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We Share the Feast

At St. Mary's, we're at a crossroads with new energy and vibrant mission outreach. This year we've focused on enhancing parish involvement through various initiatives, such as CROP Walk, seasonal sharing, and school supplies drives. However, we face a budget deficit of approximately $45,000. Despite increased average weekly pledges, a significant reduction in pledging units has hindered our financial goals. We invite all members to consider increasing their pledges by about $4.50 per week to help eliminate our deficit. Together, we can strengthen our community and live within our means.

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We Share the Feast

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  1. God Cooks; We Share the Feast

  2. St. Mary’s …At a Crossroad

  3. New Energy & Vibrancy Around Mission Generosity of Congregation • Seasonal Sharing • CROP Walk • Wall Out Hunger • MISH • New Hope Manor Stockings • PAL School Supplies Drive

  4. 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

  5. Strengthened Financial Oversight • Aggressively managed expenses • More efficient operations • Lean staff • Renegotiated service contracts • Changed utility provider • Implemented bid process for Buildings & Grounds projects

  6. Strong Stewardship Participation For 2012, 82% of households have pledged Average weekly pledge has increased

  7. 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

  8. Priorities for 2012 • Engage the community • Embrace the culture • Recruit youth and families • Nurture our members

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. Income • More fundraising is not the answer • Endowment provides limited income • All other Income items fixed • Leaves us with pledging

  12. 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

  13. 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.

  14. 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

  15. 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!

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