One year of "Together"
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the "Together" electronic newsletter. You'll recall that this was the first concrete step taken to carry out the desire of the last synod convention to improve the communication between the synod and its members. From all we can tell, many people have appreciated the timeliness and relevance of the news in "Together." Thank you for the many expressions of thanks and appreciation.
I would also like to thank WELS Communications Director Joel Hochmuth and his staff, as well as WELS Chief Technology Officer Martin Spriggs and his staff, for the fine work that they have done to create and produce this important communication tool.
Please encourage the members of your congregation and the people in your family to subscribe directly to "Together." You can do this at http://together.wels.net/subscribe
Offerings decline in August
After the amazing financial support WELS received last year, enabling us to end the year with a significant surplus, offerings have declined in June, July, and August of this year compared to the same months last year. While Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) are still one percent above last year's offerings—and we are truly thankful for this in these tough economic times—the adopted budget calls for a three percent increase. This decline will not require major adjustments in our programs or ministries for this year, since a potential shortage could be offset by the surplus from last year.
But it does raise a red flag looking to the future, since our commitment to expand our efforts in world and home missions and to maintain our ministerial education schools depends on the higher level of support that was projected. Keep this situation in your prayers, asking God to continue to move his people to support the work that he's given us to do.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Read the entire monthly executive summary, prepared by WELS' chief financial officer for the Conference of Presidents and the Synodical Council, online at: www.wels.net/jump/finance
Filed Under: , Budget, CMO, e-newsletter, Finance, Offering, Together
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