This communication from Eastern Synod Treasurer, Fred Mertz and Manager of Finance and Administration, Mandi Walker includes:

• A reminder that the synod’s books for 2024 will be closing at noon on Monday, January 20th, 2025,
• Updates of personnel changes at the synod office,
• Some considerations when developing 2024 congregational budgets, and
• Information on a number of other financial matters that will be of interest to congregations.

To access this communication, please press the link below or click on the “Download” button

The Synod’s operating fund ended the 2023 fiscal year with a surplus of approximately $141,000 compared to the $14,000 deficit that had been budgeted. This good news of a surplus more than offsets the $133,000 deficit that was experienced in 2022. The significant improvement from 2022 to 2023 is due primarily to fluctuations in investment returns, 2022 being a very poor year from that perspective and 2023 resulting in very positive returns.

The remainder of this report provides more details …