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God Cooks;. We Share the Feast. St. Mary’s … At a Crossroad. New Energy & Vibrancy Around Mission. Generosity of Congregation. Seasonal Sharing CROP Walk Wall Out Hunger MISH New Hope Manor Stockings PAL School Supplies Drive. Increased Parish Involvement. May Fair
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God Cooks; We Share the Feast
New Energy & Vibrancy Around Mission Generosity of Congregation • Seasonal Sharing • CROP Walk • Wall Out Hunger • MISH • New Hope Manor Stockings • PAL School Supplies Drive
Increased Parish Involvement • May Fair • Christmas in New England • Adult Forum • Morning/Evening Prayer • Grounds Keeping/Gardening • Bell Choir • Pastoral Care • Happenings Newsletter • Liturgical Ministers • Memorial Garden
Strengthened Financial Oversight • Aggressively managed expenses • More efficient operations • Lean staff • Renegotiated service contracts • Changed utility provider • Implemented bid process for Buildings & Grounds projects
Strong Stewardship Participation For 2012, 82% of households have pledged Average weekly pledge has increased
Living within Our Means • Reduced expenses to match reduced income • Reduced the budget shortfall • 2006 $116,000 Shortfall • 2010 $2,000 Surplus • 2011 $28,000 Shortfall • Major Factors: • Deaths/Moves • Unanticipated Snow Removal • Extra Insurance Payment
Priorities for 2012 • Engage the community • Embrace the culture • Recruit youth and families • Nurture our members
The Crossroad • At this time of new energy, anticipation and hope AND after many frank budget discussions, we find ourselves with a significant budget deficit of approximately $45,000. • Your Vestry is reluctant to go forward with this deficit and equally reluctant to make further cuts in staff, programs and building maintenance.
Expenses • No “Easy” Cuts left • Only 5 paid staff (2 Full-Time, 3 Part-Time) • Cutting expenses means cutting positions and programs • Risk moving backward
Income • More fundraising is not the answer • Endowment provides limited income • All other Income items fixed • Leaves us with pledging
Pledging • There is some good news • In 7 years, average weekly pledge increased from $22 per week to almost $34 per week • But during same time, number of pledging units have been reduced by 1/3 • With expenses growing beyond our control and fewer pledging households, the increased weekly pledging has not been enough to close the gap
The Challenge • Vestry has struggled with revisiting pledging • A budget based on current income would mean cutting or reducing staff positions • Such actions would be very difficult for those affected, will most certainly undermine our momentum as a congregation and may even result in a further shrinking of our membership.
What can we do? • Vestry is asking that each of us consider ‘stretching’ a bit further by increasing our pledge for 2012 • Deficit would be eliminated if every pledge increased by about $4.50 per week • That’s about $234 more per year per pledging unit • Or, consider a 10% increase in pledge
What can we do? • Cards are in pews • Please return by next Sunday, January 15th • At January 17th meeting, Vestry will reassess where the budget stands • Thank you for your attention, your consideration of this appeal and your prayers!