4/7/13 town hall meeting

7/28/2019 4/7/13 Town Hall Meeting

1/24

The FutureA Town Hall Meeting of

Grace United Methodist ChurchAPRIL 7, 2013


2/24

Yesterday is gone.Tomorrow has not yetcome. We have only

today. Let us begin.Mother Teresa


3/24

The future depends onwhat you do today.

Mahatma Gandhi


4/24

Rejoice in hope,be patient in tribulation,be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12


5/24

Agenda

Where have we been?

The Numbers

Administrative Council Activities and Conversations

The FutureOptions

Feedback


6/24

The Numbers

Attendance

1989Approximately 230 members; Approximately 75 average attend

2007Approximately 130 members; Approximately 60 average attend

2012Average attendance is in upper 40s

Giving/Pledges

Decrease in pledged giving - #s

Estimated budget deficit of $75,468 for 2013

Will be considered at a Charge Conference on April 18th to authorize adistribution from Permanent Endowment Fund


7/24

The Numbers

Giving/Pledges

Decrease in pledged giving

Estimated budget deficit of $75,468 for 2013

Will be considered at a Charge Conference on April 18th to authorize adistribution from Permanent Endowment Fund

Pledged Identified2012 $51,212 $22,9872011 $52,852 $14,6712010 $62,523 $27,5882009 $61,252 $27,7212008 $71,171 $28,875


8/24

The Numbers

Permanent Endowment Fund

Balance as of March 15, 2013

Stock Fund $204,685

Bond Fund $101,857

Money Market Fund $606

Total $307,148Estimated Remaining PEF

after 2013 distributions $240,662


9/24

The Numbers

Permanent Endowment FundHistory of Distributions

PEF only estimated to last other 3-5 years at current rate ofdistribution; depends on market fluctuations

Year Annual DistributionAdditional

DistributionsTotal Distrib

2012 $11,320 $60,000

2011 $12,100 $39,002

2010 $13,200 $44,863

2009 $14,016 $20,000

2008 $14,326 $0


10/24

Where have we been?

Church ConsultantDon Nations

Church Transformation Survey

Ecclesiastes Project

Ongoing discussions at Administrative Council Meetings


11/24

Administrative Council Activitiesand Conversations

Rent out facilities

Layout not conducive to rental

Aging facilities

Inadequate facilities

Accessibility issues

SoCo Abbey, Schools, Rehearsal Space

Parking situationincreasing use of Residential Permit Parking on blocknear church

Lay Leadership

Limited pool of participants due to membership size

Average Administrative Council meeting attendanceApproximately 5-8

Burn out


12/24

Administrative Council Activitiesand Conversations

Conversations with First UMCAustin

Small group lunch meeting with FUMC executive team

Discussed our current situation

Conversations with St. Luke UMC

Administrative Council members met with St. Luke UMC AdministrativeCouncil

Get to know each other

Discussed our current situation


13/24

The Future - Options

No decisions have been made at this time

MergerCovenant ContractFirst UMC

Merger of EqualsSt. Luke UMC

Stay the course at current facility

Sell property for additional cash

Eliminate budget expenses


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First UMC is a community of small groups

Multiple worship services of varying sizes and format

Larger worship services in sanctuary

Smaller worship services in chapel

Reconciling Ministries Network affiliate2013

Approximately 2 miles from GUMC Host church for Homeless Breakfast program

Founded in 1847


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Potential to stay together as a fellowship in a smaller worship service

Focus on worship and mission instead of administration

First UMC has staying power

First UMC has enough pastoral support on staff

How would the money be dealt with? Would be decided on in contract negotiations

Potential for Grace UMC members to retain control of PermanentEndowment Fund for mission work

Sale of Grace UMC property would go to First UMC along with all realassets (tower lease)


16/24



Similar size as Grace UMC

Averages approximately 4050 in worship

Similar mission focus (homelessness, schools)

Community church in old west AustinClarksville neighborhood

Reconciling Ministries Network affiliate2012

Approximately 3 miles from GUMC

Founded in 1938


17/24



Potential to stay together as a fellowship but united with St. Luke UMC Potential for name change to reflect new congregation

While larger than if we stay separate churches, the pool of lay leadership isstill small

How long would combined church be able to sustain?

Potential parking issues at St. Luke facility

New pastor for new congregation

How would the money be dealt with?

Would be decided on in contract negotiations

Grace UMC members would have a greater say in financial matters due tomerger of equals

Sale of Grace UMC property would go to the new congregation along withall real assets (tower lease)


18/24


Facilities

All Grace UMC facilities would be sold under either merger option

All property on Monroe St

Tower lease would transfer to merger partner or new congregation

Money

Merger contract would detail how money is used Both congregations would agree to terms

Options

Mission outreach

Scholarship FundProvide for a GUMC legacy


19/24


Stay the course at current facilities

Aging facilities

Limited involvement in Administrative Council

14 council members but average attendance is 8

Current income does not support church operations

PEF does not provide an indefinite fix to our problems Estimated 3-5 year life of PEF at current rate of withdrawal

Community stays together for now


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Sell property for additional cash What would we sell?

Would we be able to find another affordable facility?

Proximity to other United Methodist Churches

Would require permission from Church Extension and Property Committee t

Limited use of proceeds from sale of property


What would we eliminate?

Staff and Apportionments are largest expenses

Part-time pastor?

Eliminate other positions?

Apportionments cannot be eliminated; however, they can be reduced if spendi


21/24

Current Staff Expenses

Pastor - Salary $ 38,050.00

Pastor - Housing $ 16,200.00Pastor - Retirement $ 9,200.00

Pastor - Health Insurance $ 13,884.00

Pastor - Utilities $ 2,400.00

Pastor - Prof Expenses $ 4,700.00

Salary - Admin Asst $ 12,805.00

Salary - Children's Ministries $ 6,683.00Salary - Facilities $ 8,091.00

Salary - Music Director $ 8,428.00

Salary - Accompanist $ 7,770.00

Salary - Nursery $ 2,809.00

Taxes - SS & Medicare (ER) $ 3,656.00


22/24


No decisions have been made at this time

RECAP



Stay the course at current facility

Sell property for additional cash



23/24

Feedback

What is important to you? Staying together

Facilities

Can we do more together with another congregation than on our

If we merge, how would we serve our mission field?

Is depleting the Permanent Endowment Fund good stewardship? Questions?


24/24

Feedback

What is your direction to Administrative Council? Pursue merger options

Stay the course

Eliminate expenses

Sell facilities

4/7/13 town hall meeting

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