This Week, May 19, 2013  

This Sunday - Worship 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday - Adult Forum  

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. in Room 25

Children & Youth Religious Exploration 

To find out what interesting and inspiring things our children and youth are up to, please click here for CYRE News and Notes!     

Next Week, May 26, 2013    

Next Sunday's Service - 10:30 a.m.       

As you know from the meeting held April 14, as well as articles from our Stewardship Team on the progress of our annual pledge drive, our projected pledge income is less than we had hoped for. Our pledge goal was $560,000 and our projection for pledges for next year is $502,500. (As of April 29, 2013) This is about $60,000 short of our pledge goal, and $40,000 less than the pledge commitments we have on file for the current fiscal year.

Such a significant shortfall requires difficult decisions. The Executive Team has crafted a budget which impacts staff and program budgets, but which allows us to maintain effective church operations during FY 13/14, as we develop our long range strategic plan and craft a staffing plan designed to support the goals of that plan.

Some major changes include:

1. Our Honorary Minister of Music position has been changed from a full time position to three-quarter time.
2. The church's contribution to employees' retirement plans has been reduced. All staff participants in the pension plan will receive contributions of 5% of their earnings beginning July 1, 2013. Currently ministers receive 10%, and lay staff receives 8%.
3. All employees who participate in our health insurance plan will receive premium coverage only for the UUA Health Plan High Deductible Plan (80% for the employee, and 50% for dependents). If employees wish to remain on the UUA Health Plan Standard PPO, they will need to pay for the additional premium cost above the rate for the High Deductible plan. Currently, employees may choose which plan to use, and receive the percentage of premium coverage (80% employee, 50% dependents) for either. 
4. Professional expenses have been significantly reduced, overall cut by $8,500 over our approved budget in May 2012.
5. Program budgets have also been reduced. Our largest program budgets, Music and Children's Religious Exploration, have been reduced to 70% of their budgets from the approved budget in May 2012
6. Additional cuts have been made across many areas of the budget.

This is a difficult budget year and difficult choices need to be made. Thank you to the members of the congregation who attended our Budget Reconciliation meeting on May 5. We appreciated everyone's thoughts and ideas. Please attend the Annual Meeting on May 19, right after church, to vote on the budget for next fiscal year.

First Unitarian Church of Wilmington

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Noon in the Sanctuary

Vote on our 2013-14 church budget

(available on our website and in the church office) 

Vote on our Nominees for   

Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee   

(Please click here to read biographies)

Vote on First U Delegates to General Assembly   

Childcare is available!

Please feel free to bring a lunch  

for your child to eat in the Youth Center.

Shop Togs & Treasures tomorrow!  

Ready, set, SHOP! May 18 is Sale Day! Come prepared to shop for some real bargains from 87:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning!   

Today is the last day for donations. We welcome gently used clothing; jewelry; household items; and indoor and outdoor plants, cuttings and seeds. Donations will be accepted today in the Parish Hall. No shoes, books, computers or exercise equipment.  

Volunteers are always welcome!

Children & Youth Religious Exploration

How great would it be to have all current children registered and all teaching teams and other important volunteer jobs filled for next year by the time Catherine returns from sabbatical? What a gift we could give to her!  

Please think about how you would like to help and click here to register your children and/or volunteer to help with CYRE programming.

New from Pastoral Care!

Our new fiscal year begins July 1, and it's not too early to think about what charities and church related social action projects you would like to nominate for one of our monthly special collections. Each month, on the 2nd Sunday, we give our offering to organizations, both in our church and in the outside community.

Is there a group that holds a special place in your heart? Send your nomination to marina@firstuuwilm.org with your name, charity contact info, and a brief summary of the work they do by May 31, 2013. The Executive Team will evaluate the nominees and will contact you to let you know if your submission has been approved.

The following Special Collections are "pre-approved" and included as part of the budget: Emmanuel Dining Room, Grants for Growth, Independent Living for Young Adults and the Faith Center.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013 the First U's Open Heart Zen Sangha will celebrate summer with a wonderful day of meditation practices. A delicious vegetarian potluck lunch will be served. All are welcome regardless of experience. The retreat will be held in the Brunner Chapel from 9-3 and costs $25 (Cash or check made payable to First Unitarian Church of Wilmington). If you plan to attend, please contact Ben Fleury-Steiner by cell phone 302-379-6918 or email openheartzen@gmail.com.