Up & Running

Realizing just how fast time fly’s,  it's time for me to remember,  I do have this blog.... and much has happened, gotten started, or simply begun.


My role has seen some transition, as Judy and I have been in the NM mountains, and I have worked from afar.

Some of the highlights - - -

1. A report has been provided to our council from the 57 or so people I had personally met with in March-May. The feedback provided made it very clear that our genuine openness as a congregation and diversification (generations and overall differences amongst us) is a huge attribute and strength. Financial concerns are very real and engagement of our members needs to remain a top priority. Not rocket science stuff but affirming information as to the overall health of our congregation.

2. A generational report has affirmed we have a very health mix of young, middle aged, and older members within our congregation. By head of household 31% of our congregation is over age 65; 30% is between the ages of 45-64; and approximately 20% is represented by ages 35-45 and then those younger than 35. This is a very healthy mix!

3. I think everyone has heard about it but we had a very effective phone calling marathon in May.  414 calls were made with 50% resulting in contact with an individual. Expectations were met and members were appreciative of the contact being made. Very few contacts resulted in any negative feedback.

4. A July 25th Celebration of the Generations event was held at our church with 202 members in attendance. We celebrated our diversity and enjoyed music and food! Additionally members had fun playing Mad-Libs, by generation, and capped off the gathering with some of the children presenting a song to members in attendance.

5.  Planned Giving- a new opportunity to give is being rolled out as I write this.  Member contact is occuring informing members of the ability to give future gifts now through a beneficiary designation.  Members interested simply make a beneficiary change on their life insurance product, IRA, 401(k), pension or annuity product to include St. Martin's Endowment Fund at a designated percentage or dollar amount.  The action taken is revocable as people's life's and needs do change but it is a great way to include the church in your giving objectives.  It has not been a past focus but we are excited to offer this opportunity now!  If you have an interest and would like to visit please give me a call.

Additionally, I should write a few comments about our 2010 Giving Appeal ---
Our fall Giving Appeal program is ramping up!  59% of members responding have requested the ability to make their financial estimate of giving through on-line pledging and email... Wow, that's approaching 2/3 of our membership! A brochure outlining our 2010 program budget, testimonials, and other pertinent comments is set to be printed soon. Our theme is "don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good!"

Joyful Giving testimonials have been provided by 11 members of our congregation.... and a church gathering will occur as one method to be used to support members providing their estimate of giving for the year 2011. 31% of members responded requesting this opportunity. Additional means we will employ to support one making their estimate of giving will potentially include personal visitation, neighborhood meetings, face book, and phone contact.

Our data base management system (it has huge potential) continues to be a bear!  Informally nicknamed, the beast it will in the future be capable of tracking ones contributions, providing historical contribution history, allow on-line pledging and giving, and much, much more .... if all goes as planned!  This is a long term plan or goal which I am hopeful will become reality.  Be clear, much needs to come together for us to reach this result.

That's my update to date! We have a special church and wonderful people making a real difference in in-reach and outreach ministries. I am blessed to have this opportunity to seek to make a meaningful difference in our church... I know that.

If you have any ideas, want to volunteer in a general or specific area of stewardship, or simply want to chat please give me a holler or send me an email at beglau@gmail.com .

God's peace ------ Bob