famous city in the world. Most
importantly, all Serbs residing here or visiting will enjoy a restored,
160-year-old, majestic House of Prayer.
 In a few short weeks summer will have faded, vacations will be a thing of
the past, and with God’s blessings and the $300,000 available in the
Building Fund account, we will sign a contract for the final replacement of
the roof, costing $700,000. Furthermore, with your generosity and the Lord’s
blessings, we hope to raise the remaining $400,000 by the end of Spring 2005
and completion of the roof. If we pray long and hard enough and make regular
donations, perhaps in Fall 2005 the remaining exterior walls can be repaired
and cleaned for $500,000, thus bringing a long, arduous project to
conclusion. This work can be followed by the restoration of the large,
stained glass windows, costing approximately $500,000. Why not? You have
come through for your church numerous times before; I know you will not
forsake it now as we near the end of an expensive though noble and necessary
struggle.
 [At the Vidovdan luncheon, Fr. Djokan announced the completion of two
sections of roof replacement (office, altar, and exterior walls) and
commencement in September of the final section of the roof (nave). To
thunderous applause, he informed our guests that “we had the required money
for this project.” Once the room quieted down, he added, “However, the money
is in your pockets.” The audience broke out in infectious laughter.]
 Despite the humor, Fr. Djokan is right. This church can do nothing without
your financial support. In the final analysis, its survival literally
depends on you! Ms. Lillian Booth of the Lillian Booth Foundation deserves
special accolades for their interest in our church, reflected in their
contribution of $87,500, with an additional $37,500 to arrive in 2005. It is
also interesting to note that several parishioners have donated over $50,000
within the last 8-9 years.
 Thus far, $1,800,000 has been spent on the restoration project. How to
raise money in the most effective and painless way is always a challenge.
So, sixteen members of the Church Board and the Restoration & Development
Committee have initiated a new fundraising activity: Capital Pledge
Campaign: Three-Year Pledges. You will be receiving letters requesting an
appointment to visit you at your home, where two members of this new
committee will explain the purpose and importance of making a three-year
pledge, answer any question you may have and keep you apprised regularly
concerning your commitment. Such a program will assure the continuing
restoration project a steady infusion of funds.
 You will be pleased to learn that already 20 families and/or individuals
have pledged $150,000 to the Three-Year-Pledge Campaign, and we have only
just begun. This amount averages out to $7,500 for three years or $2,500
annually—certainly doable if we all make a vow to our beautiful church. We
appeal to all of you to join this pioneering group of dedicated pledgees. It
is only your commitment that St. Sava Cathedral will advance.
 The St. Sava Serbian community has done what seemed impossible, but we did
it and did it well. Stand tall and be proud of your participation in the
most challenging endeavor since the purchase of the church in 1943. Onward,
dear friends! Napred!


Zorka Milich, Ph.D