September 11, 2024
Finances
As of the end of August, our income is ahead by $5,163 compared to the same time last year, which is encouraging. However, we are currently behind by ($95,823) in meeting our projected income for this point in the year. This shortfall reflects the 14% increase in our annual budget, which was implemented to support our growth and meet current needs. It's important to note that giving in our church tends to follow a cyclical pattern. Historically, contributions slow down during the summer months but pick up again in the fall as the ministry year progresses, as we've seen in previous years.
Thank you for your continued generosity. Your giving sustains the mission and vision of Uniontown. It allows us to cover ongoing operational expenses such as building maintenance, grounds upkeep, utilities, staffing, programs, and community outreach efforts. Additionally, 13% of our budget is dedicated to supporting local and global outreach initiatives. When we have exceeded our budget goals, we have the wonderful opportunity to extend even more generosity—whether it's helping local residents with their water bills, investing in young adults pursuing full-time ministry, or sponsoring a global ministry in Uganda.
Building Space Planning
As we enter the fall ministry season, we will closely monitor attendance in our services and classrooms to determine the next steps in space planning. Our primary concern remains the children’s classrooms on Sunday mornings and the building capacity on Wednesday evenings. As families settle into their fall routines, we will get a clearer picture of our average attendance. Please continue to pray as we navigate this growth and seek the best path forward.
Vision Sunday & Connect Fair
This Sunday, we have an exciting opportunity to come together for Vision Sunday. We will be launching our new Forward Together booklet, which outlines the ten goals we are pursuing as a church community. On Monday, we invite you to join us in starting a series of daily devotions based on these intentions. Additionally, this Sunday, we will continue our Connect Fair, where you can explore various ways to engage in smaller settings within the church.
We have three key areas to get involved:
Learn Together: Our Digging Deeper classes are designed to strengthen your understanding of God, His Word, and your relationships with others. This fall, we’re offering a variety of classes throughout the week.
- UBCYM Digging Deeper • 6th & 7th gr. Begins Sept 15, 9:15 in Office Conference Room
- Digging Deeper Women: Ruth Daytime • Thursdays, 9:45 am, begins Sept 12
- Digging Deeper Women: Ruth Evenings • Mondays, 7 pm, begins Sept 23
- Digging Deeper Women: Exodus • Mondays, 7 pm, begins Sept 23
- Digging Deeper Men: Judges • Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, begins Sept 24
- Digging Deeper: Jonah • Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, begins Sept 25
- Digging Deeper: Foundations • Sundays, 9:15 am, begins Sept 29
- Digging Deeper: Bible Study Basics • Sundays, 9:15 am, begins Nov 3
- Digging Deeper: Prayer • Sundays, 9:15 am, begins Nov 17
Grow Together: Uniontown’s Community Groups gather small groups of people who meet regularly to learn, grow, and serve. These groups encourage us to love
God wholeheartedly and love others deeply. We’ll be onboarding new groups in the coming weeks, both in September and again in January.
Serve Together: Serving is a powerful way to connect with others and contribute to the life of the church. There are many ways to get involved through service, such as joining the Connecting Team, Children’s Ministry, each One Ministry, Operations Team, or participating in special events like Trunk or Treat or Ladies Tea. Other opportunities include Team Kid, UBCYM, the Grounds Team, and many more.
Prayer Requests
Please join us in prayer over several essential matters:
- Please continue to pray for the ongoing search for our next Youth Director/Pastor.
- Pray as many of our fall classes, programs, and activities launch.
- Pray that people would take their next step and connect in a smaller setting to grow in their faith and discipleship.
- Our largest outreach event of the year, Trunk or Treat, will take place on October 26. Pray that as we invite the community to join us, we can build relationships that lead to meaningful gospel conversations.
Thank you for your continued prayers and partnership to Love God Most and Love Others Best.