Grace Episcopal Church Meeting of May 15, 2011

1. Grace Episcopal Church Parish Budget Meeting May 15, 2011

2. Agenda Opening prayer A framework for our conversation A look at our assets New systems A look at the budget Where does our ministry go from here? Closing prayer

3. 1. Opening Prayer

4. Opening Prayer Loving God, we thank you for the rich abundance in our lives. Open our eyes to see that, in being so blessed, we can, in turn, abundantly bless others. Open our hearts to feel the powerful generosity of your Spirit and let go of our fears and judgments. Open our ears to hear the needs of our church and our community. Open our minds that we might offer the world our measureless love, our generous time, our unique talents and our considerable treasure. Quicken our hands to your service, breathe your Spirit into us and touch us with the life of Christ. Amen.

5. Opening Prayer

6. 2. Framework for our conversation

7. Keeping an Eye on the Prize

8. Are we a maintenance church or a mission church?

9. Maintenance or Mission? Thoughts from the Rt. Rev. William H. Willimon Will Willimon is a bishop in the United Methodist Church in the U.S., currently serving in North Alabama. He is best known as a theologian, writer, former Dean of the Duke University Chapel, and as one of America's best known preachers. He offers the following thoughts on the difference between a “maintenance” church and a “mission” church:

23. 3. A Look at Our Assets

24. It’s time to talk numbers…

26. Where are funds kept?

27. How we are going to account for funds going forward?

29. Current Balances:Total Assets *The Rector’s Home Loan is a part of his original Letter of Agreement. It is an interest-only loan intended specifically for the purchase of his primary residence. Interest of 4% is paid monthly. The principle is due after the termination of employment at the time of the sale of the home, but no longer than one year after the termination date.

30. Trends affecting asset balances

31. Declining Assets

32. Expenses

33. Pressure on the Budget

35. We had to begin paying for cleaning services at the Parish Hall

37. Windows and soffit loan: $5,000/year (last payment due in January 2012)

40. Increase in the consumer society (diversion of funds)

41. RecessionUnmet Pledges (see below)

43. 5 of those pledged the same in 2009 as in 2004

44. 4 of those have decreased their pledge since 2004

45. Of those 10, total pledged in 2004: $ 23,572

47. Unfulfilled Pledges:Impact on Assets

49. 17

50. Total shortfall among those pledges:

51. $9,136

52. Average shortfall among those pledges:

53. $539

54. Amount necessary to make up the shortfall:

56. Number of pledges that fell short:

57. 32

58. Total shortfall among those pledges:

59. $20,887

60. Average shortfall among those pledges:

61. $653

62. Amount necessary to make up the shortfall:

64. Number of pledges that fell short:

65. 17

66. Total shortfall among those pledges:

67. $17,054

68. Average shortfall among those pledges:

69. $1,003

70. Amount necessary to make up the shortfall:

72. Number of pledges that fell short:

73. 17

74. Total shortfall among those pledges:

75. $15,586

76. Average shortfall among those pledges:

77. $917

78. Amount necessary to make up the shortfall:

80. 4. New Systems & Oversight

82. Karen Mardock is now serving as bookkeeper

83. Software

84. QuickBooks has replaced MoneyCounts (©1995!)

85. Monthly oversight meetings

86. The Executive Committee (rector and officers) meets monthly to review parishes finances including the budget and the check register

87. Resumption of quarterly giving reports

88. Will help parishioners stay on pace with their pledges

89. Strategic planning initiative

91. Keeping an Eye on the Prize

93. Handouts:

94. 2010 budget vs. 2010 actual vs. 2011 budget

96. A Word about Funds.

97. 6. Where does our ministry go from here?

98. “Unlike the U.S. Government, we cannot print money to cover our deficits.... At some point those assets will run out.” From the Treasurer’s report to the Annual Meeting January 30, 2011

99. Recommendations for funding ministry going forward

100. 7. Closing Prayer

101. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

102. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

103. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

104. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

105. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

106. Closing Prayer"A General Thanksgiving" from the BCP, p. 836. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

107. Thank you!