TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, YORK, SC

Finance Committee Report  

July 21, 2024

 

The Trinity Finance Committee met on July 21, 2024, in the Conference Room at 6:00 PM.  The following attended the meeting:  Rev. Wanda Altman Shirah, Debbie Black, Sara Comer, Trip McGarity, Tom Faulkenberry, Pamela DeLaBarre, David Wilson, and Dick Sweigart. 

 

Our financial health has improved in 2024 due to increasing contributions.  Our church family supports the needs of the church.  Thank you all for supporting your Trinity Church Family.     

 

Following are some updates about our financial status:

 

• The approved 2024 Operating Budget is $408,269.00.  The 2023 Operating Budget was $401,751.00.  The 2022 Operating Budget was $404,215.00.  The 2021 Operating Budget was $447,062.00.  The 2020 Operating Budget was $423,970.40 and the 2019 budget was $347,325.00.    

• Contributions as of July 14, 2024 are $217,836.33.  Contributions for 2023 were $368,161.  Contributions for 2022 were $340,999.21.  Contributions for 2021 were $317,917.88.  Contributions for 2020 were $302,802.48.  Contributions in 2019 were $346,336.69.        

• Memorials and contributions to our Capital Improvement Fund so far in 2024 are $11,345.00.  Memorials and contributions to our Capital Improvement Fund in 2023 were $28,937.10.  Memorials and contributions to our Capital Improvement Fund in 2022 were $41,587.03 which was our highest ever contribution level, largely to support our Trinity Center roof repair.  Memorials to our Capital Improvement Fund in 2021 were $14,476.50.  Memorials in 2020 were $13,720.  Memorials in 2019 were $13,625.

• Expenses paid so far in 2024 as of July 9 are $166,549.25.  Expenses paid in 2023 were $359,969.  Expenses paid in 2022 were $325,403.70.    Expenses paid in 2021 were $322,843.30.  Total expenses paid in 2020 from our Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Fund were $297,681.    

• Apportionments in 2024 are $35,599.  As of July 9, payments are $18,545.00.  Apportionments in 2023 paid were $34,095.  Apportionments in 2022 were $37,345.  Apportionments in 2021 were $42,098.  Apportionments were $41,066 in 2020.  Remember that apportionments support various mission and administrative projects across South Carolina. 

• This is a summary of some of the mission projects we supported so far in 2024.  A team of 20 went on a mission trip to the Sager Brown UMCOR Emergency Response Facility where we spent $3,994.29 supporting mission activities in Baldwin, Louisiana in February.  We supported a Methodist Cluster activity at Trinity when we packed 1,042 meals for a company called Rise to Hunger to support world hunger.  The project was supported by 65 volunteers and $4,200.  The UMM provided a meal at the Bethel Men’s Shelter each month so far in 2024.  We provided a donation to Epworth for $1,720.  We continue to provide lunch bags to those in need Tuesday and Thursday.  The Crafters made donations of $9,440 to 13 groups in need.  Four members of our youth family attended a Salkehatchie work camp so far this year:  Camden Altman, Jackson Graham, Andy Goss, and Max Mellon.  Trinity provided a meal to the Salkehatchie work camp held in Clover in July.  Vacation Bible School had 66 attendees in July.             

• We currently have a balance of $54,634.82 in our Reserve Fund with First Citizens Bank which includes a deposit of $1,303.41 in CD interest earned on April 10, 2024.  We invested $50,000 in a First Citizens CD to earn a better interest rate which will mature in October 2024.  

• We opened an investment account with Edward Jones and have $13,331.09 in this account.  This is a reserve fund that has a better rate of return than the traditional savings account.  

• We do not have a mortgage at Trinity.

• In 2024 the Trustees completed an upgrade in the Education Building women’s rest room and both restrooms in the Trinity Center.  Trustees also replaced the microwave, stove and refrigerator at the parsonage.  In 2023 the Trustees completed carpet replacement in the Education Building for about $20,000.  Also, in 2023 the Trustees replaced the upstairs HVAC unit at the Parsonage for about $7,000.00.  The Trustees repaired the Trinity Center roof in 2022 for about $40,000.  

• An updated Mission Approval Form was initiated to support Camp scholarships (less than or equal to $300 per person), Salkehatchie work camp ($125 per person) and mission scholarships (less than or equal to $1,000).  

• A continuing education trip was approved by SPRC for Pastor Wanda for 2024.  The trip to Israel was replaced with a similar education trip to Turkey.  The trip is scheduled for November 2024. 

 

As of July 14, 2024 our average attendance is ~23 at the 8:30 service and ~79 at the 10:30 service for a combined attendance of ~102.  In 2023 our average attendance was ~23 at the 8:30 service and ~77 at the 10:30 service for a combined attendance of ~100.  Our average attendance in Church in 2022 was ~70 at the 10:30 service and ~33 at the 8:30 service for a combined attendance of ~103 which is an increase of ~30 over 2021 attendance. 

 

Sunday School attendance as of July 14, 2024 is ~55.  Sunday School attendance was ~53 in 2023.  Attendance in 2022 was ~51.

 

Make an effort to thank everyone for their financial support of Trinity.  Continue to encourage others to attend activities at Trinity.  Pray for our Church family and all God's children.  We have been blessed!

 

If there are questions about this report or there is a need for additional information,

contact Dick Sweigart at 803-627-4860 or Sweigart.Richard@yahoo.com or Debbie Black at 803-325-5481 or dhblack2418@gmail.com. 

 

 

Richard Sweigart

Finance Chair