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Goal: To increase our faith sharing (contributions) to the General Fund by $64,000 in 2024.
Purpose: To fully fund four full-time staff positions and one part-time staff position so we can continue to staff for growth.
Timeframe: February 1- February 29, 2024
Pledges: Partners/member of Light of Christ are invited to fill out the pledge card you received in the mail or found at the usher station, or make your pledge online.
Please indicate how much you plan to increase your giving to the General Fund above and beyond what you planned or pledged to give in 2024.
No one is required to make a pledge. This is not a “have to” but a “want to.” If you are willing and able to increase your contribution in 2024, please do; but don’t feel like you have to.
I’m happy to tell you that $33,000 was pledged at the Annual Meeting by those in attendance in the sanctuary. So, the good news is that we are already half-way toward meeting our $64,000 goal!
Challenge: To increase our 2024 contributions (faith sharing) by $64,000 (11.3%) in 2024, from $500,510 in 2023 to $564,000 in 2024.
The Backstory
Last Sunday, January 28th, we held our Annual Meeting. As you may know, the Church Council proposed a General Fund budget for 2024 that included funding for 4 full-time staff positions paid at Minneapolis Area Synod guidelines with medical and pension benefits. The four full-time staff positions are Pastor, Worship and Music Director, Youth and Family Director, and Office Administrator.
The proposed 2024 budget did not include funding for the Children’s Ministry Director position. The Council made this painful and difficult reduction in order to present a balanced General Fund budget for 2024, since we suffered a financial shortfall of more than $48,870 in 2023. The proposed 2024 budget assumed contributions from the congregation (“faith sharing”) of $527,000, a $17,000 increase (or 5%) over our contributions in 2023.
After a great deal of discussion at the Annual Meeting, the decision was made to increase our 2024 General Fund budget by $37,000 so that we could also fund the Children’s Ministry Director position. This increased our budgeted expenses by $37,000 to a total of $599,863. We also increased our projected contributions (faith sharing) by $37,000 to $564,000.
The Path Forward
To meet this challenge, the partners/members at the Annual Meeting authorized a special “Light of Christ Kids” fundraising appeal.
Once the “Light of Christ Kids” appeal is over, the Church Council will review the results and begin to make decisions on staffing for the remainder of 2024. This decision will be informed by the Council’s commitment to end 2024 in the black. We cannot end the year with another shortfall. We cannot spend money we don’t have.
Finally, thank you for your continued generosity. Over the last five years Light of Christ partners/members have given over three million dollars to the mission and ministry of Light of Christ. This is truly a reason for rejoicing!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact any Church Council member. We are always happy to speak with you.
Peace and joy always,
Bruce Kuenzel, Pastor