CANTERBURY SHOP
Be ahead of summer! June 16th is Father's Day--3 weeks from today. The Canterbury Shop will be closed for the summer after that day. Buy now for all the greeting cards you may wish to send during the summer. Stock up on wedding, anniversary, graduations, get-well cards. Beat the summer rush, then relax.
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INVITE FOR COUPLES MARRIED 50 YEARS OR MORE
The Diocese of Long Island would like to invite all couples who have been married 50 years or more to a special 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 8 at 11am at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City. A reception will follow the service. If you are interested, please pick up a copy of the Reservation form from the table in the back of church.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN’S
For the sick: Bob White, Julia Spach, Peg Conner, Phillip Wulfken, Anthony Frates, Tim Olsen, Arline Settle, Eunice Johnson, Sam Bish, Dovie Parvin, Virginia Gibney, Irena Durham, Bill Hinton, Jessica M., Isabel Vagell, Linda Sorrels, Mark Bellissimo, Ann Mulrean, Katie Macaluso, Jamie Herbert, Sue Rosen, Walter, Jean Giacomini, Marylynne LaBrusciano, Jonny Light, James Lott, Mike Begy, Patti Ehrenshaft, John Gallagher, Francoise Moseley, Frank Marino, Audrey Homan, Roberta, Jay Kaknes, Fred Hansen, Christopher Madigan, Diane Brisotti, Georgeanne Green, Lu Stack, Elisabeth Weis, Yvonne Smith, Toni Grau, Claire Brennan, Lloyd Clark, Frank, Christine Bushnell, Nate Martin, Leigh Hansen, Fern Peterson, Karen Nystrom, Matthew Loghran, Victoria Stewart, Joann D’Abreu, Louise Spach, Mario
For the victims of this week’s OK tornadoes
For the recently deceased: Lysle Marshall
To have someone entered onto our Prayer List for 4 weeks, please e-mail the church office with the person’s name as well as the requester’s name. The e-mail address is:
Last week’s attendance was: 172
The Chalice
The weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church
May 26, 2013
From the Rector: State of the Parish
The May Vestry meeting this past week lasted three and a half hours. It was the longest one I have taken part in since my arrival, although I have been told of many three or four-hour Vestry meetings of the past. This was necessary because we received an alarming treasurer’s report which resulted in a two-hour discussion on the finances of the parish. The treasurer reported a projected total deficit of $70,225 for 2013 that included $18,120 in arrears in our bill payments as of the end of April and further financial obligations of $17,500 by the end of May. Coupled with the current negative cash flow of $1,468, we are, in fact, looking at $37,088 of bills to be paid at the end of May. This is initially off-set by some near-term revenues of $13,200 by the end of May. So, we are currently in the red by $23,888.
To address the immediate short-term problem, the Vestry accepted the finance committee’s proposal to take money from some liquid funds – $5,951 from the Contingency fund, $4,500 from the investment dividend income and $11,050 from the James Nishimura memorial fund, given by his family last year. The family explicitly allowed us to use it for general operating expenses. We have been prudent about not using it outright but have saved it for a rainy day such as now. This cash infusion of $21,501 brings our current deficit down to $2,387. A generous parishioner has offered additional $10,000 to help us put out this urgent fire. What fire this is indeed!
The Vestry also needs to deal with the longer-term problem of the projected total 2013 deficit of $75,000, which represents an additional $51,000 or more we have to find to cover our expenses for the remainder of the year. We began the year with a projected deficit of $15,000. How did this happen? The main reasons for this were revealed to us as a wishful speculation and an environmental trend. We based our revenue partially on the non-pledge giving which has fluctuated but has been on the increasing pattern recently. In 2012 we received $40,000 in non-pledge giving. For 2013, we aggressively budgeted $68,500, but, as of the end of April, have received $10,666. According to this trend, we will end with a shortfall of $36,500 on this revenue item.
The environmental trend has to do with the trend in the Nursery School whose enrolment has been steadily decreasing. In the 2010-2011 school year, we had 84 students, in 2011-2012, 83 students, in 2012-2013, 67 students, and for 2013-2014, 55 students have enrolled so far. Many part time nursery schools have seen decreasing enrolments for some years and many have closed. Full day schools such as the Y and the Gloria Dei in the area, on the other hand, have been doing well. There is a greater need for full daycares rather than half-day nursery schools. However, getting licensed for a full day program may require changes to the physical plant and legal and financial obligations beyond our capacity to make it worthwhile. This, too, is an area where the Vestry needs to develop a clear strategic vision and plan.
The Vestry spent a great deal of time discussing what we need to do to recover from the financial deficit for 2013. As the first step, a committee was formed to examine all the major contract services to see if any savings or cost-cutting measures can be taken. In the next couple of weeks, the Vestry and I will continue to rack our brains to develop strategies to deal with this issue. This will mean some uncomfortable cost-cutting measures going forward and may even involve some reconfiguration of staff and personnel.
Truth is painful but we must deal with reality and facts and not continue with wishful thinking and speculations. I also believe in transparency and clarity especially when it comes to finance. The Vestry and I take the ultimate responsibility and will do everything we can to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. This past week I have been in contact with the Bishop and the Canon of the Diocese, and they are in the process of looking for ways to help us with this challenge. As I indicated before, this year has been a major transitional year on many levels. I am confident that we can get through this. But, the Vestry and I cannot do it alone. We need your prayers and support. We need you to be behind us in order for us to move forward. Please keep the Vestry and me in your prayers and pray for St. John’s.
Father Allen Shin
VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS WELCOME!
We welcome you to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Established in 1745 this historic church opens its doors to all who seek to deepen their faith, and provides warm hospitality to all. We are blessed by your presence and invite you to fill out a Visitor’s card on the back table of church. Visit the Greeters’ Kiosk in the rear of church, where Greeters are available to answer questions and provide you with a packet of additional information about church services and activities.
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S
Monday, May 27 – Office is closed for Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm – Women of the Bible Series: Mary
Sunday, June 2 at 12:30 pm – ECW Fundraiser “South Pacific” at John Engeman Theater
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NEW WEEKLY SERVICES AT ST. JOHN’S
On Sunday evenings Contemplative Eucharist celebrated at 5:30 pm.
On Wednesdays Holy Eucharist and Healing Service at 12 Noon.
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SOLAR PANEL PROJECT
We have received $51,990. Many thanks to all who have donated to this project and have made our green vision a reality and a future legacy of St. John’s. We are still accepting donations to build a maintenance fund for the solar panels. So, if you fell inspired to give to this project, you can still help us by giving for its future maintenance.
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WOMEN IN THE BIBLE SERIES
“Women in the Bible” series concludes on Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm led by Mother Ale. The next topic will be on “Mary”. ALL are welcome!
we have a successful afternoon. This also makes a great Father’s Day gift!
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THE FLORENCE & ROBERT SCOTT SCHOLARSHIP
Applications for the 2013 Florence & Robert Scott Scholarship can be found on the table in the back of church, and on our website. This $250 Scholarship is for one or two graduating High School Seniors. To qualify, you must have been involved in at least one St. John’s activity during your school years. Application deadline is Sunday, June 8.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS SERIES
The next Health & Wellness Series will be on Thursday, June 13 at 1pm. Kathleen Mazza a Home Organizer and Downsizer of Transitions USA will show us “How to Shed Pounds around the House”. Please be sure to invite your neighbors, friends and family who might be interested in this topic!