Synod Treasurer Dick Reimet updated the assembly on the decline of partnership support that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod experienced in 2009 due to the recession.  Giving has dropped to the level of support that the synod received in 1985, $266,344 less than was budgeted for 2009.

“We all know we are in this together,” said Reimet. “We are one church of three expressions: your congregation, the synod, and the ELCA.

Partnership support is sent to the synod and more than half goes on to the ELCA churchwide organization for national and global ministries.  Some of this funding comes back to congregations in the form of grants, services, and other programs and resources offered by both the synod and the ELCA.

The majority of the Synod’s income comes from partnership support from congregations, which has been declining as a percentage of regular giving to congregations.  In 1985, congregations as a whole gave more than 14% of their regular income to the larger church.  In 2008, the last year for which complete figures are available, congregations as a whole gave 7.4% of regular income.

In 2009, only 43% of congregations in the synod increased partnership support or held stable, while 10% of congregations give no partnership support at all. Forty-seven percent decreased their support.

“What needs to be done to help us get out of this situation is that we are asking you and your congregation to just grow one step,” said Reimet.

Currently 45 congregations give greater than 10% of their regular income to the larger church, and 67 give between 5-9.99% of their income. Twenty-three congregations give less than 1% of income in partnership support, and 28 send on between 1 and 4.99%. If every congregation grew just one step, or gave just 1% more, the synod has the potential to break even, Reimet said.

“We need your help now to continue and increase your support for the work of the larger church,” said Reimet.