COMMUNITY LUNCHEONS 2013
The Stewardship Committee of the Federated Church is sponsoring Community Luncheons in the Parish House from February 10, 2013 through March 24, 2013. See the Calendar for more information.
October 3, 2012
Stewardship Sunday will be November 11th. As part of our stewardship efforts this year, we will again have several fellowship dinners so that we can meet other members of our congregation in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere. This year, our Stewardship Committee is pleased to note that we have several new families who are going to host these dinners. The dates will November 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 10th, leading up to our November 11th Stewardship Sunday. This is a special day in the life of the church and a time for all of us to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider what the Federated Church means to us and how we need to reflect that in our level of support for the many church activities that we all can see, feel and hear. There will be invitations sent out for these dinners listing the dates and sign- up sheets will be posted in the Parish House as well. Additional information will be provided during the services over the next few Sundays. These dinners got rave reviews last year. We hope to see all of you at one or another of them this autumn.
Sincerely,
Your Stewardship Committee…Alice Goyert, Barbara Almquist, Fred Buehler, Bill Veno, Jim Butterick
November, 2009
The Stewardship Committee has prepared this narrative budget to illustrate in a descriptive manner the way our money is used to support the work of our congregation, both within our faith community and in the world at large.
BUDGETED EXPENSES (based on 2009 budget)........$230,008
Our income from loose offerings, non-pledge donations, rental fees, Unity Club gifts, dividends and income from investments, and income producing events such as the House Tour, will amount to about $48,622. Consequently, we will need pledges totaling $181,386,or $56,386 more than we received in 2009, in order to accomplish the work we do.
1. Supporting the Wider Mission..........$10,953
Our congregation acknowledges its responsibility to share in the support of mission in the wider world. Being a congregation of The United Church of Christ and The American Baptist Convention, we send annual financial support to each denomination as our contribution to their mission budgets. Additionally, our parish supports; The Haiti Peace Quilt Project, Latin American Mission, Ghana Mission, Church World Service, One Great Hour of Sharing, and Hurricane Relief as our commitment to the wider mission above and beyond our local community (covered in #2).
2. Reaching Out to Serve Our Community.........$6,503
Our parish house and sanctuary are made available to the Martha's Vineyard Community, with the approval of the Parish Council. The Fountain of Life Assembly of God Church uses our parish house for services twice weekly. AA, as well as other community organizations, also uses the parish house for weekly meetings, Our sanctuary is used for the summer Vineyard Sound Concerts and the Plum Hill School uses our facilities for their annual fundraiser. Additionally, our church buildings are often used for weddings and funerals by non-church members. Our pastor participates in several community organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club and the Vineyard Nursing Association. Other community groups that we support financially are: Vineyard House, Elder Services of Cape and Islands, YMCA, Cancer Support Group, the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Soup Suppers, and families with emergency needs.
3. Preparing for and Conducting Worship.......$48,876
The most widely recognized and visible aspect of our congregation's community presence is the worship experience. Our pastor's preparation for Sunday worship, writing sermons, conducting weddings and funerals and other special services, in co-operation with our minister of music/choral director/organist, consumes a considerable amount of their time and resources. This budget category also includes bulletins, candles, music, communion elements and supplies, worship aids and costs for guest ministers/organists/choral directors to serve during vacation periods.
4. Educating Our Children, Youth and Adults.........$26,741
The church school, youth group, Bible study groups and adult education programs are a vital part of our church, coordinated by the Christian Education committee, the pastor, the Christian education director and the youth ministry leader. Curriculum materials and other supplies and salaries for our church school director, Sunday school teachers and the youth ministry leader are included in this category. Our youth group provides an opportunity for students, from our congregation and from the Martha's Vineyard community at large, to become involved in outreach missions and community service projects. The group has participated in the Crop Walk, Relay for Life, a recycled clothing drive, and a mission trip to New York City. As many as 30 students in grades 7 through 12 have been involved in our youth program. We have an active Sunday school program - the annual Christmas Pageant is a highlight. Also included in this category are the costs of Confirmation classes.
5. Caring for Our Church Family.........$35,114
Pastoral care is a vital part of our pastor's work, especially for persons who are ill, hospitalized, bereaved, preparing for marriage, going through divorce or facing other crises. Our pastor also directs the intercessory prayer team. Our church secretary provides information and other services to members, such as developing the Sunday bulletin, facilitating the schedule for church use, putting together the annual report, and assisting the officers and committees of the church to fulfill their obligations, while sustaining an easy flow of office order. The monthly In Touch newsletter, the church pictorial directory, the annual 4th of July picnic and other social events throughout the year all contribute to sustain our church fellowship.
6. Equipping and Maintaining Our Buildings..........$63,578
Our custodian takes good care of our facilities. Following our recent restoration project on each of our properties, this section only reflects the costs associated with utilities, insurance and normal upkeep costs related to providing well maintained facilities in which to carry on our work.
7. Administrationˇ............$36,241
Expenses involved in managing the operation of our church include:
postage, telephone, bookkeeping support, supplies, travel, payroll taxes and workmen's compensation. Our pastor oversees the work of our secretary, answers correspondence, takes telephone calls and responds to e-mails as part of his administrative duties.
8. Miscellaneous...........$2,000
