Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. - Hebrews 10:23-24 Dear members and friends of Ascension, You can no doubt easily imagine two main goals for our 2017 financial stewardship appeal. We want to improve the parish’s financial condition and we want participation by as many active parishioners and other supporters of Ascension as possible, including you. Three additional goals are unique to our recent and present circumstances at Ascension: We aim to continue restoring trust in the parish’s lay and clergy leadership, specifically relative to financial management. To further the transparency that we are seeking to model and practice, please find on the following page an overview of our 2015 audit and an invi- tation to learn more if interested. We hope to renew a sense of giving to the church as a spiritual gift and discipline. Individuals give to the church, or refrain from giving, for many reasons. We pray that your decision to give will, at least in part, reflect your understanding in faith of the rela- tionships among self, money and God. We pray for stewardship appeal outcomes that reflect both gratitude for recent signs of new life and hope for a strong and faithful future. In response to preceding troubles, 2016 pledges to Ascension plummeted 70%. Beginning to reverse that trend together in the year ahead will be a blessing to all of us and a gift to our much-loved church. Please consider taking part in one or more of the following opportunities to learn more about our parish’s financial circumstances and shared ministry of stewardship: Treasurer Susan Schlough will present 2015 Audit Results on Sunday, October 30, and Father Dunkerley will share thoughts on Stewardship November 13 — both at 10 am in the parish library. We also, of course, welcome your remarks or questions. Please be in touch with any of us by phone or email, or beer yet talk to us when you see us at Ascension. Thank you for your prayers, presence and participation. David Jones (Vestry) Carol Noren Christopher Raymond Father Patrick Raymond Father Jim Dunkerley church of the ascension 1133 N ORTH L A S ALLE B OULEVARD C HICAGO , I LLINOIS 60610-2601 T ELEPHONE : (312) 664-1271 www.ascensionchicago.org
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Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful;
and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
- Hebrews 10:23-24
Dear members and friends of Ascension,
You can no doubt easily imagine two main goals for our 2017 financial stewardship appeal.
We want to improve the parish’s financial condition and we want participation by as many
active parishioners and other supporters of Ascension as possible, including you.
Three additional goals are unique to our recent and present circumstances at Ascension:
We aim to continue restoring trust in the parish’s lay and clergy leadership, specifically
relative to financial management. To further the transparency that we are seeking to model
and practice, please find on the following page an overview of our 2015 audit and an invi-
tation to learn more if interested.
We hope to renew a sense of giving to the church as a spiritual gift and discipline.
Individuals give to the church, or refrain from giving, for many reasons. We pray that
your decision to give will, at least in part, reflect your understanding in faith of the rela-
tionships among self, money and God.
We pray for stewardship appeal outcomes that reflect both gratitude for recent signs of
new life and hope for a strong and faithful future. In response to preceding troubles, 2016
pledges to Ascension plummeted 70%. Beginning to reverse that trend together in the year
ahead will be a blessing to all of us and a gift to our much-loved church.
Please consider taking part in one or more of the following opportunities to learn more about our
parish’s financial circumstances and shared ministry of stewardship: Treasurer Susan Schlough
will present 2015 Audit Results on Sunday, October 30, and Father Dunkerley will share thoughts
on Stewardship November 13 — both at 10 am in the parish library. We also, of course, welcome
your remarks or questions. Please be in touch with any of us by phone or email, or better yet talk
to us when you see us at Ascension.
Thank you for your prayers, presence and participation.
David Jones (Vestry) Carol Noren Christopher Raymond
Father Patrick Raymond Father Jim Dunkerley
c h u r c h o f t h e a s c e n s i o n
1133 NORTH L ASALLE B OULEVARD
CHICAGO , ILLINOIS 60610-2601
TELEPHONE : (312) 664-1271
www.ascensionchicag o.org
Church of the Ascension
One -Page Overview of Our 2015 Audit
At a glance. This Overview aims to give parishioners a general sense of the most
important features of our recently completed 2015 audit. An opportunity for parishioners to
learn more and to ask questions will be provided on Sunday, October 30, at 10:00 a.m. in the
parish library. To view the audit or ask detailed questions, contact Susan Schlough directly.
Background. 2015 was a year of tumult that included a variety of negative fiscal impacts. The long-
time paid Treasurer was terminated by the prior Rector in January 2015. In the context of ensuing conflict
and without normal lines of communication or accountability, a new volunteer Treasurer served until
March 2016. Many of the 2015 audit findings reflect the year’s anomalies and troubles. Concerns and rec-
ommendations are already being positively addressed under the leadership of Susan Schlough (Treasurer
since April 1, 2016), the Wardens and Vestry, Finance Committee members and Father Raymond.
