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We are so grateful for the wonderful growth our church has experienced. Through the faithful leadership of our Pastor, the dedication of our Director of Faith Formation, and the inspiring ministry of our music team, our congregation continues to grow in both numbers and faith. It is a blessing to welcome new members, strengthen relationships, and see God's work flourishing among us.

As our congregation grows, so do the costs of supporting the many programs, services and ministries our church offers.  In addition, the costs of maintaining our historic church building continue to rise. Together, these increasing expenses have resulted in a budget deficit for the third consecutive year.

To provide some perspective, our weekly bulletin recently reported year-to-date income of $83,749, which at first glance appears to be keeping pace with our budget.  However, that total includes approximately $12,000 from annual pledge payments received earlier than anticipated and designated fundraising for the Youth Mission Trip. Excluding those amounts, operating income is approximately $72,000, compared to a six-month budget of $83,000—a shortfall of about $11,000. Meanwhile, year-to-date operating expenses totaling approximately $85,000, include a 17% increase in heating costs and about $5,000 in unbudgeted building maintenance.

To help reduce the shortfall, our Pastor has graciously offered to forgo two weeks of salary through unpaid time off. While this generous offer reflects his servant's heart and dedication, we believe it is not the direction we want to take. Our church family is strengthened each week through the faithful preaching of God's Word, compassionate pastoral care, and the leadership our Pastor provides. We want to ensure that this vital ministry continues without interruption.

Instead, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you can help meet this need. If you already make a financial pledge, thank you for your faithful generosity. If you are able, please consider increasing your pledge, beginning one if you have not yet done so, or making a special one-time gift.

Every gift, regardless of size, helps sustain our ministries, supports our growing church family, and brings us closer to a balanced budget. Thank you for your faithfulness, generosity, and commitment to the mission God has entrusted to our congregation. Together, with God's guidance, we can continue to grow in faith and serve our community for years to come.

Cheri Carty, Church Treasurer