Dear Members and Friends of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Where is Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church? We are on the corner of Dry Harbor and Penelope.
We are increasingly visible online because our services are live-streamed and our campus is sought
as an accessible place for neighborhood children and community members. But what was once easy
in relation to maintaining a building and community center has become increasingly outside of our
usual spending plan.
Trinity Middle Village, like many churches, does a spending plan for the yearly budget. If our known
costs are going to be $250,000, we plan to cover the costs by offerings, reserves, endowments, and
memorials. By and large that works year to year because we know our membership, both how they
give and when, and what activities and events generate income. But the reality is that a spending
plan needs to be backed by an income plan of the same amount. Realistically, having a matching
income allows us to prepare for sudden cost increases, catastrophic expenses or to build a plan to
save for the future ministry opportunities.
This advance planning would have allowed us to better cover and plan for the future and our past as
well. In the last three years, we have been required to replace the roofing on the Sanctuary at a cost
of $39,066 with a $5,000 reserve for follow-up sealing and preservation.
Our HVAC system has no operating manuals and is in excess of 56 years old. The Condensers for
the air conditioning failed and required replacement at a cost of $21,800. We don’t know what else
may have failed or can no longer be repaired.
We knew that hurricane Sandy had flooded the lower level of the Parish Hall and we acted judiciously
to repair the boiler. The cost to make the repairs to the boiler was in excess of $14,251. Until we
replaced the Boiler in the Parish Hall at a cost of $35,000. We have now been confronted by a HVAC
system failure that is not obvious and making it difficult to heat the sanctuary in an efficient manner.
And now with spiraling fuel prices, what more can we say.
Before we look at outside organizations to help support our ministry, we need to consider what it
costs to provide security and insurance for our congregation and our users. Our last insurance bills
were in excess of $70,000.
There are currently nine organizations that regularly meet on the Trinity
Middle Village campus and more that are interested. Among those who share
our facilities are New Life AA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Grind City
Skills, Hot Shots, and Lady Bulldogs. We are blessed to be able to host these
vital community activities. But the building maintenance costs have surpassed
our income.
The work of Trinity Church is supported by membership and facility use donations. There is no one
that will “bail us out.” But we have a mission to keep going, so we are turning to you for help.
If you participate in any of the events at Trinity, you have a stake in keeping the campus running well.
If you live in Middle Village and want to contribute to the vitality of our neighborhood, you have a
stake in this as well. We commit to keeping Trinity Lutheran Church open for anyone that seeks a
place to pray, to heal, or to serve. We want to provide a safe place for young people to engage in
sports and develop character. Won’t you join us in this vital mission?
Any amount will be appreciated. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and support.
Checks may be made out to TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
You can also give electronically using our secure payment service.
Your transaction is secure and tax deductible.