Last Saturday the Board and Finance Committee hosted the last of the three Budget Hearings they had scheduled. The congregation was invited to review the proposed budget, hear how the Finance Committee and the Board had made their decisions, ask questions, offer feedback, and share ideas. I attended all three of the hearings and found the process very constructive. The Board members listened carefully and made notes, which will inform the next step of the process.

Next, on Tuesday, June 13, at the June Board meeting, the Board and I will take another look at the budget. We will discuss what we heard at the hearings, and we will note any changes to our projected income or expenses that developed since the May Board meeting. The expected outcome from this further look at the budget is a final proposed budget that will be shared with the congregation shortly after the Board meeting, and will be voted on by the congregation during our annual meeting on June 25. I hope you’ll take a look at the final proposed budget as soon as it’s available, and attend the meeting on June 25. You vote on the budget is important, but you’ll also want to hear the year-end reports and participate in other important business before the congregation.

At the beginning of each of the budget hearings, I presented a statement sharing my views of the financial situation of the church, both the problem that we’re facing and two paths toward solving the problem. If you weren’t able to attend one of the hearings, I hope you’ll take the time to read my statement, which you can find here.