King’s Chapel’s First Narrative Budget

2013

2

Table of Contents

Who is King’s Chapel? 3

This Narrative Budget 4

Our Income 5

Why Pledge? 6

How Much to Pledge? 7

Our Endowments and Trust Funds 10

Our Expenses 10

Worship 11

Education 12

Community Action and Service 14

Congregational Care 16

Community Outreach 17

Historic Buildings 19

What’s Ahead for King’s Chapel? 20

Widening the Welcome 21

3

Who is King’s Chapel?

“In the love of truth, and the spirit of Jesus Christ

[the members of the Society of King’s Chapel] unite

for the worship of God and the service of man

[humankind].” Our services include the greeting,

“[w]hoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s

journey, you are welcome here!”

We blend old and new – a church founded in

1686, with the oldest American pulpit still

used; and a community of people open and

searching, still learning how God can be more

real, more understandable to each of us in our

daily lives. We are Christian like those who

founded our church; and we are willing to

continue deeply exploring the astonishing im-

plications of Jesus’ teachings in our world to-

day. Imagine how different our world would

be if we really lived out Jesus’ teachings about

compassion and justice for all, peacemaking,

and forgiveness. Like children of the Ameri-

can Revolution, our membership get to vote

on all issues of importance in our community;

and with the Unitarian Universalist spirit of

today we treasure all the world’s religions, be-

lieving that a God of Love embraces us all,

freely and fully. We proudly claim our place as

the first Unitarian Church in the country, full

of free and independent thinkers then, and

now.

4

Narrative Budget

This first narrative budget will provide a start-

ing point in connecting our finances with who

we are at King’s Chapel. The narrative budget

will show our revenues and expenses for the

work God calls us to do. Its preparation is

collaborative, characterized by transparency

and trust. There has been open discussion of

our priorities and aspirations and of our goals

and limitations. The narrative budget will

identify the source of our money, how we

have chosen to spend it, and how it relates to

each of us belonging to our community of

faith. Our budget is a covenant and reflects

who we are as members of King’s Chapel.

While the narrative describes the same income

and expenses as our line-item, data-based

budget, it highlights our activities and accom-

plishments and explains how our income is

gathered and how it is being spent in 2013 to

support the principal ministries of King’s

Chapel:

Worship

Education

Community Action and Service

Congregational Care

Community Outreach

Historic Buildings

Unlike the traditional line-item budget, which

has line items for salaries and many adminis-

trative costs, the narrative budget allocates

those salaries and administrative costs to the

various ministries with which they are associat-

ed.

Finally, the narrative budget concludes with a

discussion of ways to widen our welcome,

which will provide the starting point for deter-

mining who we want to be. This process has

been, and will continue to be, informed by

input from our committees, the minister,

members of the congregation, and the church

staff. The 2014 budget will reflect the vision

of the entire congregation. Please consider the

role King’s Chapel plays in your life.

“If you are eager to give, God will accept your

gift on the basis of what you have to give, not

on what you do not have.” 2 Corinthians

8:12.

5

Our Income

How are the missions of King’s Chapel

accomplished?

In the past few years, more of us continue to

recognize and act upon the certain knowledge

that if King’s Chapel is to be a vital force in

Boston and in our lives, we are the ones who

must provide the support. In turn, we reduce

our reliance on our trusts or other sources of

income for King’s Chapel’s annual operation

and program funding.

About 54 percent of the income in our 2013

budget comes from our endowment and lega-

cies. Our annual appeal provides about 18

percent and another 2 percent comes from

weekly collections. Nineteen percent is pro-

vided by visitors who make donations, take

tours, and purchase merchandise through our

visitors program. We receive another 7 per-

cent from other income from weddings, funer-

als, building rentals, and Tuesday music recit-

als.

While King’s Chapel is blessed by the generos-

ity of generations of church members who

came before us, and the visitors who come to

King’s Chapel, the continuation and expansion

of our ministries, and all of God’s work that

we strive to do, is ultimately dependent on our

own commitment to our church and the gifts

we pledge to it. 2013 Annual Income: $718,574

6

Why Should I Pledge?

Giving is joyful.

