… is what Mary Andreollj, our effervescent Minister of Outreach and Communications, said upon hearing that the Board, having just affirmed a development implementation strategy, also affirmed her full-time employment with the Alliance. Three tiny words but, oh, it says so much about how Mary, Carole, Chris and Paula are equipped, committed and eager to usher the Alliance into the next decade. 

Yes, 2009 was quite the transitional year for the Alliance. At our spring Convocation in Charlotte we said farewell and godspeed to our beloved Stan Hastey while simultaneously re-energizing our membership. We hired Mary Andreolli , part-time at that point, and Paula Clayton Dempsey to complete a staff already consisting of Chris Copeland, Carole Collins and Susan Burgess Parrish. Though Susan had to leave us later in the year, she laid important groundwork toward a stronger financial base for the Alliance and we remain grateful for that work. We began work on new initiatives, one of which is highlighted in this month’s connections : Summer Communities of Service. 

In this transitional time and despite an abysmal economy, you supported our missions offering to the tune of $382,000 and our ministry budget to the tune of $101,000. Sure, we had hoped for more but the sun is still rising in the East and so the work of the Alliance is still nascent. We have committed to “live within our means” though, so the Board will be trimming the 2010 budget to match income trends for the last couple of years.

Given today’s economic reality, we will be drawing more from our reserves. We will be asking our staff to do more with less. But there is no quit in us. God is with us. We are God’s covenantal people.  

Having made the decision not to hire a development professional to replace Susan, the responsibilities for the remaining staff have expanded to include fundraising and development. They have a delightful amount of energy and optimism as we approach the challenges of the new year and have crafted a carefully thought out strategy for the next 12-16 months.

It is a crucial time for our merry little band and we need your help if we are to sustain the mission and ministry of the Alliance. What can you do? The obvious answer is to give.  Beyond giving though, we need your help in increasing our membership base. We need your help in spreading the word to new friends who are committed to a vision for peace, justice and freedom in the church and throughout the world. 

Finally, please continue to hold us in your prayers — not just for our finances, but for the work that is left to be done. God is not finished with us. Our ministry and mission partnerships are too important. Our endorsed chaplains still find too many people in need of comfort and prayer. There is, to borrow a phrase from our friends at BPFNA, still “peace to be waged.” 

Indeed, 2010, here we go.