We are so thankful to each of you who have submitted an Estimate of Giving for 2025 and to those whose giving is up to date for 2024.
As of Thursday, December 19th, we have received 70 Estimates of Giving totaling $338,953, representing 99% of our goal of $340,000. We are short $1,047 of our goal. Based on our previous shortfall, a member called and increased his Estimate of Giving by $3,800. He wants to challenge another member to increase their Estimate of Giving to get us to our goal.
As we have begun to develop the budget for 2025, we have been examining historical trends over the last 5 years. We have noticed that actual pledge giving year over year has been on average 4% less than the total amount pledged. We believe that this trend has many causes such as the transient nature of our population, changing financial circumstances, and the death of parishioners.
The Treasurer and Vestry believe it is financially prudent to account for this historical trend as we develop the 2025 budget. Accounting for this trend, our goal of $340,000 will yield $326,400 in pledge revenue, leaving a $20,500 revenue shortfall for next year, including the $1,047 we are currently short of our 2025 goal. Can you be one that helps us decrease that shortfall? To include the 4% decrease, we would need another $21,547.
We ask that every member prayerfully consider helping us address our shortfall. Please support the St. Luke’s community you love and help us ensure we have the resources to fully support our mission and ministries.
Greg Murray, St. Luke's Treasurer