The 2020 Annual Report of the Financial Affairs Committee ~ Jason Stimmel, chair
The Financial Affairs Committee, under the direction of Session, is responsible for all the business and financial affairs of the church. Members of the Finance Committee review and monitor the accounting of all monies received and dispersed by the church, handle investments, prepare goal and operating budgets, submit for the payment of employees, and maintain adequate insurance. The committee also provides recommendations on financial policies and is also responsible for protecting all legal documents, corporate papers, contracts, and other effects of legal worth. These activities are handled at our monthly meetings and through weekly payment approval sessions with the financial administrator.
Each year, FAC develops a goal budget that seeks to accommodate requests received from Ministry Units while preserving the financial integrity of our church. In 2020, a balanced budget of approximately $1.03M was proposed which included a goal of nearly $840K for congregational giving. The budget had been developed from an honest and thorough review of the church’s financial trends to ensure the long-term financial security of the church. But all that planning changed drastically in March with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial repercussions it has had on our church and membership.
To address the financial concerns head-on, the Finance Committee began tracking all income and expenses on a weekly basis and coordinated weekly with our Financial Administrator to keep a pulse on cash flow and head off potential issues. We pursued a $139K Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan, made available through the Federal CARES Act legislation, that officially became a grant following the successful completion (and filing) of all financial documentation directed by the legislation. The PPP loan (grant) provided us with critical cash flow to address the decrease in giving that was a direct result of no longer being able to meet in person for services. We were also able to reduce select expenses, because the church was not open, which also aided in keeping the church finances healthy and to stabilize our cash flow.
As we closed the books on 2020, we ended the year with a positive gain that will carry over to 2021 to allow us to support a normal level of expenses in anticipation of a return to in-person church services and functions. Additionally (and importantly), the infusion of the PPP funds permitted us to avoid utilizing reserves from our endowments (investments) which had been negatively impacted by the financial markets in April; this has allowed for our endowments to recover quickly and end the year close to their fund balances at the end of the first quarter of the year.
The Elders on Finance also want to give everyone a BIG THANK YOU shout-out for meeting your pledge requirements for 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic crisis, there was concern and evidence that suggested giving would decrease precipitously. However, through everyone’s graciousness, giving decreased less than 5% over what was budgeted. For this blessing, we are extremely thankful for this congregation and for your support, especially in these challenging times! Your generosity permitted us to increase funds to Mission to provide critical financial support to members of our congregations and the community in need that were negatively impacted financially by the economic repercussions of the pandemic. SO MANY BLESSINGS! Add to this the health of our endowments (investments) and the benefits from the PPP funds, and we have a very positive outlook for the year ahead.
Based on the responses to the Stewardship Campaign, the budget for 2021 was set to show a total annual income and expenses of $1.02M, including expected congregational giving of $800K, with financial support being provided from available endowment income (per church policy). Additionally, through the generosity of members of the church, funds have been pledged to cover the increase in personnel expenses due to the anticipated ordination of Allison Maus. Although we expect 2021 to be challenging fiscally as we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are blessed as a church and congregation. Through these many blessings, we can propose a 2021 budget that is balanced, covers all increased expenditures for personal and administration that are planned, all while sustaining program and mission expenses to prior year levels.
Click here to view the 2021 Budget
In 2020, the members of the Finance Committee were: Elders Dennis Calvin, Bob Igo, and Jason Stimmel (chair); and Deacon Jeff Rounsville. I would also like to acknowledge Rev. Dean Lindsey for his leadership and support, and I would also like to give a shout-out thank you to our Financial Administrator Michelle Fortin, and Assistant Financial Administrator Anne Thomas, for their diligence and hard work on behalf of the church.
Jason Stimmel, Treasurer of the Corporation and Chair of Financial Affairs Committee
Each year, FAC develops a goal budget that seeks to accommodate requests received from Ministry Units while preserving the financial integrity of our church. In 2020, a balanced budget of approximately $1.03M was proposed which included a goal of nearly $840K for congregational giving. The budget had been developed from an honest and thorough review of the church’s financial trends to ensure the long-term financial security of the church. But all that planning changed drastically in March with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial repercussions it has had on our church and membership.
To address the financial concerns head-on, the Finance Committee began tracking all income and expenses on a weekly basis and coordinated weekly with our Financial Administrator to keep a pulse on cash flow and head off potential issues. We pursued a $139K Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan, made available through the Federal CARES Act legislation, that officially became a grant following the successful completion (and filing) of all financial documentation directed by the legislation. The PPP loan (grant) provided us with critical cash flow to address the decrease in giving that was a direct result of no longer being able to meet in person for services. We were also able to reduce select expenses, because the church was not open, which also aided in keeping the church finances healthy and to stabilize our cash flow.
As we closed the books on 2020, we ended the year with a positive gain that will carry over to 2021 to allow us to support a normal level of expenses in anticipation of a return to in-person church services and functions. Additionally (and importantly), the infusion of the PPP funds permitted us to avoid utilizing reserves from our endowments (investments) which had been negatively impacted by the financial markets in April; this has allowed for our endowments to recover quickly and end the year close to their fund balances at the end of the first quarter of the year.
The Elders on Finance also want to give everyone a BIG THANK YOU shout-out for meeting your pledge requirements for 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic crisis, there was concern and evidence that suggested giving would decrease precipitously. However, through everyone’s graciousness, giving decreased less than 5% over what was budgeted. For this blessing, we are extremely thankful for this congregation and for your support, especially in these challenging times! Your generosity permitted us to increase funds to Mission to provide critical financial support to members of our congregations and the community in need that were negatively impacted financially by the economic repercussions of the pandemic. SO MANY BLESSINGS! Add to this the health of our endowments (investments) and the benefits from the PPP funds, and we have a very positive outlook for the year ahead.
Based on the responses to the Stewardship Campaign, the budget for 2021 was set to show a total annual income and expenses of $1.02M, including expected congregational giving of $800K, with financial support being provided from available endowment income (per church policy). Additionally, through the generosity of members of the church, funds have been pledged to cover the increase in personnel expenses due to the anticipated ordination of Allison Maus. Although we expect 2021 to be challenging fiscally as we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are blessed as a church and congregation. Through these many blessings, we can propose a 2021 budget that is balanced, covers all increased expenditures for personal and administration that are planned, all while sustaining program and mission expenses to prior year levels.
Click here to view the 2021 Budget
In 2020, the members of the Finance Committee were: Elders Dennis Calvin, Bob Igo, and Jason Stimmel (chair); and Deacon Jeff Rounsville. I would also like to acknowledge Rev. Dean Lindsey for his leadership and support, and I would also like to give a shout-out thank you to our Financial Administrator Michelle Fortin, and Assistant Financial Administrator Anne Thomas, for their diligence and hard work on behalf of the church.
Jason Stimmel, Treasurer of the Corporation and Chair of Financial Affairs Committee
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State College Presbyterian Church
132 West Beaver Avenue State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814-238-2422 email: officescpc@gmail.com Stay and Play Preschool 814-237-1154 stayandplayscpc@gmail.com Sunday Outdoor Worship ~ (when announced and weather permitting) outside the Beaver Avenue Tower Entrance 10 :00 am - a brief service with social distancing and face masks required. If it's raining, we won't meet) see article above. Online Worship ~ An email is sent out on Saturdays (to those on our mailing list) with a link to a recorded service on YouTube. If you would like to join our mailing list, please click here. Normal Building Hours: (call ahead to 814-238-2422 for information on when the building is open during COVID)
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday: Closed Sunday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm |
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