House Call January 2008

As you recall from December's issue of the House Call, I wrote about beginning an "older adult ministry" at St. Luke's.  This kind of ministry may take on various activities, depending upon the needs and interests of those "seniors" who would prefer coming together during day-time hours for learning and fellowship rather than the evening.  Such activities could include but not limited to topics covering health care issues, wills, and advanced directives to bible study or forums on the Episcopal Church.  From a survey conducted by one of our congregants, Martha Odell, there was interest in having a day-time bible study.  The majority surveyed by Martha prefer to meet on Tuesdays.  To follow-up with that finding, we will begin our first bible study meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at 12:15 in the undercroft of the church.  After our study, we will end with Noon Day prayers.  An ad will be placed in The Capital inviting the community to participate with us.  Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch; coffee and tea will be provided by St. Luke's.  The Tuesday bible studies will focus on the Gospel of John. Come and join "us seniors" in learning more about the writer of the Fourth Gospel and how his gospel stories differ from those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  I am looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Our Food Pantry has been moved downstairs where we can operate more efficiently storing and distributing the food to our clients.  The Food Pantry has at least doubled in number of clients since last year.  We now assist approximately 14 clients on a regular basis.  Now that colder weather has arrived, we can expect that number to exceed 14 clients a week.  We are not alone; other churches in the Annapolis area are experiencing a rise in the request for food.  The financial cost to St. Luke's Food Pantry is running about $100 per week; that is equivalent to $5,200 annually.  To offset this financial cost to the parish, Shannon Talbott, chair of the Food Pantry, and Ed Stofko, our volunteer, have recommended that we request assistance from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank located in Crownsville.  I wholeheartedly agree with their recommendation.  There will be government "paper work" to work through, but we will gather the necessary information from our clients so that we can receive free food from the County.  In addition, I contacted "Food Link," a non-profit organization that collects perishables from local markets; such as, bread, fruits and vegetables and other assorted

"gifts" from the donating food markets.  By using these two sources of food, we can continue to feed the poor in our community and at the same time eliminate the expense that it would otherwise cost the parish.  In the past months, several of you have literally kept the Food Pantry opened because of your generous donations and we thank you for those donations.  I also invite you to drop in on Tuesdays during the winter months to meet our clients and join them at a light breakfast.  We need volunteers to serve them coffee and donuts. The Tuesday morning breakfasts will begin on January 8 at 9:30 am. Come and "break bread" with those in need.  You will be blessed; trust me.

I leave you with this anonymous quote as we begin a new year at St. Luke's:  "Seeing with faith looks at what is, no matter how bitter or tragic, and looks through---not around, not past, certainly not over, but through---and sees what can be."

In love and peace,

Deacon Charles 

Total ordinary operating income is $13,500 under budget through November when prorating the year by days (92%).  The major cause is pledge payments are $18,300 behind and continuing their trend of previous months.

Other income sources reduce the $18,300 pledge shortfall to the total of $13,000.  Unbudgeted income of $2,900 makes up the largest part and unpledged offerings make up another $1,600.

Thrift Shop receipts, behind in recent months, were pretty much caught up in October but are now behind $860.

The revenue from unbudgeted events for the year remains as last reported.

Total ordinary operating expenses while being $3,000 under budget for September are now $5,100 under budget.

Extra-ordinary items:  the final payment of $5,000 in September completed the expense to re-roof the Rectory.

There is still $10,000 which has not been spent for deferred maintenance for the year.  We had said that if there had been any problem with meeting income projections, this money would not be spent.  While this amount keeps us financially secure, planned repairs have been deferred once again.

Financial statements may be obtained from the office during working hours.

Karen Stewart, Diocesan Comptroller, made the following comments in a letter of thanks for our pledge contribution this past year.

"Your contributions have been very helpful and contributed greatly to the diocese as a whole.  Did you know that 97% of every dollar in the 2007 diocesan budget went directly to support our various programs and ministries around Maryland, the United States, and the World?  The remaining 3% of our budget supported our congregations, programs and ministries through funding administrative and fund-raising support.  Our revenue is derived largely from unrestricted sources with 80% of our funding contributed by our congregations.  This support has allowed our diocese to do amazing things through our various programs and ministries around the world proving that together we can accomplish more than we can by ourselves.  Your pledge has supported many programs over the past year, and, although not everything can be listed in this letter, I would like to mention a few things from that long list.  Did you know that you:

* Sent children with challenges such as parents in prison, dealing with HIV and AIDS, living in urban blighted neighborhoods to summer camp and let them experience a different part of life outside the horrors they have endured;

* Provided countless numbers of children playground equipment and milk in their schools as well as immunizations, health care, and clean drinking waters in Panama and Africa;

* Provided a safe place and activities for children after school while supplying homework and tutoring help in areas around our state with challenged school districts;

* Furnished a warm housing in a safe environment for people without other resources and provided a safe harbor for those from both inside and outside our national borders afflicted by domestic and terrorist violence;

* Supported campus ministries and resources at Towson, UMBC, Morgan, and Frostburg Universities;

* Supported urban and country ministries around our state through direct financial support, seminarian support, post-ordination support of congregations with newly ordained clerics, and grant program open to every congregation within the diocese along with many other programs that would not be in existence without your help?

"The 2008 narrative budget is available on the Diocesan website.  A copy may be made in our church office.

"In addition, the calculation for our 2008 pledge has been changed.  Previously, budgeted outreach and diocesan pledge payments were not included as operating expense for the purpose of the 4% deduction.  Our new formula includes these numbers in the total operating expense, thus increasing the deduction and reducing the congregational pledge."

As most know, our former treasurer, David Forslind, moved in the Fall.  Since that time, your Rector has been working with the Diocese and an outside accountant keeping the financial records in order and paying the bills.

In order to reduce a new treasurer's workload, we have outsourced payroll and taxes to Episcopal Services, beginning in January.  And, rather than paying for an accountant to visit our premises, we are arranging for bills to be faxed to the accountant.  We have also arranged for on-line banking to handle regular bills, such as BGE.  However, there are still bills that need to be paid by check, and we have not turned our authority to sign checks to anyone except the Rector and Senior Warden.  Therefore, at this time, the accountant prepares and mails checks to be signed and mailed by the Rector.

The new treasurer's job will be far less time consuming than our former treasurer.  The new treasurer's main duties will be to monitor the financial condition monthly and pay bills as needed (except payroll and taxes).  The work preferably would be done at the church but can be done at home.

If you feel a calling, or know anyone who might have a calling to become treasurer, please call the Senior Warden, Jay Munnikhuysen, or the Rev. John Smith for further discussion.