End of Fiscal Year Update from Pastor Mark | June 23, 2023
Dear Peace Members and Contributors,
We are nearing the end of the program year 2022-23 and this letter is a “thank you,” an update, and an “ask.” Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to all of you who contribute to the mission and ministry of Peace Lutheran Church through your presence, witness, service, and financial giving. Your faithfulness to Peace has been so encouraging to me and the other staff. The core of Peace goes way beyond those here in the office but includes those who are regularly in worship, those who volunteer week in and week out with children and youth, Stephen ministers in 1-1 caring relationships, those who lead Life Groups, our Board of Deacons and various ministry teams, and I could go on and on. Together as followers of Jesus, we are Peace and more importantly, part of God’s Kingdom here in the Chippewa Valley. I thank God for you.
This program year has been one of recovery for the Peace community coming out of COVID and the struggles of 2021. The staff submitted their highlights for the year and of those I picked a top 10.
28 baptisms between July 1-June 30
Great opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus at funerals
The Forgiving Challenge
Daily Scripture readings provided for the entire program year
Holy Week services were well attended with engaging elements
The website was rebuilt
Evaluated staff needs, recruited for open positions, hired Abbi Meyer as Worship Director, made Marlee Forke our full-time Children’s Ministry director, and hired Tonya as our Business Manager to replace Kathy Foster who is retiring
High school students served as youth ministry interns
Re-established in-person children’s ministry (Sunday School, Discovery Club, and Vacation Bible School)
Re-established in-person adult Bible studies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.
You have been a part of all this through your giving, participation, and prayer.
Finally, the “ask.” Through May with the month of June ahead, our church finances look like this:
Total Budgeted Expenses $1,336,965
Total Budgeted Revenue $1,322,600
Budget Shortfall through May $-14,365
Out of Budget Building Expenses (from Momentum dollars) $31,026
You can help us finish strong financially. If you have not been contributing financially post-COVID, I invite you to start. As well as in person, you can also contribute online or talk with Kathy Foster (before she leaves!) about how to set up regular giving through your bank. For those of you who have been giving regularly and have been so resourced by God, you might give an extra gift this month, help us remove the deficit, and give us financial momentum moving into the new program year.
God is good. Thank you for the privilege I’ve had to serve as one of your pastors. In August, I’ll give you a “forecast” as to the program year ahead.
God’s blessings on your summer.
Pastor Mark
