“To know and follow Christ and to help others know and follow Christ.”

NOVEMBER > 2016

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All Saints’ Day November 6, 2016

1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 | 319.363.2058 | stpaulsumc.org

1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Address Service Requested

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10Forward in Faith

Moving Forward

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3Fall Children &

Family Fun Event November 5, 2016

CHRISTMAS

UNDER CONSTRUCTIONHoliday Fair

NOV 2 & 3VISIT stpaulsumc.org FOR DETAILS

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All Saints’ DaySunday, November 6, 2016

8:30 am | 9:00 am | 11:30 am

All Saints’ Day is held, not only to remember saints, but also to remember all those who have died who were members of our congregation.

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WorshipSunday

8:15 am | Communion Worship {Chapel}9:00 am | Traditional Worship*

{Sanctuary}10:20 am | Sunday School for

Children, Youth, & Adults11:30 am | Worship Café-Contemporary

{Wesley Center}12:30 pm | African Nationals Worship

{Sanctuary}

TGIW {Thank God It’s Wednesday}

6:00 pm | Activities for all ages

Thursday 10:30 am | Neighborhood Worship

{Chapel}

Saturday 5:30 pm | African Nationals Worship

{Room 117}

Media Ministries*Sunday’s 9:00 am traditional

worship may be viewed on:Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

Mediacom Cable Channel 117-1**(for digital TV’s that do not have a cable box)Mediacom Cable Channel 4**

**(for TV’s with a cable box) Thursdays at 10:00 am

ImOn Channel 4

Church Website (stpaulsumc.org under Worship)

Audio | Video | Archived Sermons

DVD Ministry Members who are homebound (long-term or

short-term) may request a DVD of the 9:00 am service. There is no charge. The DVDs are not reused so

may be kept, shared, or returned to the church.

Contact: Wes Nygren 550-1455

Welcoming

Pastor Sherrie shoveling at St. Paul’s UMC Groundbreaking Celebration on Sunday, October 16.

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St. Paul’s UMC

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RESERVED PARKING Area Reserved for Golf Cart Riders

Available Parking Lots

Entrances Into St. Paul’s UMC

St. Paul’s UMC

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Enlarged Map of St. Paul’s UMC Entrance Locations

You Can Get to Worship During ConstructionAre you worried about how you’ll get into the building for worship during construction? Reaching & Receiving is working to make it easier for you, both with signs to direct you to accessible entrances and parking lot attendants to get you there safely. We even have a golf cart to shuttle you from your car to one of the entrances on 3rd Avenue. (Just park in one of the designated spots in the 2nd Avenue parking lot). Let us know if you have any questions and we will help you find the answers. Worship is such an important part of your week, we don’t want you to miss it!

Kate BurokerReaching & Receiving Chair

Matthew 16:15-19

‘And what about you? Who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said, ‘You are the Christ,…Jesus replied, ’Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you… I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.’

From Pastor SherrieLead Pastor

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Greetings!As you read this newsletter, it will be in the days following our Groundbreaking Celebration and All-Church Worship service. What a remarkable day shared together in hope for the future! I must admit that the temporary sound of jackhammers on the other side of my office wall and closed hallways could be frustrating, if it weren’t for keeping the hope of the future in the front of my mind.

Jesus had more to deal with than noisy jack hammers. And, with no golf carts for temporary transportation, he walked some long roadways, always with the future in mind.

In the journey to Jerusalem, where, in self-giving love, he gave his life for us all, he took the time to ask his disciples for their thoughts of who the people around the area said he was. When Peter declared, as a spokesperson for all of the disciples, that Jesus was indeed the Christ, Jesus blessed him for recognizing the holiness in the Human One standing among them. And out of

that recognition, Jesus began to first speak of the church; a part of his future vision. His blessing gave authority to Peter and the disciples to make decisions that would affect the community after Jesus would ascend to heaven.

Friends, this is us. Jesus has authorized us to make decisions for the future of this community, keeping God’s mission in front of us for the vision we cast. I hope you’ll be at our October 23 worship services and our November 6 Church Conference to hear more. Our future has a vision of a renovated building and even more than that, a vision of us as a community of people set free for the mission of God’s transformation and healing of the world!

So, I ask you, who do you say Jesus is?

Come worship the Christ with the disciples of St. Paul’s.

Grace & peace, Pastor Sherrie

Some of the St. Paul’s Trustees and a crew from Rinderknecht Construction began work this week, preparing the spaces for the renovation project! Thank you to everyone who has helped box, move, and store the “stuff” of ministry!

Dates to KnowOct. 30 > Trunk or Treat! Mission of Hope Parking Lot (1700 B Ave. NE) 3:00-4:00 pm

Nov. 5 > Fall Children & Family Fun Event! 2-4pm at Valley View Baptist Church

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Children’s DiscipleshipQuestions? Contact Pastor Keith at kpitts@stpaulsumc.org or 363-2058.

As a church we are called to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. Children’s discipleship is committed to not only teaching your children at church but also providing the tools you need as parents to be their primary faith developer. On October 23 will be our Four Year Old Milestone where your child will be given their first bible and you will be empowered to work on faith development at home.

Fall Children & Family Fun Event On November 5, from 2:00-4:00 pm, we will be going to Valley View Baptist Church (5555 Mt. Vernon Rd SE) to have a family fun night on their property. The church has twelve acres of woods and field where we will play games as families, have a bonfire with worship, and enjoy making s’mores as we fellowship together. We look forward to spending time with you on that day.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Wesley Choir singing at St. Paul’s UMC Groundbreaking Celebration on Sunday, October 16.

Volunteers Needed for Trunk or TreatPlease sign up to volunteer for Trunk or Treat held on Sunday, October 30, 3:00-4:00 pm at Mission of Hope Parking Lot (1700 B Ave. NE) at http://www.firstlutherancr.org/trunk-or-treat.html.

Adult Discipleship

Youth DiscipleshipWe want to send a big thank you to our St. Paul’s family for your support on Sunday, October 9 at the pancake breakfast. We also would like to thank Bill and Barb Satkamp for donating the pancake mix and syrup for the event. It was a successful event that raised over $1000 for our mission trips next summer.

October is the month every year that the youth department decides on where we will be going for our mission trip. The “Forge” which is our senior high leadership small group will be the team making this year’s decision. As a team they

have come up with a vision for how to choose where and what we will be doing. The vision they have is that any mission trip must have the ability to build relationships, meet physical needs, and provide an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. After coming up with these requirements The Forge have decided on a location that will lower our overall costs by at least half if not two thirds the cost of previous trips, and still allows us to have a big impact in the world. I count it a true privilege and joy to serve an amazing group of

Thank Youchildren, youth, and adults, as their pastor. God is going to do great things for us in this transitionary year.

Blessings, Pastor Keith

The Spirit Leads Us: Spiritual Formation CelebrationMonday, November 7, 6:30-8 pmGroups Facilitators and Sunday School leaders are invited to the Wesley Center at St. Paul’s UMC for ice cream sundaes and celebration!

Facilitators and potential facilitators share about learning this year and plans for the coming year!

• Network with other leaders for spiritual formation at St. Paul’s.• Learn about upcoming Advent study, small group opportunities, and ways that myStPauls online could help grow the church.• Come to share studies and/or practices that are working well in your groups, as well as sharing concerns or frustrations with the community of disciples to help.• Find out about the Advent study, other ideas for studies or how you might go without curriculum and still grow in faith.• Bring 2 or 3 other persons from your group/class so a greater number of leaders is included.

We want every group to be represented by more than one person, and make sure we are finding ways to grow and mentor new facilitators.

Please call the church office and leave a message for Pastor Jonathan or contact Nancy AntonJensen at the Connection Center or (nantonjensen@gmail.com) if attending.

Thanks! Growing together in Christ,

Adult Spiritual Formation Team: Nancy Anton-Jensen,

Norm Bennett, Denise Feltes, April Hedgecoth, and

Pastor Jonathan Heifner

The Spirit Leads Us:

Spiritual Formation

Monday, November 7, 20166:30-8:00 pm

St. Paul’s UMC in the Wesley Center1340 3rd Avenue SECedar Rapids, Iowa

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CHRISTMAS

UNDER CONSTRUCTIONHoliday Fair

NOV 2 & 3VISIT stpaulsumc.org FOR DETAILS

Holiday Fair, sponsored by St. Paul’s United Methodist Women, is a fundraiser for missions. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to purchase items in the Craft Boutique, homemade soup, breads and cookies from Country Store, enjoy a meal and entertainment

in the Hard Hat Café on Wednesday evening. Tickets are sold out for the Theme Luncheon and Style Show on Thursday but come view Theme tables from 10:30-11:30 am and then have lunch at the Hard Hat Cafe in the Parlor. It’s a great way to get in the mood for the upcoming Christmas season.

