Gratefully, thus far for 2010, our revenues from pledges,offerings and endowment are covering our
operating expenses. As of May 31st,
we have $340,000 in revenue and $330,000 in expenses.
However, the next few months will be challenging. In June, July and August, our cash flow dips
dramatically as people are away. We are
already experiencing this dip in June.
If you have made a financial pledge to the Christ Church for 2010, I
ask on behalf of our Vestry and staff that you keep it current during these summer months. You are able to view the progress on your
pledge on our secure, confidential, password-protected website. If you contributed financially to Christ Church, but
have not made a formal pledge, you can also check on what you have given to
date on
this web page.
Instructions
on accessing these web pages are
below.
From this same web page, you may contribute electronically by bank draft or credit card, and set up recurring
contributions if you wish. Of course, we prefer you to make your contributions the old fashioned way--putting them in the offering plate on Sunday morning. But if summer plans are taking you away, online giving may be convenient. Again, it is all secure and confidential. The U.S. Mail does the trick, too.
Not only do we need to meet the challenge of cash flow during the summer, we will need to secure an additional $35,000 in revenue that has not yet been pledged for 2010.
If you have not made a pledge to Christ Church in 2010, now is the time. Pledge cards are still available at the church, but you may also pledge by phone or email (instructions below).
What will your
pledge for the remainder of 2010 help make possible?
- Equipping our new full-time Director of Music,
Parker Kitterman, who begins August 15, with the resources for new music,
special instrumentalists and singers for worship, and ongoing care and
maintenance of our organ.
- Outfitting and staffing two new atrium
classrooms and a new nursery for our church school in the newly configured
Neighborhood House that is now safe, welcoming and accessible.
- Coordinating for the next school year our
successful hands-on tutoring program that will put 35 volunteers from the
congregation in the local charter high school throughout the year, making a
measurable difference in the lives of students.
- Supporting mission congregations in the region's
most difficult neighborhoods that are providing food, shelter, job training and
hope.
- Purchasing the food served in our shelter meals
program in Old City and our sandwich program for St. Mary's .
- Providing meeting space for 12-step programs
like AA and NA six days a week in our Neighborhood House
- Supporting worship for parishioner and visitor
alike that is joyful, welcoming and transforming.
Each day, I hear of another church or charity that is
creating a sense of dire panic over finances, pleading for people to give, or
else! I refuse to play that card. Yes, 2010 is the most financially challenging
year in my eleven year tenure at Christ Church, and I expect 2011 to be just as
tough. Certainly, if we do not meet our
budget, we will have to make reductions. Still, I remain confident that we will secure $35,000 in
new and additional pledges and gifts by the end of the year.
Am I worried? No. The members and friends of Christ Church are faithful stewards of this
church that is a beacon to the city, the nation and the world. Our people give out of their gratitude for
the many blessings that God has bestowed, and we are a people who are generous
even amidst financial challenges. Yes,
we need an inflow of cash to make it through the summer, and additional pledges, but I believe trust to be a spiritual gift best used
at the current moment.
