Annual Report 2011
“We give thanks unto Thee, O God” Psalm 75:1
The Presbyterian Church at Absecon
208 New Jersey Avenue
Absecon, New Jersey 08201
Phone: 609-641-3759 Fax: 609-641-5125
Rev. David W. Cobb, Pastor
Rev. Gerry Reedell, Parish Associate
Mr. Harold Hawkes, Director of Music Ministry
Website: abseconpresby.org
Office email: absecon_presby@msn.com
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Call to Order with Prayer by the Moderator
Reading of the Minutes of the Last Meeting
Reports
Election of Nominating Committee for 2012
(4 elected by and of the congregation)
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment with Prayer
* * * * * * *
CORPORATION MEETING
Call to Order with Prayer by the Chairman, Melvin Washington
Reading of the Minutes of the Last Meeting
Reports
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment with Prayer
Benediction
Closing Prayer
* * * * * * *
MISSION STATEMENT
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ABSECON IS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF FAITH, FELLOWSHIP AND FAMILY DEVOTED TO FOLLOWING GOD’S WORD AND SPREADING HIS LOVE THROUGH WORSHIP, FAMILY MINISTRY, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, MISSION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. TOGETHER, WITH CHRIST, WE STRIVE FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND TO BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT FOR ALL.
REPORTS OF THE CONGREGATION
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REPORT OF THE CLERK OF SESSION |
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Membership as of 12/31/10 |
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271 |
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Members added by: |
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Profession of Faith |
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12 |
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Certificate |
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3 |
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Other |
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1 |
16 |
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Members removed by: |
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Certificate |
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(2) |
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Death |
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(9) |
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Other |
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(11) |
(22) |
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Membership as of 12/31/11 |
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265 |
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Baptisms: |
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Child |
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1 |
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Adult |
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- |
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Active Officers |
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Elders |
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9 |
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Trustees |
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6 |
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Deacons |
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9 |
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Communion Services: |
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12 |
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Total Communicants: |
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1,463 |
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Church Attendance: |
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TOTAL |
AVERAGE |
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01/04-6/20/11 |
9:30 AM |
2,060 |
89.57 |
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11:00 AM |
936 |
40.70 |
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6/27-9/5/11 |
10:00 AM |
1,057 |
117.44 |
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9/12-12/26/11 |
9:00 AM |
1,123 |
80.21 |
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10:30 AM |
673 |
48.07 |
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Special Single Services (4) |
10:00 AM |
622 |
155.50 |
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TOTALS |
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6,471 |
129.42 |
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Special Services: |
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Wed. Lenten Service |
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85 |
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Maundy Thursday |
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68 |
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Good Friday |
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45 |
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Christmas Eve |
5:00 PM |
100 |
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7:00 PM |
133 |
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Respectfully Submitted, Gay S. Channell, Clerk |
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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Work in the office continues to keep me busy typing letters, reports, postcard reminders, weekly Home Touch mailings to shut-ins, the Presby Post weekly email, funeral and Sunday bulletins, Sunday announcements, and the monthly Good News. As our church family directory is now a year old it was also time to provide an updated listing. In addition, time was spent designing and printing tickets, special offering envelopes, greeting cards, newspaper ads, and other projects. Daily tasks include tracking rental income, relaying information, sorting mail, and providing information and answers to questions. Time spent on cemetery records included plot and niche sales along with updating records. I have also maintained our Olan Mills online directory by updating member information as needed.
This year I have been called on to assist both the Finance and Worship Committees with special needs. Calls and information from potential renters were relayed to Barbara Morgan. Leases were rewritten for our available properties as well. Assistance to Worship with the search for a new Director of Music Ministry involved posting the opening on a few job search websites along with contacting department heads of local colleges. Potential candidates were instructed to contact the office, and their information was then directed to Karen Muldoon and the Worship Committee. Some follow-up mailings to candidates were also required along with assistance to those who served as guest organist.
There is no way that all this could be accomplished during my part-time hours without a super team of volunteers willing to help. Carol Thomas comes in each Tuesday to address and mail the weekly postcards and Home Touch mailings. She also folds our Sunday bulletins and announcements. There is also a great group of collators, staplers, folders and tapers for the Good News and other large mailings and projects. Once these mailings are ready to go Carol Kleiner delivers them to the USPS distribution center in Pleasantville. Thank you, all!
I believe the most difficult time this year was when we lost our dear friend, Tom. He was a good friend, and I still miss his phone calls and emails. In fact, it was several weeks before I stopped expecting to receive Tom’s Friday morning email with a list of music for Sunday worship. His smiling face and “true stories” will live on in the hearts of many.
It has been a pleasure to work with all of you these past 7 years. I look forward to see what God has in store for us in 2012!
Respectfully Submitted,
Gay Channell, Administrative Assistant
AUDIT REPORT
The annual informal audit of our finances will be scheduled for February. A report will be included in the Good News as soon as it is available.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
It has been another year of growth for the Christian Education Committee programs. I feel blessed to continue to support the work of such a dynamic and dedicated team, and would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers that make these programs possible – the group leaders, Sunday School teachers & aides, volunteers, and sponsors all work together to ensure that children (and adults) of all age groups are engaged and encouraged to continually grow on their walk with Christ.
Sunday School
Under the direction of Priscilla Schultheis, and with the support of a dedicated group of teachers and aides who volunteer their time and talent, the Sunday School program continues to thrive and provide a rich learning experience and a variety of activities to encourage our children to develop a rich personal relationship with Christ. Older Sunday School students are also encouraged to remain through the entire worship service on Communion Sundays in order to encourage and prepare them for full membership in the church as young adults.
Senior Youth Group
Karen Muldoon and Jack Cobb both volunteer their time and talents as they continue to lead the high school students in a program geared toward helping them develop into responsible Christian adults, and finding their roles within our congregation. Bible lessons, mission projects, and trips are all part of the curriculum. The Senior Youth group meets weekly in the evenings, but you will see them involved in mission projects like helping to clean and maintain the church mission houses.
Junior Youth Group (A2J “Addicted to Jesus”)
Linda Gillis has taken over leadership of this group from Janna Beth Cobb, and both of these leaders have had a part in the success of the group in 2011. Under their leadership, the group has engaged in a range of activities and trips, designed to supplement Bible lessons and encourage these middle school students to continue to grow in Christ. Linda has brought new ideas and energy to the group, and we look forward to an exciting year ahead. The A2J group meets on Sundays after Sunday School, and you will often see them participating in mission projects on Sunday as well.
Junior Youth Group (Lions and Lambs)
The Lions and Lambs program has been operating under the direction of Priscilla Schultheis as a parent-directed organization since 2009 with great success. Priscilla has been organizing and coordinating a group of parent volunteers who help to develop and operate the program. The focus of the program is to supplement the Sunday School lessons with hands-on activities and engaging active games that encourage spiritual growth on a level these young children can relate to, as well as parent participation and fellowship. The program meets once a month after Sunday School. For 2012, Priscilla has asked to step down and will be replaced by JoAnn Sabo, who has been very active in the program as a parent and will surely bring some of her own ideas to the program.
