Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Transition Fund

On Sunday November 1, 2009 we launched The Transition Fund in the life of the Encanto Community Church. Our Moderator Cindy Walley kicked off the campaign with the following words during a Moment for (our) Mission at the beginning of worship:

Hello friends,
As many of you know, our Church Council and Board of Trustees met about a month ago to discuss the status of our church’s fiscal health. It was a wonderful meeting, full of insightful ideas and enjoyable fellowship. As we looked ahead to the exciting future we reminisced about the distance we’ve traveled in the past 14 months.

Was it only a year ago that we joined together for that first (after so many years) church workday that set in motion the breathtaking renovations that have made our fellowship hall a showplace? We all created that transformation. How about this past January during Church History month? How great was it to contribute our memories to the decades posters in fellowship hall? It was a fun and, for many of us newer members, educational way to anticipate our future by understanding our past. We all created that step in the transition. Can any of you think of a more active and vibrant Youth Group than the one we have here at Encanto? Clearly our adult leadership is second to none but how about these kids? They not only learn about what it means to embrace Christ’s teachings and understand the beliefs of others but they have a blast doing it. And even better, they graciously invite all of us old fogies to come along for the rid!.

We all grow together, we all change together.

Here’s one more, our Search Committee has done exceptional work preparing, inquiring, organizing and compiling the mountain of information necessary to recruit, call and hire our permanent pastor. It is important and meaningful work as they include us as we bring about this biggest transition of all.

We’ve made so much progress in a little over a year’s time and we are right on target to move to the next step in this exciting transition, but what an interesting time for us to take this on. As we all know, virtually every family, every community organization, every arm of government is struggling with the current economic challenges facing this nation. Encanto Community Church is not immune. Those of us who carefully read the Pilgrim have seen that our financial health is not as robust as it once was. We are currently running about $3000.00 under budget per month. That is a substantial deficit but we can do something about it. We can join together, just as we have to create a wonderful physical facility, a loving and supportive church family and a strong and sustaining spiritual climate! We can join together to improve our fiscal well being at this key time in our church’s history!

Beginning today we are introducing our new Transition Fund. During the month of November it is our goal to raise the $50,000.00 necessary to continue our progress toward a permanent pastor and ultimately toward the unique and important work we at Encanto are being called to do. Let us do our best and let us do it together.


You will be receiving a follow-up letter from the Stewardship Committee with more details about The Transition Fund. To give to The Transition Fund please make your checks payable to Encanto Community Church with the note “Transition Fund” in the memo line. We’ll be making weekly updates at worship each Sunday in November. If you have any questions please feel free to speak with Pastor Brian or any member of the Church Council or Trustees. Thank you for you commitment and generosity in this important time in the life of the church!

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