1 April 2020
Dear People of St. John’s,
You have, no doubt, made some hard-financial choices as part of this pandemic. St. John’s is also dealing with unprecedented financial loss. Axial Theater has suspended classes and productions until September, the St. John’s Thrift Shop is closed for the duration of this pandemic, AA has suspended meetings, several parties planned in our Parish Hall have been cancelled. Holy Week will be commemorated in a whole new way.
Each of these necessary changes has had a direct effect on St. John’s financial situation. The Budget Committee and Vestry estimate the probable six-month closure will translate to a $66K loss of revenue. To mitigate the financial devastation several steps have been taken.
Heat is off, weekly cleaning of the church suspended, weekly cleaning of the Parish Hall building changed to twice a month, a new, lower rate contract has been negotiated with Robison Oil, lawn care has been suspended, our organist has been furloughed and other staff hours reduced. The Diocese has reduced our Assessment by 25% and the Church Pension Group has agreed to a two-month waiver of pension payments.
These measures anticipate a $44K reduction in expenses. Which still leaves a $22K gap that will need to be addressed. Your Wardens, Vestry and Rector continue to work on options.
The sale of the property is still expected to go through, however the final piece of the process, the State Supreme Court approval is delayed by COVID-19 closures of State offices. We anticipate completion in the final quarter of the year.
As members of St. John’s, we ask that you consider the following to support our parish through this crisis. Please, continue to pay your pledge. If possible, please pay your pledge ahead or make an additional donation. As you order necessary supplies from Amazon, please remember to use Amazon Smile and to select St. John’s Episcopal Church, Pleasantville, NY to receive your donation.
We hope that you are finding some value in the Live Streaming of Services and that you will have an opportunity to join in some of the Zoom offerings. Staying together as a community in these next few months will be a challenge, but I have every confidence in St. John’s capacity to come together, to be strengthened and to serve God in our time.
In peace,
Mary+
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