40 Minute Club
This program is directed by Priscilla and operated with the help of parent volunteers, and includes two age groups: Kindergarten through third grade, and fourth through seventh grade. Both groups were well-attended in 2011. A Bible lesson and craft activity are provided during worship service in the summer time.
Adult Education
Pastor David Cobb and Rev. Gerry Reedell have continued to lead groups of adults in a variety of Bible studies and Circles, and the Christian Readers Book Club. Olga Davies and Lucy Jerue also lead Adult classes and book studies in 2011, including a book study of Rick Warren’s “A Purpose-Driven Life”, and there is also a Weeknight Bible Study led by Barbara Morgan with help from JoAnn and Scott Sabo.
Vacation Bible School
Joe Marshall served as our representative to the Community Bible School this summer. This program, which operates on summer evenings, provides church-related activities for students from many local churches. Unfortunately, there was no VBS held in 2011.
Graduate Sunday
Each year we honor the graduates
in our congregation for their achievements.
In June 2011 we recognized the following:
- Nick Hughes, Christopher Harvey, Michael McManus, Elisa Wong, Kevin Patrick Wolcott Sheahan - 8th grade
- Aaron Kleiner, Carolyn Leigh Thomas, Colleen Nicole Wolcott Sheahan - High School
- Jamie Lee Maurer - BS in Nursing
- Andy Townley - BS and Masters in Electrical Engineering
As I complete another year as Christian Education Committee chairman, I again want to thank all of the people who work so hard to make sure that our children (and adults) have the best possible opportunities to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the coming year to keep our programs vibrant and growing to meet the needs of our congregation. It is the hard work and support of so many in our congregation that makes these programs possible – thank you!
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
In His Service,
Scott Sabo
Christian Education Committee Chairman
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCE DIRECTOR
We are now in our 8th year with our Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. Our Sunday School teaching staff continues to be strong with Bob Gillis working with grades 9-12, JoAnn Sabo with grades 7-8, Diane Lee with grades 5-6, Tina Harvey with grades 3-4, Karen Little with grades 1-2, and Dawn Duran with PreK-K. Two adult aides alternated weeks to assist the classroom teachers. Lee Wolff continued to direct our paths for mission projects, and three Sunday School sponsors assisted each class with financial support for the incidentals. Our two oldest classes remained in the worship service on Communion Sundays. Grades 1-6 met in the game room at the end of each lesson for music, puppetry, and prayer. All has gone well with weekly attendance in the 60’s. We recognized our dedicated youth and teachers last May on Youth Recognition and Teacher Recognition Sundays.
From January to December we stayed busy with our normal schedule. Classes and youth groups took turns presenting the Calls to Worship, participated in three Family Worship Sundays, and focused on several mission projects throughout the year. Our Birthday Party for Jesus was very special this year with JoAnn Sabo leading the way raising money for Sr. Jean’s Kitchen through cupcake sales. We collected hats, mittens, gloves, etc. and completed Advent coin books all to benefit Sr. Jean’s Kitchen.
We had two major drama events. A dozen of our teens presented Memories of the Resurrection last Easter and twenty of our young people performed in A Lamb’s Tale as this year’s Christmas musical. 40 members of the Sunday School from PreK through high school participated in this year’s Christmas Eve Christmas Pageant directed by Janna Beth Cobb, Dawn Lewis, and Dawn Houseworth. Many parents assisted and the service was wonderful!
We planned and carried out some major events during the course of the year. We went bowling in February, had an Easter Egg Hunt and luncheon in March, held a Field Day and went canoeing in June, gathered for Rally Day after Labor Day, had lots of fun at the Halloween party in October, held a Birthday Party for Jesus and a luncheon that followed with games and crafts for the kids in December.
During the summer, we offered the 40 Minute Club to two age groups for the second time. The first group was for kids between grades K-3. The second group was for kids in grades 4-8. Both groups were taught a Bible lesson followed by an age appropriate craft. 44 parents and adult volunteers made this possible. Attendance remained strong for both groups with an average of about 12 kids per group per week.
What has been most noticeable this year is the growing number of young families involved in the Sunday School. Parents are stepping into leadership roles, and it is exciting to feel this new burst of energy. I look forward to the ways God will work with us through new ideas and this vibrant energy.
I see a tremendous amount of growth and enthusiasm in all three of our youth groups. The numbers are strong and the energy is high. I see a great emphasis on mission everywhere, and I believe this will have a lasting effect on our youth. Our kids are bringing their friends to our programs and that speaks loudly about the programming being offered by Senior Youth Directors Jack Cobb and Karen Muldoon, A2J Directors Linda Gillis and Jim McManus, and now JoAnn Sabo and the many parents that assist with Lions and Lambs.
On a final note, I would like to remember three key people who had a major impact on the youth of our church. Tom Sooy, Jan Baker, and Barbara Maurer will be remembered for the many ways they touched our lives.
Tom Sooy presented the Jr. Sermons to us each Sunday with style, humor, and love for many years. He led the Lions and Lambs music program alongside Jim Wooding, conducted numerous choir chime performances, and was the personal piano teacher for many of the kids currently in the church. Those of us who knew him will carry him in our hearts, and in the spring we will be dedicating a living tree in his honor.
Jan Baker was a faithful Sunday School teacher who spent over fifteen years teaching Bible lessons in both Lions and Lambs and the Sunday School. She was also known for her humor and love, and she too will live on in our hearts. We will be planting a living tree this spring in her honor as well.
Barbara Maurer, along with her husband Jim, was a loyal sponsor of our Sunday School program. It was brought to my attention recently that she was the seamstress behind the sheep hoods that were recently worn in our Christmas musical, A Lamb’s Tale, which was originally directed by Gay Channell about ten years ago. A bequest in her memory was given to the Sunday School. In her name we will be purchasing a DVD library which we will also be dedicating this spring. Her gift will reach the youth for years to come.
I feel especially blessed to have witnessed the marvelous works of so many people before me. And I have a wonderful feeling of God’s marvelous work that is yet to come. May we continue to be His instruments.
In Christ,
Priscilla Schultheis
ADDICTED 2 JESUS (A2J)
JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH
During 2011 A2J experienced a transition in staff leadership from Janna Beth Cobb to Linda Gillis. As a result, this report is divided into two sections encompassing the first half of the year under the direction of Janna Beth and the second half of the year under the direction of Linda Gillis. From mid April until mid September, the junior youth group did not meet.
