By Denny Rodgers, Treasurer

At last year’s annual meeting, we approved a budget with a $98,000 deficit to cover an income/expense gap and to hire our first Assistant Minister. Then, several factors helped reduce that deficit significantly:

• The Endowment Task Force approved a new policy that transferred over $14,000 from the fund to the operating budget. 
• Robin Pugh, our beloved Director of Congregational Life, retired early, returning $18,000 to the operating budget.
• Our Worship Tech also departed, which reduced the deficit by an additional $5,000.
• Jane Root, the Stewardship Committee’s Chairperson, recovered over $12,000 in overlooked pledges from the 2024-2025 pledge campaign by making follow-up calls. 
• The Finance Committee allocated 100% of the Auction surplus over the budgeted amount this year, which meant an additional $4,500 for operations compared with last year.
• Plate donations grew to 125% of the budget, resulting in $4,300 in additional revenue. 
• Gifts exceeded the budget by over $25,000.
• The Capital Campaign repaid over $28,000 of the $70,000 “loan” from our operating savings, with pledge payments through 2026. 

As a result, our deficit fell to about $20,000, which we could absorb easily, with over $184,000 in non-restricted/non-reserve cash available as of June 30th.

First Quarter 2026-2027 Financial Picture

Income is exceeding our budget projection, and expenditures are on target. As of September 30th, we had approximately $199,000 in non-restricted/reserve cash available. We anticipate an additional $7,300 from Capital Campaign pledges.  

Our budgeted deficit for the year is only $5,213, so even with unanticipated new spending, I project we will still have $175,000 in non-restricted/reserve cash (savings) available at the end of the year.

Please contact me with any questions.