Now is the time to say, sing and dance a large "Thank You" to God and each other

The Giving USA Foundation has reported that last year charitable giving in the US increased 3.8% (2.1% when adjusted for inflation) over 2009 totals. That marked the first increase since 2007. Although only substantial increases would return us to our 2007 level, that is good news. In that same period, however, religious giving increased only 0.8% (a 0.8 decrease when adjusted for inflation). That continues a disturbing trend. Since 1970 giving to religious organizations has increased more slowly than the rate of inflation. Despite that trend, I want to share some very good news!

Around this time last year we were planning cottage meetings to share some disturbing trends in our congregational life. Several related to finances. We, the members and friends of this congregation, have responded to those conversations in inspiring ways. During our annual stewardship campaign, 49% of us increased our financial pledges. Those and other pledges allowed us to pass a budget that continued to support our ministries, gave raises to staff for the first time in three years, restored some staff benefits, and funded necessary repairs and improvements to our property. The very good news is that we have kept and exceeded those pledges. Even after we set aside some funds to complete the approved repairs and maintenance, we will end our fiscal year in the black and will roll money into our reserve fund for the first time in recent history.

Even more good news! Based on our current trends and modest projections, session approved a budget for July 2011 through June 2012 that funds all our present ministries, restores study leave to non-clergy staff, provides raises to all staff, helps to fund our February to November 2012 Centennial Celebrations, funds needed roof repairs and exterior painting, and sets aside money in a reserve account for the day when we need to improve or replace our HVAC system.

Even more good news! During this time we have contributed more than 900 items to our food pantry each month and increased our monetary gifts to hunger ministries. We set what we considered the ambitious goal of raising $100,000 for hunger related ministries by the end of our Centennial Celebration. We have already received $21,000 toward that goal, and the excitement about and commitment to this priority ministry continues to spread and deepen.

Thank you! Thank you, MWPC members and friends, for your commitment to the ministries of Jesus Christ and this congregation. As we draw closer to the new program year we will hold a few cottage meetings to share some of these details, look at where our leaders hear God calling us, and have conversations about the life we share. I could not wait until then to share this very good news. There are always financial challenges to face, but I give thanks to God for the ways we are responding to God and each other. The time will come to talk about a new organ, technological improvements, building repair and updates, "ideal" staffing, and more. That's always true. As we close this fiscal year, now is the time to say, sing, and dance a large "Thank You" to God and each other.

            Grace and Peace,

LP