Emmanuel Lutheran Church

June 2010

As we discussed at the Annual Meeting, we are keeping a real close eye on the budget this year as economic conditions are very tough. We also mentioned that funding for the Director of Youth and Family Ministry (DYFM) position would be evaluated on a month-by-month basis as money for the position was not actually budgeted.

First, let me say that things are going pretty well given the circumstances. Our income for the year is under budget, but so are our expenses. We are net negative for the year, but not by a large amount. The divisions are doing a great job balancing things that need to be done while saving money wherever we can.

In an effort to err on the conservative side, we have decided to suspend the DYFM position for the summer months (June, July and August). This will save us some money and help us catch up on the budget. We have allowed a small amount of funding to continue the momentum which has been established in the junior youth program.

I would like to make it very clear that this decision is strictly a financial decision and is not a reflection on performance. Angela is doing a great job, and she has planted many seeds that are starting to develop in very meaningful ways. The comments I have heard with respect to her work have been overwhelmingly positive.

Our hopes are that this is just a suspension of activities for the summer. We are currently working with the Endowment Board to see if some of their available funds could be used to get things started again in the fall.

We would like to let the congregation know that we take our finances very seriously, and that we are being especially careful during these challenging times. However, we would also like to convey our strong feelings about the importance of the DYFM position. These feelings echo the comments I have heard throughout the congregation over the last couple years.

The above mentioned actions will help us to get through 2010, and they will give us some time to reflect on the importance of this position and how we will fund it in the future. I welcome your questions and comments regarding this issue.

God Bless,
Jim Meissner