Telling the story of our faith and action: A Narrative Budget

St. Matthew’s is a community of Episcopalians celebrating our tradition and diversity as we live out our faith in the world, raise up new generations of caring people, and gather for support, worship, activism, education, and fun. A narrative budget spreads fixed costs, like utilities, facilities, and salaries across program areas so that we see the impact of our money.


Like many communities of faith, we rely on pledges and gifts from our members to support our ministry. Pledges account for 70.5% of our annual income that is down from our previous 74% last year, Then we have to make up the remaining with plate offerings, other special offerings and other income comprising 29.5%.

We are entirely self-funded. We do not receive financial support from the diocese for our operations. The following will show how we budgeted for 2025 and how it was spent so far this year. We will be working on the budget for 2026 as soon as this campaign is completed.

How we fund our Budget

Pledges

Loose Plate and Flower offerings

Donation income from Browse and Buy

Donations from community organizations

for use of the parish hall

Teal Park Sales (possibly gone after this year)

Reserve Funds


Our budget reflects the values we shape and share with world around us. Each of us in our varied ways, employing our many blessings and gifts,build a better world thru our love of God, self and neighbor. We align our budget with the work of our life together.

Expenses 2024

How we allocate our budget

Some Activities that Support Our SACRAMENTAL LIFE •

Our music program, equipment for virtual worship

• pastoral care, and the labyrinth

• Holy Communion

• Christmas, Holy Week, & Easter services

• Weddings, funerals, and baptisms, and preparation

• Liturgy committee, Altar guild.

  • Sunday School, Bible Study


Some Activities that Support Our NEIGHBORS

• Free Community Meals

• Our support for diocesan ministries

• Habitat for Humanity

• Guthrie Veterans Assistance program

Meals on Wheels

Horseheads Food Pantry

  • Falck Cancer center

  • Appendix Cancer Awareness

• Donations to other local charities