Stewardship
We're Better Together
We are rejoicing, yet again, in God's blessing and gracious provision. Like so many churches, we did not receive the full amount of giving that was budgeted. However, we were able to pay salaries and bills as they came due. This was possible through the faithful giving of our congregation as well as our leaders holding back on expenses whenever possible and leaving some staff positions unfilled.
As we look back at 2009, we have much to celebrate. We continued with Worship and Sunday School two hours and merged to one service for the summer. We held the Alpha Course, hosted a Presbytery of the Redwoods meeting, held Session training in "Healthy Congregations," held a Women's Retreat, moved the Nursery from Agape House to the newly renovated CE Wing and renovated the rest of the CE Wing for Sunday School and Happy Day use. The Youth Group served on a Mission Trip to the Kashia Rancheria. We hired three gifted individuals to fill essential positions: Ruth-Ann Gilstrap as Happy Day Director, Grete Hansen as Sunday School Coordinator and Kay Fish as Choir Coordinator. We also fulfilled our pledge to denominational mission and most other organizations we support.
All this is possible because of God's blessing of our congregation and the congregation's faithful giving, week after week. Thank you for doing your part for God's Kingdom work, in Petaluma.
We face another year of uncertainty. The financial commitments we have received thus far are indicating that we need to cut back our budget, just as we did the 2009 budget. This will affect staffing, programs, mission and facilities. I don't believe this is what God wants for our church and I don't think our congregation wants that.
If you have made your financial commitment (card) and you are giving a tithe of your income already, please accept our tremendous gratitude. If you have not made a financial commitment, please do so. If you are not yet tithing, I encourage you to take a bold step of faith towards that goal and let us know; fill out a financial commitment card with a higher amount. And always, please continue to give as God has blessed you - and as you expect God to prosper you in the weeks and months to come.
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." - 2 Corinthians 9:6
You can download financial commitment card on our website: www.petalumafirst.com/stew. Then communicate any changes in plans to Kathy Francone. She is in the office Wednesday afternoons and Fridays. You can call her directly or leave a confidential voicemail message at this number: 707-762-8275. Or send an email.
Thank you for actively participating in God's mission through First Presbyterian Church. We are praying for God’s blessing on you, your home and our church in this new year.
Yours in Christ,
David Weidlich
Pastor
November 9, 2009
Dear Church,
We recently finished 40 Days of Community as a church. We talked about how we are better together when we work to achieve God's purposes for us. We worship better together. We serve God better together. Fellowship is sweeter together. We reach our world better when we reach out together. It's also true when it comes to stewardship of our resources; we are better together. God's work cannot be supported by a few members or even a lot. It takes all of us, responding together to God's call.
Each year, we ask our members and regular attendees to make a prayerful commitment to give to God's work in our church. This helps our Session make spending plans for the coming year. More importantly, it gives each of us an opportunity to reflect on the ways God has blessed us throughout this year and reconsider our participation in the financial support of the church and its ministries.
Some think this is a really tough time to be faithful stewards of financial resources. The truth is, it has never been easy, even in times of national economic prosperity. We can't expect that it will be easy in the coming year. However, we can be confident than when we take faithful steps of obedience to God's Word, God blesses us far more than we often expect or deserve. We know God stands ready to bless you in the coming year. This is not a wishful economic prediction. Our confident hope is in God's promises. Here's one promise that applies this coming year as much as any.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6: 38
Enclosed, you will find a commitment card, which will help you communicate your giving plans, confidentially, so the Session can effectively plan for the coming year. Please prayerfully consider your participation in God's work and bring your card to worship. We hope you will be in one of the worship services this Sunday, Nov. 15. We will be talking about how we show our love for God and renounce the hollow gods of materialism and selfishness when we give to God's work. We will also receive financial commitment cards for 2010. This will help us confirm our faith-decisions about giving, as stewards together. We would like to receive your card by November 15. But, we'll be happy to receive as soon as you are ready.
Be assured, we respect your right to confidentiality, accountability and participation in the budget process. We pray that God will bless you as you remain faithful. We are grateful to be your servants.
Yours in Christ,
Dave Weidlich Eric Goodrich
Pastor Elder for Budget, Finance and Stewardship
Financial Highlights for 2009:
Accomplishments for 2009:
- 2009 was the first full year of our restructured ministry work, which now includes Stewardship education and monitoring the Endowment Fund. This year, in addition to our traditional responsibility of managing the finances of the church, we put particular emphasis on the development and implementation of a year round Stewardship education ministry, which included monthly articles in the Bridge and recognition of Stewards each month.
- The 2009 Annual Financial Review of our books was completed in November by Dave DeVoto, CPA.
- $7,500 was paid on our mortgage principal with the Synod loan (Bridge to the Future), in addition to our regular monthly principal and interest payments.
- Quarterly and year-end giving statements were sent to all donors.
- In October, we entered into a 90 trial period to test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of offering FPC donors the opportunity to make contributions by debit/credit cards. Evaluation of this program is set for the end of January 2010.
- Provided monthly financial reports to the Session.
- Managed the annual Stewardship “Commitment/Pledge” campaign to raise funds for the 2010 General Fund budget.
- Submitted to the Session a budget, which reflects a significant shortfall in pledges to the Operations/General Fund for 2010 when compared to 2009.
General Fund (Operations) (rev 1/22)
1. Number of Pledge Units for 2009:----------------- 94
2. Pledged income expected------------------- $279,569
3. Pledged income received-------------------- $263,322
4. Total Giving Income------------------------- $306,896
5. Total Other Income---------------------------- $58,820
6. TOTAL Income------------------------------- $365,716
7. Total Expenses-------------------------------- $367,635
8. Opening cash balance--------------------------- $7,467
9. Closing cash balance---------------------------- $5,503
Bridge to the Future (Building Fund)
89 Pledge Units: 3 years beginning April 2007
Total Pledges for 3 years: $499, 605
10. Pledged Income expected per year-------------- $166,535
11. Total Income------------------------------------------ $55,069
12. Total Expense----------------------------------------- $68,621
13. Opening cash balance (checking account)------ $14,308
14. Closing cash balance (checking account)--------- $7,995
15. Opening Mortgage balance----------------------- $325,004
16. Closing Mortgage balance------------------------- $293,464
17. Total Giving 2007 + 2008 + 2009--------------- $282,947
18. Additional Payment on Mortgage Principal----- $7,500
