September 2006
Issue 25, Number 8 PP 565 001/00190 ISSN 0726-2612
Contributions up - and down MISSION and Service Fund contributions are up – but contributions to Mission Networks are down. General Manager, Resources, Barry Atwell, said: “SA congregations will be required to increase their contributions to the Uniting Church SA’s Mission and Service Fund (MSF) next year by 2 per cent. “The SA Synod’s August meeting voted to increase the mandatory congregational contribution from 7 per cent to 9 per cent as part of the longer term strategy for addressing the budget deficit. “This increase will yield additional revenue of at least $175,000. “The MSF contribution rate increases will be offset by a decrease in the amount congregations will be expected to contribute to their Mission Networks. “The Synod has voted to reduce the maximum contribution to Networks from five percent to three percent next year.”
Funds transferred
‘CUDDLIES’ COMMISSIONED: More than 8,000 “cuddlies” have been commissioned. Pictured with some of them are Ronda Moddy, Joan Knowling and Vivienne Davis. See page 3. Photo by Amy Brookman
inside… Witnesses to God’s love
2
Equipping us for mission
3
Two views of Assembly
4
We must work differently
5
Brougham Place’s big plans
6
Pub, church partnership
7
Sudan needs help
12
Barry said decreases in congregational giving since the original 7 per cent contribution rate was calculated have resulted in a $450,000 shortfall in the MSF budget for 2006. The Synod has accepted a Resources Board recommendation that the 2006 shortfall be funded through a “one off transfer” of $450,000 from Uniting Church Insurance reserves. “The transfer of funds was possible because an independent actuary had estimated that insurance reserves were $2 million more than what was required,” he said. “However, this short term fix must be a once off solution to an immediate funding situation,” he said.
Belt-tightening
HELP WITH THE BOOKS: Uniting Church congregations in SA will be offered bookkeeping, audit and payroll services by a newly established Congregational Bookkeeping Unit. Members are Anne-Marie Richardson, Karen Reed and Peter Harbinson. See page 9.
“Further belt-tightening will be required to balance the MSF budget in 2007,” Barry said. “The Resources Board is recommending no staff increases in existing activities that require funding from the MSF. “Any additional positions will need to be funded by reductions in other areas of the MSF budget,” he said. “Also we won’t be appointing people to vacancies that are yet to be filled.”
Please hand out at your church door