At the Illinois Mennonite Conference Annual Meeting in the Spring of 2017, the delegate body had an extended conversation about the financial condition of Illinois Mennonite Conference. During that meeting, a budget was approved and an approach to lower expenses by closing the physical office was also implemented.

At the end of September, we were 8 months into the current fiscal year. Here is a snapshot of where we are year-to-date:

• We are currently 17,910.38 in the red  (income is under expenses).
• Expenses are down 3%
• Congregational giving is up $24,049.73

A few words as we move forward:

• Congregational giving is up, in part, from a generous gift from an IMC congregation who had a budget surplus.
• Due to the timing of our annual meeting and the time it took to close down the office, we had six months of office expenses (rent, utilities, phone, etc.) in this fiscal year. Therefore, our expenses compared to last year will continue to trend down.

What can you do to support IMC financially?

• If your congregation currently contributes to IMC, please continue to do so. Your support makes the ministry of the conference happen.
• If your congregation has not contributed to IMC this year, please consider taking a love offering for the conference before the end of the fiscal year (Fiscal year end is January 31).
• If you are an individual and engage in charitable giving, please consider a gift to IMC as the year ends. You can donate online or send a check to IMC using the address below.
• There are others ways to contribute to the ongoing work of IMC through other charitable giving. Brian Veeder, IMC Treasurer and Everence Rep, would be happy to talk to you about those opportunities. You can reach him at Brian.Veeder@everence.com

If you’d like more information on the ministry of IMC and the benefit this ministry provides to local congregations, please contact Michael Danner. He is more than happy to share the vision and work of IMC.