Thank you for your generous giving in 2023! When everything was tallied up it turned out that
more was given to the Unified Budget in 2023 than in any prior year on record! The total of
$487,300 was 4.7% more than 2022. More importantly, it was just enough to exceed our actual
expenses for the year of $481,600. As a result, we began the new year with a slightly larger Unified
Budget Fund Balance of $73,500. Giving to the Building Fund also continued to hold steady
through 2023, totaling $19,500. Thank you for responding to our concerns last fall and maintaining
or increasing your support to keep pace with the increasing costs of facilities, ministries, and
missions in 2023!
As you know, your giving to the Unified Budget helps to pay for everything from staff salaries and
benefits to office equipment, online streaming, music royalties, snow removal, and increasing
energy bills. It also includes paying our Ministry Shares as part of our connectional giving as United
Methodists, partnering to make a difference locally and around the world. Gifts to the Building
Fund help pay down the church’s mortgage for past capital improvements and help fund present
and future ones as well.
We are excited moving forward into 2024! We are encouraged by both the strong finish to 2023
and your resolve to give sacrificially in the months ahead, as reflected in last fall’s annual
stewardship commitments. Your growing financial support is making possible the foundation that
is taking shape for real growth and sustainability in our congregation. This can be seen in the
important additions to the staff to include a Discipleship Director, Youth Director, and Director of
Casual Worship. Together with Pastor Melany and Brenda Austin, we believe FUMER is well-
positioned for all the new possibilities that the new year brings!
The extent of your continued and growing financial support is both humbling and appreciated. It
speaks volumes of your faith in God and your commitment to his work through First Church. Thank
you for being generous with all that God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair
more was given to the Unified Budget in 2023 than in any prior year on record! The total of
$487,300 was 4.7% more than 2022. More importantly, it was just enough to exceed our actual
expenses for the year of $481,600. As a result, we began the new year with a slightly larger Unified
Budget Fund Balance of $73,500. Giving to the Building Fund also continued to hold steady
through 2023, totaling $19,500. Thank you for responding to our concerns last fall and maintaining
or increasing your support to keep pace with the increasing costs of facilities, ministries, and
missions in 2023!
As you know, your giving to the Unified Budget helps to pay for everything from staff salaries and
benefits to office equipment, online streaming, music royalties, snow removal, and increasing
energy bills. It also includes paying our Ministry Shares as part of our connectional giving as United
Methodists, partnering to make a difference locally and around the world. Gifts to the Building
Fund help pay down the church’s mortgage for past capital improvements and help fund present
and future ones as well.
We are excited moving forward into 2024! We are encouraged by both the strong finish to 2023
and your resolve to give sacrificially in the months ahead, as reflected in last fall’s annual
stewardship commitments. Your growing financial support is making possible the foundation that
is taking shape for real growth and sustainability in our congregation. This can be seen in the
important additions to the staff to include a Discipleship Director, Youth Director, and Director of
Casual Worship. Together with Pastor Melany and Brenda Austin, we believe FUMER is well-
positioned for all the new possibilities that the new year brings!
The extent of your continued and growing financial support is both humbling and appreciated. It
speaks volumes of your faith in God and your commitment to his work through First Church. Thank
you for being generous with all that God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair