We would like to ask that each of us be in prayer for our United Methodist congregations – in our conference, our district and specifically, our Tanner Williams congregation. 

             Beginning with 2011, changes in the district’s yearly apportionments will be greatly affecting us.  Our district is shifting the burden of each minister’s health insurance and retirement costs from the district to the individual congregations.  As part of this redistribution, there will be a reduction in our annual apportionment, BUT beginning in January 2011, we will receive a monthly direct billing for the minister’s insurance and retirement.

             Unfortunately, this new monthly bill does not correspond to the decrease in our annual apportionment dollar for dollar.  Indeed, this change could result in as much as an 8 - 10% increase in our 2011 annual budget.  At this point our 2010 budget is as trim as we can make it without critically endangering the core elements of our ministries within and without our church walls.  Our missions and community involvement are the heart of who we are at Tanner Williams and as God’s children.

 

             The timing of this change is very difficult for a number of us.  We have all been affected by the recent changes in our economy.  To ask more of the individual congregations could easily cause them to have to make difficult choices that may endanger their sustainability. 

             We are asking everyone to consider prayerfully your contributions to our church, and if you feel that your budget can accommodate an increase of any level, please consider making that part of your plans for the immediate future.

             “For this ministry you render is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but it is also overflowing with more and more prayers of thanksgiving to God.”          

2 Corinthians 9:12

 

Thank you,

Finance and Staff-Parish Relations Committees