February Community Forum

 Outlook Counselor, Natasha Tebbs, from Fremont Middle School talked to about a dozen members of our congregation on Feb. 21. According to Tebbs, there are 995 students in the school with about 84% on Free & Reduced lunch. The school is a mix of 72.6% Hispanic, .9% Indian, 6.8% Asian, 11.1% black, & 8.6% Caucasian.  Most of the students fall in the low income and the homeless category. Many, many live in motels from week to week. When they run out of money, they are evicted and lose the little that they might have.

  Natasha said the school is very appreciative of the backpacks that are delivered to about 20 students weekly. The backpacks cost $10 each. The  Core of Compassion and our church split the cost.

  She said that she keeps extra school supplies in her office, so that when a student visits her, she can help them with those needs. She told us that they never have enough pens, college ruled paper, calculators, & sets of dividers for notebooks.

  Absence is a big problem, but this is secondary to the parents who must look for jobs and places to live. After listening to their needs, we all felt so blessed. Please remember these students and their families in your prayers.

 Fourth Quarterly Report (November 2007 thru January 2008)

General Fund

REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Operational Budget

Approved budget for fiscal year (2/07-01/08)             $165,860

Quarterly income needed to meet budget                $ 41, 465

Monthly income needed to meet budget $ 13,822

   This fourth quarter, again, I am happy to report, that we have met our budgeted figures and exceeded the target quarter total of $41,465 by $7,589.  Fantastic!  Our projection for 2007 has become a reality.  The total income received for fiscal year 2007 was $175,704 and the total expenditures for 2007 were $170,638.  Although we have exceeded our budget for 2007, as we enter into the year 2008, we need your continued regular giving in order to meet the higher operating expenses.

   Fourth quarter total giving, for designated gifts was $11,799, which is not part of the General Fund Budget.  The designated gifs were given for American flag, bug control, Christmas poinsettias, facility, Family Promise, heifer fund, Hunger 89104, memorials, outreach, Barnes’ Hall, stained glass windows, Stand with Africa, UMC-baby layettes and World Hunger.

   Thank you for your generous support for 2007, and thanking you, in advance, for your continued support for 2008!               Christ’s name, Jan Ibrahim, Treasurer