From the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

Everyone can see, in their daily life, the impact of inflation and higher costs. Everything seems to require way more money than it should. Cars that were $20,000.00 a few years ago are $40,000.00 now. Houses that were $300,000.00 are $500,000.00 now. The costs of food, lumber, tools, and more are all much higher than they used to be.

Just like household expenses, the church’s expenses have seen a similar spike. Utilities, basic goods like paper and ink, as well as the cost of labor for necessary projects have all increased substantially. This campus, which we all love, is a complicated and increasingly expensive inheritance for us to care for.

As the Vestry and I completed our mid-year financial review, it became apparent that we were at risk of a serious shortfall this year of around 10% of our budget—a loss between $150,000.00 and $200,000.00.

In the past, such cost overruns would have been absorbed by reserves. However, these overages have come at a time when we’re also still dealing with the aftermath of COVID. Since the pandemic, churches around the country have reported about a 35% decline in attendance. We too have been similarly impacted and do not have the bandwidth in our reserves to continue to absorb such costs.

I am pleased (and grateful) to report that an initial round of requests for additional support from a number of givers has resulted in an additional $120,000.00 to help offset this loss. I can’t begin to express how thankful I am to those who continue to be so generous in supporting life here.

I imagine that others would like to be part of this work, which we’re calling “Close the Gap,” to help ensure minimal disruption to our worship and programming. If you’d like to give—and I hope everyone will—you can participate by clicking this link and selecting “Close the Gap” from the dropdown menu.

The Vestry, Finance Committee, and Staff are all looking at the budget for the coming year and taking into account the increases in costs we’re all becoming too familiar with in our daily lives. We’re looking for places to achieve savings—and we’re also looking at different ways to increase revenue.

In these uncertain and strange times, I can’t begin to say how much it means that our giving has been stable and steadily growing. Unfortunately (and frustratingly) expenses and costs have run faster. I hope you’ll consider helping us address this year’s challenge and know that we are taking active steps to avert a similar challenge next year.

In year’s past, such a surprise would have come at the end of the year when it was too late to do anything to address it. I’m grateful for new processes and procedures (not to mention countless hours from lay leaders and staff) to help us make this projection while we can still choose how to respond.

In a bygone era, such a shortfall would have been “fixed” with the Rector calling a few well-heeled people and quietly balancing the budget. I think it’s a healthier thing for us all to be aware of the financial picture and for us all to take ownership in addressing it. I believe that’s the only way to achieve a stable and sustainable financial picture.

The first Rector I worked for used to say, “If you’re not at the edge of bankruptcy then you’re not stretching hard enough for the Gospel!” There’s a kernel of truth there—we use the generosity you all give to change lives, to comfort those in need, to serve the community, and to worship the Lord with all the beauty human beings can make together.

We stretch here—and I’m grateful for that—and I want to ensure we have a broad, stable base from which we can always reach and strive for the Kingdom.

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Robert