Update for 2023 Q1 Finances
From the Ebenezer Finance Team:
As stewards of Ebenezer’s finances, we want to share an overview from the first quarter of this year.
Each year, we develop an annual budget that estimates both our income and expenses and serves as a guide to keep us on a solid financial footing. We are constantly tracking both income and expenses and we evaluate where we stand at the end of each quarter. During the first quarter of this year, our expenses were higher than our income.
Here’s a breakdown of those numbers:
Higher than expected monthly gas bills, along with a necessary boiler repair increased our expenses beyond our income during this quarter. Revenue from community house space usage was down, which also contributed to the shortfall.
To help cover operating expenses, we requested two enrichment transfers from our endowment fund this quarter. Utilizing some money from our endowment fund throughout the year is something we routinely do and is part of our 2023 budget and financial plan.
We are also connecting with the groups who use our building space to understand why that income was lower than we expected to help us project more accurately for the rest of the year.
The financial health of the parish is important to all of us and our mission. We want to have the resources to be open to the things God is calling us to do. We’re grateful for the financial support provided by our members, as well as the hours of volunteer work contributed by so many in our community.
If you haven’t considered your giving commitment for this year, we hope you will do that. If we can count on you, please complete a pledge form and return it either electronically or to any finance team member or to Pastor Michael. If you have completed a pledge form but haven’t seen any charges yet from Simply Giving please contact Mike Neff.
Thank you for your support and prayers. If you have questions, please ask any one of us – we are happy to talk with you about Ebenezer’s budget and finances.
The Ebenezer Finance Team
Mike Neff, Jim Bedinger, Jessica Daniels, Patrick Donnelly, Dennis Sall, Andrea Tolzmann, David Wood