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STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY Aids ministry funding to war torn Africa, expanded music library, YAVIM funding, leadership scholarships for life changing mission trips to mentor youth, these are some of the areas we hope to fund in our 2006 budget. We believe that each friend and member of St. Mark’s will make a pledge to share their abundance and commit to the shared ministry and vision of this church to make a difference in our faith community and our world. Our budget reflects a responsibility to fund programs in mission (Border ministries, Disaster Relief, Project Hospitality, to name a few), to lift up our worship through music and song, to guide our youth in mission and Christian education, and to celebrate the staff with raises not seen in 2005. Our budget reflects the following: This budget illustration includes percentages of staff member salaries that support each program area. Twenty percent of the church’s budget is dedicated to Worship and Music. Social Justice/Mission including Preschool and Greater Church (includes Unified Giving) is 22 percent. Twenty-five percent of the budget supports our church facilities by providing maintenance and improvements, church van, property insurance, and utilities. The youth program, children and adult education are about 10 percent of the budget. New Member Outreach, Member Hospitality, and Congregational Care total 10 percent. Administrative costs equal about 17 percent. The proposed 2006 budget is $22,036 (or 5%) more than the 2005 budget. The Increase is attributable to more funds being dedicated for Social Justice/Mission, Greater Church, Worship/music, and a 3% cost of living adjustment for staff. We are asking each household to increase their pledge for 2006. We are asking each non-pledger to pledge for 2006. God gives us choices about how we use our money. Think of whom your pledge touches. Celebrate with us. bring your pledge for a special dedication on Commitment Sunday, November 6. General Information about St. Mark's Stewardship Program As Presbyterians, we believe that all we have belongs to God. As stewards of these resources, we believe the decisions we make represent our response to the grace of God. Jesus taught that our stewardship of money strongly shapes and influences our relationship with our God and our neighbor. Jesus often taught about faithful management of our resources and repeatedly portrayed our approach to money as a key determiner of our heart’s spiritual condition. Stewardship emphasizes an intentional effort to encourage a biblical pattern of Christian giving in order to promote spiritual growth. Stewardship is not fundraising, which focuses on the need of the congregation to receive. Our focus is on the need of the giver to give, as Jesus consistently taught. OUR OPERATING BUDGET Only through annual pledges can budgets be set for programs to be established and maintained, missions served, and church operations and staffing determined. St. Mark’s has a history of ministry that engages issues and the needs of the less fortunate, as well as reaching out to those in our faith community who are hurting or in need. Our stewardship commitment program each year encourages everyone to participate in the mission of Christ as our church has been called. Capital funds supply the tools for mission. Annual pledges and gifts support the program of our mission. Each year the Stewardship Committee submits a proposed Annual Operating Budget to the Session for approval. The final approved budget is presented to the congregation as part of our annual pledge program. The following areas are delineated, including any increases or special need allocations: Mission -- Including local, national, and international programs we support. Worship, Music, Christian Education and Youth -- Including Sunday morning services, Sunday School, Youth ministry, and music programs. Facilities Maintenance -- Including custodial maintenance, supplies, property insurance, utilities and repairs. Pastors, Staff and Benefits -- Including salaries, housing, travel, pensions, health insurance, workman’s comp and FICA. Church Support -- Including office supplies, equipment, advertising, hospitality, Deacons and telephone expense. PLANNED GIVING AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS A planned gift to St. Mark’s is a way of giving to a current project or need, as well as a way to leave a living legacy of your wishes for the future funding of programs and missions about which you care and would like to continue to support. The future funding of St. Mark’s is accomplished through our Endowment Program. It was established in 1995 to provide members and friends a means for offering gifts that continue to give in perpetuity. Our Endowment Funds include: For Others Fund -- The interest from this Fund provides first-time funding of projects that are not part of St. Mark’s annual operating budget. St. Mark’s Endowment -- Supports the annual budget and operating expenses of the Church as determined by the Session. Facility Endowment Fund -- Supports the capital equipment and facility improvement or maintenance, excluding normal operating expenses. Scholarship Funds -- Provides financial assistance for educational needs as determined by the Scholarship Committee. Youth Endowment Funds -- Provides specific support for the St. Mark’s Youth Program as approved by the Session.   SAMPLE OF CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY RATES Age - 55     Rate - 5.5 Age - 60    Rate - 5.7 Age - 65    Rate - 6.0 Age - 70    Rate - 6.5 Age - 75   Rate - 7.1 Age - 80   Rate - 8.0 Age - 85   Rate - 9.5 Age - 90   Rate - 11.3 Rates effective January 1, 2004 and are subject to change.  For more information please contact Mel Young at the Presbyterian Foundation 1 (877) 231-9789.