The Pastors’ Discretionary Fund
by Colleen Farnan
Our church’s Pastors’ Discretionary Fund has taken on a more important and urgent role recently due to the COVID-19 crisis. For many years, this fund has been helping our neighbors in need. This effort continues on a larger scale.
Because of the economic downturn, the work of the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund has recently expanded. Financial support from previously designated outreach money has enabled our church to fund two additional initiatives. With this outreach money, we have been able to aid members from our own church family who need resources. Additionally, another initiative has helped the homeless folks in our city.
Pastor Heather Williams oversees the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund with help from Pastor Ralph Merante. The program requests are coordinated by Glen Flannagan and Mike Janicke, our office staff, who work first hand on this project.
Pastor Heather says that, “We continue to transform lives at a time when social distancing is in place. We are still able to connect with others.” Due to the financial struggles that people have had over the past two months, Glen says that we are providing more than we normally do. He indicates that he is seeing so much need. Pastor Heather reports that, “As fast as the money comes in, it goes out most immediately. There is always another need.”
What used to be a fund with a smaller pot of money has increased due to the generosity of church members. In the past, loose offering placed in the collection plate once a month and regular monthly contributions sustained the fund.
Pastor Heather Williams says with the recent expansion of the function of the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund, she has seen the domino effect of generosity and grace. Church members know others are struggling and have stepped up to donate generously to this fund. As part of this effort, church congregants have given part or their whole Stimulus Checks to increase funds in this pot of money.
Additionally, previously designated outreach money has been allocated to an initiative called the Emergency Member Assistance Fund. This money is now being used to support church members who need resources. The Trustees have allocated money earmarked for outreach from the Kay Runge fund for this purpose. Kay Runge gave a significant amount of money to the church designated for outreach purposes upon her passing.
This money has been used to help church members in need of financial support due to the crisis. These persons and families have been identified by others in the church. “Members who are concerned about their friends have come to us,” according to Glen. Also, Katie Igler, Director of Children’s Ministries, has alerted the church office about young families with children whose parents have been laid off.
According to Glen, they have gotten a nice response from church members who have benefited from this Emergency Member Assistance money. He says that the beneficiaries of this money are thankful our church has recognized a need in their family. They have told Glen how much the money has meant to them.
Another initiative of outreach funding is Code Blue, a program operated by SOS (Shelters of Saratoga). With this funding, we have been able to house 35 homeless people at the Holiday Inn for a month. Pastor Heather reveals that this effort is “so important.” Once these folks are housed, it is easier to transition them to permanent housing and employment. As a result of this program, eight people have found permanent housing.
Also, we are doing a lot more in the program funded by donations made directly to the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund. Persons needing assistance contact our church and the requests are reviewed. These requests can be varied. Recently, we helped a family who lost their home in a fire after a job loss. Many of the requests involve housing such as a security deposit and one month’s rent. Gas cards and gift cards to grocery stores have been purchased to be given out if needed.
In addition to financial support, referrals have been made to Food Pantries and other community resources such as Catholic Charities. Recently, one of our members, Ann Kril, called the office about a Food Giveaway being held at the Salvation Army’s parking lot. Glen and others were able to get the word out to people who needed emergency food.
Recently, the office was made aware of a greater influx of people using the Franklin Community Center’s Food Pantry for the first time. Because of the shut down, weekly deliveries of much needed food were not being brought to the food pantry from our church. Due to our financial support, the Franklin Community Center was able to buy $500 worth of food from the Regional Food Bank at a reduced rate (much less than the grocery store). In this way, more food was able to be purchased.
Pastor Heather gives much of the credit to the church staff for keeping the program operating on a much larger scale and in a timely fashion. In particular, she says they wouldn’t be able to run the program without Glen. He comes into the church and checks the phone regularly. Glen also reviews the requests and makes recommendations about program requests. Also, Glen indicates that time is of the essence in getting financial assistance out. He credits Amber Lysyczyn, our Business Manager for writing out needed checks in a timely fashion.
Pastor Heather stresses “how incredibly blessed we are to have the faithful paid and unpaid church staff as well as congregants to support the work of the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund. Continued financial support of this fund is needed.”
How to Give to the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund:
By check, make the check out to
SSUMC and use the memo line on check to designate Pastors’ Discretionary Fund. On the outside envelope, send to the attention of Glen Flannagan (so the check can be processed quickly). It can be mailed to SSUMC 175 Fifth Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 When giving electronically, designate the donation to the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund.