Challenges in resolving bookkeeping issues in the Church office continue, but there is significant progress, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sherri, a part-time external resource, is handling accounts in QuickBooks, the accounting software. Dana is stepping in to manage pledge processing in Breeze (church software). Bonnie is focusing on the preschool pension reconciliation overseen by Al Houck of Houck Evarts & Company, CPAs.

The church office produced the first budget report since February for the Board meeting May 20. We have received $237,888 toward the 2026 pledge goal of $650,000. With the caveat that bookkeeping irregularities are still being worked out, this report shows with 38% of the year behind us, we have collected 37% of the pledges. We budgeted for $40,000 of unpledged income and have received a little over half, $21,286.

With the highly successful stewardship campaign and bringing the business office back in order, we will have maintained our cash reserves. These resources are of key importance as we move toward finding short-term and long-term solutions for caring for a 70-year old building. As a short-term step, the Board passed a Finance Committee motion to use $40,000 in reserve funds to pay for facilities needs.

These needs are as follows: $14,000 – East Property Fence Completion (security for church and preschool following the renovation of the neighboring park); $15,000 – Rooftop Heat Exchanger Unit (replaced earlier this year after a complete unit failure); $5,000 – Youth Room Carpet Replacement (worn to the point of creating safety hazards); $3,237 – engineering consultant for sanctuary lighting (provide information and options for replacing lighting that is quickly becoming unmaintainable).

Long-term solutions for future needs are being discussed by the Finance Committee and church leadership.