July 2022
Dear Church Family,
With summer upon us, the Finance Committee has a bit of a mixed report at midyear on the
financial position of the church. As of June 30, giving toward the Unified Budget totaled
$239,000, which over the first six months is a 4.8% increase over 2021! This reflects giving
levels seen only once (2019) at midyear since before the Great Recession. Thank you for your
increased support! Unfortunately, this revenue fell $12,000 short of actual expenses for the first
half of the year. The difference was made up by consuming some of our fund balance which
ended June at $106,500. Therefore, an increase in giving to the Unified Budget is needed to
keep up with the expenses actually being incurred and budgeted for 2022.
A similar theme has been identified regarding the “Building Fund.” Over the years “extra mile”
giving has remained strong toward the retirement of our remaining debt that was needed to
complete various projects including the parking lot, steeple, and Main Street façade. When that
debt was refinanced to modernize the windows, heating, and cooling for the Educational Unit
the monthly payments increased and began eating into the fund’s balance. Giving to the
Building Fund through June 30 totaled $9,000 and the church’s mortgage payments are now
just over $2,000 per month. Therefore, additional giving to the Building Fund is needed as well.
While it is discouraging that revenue is falling behind expenses at midyear, the truth is that it is
not falling behind by very much! On a percentage basis the deficits are small and we have
experienced the ebbs and flows of giving over the years. These current gaps are soon made up
because generous people like you are making a difference in the lives of others. We see your
generosity in a multitude of other categories in the church’s financial reports. We see you giving
above and beyond to missions, world hunger, the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, VBS, and church
camps. FUMER is a vibrant, caring fellowship of believers with the resources to stay on a
steady financial course including our Unified Budget and Building Fund. We’re almost there!
Summer is traditionally a time when churches experience a decline in attendance and with it a
falloff in giving. Fortunately, this has never been a serious problem at First Church. We
encourage you to attend and give online when you cannot be on site. But remember that
regardless of whether you are in the pew on Sunday or not, the church’s operating expenses
continue every day, the ministries go on, and the missionaries are still in the field. In addition,
resources are needed now to assure things happen in the fall. Staff and volunteers are busily
meeting to plan important activities like the Fall Kick-Off, Sunday School, the community Block
Party, the children’s musical, and small group life. Your financial support is what makes it all
happen. Thank you for being generous with what God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair
Dear Church Family,
With summer upon us, the Finance Committee has a bit of a mixed report at midyear on the
financial position of the church. As of June 30, giving toward the Unified Budget totaled
$239,000, which over the first six months is a 4.8% increase over 2021! This reflects giving
levels seen only once (2019) at midyear since before the Great Recession. Thank you for your
increased support! Unfortunately, this revenue fell $12,000 short of actual expenses for the first
half of the year. The difference was made up by consuming some of our fund balance which
ended June at $106,500. Therefore, an increase in giving to the Unified Budget is needed to
keep up with the expenses actually being incurred and budgeted for 2022.
A similar theme has been identified regarding the “Building Fund.” Over the years “extra mile”
giving has remained strong toward the retirement of our remaining debt that was needed to
complete various projects including the parking lot, steeple, and Main Street façade. When that
debt was refinanced to modernize the windows, heating, and cooling for the Educational Unit
the monthly payments increased and began eating into the fund’s balance. Giving to the
Building Fund through June 30 totaled $9,000 and the church’s mortgage payments are now
just over $2,000 per month. Therefore, additional giving to the Building Fund is needed as well.
While it is discouraging that revenue is falling behind expenses at midyear, the truth is that it is
not falling behind by very much! On a percentage basis the deficits are small and we have
experienced the ebbs and flows of giving over the years. These current gaps are soon made up
because generous people like you are making a difference in the lives of others. We see your
generosity in a multitude of other categories in the church’s financial reports. We see you giving
above and beyond to missions, world hunger, the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, VBS, and church
camps. FUMER is a vibrant, caring fellowship of believers with the resources to stay on a
steady financial course including our Unified Budget and Building Fund. We’re almost there!
Summer is traditionally a time when churches experience a decline in attendance and with it a
falloff in giving. Fortunately, this has never been a serious problem at First Church. We
encourage you to attend and give online when you cannot be on site. But remember that
regardless of whether you are in the pew on Sunday or not, the church’s operating expenses
continue every day, the ministries go on, and the missionaries are still in the field. In addition,
resources are needed now to assure things happen in the fall. Staff and volunteers are busily
meeting to plan important activities like the Fall Kick-Off, Sunday School, the community Block
Party, the children’s musical, and small group life. Your financial support is what makes it all
happen. Thank you for being generous with what God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair