The year 2021 concluded much the way it began; a world-wide pandemic, deep political and social division, and extreme and destructive weather events. Not much to be hopeful about unless one looks closer to home and considers how our church has persevered through it all. In that light, there is much to be hopeful of and thankful for. From an investment perspective, the church’s portfolio was positioned well to ride the coattails of the continuing US bull market. The portfolio’s estimated 16% return on investments enabled the stained-glass rehabilitation project to commence ($15,750 plus $3000 deposit on the next window), pave the driveway and parking lot ($11,141) and to fund another chapter of painting the building’s exterior ($41,000) for a total of $70,891. All of these significant infrastructure needs were accomplished while still adding an additional $187,191.87 of value to the portfolio. None of this would have been possible without the committed support of the congregation and the larger Waterbury community.
Not all was static in 2021 however. Our long-time trusted advisor at Edward Jones, John Sherman, retired due to ongoing health concerns. John is a very active and recognizable member of the Waterbury community and has served the Waterbury Congregational Church in the best professional capacity. On behalf of the church, the Trustees are forever grateful for his wise counsel. The silver lining in all this is that one of John’s close Edward Jones associates, Bruce Wallbridge, has seamlessly assumed John’s accounts. The Trustees are developing a relationship with Bruce and have every confidence the Church’s investments will continue to be in good hands.
With the gains realized in 2021 and a look forward to 2022 commitments, continuing the stained-glass restoration for one, and others as needed, the Trustees recommend the following proportional distribution of funds illustrated in the table below.
| Fund | Prior Balance | Designated Income | Expenses | Allocation of Gains | New Balance with Gains |
| Endowment | $636,788.96 | – | – | $112,993.21 | $749,782.17 |
| Housing | $215,939.32 | – | – | $38,316.74 | $254,256.05 |
| Firm Foundation | $294,960.67 | – | $(52,141.00) | $43,086.45 | $285,906.12 |
| Enrichment | $75,044.31 | – | – | $13,316.02 | $88,360.33 |
| Gage Fund | $150,000.00 | $23,000.00 | $(18,750.00) | $27,370.45 | $181,620.45 |
| Total | $1,372,733.26 | $23,000.00 | $(70,891.00) | $235,082.87 | $1,559,925.12 |
Respectfully submitted.
Dean King, Chair
Carla Lawrence
David Cutler
Lew Petit
John Buck