April 2, 2020
To Rectors, Priests-in-Charge, Wardens, Treasurers, Parish Administrators, Camp Bishopswood, Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, Trinity Jubilee Center, Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Trustees of Diocesan Funds, Diocesan Staff, and Related Diocesan Entities
URGENT REQUEST FOR UTILITY COST DATA AND OTHER DIRECT PAYMENT INFORMATION
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recently passed sweeping legislation to help mitigate the economic impact this has caused.
The Diocese of Maine is compiling and submitting an application to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
on behalf of the parishes, missions, and related diocesan entitie
s. The PPP provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. If employees are kept on the payroll, the loan can be fully forgiven.
Since the Diocese processes payroll for most churches, we have that information. However, since you pay your utilities, please provide us with the following:
UTILITIES INFORMATION
For the calendar year 2019, please provide total $ amount paid for:
- Telephone/Internet
- Fuel
- Electric
- Water
- Sewer
For the above, please:
- Provide actual $ amounts
- Do not estimate
- Include utilities for both the church buildings and church-provided housing where utilities are paid directly by the church
- Retain upcoming utility bills and records of payment
OTHER PAYMENTS, MORTGAGES, 1099 EMPLOYEES
If your parish made other direct payments (i.e., separate from the diocesan payroll system) such as contributions for benefits (e.g., contributions to a 403 (b) plan), please include them and describe the nature of such payments. In addition to benefits, please include interest payments on any mortgages or rent on any leases, if applicable, and payment totals for “contract employees”, otherwise referred to as Form 1099 recipients.
BASIC INFORMATION
Please also provide:
- Name of Parish
- Municipality
- Contact and Title
- Telephone
- Email
If the Diocese obtains this loan, detailed instructions about how individual parishes may apply will be forthcoming.
Time is of the essence! Congress passed the legislation last week and key details regarding the program are being finalized by the US Treasury and Small Business Administration. Tomorrow, April 3 is the first day that applications will be accepted.
If possible, please provide this information by noon tomorrow, April 3rd. If you are unable to make that deadline, please respond to me with an estimate of when you could provide the information.
Thank you,
Terry
Canon Terry Reimer
Canon for Finance and Stewardship
207-772-1953 x 134
