The Lord Will Provide

The budget for 2007 has been approved, although it carries a substantially larger deficit than last year. Though our year end attendance figures may put us ahead of last year, the number of pledgers is down by a few, marking a drop in pledges by $9,532. The budgeted expense increases this year are moderate at about $3,700. The result with additional small projected drops in fundraising is a budget that is $13,300 more in debt than last year for a total deficit of $46,404.

We trust that God has plans for Peoples United Methodist Church in the coming years that include growth and additional outreach. God's plans, though, generally work through the lives of the faithful. As our members take on a deeper trust in God with financial matters, we expect that people will feel led to increase the portion of God's gifts brought together as our family in faith.

In addition, we are taking specific steps to monitor the progress on our budget and stewardship. We will be increasing the level of communication, with regular reports about our current financial condition. We will be taking a fresh appraisal in March as the heating season moves forward about whether the church can bear all the current expenses. We will also be promoting an increased number of tithing Sundays following good feedback from those that tried tithing for the first time. Our tithes are not about giving away, but rather bringing together what God has provided so that our whole community can be stronger.

We are also looking to add to the size of our ministry by regularly keeping each other accountable in inviting and welcoming people and reaching out to the community. Keep our ministry and its finances in your prayers and be ready to respond as the Lord leads. We know God will provide.