Faithful Giving
“ … you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7
During services, the offerings collected are our response to “that which God has first given us, ourselves, our time and our possessions.”
Gifts to the church – whether of money, talent or time – are a response to God’s love and central role in our lives. As members of Christ’s church on earth, we happily accept our responsibilities as stewards of the gifts we have received through grace.
Guests are invited to join in such offerings, which are an outward expression of faith and a demonstration of obedience and commitment to God.
Stewardship update
Our 2010 stewardship campaign is winding down. The Stewardship Committee is grateful for each of the 297 commitment cards weve received thus far. So far, 285 households have made a financial commitment. Of those, 82 percent have either increased their pledge or kept it the same as this year, and 12 households indicated they were not able to make a financial commitment at this time but offered an intent of financial support.
However, we are concerned that 50 percent of our member households have not yet responded.
Your response is important, whatever your response may be. Our operating and ministry expense budget, to be approved by the congregation in January, is based on responses to the stewardship campaign.
During these tough economic times, we understand you may be reluctant to commit to something that you may not be able to fulfill. However, without your response, we worry we might prepare an operating and ministry expense budget that does not have a reasonable chance of being supported by our members' giving.
If you have not yet responded, please take a second to send a brief e-mail to Marj Stevenson at marjs@saintsonhigh.org and let her know your financial intent.
Year-end giving
Many church members make contributions at the end of the year. According to IRS rulings, charitable contributions must be claimed in the year in which they are delivered or mailed (postmarked). In following these guidelines, all contributions received or mailed in 2009 (or postmarked 2009) will be recorded on 2009 statements. All contributions sent on or after Jan. 1, 2010 must be recorded as 2010 contributions.
Support Committee: Financial Update
Bob Tobbe, Chair
One of the stated values of All Saints is faithful giving. With that value is a responsibility on the part of the stewards of your gifts to share with you the financial position of our church.
First, I’d like to update you on the current year. In January, the congregation approved a budget, as recommended by Congregation Council, in which operating expenses exceed anticipated income by $36,000, a deficit. Based on projected income of $1 million and expenses of $1,036,000, the Support Committee and Council recommended the plan because, if the deficit came about, we had limited operating cash reserves carried over from 2008.
How are we doing? Through 10 months of 2009, income of $759,000 is at anticipated levels and expenses of $772,000 are 4 percent lower than budget, netting to a deficit of $13,000. If we continue to meet or even exceed budgeted income in November and December, we forecast that the deficit will be much smaller than the $36,000 in the budget and hope that it will be zero. Given the adverse economy that has affected many of our members with job loss and salary reductions, our congregation’s financial position has remained stable. We are thankful. On behalf of the staff, Support Committee and Council, I want to thank everyone for their faithful giving of time, talents and treasures.
The budget process for next year is well along. The Support Committee has met to review the initial expense requests for 2010. The committee sees a continued tough economy affecting our members. With the economic unknowns and many stewardship campaign pledge cards still outstanding, the committee, at this point in the process, felt that a prudent spending plan should be based on a level of income no higher than 2009. The committee also agreed that if 2009 ends in a significant deficit that the 2010 spending plan needs to be balanced with anticipated income, because we will have used the operating cash reserves.
The initial 2010 budget requests totaled $1,000,066 of expenses. This preliminary number does not contain salary increases. As was the case in 2009, this proposal has funding for two full-time pastors and a part-time visitation pastor. Increases over 2009 are for such costs as employee medical benefits, the call process and training time for a replacement director of administration, as Marj Stevenson plans to retire in December 2010.
A balanced budget at current income levels will require reductions of $50,000 to 60,000 from the initial requests. The staff and Support Committee are in the process of reviewing proposed expenses and identifying line items that can be reduced with minimal impact to ministries. Possible reductions would come from the areas of benevolence, programs/ministries, and special music programs.
At this point, the budget is a work in progress. The Council’s final recommendation will come in January.
We pray to our Lord to keep our faith in Him from wavering and ask that he guide us to be wise stewards of his treasures.
Giving opportunities
All Saints funds its many ministries, which range from worship services within our building to Global Mission, through the generous offerings of members. In addition, All Saints provides support to the Evangelical Church in America and puts aside a portion of offerings as benevolence for the ministries of other Christian organizations.
Operating and Benevolence Giving
These funds are used for day-to-day operation of programs and facilities and compensation for staff. Twelve percent of monies received are designated for benevolence giving for support of ministries outside All Saints.
Each fall, members are asked for a prayerful response to our stewardship campaign, as the Congregational Council looks ahead to planning its annual operating budget. This year’s stewardship theme was "Let Your Light So Shine."
Special Gifts
Gifts may be designated for special purposes such as world hunger, disaster response or other needs perceived by the individual or the church. Please note such designations on the offering envelope or check to allow for proper recording.
Simply Giving
This program, offered at no cost through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans allows All Saints donors to transfer funds directly from their bank account to All Saints'. Details on and enrollment can be found here.
Currently, about 55 All Saints families transfer approximately $16,000 each month. These payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from the contributor’s bank account. Donors determine the frequency of their automatic gift — weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.
It’s a win-win situation. Donors don’t need to play “catch-up” at year-end or worry about forgotten checkbooks or missed Sunday offerings. All Saints benefits because the program provides more predictable contributions and more efficient bookkeeping. And there is no reason to worry if financial situations change: Authorization to change amounts or terminate withdrawals can be done at any time by notifying the congregation’s Administrative Director or Bookkeeper.
Volunteer opportunities
Ministry extends far beyond the church walls, and All Saints members participate in outreach through participation in programs that affect our local community, our state and our world. In this way, we show God’s love as Jesus commanded.
Members also offer their time and talents through myriad activities closer to home. These opportunities include tasks such as welcoming guests, providing education and guaranteeing that the Sanctuary and Parish Hall are appropriately prepared for worship services.
