2020 Year-End Financial Report
by John Messick, Ways & Means Commission Chair
Greetings, Westminster family! I wanted to update you on how the church is doing as we wind down 2020. But first, on behalf of the Commission, I want to extend a grateful thank-you for your support through your financial gifts, leadership, time, and patience in a year that none of us could have foreseen. Though 2020 has been challenging, our church has continued moving forward thanks to the grace of God and the dedication of our church family. Thank you!
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, political environment, and social unrest, Westminster has persevered and accomplished a great deal in 2020. We fully integrated three new staff members to include Cherrie Barton Henry, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & Mission; Alex Stayer-Brewington, Associate Pastor for Youth & Their Families; and Marietta Wynands, Director of Christian Education. While all three officially joined Westminster in late 2019, their first full year was 2020, and their service is such a blessing to our church community.
We have also learned how to worship together through virtual means, continued the church's business through Zoom meetings, and stayed connected by the work of our wonderful TREE callers. We’ve also completed the construction of our new Fellowship Hall, which will expand our abilities to serve both our congregation and the community. Be sure to sign up for one of the Fellowship Hall tours!
2020 Operating Budget: Through your generous support, we have received approximately 90% of the pledged 2020 dollars, which has enabled us to meet all our financial obligations, including 100% support of our local missions for this year. We still have about 10% of 2020 pledges remaining, representing approximately $155,000 in the operating budget, so I am asking everyone with outstanding pledges to pay by the end of the year if possible.
2021 Stewardship Campaign: We are behind where we were at this time last year with pledged support for the upcoming year. To date, we have received 212 family pledges totaling just over $910,000, which is 13% below our 2020 financial support. Thanks to those families that have already provided pledges for 2021. For those that have not, please consider making your pledge as soon as possible as these are the funds we depend on to cover our annual operating budget and our local missions efforts.
Capital Campaign: We have collected 91.4% of our three-year Capital Campaign pledges, which ends on March 31, 2021. If you have a remaining balance on your pledge, please consider paying it by the end of this year if feasible for you.
In 2017, the congregation approved a loan for up to $1 million to complement the funds raised by the Capital Campaign to complete the Fellowship Hall. As has been discussed in many updates over the last three years, the intention to retire this debt will come from a second Capital Campaign. There is more to come on this, but I wanted you to know that the formation of our next Capital Campaign is a top 2021 priority for the Ways & Means Commission, which we will be discussing with you over the next few months.
In closing, thank you all for your financial support of our Westminster community in a tough and challenging year. We must remain connected in all aspects that are available to us and never forget that no matter what the challenge is, we are all brothers and sisters bound by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. On behalf of your Ways & Means Commission, thank you again for all you do for our church, and we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
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