Posted on Mon, May 20, 2013
Gets copies of revised budget
Rev. Keeler spent 10 minutes prior to worship Sunday attempting to explain Zion's current financial condition and to present details regarding a revised and reduced church budget recently approved by the ad council for the remaining three quarters of 2013.
He said the church was struggling in its operational budget, but relatively healthy in the availability of funds for designated and capital use. A problem arises, he said, because it is improper to use funds given for a specific capital use -- such as development of a shelter house and playground area -- for church operations. The powerpoint presentation was designed to help members understand the flow of funding into and out of the church and informed them in clear terms about recent cuts in spending. In its preparation of the revised budget two weeks ago, the ad board made the following cuts:
- youth director's position eliminated effective July 1
- music director's salary cut from $1,500 to $500 in final three quarters
- Rev. Keeler to lose mileage reimbursements at savings of about $3,000.
- kitchen budget reduced
- payments to the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church eliminated
- an annual membership at Camp Sabroske
Rev. Keeler informed the congregation that spending for worship-related activities, advertising for special events, and supplies to operate the church have all been slashed. Among the items lost in those categories would be presentation Bibles for youngsters being confirmed, special gifts in worship on Mother's Day and Father's Day, and basic office supplies. Ad council voted to keep paying part-time janitors by diverting funds from a special parsonage account.
"We have also been blessed," he said, "by a secret donor who has in recent weeks left cases of supplies and goods needed to operate the church just inside the door of a closet at the church."
Jean Smith said the gifts included envelopes for the office, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, plates and napkins for the kitchen, and other items.
"If we can't live on this budget," Rev. Keeler said, "then the only places left to cut are in pastoral hours, music performance, and janitors.
The slide show revealed exactly where every dollar of church money resides and the uses for which it can be used. Rev. Keeler said the ad council was adamant that it wanted the church's finances to be absolutely transparent to every member, with no secrets regarding where we stand financially.
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