From the Interim Pastor

1. From the Interim Pastor Dear Friends and Members of the Shallowford Presbyterian Church, This past Summer, the Finance team attended a stewardship workshop that changed their view of the relationship between faith and money. They were also challenged to answer the question, "How is this church making a difference in peoples' lives?” We all want to make a difference in people’s lives, and that requires human and financial resources. Our people are (and possess) the resources needed to make a difference. Thus was born this year's campaign theme: Making A Difference. For this year’s campaign, we are using material called Committed to Christ. This offers “six steps toward a generous life.” We believe Committed to Christ will help you develop and sustain faith-based gratitude. Six disciplines or "steps" will be explored in worship which can help you grow spiritually and commit yourself to Christ-like generosity. We believe this congregation can make a difference in people's lives… with a commitment to Christ… living a generous life. In Gratitude for Who You Are, Doug Gebhard, Interim Pastor Shallowford Presbyterian Church Making a difference 2014 stewardship Campaign

2. Making a Difference Living as stewards means Living Generously in order to make a difference in the community and in the world at large. All that we have comes as a blessing from God, and God calls us to give back of our time, talents and treasure to further God’s mission in the world. We give our time and our financial resources to Shallowford Presbyterian Church because we believe in its mission. We believe Shallowford Presbyterian Church is the place that will nurture us and teach us on our journey of discipleship. We believe that Shallowford Presbyterian Church impacts lives – our lives, the lives of those with whom we worship and study, and the lives of those we in turn impact working as disciples of Christ. We believe our church is making a difference in the world. We enable the mission of Shallowford Presbyterian Church by making annual pledges to the Operating Fund. How does Shallowford Presbyterian Church distribute its Operating Fund contributions to effectively accomplish the work of God in this place? Shallowford Presbyterian Church has defined four areas of ministry that work together to fulfill the church’s mission of making and equipping disciples for Christ. The chart below details planned 2014 Operating Fund expenditures by area – Worship, Spiritual Growth , Caring for Members & Outreach. 2014 Operating Fund Planned Expenditures by Area Shallowford Presbyterian Church Making a difference 2014 Stewardship Campaign

3. 2014 Planned Expenditures by Area of Ministry WORSHIP “All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.” Psalm 66.4 Worship accounts for 33% of our annual budget, or about $83,233 plus countless volunteer hours. Last year, Shallowford Presbyterian Church offered 58worship services where on an average week, 85 people gathered to praise God and hear his word. Shallowford Presbyterian Church offered a number of meaningful special services including Service for Wholeness, Jazz Service, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday /Tenebraeservices. SPIRITUAL GROWTH “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3.18) Spiritual Growth accounts for 25% of our annual budget or about $63,056 plus countless volunteer hours. Shallowford Presbyterian Church offers adult and children study opportunities on Sundays and at times during the week. The average Sunday school attendance was approximately 35. Vacation Bible School with approximately 40 children this summer was a joint effort with Unity Moravian. The theme this year was “Everywhere Fun Fair.”. The youth group meets each Sunday evening to grow spiritually and to enjoy fellowship. Shallowford presbyterian Church Making a difference 2014 stewardship campaign

4. 2014 Planned Expenditures by Area of Ministry Caring for Members “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.” (1 Peter 5:2) Caring for Members accounts for 21% of our budget or about $52,977 plus countless volunteer hours. This investment provides for pastoral care, fellowship, congregational care ,visits to the sick and bereaved, and home-bound communion. Caring for and supporting our congregation and community fosters a strong church family, and embraces the call to Make a Difference. OUTREACH & MISSION “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) Outreach constitutes 21% of Shallowford’s budget. Your gifts of money support the homeless and hungry in our community through such programs as Crisis Control, Samaritan Inn, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels. We also support our presbytery, campus ministries, and seminaries. In addition, we engage in Outreach by our time and talents whether it be serving meals at Samaritan Inn, tutoring at El Buen Pastor, or participating in youth mission trips. This year, we built our Community Garden. The benefits were two-fold; fresh vegetables wee provided to those in need, and we have raided money for Crisis Control through our Share the Bounty program. Together, in Outreach we Make a Difference. El Buen Pastor Campus Ministry Shallowford Presbyterian Church Making a difference 2014 stewardship Campaign

5. Financial Stewardship The range of pledges made by our member families to last year’s Operating Fund campaign is detailed here. Where does your family fall? In the spirit of Making a Difference, can your family move into a higher range this year? If your family did not respond to last year’s campaign, can you make a commitment this year (to give as you are able in the weekly offering)? Can your family move to the next level? Our 2014 Budget is $252,222 to meet our expenditures. 59 Total Pledges for 2013 for a Total Amount of $219,840. The total budget for 2013 was $251K which is supported through our pledges and loose offering plate donations. If all of Shallowford Presbyterian Church’s member families commit to Marking a Difference, Shallowford Presbyterian Church will not only be able to meet its financial commitments, but also be able to fulfill our mission to do the work of God in this place. Please consider four simple guidelines for good financial stewardship derived from Albert Winn’s sermon “Tithing is More Than the Number Ten”: Give regularly. Stewardship should not be a function of mood or emotion. Your gift should not increase under the influence of sentimental appeal, nor falter in reaction to an unwanted message. It should instead be normal, expected and disciplined. Give proportionally. Stewardship should reflect what you have received. Your gift is not a transaction with the Stewardship Committee, it is a transaction with God. It must be based on your unique resources and blessings, and by what share God would have you give back. Give with priority. Stewardship should be a function of “first fruits.” Your gift should be the centerpiece of your financial planning, not an afterthought. You cannot set aside for every need, desire and contingency, and only then consider God. You should instead put God first, others second, and yourself third. Give at risk. Giving regularly, proportionally, and with priority allows you to establish a new and very tangible trust in God. While many believe that by giving we actually receive back with interest, stewardship requires your commitment to a financial plan with uncertain worldly returns. Shallowford Presbyterian Church making a difference 2014 stewardship Campaign