Dear First Community Family,

Sunday in worship, we shared an important update about the financial health of our church, and a bold invitation to step forward together in faith and generosity.

Our Finish Strong campaign is more than a fundraising effort. It’s a call to action, an opportunity to help First Community close a significant gap in our current cash flow position and eliminate the debt that has limited our ministries. It's also a moment for us to come together as a community to sustain our ministry now and build a strong foundation for the future.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Recent fiscal year losses, coupled with weak cash reserves, have led to the current financial challenges. Additionally, the assumption of $600,000 in non-cash income for 2025 may have been overly optimistic—putting further strain on available resources and exceeding actual cash capacity.
• Our cash flow is under pressure. We are currently projecting a $600,000 cash deficit by the end of this year unless immediate action is taken. 
• At the same time, our capital debt continues to weigh heavily on our budget. Right now, we are making interest-only payments of $10,000/month. But beginning in August, that payment will rise to $40,000/month due to an amortization of principal, unless we eliminate the debt.
• Our operating and capital needs are both real. Cash reserves helped us keep things running, but they are depleting and cause us now to take more drastic steps to alleviate our cash flow challenges. 
• We believe in a new beginning. This moment calls for clarity, courage, and commitment. By paying off this debt and sustaining our ministry, we can move toward financial freedom by 2026—positioning First Community for growth, vision, and innovation for years to come.

To help you better understand the urgency and the path forward, we’ve prepared a set of brief talking points that explain the current situation and the impact of your giving:

• Finish Strong Talking Points

And when you’re ready to make your gift, the link is live and open now:

• Give Now to Finish Strong

You may choose to designate your gift toward:

• Operating needs (day-to-day ministry and staffing)
• Capital/debt reduction (Finish Strong campaign)
• Or allow church leadership to allocate it where it’s most needed

Friends, your generosity—right now—will help us sustain vital ministry, care for our staff, support our community, and set the stage for a future filled with possibility and purpose.

Thank you for your love for First Community and your faithful response to this moment.

With deep gratitude,