So here's my latest volunteer newsletter.
(But if you're not a volunteer at our church I won't be offended if you don't read this one!)
People Power
The past few weeks we've seen many changes among our peeps.
On the plus side we added a number of people to our Family Ministry Program.
But, we will be saying good bye to a some vital folks...
- Sid and Suz Wong will be moving overseas for Sid's new teaching position.
- (FYI- they just had their baby! A little girl named Esme.)
- Steve Lensink has finished his internship in London and will be leaving soon.
- Melissa Meems has moved to Toronto and Andrew MacGregor will be joining her after their wedding.
- John Vandersteen is leaving for an international mission trip this summer.
- Ben and Jen Jolliffe will be taking classes in Colorado for the summer.
- And we've already lost some of our great students. Thankfully a number will be returning in the fall.
This Spring we were drawing more than 200 for many worship services.
One Sunday we blew to top off with 255! (Let's just keep bring babies up front- it seems to draw a crowd.)
Since the sun returned to Ontario in mid-May we've been at about 170.
Here's the great news- we are still growing!
When compared to 2008 our total numbers continue to rise, and we continue to see visitors almost every week!
The Funds
Here's a new item I'm going to start sharing with our volunteers- budget updates.
Our first year (2008) we invented a budget from scratch.
With a year under our belt we came up with what we believed a realistic, but faith-stretching budget for 2009.
Here's the good news- many more are now giving.
Here's the challenging news- we are still under budget.
We took a leap of faith to start Connections.
We're eager to take a few more leaps- a second service, a ministry center, hiring some part time staff.
But to take our next steps we need more resources.
Here's what we PROPOSED:
2009 Budget: $219,831.00
2009 Budget per week: $4,227.52.
Here's where we're at:
AVERAGE PER WEEK FOR 2008: $2,6111.51
Projection for 2009 at this level: $137,798.72
Shortfall at this rate: -$84,032.28 for 2009
What does this mean?
Here's the situation- we can basically continue what we are doing.
We can maintain our current level of ministry:
One full time staff member, renting the theatre, covering our expenses, insurance and supplies.
Can we move forward? Yes.
But we need to move forward prayerfully and seek to increase our level of giving.
Story of the Week
Yesterday (June 7) we averted our first major incident at Connections.
Actually, it wasn't totally averted- it still cost Kevin MacGregor 3 stitches on his noggin!
Our set up process is labor intensive and technically difficult.
I'm amazed every week as I see the team pull the service together.
Let's just commit to being safe.
Ask for help. Take your time.
Let's all work together to improve our process.
Upcoming Series
Start spreading the word now...
Summer 2009 @ Connections:
"MANIFESTO"
We are taking the whole summer (June 21- August 30) to go through what is commonly called "The Sermon on the Mount."
Matthew 5-7 is Jesus' opus and our manifesto for Christ-like living.
It's gonna be awesome.
I'm already chomping at the bit.
Seriously, this series is going to change our church forever!
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