"Year of Jubilee" launched at district conventions
Filed Under: Budget, Finance, Offering, Year of Jubilee
"Year of Jubilee," the new synodwide offering designed to reduce WELS' debt of $22.4 million, was launched with special presentations at each of the 12 district conventions last month. Nearly $30,000 in gifts has been received from delegates themselves at eight of the conventions.
More than a third of the amount—more than $10,000—was given by delegates to the South Central District Convention in Dallas. "It is our prayer that a similar spirit is bursting into bloom in the other districts," says Rev. Vilas Glaeske, the district's president. "It is very much an achievable goal for our church body to eliminate her debt in one year and as a result to be in a position to strengthen the whole budgeting process."
The special debt-reduction offering was authorized by the 2007 synod convention. If the entire debt—mostly a result of capital projects and internal borrowing—can be repaid, about $2.7 million in annual debt payments would be freed up for other ministry.
Congregations should have already received a packet explaining how to conduct the offering locally. That packet includes a DVD for showing during the main thrust of the campaign this December. It also includes informational brochures—approximately one for every member. Other promotional resources are available online: www.wels.net/jubileeworship
