The Realities of our situation and our time.
From the Rector.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As you have heard over the past 60 days, our pledges are only barely meeting our expenses, indeed at the end of June for the first time in many years our pledged income did not meet our projected pledged income for the month.
Normally at this time of year we have had a surplus of income in which to get us through the less well attended summer months. Not so in 2010. In fact the difference between 2010 and 2009 is nearly 20,000.00.
Bottom line: we have to do some things to so that we can bring our budget into balance. It is my responsibility as your rector to take pro-active and not re-active steps to make sure that we are good stewards, and maintain your trust. We do not want to get to the position of the not too distant past where the parish had to borrow money to keep the lights on and make payroll.
As of this week, we will move to a four-day work week closing our office on Friday. The office will be open Monday-Thursday from 8:30-4:00 P.M. We will re-evaluate this decision following Labor Day. Hopefully we will be in a financial situation to return to a five-day week at that time.
The August edition of the “Messenger” will be available only on-line. If you do not have Internet availability, please let the office know and we will print a copy for you. The Messenger should be published by August 5th. As of this time we expect to return to a printed and mail edition in September.
You may notice that the temperature in the nave will be just a little less comfortable in the next few weeks. Even a move of a couple of degrees will make a difference on our electric bill which was just under $2000.00 for the month of June.
I truly believe that it is better to face our current financial condition head-on and not wait. If you are behind in your pledge, I hope you will do what you can to get caught-up. If you need to adjust your pledge, please call Christy and let her know. Letting us know will help us to readjust our budget for the rest of the year.
Thank you for your understanding and your prayers.
On another subject, I want you all to know that we are doing all we can for our weed problems on the south side of our building. The warm weather and significant rain have given the weeds everything they need for a bumper crop. As of yesterday, every weed was gone, but by Sunday there may be a complete new offering to view.
We are working with our landscaper to try to find a solution that would be more permanent than just pulling and pulling and pulling each week. We should have an idea of what to do and how much it would cost us to do it in the near future.
I recognize that the overall appearance of our building is very important to all of our people, and I want you to know that we are working to come up with a reasonable solution.
Finally, if you are out this Saturday please let our Youth group take care of your dirty car. The car wash will be going on from 11:00-2:00 right in front of the church.
Always check our website for the latest information!
Blessings,
Fr. Don Davidson, Rector
St. David’s Church was established as one of the earliest Eucharistic-centered parishes in the nation. A commitment was made to for the celebration of the Eucharist to be the focus of the worship service.