Pledging enables us to grow in faith and gener-

osity in every phase of our lives. It is a re-

sponse to God’s call and the abundance in our

own lives. At this time of year, it is a state-

ment of Thanksgiving. Giving is joyful. In II

Corinthians 9: 7, Paul writes, “Each one must

give as he has decided in his heart, not reluc-

tantly or under compulsion, for God loves a

cheerful giver.” Experience the joy of seeing

your pledge combine with the pledges of oth-

ers to truly have an impact on the dreams and

visions of King’s Chapel.

King’s Chapel belongs to each of us. We

pledge to fund its daily operations and to en-

sure that the church and its resources are here

for us and for others now and in the future.

We expect that those who benefit from the

church and participate in activities will share in

its financial well-being. Some members will be

able to pledge more, others less, but we can all

share in supporting our church.

Annual pledging enables your Fiscal Affairs

Committee to establish an accurate budget

based on a consistent level of support

throughout the church year. The committee

would like to reach a healthier income balance

with less dependence on our endowment and

trust funds and more dependence on pledges

to pay for the programs of our church.

7

How Much Should I Pledge?

How important is King’s Chapel in my life?

Many denominations ask that congregants

pledge the biblical 10 percent of gross annual

income, but also suggest that an immediate

dramatic increase of one’s financial commit-

ment is not being suggested. The Unitarian

Universalist Association, through its Office of

Congregational Stewardship Services, suggests

that we make a commitment to move forward

toward our financial fair share. Pursuant to

this request a new suggested fair-share giving

guide has been developed. See www.uua.org.

The UUA has suggested four fair-share giving

levels:

Supporter: The congregation is a signifi-

cant part of your life and it promotes your

spiritual growth.

Sustainer: The congregation is central to

your identity, and you are committed to

sustaining the programs and ministries of

the church.

Visionary: You are committed to both the

present and future growth of the congre-

gation.

Full Tither: You designate 10 percent of

your income as a way of living out your

spiritual principles.

In practice, it appears that churches address

pledging in an assortment of ways, including

(1) annual appeals without additional require-

ments; (2) no fixed amount of support re-

quired, but bylaws stipulate that a financial

contribution of record is a requirement for

active membership; (3) stipulated amount of

pledge per week per member to meet the

budget; (4) by pledging, members renew their

membership annually; (5) in addition to re-

quired pledge for members, all regular visitors

and friends of the church are asked to pledge;

(6) request 2.5% of pre-tax income as pledge;

(7) to be a member, bylaws require that one

must commit both to regular worship at and

regular financial support of the parish; (8) by-

laws require a recorded financial contribution

to vote at annual meeting or serve in any lead-

ership role in the church; and (9) a pledge de-

fined by some churches as a “UU Tithe” asks

that 5% be contributed to support the church,

and another 5% to support charitable organi-

zations.

The information shown on page 8 in this Nar-

rative Budget shows the important role pledg-

ing plays in neighboring churches in down-

town Boston. On page 9, data from Annual

Appeal at King’s Chapel is displayed.

8

9

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1998: 278 Gifts,Average Gift: $631

2003: 202 Gifts,Average Gift: $917

2013: 90 Gifts,Average Gift: $1166

Number of Givers per Annual Appeal at King's Chapel

10

Our Endowment and Trust

Funds

Those who attended King’s Chapel before us

built our beautiful chapel, donated our parish

house and parsonage, and are currently paying

more than 54 percent of our operating expens-

es. Should we not ask ourselves why we are

not at least paying our own expenses? Those

who came before us not only paid their ex-

penses but left an endowment for future gen-

erations.

The graph below shows the reliance placed on

endowment by several neighboring churches

in downtown Boston.

Our Expenses

The narrative to this point has described the

sources of income that support the over-all

mission of King’s Chapel. The cost of accom-

plishing God’s mission for our church in 2013

will be approximately $718,574. If we wish to

expand that mission in 2014, and that has been

the desire expressed by those who have shared

their ideas and dreams, it will be the joyful

generosity of the members and friends of

King’s Chapel that will enable us to extend

that mission.

2013 Annual Expenses: $718,574

11

Worship

The Heart of our Community

Our congregational survey, which was com-

pleted by more than 100 members as part of

our Senior Ministerial Search process, revealed

that the most important reasons why our

members first decided to come to King’s

Chapel and why they decided to stay are cen-

tered on worship. The results suggest an intel-

lectually challenging sermon, music, liturgy,

and the King’s Chapel Book of Common

Prayer as most important.

