Sacred Places Autumn/Winter 2017-18 | Page 18

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SERVICES AT WORK: We’re Not Just There Karma Quick singing at a HOOT! by Laura Schuetz In late January 2017, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in the San Francisco Bay Area celebrated the launch of St. Alban’s Serves, the public phase of its capital campaign to raise funding for church building upgrades and accessibility improvements. After 100 percent of the parish’s initial $400,000 goal was raised from congregation members, St. Alban’s expanded the project’s scope to introduce its campaign to the broader community in Albany, California. The launch was a re- sounding success, and the outpouring of support from neighbors, friends, and community leaders was clear. Albany mayor Peggy McQuaid gave a speech in support of St. Alban’s to kick off an event that included performances by an Albany High School choral group and members of the Berkeley High School Orchestra. Testimonials and expressions of appreciation were given to St. Alban’s from outside groups that partner with the parish, in- cluding the Child Therapy Institute, Friends of Five Creeks, Or Zarua Reconstructionist Havurah (a Jewish spiritual community), and oth- ers. Campaign co chairs Mary Doleman and Chanthip Phongkhamsavath. “One really amazing thing that the campaign’s done is help the con- 18 • SACRED PLACES • AUTUMN/WINTER 2017-18