As we look back on 2023 and all the transitions, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary generosity and unwavering support you have shown to and through our church community. Change can be difficult, but your contributions—whether in the form of time, talent, and/or financial gifts—truly have made a profound impact on our ability to fulfill our mission and spread God’s message of love and compassion.

In addition to meeting our congregation’s operating expenses in full in 2023, we made significant improvements to our building and grounds which support not only our congregation’s many ministries but also our broader community through groups who use our facility regularly, including a variety of 12-step groups (e.g. AA, NA, Al-Anon), Kent Friends, Piano Quest, Kent Rotary, Kent Lions, Garden Club of Kent, Scouts, Tree City Preschool, Kids Kare Kent Campus (daycare), and United Christian Ministries (campus ministry). Restrooms were renovated in multiple parts of the building, the roof over the education wing was replaced, signage was updated surrounding the building, and carpets and drapery were professionally cleaned, all through the generosity of memorial gifts and your ongoing support. It is through your generosity that we are able to create warm and welcoming spaces for our community to worship, fellowship, and connect. Thank you!

And your generosity certainly has reached beyond our “walls,” as well, as we participated in the larger body of Christ in 2023 by giving more than $156,000 to support transformative ministries both locally and globally, including:

• $102,771 to support 101% of our United Methodist Shared Ministry goal;
• $4,643 on “special giving” Sundays, including Human Relations Day, UMCOR Sunday, Native American Ministries Sunday, Peace with Justice Sunday, World Communion Sunday, and United Methodist Student Day;
• $17,580 through our Christmas offering to support the home we are building for the Powe family in Ravenna through our partnership in an Apostles’ Build with Habitat for Humanity of Portage County;
• $5,761 through the mission commitments of our United Women in Faith (formerly “UMW”) circles;
• $20,078 to support other UMC-related missions, including Africa University and disaster relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); and
• $5,385 to support other local ministry partners including Kent Social Services, Marie Miller House, Freedom House, County Clothing Center, the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund at KSU, Kevin Coleman Burns Endowment, Heart 4 the City, UH Portage Hospital Chaplaincy, Haven of Rest, and Nehemiah Mission.

Your kindness and generosity strengthen the foundation of our congregation and allow us to continue serving and connecting with our neighbors in meaningful ways. Thank you for your generosity in 2023. And thank you for your ongoing commitments for 2024. Because of your commitments for the coming year, we look forward to continuing and expanding our many ministries. For 2024, you have named financial commitments of $268,234, which is a 6.3% increase from financial commitments for 2023.

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our sincerest thanks for your continuing contributions. May the spirit of unity and love that you exemplify continue to guide us on our shared journey of faith.