Supporting St Tim's

Donations by check can be mailed to
Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine MN 55434.
Electronic donations can be made (one time or recuring)
by clicking the button below. 

March 24, 2020 - Important Financial Update from Cathy Sullivan

Dear Friends:

I would like to inform you of recent activity we have undertaken at St. Timothy regarding our budget and financial future. We have two primary means of income, automatic giving and envelope giving. Our monthly average of giving by automatic withdrawal or electronically is about $30,000. Our monthly collection from envelopes averages approximately $70,000, or an average of about $17,500 per weekend. We have received some envelopes from parishioners despite no Masses being celebrated and for that we are grateful. However, the total that has come in from envelopes for the past two weekends is $8,158, which is $26,842 lower than usual.

Consequently, the parish finance committee, our two trustees, and a resentative of our parish pastoral council met on Saturday, March 21, to review our financial situation and develop plans for the next several months. From that meeting, the following steps have been initiated:

1. We will be releasing some of our reserve funds to assure we have enough cash on hand to pay our expenses.
2. A spending freeze is in effect on all non-essential expenses. We will focus on making sure all essential bills continue to be paid and needed building maintenance is done. All other current and future expenses for programs, ministries, and administration are being delayed. Any purchase deemed essential is being approved by me before being ordered. Even after implementing this spending freeze, our fixed expenses total approximately $110,000 per month.
3. We will work to maintain staffing levels for now, but this may require reductions in hours and/or rate of pay eventually. Furloughs or involuntary layoffs are a last resort. Given the uncertainty, we can only guarantee that current staffing and wages will be maintained until April 24. Our staff has been notified of this and we will continue to monitor this situation.
4. In the event of an enforced shutdown, or shelter-in-place order, our offices will close completely. We are currently finishing up final preparations to give as many staff as possible the ability to work from their homes. Our top priority will be to keep our buildings secure and that emergency pastoral care ministry may be extended whenever possible. An earlier communication addressed specific pastoral care needs and is posted on our website.

I know this is a challenging time for everyone. If your family can financially contribute, I would ask that you continue to send in your regular Sunday collection envelope to St. Timothy’s via mail. We will be picking the mail up from the post office even in the event of a shut-down. If the office continues to remain open, you could drop it off if you prefer. You can also go on to our website (https://churchofsttimothy.com/supporting-st-tims-1) and make an electronic contribution. I understand that some of you may have had a decrease in income or suffered a job loss due to this crisis which will make contributing at this time impossible. Please know that is okay. Know that you are being lifted in prayer by our staff. 

I would like to thank our parish leadership, particularly the members of our finance committee, for their thorough and thoughtful guidance. It is clear to me how much each of the members care for this parish. Their input and expertise are invaluable to Fr. Joe and me as we navigate this new normal.

Know of my prayers for all of you and for your families. Stay safe and healthy.

Cathy Sullivan
Director of Finance and Administration

 

Letter from Father Joe - March 17

Many of you have expressed your appreciation for how the Church of St. Timothy has responded to the current health crisis. Along with that you have expressed a feeling of helplessness and a desire to help. While the situation dictates that we do not gather together, that does not mean we cannot pray with one voice; praising God for all we have been given, and petitioning Him for speedy and safe deliverance from the pandemic.

We also ask that as we keep working here to serve the most needy and vulnerable among us, that you specifically keep the staff at St. Tim’s in your prayers. It is very meaningful to us to have you praying for the ministry we are continuing to do. Another way to support us is financially. If you have your envelopes at home and want to put them in the mail that would be appreciated. Or if you prefer, you can go online and set up your donations to come out of your checking account or to be paid through your credit card. Click on the button just above this announcement to be connected to our donation processor. We are very much aware that our expenses, and your own household expenses, don’t stop during this time, so know that we will be good stewards of your gifts, as always, and we appreciate whatever support you can give.

The other thing you can do to at this time is to simply be Christ in the world. Help your friends and neighbors whenever possible, even if that just means extra phone calls to check in or chat about something other than the world’s troubles, or sharing your extra Girl Scout cookies by leaving them, and an encouraging note, as a treat on the neighbors doorstep. We may all be isolating, but that doesn’t mean we need to feel alone, and as Christians we are called  to be light for the darkness, and right now that is a very important thing.