Present: Dick Dumas, Harvey Yoder, Alma Jean Yoder, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Lewis Overholt, Mary Ellen Overholt. Ellyn Marshall-Nelson, Lois Rivera-Wenger, Kent Palmer, Susan Campbell, Donna Sacra
Following a time of worship and sharing as well as a devotional on John 4:1-42 about Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well as a part of the future Bride of Christ, Family of Hope started its Annual Business Meeting.
1. We began by reviewing last year’s budget and spending.
It was noted that we budgeted $16,800 for giving in 2021, but actual giving was only 13,904.78.
Harvey noted that we do not have weekly offerings and we do not even pay much attention to giving, yet people are generous and give to support the work of the church. This enables us to support the wider church. We spend very little on ourselves. We could each donate to the wider church agencies ourselves, but it is a joy to pool our resources for sharing in support of the church.
2. Some of us are using electronic fund transfers for monthly giving. Susan will supply account info to others who want to make donations directly by bank account transfer. This is especially convenient if you are a member of Park View Credit Union, but it can easily be done from any financial institution (Note from Kent: It is important that the account info not be posted online since the same information used to put money into our account can be used by people to take money out of the account.)
3. $200 was budgeted for delegate fees. Susan noted we had not spent anything this year on delegate fees, because she was not notified of a need to pay them.
Funds for congregational and personal retreats have not been used for several years.
4. The congregation gives a small amount to various Virginia Mennonite Conference Agencies. Pleasant View Home, Highland Retreat and other agencies regularly thank us for our support.
There was a discussion of whether we should reduce the amount we send to Harrisonburg District. The suggest amount is $20 per member. For FOH that would be $240. We opted to continue support at $300 per year.
5. Discussion then shifted to our support of the broader Church. Last year we supported MCC with a $2000 donation and Mennonite Mission Network with a $1000 donation. We provided smaller donations to a variety of other MC USA agencies.
6. We then discussed our support of other church outreach efforts. This included $500 split between three missionary families.
7.There was some discussion of Faith in Action. We previously decided to provide a $250 donation this year to support their work. This year they are focusing on issues related to housing in the Harrisonburg area. In past years, Faith in Action focused on welcoming refugees and criminal justice. It was decided to move Faith in Action spending from the discretionary fund to its own budget category.
8. The discretionary fund last year helped with purchasing a car for a person who needed transportation. Another person was assisted in paying for overnight accommodations during a housing transition.
9. We thanked Susan for all the things that she does to manage Family of Hope’s financial affairs.
10. Harvey noted that we finished 2021 with over $3000 in our account. He suggested that we might want to disburse these funds to those in need rather than let it sit our account for another year.
Dick and several others expressed a desire to use a portion of the surplus funds to assist the homeless in our community. Harvey noted that Open Doors would soon lose the ability to use the Red Front property. They are looking at some other properties including the former Shenandoah Presbyterian Office complex on North Main. They have significant financial needs and would appreciate our support.
11. Lois also expressed a desire to assist those in our fellowship with medical bills. Harvey noted that we had budgeted $2500 for the congregational aid fund in 2021, but none of these funds were spent. People are encouraged to share any needs they have so the congregation may assist in meeting.
12. We will revisit how to spend the extra funds in our account over the next few weeks. Paying particular attention to providing for those in our congregation with medical bills and the needs of the homeless in our community.
13. Harvey asked whether anybody in the congregation felt called to serve as a delegate to the Virginia Mennonite Assembly. There is a meeting next Saturday and another meeting in July. The delegate would also attend quarterly meetings of the Harrisonburg District.
14. Then there was a discussion of the Church’s leadership team, which has not met recently. It was suggested suggested they may want to gather at least for prayer. Dick and Harvey are presently on the leadership team.
15. Dick noted that the basic purpose of the Church is “to know God and make him known.”
Harvey noted That’s why we meet together so we can share with one another and build one another up and help us understand and know God more.
Donna closed the meeting with prayer.
Kent Palmer, recording secretary
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