Financial Report 2021.09

by John Lindlief

Posted October 2021

As of the end of September, the following summarizes the financial condition of Zion Lutheran Church. Giving to the General Fund for the month of September was about $52,500 which was slightly more than was given in September of 2020. Total income for the month was almost identical to that of 2020. General Fund income for the year to date is about 1.4% less than last year.

September expenses for the General Fund are almost $2000 more than our total income for the month. For the year so far, expenses have continued to be less than we spent up to this point last year. They are about $40,500 less than our income for the year to date. We anticipate that expenses will rise significantly during the last three months of this year as we work to resume full staffing and programming.

Building Fund income continues to be slightly less than our mortgage payment expense. For the month of September, Building Fund offerings were just over $10,000. Through the end of September, our Building Fund expenses have exceeded our offering by a little over $8,000.

Thanks to all of you for continuing to financially support the mission of Zion. As we excitingly anticipate the return of many activities, the Finance Committee hopes that we will see our offerings reflect that same excitement.

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Dirk Foster

Dirk and Sue Foster have been members of Zion since moving to Buffalo in 1992. Dirk has served on various committees over the years including on the council on three separate occasions. Most recently, he served as President of the council in 2019 and 2020. 2022 will be Dirk’s last year on the Council but he will continue to serve on the Property Committee and Cemetery Committee. He will also stay involved with the Wednesday Morning Workers when his work schedule allows.

All of the committees I have served on and activities I have been involved with over the years have been fun and interesting, but the most rewarding experience I had was as a confirmation guide. When Sue and I volunteered to be confirmation guides, I thought, since we were raising two girls, we would be assigned a group of girls. Maybe even our own. But we were assigned a group of six boys. It was a new experience for Sue and me, but over the two years, we really got to know them and we truly enjoyed coming to confirmation on Wednesday nights and finding out how their week had gone. It was a very rewarding experience.

Dirk and Sue enjoy coming to both services, but lately, it has mostly been the 10:30 service. It has been exciting to see Zion and people get back to normal life again and more and more people attending in person again. We have met and made a lot of good friends in church and it is always fun to visit with them at church. In addition to being active with Zion, Dirk is a member of the Buffalo Rotary Club and volunteers as a Blue and Gold Information Officer for the U.S. Naval Academy.