Important Financial Information

Dear John Wesley Methodist Church Family,

We hope this message finds you well and blessed. We are writing to share an important update from our Core Leadership Team (CLT) and a recent resolution.

After careful consideration and prayerful deliberation, the Finance Team has been given authorization from the CLT to move our fiscal year-end from December 31 to June 30. This change will align the fiscal calendars of both our church and school, allowing us to operate more efficiently and effectively as one entity. The new fiscal year will begin on July 1.

Here are some key points about this change:

• Consistency: Our church and school will share a general ledger with separate funds, providing a unified financial framework.
• Simplified Reporting: This change will simplify audit, payroll tax, and internal reporting processes, reducing the need for workarounds and reconciliations.
• Improved Budgeting: Having December giving in the books, church goals set, the yearly Estimate of Giving cards collected, and insurance renewal information available before the budget process begins in the spring will lead to better-informed decisions.
• Audit Timing: The preferred audit timing will shorten the timeframe and comfortably meet our deadlines.
• Workload Management: The shift in the finance work schedule to spring will allow for better workload management throughout the year.
• System Improvements: We will have the opportunity to review and improve our chart of accounts in its entirety.

While there are some costs and risks associated with this change, such as minimal consulting fees for ACS updates and additional staff time for conversion, we believe the benefits far outweigh these concerns. We are confident that this transition will position us for greater financial stewardship and effectiveness in our mission.

Please note that your yearly giving/contribution statements, as well as employee tax reporting and annual benefits elections, will remain on the calendar year.

We are excited about this change and the positive impact it will have on our church and school. The figures below help summarize the yearly financial schedule for JWMC. Should you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out to our Finance Team.

Thank you again for your continued support and commitment to John Wesley Methodist Church. Our church is financially strong, but your continued generosity is so vital to the current health and future impact of our church.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Marty Dunbar
Senior Pastor

Scott Chenoweth
Chair of Core Leadership Team

John Tyler
Chair of Finance Team