Since becoming Moderator in May, I have been regularly attending the Stewardship Board. I attend because I am required to, not because it is fun. Don't get me wrong. All of the people on Stewardship are great. I love to see them and interact with them. However, the big job of Stewardship to to ask folks for money, which is not my favorite way to spend time.
The board has come up with a Stewardship campaign for the coming year. I won't give any details now, because it is their plan to unveil. The main discussion revolves around how to make the appeal. Should we ask folks to joyfully give as a response to God's love? "God loves a cheerful giver" was last years theme, and fell squarely in this camp. Or, should we give folks the hard numbers about the financial condition of the church, and let them know how much we need to keep our missions alive and well?
Here are some of the numbers. We currently have a structural deficit of about $50,000 per year. That means we spend about $50,000 more than we take in each year. We have managed to continue several years of this by finding one time monies to cover most of the deficit, and by drawing on long or short term reserves to make up the difference. Short term reserves are almost depleted right now. Current projections are for that structural deficit to grow by about $12,000 per year. Those projections are based on the current trends: pledge income increases by about 1% per year, while expenses increase about 3% per year. Note that expenses are increasing at about the rate of inflation. It is not as if the church is involved in some huge spending binge.
The simple solution to this issue is for each family that pledges to increase their pledge by $5 per week, or $260 per year. Since we have just over 200 pledging families, we can take 200 times $260 and arrive at $52,000 in additional pledge income. If this occurs, our structural deficit will all but disappear. Of course, not every family can afford to increase their pledge by $260 per year. On the other hand, many of us can afford to increase our pledges by $260 or more. My family will be increasing it's pledge by slightly more than the $260. It is not that we have "extra" money sitting around, but I know from experience that if we commit by making a pledge, we will find a way to meet that pledge. I am constantly aware that we have been given so much, and consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to give back.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Some Post-Ride Reflections on ACT6
I am uncertain of the connection between the ride and my role as Moderator of First Congo. I know that if I were not a member of First Congo, I would not have met Jeanne Marshall, and may have never found the ride. I also know that raising a considerable amount of money for AIDS Network is certainly a Christian act. I do think that First Congo could get involved with this event in the future. With six members doing the ride this year, I believe that we had the strongest representation of any area church, but the church itself was not involved as an institution. Here are my reflections from the day after the ride itself.
I am exhausted, and very pleased at the same time. What a ride! What a community! What an event!
The ride was tough. The course was long and challenging. Fortunately, we were blessed with great weather, and an absolutely amazing group of folks to do it with.
On the morning of day1, the sun was shining, the hills were gentle, and the wind was at our backs. We rolled into the first pit stop at McFarland United Church of Christ, and I was thinking that this was going to be a walk in the park. That afternoon, we turned into a strong headwind, and after a couple of hours I was experiencing intense pain in my feet, my lower back, and my rear end. For a couple of hours, I was thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" But I got through the day, and although many of my pains persisted, each day was better than the day before.
Day2 was "Hill Day," an understatement of the challenge. I joined a group of riders in mid-morning, and we were going faster than my comfortable pace. We got a little off route, and did two extra huge hills. When we rolled into the AM Pit Stop, we had bonded together, and I was determined to hang in with the group. We pushed on at a quick pace with Brian and Kim in the lead, and I was continually near or at the edge of my limits. After a leisurely lunch (with 10 minute massage for each of us), I actually pulled the group for quite a bit of the afternoon. What a great feeling that was! I rode with that group for the rest of the ride (Brian, Kim, Chris, Curt and I - along with Jen on day3 and a few others on day4). What fun, riding all those miles together at a challenging pace.
Day3 was "Century Day," which is a biker term for a 100 mile ride. It was also very hilly, and quite challenging. Many jokes were made, some in less than a light tone, about the "rolling terrain" we had been told to expect. I struggled to keep up with the group for much of the day, including a six mile sprint at the end of the 101 miles to beat an oncoming storm. I thought that I was going to fall out for the last five of those six miles, but somehow hung on through burning legs and lungs and the little voice in my head screaming for me to slow down. I could never have pushed myself so hard without my group. That night, while basking in the afterglow of an incredible ride, we named ourselves Team Storm Front, and magic markered that name on the backs of our calves. People do odd things in the middle of a four day ride.
Day4 was chip shot: 50 miles of rolling terrain. We rode hard the first half, with Chris was in the lead setting a blistering pace. After AM Pit, we joined some other riders and rolled into town in a long line of red.
Throughout the four days, the support of the ACT community was tangible at every moment. The crew was omnipresent. They were cheering from roving cars throughout the days. They were at rest stops every 10 miles or so, cheering us in and out again, doling out food, drink, energy bars, sunscreen, and emotional support to every rider, and to each other. The riders were all concerned about each other. If any rider was stopped on the road for any reason, a small crowd of supporters formed immediately. It became a running joke. Any person stopped for any reason had a dozen supporters stop too. Fixing your own flat was not quite forbidden, but you could not do it alone. No matter where we were during the entire four days, there were folks showing concern for our well being, and helping out in so many ways
I am still processing the deeper parts of the ACT experience. At the end of each day, just before closing the course, Rider Zero, a riderless bike, was escorted into camp by people who have lost friends and family to AIDS. Just beforehand, someone would announce the approach of Rider Zero, and everyone in camp would line the end of the course for a solemn time of respect and reflection. At the end of the day, the purpose behind the ride came to the fore. People are suffering and dying at the hands of this terrible disease. The ACT ride enables AIDS Network to support those folks to face their challenges.
