Last Sunday, community members gathered in a packed dining room for Holy Wisdom Monastery’s Annual Meeting. The sisters, board, and coworkers want to say thank you to everyone who attended and took the time to hear important updates and stay in touch with the vision and needs of our organization. We hope the meeting was informative, transparent, hopeful, and even fun!
Issues with our internet connection did not allow us to record the meeting via Zoom as we had planned. But for those who could not be there, we’d like to offer our slides, a handout, a video and the following important highlights from the meeting:
- For 2024, overall revenue is up and expenses are down compared to past recent years. Although we still currently face a budget deficit, we are narrowing the gap and are optimistic about our ability to continue on the route to financial sustainability. See the linked handout and slides for precise numbers.
- Prioress Lynne Smith shared updates from the “Sisters Division”, while Executive Director Erin Trondson shared updates from the “Ministries Division”. These new phrases stem from the ongoing work of organizational restructering happening at the board level. Erin and Lynne assured us that little is intended to change for the communities as a result of this restructuring, but it will help to legally formalize certain areas of ownership and operations. More will be shared as this restructuring work continues in 2025.
- Erin also used the imagery of a prairie plant to highlight two organizational aims: stabilizing (like a plant’s deep roots) and growing outward (like a plant offers its gifts to others). While we will be exploring new offerings and partnerships, we will also be focused on growing and continuing what we already do very well. We must also invest in our resources, including facilites and coworkers, so that our growth can be sustained.
- Amy Alstad, director of land management and environmental education, gave an update on behalf of the land. She shared progress updates toward full habitat restoration based on the Master Plan for our work. New challenges of water runoff have arisen for Lost Lake due to housing development, but we are grateful that our new neighbors have met these needs with listening ears and are already taking steps to help mitigate future runoff.
- Lara Dulin Perez, director of mission advancement, gave a fundraising update. Year-to-date annual giving in 2024 is up 35% from last year at this time. Net-Zero fundraising is ongoing and will continue until the 2025 Spring Tilt. The amount needed to raise at this point is down to only $357,294. We are incredibly thankful for the incredible generosity of so many!
- Janet Neurauter reminded us of the importance and value of having will, and invited us to think of Holy Wisdom Monastery in our estate plans. Janet is available to meet with anyone who has questions planned giving.
- Finally, community members Terry Larson and Sarah Wilkin Gibart gave an inspiring and hilarious testament to the value of prioritizing “first fruits giving”. This summary cannot do justice to their creative presentation! But we were challenged to each ask ourselves if the amount we contribute to Holy Wisdom Monastery reflects the great gifts we receive through our community here. After they spoke we all agreed: “Let us respond to God’ abundance with abandon!”
Comments 1
It is edifying to see so many join together to keep everyone in the loop of the ongoing work of the leadership community to keep Holy Wisdom Monestary strong and growing. I know of few other organizations giving such focused attention to the need for transparency in sharing information with the larger community living both near and far from Holy Wisdom Monastery. This generous effort in and of itself inspires me to share my own resources spiritual as well as financial with confidence.