FUMC Ann Arbor: Serving Through Generosity
A Financial Update - January 2012
A lot of work and ministry was done in 2011. We did spend about $40,000 more than we brought in on the operating budget, but there was also about $45,000 of pledge commitments that people weren’t able to keep. So, kudos to our finance team who so accurately can forecast our financial position.
The reality is that we need to carry $20,000 of that deficit into the 2012 operating budget. The finance committee also had to struggle with developing a 2012 budget that would again accurately estimate our projected income. To do so, they had to eliminate over $100,000 from the proposed budget. The vast majority of those cuts came from the Trustees budget. The problem with that is that Trustees have a remaining budget that covers just the basic utilities and maintenance; and yet we have some major structural issues that need to be addressed this year.
We also have a mortgage that comes due this year. It is the perfect opportunity to reduce the principal as much as we can with the potential of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.
So here is the bottom line: Leadership Council set our 2012 operating budget at $1,368,622. This is made possible because of your generosity and is an accurate projection of funds we expect to receive. But over $100,000 of structural work that needs to be done is not included and we hope to greatly reduce our mortgage this year.
Therefore, we will work hard these next few months to articulate, inform and raise the extra funds we need to be good stewards of our ministry and buildings. This church has always been generous. We regularly raise over $200,000 a year outside of our operating budget to fund mission and ministry beyond ourselves. That is a wonderful legacy we wish to continue. And, this year, we also need to work hard on the “base camp” so that we may continue to move out into the world with the grace of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Doug Paterson
When we return a portion of our financial blessings to God through our tithes and offerings, we invest in God’s vision and mission, and we create an opportunity for God to work through us and through our church. This commitment represents a tangible opportunity to worship and serve God through generosity.
During October and November of 2011, video presentations of various ministry areas will be shared with the congregation:
October 9 - Mission Service, Near and Far
October 16 - Staff = Ministry
October 23 - Community Building
October 30 - Preparing the Next Generation
November 6 - Where We Gather
We ask that everyone make a commitment, even if you can only make a limited financial contribution at this time. You can always increase or decrease your commitment if your situation changes by calling the church office.
New this year is an online commitment form. If you have questions regarding this form, please call Marty Javornisky at (734) 662-4536.