Our worship is biblical, historical, and congre-

gational. It is central to our life and ministry:

Sunday morning worship

Book of Common Prayer

King’s Chapel Choir and Or-

gan

Chancel Decorations

Wednesday mid-day worship

Sunday Family Service

Special Services of Prayer and

Music

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday Service

The Office of Tenebrae

Easter Vigil

Thanksgiving Day Service

Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve

Baptisms, weddings, memorial and

funeral services

Worship: $206,328

12

Education

Nurturing the faith of our Church Family

The mission of the King’s Chapel Church

School is to provide a religious foundation for

the children and youth of our congregation.

We also seek to support families in nurturing

the faith and religious identity of their chil-

dren, and to provide a space for warm and

meaningful fellowship. We do this through

family worship, religious education, and out-

reach to the community.

The purpose of the Adult Religious Education

Committee is to plan and present a program

of courses and events that promote the spir-

itual life of the participants, increase

knowledge of their own and other religions,

bring together members and friends of the

parish as well as people from the wider com-

munity, and support and pass on the traditions

of the Society of King’s Chapel. The core

program is a series of courses conducted by

our minister, parishioners, and guests. The

committee also organizes retreats. Other ac-

tivities depend on the initiative of those who

propose them and those who make them hap-

pen.

The Minns Lecture Series is a partnership of

King’s Chapel and First Church of Boston. A

joint committee of representatives from

King’s Chapel and the First Church of Boston

oversees the Minns Lectureship each year.

The Minns Lectureship Committee calls for,

discusses, selects and helps make public schol-

arly proposals from UU ministers for a series

of lectures to be delivered each year.

Our education programs have included in the

past year:

Church School and Family Service

Advent Crafts Workshop

Christmas Pageant

13

Education (continued)

Pet Blessing/Heifer Project

Church School Outreach to El Hogar

Program

Adult Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey

Seminar on the History and Develop-

ment of Unitarianism and the UUA

and the UCC

Summer Interfaith Book Discussions

Education $49,282

Book Group on Prayer

Library and Archival Resources

Minns Lectures

Care Giving and Grief

14

Community Action and Service

Being with others in the City of Boston and Beyond

We are aware that being “with” others requires

that we break down the divide between helper

and helpee, between ourselves and someone

we think is different, between us and someone

we imagine is better or less than we are. God

promises to be with us.

The Community Action Committee seeks to

support carefully selected community organi-

zations with volunteer time, expertise, and

money, invested in projects and programs led

by King’s Chapel members. The committee

serves partner organizations by using scarce

resources for maximum impact, and King’s

Chapel itself, by engaging all members and

friends, as they are willing and able, in aspects

of service to our wider community.

In the past year King’s Chapel has participated

in the following projects and events, each

combining volunteer participation with a mon-

etary grant:

Two Habitat for Humanity Builds in

Roslindale

Holiday Cake Sale for the Massachu-

setts Coalition for the Homeless

Habitat for Humanity Lunch and

Presentation

Heifer Project Partnership with Church

School

15

Community Action (continued)

Boston Pride Parade

In the past year the committee has made

grants to the following:

The Outdoor Church

City Mission Society of Boston

Friendship Works

Massachusetts Coalition for the Home-

less (2)

Greater Boston Food Bank

Habitat for Humanity/Boston

UU Urban Ministry

The Heifer Project

Horizons for Homeless Children

Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts

Project Bread

UUUM’s Renewal House

In addition, the committee designates recipi-

ents of “Second Sunday” collections at Morn-

ing Prayer each month as well as receiving and

distributing three designated collections annu-

ally. The committee also supports the Massa-

chusetts Coalition for the Homeless on its an-

nual day of advocacy at the State House by

making personal contact with State Legislators

to urge that they keep solutions for homeless-

ness a high priority.

The committee hopes this Fall to enter into a

commitment with the New England Center

for Homeless Veterans, which is barely a block

from King’s Chapel.

The income distributed by the Community

Action Committee is derived from a transfer

by the Trustees from endowment, second

Sunday plate offerings, two annual solicita-

tions, and a Christmas Bake Sale that directly

supports the Massachusetts Coalition for the

Homeless.

Community Action: $38,695

16

Congregational Care

Cultivating our King’s Chapel Community through Caring Connections

At King’s Chapel, whoever you are, and wher-

ever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome

here! Those at King’s Chapel care for those

who are experiencing difficult times, work to

create a sense of community, and celebrate our

joyous occasions. We stay connected through

weekly and monthly newsletters. Our hos-

pitality committee hosts a social hour

following Sunday morning prayer, ex-

cept those Sundays when the commit-

tee is sponsoring a lunch or reception.

