Growing Through Giving!

 

 

 

 As you know, Saint Andrew’s has, and will continue to transform the lives of others.  It is through your ongoing physical, spiritual and financial generosity that we not only continue to provide vital ministries but have been able to grow them as well.

 

At a time when many churches are struggling to just to stay open, Saint Andrews has been able to grow our parish size, increase our inreach and outreach programs, and also to be financially stable due to your faith, devotion and generosity.

 

As you read this letter, we ask that you reflect upon how Saint Andrew’s has touched your life and how through Saint Andrew’s you have been able to touch the lives of others.  As you reflect, please prayerfully consider, in addition to your generous donations of time and talent, your ability to support Saint Andrew’s through a pledge.

 

 

 

Transforming Lives

 

Our studies show that the activities supported by our budget fall into the categories and percentages below.  Last year, it took more than $500,000 to pay our bills and perform all our inreach and outreach ministries.  We also know that in addition to dollars, the members of St. Andrew’s annually contribute an amazing 14,000 hours of their time to over 75 volunteer activities and committees supporting this ministry.

 

From a practical standpoint the budget includes the traditional categories of utilities, salaries, supplies, etc. Looking at the “values” received or the ministry activities supported by the budget is another way to appreciate that without the “engine” of the building, salaries, etc., we as a parish could not support the work or ministry we accomplish.

 

If you think about it, where could you invest your dollar with a greater return for the good of your fellow parishioners and the community?

 

Growing our budget to further enrich and transform lives

 

The 2012 proposed budget is $546,000; this represents an increase of $36,000 (7.9%) over this year’s budget of $510,000. Much of the growth in the 2012 budget is attributable to growing costs that we must account for in 2012.  Presently, most of the budgeted items for 2012 remain close to the 2011 budget amounts.  Should we grow our budget beyond an increase of $36,000, we would further be able to support our various programs at higher levels.

 

Key cost increases that we must account for in 2012:

 

•           $27,000 in operating expenses to cover several increases

•           $4,000 to provide modest staff  increases of 2%

•           $11,000 to meet diocesan minimums for full time salary and benefits,

•           $9,000 for audit expense, additional bookkeeper hours, and office supplies,

•           $7,000 in building expenses including increased electricity for the air conditioning.

•           $5,000 to cover four buildings and grounds projects which have been postponed 

 

In order to meet these minimal growth objectives we are asking that if you currently pledge, to please consider a comparable increase. 

 

If you are new or haven’t pledged in the past, we ask that you please prayerfully consider doing so….it takes ALL of us!

 

How can you help?

 

Please complete the Saint Andrew's Church pledge card - Click HERE for a PDF file of the card.

 

 

We are working hard to control expenses and achieve our growth objectives as listed above but the final budget will be based on actual pledges.

 

In addition to the pledge for the annual operating budget, we ask that you consider pledges for the building maintenance fund and for mortgage reduction. Amounts contributed to the building maintenance fund are used to cover large unexpected expenditures such as a new refrigerator or a major heating repair. Amounts contributed to mortgage reduction will be used to prepay our mortgage; a long term goal is to eliminate the mortgage as this would free budget dollars to increase our ministry activities. When fulfilling these pledges, please indicate “building maintenance” or “mortgage reduction” on the check.

 

We thank you in advance for pledging.