January to April 2011
Adult Volunteers:
Jim McManus: Assistant Naida Burgess: Spiritual Yoga
Dawn Duran: Lunch Cook John Harvey: Lock In Coordinator
Tina Harvey: Parent Volunteer Barbara Hughes: Parent Volunteer
Activities:
· Assisted with Agape Luncheons
· Participated in recreational activities including floor hockey; Would You Rather?; Apple to Apple comparison word game; hula hoop relays, scooter hockey; obstacle courses; and Bible Family Feud Game
· Participated with Lions & Lambs attending Pennies for Pins Bowling raising funds for Sister Jean’s Kitchen
· Delivered food for Sunday School Mission Projects and the Deacons
· Cleaned Pitney Road for the ACUA
· Taught Bible Study focused on applying Biblical concepts to our lives and reviewing ethics.
· Worked on the Church grounds
· Assisted with the Spring Congregational Event Dinner
· Conducted a Lock In
September to December 2011
Adult and Teen Volunteers:
Jim McManus: Assistant Janna Beth Cobb: Chaperone and Assistant
Bob Gillis: Photographer and Assistant Chris Gillis: Assistant as needed
Program:
The A2J program experienced a makeover is a Four-Part Program where everyone can practice the theological concepts learned in Bible Study through fellowship. The goal of A2J is to enable our Junior High Youth to experience God’s unconditional love, and to learn to share that love with their peers, adult leaders, their family, and their church family. The four parts of A2J are each designed to reflect a different aspect of the life of the early church, as it was expressed in Acts 2:42. They include: Bible Study; Recreation Play; Family Time (meals); and Worship Skills. The A2J program has lunch provided on a rotating basis by member parents and theme for 2011 – 2012 is Service.
Youth Membership:
September: 5 youth October: 7 youth
November: 10 youth December 10 youth
Two youth families are non members of Absecon Presbyterian Church.
Activities:
· Conducted an overnight Lock In at church
· Participated with Lions & Lambs attending a Corn Maze and Hayride
· Observed Halloween with a pizza dinner and the Scullville Haunted Hayride
· Celebrated Christmas with a grab bag dessert party and a new twist on the Nativity story
Service Projects:
· Cleaned Pitney Road for the ACUA Adopt-A-Road program
· Raised $27 for Christmas in September - Uganda
· Participated in the Crop Walk
· Packed and shipped 50 Halloween treat bags for Adopt-A-Platoon
· Provided two Shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child
· Created and delivered a Thanksgiving Food Basket to a church family in need
· Donated non perishable food items for the Deacons Food Drive
· Created and delivered a Christmas Food Basket to a church family in need
Fundraising:
· Raised $114 of the $900 total goal with a Thanksgiving Pie fundraiser with proceeds to benefit youth to attend a spring 2012 retreat at Johnsonburg
Bible Study:
· Conducted a two part Serving Series
· Completed a two part series providing an introduction to the books of the Old Testament
· Finished a three part Choices Series
Worship:
· Committed to attend worship and Sunday School weekly as criteria to participate in A2J program
· Participated in a Lambs Tale
· Participated in the Christmas Pageant
Submitted by Linda Gillis, A2J Youth Leader
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP
From January until August the group consisted of about 5. They had their annual ski trip to Cobb’s cabin, pool party at my house, and a weekend at Cobb’s cabin boating over the summer.
Ally and Amber are now attending college. From September until December the group has grown. We changed the ages and 8th graders now have the option to stay in A2J or go to Senior Youth Group. Several chose the senior group. We now have anywhere from 12 – 16 teens attending the meetings. To accommodate the large crowd and make things easier on parents we split the dinners up. Every week (1) parent brings the entrée and (1) parent brings drinks and a salad.
We did not do grave blankets this year as our fundraiser. Instead it was offered to the group to have tip jars out at each monthly brunch. For this they: set tables, serve in the buffet lines, serve coffee, bus tables, fold up and put away tables and chairs, wash, dry and fold table clothes. We have averaged about 8 teens at every brunch.
Our mission project was to help with the Bakely House. It was going to be a one time thing that turned into a five time thing. There were anywhere from 3 to 8 teens working each Saturday.
They had their Christmas party in Madden Hall. 16 teens were in attendance along with Kendal, Jack and myself.
My part in the group is to schedule dinners, make the phone calls, write up what’s happening in the Good News, coordinate the mission work and fundraisers. Jack does EVERYTHING ELSE!!!! Jack drives (the van and boats), chaperones, teaches a weekly Bible lesson, plans games, ski trips, summer trips and keeps tally of the points they earn by participating in our church’s activities. Jack makes the meetings fun and keeps the kids engaged, which isn’t always easy when there are up to 16 teens sitting around the table.
It has been another Blessed year for me. Thank you!
Karen Muldoon, Co-director
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SUNDAY SCHOOL SPONSOR FUND |
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Balance 12/31/10 |
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$ 883.71 |
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Receipts: |
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Income |
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$ 1,572.00 |
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Total Receipts |
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$ 1,572.00 |
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Disbursements: |
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Expenses |
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$ (989.93) |
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Total Disbursements |
$ (989.93) |
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Balance 12/31/11 |
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$ 1,465.78 |
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LIONS & LAMBS FUND |
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Balance 12/31/10 |
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$ - |
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Receipts: |
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Jean Webster |
$ 93.01 |
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Rescue Mission |
$ 20.00 |
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Other |
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$ 205.00 |
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Total Receipts |
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$ 318.01 |
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Disbursements: |
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Jean Webster |
$ (20.00) |
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Rescue Mission |
$ (225.00) |
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Total Disbursements |
$ (245.00) |
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Balance 12/31/11 |
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$ 73.01 |
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JUNIOR YOUTH FUND |
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Balance 12/31/10 |
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$ 105.30 |
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Receipts: |
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Lock-in |
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$ 30.00 |
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Uganda |
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$ 27.00 |
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Pies |
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$ 122.00 |
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Total Receipts |
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$ 179.00 |
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Disbursements: |
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Lock-in |
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$ (85.82) |
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Uganda |
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$ (27.00) |
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Total Disbursements |
$ (112.82) |
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Balance 12/31/11 |
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$ 171.48 |
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SENIOR YOUTH FUND |
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Balance 12/31/10 |
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$ 41.83 |
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Receipts: |
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Food |
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$ 42.00 |
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Fund Raisers |
$ 449.75 |
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Total Receipts |
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$ 491.75 |
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Disbursements: |
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Food |
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$ (36.00) |
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Activities |
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$ (75.00) |
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Total Disbursements |
$ (111.00) |
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Balance 12/31/11 |
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$ 422.58 |
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DEACONS
From the Deacon Handbook:
“The office of Deacon is one of care and compassion – often referred to as the “ministry of the helps” and our main job is to represent the Christian soul of the congregation. The first job of a deacon is to radiate the love and care of Jesus Christ for this church … when you do your job well the church is blessed and Christ is glorified.”
2011 was a busy year for the Deacons as we continue to be involved in many ways in our church. We are not included in the church budget so we are totally dependant on and operate solely by contributions received from our congregation. Without your gifts, we would not be able to do our work. A big THANK YOU to everyone who gave so generously of his or her time, talent or monetary gift.
