The Congregational Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Sept. 20.
Treasurer Ben Finkelstein reported that our year-to-date offering income has fallen slightly behind our budgeted expectation. This, combined with elevated expenses, has begun to put pressure on our budget and our operational balances. We will keep an eye on this. Capital giving remains robust with offerings exceeding our budgeted targets. Rise O, Church giving has begun to slow as many pledgers have fulfilled their obligations; we will begin to draw on our bridge loan from Thrivent for upcoming payments.
The Stewardship Committee rolled out the theme for our annual fall giving campaign: Gather Us In. Be on the lookout for more information about this campaign and your opportunity to pledge.
The Council viewed and discussed the training “Making Room in the Inn: What Does it Mean to Seek Asylum“. I urge you to view this training as it is relevant to our mission with Room 99 and is very much part of our current national conversation.
You are, of course, invited to all the Adult Forums but please circle the Oct. 9 and Nov. 20 forums, in particular, as those will be the conversations around Working Together to do Reparations Well. These conversations are critical to our congregation’s understanding of our role in acknowledging and repairing the harm done to Indigenous people and will be part of the 2023 budget discussions.
Kickoff Sunday was Sept. 11. Thank you all for reengaging with us and making our fall return a success. A special thank you to the many people who assisted in planning and volunteering on the day.
Thank you,
Scott Karli
President, Congregational Council
