November 28, 2012

To: Rostered Leaders, Congregations, and Treasurers of the Lower Susquehanna Synod

Dear Co-Laborers with Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and his Son, the child of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ.

As we begin this season of our Advent pilgrimage, we write to you on a matter of some urgency in our life and ministry together. Over the past several months since our synod assembly in June, you have received information from the synod treasurer of the downward trend in mission support for the life and ministry that we share in Lower Susquehanna. Looking forward to the new fiscal year that begins on February 1, 2013, the synod council is already realizing that a spending authorization that will reduce the overall budget for 2013 will no doubt be necessary. As you have already been informed, the bishop has eliminated one ordained staff position for the coming fiscal year and spending has been closely and very responsibly monitored by the staff.

At this time, however, mission support received for synodical ministry for 2012 is not enough to meet our regular operating expenses, which have already been decreased by a spending authorization. All of you in Synod Assembly in 2011 voted for a $3,500,000 budget. We now project receipts to be $2,800,000. We are forced to borrow from unrestricted reserve funds to support the day-to-day ministry of the Synod. This is not a situation that is desirable or sustainable. In the light of this fiscal reality, we ask you, the rostered leaders and congregations of this Synod to prayerfully consider your response.

A special gift above and beyond your regular mission support. In this season of giving, we ask you to consider a special congregational or individual gift of mission support to sustain the ministry of this Synod.

An early submission of your regular mission support before the end of the fiscal year. By making your year-end contribution of mission support before the end of the year, you will help to alleviate the cash flow difficulty that confronts us now.

Special prayers for our ministry together. Include in your prayers the ministry of the whole church, especially on the territory of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, that our life together may be enriched by the power of the Holy Spirit and that, as one church called together by Christ, we may be strengthened in our witness and work for the sake of the gospel.

It is our prayer that the coming of the Christ Child may open our hearts to receive his grace and that he may bind us ever more closely to him and to one another.

Faithfully yours,

+B. Penrose Hoover, bishop                                        Lucinda L. Bringman, synod vice president

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