Soup WorkshopsSoup Workshops will be Monday, October 24 & Tuesday, October 25. Call Becky Holstrom at 365-6019 if you can help.

Holiday Fair: Christmas Under ConstructionWednesday, November 2 | 3:00-8:00 pmThursday, November 3 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

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Sending

November 20: SPRINTDecember 4: Christmas DinnerDecember 18 & 25: Christmas Offering

Upcoming Mission Partner Offerings

Fill the Truck: November 6Our next Special Offering will be a “Fill the Truck” on November 6 for the Linn Community Food Bank. Last August, St. Paul’s collected 924 pounds of food and donated $960 in cash donations. Since the food bank is funded and supported solely through donations from our community, they were very appreciative.

The number of people being served by the Linn Community Food Bank this year is higher than last year at this time. So let’s continue to support the Linn Community Food Bank with cash donations, as well as food items. The many individuals that the food bank serves will be grateful for your support!

Jan Russell

Our BIG Service Project: January 14, 2017Our BIG Service Project on Saturday, January 14 will be at the Mission of Hope (1700 B Ave NE). We’ll be

making tie fleece blankets with clients and sharing a potluck at the mission. Sign up to be a part of Our BIG Service Project at: http://tinyurl.com/BIGingathering or sign up in the Connection Center in the main hallway.

FILL the TRUCK Mission Partner Offering:

Fill canvas bag with non-perishable food items & bring to worship on...

Sunday, November 6

Concert Across America to End Gun ViolenceThe Concert Across America to End Gun Violence has been

rescheduled for Sunday, October 23, from 4:00-7:00 pm at the CSPS Hall, 1103 3rd St. SE. Tickets are still $12 ahead of time and $15 at the door.

Inter Religious Council In today’s political climate, sometimes it’s difficult to find God in all of the noise! The Inter Religious Council invites you to join in the rescheduled dialogue about politics and religion on Oct. 30, 2-4pm. Three local clergy will each present a perspective on the topic within Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. This will be followed by 30 minutes of questions and answers. They will meet at Mount Mercy University, Basile Hall in the Flaherty Community Room.

Prayer Requests for this devotion of caring will be added upon request and updated weekly. Communicate by use of the prayer request boxes, phone 363-2058, use the Prayer Request form on our website stpaulsumc.org or email: silg@stpaulsumc.org. Include a permission to share with others, or a request for confidentiality.

PrayerPrayer Devotions The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

~ Psalm 24:1

Hear our prayers for… • Peace and reconciliation in places of conflict throughout the world and for those serving through our military. • Hurricane Matthew victims. • For new members and faith friends of St. Paul’s. • Those struggling with addictions and mental health issues.

Joys & Celebrations.. • We welcome our new bishop, Rev. Laurie Haller! • Barb Oakland District UMW president • Kate Buroker District UMW Program Resources Coordinator

Continued healing & grace for... • Margaret Hebert • Judy Franta • Willard Cheney (Helen) • Wilma Shadle • Pastor Mike Townsley of Clover Ridge UMC in Walford • Marjorie Baker • Lillian Schuetzle • Robert Moore (Lee Moore’s father) • Marilyn Everett (Tamara Young) • Mathias Hakizimana • Dianne Berrett (Bob) • Nora Mae Vance (Al) • Wayne Dvorak • Mary Etta Pearson (Jean) • Evariste Hamisi • Jody Sloan • Barb Zahradnik (Bob) • Tracey O’Shea (relative of Tamra Young)

• Raine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’s granddaughter) • Marty & Spence Grayson (Dave Mahlke’s sister & brother-in-law) • Kristin Simon • Mina Arbore (John) • John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’s father) • Mike Myers (Suzanne) • Isaiah Hatfield (premature infant sonofAnya&ElizabethHatfield, grandson of Amy & Scott Bruner) • Ryan Vick • Pam Anslyn (friend of Angela Stookey) • Heidi DeJong (Chaun) • Angela Stookey • Kris Yahn (Steve) • Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy & Brice AntonJensen’s son) • Matthew Hudson (Fran Nathanson) • Anne Stavropoulos

Memorial prayers for the families and friends of... • Janette Mowery (Clarence) • Chuck Marple • Lowell Sisson (Connie) • Marilyn Hudgins (Steve Schroeder’s mother) • Dorothy Eads • Betty Duff

Those under Hospice Care... • Herb Eckert • Corrine Smallridge (Vicki Comer’s mother) • Betty Cuthbertson

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Don’t worry about anything.

Instead, tell God about everything.

Ask and pray. Give thanks to him.”

Philippians 4:6-8

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Etc.Visual Faith ArtworkLast WEEK to Pick UP Your Visual Faith ArtworkIf you created artwork during the season of Lent through our VISUAL FAITH small groups, please pick up your creations in the Parlor by October 23rd. Any remaining art after this date will be recycled.

Devotional ColoringJesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child

will never enter it.” Luke 18:17. Embrace the childlike faith within you and join us for devotional coloring. Starting Mondays on November 14 from 6:30-7:30 pm, we will meet by the study rooms on the second floor of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Library (450 5th Avenue SE) to color, relax, and meditate on scripture. Each week, we’ll start with prayer and a devotional reading, then spend time coloring, contemplating and conversing. No preparation is needed. The devotional, coloring pages and some coloring utensils will be provided. Feel free to bring your own crayons, colored pencils or markers, as well as a friend. Contact April Hedgecoth at 319-521-2074 or april.hedgecoth@gmail.com with any questions.

Thrift Mart Thank You Despite news of flooding, change of days, and the short time of preparation Thrift Mart has continued with the help of many workers, shoppers, and suppliers. We thank everyone for all your hard work. We had over 100 workers, collecting, sorting, and selling treasures brought in by many church members and others. Food workers prepared lunches and treats to add to the totals of sales. We are pleased to report that we have banked $3,700 for missions from this sale. We know that many more items are sold through the super store and we hope that you will continue to save items for future sales. You may have to hold onto items for a longer time with the construction starting. We thank you for your time, patience, and understanding.

Thrift Mart CommitteeBecky Holstrom, Doug Thompson,

Elaine Oxenford, Marla Nikodim

St Paul’s Women Elected to Serve East Central District United Methodist Women Barb Oakland has recently been elected president of the East Central District of United Methodist Women; Kate Buroker has been elected District Coordinator for Program Resources, and Deb Streff has taken the position as District Coordinator for Mission Education and Interpretation. These three will join the District UMW Leadership Team, made up of women leaders from across the district. United Methodist Women, in mission since 1869, make world-wide impact with their concern for the health and well-being of women and children, both locally and across the continents. The purpose of UMW aligns with St. Paul’s own focus on Gathering, Forming, and Sending: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ (FORMING), to develop a creative, supportive fellowship (GATHERING), and to expand the concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church (SENDING). United Methodist Women put faith, hope, and love into action. All women are invited to become involved in our circles, craft & project groups, and spiritual and educational growth opportunities. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join in Gathering in fellowship, Forming in learning and sharing, and Sending into the world through our prayer support and mission dollars. Feel free to contact the office to be directed to a UMW friend who can get you started.

All Are Welcome October 23, Lifelines will begin an 8 week study of Max on Life, written by best-selling author Max Lucado. In this book, Max offers answers and insights into some of the most important questions many of us have. Divided into topics such as Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her and Hereafter, this study promises not to give us all the answers, but to give us a biblically-based springboard for further thought and discussion. Consider joining us for coffee, cookies and conversation as we explore some of our most pressing questions. All are welcome! Lifelines meets Sundays at 10:20 am in the Annex main room.

Caring

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On a beautiful fall morning (Sunday, October 9) the 18 members of the St. Paul’s Especially For You Race Against Breast Cancer team participated in the 26th year of the event. It was the third year that St. Paul’s had a team in this

event that supports members of the community that are dealing with this disease. We were part of the 15,560 people from 481 cities and 33 states that registered for the race. Team members included Barb Dove, Regina Anderson, Diane King, Jim

and Barb Steggall, Carol Cassells, Brian and Laura Azelborn, Jackie Kool, Jan Russell, Linda Robinson, Connie Braley, Kim Bachman, Chris Rebora, Susan Thompson, Katie Morton, Lauren Fladland, and Melissa Williams.

St. Paul’s UMC Especially For You Race Team

AdventDuring Advent, we will be offering consecrated communion to those who are homebound or unable to attend church. Volunteers are needed to offer the communion elements. Written scripts are available and the elements are packaged so they are not perishable. If anyone is willing to participate you will be given a list of 3-5 names to contact after the Consecration service in early December. If you are willing to participate or know of names of people that might appreciate being recipients please contact Mary Horn at 319-395-7290 or at fmhorn01@aol.com.

Advent Reading For your Advent reading, stories told by Biblical characters, part of e-book, “Stories Remembered” by Lloyd E .Brockmeyer. Download to any device from Amazon. Questions for discussion/meditation available lloydbrockmeyer1@gmail.comby request.

