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WINTER TOWN HALL

Unitarian Church of Lincoln

November 30th

2025

Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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WELCOME MESSAGE

Charles “Wooly” Wooldridge

Board of Trustees Member

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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CHALICE LIGHTING

Mary K Stillwell

Board of Trustees Member

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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TOWN HALL PROCESS

Melody Vaccaro

Board of Trustees Vice-President

Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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NOMINATIONS CANDIDATES

Elle Straatmann

Nominations Committee Member

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SPRING CONGREGATIONAL MINUTES

Floyd Wickenkamp

Board of Trustees Secretary

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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BYLAWS REVISIONS

Marcia Cederdahl

Program Committee Chair

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

Consideration for congregational approval :

Section 6.12. Committees Subject to the Board. The Board may create and discontinue committees that report directly to the Board. Committee members serve at the discretion of the Board.

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Note: Revised Nov 26th

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WINTER MEETING/VOTING

Pam Wakeman

Board of Trustees Member

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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TREASURER’S REPORT

Karen Heafer

UCL Treasurer

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET

Michael Straatmann

Board of Trustees President

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Karen Heafer

UCL Treasurer

Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

BUDGET PROCESS

01

Program Council/Board Budget Requests

02

Pledge Drive

03

Draft Budget

04

Budget Refinement

05

Cost/Pricing Increases

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

Opportunities and Challenges

  • 14.86% projected income growth
  • $27,145 in pledge increases

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  • ~15k Payroll Tax Correction
  • 27% increase in Insurance & Benefits
  • Ministerial Search and Wage
  • Utility Increases

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  • Focus on existing reserves
  • Alternate Funding Models
  • CIC Transfer

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OPPORTUNITIES

CHALLENGES

RESULTS

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Where Our Money Comes From

Without transfers from investments - pledges from members make up >80% of our Operating & Social Justice Budgets

Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

What Our Money Supports

We spend money to support our mission

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BUDGET PRIORITIES

  • Insurance/Benefits
  • Staff Hours for Youth
  • Ministerial Search
  • LGBTQA Committee
  • "Soul Matters” Content

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What we chose to focus on this year to increase

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Existing Designated Funds to be Utilized (2026 only)

Youth Religious Education

Social Justice

Grounds

Licensing

01

02

03

04

$4,962

$5,972

$6,604

$1,840

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

Special Projects to Consider

Library/Bookstore

Audio/Visual

Fellowship Food

Major Repair/Replace

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Capital Investment Comt. Disbursement

5% =

36K

Research and consultation with UUA recommends 4-5% towards annual operating budget to help offset inflationary pressure on member contributions.

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1st Unitarian Omaha also utilizes this strategy.

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UUA Normative Practice

$10K

Direct impact on our congregation's future, ensuring the right leader is chosen to guide our growth and mission.

Ministerial Search

UCL will receive ~$50k gift early in 2026 which will replenish these disbursements.

UCL Practice

Used for exigency and for significant projects.

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Noted that this is fully in compliance with CIC (Capital Investment Committee)policies and guidelines. CIC consulted before board deliberation.

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No definitive plans beyond this year, but fertile ground for discussion for the future.

Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025

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QUESTIONS?

  • Board of Trustees
  • Finance Team
  • Executive Committee
  • Others

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CLOSING

Mary K Stillwell

Board of Trustees Member

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Unitarian Church of Lincoln – Winter 2025