Dear Friends,
Three individuals have decided to step down from roles that they have fulfilled over several years. I wanted to take a few moments to acknowledge their tremendous contributions over the duration and express our collective appreciation to them.
First of all, after 20 years of handling our payroll, Linda H. has decided to discontinue. If you can imagine calculating salaries, making sure to figure in the proper deductions or withholdings, issuing checks every two weeks, producing tax documents for the various employees each year, filling out forms, and dealing with Worker’s Compensation numbers, what an enormous amount of time that requires! I’m simply amazed and in awe of Linda’s faithfulness over this period of time. It requires being on top of deadlines at least every other week for 20 years! What an enormous task!
Subsequent to her leaving the role, and considering our current situation with the complexities of tax laws, with our irregular need for scheduling substitutes, factoring in part-time hours, etc., we have decided to hire a payroll company to do the job.
Duane and Lori C. are the other individuals who have decided to step down. Together they have done the Financial Secretary job. For 10 years they have kept track of individual giving, assigned giving envelopes, tabulated totals for reports, and provided giving statements each year. They’ve also compiled statistics of pledgers, non-pledge givers, and have provided valuable information regarding the overall stewardship programs. Having statistics of decreases, increases, with accurate projections involving budgeting, forecasting programming, and staffing, they have been a significant resource for us. Not to mention all the other aspects that they have assisted with regarding our finances, Annual Conference forms, the Endowment Committee, and the Sanctuary Renovation Project.
Even in the midst of cancer, Duane has battled through to provide what we have needed. His calculations, projections, and detailed analysis have been crucial to us in so many ways that I can’t even explain.
We will truly miss the services of these three people. When I think about it, they have carved out many hours and chunks of their lives all in the service of Christ and the church. To them we owe an overflowing expression of gratitude for sharing their skill and sacrifice. May God continue to bless them and provide for them as they shift to a different aspect of the journey in serving. Next time you see them, please take some moments to thank them and offer words of appreciation and admiration.
– Pastor Bob
