Stewardship & Giving
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We, the Vestry, are excited about the palpable energy being generated at All Souls. This past September the Vestry approved a 2013 budget that we believe recognizes the trajectory of growth and ministry at All Souls. Our planned 2013 budget includes $575,000 in total operating expense, an amount that includes significant growth in some very important areas. $500,000 of that total needs to be funded through pledges of financial support from within the congregation. With each member of the parish pledging, we are confident that we will secure All Souls’ ability to live fully our mission and ministry. We are looking to you to join us in Giving Back, Giving Forward.
Over the past few years, the Vestry has considered the investments needed for programmatic growth at All Souls and has become aware of the joys and challenges growth poses for our staff. Currently, All Souls has the equivalent of three and a half full-time salaried staff (comprised of two full-time positions - Rector and Parish Administrator - and three half time positions –Associate Rector, Director of Youth Ministry and Associate for Liturgy and Music). The Vestry has seen our staff become increasingly overextended as they strive to meet the many demands placed upon them. We have been impressed by how creatively members of our staff have responded in this time of growth and exploration, and we are also mindful of the stresses placed upon them. We want to ensure, as best we can, that they remain healthy and find balance in their work and personal lives.
As a first step, the Vestry chartered a Compensation Task Force to assess our salaried staff compensation relative to the scope of each position. We asked the task force to determine whether we should adjust staff salaries and, if so, how. Based on the work of that task force, our 2013 budget provides for salary increases for all staff. The most significant increase is a 2013 salary adjustment (with another adjustment needed in 2014) designed to bring our Rector’s salary into line with comparable positions in the diocese. These salary adjustments address an historic practice of relatively poor compensation. Fair compensation won’t change the fact that our staff members are overextended, so while we have no plans to increase the size of our staff in 2013, we will need to do so as we go forward.
Benefitting from the work of The Reverend Mary Hintz, our parish Deacon, and parishioner Dr. Christine Trost, the Vestry is also increasing our investment in community outreach with a 2013 budget that is 30% higher than 2012. Inspired by Mary and Christine, and by the many voices we have heard during the 2012 vision process, we believe this will be an area where we continue to increase our investment over time, moving intentionally “to seek and serve Christ in all people.”
Finally, the 2013 budget provides for a significant increase in operating expense related to our facilities. As we grow, we are using our space more frequently and fully, including our new space in the first floor of the Parish House. The increase in expenditures for property and facilities is critical to expanding our ability to engage with and fully integrate all who seek Christ in our midst.
We are confident that our emerging vision statement will clearly articulate our parish understanding of God’s call to open our hearts. In order to live fully into the new vision, we will need to both increase the size of our salaried staff and place further emphasis on recruiting and developing lay leadership. We ask that you join us in prayer and reflection as we seek ways to support our staff, expand our outreach ministry and nurture the remarkable growth and energy that our community is experiencing. Please join us this stewardship season by Giving Back, Giving Forward.
In God’s Peace,
Caroline McCall, Nancy Austin, Michelle Barger, Bob Cross, Kelsey Mayo, Anne Geiger, Kelly Marston, Pat Jones, Lewis Maldonado, Sharon Roberts, Acland, John Love
Other Ways To Give
eScrip
Help raise funds for All Souls children, youth and family programs while you shop. Participating business partners contribute a percentage of your grocery loyalty cards, credit card, and debit/ATM card purchases directly to All Souls. Learn more
GoodSearch
Raise funds for All Souls while searching and shopping online. You can optionally add the GoodSearch toolbar to your browser and a percentage of what you spend will be credited to All Souls. Learn more
Contact Us
If you have any questions about these giving options, or feel called to contribute to the support of the ministries of All Souls Parish in other ways, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Joy Shih Ng at the parish office to learn more: call 510-848-1755 or write .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).