A Message from Outreach

I love our church, and the commitment we make to be the hands and feet of God in our world.  Outreach is a critical part of who we are and what we do, and it’s been very difficult to see the decline in our Outreach budget.

•    OCWM isn’t the only program to suffer in the last couple of years, but it is down from $33,000 in 2010 to $20,000 for 2012.  Following the budget discussion at the congregational meeting, it will be increased to $25,000 for 2012 if cash donations and additional pledges allow.  
•    Our Congregations for the Homeless budget has stayed the same over that period of time, but our costs have increased.  We pay (so far through separate donations) $400 for the dental van to serve the guys, and we spend closer to $3000 than the budgeted $2000 for food and supplies that we provide. 
•    The quilting group gets reimbursed for $250 for supplies, but usually spends 3 to 4 times that amount. 
•    We hand out bus tickets to needy people who come through our doors every day, but there is no budget to cover this important service.  This year we received a special donation that will cover these tickets for the first half of the year. 

It is my belief that our Outreach budget should cover many of these costs, especially those that happen every year.  But if the people making pledges don’t know our needs, or don’t clearly understand where their money is going, they cannot be faulted for not covering them!  The council makes hard decisions every year, and while it’s important that we trust their judgment, it’s also critical that we understand and have total clarity about what our money is doing.  Thanks to everyone who asked hard questions and challenged us on Sunday evening!

I do want to point out that the Outreach budget is not the only way our congregation supports our outreach efforts!  The Crop Walk attracts people who walk the walk and willingly donate.  The Crossroads Feeding program has a very active team of monthly volunteers who cook, deliver, and serve dinners.  Many of you volunteer to help serve dinner to the men who are our guests in November, and donate food, clothing, and supplies for them.  The quilters meet monthly and donate many quilts every year to women escaping domestic violence.  Their materials cost $500-$1000 a year, but we only cover a small portion of that.  Their time and the remainder of their materials are donated.  These are just a few examples of the work we do and the gifts we give outside of pledges and budgets.

We are a generous congregation.  We care deeply about the world outside our doors.  We have a church “business” to operate, and we have causes that we choose to support.  When you make your pledges, look closely at our budget, and see the good work that we are doing.  After the congregational meeting, and the discussion about the budget, we received  - that evening – 20% of the targeted money for OCWM.  I love this church, I love the generosity, and I love the thoughtfulness.  It’s an honor to serve as chair of the Outreach Commission!

Karin Evensta