President's Page

June, 2008

As I write this article for the June newsletter, I am surprised by how quickly time seems to be moving this year. The halfway point in our year is just around the corner. So I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a few items.

My favorite topic for my tenure as President has been the financial health of our congregation. The Lord truly blessed Marin Lutheran in 2007 and we in response provided significant help to the Sierra Pacific Synod Missions and directly to local charities through our Social Concerns Board as well as to continue to share the message of God’s love here in Marin County.

Through April of 2008, we stayed in line with my last chapel talk. General Offering through April: -$4,154 to plan
Festival Offering through April: $2,403 to plan
Total Offering: -$1,751 to plan

As summer approaches, I ask you to continue to seek God’s guidance on the support of Marin Lutheran’s mission. We do many wonderful things as a group of individuals serving the Lord, but much of that starts with our monetary response to God’s love. Giving financially is a significant challenge in our Christian life and that is why discussing it is often difficult. When we give, the blessings are incredible.

The remainder of the 2008 Financial Offering Budget breaks down as follows: a very big budgeted amount for May, standard months for June – August and then much larger amounts expected for the remainder of the year. So the Lord has put some “opportunities” in front of us. Marin Lutheran is here to fulfill God’s work, and that starts with each one of us being open to God’s call to support his work. Please ask God to guide you.

On a separate note, the council in March approved a motion that allowed me to form a task force to review the MLC Constitution and By-Laws. Our last review was in 1992 when some minor changes were made. The last major review and change was completed in 1982. The task force is now selected and our first meeting will be in late May. Join me in thanking the following members – Jim Kamphoefner, Janet Foster, Tom Schmidt, Dawn Brewster, Ray Gergus, Pastor Tom and myself. I will provide further updates and fully expect the Task Force to conduct several congregational meetings before their report is completed.

Love and blessings,
Jeff Reinders

Back to Church Council page