So just what do we do?
Deacons set up (and clean up) the communion table every month. We provide the bread and grape juice…yes; we cut it into those tiny cubes and fill those little cups with juice. Keep clean the Communion trays, bread plates, table linens, doilies and white gloves. We order the Communion cups, alter candles, and supply the badges for the ushers and greeters. We handle funeral and memorial luncheons for families that want our help…we set up and take down all those tables and chairs, provide the paper goods (plates, napkins, cups, table covers, center pieces, silverware) baked goods, coffee, tea and iced tea. We host a Bereavement Luncheon (held every other year) for families of our congregation who have lost a loved one. We will hold one sometime this spring.
We provide Shop-Rite gift cards at Thanksgiving and Christmas for families that can use the help. We make up fruit and goodie bags at Christmas for the carolers to take and deliver when they sing. At Easter, we make goodie bags (marshmallow peeps included) and deliver them to some of our older members. We send fruit baskets to members who are sick or bereaved, make soup and/or bring meals to those in need. Visit people in the hospital, nursing home or their homes when they are ill or recovering or just need a friend to stop in. Organize the annual food drive for the Food Bank and use volunteers from all the youth groups to carry food items to the garage for pick up. We were involved with the A2J youth group in delivering food to our mission houses and to members of our congregation. Pay postage for the care packages that are made by the Circles to send to college students in the fall and spring, and for cards sent out for sickness and sympathy.
I’m sure I’m leaving something out but as you can see, we are involved in many ways.
We will sorely miss Carol Thomas as she is going off our board this year. Carol you know you will be called upon for advice, as you are the go to person for the Deacons. We welcome our new member, Dottie McCaffrey, and look forward to working with her.
Another quote from our handbook …“Together, with Christ we strive for the spiritual growth and to be a source for comfort for all”
In Christian service and love,
Naida Burgess, Moderator
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DEACONS FUND |
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Balance 12/31/10 |
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$ 226.43 |
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Receipts: |
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Donations |
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$ 6,791.68 |
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Interest |
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$ 5.86 |
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Total Receipts |
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$ 6,797.54 |
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Disbursements: |
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Expenses |
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$(4,869.93) |
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Total Disbursements |
$(4,869.93) |
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Balance 12/31/11 |
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$ 2,154.04 |
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Respectfully Submitted, |
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Carol Jorgensen, Treasurer |
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EVERGREENS
The Evergreens continue to be a loyal group who enjoy being together for new programs and experiencing new friendships. Sadly, we have lost three faithful members this year, Jill and Harry Williamson along with Al Smith. We certainly miss their presence with us. They are celebrating the new year with our Lord.
Statistics for the year are, seven meetings with a total attendance of 136 (average 19 per meeting). That average includes the Spring and Christmas luncheons. Pastor Cobb’s July picnic was cancelled due to the intense heat.
Our programs this year were enlightening, interesting and entertaining thanks to the talented members of our Church. To begin the year, Anna Mae Werner showed us how we could attractively create picture memories through Scrap Booking. For the month of February, Pastor Dave spoke to us on the four different types of love written in the Scriptures. We challenged our minds to name the Capitals of each State at a meeting in May. We had Assoc. Pastor, Gerry Reedell speak to us about well known sculptor, Isabel Bloom. Lucy Jerue presented a program on Vincent Van Gogh using pictures of his paintings and speaking to us about the little town in France where he spent his last 70 days. Our Nancy Swank entertained us with her newly written Bedtime Story….”Kids in a Classroom”. We also loved seeing her beautiful paintings. Our Spring and Christmas luncheons were very well attended at the Smithville Inn. Especially nice were the lovely Christmas ornaments made for each of us, as a gift, from Pastor Reedell.
We continue to support Lisa Whitaker with our annual gift to her. We also contribute monthly to the Cents-Ability Program.
Thank you to Marjorie McGuigan, our treasurer, to Jean Delesantro with assistance from Marjorie Hamer who send cheer cards to Church members. Thank you also to those who bring desserts and those who assist us in any way. You are invited to join us for Evergreens meetings that are held the fourth Wednesday of each month at 12 Noon.
In His Service,
Joanna Howell
|
EVERGREENS FUND |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/10 |
|
|
$ 90.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
Collections |
|
$ 131.00 |
|
|
Cents-Ability Offering |
|
$ 35.53 |
|
|
Overage from Lunches |
|
$ 15.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
$ 181.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
Lisa Whitaker |
|
$ (100.00) |
|
|
Luncheon Expense (guests May & December) |
|
$ (131.00) |
|
|
Cents-Ability Offering |
|
$ (35.53) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Disbursements |
|
|
$ (266.53) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/11 |
|
|
$ 5.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Respectfully Submitted, |
|
|
|
|
Marjorie McGuigan, Treasurer |
|
|
|
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
During 2011 the Fellowship Committee was busy with many activities.
Starting off the year were our two soup sales, a church dinner, a Lenten Lunch which served approximately 90, and a dinner/concert which featured the Philadelphia English Handbell Ensemble. We also assisted the Absecon Methodist Church this year with the Unity Dinner. Our church provided the main course which was prepared by Jason Arrom and Steve Irish. Also, a dinner cruise which started at Scales Restaurant and featured a sunset cruise in the back bay of Atlantic City. We were able to bring back the Yard Sale this year due to the completion of the Absecon Downtown restoration.
Our annual Strawberry Festival and Applefest, which featured entertainment by John Channell and friends, are always a big hit and were well attended; also two cranberry and baked good sales. Winding down the year with a dinner/concert that featured Dean Shostak. In addition, we assisted with Agape Brunch along with the Senior Youth Group prepared by Leo Ransone, Melvin Washington, Ed Little, John Harvey, and Jack Heil. We also provide Sunday Breakfasts.
As a result of our efforts with these various events, we were able to contribute to the renovation of Cobb Lounge, professional cleaning of the kitchen range hood and buy supplies for coffee hour and special events. Our future efforts will include contributions to the General Fund and refurbishing of Madden Hall.
All these activities could not have been accomplished without the help of many hands – those who set up and provide refreshments weekly for coffee hour, the youth who help us with dinners and luncheons, people who made soup, cakes, or set up tables for various events. A heartfelt and grateful Thank You goes out to all of these people!
My biggest thank you goes out to my Fellowship Committee who tirelessly give of themselves to help whenever they are asked: Nancy Sooy, Kris Jenoriki, Mary Bew, Pat Hudak, Jinny Wolcott, Gayle Ackerman, Elaine Risley, Joan Hoenes, Grace Gras, May Clay, Shirley Smith, Denise Ott, Sandy Shinsato, Mary Jane Thomas, Dick and Doris Wood, Jack and Dee Heil, Nancy Conover, and Darlene Lombardos.
