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October 17, 2007
“For the promise is to you and to your children and to all those who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls.” (Acts: 2 v. 39)
Dear Members and Friends,
For 95 years Rock Spring congregations have come forward to fulfill the promise of our church’s mission to its parishioners, neighbors, and the wider community. It has stood strong and steadfast, and has welcomed thousands of people through its doors. Today our fulfilled promises have resulted in an expanding youth ministry from preschool through high school, a committed social- and eco-justice ministry, and a caring ministry of compassion and hope.
To continue these endeavors, we look to you for the financial support to build on the commitments adopted at the October 14th Budget Goals Meeting. The 2008 budget is proposed to rise to $932,375 from $903,570 this year. Almost 82 percent of that budget, or $765,275, is to be derived from the giving of Rock Spring members and friends.
This is a substantial financial challenge, but we are confident that our goals are achievable by having more of our givers adopt proportional giving and by encouraging a larger number of Rock Springers to complete and return the enclosed Giving Card.
Proportional giving asks you or your family to gradually move toward giving 5 percent of annual income to the church. If you wish to be a modern tither, you allocate an additional 5 percent of your income for charities of your choice. A more detailed explanation of proportional giving is presented on the reverse side of the enclosed Giving Card.
For many who have been giving to the church but have been reluctant to complete a pledge or Giving Card, we hope that we can encourage you to do so this year. Whether your financial commitment is large or small, the key is to fill out the card for 2008 so that those responsible for the church’s budget will have an idea of anticipated income and what financial commitments the church can make. A fact to keep in mind is that under the proposed 2008 budget, Rock Spring Church will need approximately $2550 daily to keep operating and fulfilling its mission.
To those who through the years have remained faithful givers to Rock Spring Church, we thank you for your past gifts and ask you, if possible, to increase your commitment in 2008 or to adopt the proportional giving approach. Whether you are a new member or a long-time member your financial support is important to the ministry of the church.
You can return your Giving Card at any time by placing it in the offering plate or by mailing it to the church office, Attention: Financial Secretary. Or you may wish to wait until Dedication Sunday, November 18 and place your Giving Card in a basket on the altar as we celebrate all those who have made a commitment to Rock Spring Church and mark the end the formal part of this year’s campaign.
As we start the process in 2008 of searching for a new senior minister to replace Chuck Wildman, there will be an opportunity for the congregation to look critically at what we need, what we want, and what we can afford. It will be an exciting and challenging time for Rock Spring.
We thank God for all that has given to us; we in turn should give back to God.
In Christian stewardship,
Giving Campaign Committee for 2008
Jim McRae, Chairman
Ann Rudd, Vice Chairman
Committee Members: Catherine Gahres, Wayne Limberg, Jim Meehan, Shirley Meehan, Susan Peters, Blair Reischer, Claudia Sturgis Scott, Walt Wurfel.
Enclosure: Giving Card w/ return envelope (mailed to Rock Spring members and friends)