Update Phone Number ContactMore people are choosing to use just cell phones and discontinuing their land-line phones. If staff want to contact someone with pastoral concerns, we often cannot reach them to offer support, prayer, or other help. Without a phone number in our system, our only alternative is to make a home visit. It would be helpful if those with only cell phones would share these numbers with the church at 363-2058. The cell phone numbers could be entered into the system as “unlisted” and be available for staff use only.

“Dews of Quietness”Someone has been searching for H. Hugh Dill’s little devotional booklets, one entitled “Dews of Quietness.” Does anyone have copies of one or both of these, or know where there are copies. I remember the booklet but do not have a copy. Please let me know if you have any information about them at 363-6379.

St. Paul’s is Moving Forward in FaithA brief update on our facilities renovation project...

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Forward in Faith

Room 119 our “new” temporary nursery. Cleared out “old” nursery.

Moving ForwardAs this is being written, much renovation related activity is evident in and around St. Paul’s.

Volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours to ready our education wing for asbestos abatement, sprinkler system (fire safety) piping work, and transformational remodeling. They have…• Moved shelving units, furniture, and thousands of books out of the library • Moved furniture, supplies, resource materials, etc., from all rooms slated for renovation• Removed countless marker boards, bulletin boards, TV’s, clocks, pictures, selected cabinets, and so-on from walls and placed them in storage• Moved key items from the Nursery into Room 117 – see photos.

Most items to be stored were moved into rooms that are not being renovated. These items had to be placed carefully, to leave ‘aisles’ so workers will have ready access to ceilings for sprinkler system installation.

You may have noticed that Contractors’ large storage containers are being moved onto the property -- some are currently located near the Annex.

All required UMC approvals have been granted, and Cedar Rapids city-related approvals and permit(s) are being obtained. Design documents have been reviewed, and there are ongoing coordination meetings with and among our architects, general contractor, subcontractors, and engineering firms.

We want to sincerely thank all whose contributions are up to date with their Forward in Faith pledge. If you are able to accelerate your contributions for the balance of your pledge, this will help minimize the amount of money we’ll need to borrow during the construction phase, thereby reducing interest expense.

If your contributions are not up to date with the Forward in Faith pledge you made, now would be a great time to make that happen. If you have not yet made a pledge to this exciting project, now is the time to do so!

Here we go! Be “flexible”. We’re moving Forward in Faith!

Financial

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Comments from Garr HintzChurch Business Administrator

Double Blessing Match GiftA heartfelt thank you goes out to all who participated in the Double Blessing Match Gift effort. The matches to the initial pledge exceeded the $19,000 that was given and we continue to get additional funds to be applied directly towards apportionments. Gifts towards apportionments are welcome any time of the year, match or no match and St. Paul’s receives gifts on a regular basis on this.

Ministry of FinanceSeptember: I’ve heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words and on that thought I encourage you to view the graph that depicts the current position of St. Paul’s Financials through September. Previously I have had two graphs, one for income and another for expenses. However, that isn’t the most conducive to explain the 2016 shortfall. So, it was felt a combined graph showing income and expense side-by-side would be helpful. There are a couple of items of good news from September. First, the total income was $94,171.84 which is above the budget of $91,151.67 due to your generosity for Double Blessing. Second, expenses were $3,300 less than budgeted - $106,880.16 actual to $110,238.26 for budget. The combination of these two items means that the shortfall for September was only $12,162.32 compared to the budgeted shortfall of $19,086.59. Year-to-date: The contributions/income through September 30 (which are shown in the graph) are at $819,051.07 compared to a budgeted amount of $896,886.99; 91.32% of what was anticipated. As with last month’s report, the good news on expenses is that they are actually 99.67% of budget with an actual of $1,022,459.11 compared to a budget of $1,025,859.22. The shortfall through September was projected at $128,972.23 and the actual numbers are at $203,408.04.

Mission Partner OfferingThe Mission Partner offering received since the last Outlook is as follows: • African Nationals-$613• World Communion-$115

The next Special Offerings will be taken on November 6th for the Linn Community Food Bank November 20 in support of SPRINT.

Giving & Expenses 2016 Year to Date

$896,886.99$819,051.07

$1,025,859.22 $1,022,459.11

$0.00

$200,000.00

$400,000.00

$600,000.00

$800,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,200,000.00

Budget Actual

Giving & Expenses2016 Year-to-date

Income Expenses