Sincerely Submitted,
Tina Brown, Chair
|
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE FUND |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/10 |
|
$ 3,992.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
Unity Dinner |
$ 555.00 |
|
|
|
Yard Sale |
|
$ 716.30 |
|
|
Soup Sale |
$ 776.00 |
|
|
|
Applefest |
|
$ 347.00 |
|
|
Cranberry Sale |
$ 386.00 |
|
|
|
Strawberry Festival |
$ 610.00 |
|
|
|
Dinner/Concerts |
$ 5,354.06 |
|
|
|
Dinner Cruise |
$ 1,210.00 |
|
|
|
Misc. |
|
$ 365.00 |
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
$ 10,319.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
Yard Sale |
|
$ (126.73) |
|
|
Lounge |
|
$ (1,000.00) |
|
|
Dinner/Concerts |
$ (4,858.23) |
|
|
|
Dinner Cruise |
$ (1,120.00) |
|
|
|
Range Hood |
$ (375.00) |
|
|
|
Unity Dinner |
$ (641.80) |
|
|
|
Sam's Club |
$ (826.09) |
|
|
|
Miscellaneous |
$ (146.63) |
|
|
|
Applefest |
|
$ (88.00) |
|
|
Strawberry Fest |
$ (138.00) |
|
|
|
Total Disbursements |
$ (9,320.48) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/11 |
|
$ 4,990.98 |
|
|
AGAPE MEALS |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/10 |
|
|
|
$ 740.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 1,916.00 |
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
|
$ 1,916.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$(1,489.86) |
|
|
Total Disbursements |
|
|
$(1,489.86) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/11 |
|
|
|
$ 1,166.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUNDAY BREAKFAST CLUB |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/10 |
|
|
|
$ 928.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 2,051.00 |
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
|
$ 2,051.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$(2,457.93) |
|
|
Total Disbursements |
|
|
$(2,457.93) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/11 |
|
|
|
$ 521.88 |
|
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
As a first time chairperson of a brand new committee, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but with the support and dedication of my committee members, I find it to be a fulfilling endeavor. We have met seven times since forming the committee in July.
Our first FUNdraiser was the Church cookbook, “A Taste of Heaven”. Several members of the church submitted recipes and a contest was held for the kids to design the cover. Chris Hughes’ picture was chosen as the winning design and all decisions were sent to the publishing company. We ordered 200 books and 227 books were sent to us (the extra was to defray the cost of shipping). As of January 1, 2012, I have submitted a total of $1,960. A check was drawn to pay the publishing company (including shipping) in the amount of $1,169.15, leaving us $790.85, which was deposited into our General Fund. There are still 25 books available for purchase.
Our next FUNdraiser (Zumba) is tentatively set for February 4th, 2012 between 4 and 5PM. The location for this event is at our church and the cost is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free.
There will be a bus trip on March 3rd, 2012 to Longwood Gardens. We will depart from the church at 9AM and arrive at Longwood Gardens at 10:30AM. We will leave at 3:30PM and arrive back at the church at 5PM. There are kids activities and a free concert as part of the agenda. The cost is $45 for adults and $35 for children. Tickets are available now.
The other event we have planned is a Golf Tournament for May 20, 2012 at the Mays Landing Country Club. Letters have been printed up and distributed for our sponsors. The cost to sponsor a hole is $100 and $250 for a premium location. The cost per golfer is $100. This should be a very FUN event and has potential of becoming an annual FUNdraiser.
As you can see, for a new committee, we have been very busy. I would like to thank my committee members; Tina Brown, Nancy Conover, Darlene Lombardos, Jim McManus, Karen Muldoon, Joan Nale, Scott Sabo, Sandy Shinsato, and Melvin Washington. And thank you to Leo Ransone for helping with the Golf Tournament.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dawn R Duran, Chairperson
MISSION/EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
This past year was made a success by our committee member volunteers and contributors. We continued to help with local causes such as the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, the local Food Bank and Friends of Jean Webster. We also continued to support Lisa Whitaker's missionary work.
Generous contributions by the congregation made One Great Hour of Sharing, Blanket Sunday and the Crop Walk all successes along with the Christmas Eve offering which is given to the local Salvation Army.
This past year we also introduced the Absecon Presbyterian t-shirts and will continue to make these shirts available through the year of 2012.
This year's mission trip was to Port Norris, NJ. We helped a local church with some much needed repair. This project gave a chance for our younger members to be involved as it was done during the summer months. Although the heat delayed our work, we were able to finish our planned work in September. Maybe in 2012 we will have cooler temperatures to work in!
We had a second big mission project this year. We cleaned, painted and did some renovation work in the Blakely House. There was a total of 26 volunteers that worked in the house. Much of the funding for the project was provided by the MacNaughtons including a refrigerator and a microwave.
I would like to thank the committee and the congregation for their prayers and support which made our progress this past year possible. I am looking forward to this new year and being able to serve once again.
God Bless,
Russ Adkisson Jr.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The ladies in this prayer motivated ministry completed and distributed 100
Prayer Shawls and Blankets to members of the congregation and/or friends of
members from January thru December of 2010.
We met the first Saturday of each month (except July and August) to honor and
pray on the requests and made sure that they were delivered. A hearty thank you
goes to those of you who helped deliver to the recipients and also to those of
you who have been donating yarn to keep us busy replenishing the inventory.
On the Sundays that they are on display and dedicated, we encourage you to come
up after the service and also pray for God's guidance and mercy for although at
that time the recipient is unknown, they will feel your prayers when they do
receive this gift of love.
Request forms are in the pews and may be placed in the collection plates or put
in the office. They will be honored in a timely fashion.
In Christian Love,
Loretta A. Metz
|
BENEVOLENCE FUND |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning Balance 01/01/11 |
|
|
$ 8,636.84 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bakely House Mission (rent & utilities) |
$ 5,225.00 |
|
||||
|
ACRM Sunday School |
|
$ 174.75 |
|
|||
|
Rescue Mission |
|
|
$ 1,006.83 |
|
||
|
Offering - Christmas Eve |
|
$ 1,171.40 |
|
|||
|
Offering - Loose |
|
|
$ 2,154.17 |
|
||
|
Offering - One Great Hour |
|
$ 1,252.50 |
|
|||
|
Offering - Pledge |
|
|
$ 16,651.89 |
|
||
|
Cents-Ability Offering |
|
|
$ 400.46 |
|
||
|
Mission Bouquet |
|
|
$ 752.00 |
|
||
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
|
$ 148.33 |
|
|||
|
CWS Feed a Family |
|
|
$ 144.00 |
|
||
|
Real Partners Uganda |
|
$ 1,202.00 |
|
|||
|
T-Shirts |
|
|
|
$ 441.00 |
|
|
|
Donation |
|
|
|
$ 1,000.00 |
|
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
|
$ 31,724.33 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mission Work |
|
|
$ (1,125.82) |
|
||
|
AC Rescue Mission |
|
|
$ (3,174.75) |
|
||
|
Bakely House Miss. Supp. |
|
$ (5,289.85) |
|
|||
|
Evangelism (Advertising) |
|
$ (166.39) |
|
|||
|
Friends of Jean Webster |
|
$ (1,750.00) |
|
|||
|
Lisa Whitaker |
|
|
$ (1,500.00) |
|
||
|
Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
$ (1,000.00) |
|
||
|
Prison Fellowship |
|
|
$ (500.00) |
|
||
|
Prayer Shawl Acct. trans. to Evangelism |
$ (48.33) |
|
||||
|
Community Food Bank |
|
$ (500.00) |
|
|||
|
Mission Bouquet |
|
|
$ (752.00) |
|
||
|
One Great Hour of Sharing |
|
$ (1,252.50) |
|
|||
|
Methodist Senior Center |
|
$ (500.00) |
|
|||
|
Presbytery Causes |
|
|
$ (6,000.00) |
|
||
|
Cornerstone |
|
|
$ (1,000.00) |
|
||
|
Friends of Jean Webster (Cents-Ability) |
$ (300.37) |
|
||||
|
Church World Service (Cents-Ability) |
$ (100.09) |
|
||||
|
T-Shirts |
|
|
|
$ (988.00) |
|
|
|
Salvation Army (Christmas Eve) |
|
$ (1,171.40) |
|
|||
|
CWS Feed a Family |
|
|
$ (144.00) |
|
||
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
|
|
$ (345.79) |
|
||
|
Real Partners Uganda (inc. Christmas) |
$ (3,202.00) |
|
||||
|
Total Disbursements |
|
|
$(30,811.29) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benevolence Balance 12/31/11 |
|
$ 9,549.88 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benevolence Fund |
|
$ 7,962.51 |
|
||
|
|
Mission Sponsors |
|
$ 1,587.37 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
$ 9,549.88 |
|
|
|
BAKELY HOUSE MISSION |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
|
Rent |
|
|
$ 5,000.00 |
|
|
Utilities |
|
|
$ 225.00 |
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
$ 5,225.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
$ (400.00) |
|
|
Repairs* |
|
|
$ (189.36) |
|
|
Utilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comcast |
|
$ (993.86) |
|
|
|
AC Electric |
$ (1,559.24) |
|
|
|
|
SJ Gas |
|
$ (1,457.76) |
|
|
|
Sewer |
|
$ (364.00) |
|
|
|
Water |
|
$ (325.63) |
|
|
Total Disbursements |
|
$ (5,289.85) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Additional repairs paid from Memorial Fund $1,919.51 |
||||
|
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benevolence Fund |
|
|
$ 1,131.50 |
|
|
|
Fish Banks |
|
|
$ 121.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 1,252.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHRISTMAS UGANDA |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donations |
|
|
|
$ 1,202.00 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 1,202.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTS-ABILITY OFFERING |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friends of Jean Webster, Inc |
|
$ 300.37 |
|
||
|
Church World Service |
|
$ 100.09 |
|
||
|
Balance to Benevolence Fund |
|
$ 400.46 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL |
|||||
|
AC Rescue Mission |
|
|
$ 20.00 |
|
|
|
ACRM Advent Quarter Books (2010) |
$ 174.75 |
|
|||
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 174.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salvation Army |
|
|
$ 1,171.40 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 1,171.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIONS & LAMBS |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AC Rescue Mission |
|
|
$ 225.00 |
|
|
|
Friends of Jean Webster, Inc |
|
$ 20.00 |
|
||
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 245.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A2J JUNIOR YOUTH |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Partners Uganda |
|
$ 27.00 |
|
||
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 27.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WOMEN'S CIRCLES |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Least Coin Offering |
|
|
$ 194.00 |
|
|
|
CWS-Feed a Family |
|
|
$ 144.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ 338.00 |
|
BENEVOLENCE FUND BUDGET 2012 |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Absecon Presbyterian Evangelism |
$ 2,500.00 |
$ 1,500.00 |
|||
|
Abs Presby Mission Work* |
|
$ 3,000.00 |
$ 2,500.00 |
||
|
AC Rescue Mission |
|
|
$ 3,000.00 |
$ 2,000.00 |
|
|
Bakely House |
|
|
$ - |
$ 500.00 |
|
|
Cornerstone Christian Academy |
|
$ 1,000.00 |
$ 500.00 |
||
|
Disaster Relief |
|
|
$ 3,000.00 |
$ 1,000.00 |
|
|
Friends of Jean Webster |
|
$ 3,500.00 |
$ 2,000.00 |
||
|
Habitat for Humanity |
|
|
$ 1,000.00 |
$ - |
|
|
Lisa Whitaker (missionary) |
|
$ 1,500.00 |
$ 1,000.00 |
||
|
Presbytery Causes |
|
|
$ 6,000.00 |
$ 6,000.00 |
|
|
Community Food Bank |
|
$ 2,000.00 |
$ 1,000.00 |
||
|
Prison Fellowship |
|
|
$ 500.00 |
$ - |
|
|
Senior Center at Absecon Methodist |
$ 500.00 |
$ 500.00 |
|||
|
Real Partners Uganda |
|
$ 2,000.00 |
$ 1,000.00 |
||
|
Salvation Army |
|
|
$ 1,000.00 |
$ - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Benevolence Fund Budget |
$30,500.00 |
$ 19,500.00 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*2011 line included $500 for Bakely House. This was separated for 2012. |
|||||
PARISH ASSOCIATE
In many ways this has been a sad year for the church. There were too many funerals. We lost too many good people. It was also a busy year. Dave and I divide the monthly communion visits between us. I still make visits to the hospital and to the home-bound. I often assist Dave with funerals, the new members class, the confirmation class and the Sunday evening study.
I continue to lead the Bible study for the three women’s circles. This past year we studied the Old Testament book of Esther. As part of our mission, the ladies in the circles prepared “goodie boxes” for 27 college students in October and again in the spring. In December we delivered five big bags of new hats, gloves, socks and scarves to the H. Ashton Marsh grammar school students in Absecon. Some of the ladies even contributed hand-knit items. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these projects.
Meetings are important in the life of the church. I am still a member of a Presbytery commission that meets in Hammonton. We have been meeting for two years now. I attend meetings of the Session, Deacons, Worship Committee and Christian Ed. Committee. I go to the monthly Evergreens luncheon and this year I gave a program about Isabel Bloom, a sculptor who studied under Grant Wood.
As some of you know I will be celebrating a BIG birthday this spring and starting to think about retirement. Dave and I are a good team. We each have different strengths that compliment each other. Because I believe I can still contribute to the life of this church, I will continue another year until at least the end of 2012.
Yours in Faith,
Gerry Reedell
PASTOR - A Year of Serendipity
“Behold, I make all things new” ~ Revelation 21:5
2011 was a year of wild swings in the economy, weather, politics, denominational problems, and culture shifts. So it should not be a surprise that our church had many changes that caught me off guard. Fortunately, they were mostly all good. Once again God proved to me that He doesn’t restrict Himself to our agenda. We begin 2012 with a head of steam that we need to build on. I have discussed this under the categories of youth work, programs, financial patterns, and new life.
