COMMUNITY AND COMPASSION

2024 Stewardship Campaign

It has been said that we are living through an epidemic of loneliness. Still others lament that kindness is at an all time low. If only there were a place that offered ample opportunity for connection and company while also teaching loving kindness, we would really be onto something. Where can we find community and compassion? Oh yes…the church!

The heart of a church may be thought of as community and compassion. Community in the form of opportunities to come together for worship, fellowship, service, study, fun, and friendship. Compassion in the form of welcome, hospitality, and acceptance combined with service to those in need. The church is an incubator of community and compassion at a time when many long for these precise gifts.

As one of the largest and most vital United Church congregation in the country Charleswood United Church is well positioned to offer these gifts to the world God so loves. In order to do so we need the resources that make ministry possible, resources with the potential to transform lives in the direction of community and compassion.

Your gifts enable us to support a staff of 9 full and part-time positions. Each and every staff person plays a role in creating community and spreading compassion. Your gifts allow for an office that is open all week; creative communications; Christian education for children and youth; and a music program that brings joy to many.

Your gifts enable us to care for the Church Property including all costs related to operating and maintaining a 20,000 sq./ft building on a 5-acre property. It includes utilities, insurance, tax, cleaning, and repairs.

Your gifts enable us to have Programs all year round. It covers the supplies we use with our children, the guests we invite to worship, the music we enjoy, support for our partners in the inner city, refugee sponsorship, hosting the Community Ventures Day Program, and community leadership.

Your gifts enable us to carry out the operations that are necessary to fulfill our mission for compassion and community. This includes, but is not limited to, office equipment and supplies, bank and audit fees, phone, postage, and the national assessment to the General Council of the United Church.

As was reported in the third quarter update, we are a little behind our budget in 2023. Our revenues to the end of September totaled $353,751 while our expenses were $382,442. That makes for a third quarter deficit of $-28,691. That is only 8% behind with our largest quarter ahead of us. The prospect of a break-even year is within our reach.

In 2024 we will have to accommodate the regular inflationary increases but will also begin a capital project as our 25-year-old roof needs to be replaced.

Thank you for your generous support for Charleswood United Church, a place where Compassion and Community are in the heart of all we do.

Please look at the Pledge Card and consider your giving plan for 2024.

• Respond by email (office@charleswoodunited.org), drop-off, or letter mail by November 26, 2023. You may also phone your pledge to our Office Administrator Janet Ammeter at 204-832-3667

• Consider moving to PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) if you are not already doing so. If you are on PAR please consider facilitating an increase by calling the church office

• Avail yourself of the e-transfer donation option (information at: charleswoodunited.org/donate)

• Let us know if you prefer to continue using weekly or monthly envelopes.

CUC Stewardship FAQs

What does Stewardship mean? Stewardship is a term that refers to all the personal resources (sometimes called time, talent, and treasure) with which we have been blessed by God. As such, they are ours to share freely and gladly. The church is proud to ask you to share your gifts for the ministry of CUC. Stewardship includes the sharing of our time and abilities along with our financial support.

What does the Operating Budget include? The Operating Budget is the amount voted on by the congregation at the annual meeting to meet our commitments for ministry and staff salaries, building maintenance (utilities, cleaning, repairs), and programs (worship, music, education, outreach). For example, the 2023 budget for operations is $455,900.

What does Building and Property mean on the budget?  Some CUC members make added gifts to be used specifically to offset the building operating cost component in the annual budget. A separate column for this is included on offering envelopes and in the budget. The 2023 budget for this is $40,000.

What is the Mission and Service Fund (M&S)? Gifts sent directly to the shared ministry of the United Church of Canada. These gifts support small and remote churches, theological schools, overseas mission partners, medical and street ministries. In 2023 the CUC goal for M&S is $50,000. We are the largest supporter of M&S in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

What is PAR? PAR stands for Pre-Authorized Remittance and means automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account administered by the national church. Call the church office (204-832-3667) to enlist in or to increase PAR.

What is The Heritage Fund? The name of Charleswood United’s special gifts program. Special gifts come to the church in the form of bequests, annuities, life insurance, and securities. These gifts are added to the principal and administered by three appointed trustees. The interest is available each year to support the ministry of the church. The year-end balance in The Heritage Fund was $321,105.

Can I donate Stocks and Shares to the church? Yes, new in the last few years, you may choose to make your offering by donating stock. The added benefit to you is that you will receive a tax receipt for the full market value on the day of contribution and by law, you will not have to claim a capital gain on disposition. The sale is administered by the United Church Foundation which charges a mere $10 per transaction. Contact the church office for more information.

What do I do with the Pledge Card? Please consider it prayerfully and return it, or email the electronic version, to the church “front pew” mailbox by Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Thank you for your generous and continued support of the work and ministry of Charleswood United Church.