Insider Lingo |
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By Chrisy Ennen |
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Acronyms. Nicknames. These are things that we use to identify various groups, publications, and organizations at GFMC. There’s one now, GFMC, which stands for Greenville Free Methodist Church. Then there’s FMY – Free Methodist Youth. Even on the front of this newsletter we see KIT – Keeping In Touch. As the church grows larger, it becomes even more important that these acronyms and nicknames are not used in ways that exclude those who haven’t been long-time attenders of the church. The first step in doing this is just being aware of the language used in publications and conversations. When talking to a newcomer, should they be invited to the Focus class or a class of adults in their 30’s and 40’s who are currently studying Bible passages that follow the church calendar year? Or how about a senior adult who is looking for a group of fellow seniors? Should they be invited to an Adventure Plus outing or to a trip to the Windmill Farm with other seniors who get together for monthly trips or meals? Working together to create an atmosphere of inclusion means being aware of the tendency to use insider lingo that can be exclusive in nature.
Examples of Insider Lingo: WMI/Grace Circle: Women’s Ministries International, Grace Circle is a monthly luncheon meeting of women and men that focuses on missions work around the world.
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FMY: Free Methodist Youth, Grades 9-12, meet Wednesday evenings at 6:45 as well as for other events and summer trips
KIT – Monthly newsletter, KIT stands for Keeping in Touch – one of the ways the church staff keeps in touch with the congregation
Adventure Plus - A group of senior adults who meet monthly for trips and luncheons
The LOFT – the assembly area used for grade school Kids’ Church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings
Emmanuel, Generations, Young Adults, Roberts Fellowship, Focus, Sojourners, Bible Basics: Sunday school classes – do you know the age-level and focus of each class by their name?
BOA—Board of Administration, the governing board of the Greenville Free Methodist Church
MOPS—Mothers of Preschoolers, a group of moms with kids kindergarten age and below who meet monthly for support and encouragement (MOPPETS is the childcare provided at MOPS.)
MPR—Multi-Purpose Room, the large room at the rear of the sanctuary. |
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2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
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Operating Budget - entire year |
$ 662,025 |
$ 803,358 |
$ 944,082 |
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Bldg Fund Budget - entire year |
$ 211,346 |
$ 208,346 |
$ 208,346 |
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Budget Offerings |
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Budget Offerings through March 17 |
$ 146,523 |
$ 151,881 |
$ 188,478 |
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Budget Expenses through March 17 |
$ 140,384 |
$ 153,936 |
$ 190,057 |
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Building Fund Receipts |
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Bldg. Fund Receipts through March 17 |
$ 54,065 |
$ 50,421 |
$ 59,336 |
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Bldg. Fund Expenses through March 17 |
$ 156,525 |
$ 201,029 |
$ 197,231 |
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Need weekly to meet budget expenses |
$ 12,731 |
$ 15,449 |
$ 18,155 |
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Need weekly to meet building fund expenses |
$ 4,064 |
$ 4,007 |
$ 4,007 |
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Difference Budget Offerings to Expenses |
$ 6,139 |
$ (2,055) |
$ (1,579) |
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Difference Bldg Fund Offerings to Expenses |
$ (102,460) |
$ (150,608) |
$ (137,895) |
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Received for FFF (Foundations for the Future) |
$ 48,065 |
$ 41,421 |
$ 59,136 |
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Note: Building Fund Exp. includes principal payments on Bank Loan of: |
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$ 24,353 |
$ 17,974 |
$ 102,761 |
