May 2019
Quarterly Report from the Finance Committee
The year is going well to this point, thanks to your giving spirit. Giving over the 1st quarter of 2019 averaged out to 97% of budgeted giving, and expenditures were 91% of budgeted expenditures. Giving compared to last year’s 1st quarter is up 15%. That’s cause for celebration.
Thanks to the staff and its conservative spending, we’re doing OK. April may throw the balance of giving to expenditures on its head though, because of roof maintenance. Essentially, we spent everything in the Building Maintenance fund on a joint roof project with T-Mobile and Verizon to repair the top of the Sanctuary. We are happy to have a new roof and drain covers on top of the sanctuary building and Jerry is happy to not be emptying rain buckets anymore. This was needed maintenance. If something else comes up, though, we’ll have to transfer money from some other fund. So, the Building Maintenance fund is one area we could use designated giving.
Other areas where we could use designated and sacrificial giving include:
- Bethlehem – we need a newer, more capable forklift (approximately $20k).
- Campus Improvements – we want to renovate the lobby of the Fellowship Hall (as well as the floor outside the kitchen). We’re currently short of funds for the project (need approximately $27.4k).
- Courtyard – we have a long-term dream of improving this area of the campus, primarily for kids; but, also for fellowship (requires over $300k, and about $70k already raised).
Missions have been funded at about 100% of the expected rate, based on the 7% allocated from General Fund giving, and from designated giving to several missions we specifically support.
A reminder: – General mission giving is now funded from 7% of general giving. If you write “Missions” on your envelope, that money goes into general giving, and 7% of that general giving total goes to missions—just as if you hadn’t written “missions.” This is exactly as was presented at the annual congregational meeting last fall, and as explained in the end-of-year report in the "Celebrate" newsletter. If you choose to designate a specific mission (or for some other need, as described above), 100% of the money designated goes to that mission or need. If you still have questions, please see me.
Again, thank you for supporting this church and its many efforts here and around the world.
2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."