Process. Early in 2016 the Vestry unanimously decided to identify a new accounting firm to perform
the 2015 Ascension audit. An extensive search led by Senior Warden Judy Mintel led to the engagement
in April of Capin Crouse, a firm that focuses on non-profit and church expertise. The firm requested a sig-
nificant volume of data even before formally commencing the audit in June. A draft audit was provided
to the Vestry in early August. Responses were formulated by the Finance Committee and approved by the
Vestry in September. The audit was completed on September 27.
Audit Findings, Recommendations and Clarifications. A four-page section of the thirteen page
audit is devoted to ‘Material Weaknesses,’ each understood to be “a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies,
in internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the organization’s fi-
nancial statements will not be prevented, or detected or corrected on a timely basis.” Cited issues include:
$ Payroll tracking $ Accounts payable $ Documentation for reimbursements
$ Bank reconciliations $ Tracking of endowment earnings $ Tracking of credit card expenses
$ QuickBooks entries $ Handling of cash receipts
In the Material Weaknesses section and elsewhere the 2015 audit also noted Ascension’s longstanding
lack of normal fiduciary definitions and safeguards codified in documents such as By-Laws, fiscal policies
and documentation of procedures related to checks and balances.
Material Weaknesses notwithstanding, the audit found no evidence of fraud or other criminal activity.
Consistent with past audit recommendations by other firms, Capin Crouse recommended and directed
that Ascension’s beneficial interests in the two Stoskopf Trusts be represented on our Balance Sheet.
The net total 2015 operating expenses identified in the audited financial statements — $838,547 — was
within $1,600 of the 2015 expenses reported to parishioners at the May 2016 Annual Meeting. (Total 2015
expenses of $1,182,140 reported by Capin Crouse included $343,600 in intangible Depreciation expense.)
Responses. All matters described above and others identified in the audit have been resolved or are
being collaboratively addressed by action of the Treasurer, Wardens and Vestry, Finance Committee
members and Father Raymond.
At its September meeting, the Vestry approved related recommendations and new policies and provided
Capin Crouse with a formal response to the draft audit.
Some additional important policies (e.g. budget development and handling of endowments) have been
drafted and are being refined by the Finance Committee for presentation to the Vestry in the coming
months. The Vestry aims to present parishioners with new By-Laws at the January 2017 Annual Meeting.
Parishioners wanting to view the complete audit or to investigate matters too detailed or complex
to explain here may contact Treasurer Susan Schlough or Father Raymond.
As 2016 winds down, we can be grateful.
We’ve sought to restore normalcy, goodwill and
faithfulness, in our worship, in fellowship
and in communications.
Listening Post consultants
Clare Nolan and Scott Paeth
sought to help us begin a season of
healing and renewed strategic collab-
oration as we envision our future.
We prepared for the Feast of the Assumption with a Novena and
included a Blessing of the Herbs in the Assumption Mass, August 15.
We pulled together to raise
nearly $11,000 to fix the rooftop
church air conditioner.
“Burger or Brat?“ Jim Drury at the grill.
Good fellowship prevailed for picnic/
potlucks on the Feast of the Assump-
tion and Michaelmas (shown above).
Newcomer Kuni
Sakai is a regular
food pantry helper.
Together we raised
$1,100 to support
his September 5K
‘run for the pantry.’
Church of the ascension
1133 North LaSalle Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60610-2601
(312) 664-1271 www.ascensionchicago.org
https://www.facebook.com/ascensionchicago/
The 2016 Church of the Ascension Vestry
Judith Mintel, Senior Warden $ David Schrader, Junior Warden $ Cliff Green $ David Jones $ Timothy Kowalski
Cheryl Peterson, Clerk $ LaVerne Saunders $ Betty Smith $ Charles Taylor $ Luis Vargas $ James Wilson
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Priest-In-Charge
The Very Rev. James Dunkerley, Associate Priest
The Rev. Robert Petite, Assisting Priest
Deacon Gordon Stanley, BSG, Deacon Associate
The Sisters of St. Anne
Dr. Benjamin Rivera, Director of Music/Choirmaster
Worship — e.g. read, usher, serve at the al-tar as an acolyte, helping in the sacristy.
Fellowship/hospitality — help plan and share in work for parish events.
Outreach/food pantry.
Buildings and/or grounds.
Administrative leadership and service: Ves-try, service as a delegate to diocesan conven-tion, or helping with office projects.
Media/Communications — help with web-site, social media, writing projects.
Other — please indicate:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
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Please contact the parish office or clergy regarding your interest in baptism, confirmation, transferring your membership to Ascension or any pastoral care needs.