October 2024
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your faithful giving to the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids! Your financial support is making so many exciting things happen to further God’s work in our community. Here are a few examples from just this fall:
These things, and so much more, happen because of the enthusiastic expertise of our staff and the excellent
facilities we have to provide ministry.
But as you know, like everything else the costs of staff and facilities continue to rise. While we budgeted for
those increased costs going into the year, we are concerned because without a corresponding increase in
giving to the Unified Budget we cannot pay those rising expenses. Specifically, the total Unified Budget through September called for spending of $419,500. But through September only $340,000 was received. While this is only 2% lower than the same period last year and about on par with the past three years, it is not enough to keep up with the rising costs of maintaining our outstanding staff and excellent facilities. Fortunately, due to careful spending and austerity measures, only $380,500 in actual expenses were incurred. The shortfall of $40,500 was made up by drawing down our reserves which took the Unified Fund Balance down to $33,000 as of October 1.
In our April and July letters we expressed concern about this apparent plateauing in giving that is causing us to consume our Unified Fund Balance to pay expenses. We know from years past that giving will increase toward the end of the year which should keep us out of the red for 2024. However, FUMER needs an increase in revenue to keep up with the rising costs of sustaining the programs, missions, and ministries of our church into 2025 and beyond.
As you know, giving to the Unified Budget helps to pay for the basics like staff salaries and benefits, building
maintenance, office equipment, online streaming, music and video licenses, and energy bills. It also includes
paying 100% of our Ministry Shares at both the Conference and District levels as part of our connectional
giving as United Methodists, partnering to make a difference around the world. It is a wonderful and exciting time to be a part of First Church! So much is happening to further God’s Kingdom and even more things are just getting started. Your financial support is what makes it happen.
Thank you for being generous with what God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your faithful giving to the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids! Your financial support is making so many exciting things happen to further God’s work in our community. Here are a few examples from just this fall:
- We witnessed the tremendous community response to our Block Party;
- Tons of kids auditioned for the musical, Alice in Wonderland, Jr., in cooperation with the public schools;
- Guests at both Sunday services returned multiple times and are turning into ‘regulars;’
- The FIA Rummage Sale repurposed thousands of items and produced more funds for charity than ever before;
- Our music groups are attracting new folks from the community in increasing numbers to participate in worship services.
These things, and so much more, happen because of the enthusiastic expertise of our staff and the excellent
facilities we have to provide ministry.
But as you know, like everything else the costs of staff and facilities continue to rise. While we budgeted for
those increased costs going into the year, we are concerned because without a corresponding increase in
giving to the Unified Budget we cannot pay those rising expenses. Specifically, the total Unified Budget through September called for spending of $419,500. But through September only $340,000 was received. While this is only 2% lower than the same period last year and about on par with the past three years, it is not enough to keep up with the rising costs of maintaining our outstanding staff and excellent facilities. Fortunately, due to careful spending and austerity measures, only $380,500 in actual expenses were incurred. The shortfall of $40,500 was made up by drawing down our reserves which took the Unified Fund Balance down to $33,000 as of October 1.
In our April and July letters we expressed concern about this apparent plateauing in giving that is causing us to consume our Unified Fund Balance to pay expenses. We know from years past that giving will increase toward the end of the year which should keep us out of the red for 2024. However, FUMER needs an increase in revenue to keep up with the rising costs of sustaining the programs, missions, and ministries of our church into 2025 and beyond.
As you know, giving to the Unified Budget helps to pay for the basics like staff salaries and benefits, building
maintenance, office equipment, online streaming, music and video licenses, and energy bills. It also includes
paying 100% of our Ministry Shares at both the Conference and District levels as part of our connectional
giving as United Methodists, partnering to make a difference around the world. It is a wonderful and exciting time to be a part of First Church! So much is happening to further God’s Kingdom and even more things are just getting started. Your financial support is what makes it happen.
Thank you for being generous with what God has given you!
On behalf of the Finance Committee,
Steven Peters, Chair