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Watch for information about worship on Ash Wednesday. We are tentatively making plans for a joint worship service with Crestview and Plains Presbyterian Churches.
Rev. Connie F., recently retired associate pastor of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, will be our guest preacher on February 19. The pastor will be on vacation February 16-22. Our pastor serves on the denomination’s committee to prepare and oversee the administration of ordination exams, for those who seek to become Presbyterian ministers. During the week of February 6 he will be involved in reviewing the most recent round of exams. He will be at the church as usual, but will be carrying extra responsibilities this week. Thanks to Ruth J.’ nephew, who donated new chairs to be used in the conference room and elsewhere in the church. Thanks to Ken G. for his hand-crafted lighter stand in the back of the sanctuary. UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS
Each Sunday, take a moment to sign the cards in the lobby to help express our congregation’s caring for special people. Old Union will host a church volleyball league, with games beginning on February and being played on Sunday afternoons. Please speak with Josh K. if you’re interested in participating. CASHDOLLAR BEQUEST Upon recommendation by the finance committee, the session has approved the following use of the generous bequest from Oliver and Gerry C.:
YEAR-END FINANCIAL REPORT This report summarizes the income and expenses for Old Union Presbyterian Church for the year 2022 and the total assets of the organization in January 2023. If you want details, the complete financials are available. Mark your calendar! Old Union’s car show will be held on Saturday May 20. Vacation Bible School is coming back this summer! Plans are still being made; speak with Christian Education Committee members Mike S., Jill M., and Sally P. with your ideas and suggestions. |
The overall income and expenses for the year were roughly $200,000. Of this, about $100,000 is salaries and $40,000 is the cost of insurance, taxes, and maintenance of the buildings and properties. $6,000 is our per capita donation to the Presbytery. $40,000 was given to mission activities and the rest is costs for running the church worship and office activities.
Note that 20% of our budget is given to mission work. This is a very large percentage for a church of our size. Included in this part of the budget are the Adopt-a-Mission projects, the special offerings at Easter and Pentecost, the Mission Trip to Kentucky and the School Food Project for Longmore Academy. In addition to the current budget, we have assets in investment accounts. Our total invested assets are about $350,000. Of that amount about $300,000 are restricted assets; i.e. the money was given for specific purposes and must be used only for those activities. There are two large accounts in this restricted pool: The Mission Endowment Fund ($135,000), from which we are permitted to withdraw up to 6% of the balance in any year for mission work, and The Cemetery Long Term Care Fund ($94,000), whose income is dedicated to cemetery maintenance. As a result of actions of the Session, and substantial fund raisers, on-going sales, and continuing support from the congregation, this size Care Fund puts the Cemetery in excellent long-term financial condition. Overall, the church is in very good financial condition. Increased generous giving by the congregation will be necessary to meet our projected 2023 budget. Invested reserve funds are available to cover reasonable one-time projects above the operating budget. Respectfully submitted, Richard C., Treasurer The session has authorized the use of up to $8,100 from the Mission Endowment Fund in 2023 for missions, as the needs arise. ADOPT A MISSION Each year, Old Union asks members and church organizations to “adopt” one of our mission projects by committing to contribute at least $350 by the end of the year. Speak with Ralph J. if you’re interested in adopting one of our causes:
The Helping Hands meet on the last Sunday of each month to discuss upkeep and maintenance issues for our church property. We welcome everyone to join us! If you have an issue you’d like the Helping Hands to address, please leave a note in their basket in the church lobby. Sign up in the lobby if you’d like a turn as our Scripture reader during worship! Linda W. has served as Old Union’s secretary since 1994. She is normally in the office on Wednesday afternoons. In addition to other secretarial duties, she is responsible for putting together the monthly newsletter, weekly worship bulletin and weekly worship Power Point. She also serves as our church’s financial secretary. As such, she is the only person who knows what people contribute. If you have an item to include in the monthly newsletter, please give it to our secretary, Linda W., but the 20th of the month, either by leaving a note in the church office or by emailing it to her at wrightlin@aol.com |
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com