of all whenever let us work for the good So then Stewardship Challenge Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI

Transcription

1 LET S NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO GET FATIGUED DOING GOOD So then whenever we have the opportunity let us work for the good of all Stewardship Challenge Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI

2 Stewardship. WHAT KIND OF REACTION DO WE HAVE when we hear the word stewardship? What kind of reaction do you have when you open up the pledge packet? Is it like doing your taxes or paying a bill? The stewardship season pledge drive can be one of those things that must be done, but no one enjoys doing it. And yet it doesn t have to be. To be honest, being a steward and practicing good stewardship is about making a difference as a child of God, a disciple of Jesus. Everyone instinctively wants to be needed in some way wants to feel that their life matters, that who they are and how they live makes a difference. That s what stewardship is making the difference that God has created us to make. And everyone no matter who you are or what your circumstances everyone makes a difference. It can be a positive difference or a negative difference, but we all make a difference even when we do nothing. Of course, when we do nothing, then the difference we are making may be negative since it is the absence of the positive difference God created us to make. GOD CREATED US TO FEEL JOY AND FULFILLMENT when we make a positive difference, when we feel that we matter, when we know that someone or something is better because of what we have done or who we have been. That is stewardship! Using our time and resources and experience in productive, difference-making ways fills us with purpose and joy! Included in this packet of material you will find information about the prayerful hopes we have for making a difference through Westminster s ministry in the upcoming fiscal year, July 2014 through June 2015.

3 YOU LL ALSO FIND A WONDERFUL WESTMINSTER CALENDAR! This is something new this year. It runs from May of 2014 through June of It includes information about mission endeavors, Faith Promise opportunities, photos of the church, as well as scripture passages that illustrate the stewardship of time, reminding us that God is the creator of time and Jesus is Lord of time. And, of course, it includes dates for church events. It required planning far in advance as best as could be done. It is our hope that it will be a beneficial household item that helps you organize your days, weeks, months and year to be a good steward of your time to God s glory. YOUR PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATION of the kind of difference God is calling you to make as a disciple and through your financial contribution is encouraged. Every gift is appreciated and every contribution a blessing that ripples far beyond its immediate impact. Blessings, Rev. Stephen R. Carl So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, let us work for the good of all. Galatians 6:9 10a

4 Operating Budg Projected budget for fiscal year July Caring Ministries 6.1% or $36,171 Visitation and supportive ministries offered by deacons, office staff and pastoral staff. Youth Ministry 8% or $47,570 Grades 6 12 Sunday school and confirmation; Alpha and Omega youth groups; youth retreats, mission trips and fellowship opportunitites. Supported by the Youth Committee, youth ministry staff and pastoral staff. Children s Ministry 6 Sunday Celebration, S Worship Centers, nurs Kids, Vacation Bible S Easter Celebration, Bi and other children s ac by the Children s Com ministry staff, and pas Worship and Music 16.8% or $100,159 Westminster Choir, youth and children s choirs; music and supplies; organ, piano and handbell maintenance; sacred dance groups; worship planning. Supported by the Worship Committee, music ministry staff, and pastoral staff. Office and Administrative 16.2% or $96,104 Visitor reception, organization of church life activities and related events, production and mailing of church publications. Tracking of church expenses and budget, maintenance of membership directory. Supported by the Administration Committee, office staff and pastoral staff.

5 et: Expenses by Category 1, 2014 June 30, 2015: $594,673.4% or $38,213 unday school ery care, Kingdom chool, Children s bles for third graders, tivities. Supported mittee, children s toral staff. Church Life 6.9% or $40,946 Discipleship, fellowship and evangelism through Wednesday Night Live! programs, adult education classes and seminars, small group ministry, Advent Dinner, Easter Brunch, family and other fellowship events. Supported by the Adult Education, Fellowship and Membership Committees, childcare staff and pastoral staff. Facility Operations 29.2% or $173,694 Utilities, church building insurance, equipment, maintenance and mortgage. Provides for updating and maintaining our facility so it is functional and attractive. Supported by the Property Committee, office, custodian and pastoral staff. Mission Outreach 10.4% or $61,816 Support and involvement in local, national and international mission agencies and projects. Supported by the Mission Committee and pastoral staff.

6 Westminster s Mission Commitments Westminster s commitment of approximately 10% of the pledging budget is given in support of these local, national and world missions and outreaches. BIOLA UNIVERSITY, Noelle Smallish, Costa Rica BLACK FOREST ACADEMY, Germany, PC (USA), a boarding school serving children of missionaries CENTRAL DETROIT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Detroit, creates opportunities through education, employment and economic development GHANA MISSIONARY SUPPORT, Ghana; Rachel and Maxwell Smallish-Dziku HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF HURON VALLEY, building new and refurbishing existing homes for low income families H.E.A.R.T., men s rotating shelter program HOPE CLINIC, Ypsilanti, interdenominational medical and social service organization providing compassionate and practical help to those in need INTERNATIONAL TEAMS missionaries Elvira and Mike Babcock, Romania, serving in Romania O. C. INTERNATIONAL, Brazil; David Kornfield PC(USA) SHARED MISSIONS PC(USA) PRESBYTERIAN FRONTIER FELLOWSHIP, mobilizing congregations to bring the good news to cultures where the church has yet to take root RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY GATHERING, Ypsilanti, a meal and fellowship program for otherwise isolated and fragile individuals, sponsored by several local churches SPANISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE, Costa Rica, equipping Christian missionaries to serve the Spanish-speaking world

7 THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FUND, PC(USA), supporting seminary students in the Detroit Presbytery WESTMINSTER GARDEN 4 GOOD, growing fresh vegetables to donate to meal programs for the hungry in our community WESTMINSTER LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS DISCRETIONARY FUNDS are available for unexpected mission support needs Faith Promise Mission Causes Faith Promise causes listed here allow church members to give to specific missions beyond the 10% designated in our operating budget. Blue envelopes included with pledge envelopes may be used for your Faith Promise donations. ECUMENICAL CENTER AND INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCE, Ann Arbor, an international, interfaith learning and living community for University of Michigan students and faculty FRIENDS IN DEED, Ypsilanti, providing emergency financial assistance for needs such as utility bills, rent and transportation FRIENDS OF THE MASTER, Ypsilanti, brings God s love to people in jails and prisons, and upon their release, provides a stable living situation from which they can re-enter society HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, Ann Arbor, a clothing distribution center supported by Ann Arbor churches M.I.S.S.I.O.N.A2/CAMP TAKE NOTICE, Ann Arbor, supports the efforts of Camp Take Notice to build and strengthen a community through selfgovernance and accountability PC(USA) MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION, equipping doctors, nurses and engineers for volunteer work in medical missions worldwide» CONTINUED»

8 SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER, Ypsilanti, provides cost-effective counseling STAPLES FAMILY CENTER (Salvation Army), Ann Arbor, a shelter program for the homeless with emphasis on transitioning to permanent housing UNDESIGNATED FAITH PROMISE donations are distributed equally to all Faith Promise causes Other Causes IHN@ALPHA HOUSE, providing temporary shelter, food and support services PC(USA) SPECIAL OFFERINGS: Christmas Joy, One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance YOUNG LIFE of Washtenaw County QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Please contact David Hammond, Financial Secretary: (734) ; david_hammond@comcast.net or Marilyn Sleder, Treasurer: (734) ; msleder@umich.edu KNOW GROW SHOW SOW WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI (734) wpcoffice@westpresa2.org Rev. Stephen R. Carl