MUC Narrative Budget (2010)

The presentation of the MUC narrative budget that is given below reflects the allocation of our annual expenditures across five key areas; namely, Worship, Outreach (including Mission & Service), Pastoral Care, Christian Nurture and Education, and nurture and support for the wider efforts of the United Church of Canada.


Worship - 34% of the budget relates to Worship. At MUC, we meet weekly for worship. Over the past year (2010) we were blessed to have Rev. Whitman Strong leading us in service, supported by the musical talents of Abe, our organist and choir director. Much of the purchased supplies are also related to Worship. For example, monies allotted to utilities, cleaning and building repairs ensure that we are able to welcome the community to join us for worship in a place that is warm, clean and inviting.


Outreach - 35% of the operating budget is related to Outreach, including our pledged support to the Mission and Service fund. MUC reaches out in a variety of ways to the larger community - through concerts, fundraisers such as the Walk for Sarah, book sales, bake sales, and meals of all types. Some of our activities contribute funds to our own operating costs, but many of our outreach activities seek to help others (Telford family, Stephen Lewis, Haiti relief etc.) We are fortunate at MUC to have adequate areas, including kitchen facilities, to host these events.


Pastoral Care - 14% of the operating budget is related to Pastoral Care; i.e., reaching out in the community to comfort those who are sick, incapacitated or struggling. For example, our church provides worship service for the residents at Hilltop Manor (a nursing home located in Merrickville) on a monthly basis.


Christian Nurture and Education utilizes 11% of our operating budget through the provision of Sunday School, adult Bible studies, confirmation classes as well as monetary gifts to organizations such as the Girl Guides, that foster the growth of young people in the community.


Nurture and Support for the wider Church - Approximately 6% of our operating budget is used to provide support for the activities of the United Church of Canada, including Seaway Valley Presbytery and Ottawa-Montreal Conference. In effect this connection enables us to share with and learn from United Churches both in our own area and across Canada. In the past year, we have seen several benefits of these linkages as we have received support in determining what our ministerial needs are for the future, as well as guidance in the process of calling a new minister.