to receive Rock Spring News and other updates via email!
Q: Can you explain what the Rock Spring benevolence budget supports?
A: The total benevolence budget for 2008 is proposed at $135,646—this is about 14.5% of our budget, down from 15% in 2007.
Most of that total ($107,875) is designated for UCC regional and national programs. Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) receives $86,575 of that money, another $21,300 is designated for our participation in the Potomac Association (of local UCC churches), and for UCC-related efforts such as Lancaster Seminary, Shaw Community Ministry, Hoffman Homes, and others.
Our congregation's gifts for special UCC offerings (Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, The Christmas Fund, One Great Hour of Sharing) are passed through to the appropriate UCC bodies for those purposes, and are not included in Rock Spring's benevolence budget.
The remaining portion of the benevolence budget, $27,771, supports
Northern Virginia non-profit and ecumenical organizations, including shelters, food banks, housing programs, substance abuse programs, health clinics, offender support, and interfaith activities. The recipients are selected by Rock Spring's Board of Stewardship and approved by the congregation at the annual meeting.
Here's more on OCWM: For 2008, Council's proposal for OCWM, is 9.3% of the budget, which is less than the 10% that the national UCC encourages churches to designate for OCWM. The percentage of Rock SpringÕs contribution has declined in recent years, as the church has dealt with steadily rising costs in other areas.
OCWM funds are sent to the Central Atlantic Conference (CAC), which is the UCC regional organization serving our multi-state area of the country. Sixty-five percent of that money is used by the CAC, largely to support Conference staff--including Rev. John Deckenback and Rev. Kwame Osei Reed. CAC staff are ready resources for Rock Spring in many areas, including the search for new pastors, and assistance securing construction loans, for such projects as the Hunter Wing and Carpenter Hall. (Contact us at finance@rockspringucc.org for a brochure that describes the sources of CAC funding and the programs that those funds support.) The remaining 35 percent of our OCWM contributions are forwarded to the national offices of the UCC, to support their programs. This split is set by each conference, and reviewed when the conference budget is approved at its annual meeting.
Q: I really liked the God Is Still Speaking Campaign. Are we doing anything to support that?
A: The UCC always intended that the God Is Still Speaking campaign would eventually be rolled into its regular operations. Earlier this year, a decision was made to designate a significant portion of the denomination's Strengthen the Church special offering to the ongoing God Is Still Speaking initiative. So, if you want to specifically support the God Is Still Speaking campaign, you can keep that in mind when we accept the Strengthen the Church offering each year.
Q: Why are we urged to use direct deposit of our pledge contributions?
A: When the church's income is received predictably, it is easier to meet our payroll, pay our bills, and disburse our benevolences in a business-like manner. There were flow issues in 2007, which would not have happened if everyone was using an automatic deposit system. For more information on direct deposit, contact Financial Secretary Bob Cato at rbcato2@aol.com.
Q: What happens if our pledge campaign goal isn't met—how will we fund the budget proposed for Rock Spring in 2008?
A: If the total pledged income is less than the $765,275 projected, it will require rethinking the 2008 budget. Council may make suggestions for cuts in spending and/or they will need to explore additional sources of income, including the possibility of a subsidy from the Endowment Fund. First and foremost, however, it is imperative that Rock Spring have the most productive giving campaign possible before these alternatives are explored. Preceding the CouncilÕs action, the Board of Finance will weigh-in with recommendations based on its September budget analysis. The Council chair and the co-chairs of Finance are committed to producing a balanced budget for 2008 (the deficit budget adopted for 2007 has contributed to cash flow issues this year). At the January 27 Annual Meeting, the congregation will discuss the options and then vote on the final 2008 budget.
Q: I understand that Rock Spring has five full-time employees and eight part time employees covered in the proposed 2008 budget, representing 64% of total expenditures. How are salary levels set for the pastors and other staff members?
A: Salaries for our three pastors are evaluated each year by Rock Spring's Board of Personnel, using the UCC Central Atlantic Conference Clergy's Minimum Compensation Guidelines. These guidelines take into account an individual's years of professional experience and the size of the congregation. They also consider the cost of living and comparable salaries in the region and recommend benefit levels. The UCC compensation information is not a directive, but a guideline. The line item in our budget for each pastor is not all salary—it includes health insurance, retirement contributions, a housing allowance, and related compensation. The Personnel Board makes recommendations to the Board of Finance and Council for inclusion in the budget. For the non-pastoral staff, Personnel bases its recommendations on comparability to similar positions in the DC-VA-MD area.
Q: Most of the Rock Spring Boards' budgets have been flat-lined for 2008 (Deacons, Social Action, Stewardship), while increases are proposed for the Boards of Music and Christian Ed. Why? And who makes those decisions?
A: n the summer, each board assesses its needs for the coming year and submits a budget request to Council reflecting those needs. Council evaluates those requests, along with projections for personnel, utilities, insurance, office expenses, property maintenance, and other anticipated costs. The results of Council's deliberations are contained in the budget presented at the annual Budget Goals Meeting. The Music Board budget was cut seriously for 2007, so there was an attempt to add some of that cut back in 2008. For the Board of Christian Education, the increase is tied to the fact that Rock Spring has added the Rev. Hank Fairman to the staff as pastor for children, youth, and families. Council felt that Hank should have the resources needed to develop new programs in these areas.
Q: I've heard a lot of talk about money during the pledge campaign this month. Are we losing sight of why we're doing this? Rock Spring isn't a small business, but a place of worship. Where does God fit in?
A: Talking about money at church makes many people feel uncomfortable. However, doing God's work through Rock Spring Church takes money. The Annual Giving Campaign is focusing its message on increasing pledges, because to maintain the programs and staff that currently exist and to expand in some areas (see previous question re C.E.), it takes money. The Campaign message must be clear, so that people understand what is at stake for 2008. It is a step of faith for Rock Spring members and friends to increase their giving—which allows our church to further God's work.
The Board of Finance is attempting to answer frequently un-asked questions, during the weeks that members and friends are considering how to respond to the 2008 Annual Giving Campaign. We would like to answer your questions. Anonymity is guaranteed. Please email your questions to finance@rockspringucc.org or snail mail them to: Board of Finance, 5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22207.