1. Our youth work is going great after a few years of struggling to find ourselves. I credit the Christian Education Committee and staff for helping us find our way. Jack and Karen have not only grown the high school group, but have helped integrate them into the church family. They serve brunch, lead worship, help on work days and in the Bakely House, and have a presence unlike any group I’ve seen in years. The middle school group, A2J under the leadership of Linda Gillis, is doing more mission and activities than ever. Read about it in your “Good News”. JoAnn Sabo is just beginning her leadership of Lions and Lambs, but so far the support of parents and good planning promise a great future. (Priscilla led her last two plays in 2011 as well as turned over the reigns of Lions and Lambs effectively.) Priscilla is always great at communication and new ideas. Last summer she organized the biggest trip to my cabin I’ve seen in years – 18. Sunday School is well attended, and Scott does good Children’s Sermons. We’re on a roll.
2. Our programs are all doing well. The men’s club and senior youth now run a monthly brunch which is enjoyed by all. Other things have developed in new ways. We are projecting photos on a drop down screen using a PowerPoint projector. Fancy that! And the choir is sounding better than ever. The Christmas Eve cantata got great reviews. Evergreens is starting to grow again, and Joanna Howell has some great programs. Gerry Reedell still leads three circles and the Christian Readers under Lucy Jerue is very popular. Lucy also taught a course Sunday mornings on “The Purpose Driven Life”. (We will have our own spiritual life conference on January 22, 2012 – be there.) Scott and Barbara still have an adult sharing group, and groups meet in our church every day. We host six AA groups, a Romanian church, several boards of directors, and other community based programs. Growth is everywhere.
3. New Mission – While our mission trip to Port Norris was mostly successful, the big mission “trip” this year was to our own Bakely House. The senior youth had six “mission trips” to the house to scrape, paint, etc. Most of the Property Committee has been involved, and a few church members came out of the woodwork to help in ways I had not expected. Gary Cressy of the Pleasantville church installed a new sink, and people from other groups helped. (Two guys from AA even showed up!)
But the thing that pleases me the most is that all church groups have taken on a mission task. Even Evergreens has their Mug Fund, Lisa Whitaker, cards, and helpful tasks. The women’s circles send out care packages, socks & clothes at Christmas, etc. A2J cleans roads, sends care packages to service men and women overseas, and made two dinner packages for a needy family. And the deacons have a huge list of special deeds from funeral lunches, fruit baskets, soups and emergency meals, and confidential help that has added up to thousands. When I think of projects by the Sunday School, Lions and Lambs, Senior Youth, Sister Jean’s workers, PB & J sandwich makers, Prayer Shawl Ministry, etc. I can’t take space to write it all up. What is important is that people who say we do nothing but eat at this church are wrong. Mission projects abound and never stop. Angel Tree, Harvest Home, OGHS, Christmas Eve for the Salvation Army were all big. It’s who we are. (We just get hungry from so much work!)
4. Fellowship – We have developed all of our fellowship activities and found our niche at many things. We had great strawberry and apple festivals with the Albert Hall musicians. Breakfast, refreshments, etc. are great. Our congregational events are the best. People come here because they like being here. We all have friends here. For many the “serendipity” is the friends they make.
5. New Financial Patterns – If there is any myth that is bigger than “All we do at church is eat” it’s “The church gets most of its money from rent and endowments.” That’s just not true. The markets are shaky, so what we get from our endowment is limited – it now pays less than 5% of the bills. And the net income from the properties we own and rent is zero this year. The expenses for the Stopfer Building which was empty all year cancelled out the money we made on the two houses we rent on School Street. We do rent our building to a nursery school and a Gypsy church and take donations from AA, Yoga, etc., but this again is only 5% of expenses. The vast majority of our funding comes from you in the offering plate. The one new source of funding is a fundraising committee which has just completed the sale of cookbooks. They have several other fundraisers in the works. But that’s our money, too, isn’t it?
We do expect the Stopfer Building to rent soon, so our financial picture should improve in 2012. That’s the serendipity of our finances.
6. New Life – Some of you have been mourning all year because of the deaths of some of our key people. I fell into that for a time, and it was really bad when Jack and Kendal’s baby died. But on Christmas Eve Laura Kay brought our newest grandchild, Timothy, to play Baby Jesus at just four days old. Suddenly my view was on life, not death. We were all saddened by the loss of Tom Sooy, but Jan led the choir with five new members to sing the first Christmas cantata in many years. New faces are appearing in worship, brunch, youth events, and all over. God is blessing us with new life, and by the time you read this we will have a new director of music. That is serendipity. God is good.
So far this pastor’s report is all about the church and not about me, but I am glad for that. As I move toward retirement I take great pleasure in seeing church activities flourish without me. I still visit, preach, teach and do a variety of things around the church, but that’s my job. Much of the year I was tied up with being moderator of Presbytery, doing 8 funerals and 4 weddings, and a lot of travel. (I get six weeks vacation now.)
But in spite of a bad economy and a national decline in the Presbyterian Church, we are doing very well. Who would have thought? But that is what serendipity means – the gift of finding a valuable thing not sought for (Webster Collegiate).
Thanks for a great year. I think 2012 will be even better. God is not through with us.
Dave
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
The year, 2011, now thankfully, a part of history, proved that it is useless to predict what the future holds. Several unexpected and certainly unanticipated things happened that affected the finances underlying the operation of our church. Last year I wrote that we were confident that the Stopfer Building would be occupied by another child care center to replace the one that left. We expected to realize some rental income albeit less than in 2010. As it turned out, this person decided not to rent the building and we went the entire year with no tenant and no income. In addition to no income from the Stopfer Building, we incurred net expenses totaling $14,422.52 since we still had to pay the taxes, utilities and repairs. This was a huge negative when looking at the bottom line.
I also wrote in last year’s Annual Report that we hoped to have increased net income from the 19 and 23 School Street properties. This turned out to be true. Thirdly, we hoped to receive greater income from the McMullin Fund. This also turned out to be true and greater than we expected.
Our 2011 General Fund budget was $222,419.00 – the same as it was in 2010. A budget is a plan that needs to be supported by funds. We funded our budget primarily with what you gave through your pledges and donations. As in the past, we also relied on income from the McMullin Fund and the three rental properties. Last year, as a result of your generous giving, we received $164,767.45. This was an increase from the $162,161.36 you contributed in 2010. However, one caveat to be noted is that there was a major increase in contributions to the Memorial Fund: $15,090.00 in 2011 compared to $2,325.00 in 2010. These funds, while included in your giving total above, are generally not used to support the items in the budget. So, one interpretation can be is that general contributions actually declined.
