Due to the generosity of our members and the hard work of a budget team, the Leadership Team will be presenting a budget to our annual meeting that allows our ministry to continue growing even amidst a tight economy.
Staffing: The Leadership Team recognizes the hard work and dedication of our entire staff. Each of them operates in a professional manner and contributes to a creative, caring, community. Several of them balance their part time work with many other important commitments in their lives. We also recognize the importance and gift of a stable pastoral staff. Winton Boyd is beginning his 14th year as our senior pastor, Tammy Martens her 6th year working as Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Families, and Ken Pennings is well into his third year as Associate for Congregational Life. For a couple of years, the Leadership Team has recognized that Tammy has been working more hours than the half time salary we pay her. For over a year, the Leadership Team has had a goal of raising Tammy’s compensation to match her time. This year’s budget takes a beginning step with the plan to pay her for 2/3 time beginning in September 2012. While it does not represent a pay raise (we regret that none of the staff will be getting a pay raise this year), it does represent a commitment to fairness and to supporting this growing program. Although there will be no additional cost to the church, Tammy Martens will also be taking a three month sabbatical during the months of May, June, and July. All of our pastors are granted the option of three month sabbatical every five years. Winton Boyd and Ken Pennings will work with each other and our lay leadership to ensure a smooth transition into and out of Tammy’s sabbatical.
Programs: While our programs represent the core of our ministry to one another and to the wider community, we will be asking staff and Ministries to work with an across the board cut (approximately 10% in discretionary program budgets). While regretful, the Leadership Team felt this was necessary in order to maintain a full staff, a responsible commitment to our building and a dedication to mission outreach. Decisions about how the program budgets will be cut will be left to the Ministries.
Mission Outreach: Our overall commitment to mission outreach continues at a high level. In addition to our budgeted monies, the Ministry of Christian Witness will continue to facilitate our monthly compassion offerings, our occasional fundraiser for outreach, our Fair Trade Sale, and our in kind and hands on support throughout the community. In addition, 2012 will see the beginning of our Major Mission Gift initiative (if approved at the annual meeting), which will represent the single largest gift the church has ever given and will involve planning, collaboration with partners in the Commonwealth Initiative, and a growing commitment on the part of the congregation as the proposal is fully implemented.
Building and Long term financial stability: As we wrap up our Seeds of the Next Generation building project, more responsibility will be shifted back to the Ministry of Resources as we attend to issues not covered in our campaign and monitor new realities with the building. In addition, the Ministry of Resources has made a renewed commitment to strengthen our endowment and planned giving program, to update and clarify our use of memorial funds, and to seek additional lease income from our remodeled building.
It is with joy and hope that we look forward to 2012. The Leadership Team appreciates your continued support and is open to your questions. A full proposed budget will be available on Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Mary Bucknell, Moderator
Rich Hamann, Moderator Elect
Winton Boyd, Senior Pastor