The congregation celebrates, supports,

and cares for each other through:

“Punch on the Bricks” under-

neath the chapel portico in warm

weather

Homecoming Sunday in September

Milk Punch Sunday and Christmas

party in December

Changing of the guard reception in

May

Installation of our Senior Minister

Pastoral care

Congregational Care: $69,520

17

Community Outreach

Those at King’s Chapel use music, education,

its history, and other activities to reach out to

the wider community. Music is at the center

of who we are at King’s Chapel. Noon hour

recitals on each Tuesday draw workers from

downtown office buildings, and for the 56th

season, the King’s Chapel Concert Series takes

place on six Sunday afternoons at 5:00.

The Music Committee has typically been re-

sponsible for the Sunday afternoon concert

series, with a less formal connection to the

other musical activities that go on at King’s

Chapel. We offer a six concert season each

year, approximately September – March, with

a reception after each concert, usually at the

Parish House. Attendance varies anywhere

Reaching out to Others

from 50-150, depending on weather, program-

ming, etc. It should also be noted that this

concert series receives donations separate

from the King’s Chapel budget. We also have

had a fall fundraiser cabaret at the Parish

House, Alto Extravaganza, for the last three

years.

Members and non-members of King’s Chapel

attend Adult Religious Education offerings

and lectures by UU ministers participating in

the Minns Lecture Series.

The Freedom Trail Visitors Program contin-

ues to provide a significant portion of our

church’s income while introducing some

150,000 visitors to King’s Chapel annually. At

present there is a concerted effort by the Visi-

tor Program to find ways to integrate the pro-

gram into the spiritual life of King’s Chapel.

18

Community Outreach (continued)

Our outreach extends to the wider world. The

Denominational and Ecumenical Affairs Com-

mittee seeks to increase congregational partici-

pation with the UUA, sustain our partner

church relationship in Transylvania, and pro-

mote dialog regarding the church’s historic

and contemporary theological ties to Unitari-

anism. The King’s Chapel Partner Church

Committee seeks to formalize and strengthen

our historic relationship with the First Unitari-

an Church in Kolozsvar, Romania, through a

broad range of contacts and communications

between members and clergy of both church-

es.

We reach out to others:

Recitals Each Tuesday at 12:15 P.M.

Six Sunday Night Concerts at 5:00

Freedom Trail Visitors Program

Minns Lecture Series

Partner Church

Sharing our building space with others

Community Outreach: $183,964

19

Historic Buildings

We have been blessed with three historic

buildings where we welcome not only each

other but also our wider community. In addi-

tion to the thousands of visitors who are guid-

ed through our historic chapel, countless oth-

ers walk by each day, providing us with the

opportunity to be welcoming to those seeking

a place to reflect or to pray, or even a perma-

nent spiritual home. Our parsonage not only

provides a home for our Senior Minister and

her family, but a place to socialize and get to

know one another better. Our Parish House

provides space in which the Church School

and Family services are conducted, music is

enjoyed, the administrative and committee

work of the church is done, meetings and par-

ties are held, and our library and archives are

located.

The Building and Grounds committee is

charged with the stewardship of King’s

Chapel, the Parish House and Parson-

age. The 1754 church, a 260 year old

National Register landmark, is toured by

nearly 200,000 visitors each year. Our

newer buildings, the Parish House and

Parsonage, were both built in 1821 mak-

ing them nearly 200 years old. The

B&G annual budget to keep these treas-

ures in service is about $160,000. The

Our Brick-and-Mortar Home

greatest expense category is utilities (36%),

followed by salaries and services (28%), repairs

(19%), security (11%) and payment to reserves

for replacement (6%).

Our Building and Grounds Committee is

charged with the stewardship of these build-

ings and our giving goes toward paying for

their upkeep and maintenance.

Compensation for those who maintain

the buildings

Utilities

Security services

Services and supplies

Structural maintenance and reserve ac-

count for 63 and 64 Beacon

Historic Buildings: $170,785

20

What’s Ahead for King’s Chapel?

