For Today & For Tomorrow
Greetings Beloved of Hiram Christian Church,
We are attempting something new: a capital campaign to raise additional funds for maintenance of the sanctuary building and the shoring up of the church endowment.
The inspiration for this development is partially due to necessity - that some elements of the church exterior and interior request professional attention - but more so, the source of inspiration is our sense of hope and trust in one another.
Over the last five years, the congregation’s generosity has increased its gifts of time, talents, and treasure. We have experienced increases of gifts of congregational care from laity, increases of gifts of spiritual leadership and modeled faithfulness from all, and increases of financial gifts to support local, regional, and global ministries.
There is a blessed sense of trust and commitment within the congregation to support one another and our communities. And this is why we are introducing a capital campaign at this time - that whether we reach our goal or come short, we will see it through together as a success because the trust and commitment within the church are strong enough to extend the invitation and honor the response.
As Joe Soukenik and Tyson Vines previewed for us at the turn of the year, this campaign is an invitation to support the needs of today and plant seeds for tomorrow.
We have received a beautiful inheritance in the church sanctuary and as good stewards of this gift for ourselves and those who will come after us, we understand that the exterior envelope of shingles, trim, and gutters are in need of repainting and repair to prevent water-damage to the structure. On the interior, we understand that the call to hospitality and inclusion request replacements and additions (carpet, seating, and technology). Half of our goal of this capital campaign will be directed to maintaining the envelope and updating the sanctuary.
Generations of leadership have understood the wisdom in setting aside adequate financial resources for everything from “rainy days” and emergencies to changes in leadership and vision. There has been a clarity of faithfulness within all of this to ensure that the church never become more occupied with money than ministry, which has been demonstrated in a modest amount in our endowments and few obstacles to utilizing these resources when the board has needed. After making significant withdrawals to compensate for budget shortfalls during recent leadership transitions, some repayment has been made to our endowments bringing current allocations to approximately $50,000. This is substantial, but in terms of the church budget of $140,000 a year, it provides approximately 4-5 months of operating costs. The other half of our goal of this capital campaign will be directed to the church endowments to grow, providing the congregation with a sense of confidence and additional resources to begin new ministries as our vision requires.
Make it stand out
This capital campaign is opened in hope and trust - not that you alone will be able to offer a gift that meets the goal, but that we together will be able to offer what we are able and feel called to give, and that this will be enough for what God is calling us as Hiram Christian Church to do for the current church and community and the church and community that follow.
The church board has discerned what is needed for today and tomorrow to further steward our inheritance and sustain it for future generations. The finance team has developed a campaign to prepare the invitation and set our goal. Our hope is that you will be excited about this campaign and that you will consider if there is an additional gift that you are able and wanting to give. Perhaps it is a pledge of ten thousand dollars or ten dollars. Perhaps it is a gift from a Roth IRA or a collection within the couch cushions. Perhaps the greatest gift you have is the gift that you are already giving to the Church in sustained presence, prayer, and the voluntary and financial gifts to support the ongoing ministry and budget. Every gift to the Church is worthy and blessed as is every act of kindness and love within our communities and world. Together and with God, we have enough. Not only for today, but for tomorrow.
Thank you for receiving the invitation. If and as you have questions, please feel free to connect with the co-chairs of this campaign, Tyson Vines and Joe Soukenik.
May we continue to be Christ’s Church.