Finances (x15 entries)

Our financial problem is the priority 

Our income is changing

Deficit budgets are not sustainable in long term

With the cessation of the Lafford payments, the end of the Sharing the Table Grant, the gap for financial year 2024 will be $30 000. 

What will do with less money coming from Lafford?

Lafford payments ending, resulting in loss of income; cost of living going up, which will

affect our bottom line as well – but costs for repairs etc. will stay the same or rise

accordingly.

I gather that we are challenged for funds to maintain our presence here and a minister.

I think the larger community, as everywhere, is challenged for funds to carry on connexions

among the people.

Filling seats, financial, keeping open.

My biggest challenge is being able to contribute to this church community. I tried to donate

online through Facebook but did not hear back as to whether my gift was received. That’s all.

Because of the demographics of the congregation - seems unlikely we will see an increase from individual contributions.

We have struggled to have meaningful conversations about levels of stewardship

Looking at expenses and what could be changed

Spending $ on too many things not helping those in need and there are many in need

Our faith energy is being misspent

Faith and energy is reduced because of fewer members in church

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Maintenance of an older building (x3 entries)

Do we need a building the size of one we currently use?

Could we become a tenant rather than an owner?

What do we do with our building?

Building usage (more even sanctuary space to community)

Too much focus on our building

Cost of everything is going up - insurance 

Rising prices

Parking

Find a balance between the income we have and projected expenses - salary and building (big expenses)

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Perception of other people about our church

For some folks – traditional vs. non-traditional services (ours are quite non-traditional

compared with, say, the Presbyterian or Baptist churches – for some this is the attraction to

SUC; others might find it off-putting)

The challenge of how Christianity and religion are widely perceived in North American culture

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Getting the good word out about ongoing initiatives

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Declining membership (x 4 entries)

Aging congregation (X 5 entries)

Older community - seniors

Absence of those who were regular people who attended before covid

Replacing church members

Attracting new members

Degree of increase in #’s is too great for our ability to recruit

Visibility for folks not familiar with building, do they know we are here?

We need to figure out a way to have Pride/Trans flags

Aging population – how to attract congregants of all ages and keep them coming? Being

able to do so would bring fresh ideas into SUC about how we can continue to be

progressive as a church; also fresh ideas on how to support all ages as they navigate

various life challenges

Back to the larger community, I think we, like everywhere, are challenged by not having enough people to do the things that need doing.

Accelerated diversity

Challenges attracting cultural diversity - black , indigenous, people of color

UCW groups

Membership-young people

Shortage of younger people in leadership positions

Reaching youth 

Need more young people

Loss of sunday school

Lack of Sunday School and Youth Groups

No youth groups

Shortage of ages 12-30 for leadership development

One challenge I think we have is how best to extend a vibrant ministry for all ages and be

present with people in their life struggles

Keeping the children and youth here in SUC.

Other activities 

Understanding role of church 

Little growth 

Change

Complacency 

Routine

Adapting to change

Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees

Scope of perceptions of problems of SUC

A vision and mission that we all buy into and can articulate.

Assumptions are challenges: that all ‘are in the know’ regarding how we do things and the history of the church and the community and that all can afford to be a part of the community.