Financial Stewardship and Social Ministry

Bob Millikan, Social Ministry Committee Treasurer

The Social Ministry Committee is charged to serve God by bringing Christ's love, justice, and mercy into the world through education, stewardship, and leadership in social outreach (Vision Statement, 1994). Financial stewardship includes several areas of work. The committee makes recommendations to the vestry about how to allocate funds received from parishioners in the form of pledges. Every year, the parish annual budget includes two social ministry line items: Community Organizations and Discretionary Outreach. In 2004, the Community Organizations account provided grants totaling $13,000 to eight local organizations selected at the beginning of the year by the committee and approved by the vestry. The Discretionary Outreach account for 2004 totals $13,000 and disburses money in response to requests received throughout the year. Outside the usual budget process, the committee (at the request of the rector) makes recommendations to the vestry regarding bequests and other monetary donations to the parish. Finally, the committee advises the vestry on dispensation of funds raised through the Annual ABC Sale (this year $22,753).

What criteria do the Social Ministry Committee use to guide this financial stewardship? How are financial decisions made within the committee? A subcommittee reviews and triages all requests for funding and makes recommendations at the monthly committee meeting. After a committee discussion and a vote, recommendations are forwarded to the vestry. Our discernment process is fourfold - based upon scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Every committee meeting begins with a scriptural mandate to serve the poor and less fortunate. A favorite reading (Matthew 25) reminds us, "Just as you did to one of the least of these, you did it to me." The committee acts within a long tradition of Christian service and outreach. In Acts 11, "the disciples were for the first time called Christians." Their first act in this capacity was to organize famine relief. Reason and deliberation yielded a set of criteria for groups receiving money from the Community Organizations account: groups must be located in the Triangle area, include a liaison with a Chapel of the Cross parishioner, and provide direct service to persons in the community. Community organizations are often funded for five years or more. Reason and deliberation also generated criteria to evaluate requests for Discretionary Outreach and ABC Sale funds: Has the group demonstrated a clear need for financial assistance? Is the service important for the community? Who benefits from the services provided? Are parishioners involved as active participants in the group? How urgent is the need? Local, regional, and international organizations are considered for funding from the Discretionary Outreach account. Experience has taught us that some organizations need only a small amount of money (grants of $500 or less) on a one-time basis (e.g., Hurricane Isabel relief). Other organizations depend upon long-term grants of several thousand dollars per year (e.g., Inter-Faith Council homeless shelter). Experience also dictates that we ensure accountability on the part of the organizations that we fund: annual reports are required that demonstrate a proven track record, and representatives of groups requesting funding are often asked to introduce their projects at a Social Ministry Committee meeting.

As financial stewards, the Social Ministry Committee makes recommendations on behalf of the parish. We are your representatives. By taking the time to investigate and prioritize a large number of needy organizations, we strive to make wise use of your gifts and pledges. We often locate matching grants and investigate ways of maximizing the value of your contributions. We monitor and respond to emergency situations: organizations about to go under, natural disasters, areas of urgent need. The committee conducts social outreach on behalf of the parish, acting as your eyes and ears in the community. We hope and pray that we act wisely on your behalf and appreciate any input that you may have into our discernment process.

Most gracious and loving God: Strengthen the hearts of your people, that loving you with our whole heart, and loving our neighbors as ourselves, we might, in the power of the Holy Spirit, obey the call of Jesus to go into the world and make a difference. Amen.