Greetings Good Shepherd Family,
Sunday’s Worship – October 18
Quarterly Financial Report from Pastor Scott Trevithick
Since March, staff and leaders at the church have adapted to COVID-19 precautions in all kinds of ways. Thank you to faithful stewards of Good Shepherd whose giving has enabled us to continue our ministries of worship, faith formation, pastoral care, and community outreach. As the pandemic separation began and continued, I and other Good Shepherd leaders also wondered about the impact on the church’s financial health—without in-person worship and with economic loss and uncertainty, how would people respond and how would financial giving be impacted? Through June of this year, giving was remarkably steady. Expenses were lower than expected and income exceeded expenses by $3558.
It’s also important to tell you where we are now: While it’s a common pattern for seasonal attendance and giving to decline in July, August, and September (both at Good Shepherd and in most churches), this is a pattern that we’re even more attentive to and concerned about with the climate of uncertainty. In each of these months, expenses have exceeded income:
July Income/Expense $-6,775.74
Aug. Income/Expense $-7,315.82
Sept. Income/Expense $-4,626.01
When combined with the January – June giving and expenses, we currently have greater expenses than income:
Year to date Income/Expense as of Sept. 30: $-15,159.40
This is the sort of challenge to which Good Shepherd folks have repeatedly responded to with generosity. If you’ve been a regular giver, thank you for your faithfulness. If you’ve been thinking of making a gift or are planning a year-end gift, we encourage you to join others in doing so. We have confidence that we have the capacity to respond to this challenge and it’s important for me and other Good Shepherd leaders to keep you informed about where we stand so that you may be a part of our collective response.
Thanks be to God for the life and ministry of Good Shepherd Church. I look forward to seeing you soon in worship, whether that is October 25 or thereafter. Your continued financial support of our ministries is appreciated. –Pastor Scott
Housing Urgently Needed
A family connected with Good Shepherd’s Refugee Mentor team is looking for 3 bedroom housing (apartment or house) by the end of this month. If you have any connections or resources, please contact Kathi Hoy-Bianchi
reimaginedtreasures2@gmail.com
Property Clean-up – Saturday, October 17, 9-11am
It is that time of year, and our property is looking a bit neglected without people there every day. Our sidewalks need power washing in places, leaves need to be cleaned up, plants need to be trimmed, and lots of cobwebs need to be cleaned up. Cigarette butts have made their way into nooks and crannies! Our trash bin enclosure has had lots of guest visitors spending the night over the last several months, and it is quite dirty. So if any of you would like to get out in the fall sunshine and help us clean up our property, come on down October 17 between 9 and 11.
2nd Annual Harvest Festival at Faith Lutheran Church – October 18 at 11am
Good Shepherd, along with other area ELCA churches, have been invited to Faith Lutheran’s Harvest Festival at their Katharina’s Garden. Learn about each part of the garden project and if you wish, get your hands dirty! They hope to create a communal garden with fellow ELCA churches.
October Shared Harvest
This month, the only thing we need is canned fruit and bars of soap. You can drop them off at the office Monday between 9 and 4:30pm or Tuesday through Thursday between 9 and 2pm.
October 2nd Mile Offering
This month’s 2nd Mile Offering benefits Cal Lutheran University. You can mail in a check for 2nd Mile anytime during the month or drop it off in the mail slot at the church office. Please write 2nd Mile on the memo line.
The peace of the Lord be with you all!