Reflections from the Head of Staff
I want to update you on a couple of items that I hope will keep you informed about the life of our church. From the financial side of our church, I wrote a letter back in August that our giving pattern was similar to the previous year, which was not a good sign. We missed our projected income in 2008 by about 10%. Two actions have taken place since August. The Session reduced the budget by another 2%, and staff and committee chairs have been diligent in overseeing spending.
The second thing that has happened is that congregational giving has significantly increased and we are back on target to come close to our estimated income for 2009. That is really good news. Last year we entered December almost $100,000 behind and this year we enter December only $4,000 behind actual expenses. If we continue to control our expenditures and December giving follows its normal pattern, we should finish the year in a much healthier position than last year. The Finance Committee wants to wait until the 2009 giving is completed and the stewardship campaign is completed before recommending to the Session a budget for 2010. At this point our pledging for 2010 is below last year’s level. This is probably not unexpected as our economy is yet to rebound and unemployment remains over 10%. So it is possible that we may have 2010 budget that is less than this year.
That leads me to my second item which is the Personnel side of the budget. Many of you have asked me how soon we will replace Reverend Ann Jahnes. The Personnel Committee is studying different staffing options. In the short run, we are going to increase Ann Benson’s calling hours, use some of own clergy who attend our church regularly to help lead worship, and some of Ann’s responsibilities will be temporarily taken on by other staff. Going from three full time Pastors to two makes the Personnel Committee very sensitive to the work load for Robb and me. The Session acted in its November meeting to suspend the Saturday night service beginning in January of 2010. When the 2010 budget is adopted, then the Personnel Committee will have a recommendation to the Session for staffing for 2010. That recommendation will be shared with the Congregation as well.
Thanks for your faithful giving of your time, talent, and finances during difficult times in your lives, and the life of our church.
Rev. Steve Hein
Posted in Steve's Blog