A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CHURCH COUNCIL

Dear Friends

Thank you for supporting the Shared Response Appeal held during May for our financial shortfall. To date we raised $70,000 in one off gifts and increased pledges. It was wonderful to see over one third of all responses came from the 7pm congregation and we have 17 new financial partners. Praise God!!

As part of the Shared Response we have also identified $35,000 in cost savings, excluding any staff changes.

Following the Shared Response Appeal, this is our estimated financial situation
Revised Estimated Deficit to Dec 09    ($170,000)
Congregational Support                             $70.000
Cost Savings                                                $35,000
Estimated Deficit remaining                    ($65,000)

At our recent meeting of Church Council we re-affirmed our desire to support
our Missions partners at the budgeted level and to balance our income and
expenditure without going into debt. This means that we must meet the
estimated budget deficit of $65,000.

Church Council now has a number of options to consider which include:

• Holding another Shared Response Appeal, which would involve:

    - Asking all congregations to contribute financially: and

    - Making further cost savings by reviewing our ministry staff arrangements on a permanent or short term basis.

• Using the surplus of $28,000 from the Growing to Serve Capital Appeal for general ministry – as all the projects we committed to have been completed.

The response to the May appeal will carry us through to August, providing there is no further deterioration in our income. We will keep our finances under close review and we will keep you informed.

Thank you if you have already given to the May appeal. If you have not given, then please prayerfully and carefully consider your response.
You will find envelopes in the foyer or download a response slip here.

May we keep the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ firmly in our hearts.

Paul 

Paul Perini on behalf of Church Council, May 2009