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Delegates review, reflect on implications of budget

PNC treasurer Wendy Blight presented the conference budget, noting that 68 percent of funds that keep the conference afloat come from Our Churches’ Wider Mission, $453,000 of $662,800 in income.  Other sources are transfers from General Reserves, the Pentecost Fund and the Church Development Fund.

Wendy Blight, PNC treasurer listens to input on budget.

She presented the budget early in the one-day meeting, and later it was approved.

“The reserves,” she said, are to be rainy day funds and now is a time to use them to invest in developing church vitality, finding new ways to communicate and building relationships.”

Wendy reported that OCWM giving was down $10,000 from last year, so there is need to increase OCWM commitment and use dollars.

She also reported that the PNC continues to send 31 percent to the national setting, “because we believe in what the national church is doing and what it is saying in preaching, teaching and speaking out as a progressive voice in the nation and world. Costs for the national UCC go up every year, too.”

To help meet needs, the PNC has set a goal to draw $10,000 from a new “Friends of the Conference” campaign, inviting gifts of $500 or gifts of $10 from individuals.

Expenses include $396,600 in staff costs, administrative expenses, leadership committees, other mission support—including a reduction in funds for the Faith Action Network (FAN) from $12,000 to $8,000.

“We are not happy with doing that, but need to encourage churches and individuals to give to FAN,” she said.

Funds for salary go for ministries, Wendy said, such as Mike Denton speaking out against hate and in solidarity with the Muslim community at a press conference after a woman wearing a hijab was beaten in Seattle.

Those funds also are translated into the dream to build vitality in local churches through faith lived out in justice in a broken world through Courtney Stange-Tregear’s ministry, Wendy added.

A small church is doing vital work in Eastern Washington as the only progressive voice in a conservative town, and Courtney is there to help that church not only survive but keep hope alive, Wendy added.

“We will continue to find creative ways to be financially viable, so our belief in an inclusive, loving God can spread in the region,” she said.

The 2017-18 budget for N-Sid-Sen is $417,000, which includes $255,000 coming from non-UCC retreats, $72,700 from UCC summer camps and $49,150 from UCC retreats.

Pilgrim Firs revenue is a total of $528,000, which includes $424,500 from non-UCC retreats, $59,800 from UCC retreats and $32,500 from UCC summer camps.

The PNC also has capital budgets for N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs.

• At N-Sid-Sen, projects include a new swim dock, a pedestrian path across Highway 97, outback shelters east of the highway, replacing the camp truck and pump house system.  Five year dream projects include two mini homes south of Syringa, a manager residence in the North Cove area and building a new lodge like Spirit Lodge.

• Pilgrim Firs projects include renovations of Huckleberry House, temporary staff housing, a septic system, and long term dream projects include staff/volunteer housing and a program building.

While at the time of Annual Meeting the Mattress Campaign was at $72,196, the full $75,000 has been raised and mattresses are in place.

For information, call 206-725-8383.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference UCC News © Summer 2017

 

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