November 18, 2002 

"WELL DONE, FAITHFUL SERVANTS."
(Matthew 25:21)

At our October 27 church business meeting, the Worship Department and Deacon Board presented us with a challenge: increase our support of our Director of Worship and of our Administrative Assistant so that the church's ministry can be strengthened in these two key staff areas. Let's put faces with these job titles—we're talking about Glenn Molina and Alice Blackwood.

Alice Blackwood: Anyone who comes in contact with the church knows how much Alice means to us. Art Everett has said, "ABC" means "Alice Blackwood's Church." That may be an exaggeration, but she certainly is the voice and face of ABC to many people who make contact through her office. Recently, a committee of the Finance Department did an analysis of Alice's work week and her compensation. It was found (to no one's surprise) that she puts in significantly more hours than the 24 she is supposed to work each week. When the added hours are divided into her pay, it appears that she is receiving about the current minimum wage. We think this needs to be corrected and that Alice should be adequately rewarded for her great ministry on our behalf.

Glenn Molina: Glenn has grown before our eyes. His musical gifts are clear to those of us who are regularly inspired by ABC worship. But he also has the ability to inspire, teach, enable and magnify the gifts of others in the Celebration Band and the Gospel Choir. Furthermore, he plans each Sunday's worship service around the theme of the preaching pastor's sermon text and title, so that the whole service has continuity. In 1997 Lynn Losie retired as accompanist, and Glenn took on that additional job. This year Eileen Garner retired as choir director, and Glenn filled that role as well. All of this, with the increased hours, for the same pay. We believe and have recommended to the church that his job description and salary be increased to fit our new needs and opportunities in worship.

Doing one of these things will be a stretch. Doing both at the same time will be a s-t-r-e-t-c-h.

At the October business meeting, I challenged the congregation to prove we want to make these increases in next year's budget by increasing our giving right now, in this budget year. You know what? You have responded. Our weekly giving has been growing noticeably. In the (printed) Messenger, we always print a brief financial report. Two significant lines are entitled "Received Year-to-Date" and "Needed Year-to-Date." The gap between these has been shrinking:
October 21 $6951.59 behind budget need
October 28 $5769.33 behind budget need
November 5 $5630.00 behind budget need
November 12 $4493.15 behind budget need
November 19 $4551.36 behind budget need

Wouldn't it be great to shrink that to $0, or even move it into plus territory? If we do, the Finance Department may be able to develop a 2003-4 budget that includes the needed increases to our valued staff, Alice and Glenn.

Please prayerfully review your part in supporting the church's ministry through weekly giving. Make the changes the Lord is inspiring you to make. Thanks.

–Pastor George Van Alstine