The Operating Budget of the church is prepared on the basis of the annual pledges received during the fall stewardship campaign each year. We do not use “challenge” budgets. Normally the church receives in actual gifts over 95% of the monies that are pledged, and we monitor our spending during the course of the year so that we do not overspend actual receipts. Our budget for the current year 2006 is $672,394, and we have approximately 257 family unit pledges toward this budget.
 

  
 We receive several special offerings during the course of the year:

• Thanksgiving Offering for Barium Springs Home for Children
• Joy Gift Offering at Christmas for retired ministers and their families
• One Great Hour of Sharing Offering at Easter
• Mother’s Day Offering for ministries to older persons through our Presbyterian retirement homes in North Carolina.
• 2 Cents a Meal Offering – collected the first Sunday of each month.  Each family contributes 2 cents per meal per family member.  Proceeds go to Hope Station and hunger relief programs of New Hope Presbytery
• Hope Station Food Collection – the first Sunday of each month.  The congregation is encouraged to purchase extra food when grocery shopping to share with our neighbors in need.

The McKinnon Fund, named for the beloved pastor of 26 years, Rev. Jim McKinnon, was established in 1998 to assist in relieving the burden of expenditures for major repairs and capital improvements to our church buildings, equipment, and grounds. 
 
The church also maintains several special fund accounts through which people may contribute to particular areas of the ministry of the church.   The Memorial Fund was established in 1967 by the Session to receive undesignated memorials. The interest from that account is used to provide appointments for the sanctuary, to underwrite the expense of special worship services, and for scholarships. Last year the sanctuary sound system was purchased with funds from this account.

The Pastors Fund is for the assistance of those in need in our community. It is funded by the loose offering on communion Sundays, memorials, and designated gifts. Last year we distributed $15,333.28 for rent, utilities, food, medical assistance and other kinds of emergency assistance through this fund.

The Gunter-Sauls, the Clement, and the Bissette Scholarship Funds are for youngsters pursuing post secondary eduation. The interest from these funds is available for need-based scholarships. Applications for these funds may be made through the Administration Committee of the Session.