May 2026

Over the past several weeks, FCC has been in a season of important administrative transition. Following the departure of our Financial Manager, our church leaders, staff, volunteers, and outside professionals have been working diligently to strengthen our financial systems, clarify our processes, and ensure that our business operations support the ministry and mission of the church.

We are especially grateful to Bonnie Garcia, our Acting Financial Manager; Sherri Jackson, our contract bookkeeper and consultant; and many others, including Sarah Neill and Dana Clark, who have given many hours to this work. Their efforts are helping us move toward greater accuracy, transparency, and reliability in how we manage church resources.

The Executive Leadership Team, the Finance Committee, and the Board are currently reviewing several areas of financial operations. Some improvements are already underway, while others are still being evaluated. Below is a high-level summary of the work in progress.

Operational Improvements Underway

Modernizing payroll

After reviewing our current payroll processes, FCC and the Congregational Preschool are transitioning to an all-in-one payroll system. This system is designed to process payroll, file taxes, support compliance, and streamline related administrative details. Our goal is to create a more consistent, efficient, and cost-effective payroll process for both FCC and CPS. This transition is already underway.

Addressing a pledge ACH issue

We recently learned that some automatic monthly ACH gifts connected to pledged giving did not process as expected. We have been communicating directly with affected donors and are working with individuals to determine the best way to address those unprocessed gifts. We are working with our bookkeeping support to ensure that our giving systems are accurate going forward. If you notice an issue with your automatic donation and have not heard from us, please contact Dana in the office or write to finance@fcceugene.org.

Catching up on financial reports

We are also continuing the work of bringing financial reports up to date. Bookkeeping transactions have continued throughout this transition, and the work of entering and reconciling records is nearing completion. We expect this work to be caught up this month.

Planning for the Months Ahead

In addition to these immediate operational improvements, the Board and Personnel Committee are discussing how best to ensure that key areas of church life are covered in the months ahead, especially finance and fellowship/engagement. In the area of finance, several approaches are being evaluated. These include using updated technology for basic administrative tasks beyond payroll and considering whether some additional processes should be outsourced. These options are being reviewed with attention to efficiency, cost management, and responsiveness to the needs of the congregation.

In the area of fellowship, Marsha Miller and Barb Aalund have put forward a plan to continue providing fellowship programs with few interruptions over the coming months. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and for the team of volunteers supporting this work. This is also a wonderful time for others to step forward if you are interested in helping with fellowship and hospitality.

Looking Toward the June 14 Congregational Meeting

At our June 14 Congregational Meeting, we will discuss these and other important matters in the life of the church. We will also vote on new members of the Board as three beloved members complete their terms and rotate off. Please plan to attend this important meeting for both discussion and decision-making.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and faithfulness as we strengthen the church’s administrative foundations. Please keep our church leaders, staff, and volunteers in your prayers as they continue working toward clear processes, timely reporting, and a plan that supports our ministry and community life.