President’ s Report
“ Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”( Proverbs 16:3)
As winter transitions into spring, I am reminded of the transitions Trinity will see over the next few months and years as we embark on building projects and new and expanded ministries. God’ s presence is with us as we embark on these plans just as he is present in the new growth in nature. Following is an update of some of the exciting projects happening at Trinity:
Capital Campaign Update – The Gifted to Grow, Given to Share capital campaign projects group consisting of Gary Schwartz, Kent Garvin, Steve Dugger, Lynne Pearson and myself have been meeting with the goal to establish project priorities and plans. Projects have been selected from those listed in the campaign prospectus approved by the congregation and will be phased over the next three years based on available funds. For projects planned in 2016 the committee has considered funds already received plus projected to be received by year end.
See below for a summary of campaign related plans: Funds availability- Approximately $ 232,000 of the total campaign pledges of $ 729,338 have been received through the end of March, 2016. Based on pledge commitments we anticipate receipts totaling approximately $ 400,000 by year end 2016. Subtracting expenses already funded including campaign expenses, furnace replacement and committed benevolence there is approximately $ 165,000 currently available from funds received through March, 2016 and we anticipate approximately $ 316,000 available for projects by year end. Benevolence – Trinity committed throughout the campaign to tithe based on contributions. Our plan is to set aside 10 % of received funds annually for distribution the following year. From 2015 contributions of $ 187,250 there is $ 18,725 in benevolence funds available for distribution in 2016. The distribution of benevolence funds will be managed by the Social and Eco Justice ministry with oversight and approval from finance and council. Automated doors for ADA compliance – The first priority for facility improvements is the addition of handicapped accessible automated doors at the main front and west entrances. We are currently in the process of getting contractor bids and should be ready to contract this work within the next 30 to 60 days. Restroom remodels – Men’ s and women’ s restroom remodels including ADA compliance are also priorities for facility improvement. The masonry block construction limits what can be done with the restroom remodeling so we are also looking into the possibility of adding a separate ADA / Family restroom. We are in the process of getting bids on the restrooms and will be reviewing our options in the near future. Endowment – After the above projects are funded, our next priority is to establish the endowment fund. It has been decided that the endowment will be invested through the ELCA Endowment Pooled Trust under the fiduciary responsibility of the Trinity Trust Fund committee. Once established with the minimum investment of $ 25,000, the endowment will be available for Trinity’ s members to build through estate gifts. Mortgage – Based on projected donations, our final priority for 2016 is paying off the mortgage prior to the end of the year. This would free up more than $ 30,000 a year for other program funding in 2017 and beyond. Kitchen remodel – We are starting to plan for the kitchen remodel projected for 2017. This is most complex of the approved projects and will require time to get input, identify needs, make plans and get contractor bids. Lynne Pearson has agreed to lead this process and will be assembling a task force committee to work through the details of the kitchen plans. If anyone is interested in being part of this group please contact Lynne. Other projects – The committee will meet regularly and set project priorities over the term of the campaign. Projects will be phased as funds become available.
Solar Panel Project Update – The investment group financing the solar panel project has been providing updates to council. They are in the process of receiving bids and choosing a contractor for the project. They anticipate having the panels installed sometime this summer. As approved by the congregation, Trinity will enter into a power purchase agreement with the group to purchase the power generated by the system. These projects will help us fulfill Trinity’ s mission and vision in our church, the community and the world.
Thanks be to God!
In God’ s Grace, Dave Karst Council President
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