FINANCES
Here is the most current income and expenditure graph for 2011 ...

FINANCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN AUCKLAND ...

The Christian Community relies on the voluntary contributions of members, friends and visitors to sustain the work of The Christian Community in Auckland and New Zealand . Funds are needed to support the living expenses (stipends) of the priests, their travel and the operation of church properties including rent.

Donations can be made through regular contributions, plate contributions and donations towards any of the services such as sacramental consultations, baptisms, marriages and funerals.

Regular contributions can be started (or adjusted) for whatever amount that you find suitable.

Payments can be arranged through our bank account: The Christian Community Inc. Auckland at Westpac, Remuera – A/c 03-0259-0112730-04.

All donations are tax deductible and official receipts are sent to donors in April each year. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact: The Treasurer, Genevieve Wardrop 378 6343

THE WELL-BEING OF ALL – A LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY FINANCES

“The river never drinks its own water.
The tree never tastes its own fruit.
The field never consumes its own harvest.
They selflessly strive for the well being of all those around them.”   

This proverb from Rajasthan expresses a deep wisdom, although one could easily argue that selflessness is only possible where we have a choice.  What nature does naturally the human being can either reject or do by choice.  Faced with a natural disaster, people often choose to reach out to one another and help selflessly, without thinking what the consequences might be for themselves.  We have seen examples of this in Christchurch and now also in Japan.  We only need to think of the 180 men who, day after day, go into the Fukushima nuclear power plant to prevent an atomic meltdown, knowing full well what the exposure to so much radiation will mean for their own health.  For the wellbeing of many others these “nuclear suicide samurais” sacrifice their own health. 

After the Christchurch earthquake, our Auckland community began to fundraise for people in need of respite. So far, we have held two “dinners for twelve” as well as a silent auction and we are very glad that, already, a few people have been able to receive some support from us through these efforts.  Thanks to all of you who have played a part in making these events so worthwhile on many levels.  
 
If we look now at our own community finances, we are not doing as well as we would like.  To give you a fuller picture of our situation: we have 25 people who contribute a total of $2,500 each month.  That is quite exceptional because it means there are a few of us who are donating a lot.  In order to meet our monthly expenses however, we need to reach $6,500.  At present we have a shortfall of $4000 per month.  When we are doing well, this shortfall is met from fundraising events, from special donations for consultations, baptisms and funerals, and from collections we receive after services or a study group.  In February we had a shortfall of $4,100. For March we expect another shortfall because we have been focussing on raising funds to help out in Christchurch.

 Where will we go from here?
 
In the religious life of our community, the financial viability of our events is not what dominates our actions. In other words, what we ‘make’ in dollar-terms is not our raison d’etre. This means, therefore, that no one is required to pay anything when coming to our community.  All we have is a bowl which people are free to fill or ignore.  In everything we do we want to make clear that there is not a price tag for religious life, for spiritual experience, peace or love.  However, there is a price paid for living in a city like Auckland. 

Are we going to make sure that The Christian Community in New Zealand has a permanent home in this country?  And can we work together to make this possible?  It would require that we all become aware of what it costs us to be here and each of us chooses what we are able to offer so that we can meet our expenses. 

Please, think about whether you could make a monthly contribution to our community so that we can continue to work, like nature does – generously giving without issuing any invoices.  Your donations alone make this possible.  We do not have any income other than what you selflessly offer.

It might help us to know that what we are trying to do in the world is most unusual! We do not give for what we get from the Community.  What we receive has been provided for us by someone else who has made sure that, with their contribution, The Christian Community is here for us today. 

We don’t need to wait until disaster strikes; like river, tree or earth, we can choose in freedom to offer the gifts of our lives to others.

Thank you for your time and support,

Genevieve Wardrop and Hartmut Borries