October 2007
Friends can help BYM get a
$25,000 grant
But we must act quickly
Dear Friends,
The strength of Baltimore
Yearly Meeting comes from not only the 53 Monthly Meetings, Preparative
Meetings, and Worship Groups spread across the mid-Atlantic region but also the
more than 5,000 members and attenders who give the Yearly Meeting its energy
and vitality.
Finances are often tight at
BYM because we work diligently to keep the apportionments of each Monthly
Meeting from increasing any more than absolutely necessary.
We have been blessed with a
wonderful challenge and opportunity. One
of our members who believes strongly in the importance, mission, and work of
BYM has given us the following challenge:
All “new” money that
is received in response to this letter in 2007 will be matched—
dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000 — by this generous Friend.
That
means that for each “new” dollar we contribute to the General Fund, BYM
will receive two! That is a wonderful return on our investment in the Yearly
Meeting. Please see the P.S. for details.
Why should we give? To begin
with, BYM is a tremendous resource to its meetings and groups. The
office and staff provide opportunities for individual members and Monthly
Meetings to grow in the Light, support one another and explore what it is to be
a Friend. In addition:
- Our meetings turn to BYM often for guidance and
spiritual leadership in the manner of Friends.
- Individuals
and Monthly Meetings are connected and informed through the Yearly Meeting
publications and web site.
- Our
young Friends are provided with opportunities to gather and grow in the
Light.
- Individuals
in the Yearly Meeting are supported in joining the work of Friends
organizations around the world.
All of this work is made possible by gifts of time and money
from many in the Yearly Meeting and by the careful use of our resources. Please
help us receive the entire $25,000 challenge grant with your generous
contribution.
In Friendship,
Stewardship and Finance Committee
Baltimore Yearly Meeting
P.S. Here are the details of this
challenge. First, your gift must be to
the General Fund and returned with the contribution form as soon as
possible. If you gave to last
year’s BYM appeal, the match applies to any increase you give this year (i.e.
if you gave $500 last year, and give $750 this year, the match will be to that
additional $250). If you didn’t give
last year, the total amount of your contribution will be matched. Finally, the
total limit of matching funds will be $25,000.
On-line
contributions to the General Fund can be made at www.BYM-RSF.org
