#acl All:read

Hello Judy, <<BR>>
Following a number of communications last year to Church Council, Neil Peters and I met at the request of the Council and discussed the details of the process and outcomes of managing our Gift book. <<BR>>

We have reviewed a number of gifts, donations and sums of money received by the congregation since 2010, when the last Gift Book entry was recorded. <<BR>>

We believe the Gift Book is an important part of the life of GWUC in recognising the generosity of many people. <<BR>> 
There is, in our view, a key difference between a Gift Book gift/bequest, and miscellaneous donations. <<BR>>
The value of the gift or donation is not the driver of the need for a Gift Book record. <<BR>>
It is the nature and reason for the gift that should be the determinant.<<BR>>

Many donations following family events are a generous action but are clearly a substitute for the normal rentals that we charge users. Although these can be substantial (many thousands of dollars), they are a wonderful expressions of generosity by those families, that are their way of saying thank you to GWUC for the use of facilities and volunteers.<<BR>>
Whereas gifts that should be recorded for posterity are generally those related to bequests or very specific items.<<BR>>

A number of substantial donations have been for “Welfare”. <<BR>> 
We do not propose to record those in the Gift Book as many members donate these amounts (often regularly) with an expectation of anonymity. <<BR>>

We therefore recommend that the following types of gifts, since 2010, be included in the Book of Gifts.
These are examples, not the full list. <<BR>>

Organ Fund:-  This was a specific fund raising event over a number of years where members have been challenged to raise in excess of $23,000 to cover the cost of our current organ.  We propose to create a specific page in the gift book, that can be maintained until the fund is ended, where we will record a name of the gift and/or the “organ stop" that was donated.  As some members have made multiple donations, we are not proposing to record the individual amounts or the dates. <<BR>>

Hearing Loop:- There was a specific amount to cover the new hearing loop ($4,000) <<BR>>

Chapel Sound System:- There was a specific amount to cover the new system ($3,500) <<BR>>

Ovens:- There was a specific amount to cover the new ovens and kitchen changes ($4,000) <<BR>>

Broadcast:- There was a specific amount towards the Broadcast ministry ($1,000) <<BR>>
There are a number of this nature we would propose to include. <<BR>>
 
Where there has been a gift from an Estate/Bequest, that is not earmarked for the Endowment Fund or is clearly not an alternative to a rental substitute, we would propose to include those items. <<BR>>

We believe that between the ministry team, office management and Property, a process of inclusion can be adequately managed. 
When a name or gift is to be added, we would report it to Church Council, and the congregation, as well as a Gift Book entry. <<BR>>

It its humbling to know that over the past 7 years, we have received gifts and donations (excluding welfare) in excess of $40,000 towards activities, ministries and facilities of this congregation.  <<BR>>
These amounts are to be celebrated and appreciated.<<BR>>

Yours in Christ on behalf of Rev Neil Peters and myself.<<BR>>
Warren Greenwood