It is not uncommon to hear from various individuals, leaders and organizations through out the Unity these words, The Unity ought to pay for ______; you fill in the blank. I would like to remind all of us that there are no limitless funds at the denominational level. In fact, there is very little discretionary money. Most dollars that the Unity has to work with are designated by the Constitution and By-Laws. For example, the Brethren Fund ($25.00 per active member per year) is already allocated in the following ways:

$2.50 - Administrative
$2.50 - The Brethren Journal
$5.00 - Hus Encampment
$5.00 - Church Extension
$10.00 - Contingency Fund /Youth Coordinator

Multiply these amounts by the number of active members we have in the denomination which is probably around 1,800 and you get a feel how much money goes to these areas. These disbursements are very small considering the budgets they go toward. For example, the Hus Encampment needs about $48,000 a year just to maintain the facilities. This amount does not include the money for food and programming of any of the camps or other events that are held at the camp. The Youth Coordinator budget is $40,000 and comes from the Contingency Fund as well as other things such as the printing of history books and other projects that impact the overall well being of the Unity.  A Synodical Committee meeting costs at least $1,000 for food and mileage; this comes from the Administrative Fund. I know that officers do not always collect mileage for their work. All to say that running the denomination has been and will continue to be a congregational and individual responsibility.

The reality is this -  if The Unity is writing the check for something, it is going to come out of the same pocket whether it is The Unity or your local congregation namely  - yours and mine. When local congregations bear the responsibility of payment, we eliminate the extra work that volunteer officers have to do at the denominational level and reduce the bookkeeping and accounting that has become much more complicated over the last several years.

Congregations are reminded to send Brethren Fund, Missions, Youth Coordinator as well as Ministers’ Insurance and Retirement at the first of each and every quarter. We are having a very difficult time accounting for funds because of the untimely manner in which they do come in. Some other challenges we face are: 1) amounts that are designated on the fund distribution sheet do not always equal the amount of the check, 2) some checks are not identified at all as to what they are for, and 3) moneys are sent to the wrong place. As a result, missions, the camps and other major Unity funded ministries are slow in receiving funds needed to operate.

It is like your own weekly or monthly paycheck. If you do not receive it in a timely manner, you cannot pay your bills or do what you had planned. The same is true for those whose salaries we pay (missionaries and youth coordinator) and programs that are likewise billed on a monthly basis to the Unity - (insurance, retirement). Timely contributions make things work smoother and more efficiently.

All moneys need to be sent to the following address for Unity ministries and programs:

Mickey Jones
Financial Secretary
15109 Gallagher
Pasadena, TX  77536

Convention
   Dates:  July 6-8, 2005
   Place:  Ocker Brethren Church
   Speaker:  Tom Bandy on July 7th will be speaking in the morning, afternoon and evening. Everyone is encouraged to hear the insights Dr. Bandy will share. Topics include the landscape of the 21st century church, how a small denomination like The Unity of the Brethren fits in, and the role of ministers and lay leadership.

Books you might want to read in preparation of the convention are:

• Growing Spiritual Redwoods
• Kicking Habits
• Mission Movers.

You will find these books as well as lot of good information on all aspects of the church today from small to large congregation in terms of leadership and trends at www.easumbandy.com.

Constitution & By-Laws
Any Constitution and/or By-law changes you would like presented at the convention may be forwarded to:

Marvin Chlapek
11026 Elm Bridge Court
Houston, TX  77065

Youth Coordinator
The Executive Committee and Synodical Committee are recommending an increase of salary ($2,400) as well as follow the Pastor Relations Committee recommendations for annual pay increases in the future. The youth coordinator has not received a pay raise in the last 4 years.

Nominating Committee
Vacancies in the offices of President, 2nd President, and Financial Secretary at the Executive Committee level will be occurring at this convention. Likewise, we will need to elect individuals for Mission Board Chairperson, a member to both the Pastor Relations Committee and the Board of Grants and Bequests. A nominating committee composed of Marvin Chlapek, Mickey Jones and Larry Koslovsky are securing nominations for these positions.

New Church Development
Three new works are going on in The Unity under the care of Synodical Committee until more official and formal recognition take place at the convention this summer.
West Palm Beach, Florida - James Henry
Miami, Florida - Pedro Maibeth
Bryan, Texas - Kay Polasek

Pastoral Licenses
Kay Polasek has been licensed to serve as pastor of the new church start in Bryan, TX at the March 5 Synodical Committee meeting. Her work there begins immediately.

David Johnson has completed his 6 month get aquainted period with The Unity and was licensed at the March 5 Synodical Committee meeting.  Pastor Johnson is serving the New Tabor Brethren Church.

Congregational Concerns
Keep in your prayers the following congregations: Cy-Fair, Granger, Temple, Westheimer.  Each of these congregations are facing transitions and challenges that need our prayers.  Pray for pastors and lay leadership as well.

Crosby
Crosby is recovering from a recent vandalism spree of over $30,000 in damages.  Insurance will cover much of the loss.