The document discusses the growth of a church community over several years. It highlights how the church expanded its programs, outreach, staff, and membership after increasing fundraising goals and budgets. Data shows attendance, membership, and pledged donations growing each year. Church leaders believe their "investments" in areas like children's ministry, staff salaries, and mission trips helped the community to "flourish" and "thrive."

1. Three years ago our giving
campaign Theme was
“See the Possibilities”
And the quote we thought
spoke to our situation so
well was
“Life is not about waiting for
the storm to pass… it is about
getting out there and dancing
in the rain.
…and we did

2. The letter in our Stewardship packet for 2011
reminded us that
“It is time to See the Possibilities as our tree
grows toward maturity, putting out strong
branches filled with fruit. Mother Melanie has
guided us to plant our orchard in a way that will
sustain growth. God calls us to share the fruits as
we build God’s Kingdom and welcome others to
join us in our physical and spiritual journey. The
work we feel called to do requires everyone’s
continuing and expanding support.

3. And now the theme
that has been brought to us for
2014 is:

5. We are being challenged not only to
grow in our Faith—but also to
thrive—to flourish-- in the
abundance of God’s riches.

6. That the fruit which is produced
might nourish the hungry, and
the weary might find shelter
beneath her boughs.

7. We look to where we
have been:

8. Two Years ago
we saw some growth
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
2009 2010 2011
51
60 67
91
113
129
86
133
150
Average Sunday Attendance Members Easter

9. And we IMAGINED
doubling our original figures:
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 Double
51
60 67
102
91
113
129
182
86
133
150
172
ASA Members Easter

10. What did we Experience?

11. In 2012 we saw
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012
51
60 67 75
91
113
129
161
86
133
150 158
Average Sunday Attendance Members Easter

12. And we thought “Double may
be sooner than we think”
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012 Double
51
60 67
78
102
91
113
129
161
182
86
133
150 158
172
ASA Members Easter

13. We wondered…
 Was it
imagination?
 Or inspiration?

14. And what was next?

15. We speculated that
if God was calling us to new
things

16. God would also equip us
to do them…

17. and we took a bold step…

18. We set our sights high…

19. And…
 We raised our pledged giving from
$105,000 to $150,000
 The Vestry passed a $190,000 budget
 And committed up to $30,000 of the
$63,000 from our reserves and Future
fund…
 To be INVESTED in…

20. …the Future
of our Parish

21.  We brought Mthr Melanie up to Full Time
 We paid cost-of-living increases to our staff
for the first time
 We invested more in our children’s
ministries
 We invested in Social Media development
 We invested in professional financial
management support

22. So, were they wise
Investments?

23. Well, we saw this
0
50
100
150
200
250
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
51 60 67 75
9291
113
129
161
203
86
133
150 158
175
ASA Members Easter

24. And we saw that…
 Average attendance grew to 92—
 It is likely to pass 100 by the end of the year
 Membership grew to over 200
 Numbers of children increased to nearly 30

25.  Active youth membership doubled to 8
 The College Ministry began to thrive, with Young
Adults active in weekly meetings, Sunday morning
worship and Inquirers classes
 We have rejoiced in the baptism of an older child
and an adult
 We have witnessed the Confirmation or formal
Reception of 12 new members so far this year, and
others are waiting for the next Bishop’s visit

26. And In Outreach and Mission
we were able to
 send 12 youth on a life changing Mission Trip—building
and repairing homes for those in need
 Serve meals to the hungry at the Arlington Life Shelter
 Provide uniforms for children at a lower income school
 Sponsor 10 high achieving, low income children for
Academic summer camps
 In conjunction with the AISD and Salvation Army, help
provide a free day camp for about 50 homeless
children, using performance training to enhance self-
esteem, learn teamwork, etc.

27. And the list goes on…
 As we seek ways to share the $15,000 that was
earmarked for Outreach
 An intentional tithe of our $150,000 pledged giving

28. Since our life
at Theater Arlington began

29. Annual Budgets and Pledges
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
pledged $0 $108,000 $122,000 $105,000 $150,000
total budget $72,000 $116,000 129,000 135,000 $190,000
dollars
Annual Budgets

30. Annual Income and Expense
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$140,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 YTD
total Income $87,000 $124,000 $138,000 $130,000 $103,000
total Expense $63,000 $116,000 $125,000 $138,000 $123,000
dollars

31. Pledge-Income, Budget-Expense
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$140,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 YTD
2013
pledged $0 $108,000 $122,000 $105,000 $100,000
total Income $87,000 $124,000 $138,000 $130,000 103,000
total budget $72,000 $116,000 129,000 135,000 $127,000
total Expense $63,000 $116,000 $125,000 $138,000 $123,000
dollars

32. Households Active and Pledging
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YTD
active 65 69 75 80 85 92
pledging 0 44 42 42 46 53
households

33. Details on
Debts and Reserves

34. We have NO current Debts

35. Reserves have fluctuated

36. Undesignated and/or
“Future Funds”
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
at years end $26,000 $44,000 $60,000 $68,000 $63,000 $33,000
dollars
Reserves at year end

37. So that is where we are to
date financially.

38. In 2013 we end the year
with 53 of our 92
households pledging.

39. That is about 57% of our
active membership

40. So, what new things is God
planning to do among us
this next year?

41. You have given some great
ideas at the Cottage
Meetings!

42. What budget will it take to
bring those things into
being?

43. And how is God calling
YOU to be a part of his
provisions…

44. To help one another…