Reflections by Rev. Dan Bogre

Dear Friends and Family of RRUMC,

As we move further into January, I pray your year has begun with moments where God’s grace and blessings are unmistakable. Just yesterday, the early morning sky lit up with brilliant pinks, purples, and oranges — a vivid reminder that our God truly is an awesome God.

That moment brought to mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” As we look ahead to 2026, we are already witnessing incredible things at RRUMC.

More than 315 children are participating in our Upward Sports ministry. Story Church continues to welcome increasing numbers of worshippers and shoppers. And each Sunday, we see new faces joining us in worship. These blessings remind me again and again that with God, all things are possible.

With that truth in mind, I want to update you on our financial picture from 2025. For the first time in recent memory, we ended the year with a shortfall — just over $94,000 below our budget. The good news is that years of faithful stewardship have provided enough carryover to absorb this deficit. Still, we recognize that this is not how any organization — especially a church — should operate long-term.

While our projected revenues exceeded expectations, our expenses outpaced our giving. As a result, we are anticipating another shortfall in 2026.

Our finance team has been meeting regularly to review the numbers and to plan, strategize, and monitor where adjustments may be needed for 2026 and 2027. Thankfully, we still have a healthy cushion from previous years’ carryover to support us as we navigate this season.

There is also encouraging news: our pledges for 2026 currently total $937,000 — the highest in RRUMC’s history. Your commitment to Jesus Christ and to this church is extraordinary. Your generosity and faithfulness continue to inspire me.

Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 give me great reassurance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God bless you, church. And remember: “It’s all about the story. We exist to help people meet Jesus Christ in the midst of their story.” Thank you for your continued faithfulness in living out that mission.

Peace and blessings,
Rev. Dan