There is a new spirit and excitement around

King’s Chapel since we welcomed and in-

stalled our new Senior Minister, Joy K. Fal-

lon. Attendance at Sunday morning and

church school services has increased. One can

feel the desire to move forward as many pa-

rishioners have articulated new ideas, visions,

and dreams to extend the mission of King’s

Chapel. This first narrative budget has spoken

to King’s Chapel as we conclude 2013. It has

connected our finances with who we are in

2013 by allocating our income to our current

missions. It has candidly discussed pledging

and the role of our endowment. If we are to

expand our ministries in 2014, new income

will be needed. Our open and transparent

process will continue in 2014 as we, as a con-

gregation, discuss what our ministries will be

and how we will pay for them.

Your ideas and visions shared during the past

two months will inform the substance of our

discussion as we reconvene as a congregation

after morning prayer on November 17 to con-

sider how we will widen our welcome in

2014. The concluding pages of our narrative

outline how we might widen that wel-

come. We at King’s Chapel have much to

share with those who are now attending, who

previously attended, who walk by our doors

not knowing what goes on inside, and who are

new to the city and are searching for a

church. We are just beginning. All that has

been shared in our narrative process has been

preserved and will be crucial to the discern-

ment ahead.

There will be challenges, but your generous

support of King’s Chapel with your gifts of

talent, time, and money will be critical to ex-

panding our ministry. What does King’s

Chapel mean to your life? How does it pro-

mote your spiritual growth?

21

Widening the Welcome

Words from Reverend Fallon on the Road Ahead

We have much to share. How do we share

it more widely?

With any of us who come – maybe even

regularly – but wonder inside whether

King’s Chapel makes any real difference in

our lives.

With those who used to be part of our

community, but have drifted away.

With those who walk past often, but have

no idea what goes on inside.

With those new to Boston, searching for a

church home.

There are 6 Ways to Widen Our Welcome

This Year. Will you help?

1) Adult Education

We attract thinkers. People who wrestle with

ideas. It’s our wonderful hallmark.

We’ll offer:

A) A Retreat at Glastonbury Abbey in Febru-

ary and a half-day Advent Retreat at the

Parish House

B) Small groups –

Care for the Caregivers

The First Christmas, by John Dominic

Crossan and Marcus Borg

Spiritual Journeys – a revival of the course

previously offered

Lenten reflections – morning or evening

quiet prayer

Bible 101 -

First Wednesdays – a gathering after the

Wednesday noon Service

C) Interfaith Conversations

22

Widening the Welcome (continued)

2) Church School

We have new staff to bring alive our pro-

grams.

A Christmas pageant any visiting child can

join – because there is room at the inn for

everyone.

Painting Bible Stories

Teens asking questions over cocoa and

coffee

Children’s voices reading Morning Prayer

The nursery open again, every Sunday, so

new parents can come.

3) Recording and sound capacity for our

worship and music

Today’s equivalent of the earlier Radio

ministry is a podcast of sermons and song.

New members come to church today

FIRST through a website, and they want

to see and hear the service, in advance.

Older members have a harder time hearing

us; if we do not make church accessible

for the harder of hearing, we keep our be-

loved ones away.

If you are out of town, you can still hear

the Word and Music, and be fed; make our

worship part of your life each week, and

you’ll notice things changing….

Our music ministry is remarkable. Should

it be heard only once, by a few, or shared?

4) Pastoral Care

Everyone deserves a visit and conversation,

well or ill.

We’ll focus on this care, with an Assistant

Minister, and with continued outreach to

members.

In January and February, we’ll have fun com-

munity events. What a joy to just be with one

another, with fun and food. That’s how mem-

ories are made and friendships formed, that in

times of later trial can sustain us.

We’re here to build the Beloved Community.

23

5) A New Worship Service

Beginning in the summer and fall, we’ll ex-

plore another service, with our ministers and

music director, to serve those not able to be

refreshed by our 11 AM Morning Prayer.

It will build on our traditions of Christian lit-

urgy, thoughtful preaching, and remarkable

music. Might it be meditative and candle lit?

Family friendly on late Saturday afternoon for

those with little children and busy lives? A

weekly offering of fresh baked bread broken at

a new communion service? Together we’ll

discern.

Widening the Welcome (continued)

6) Our Work in the City

Newcomers to the church want to know: does King’s Chapel make any impact on the City? If not,

why not? With all the needs before us, how could a group who gathers as Christians fail to take ac-

tion? We will be judged by our fruits.

Led by the Community Action Committee, we’ll decide how to have impact – perhaps through a

focus on homelessness, that seems to be growing….

24