Since our last report to
you in October,
we continue to be blessed with many wonderful
activities and initiatives.
We are happy to provide you with a brief update
from our November 10 Church Council meeting
and the Congregational Meeting on November
26. Your suggestions, questions, and participation
are very welcome.
1. Project 20/20. In June,
with the receipt of the Project 20/20 report,
Church Council
planned to hold five information sessions for
the congregation to review the details of the
report along with opportunities for involvement/participation
in various Project 20/20 initiatives. Over
the summer and fall a number of key items were
begun and others are well underway. In discussion
with Church Council and the congregation in
November, it was felt that Project 20/20 is
well understood and our focus should be to
support communication and implementation of
the many wonderful projects such as Congregational
Development, Sunday School Visioning, Faith
Formation Team, Website Working Group, and
continued fiscal responsibility. Therefore,
the information sessions will not be scheduled
and we will focus on the various activities
underway. Should you have questions or be interested
in any of the Project 20/20 initiatives, please
speak with Brad Weaver, Vice-Chair of Church
Council or Elsa van Vliet, Chair of Church
Council. We value hearing from you.
2. Mission
and Service (M&S) Update. We
are grateful to all who continue to support
our M&S commitments. The projection for
our 2008 commitment is very positive and our
repayment of the Trust Fund loan of last year
is ahead of schedule. Special thanks as well
to all the Rummage Sale and More volunteers
and supporters for their significant contribution
to the achievement of our M&S goals.
3.
2008 (Year-end) Planning. Again, with thanks
to all who have responded with their time,
talent, treasure and prayers to our request
for nine percent incremental giving for the
last three months of this year and other fundraising
opportunities – from the Barrio Fiesta
and Silent Auction, to Christmas Trees, to
Shop and Support, to Sponsor a Bulletin, etc.
We thank you. Our conservative forecast sees
a possible $30,00 deficit on a budget of $996,000
(3%). M&S amounts are included in this
estimate. But, we are cautiously optimistic
that we will have balanced the budget by December
31, 2008.
4. 2009 Planning
with Fiscal Year-end Change. For 2009 we will continue
to focus
on the priorities
of Project 20/20 and specifically
using the “lens” of Congregational
Development in all we do – welcoming
people new to Islington United. We are changing
our fiscal year-end to June 30 to move the
planning cycle away from the busy Christmas
season and to be more aligned with the rhythm
of the church year. As a result, committees
will submit budget plans for January to June
2009 and for July 2009 to June 2010. This year
only there will be two “annual” meetings
for the congregation; in late February and
in September. We appreciate everyone’s
support and patience as we implement this change.
5.
Sunday School Visioning. This ad hoc team has
been wonderfully active. We have more teachers,
there is engaging curriculum, the Sunday School
program has been renamed “Discovery Quest”,
and some renovations are planned for Room 6.
At this special time of year, I would like
to thank the congregation, my fellow Council
members and our wonderful staff for your ongoing
support, prayers and advice as we seek to serve
our Lord at Islington United Church, in our
community and, through M&S, into the world.
We have been richly blessed in 2008 and have
much to look forward to in 2009. Wishing your
and yours a wonderful and meaningful Christmas
Season.
With thanks and in Christian
service,
Elsa van Vliet
Chair, Church Council
