Scroll to the end of this e-newsletter! Sometimes the latter part is clipped, so click "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" to see it all! :-)

A Look at Our Church Finances

At our regular meeting Monday, the Church Council reviewed the preliminary results for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. While a few adjustments remain before the books are closed, it appears that we will finish the year with a deficit of approximately $11,000.

The Council spent considerable time reviewing the numbers and was encouraged to see that ministry leaders and staff held spending approximately $50,000 below budget during the year. That reflects both creativity and a strong sense of stewardship within our amazing leaders! Ultimately, lower-than-expected General Fund giving in July ($8,000 below budget) and August ($9,500 below budget)—our final two months of the fiscal year—accounted for most of the year-end deficit.

At the same time, there is much for which we can be thankful! Our Grace for Generations campaign has already received more than $127,500 in gifts since March. With the dollar-for-dollar match, that brings the campaign total to more than $305,000! So again, hear me say how thankful we are for the amazing generosity in our congregation!

Also, over the years we have been able to build an operational cash reserve of approximately $40,000. So the $11,000 deficit can be covered from that reserve. As a reminder, the final project of the Grace for Generations campaign is to build that reserve to approximately three months of operating expenses so we have enough cushion to handle ebbs and flows in ministry and giving in the future. 

As we begin the new fiscal year, Mike Seden, our treasurer, and I will be taking a closer look at the 2026–2027 budget and identifying opportunities to reduce spending where possible. Our current budget is already a stretch as we seek to expand ministry, so careful stewardship will remain important.  

Most importantly, thank you! Even though General Fund giving fell short of budget this year, this has been an incredibly generous one for Grace. Thank you for your faithful support, your generosity, and your shared vision for how God is using our congregation to share God’s Love so that ALL are served and supported.

In Grace,

Pastor Steve

P.S. Please consider taking the survey below for the NC Synod (under the NEWS FROM THE NC SYNOD tab).



Community Opporunity

Current Community Partner: OASIS

Please stop by the Community Partner table (located in the Fellowship Hall) for more information as well as the donation collection box.

This is the LAST week that we are spotlighting OASIS, so please donate now if you plan to. Thank you!

Does this look a little different? It should! We've added two new volunteer roles to the sign-ups: Online Liturgy Reader and Nursery Volunteer! Reach out to the church office if you have questions or just want to sign up!

Curious about serving on a Sunday? Click the link below!

Want to know what's happening with North Carolina Synod ELCA? Click below!

Dear friends,

Your voice matters in the North Carolina Synod!

Since I assumed the role of bishop a year ago, I have frequently been asked, “What’s your vision for the synod?” It’s a great question, and I do have a broad vision: "Let’s collaborate more so that the message of the gospel can be amplified through our shared gifts and joint work!” In the spirit of collaboration, however, I'm not forming this vision on my own. For this reason, the NC Synod has contracted with an ELCA-adjacent organization, LEAD, and gathered a Strategic Planning Team to create a new strategic plan.

We're in the midst of a 10-12 month process of careful listening across the synod to align our work with our mission, vision, and core values. 

After listening to 37 focus groups across the synod, the planning team continues the LEAD listening process with a synod-wide survey. With your help, we are discerning how the Holy Spirit is calling us into the future and what it will take to follow that call.

Please share your thoughts with the NC Synod Strategic Planning Team by taking 5-10 minutes to complete this survey (see below). The survey will close at end-of-day on Sunday, September 27.

I am so grateful for the passion that you have for our ministry together. Thank you for being a part of this holy work!

Together in Christ,

The Rev. Emily K. Hartner

Bishop, North Carolina Synod

Click on each image below for more information or sign-ups!

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Dana Holden is leading TUESDAY morning Bible study.

Please join in person at 11:00am in

the Chapel!

Young Professional Sunday Evening Bible Study

Young Professionals Bible Study happens weekly on Sundays from 4:30- 5:30pm in the Chapel.

The specific dates are announced and shared as they are chosen. For details, contact James Holden holdenje92@gmail.com.

Adult Sunday School Class

We have so great activities going on for Children, 
Youth and Family!


Copies of the current 
Children, Youth & Family 
calendar are available for pick-up at Church or through Matt!

Note: For all things about kids, please reach out to Matt Chapman, Director of Congregational Life!

We have SO MUCH going on!