2012 Operating Budget Campaign

A letter from Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts, Senior Pastor,
October 27, 2011

Dear Friends,

It’s that time again! It’s time to develop the budget for Saint Mark for 2012. The church staff has many great ideas for events and programs for next year. The worship committee would like to invite Marcia McFee, a worship design expert, to hold a workshop for us on how to enrich our services with more art and liturgy. Jennifer Hansen is being sent to Uganda as a missionary and we would like to become one of her supporting congregations. Our publicity wing needs to print new street banners and explore additional advertizing options which will give us more community exposure. We are in the process of getting permits to demolish 117 5th Street so we can expand our parking and save the money we spend on that for more important things. And as always, we want to expand our missions locally to make a more positive impact on Midtown and surrounding neighborhoods.  So, though these plans are exciting, before we can finalize the budget we need to have an idea of what people are going to be able to give during 2012. This is where you come in!

In this letter there are two charts to help you in your pledge decision making process. The first is a chart that shows how much the various donors who give to Saint Mark (individuals or families), give to the church per week. We include this data so that you can see where you stand in relation to the other givers in the church. You will notice that out of 1948 giving units (both individuals and families counted as one unit), there are 1475 who do not give to the church at all. About 220 of these are folks who do attend and sign in the pew pads. Some are those who attend but don’t sign in. About 208 are people we have lost track of, others are those who live too far away to feel connected to Saint Mark anymore. However, if only those 220 who regularly attend but don’t give will begin to give something, we will be well on our way to firmer financial footing.

The second chart we have included is one to help you strive toward the goal of tithing, giving 10% to the church. We all have unique financial situations. We cannot all give the same amount nor should we. However, we truly need everyone to do their very best to insure that Saint Mark and its programs remain strong. This is why we encourage members to tithe.  While we know this is beyond where most people are, this chart can help you see how making incremental increases over the years can get you to that goal.

On this coming Sunday, October 30th, and on November 6th and 13th we will have pledge cards available in worship for you to write down your financial commitment to Saint Mark for 2012. You can also get a copy of the pledge card on our website (stmarkumc.org) and prepare it in advance, or simply email your pledge to Deana Hilton in the Finance Office. You can give electronically through your bank and information on that is also on the website. However, if you are not going to be present in worship any time soon and you do not use a computer, you can simply call Deana at 404-873-2636, ext. 14 and tell her what you would like to pledge.

On Sunday November 20th, after we have received the first of the pledge cards, we will report the results this early stage of fund raising knowing that many people will still be making their decision and communicating that to us later. However, on November 30th we will present the finished budget, based on pledge and other financial projections, at our annual Charge Conference.

Why should you give to Saint Mark? If you love your church, the staff members who care for you, the worship experiences, the drama ministry, the children’s programs, our homeless ministry, adult education programs like Fellowship Supper, SaintMark@Home and Theology on Tap, our recreational ministries, our youth and missions programs - all of these are reasons to give because they depend upon your gifts.

Please be in prayer about this. Consider well what you feel you can sacrifice out of your personal budget to build the budget at Saint Mark. Without your help we can do nothing. With it, we can do anything.

Yours as always,
Beth LaRocca-Pitts

Click on charts to enlarge:

November 6 & 13 are Commitment Sundays

Click here to make your online pledge to the 2012 Operating Budget of Saint Mark United Methodist Church.

Click here to download and print a copy of the Pledge Card. Complete it, place it in the offering plate OR return it to the church office.

You can also contact Deana Hilton, Business Administrator, to let her know your pedge.

If you have questions about your pledge or any financial matter, contact:

Deana Hilton, Business Administrator
Saint Mark United Methodist Church
781 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404.873.2636 x14, 404.873.2639 fax