With sadness at the shrinking percentage (estimated at 8%) of
Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) dollars we are able to forward
to the national setting of the United Church of Christ, on June
12, 2004 we passed the proposed budget for 2005.
We estimate approximately $1,200,000 in revenue and expense in
2005 - of which approximately 80% will come from OCWM - the gifts
made by local churches to fund the work of the New York Conference
and the national setting. Expenses are approximately:
- 60% - Staff Salaries, Benefits and Travel
- 8% - Office Expense
- 10% - General Ministries Expense, including Annual Meeting
- 7% of total expense - Support for National Setting
- 10% - Local Church Ministries
- 4% - Wider Church Ministries
- 1% - Justice and Witness Ministries
In a budget hearing on June 11, 2004 , Carol Giordano explained
some of the details of the budget. Carol is Minister for Stewardship,
Management and Development for the New York Conference.
The New York Conference was able to pay its share ($47,000) of
the God is Still Speaking campaign by drawing on the income from
undesignated endowments.
Our Annual Meetings have been able to operate at break even - fees
cover expenses.
Revenue in 2003 was enhanced by a bequest and a grant. The grant
provides extra funding for churches with less than 200 members
and annual budgets of less than $150,000. This funding is being
used to hire buses to bring upstate persons to the Annual Meeting
in New York City , to help youth attend the National Youth Event,
to provide support for pastors' sabbaticals and continuing education,
and for church revitalization. Carol will be writing other grants,
targeting opportunities provided by the national setting and by
foundations.
The Conference Commission on Stewardship has been active in promoting
the Strengthen the Church offering - efforts which have increasing
giving. The Conference also has initiated an annual Lenten appeal
to support its work.
Carol pointed out that giving by local churches to OCWM has decreased
as they have faced a tough economy and the need to invest in their
own aging buildings. "We are making an investment in the Conference
staff in the hope of building up our local churches," Carol said.
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