Second Quarter Finance Update

Dear Friends,

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, we wanted to share a ministry and financial update. While the numbers are important, they tell only part of the story. The larger story is the faithfulness of this congregation, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the many ways God continues to work through the ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Athens.

We’re grateful for what has been a wonderful summer (so far!) of growing together in God’s love through our fellowship, worship, learning, and our service to others. Looking back on the recent months – to our 2nd annual intergenerational VBS, Summer Choir, serving meals at Our Daily Bread, participating in the various summer fellowship gatherings, trips to Montreat conferences, the FPC History Book Club, and so much more – we are reminded of what a gift it is to belong to God and to one another.  

Soon, you’ll be receiving information about Realm, a new and improved software that will help us not only connect with one another as individuals but also to stay connected with church programs. This will replace the ChurchLife app and will offer much more functionality in terms of registering for events, connecting with different groups within the church, and contacting one another.

Another long awaited improvement to our church systems is an upgraded campus security system called Centegix that is now in place for both the church and the Weekday School. Trained FPC and Weekday School staff and volunteers will wear badges that, in case of an emergency, could be activated immediately to alert others and communicate a precise location to local emergency services. We pray fervently that this is a resource we will never need to use and we are grateful to be properly prepared to welcome people into a safe space. 

If you have questions about Realm or Centegix, please contact our Office Administrator, Paulo Santos, at paulo@firstpresathens.org. 

We are especially grateful for our church staff, whose flexibility and servant leadership have allowed us to continue serving the congregation well while also honoring Ryan's terms of call and providing for his 13-week sabbatical. Sabbaticals are an important investment in pastoral renewal, and we are thankful we can offer that benefit through the generosity of this church.

Through June 30, expenses have remained well controlled, landing approximately 2% above budget, or about $16,000 higher than planned. This modest variance reflects thoughtful planning and disciplined stewardship, considering we have had higher than expected building repairs with a water leak that impacted the Fellowship Hall and Weekday School earlier in the year and investments in technological and safety infrastructure, and other facility improvements necessary to support our ministries.

‍At the annual congregational meeting in February, the Session presented a 2026 operating budget that included a seven percent “challenge gap” between projected income and expenses. To balance the 2026 operating budget, we assumed congregational giving (including non-pledged gifts and bequests) would increase by approximately 7% over 2025 levels, or that operating expenses would decrease by 7%. Through June 30, revenue is approximately $68,000 below budget, resulting in a year-to-date operating deficit of approximately $84,000.

While we take that gap seriously, it is important to remember that historically, annual church giving is rarely linear, with a significant percentage arriving in the later months of the year as expenses roll on more steadily. We are so grateful for those households who have responded by “smoothing” their gifts throughout the year, as this helps the church to meet our monthly expenses and allows our ministry to flourish. As we enter the second half of the year, we encourage every household to confirm that your pledge is current and up to date. Contact Jennifer Adams, Church Accountant, with questions regarding your pledge or giving records. We also invite you to prayerfully consider whether you may be able to make a gift above and beyond your pledge during the remainder of the year. Every gift supports the mission and ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Athens.

We also give thanks for those households who continue to give over and above their gifts to the operating budget to help eliminate our construction debt. As of June 30, 2026, the remaining balance was approximately $258,000. This reflects years of faithful stewardship and generosity from the congregation! With less than twelve months remaining until the note matures, the Session and Generosity Committee have already begun evaluating our options and developing plans to address the remaining balance before maturity. If you have funds you would like to contribute to retire this debt, please contact Jennifer Adams or Jeffrey Trapnell.

We recognize that a 170-year-old building comes with a revolving door of upkeep and preservation needs. To address these needs faithfully, we have begun work on a comprehensive maintenance plan (including deferred maintenance and accessibility improvements). One of the most immediate priorities is replacing the main chiller (HVAC system), which was installed in 2009 and has shown its age in recent weeks, as many of us have experienced during worship. This and other anticipated facility needs will require additional capital investment beyond what was included in our 2026 operating budget, and we will continue to keep the congregation informed as these plans take shape. 

We are grateful for all that God has done through First Presbyterian Church of Athens during the first half of this year. Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, your service, and your commitment to the mission and ministry of this church. If you have questions about this financial update, please contact Administration Commission Chair Courtney Dantzler or Treasurer Michelle Clendenen-Shaw.