Giving to First Methodist

Wish List

If the remaining unconfirmed pledges hold steady from 2021, we are still about $200,000 to $250,000 short of our hopes of a $1.45 million budget in 2022. We hope you and your household will prayerfully consider making an extravagant gift for 2022. An extravagant gift is a one-time, over-and-above contribution to our ministries. Here are some examples of potential ministries in the coming year:

· $13,000 supports a choir accompanist

· $10,000 covers a monthly mortgage payment

· $8,500 lets us work with two Jubilee interns

· $4,000 provides for one choir section leader

· $3,500 tunes the organ for a year

· $1,000 buys a new drum kit for the contemporary service

· $250 gives dinner for Jubilee students one Wednesday night

· $190 pays the electricity for one day

· $100 buys 500 prepackaged communion cups

· $100 purchases a new anthem for the choir

· $75 supports a week’s worth of Sunday School curriculum for all ages of children

· $25 buys one set of books for confirmation

· $12 supports a study book for the Discipleship Hour

· $10 takes students out for coffee

Please keep in mind that these items are examples from our budget, and any extravagant gifts made would support all of our ministries. If you’d like to make an extravagant pledge or gift, please contact Mary Wilson at 812-332-6396.

Thanks for your prayerful consideration! We’re beyond blessed by the generous ways you share the love of Christ with the world.

October 2021 Giving Update

While we are still doing well financially, October was a lower giving month than anticipated by about $8,000. At the same time, our expenses were $6,195 less than expected, mostly due to under spending in staff and program areas. Year-to-date, we are still very strong with a surplus of $104,923. Hallelujah! The largest portions of this surplus are in salaries and building. We have also received more than $80,000 in extravagant gifts designated for building repairs.

We have brought new people on staff and replaced the small chiller, so we will most likely use this surplus as we come to the end of the year. We are so grateful for your generosity, and we encourage you to keep up on your giving. If you would consider an extravagant one-time gift as we approach the end of the year, we would be thankful.

You may give online here. You may also mail checks to 219 E. 4th St., Bloomington, IN 47408. If you’d prefer to drop off your gift in person, please do so between 9 a.m. and noon on weekdays or contact the office at 812-332-6396. Thanks for all you do to help us be a Christ-centered church that is open to all, a safe place to grow, and a servant community. You are a blessing!

2022 Stewardship Update

On behalf of the stewardship team, we are pleased to update you on our 2022 Stories of Generosity stewardship effort. As of Nov. 11, we have received 145 of an estimated 184 commitments. Of these commitments, we have:

· 12 new pledges

· 80 increases over 2021

· 3 decreases

· 50 who remained the same

We’re so grateful for your financial intentions for the coming year. If you have not had the opportunity to return your commitment card for 2022, please do so as soon as possible because we will be finalizing the budget for next year. You may mail it in, drop it by the church, or complete it online via the button below.