GIVING THANKS BY GIVING
Dec 03, 2020
I continue to pray for your health and safety during these unprecedented times.
The current crisis has significantly impacted Mission Support to our synod. As we strive to be good stewards of our resources, we are currently in the process of reviewing our budget for our 2020-2021 program year.
Many of our congregations have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and as a result, Mission Support has considerably decreased. Additionally, we are committed to helping all congregations in need navigate this crisis, through digital resources and through COVID-relief funding, including coronavirus grants for congregational emergencies. Therefore, in order to meet the needs of our congregations and communities, the synod has reallocated funds for continued disaster-relief aid and will need to considerably reduce expenses in certain areas that have been funded in the past.
Renée Wicklund, Vice-president of our synod; The Rev. William Baum, Co-Chair of my 2025 Vision Plan; and our MNYS Financial Management Committee, are all helping me to lead this effort. Our priority continues to be the well-being and sustaining of our congregations and the communities they serve.
Mission Support dollars come back to congregations in the form of COVID-19 relief grants, services, programs, and digital resources, and this support is important now, more than ever, as the synod is dependent upon these dollars to continue offering this necessary aid to its congregations and communities during this crisis.
2020 has certainly not been the year any of us anticipated, and I remain thankful for all of you. The ways in which you help one another, and especially those in need, through acts of kindness, food contributions, volunteering, sharing of important information, donations, and the list goes on and on, is inspiring. I’m reminded daily that the light of God shines through, even in these challenging times, through all of you—God’s empathetic children.
We encourage and welcome the support of our congregations and individuals who value the Gospel work we are doing and want to assist those in need in these difficult times. Please continue to prayerfully consider contributing to the future of our Synod through Mission Support, for TOGETHER we are better able to serve.
WE ARE DEPLOYED TOGETHER.
WE ARE ESSENTIAL TOGETHER.
WE ARE CHURCH TOGETHER!
I thank God for your support and for being in ministry with you.
In Christ,
Bishop Egensteiner