Stewardship 2011

Our campaign began October 17, 2010 and will culminate on November 7 with a Stewardship Lunch following the 10:45 am worship service. 

A message from Paul Chermak, Stewardship Chair, and Mark Goodman-Morris, Pastor

It takes a village to make a church community, and we have a great village!  VPC is a blessed faith family of committed and generous members who love God and want to make a difference in the world.  Now is the time of year when we ask you to give generously to the work and mission of Valley Presbyterian Church. Your thoughtful gift will empower our village to move forward in love and service ~ faithful, vibrant, and strong.

Last spring, the Session presented to the congregation a new Vision Statement and Mission Statements for areas of ministry and mission.  In addition, it approved a change in our fiscal year, now July 1 to June 30. These changes sharpened the focus of all that we do at VPC, while at the same time providing a fiscal framework that allowed for more accurate planning and funding of our efforts.

Within this new framework, the Session approved an annual operating budget for fiscal 2010-2011 of $746,577 – a modest 1.5% increase over the previous year's expenses.  This budget reflects:

• The addition of a Director of Youth Ministry. (This position, filled by Ashley Pogue, was funded with special funds as a pilot project last year.)
• Increases in “fixed costs” that are out of the church’s control. (such as utilities, insurance)
• A freeze on Mission giving at the last year level.
• A continuation of the 10% cut in staff compensation from last year, additional cuts to some positions, and a restructuring of medical benefits.

For the past two years, we have balanced our budget by coming back to the congregation for a “second mile gift” and by dipping into our modest reserves.  The intent of this campaign is to reach our giving goal of $605,000 and not resort to either of those emergency measures.  Using these donations, plus other sources of income (including income from endowment and weddings), your chosen leaders work diligently to balance the growing needs of our ministry and the commitment to fiscal responsibility.

We ask that you prayerfully discern your gift to Valley Presbyterian Church. Please consider all of your God-given blessings and make your stewardship decision from that generous place. God is good. You are a generous people.  We are a deeply blessed church.  This is the time when we put these realities together.

Online Stewardship Response Form

Elders Ginger Holt and Alice Chiang making Stewardship reminder calls