wfn.org | ELCA Council Hears Financial Report; Hunger, Disaster Funds up

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 16, 2001

ELCA COUNCIL HEARS FINANCIAL REPORT; HUNGER, DISASTER FUNDS UP
01-296-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Total operating revenue for the churchwide
organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was
$53.3 million -- up $910,000 for the first eight months of the current
fiscal year when compared to the same period one year ago, said Richard
L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer.  McAuliffe made the comment in his final
report to the ELCA Church Council.
     The fiscal year for the ELCA churchwide organization begins Feb. 1
and concludes Jan. 31.
     Income from congregations through the ELCA's 65 synods in the form
of mission support was $42 million through Sept. 30, down $893,000 from
the previous fiscal year, he said.
However, other funds available for budgeted operations of the church
increased $993,000 for the 2001 fiscal year compared to the same period
in 2000.  A significant factor in the increase was the receipt of
substantial bequest and other gift income, McAuliffe said.
     The Church Council met here Nov. 9-11.  The council is the ELCA's
board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church
between its churchwide assemblies. Assemblies are held every other year;
the next is Aug. 11-17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
      Financial gifts to the church designated for ELCA Disaster
Response through Sept. 30 were $2.6 million, McAuliffe reported.  From
Aug. 31 to Sept. 30,  disaster response gifts to the ELCA increased more
than $1 million, he said.  Contributions to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal
-- the fundraising arm of the ELCA's hunger programs -- were $7.7
million through Sept. 30, up slightly from the previous year, McAuliffe
reported.
     McAuliffe, who has served the ELCA as treasurer since 1992,
announced earlier this year he will leave office when his current term
expires Jan. 31.  The council elected Christina Jackson-Skelton as his
successor.  Jackson-Skelton, director for finance, ELCA Division for
Global Mission, will serve a six-year term as ELCA treasurer beginning
Feb. 1.  She was nominated by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding
bishop, following a search process.
     In a separate action the council approved a spending authorization
of $85,014,700 for the 2002 fiscal year for the churchwide organization.
The council also authorized $16.5 million in spending for the church's
world hunger programs in 2002.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html