ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 11, 2003 ELCA Treasurer Expresses Concern For Mission Support Decline 03-CWA-04-JB MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- Mission support income to the churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was $26 million through June 30, a decrease of $1 million from one year ago and $1.5 million lower than budgeted. The decrease of funds from congregations through synods "continues to be an area of concern," said Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer, in a written report. Jackson-Skelton reported Aug. 10 to a joint meeting of the ELCA Church Council and ELCA Conference of Bishops here, preceding the ELCA Churchwide Assembly Aug. 11-17. Her report included financial figures for the first five months of the ELCA fiscal year ending June 30. The decline in mission support is "widespread," Jackson- Skelton reported. About 72 percent of the ELCA's 65 synods indicate mission support to the churchwide organization is off from one year ago, she said. Through June 30, churchwide organization expenses exceeded income by $3.7 million in current operating funds, Jackson- Skelton said. Offsetting income declines was significant underspending by units of the churchwide organization. Though expenses exceeded income through June 30, total expenses are $3.3 million less than what was forecast, she noted. "We may need to ask for additional underspending by units," Jackson-Skelton said. Meanwhile, gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal through June 30 were $4.4 million, slightly less than they were one year ago. Strong giving in June made up for a much larger deficit earlier this year, said Jackson-Skelton.. Giving should be close to the forecast by the end of the summer, she said. -- -- -- Information on the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is available at http://www.elca.org/assembly03 on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news