Dear Members and Friends,

As of May 1st, our pledge canvass has received pledges for next fiscal year totaling $136,754 with perhaps another $2000 expected. This is only slightly more than our current year pledge total and leaves us with a projected $7600 deficit to maintain current levels of staffing, building maintenance, and programs in our next fiscal year, beginning July 1st. To balance the budget, we would prefer to increase income rather than cut expenses, which are already lean. 

To close the income gap solely by increasing pledges, would require a 6% increase in total pledges. If everyone increases their pledge by $6 for every $100 already pledged or $60 for every $1000 pledged, the deficit will be covered. And if you haven’t yet made your pledge for next year, please contribute to the effort by making one now. 

Given the short time remaining to finalize a proposed budget to be approved by the congregation at our annual meeting on May 17th, we hope you can commit now to a pledge increase or make your initial pledge online with one of these links:

Increase your previously made pledge: https://forms.gle/jrJpenh5pVYA6HwQA

Make a new pledge: https://forms.gle/9oith4mZocLdF6pU8

If you choose not to pledge online, please email Chris, our collector, at collector@uumanchester.org and let her know the increase you can make to your pledge (the amount of increase per week, month, quarter or year). Then in the near future, we’ll provide you with a paper Pledge Increase Form to complete to formally submit your increase but we don’t have the forms ready as yet. 

As always, all pledge amounts are kept confidential by our collector. 

And lastly, a big thank you to all who attended the Budget Town Hall Meeting. You had important questions, comments, and suggestions for us to consider. The gift of your time and attention is much appreciated!

With much gratitude for your continued support,

June, Alice, Chris, and Brian

Your Finance Committee