!

A Word from Father Mark

This weekend, I am going to do something that I rarely do: I am going to speak to you about our parish finances.

As much as I would prefer not to speak about money from the pulpit, it is necessary that I do so today.  As we are all aware, our country and our world have been experiencing an economic recession that has impacted nearly everyone, and that includes the Church of the Resurrection.  We are facing a time of financial challenge, and I feel it is my responsibility to keep you informed and to invite your help.

Currently we are not receiving in our weekly collections enough money to meet our weekly expenses, nor are we collecting enough to pay our monthly mortgage.  An examination of our donations and our expenses beginning in July 2008 through May 31 of 2009, reveals a shortfall of $40,800 in our goal to cover operating expenses.  During the same period of time, we have experienced a shortfall in our goal for debt reduction expenses in the amount of $35,600.

To be more specific, we need to collect $12,860 each week to meet our operating expenses.  During the eleven months ended in May, our average weekly collection has amounted to $11,895.  This is a shortfall of about $1,000 per week.

In addition, our monthly mortgage is $15,634.  Our average monthly contributions to the debt reduction fund amount to $12,394 – a shortfall of $3,240 every month.

You may be wondering how we have been coping with this shortfall in revenues.  When we took out the loan for our new building, we purposely borrowed $200,000 in excess of the construction cost to act as a cushion in the event that we had a shortfall.  This cushion is the source upon which we have been relying to make up for the shortfall in our operating and debt reduction.  For the past several months, I have had to borrow from the Building Fund to make payroll.  At May 31, the Operating Account owed the building fund $44,000.  Clearly, we cannot continue to operate this way.

You may be thinking that because we are to receive nearly $660,000 from the sale of the St. Jude property that our problems are solved.  This money will mostly be used to pay down our building debt.  That, however, will not reduce the amount of our monthly mortgage.  Whatever assistance this one time gift may be in the short run to the operation of our parish, it will not solve the long-term issue of the disparity between our contributions and our expenses.       

I am deeply appreciative of the sacrifice that all of you make so that our ministry here at Resurrection can continue.  I have always been impressed with the generosity of this community.  In fact, in spite of the economic difficulties our country and our world are experiencing, contributions in 2009 were basically the same as 2008 with no significant decrease.  The problem is that expenses have increased by 4%, most notably in salaries and employee benefits, heating costs, and electricity.

The good news about our Building debt is that additional payments in the four years have reduced our total interest by nearly $600,000 and the term of the loan by 62 months.  Unfortunately, in the past eleven months contributions to the Debt Reduction Fund have dropped nearly 20%.

I and the other employees of the parish are committed to doing our part to decrease our expenses.  You may notice that we are using less light, and the worship space is a bit warmer in the summer.  There will be no cost of living raises given to our employees this year.  The Priests’ Council of our diocese has recommended that all priests take a 5% decrease in their own salaries to show solidarity with those who are struggling because of the economy, and I will be participating in that decrease.  Suzanne Horvath, one of the members of our pastoral staff, has retired, and she will not be replaced.  Instead, the rest of the staff will divide her duties among themselves. 

If it is possible for you to do so, I would like to ask that you consider an 8% increase in your contributions to the parish.  As an example, if you contribute $10.00 per week, I am asking you to consider increasing your contribution to $11.00 (rounded) per week.  If you are unable to do so, then this request is not meant for you.  I understand that each household can only give what it can afford.  I simply want to inform all of you of our current financial situation and to encourage those who can to assist in making up the shortfall.

May’s financial statements and the budget for fiscal year 2010 are posted on the bulletin board in the Gathering Area.  We will continue to keep you informed by posting the monthly financial statements on the bulletin board and in the parish bulletin a couple times a month.  My comments today will be mailed to all parishioners and will be posted on our web site.

Many parishes engage the services of a company to assist in an increased offertory program.  We have always relied on the simple plan that if we serve the people well and communicate a need when one arises, the people will respond.  You have always responded in the past.  I am confident that you will do so now.  I am thankful everyday that I am a part of this community.  Thank you.

Worship Commission Meeting
There will be a special meeting of the Worship Commission to discuss our compliance with the new directives for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion on July 23 at 7:00 PM. If you can make this meeting, please attend. Invite anyone you think would be helpful. The purpose is to explore the new directives and discuss how best to implement them. We will meet in the Worship Space.