As summer comes to a close, it is a good time to take stock of our financial
situation. Through July, our operating expenses for the year exceed contributions by about $31,500. This compares to a deficit of about $18,000 for the same time last year, and a deficit of about $14,000 as of July, 2021.
The deficit stems from unfavorable variances on both sides of our financial equation: lower than expected contributions and higher than anticipated expenses. About two-thirds of the excess expenses can be attributed to higher-than-expected buildings and grounds expenses.
The Council and Operations Committee are carefully monitoring this situation. We are looking for ways to cut spending without seriously hampering our ability to serve the Trinity community and achieve our mission as a church.
As to lower contributions, there are two factors at work: lower regular contributions, and the timing of special one-time gifts that are received throughout the year. We are consistently blessed with one-time gifts that come to us at irregular intervals throughout the year. Planning for those is difficult; when gifts are received later than anticipated, it makes our results look “short” in the meantime.
With regard to regular contributions, we hope that members will review their giving to date and plans for the remainder of the year. If your giving to date is less than you’d planned, can you adjust future giving to meet your original plans? Do you have the ability to give more than you’d originally planned? We recognize that circumstances change, and that people sometimes find themselves unable to give at the level they had originally planned. All gifts of every size are appreciated.
Trinity has always been blessed by the generosity of our members and friends. Even with the operational shortfall through July, we have still been able to meet our monetary needs by tapping into financial reserves. We hope to be able to build those reserves back to previous levels.
Thank you for your continued support.
Scott Peterson, Financial Secretary