I met folks who had lost friends and family members to AIDS, and folks who are still fighting this terrible disease. I am both proud and humbled by my participation in this amazing event.
The ACT motto is "Change Your Life. Change the World." I believe that the ride does both of those things. I have not yet signed up for next years ride, but I am almost certain to do it again.
Special Thanks to my friend Jeanne Marshall, whose involvement in ACT pulled me in, and who prepared me to face the challenge of the ride.
I am exhausted, and very pleased at the same time. What a ride! What a community! What an event!
The ride was tough. The course was long and challenging. Fortunately, we were blessed with great weather, and an absolutely amazing group of folks to do it with.
On the morning of day1, the sun was shining, the hills were gentle, and the wind was at our backs. We rolled into the first pit stop at McFarland United Church of Christ, and I was thinking that this was going to be a walk in the park. That afternoon, we turned into a strong headwind, and after a couple of hours I was experiencing intense pain in my feet, my lower back, and my rear end. For a couple of hours, I was thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" But I got through the day, and although many of my pains persisted, each day was better than the day before.
Day2 was "Hill Day," an understatement of the challenge. I joined a group of riders in mid-morning, and we were going faster than my comfortable pace. We got a little off route, and did two extra huge hills. When we rolled into the AM Pit Stop, we had bonded together, and I was determined to hang in with the group. We pushed on at a quick pace with Brian and Kim in the lead, and I was continually near or at the edge of my limits. After a leisurely lunch (with 10 minute massage for each of us), I actually pulled the group for quite a bit of the afternoon. What a great feeling that was! I rode with that group for the rest of the ride (Brian, Kim, Chris, Curt and I - along with Jen on day3 and a few others on day4). What fun, riding all those miles together at a challenging pace.
Day3 was "Century Day," which is a biker term for a 100 mile ride. It was also very hilly, and quite challenging. Many jokes were made, some in less than a light tone, about the "rolling terrain" we had been told to expect. I struggled to keep up with the group for much of the day, including a six mile sprint at the end of the 101 miles to beat an oncoming storm. I thought that I was going to fall out for the last five of those six miles, but somehow hung on through burning legs and lungs and the little voice in my head screaming for me to slow down. I could never have pushed myself so hard without my group. That night, while basking in the afterglow of an incredible ride, we named ourselves Team Storm Front, and magic markered that name on the backs of our calves. People do odd things in the middle of a four day ride.
Day4 was chip shot: 50 miles of rolling terrain. We rode hard the first half, with Chris was in the lead setting a blistering pace. After AM Pit, we joined some other riders and rolled into town in a long line of red.
Throughout the four days, the support of the ACT community was tangible at every moment. The crew was omnipresent. They were cheering from roving cars throughout the days. They were at rest stops every 10 miles or so, cheering us in and out again, doling out food, drink, energy bars, sunscreen, and emotional support to every rider, and to each other. The riders were all concerned about each other. If any rider was stopped on the road for any reason, a small crowd of supporters formed immediately. It became a running joke. Any person stopped for any reason had a dozen supporters stop too. Fixing your own flat was not quite forbidden, but you could not do it alone. No matter where we were during the entire four days, there were folks showing concern for our well being, and helping out in so many ways
I am still processing the deeper parts of the ACT experience. At the end of each day, just before closing the course, Rider Zero, a riderless bike, was escorted into camp by people who have lost friends and family to AIDS. Just beforehand, someone would announce the approach of Rider Zero, and everyone in camp would line the end of the course for a solemn time of respect and reflection. At the end of the day, the purpose behind the ride came to the fore. People are suffering and dying at the hands of this terrible disease. The ACT ride enables AIDS Network to support those folks to face their challenges.
I met folks who had lost friends and family members to AIDS, and folks who are still fighting this terrible disease. I am both proud and humbled by my participation in this amazing event.
The ACT motto is "Change Your Life. Change the World." I believe that the ride does both of those things. I have not yet signed up for next years ride, but I am almost certain to do it again.
Special Thanks to my friend Jeanne Marshall, whose involvement in ACT pulled me in, and who prepared me to face the challenge of the ride.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
First Congo and the ACT Ride
Last night, at the First Congo All Boards Meeting, I pointed out that there were six members of First Congregational Church, and one regular visitor, that will be participating in the ACT ride this Thursday through Sunday. (I actually thought there were 5 and 1, but I was gently corrected). That is 7 folks associated with our church that have committed to raising at least $1200 each for AIDS Network, and are going to bike 300 miles in four days as part of their commitment. I think that is very exciting, and makes a strong statement about the commitment of the folks at our church to the community. Yes, I am one of the 7 folks, but if you know me, you knew that already.
The training for this event has been awesome. ACT has been holding 8 training rides per week for the past few months. I have been participating regularly, and can now accelerate up hills that almost killed me a couple of months ago. My fund raising has gone very well. As a rule, people have been very generous. Thanks again to all who contributed!
To find cheering stations for this weekends ride, go to www.actride.com.
RIDE ON!!!!!
The training for this event has been awesome. ACT has been holding 8 training rides per week for the past few months. I have been participating regularly, and can now accelerate up hills that almost killed me a couple of months ago. My fund raising has gone very well. As a rule, people have been very generous. Thanks again to all who contributed!
To find cheering stations for this weekends ride, go to www.actride.com.
RIDE ON!!!!!
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