Our income from the McMullin Fund totaled $25,471.41 compared to $17,666.47 in 2010. Our net rental income for the year was $3,922.83 compared to $22,921.39 in 2010. Obviously, we were thankful for the performance of the McMullin Fund and disappointed in the loss of rental income.
In 2011, your contributions covered 74.08% of our planned expenses compared to 72.9% in 2010. Income from the McMullin Fund covered 11.45% of our expenses compared to 7.94% in 2010. Net income from the three rental properties covered only 1.8% of the budget compared to 10.3% in 2010.
Through frugality and changes in budgetary needs, we wound up the year with unexpended amounts and income totaling $24,874.73 compared to $19,136.59 last year. However, keep in mind that $15,090.00 of that amount is in the Memorial Fund and eventually will be used for non budget items. We wound up 2011 with a deficit of $28,257.31 in income to support the $222,419.00 budget. The final interpretation when you take all this data into consideration is we dipped into our reserves to meet our expenses.
This is a lot of detailed information for you to absorb. Once again, I encourage you to take the time to study the many financial reports in the 2011 Annual Report to get a full understanding of our financial status, which I would say is sound. As usual Marge Chapman does an excellent job presenting a complete and detailed report. I encourage you to ask me questions about things that are unclear or you do not understand.
I wish to thank the members of the Stewardship Committee for volunteering to serve. We met several times during the year and their input was deliberative, sound and valuable. These members were: Dawn Duran, Mel Washington, Mary Bew, Roy Birkbeck, Tom Brown, Paul & Marjorie Hamer, Betty Lloyd, Jim Maurer, Cynthia Soltis and Louise Speitel.
Bob Wilkenloh completed his first year as our Financial Secretary. He is a major and very important person in the operation of our church. He keeps records of your giving and issues the report to you. He graciously volunteered for this job and is handling it admirably.
Our Treasurer, Marge Chapman, is also to be thanked for her diligent work in keeping the financial records of our church. She always has the answer to any question I asked.
Every Sunday after the services, a couple of dedicated members stay behind in the office to count the offering, record it according to what was given for the General Fund, Benevolence and Capital, and then deposit it in the bank. This sounds easy but it is not. Most times, these counters are working until 1:00 p.m. or later to complete this task. They are to be admired and thanked by all of us. They are: Steve and Ginny Schwab, Judy and Dave Stebbins, Debbie and Don Wong, Lee Wolf, Betsy Torjussen, Dianna Lease, Betty Lloyd and me. We are always looking for more of you to volunteer.
Looking to 2012, our budget is a bit less than 2011: $220,771.00 compared to $222,419.00. We will have a Winter Fund Raiser with a goal of raising $15,000 to address some property items which cannot be accomplished through the General Budget. We are hopeful that all three rental properties will be rented for all or most of the year and we will realize the same level of income from the McMullin Fund. It is very important that you continue to support our church with your pledges and financial contributions. It is also vital to the operation of the church that you give of your time and talent. Review the list of possibilities available in the Narthex and join in.
As usual, I will keep you informed about stewardship performance and issues via the Good News.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald W. Hoenes, Stewardship Committee Chairperson
|
GENERAL FUND |
Budget 2011 |
Budget 2012 |
|
Personnel |
|
|
|
Pastor's Salary |
$48,549.00 |
$49,520.00 |
|
Car |
$3,000.00 |
$3,000.00 |
|
Study |
$750.00 |
$750.00 |
|
Pension/Medical |
$19,881.00 |
$20,761.00 |
|
Telephone |
$300.00 |
$300.00 |
|
Parish Associate Salary (Reedell) |
$8,278.00 |
$8,444.00 |
|
Car |
$700.00 |
$700.00 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$19,786.00 |
$20,182.00 |
|
Director of Music/Organist |
$11,264.00 |
$13,664.00 |
|
Medical |
$2,400.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Treasurer |
$4,969.00 |
$5,068.00 |
|
Christian Education Director |
$5,913.00 |
$6,031.00 |
|
Lions & Lambs Director |
$1,082.00 |
$1,104.00 |
|
Jr. High Youth Codirector |
$1,500.00 |
$1,500.00 |
|
Projected Positions |
$3,348.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Custodian |
$10,000.00 |
$11,000.00 |
|
Pulpit Supply |
$600.00 |
$600.00 |
|
Organist Supply |
$600.00 |
$600.00 |
|
Payroll Taxes |
$5,200.00 |
$5,400.00 |
|
Special Music |
$450.00 |
$450.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
$148,570.00 |
$149,074.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance & Operations |
|
|
|
Custodial Supplies |
$1,100.00 |
$1,100.00 |
|
Maintenance & Operations |
$4,400.00 |
$4,400.00 |
|
Utilities |
$18,000.00 |
$18,000.00 |
|
Insurance |
$12,200.00 |
$12,600.00 |
|
Manse Utilities |
$5,500.00 |
$5,500.00 |
|
Manse Maintenance |
$1,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
|
Van Expense |
$500.00 |
$600.00 |
|
Van Insurance |
$1,600.00 |
$1,300.00 |
|
Equipment & Purchases |
$600.00 |
$1,000.00 |
|
Service/Maintenance Contracts |
$1,200.00 |
$1,200.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
$46,100.00 |
$46,700.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Budget 2011 |
Budget 2012 |
|
Supplies & Materials |
|
|
|
Music |
$500.00 |
$400.00 |
|
Printing & Stationery |
$1,800.00 |
$1,800.00 |
|
Postage |
$2,400.00 |
$2,400.00 |
|
Per Capita Assessment |
$9,879.00 |
$10,027.00 |
|
Bell Choir |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
|
Miscellaneous |
$300.00 |
$300.00 |
|
Session Fund |
$1,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
|
Stewardship Fund |
$1,100.00 |
$1,100.00 |
|
Treasurer Expense |
$600.00 |
$600.00 |
|
Copier Expense |
$600.00 |
$500.00 |
|
Office Supplies |
$400.00 |
$400.00 |
|
AV & Photo Supplies |
$120.00 |
$120.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
$18,849.00 |
$18,797.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Programs |
|
|
|
Sunday School Education Materials |
$1,800.00 |
$800.00 |
|
Program Materials |
|
|
|
Lions & Lambs |
$400.00 |
$300.00 |
|
L & L Director Discretionary |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Jr. Youth Group |
$300.00 |
$200.00 |
|
Sr. Youth Group |
$500.00 |
$400.00 |
|
Drama Materials |
$400.00 |
$400.00 |
|
Camps & Conferences |
$600.00 |
$200.00 |
|
Adult Education & Devotional Supplies |
$1,500.00 |
$1,500.00 |
|
Vacation Bible School |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
|
40 Minute Club |
$250.00 |
$250.00 |
|
Activities & Fellowship |
|
|
|
Sunday School |
$1,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
|
Church Sponsored Activities |
$2,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
$8,900.00 |
$6,200.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total General Fund |
$222,419.00 |
$220,771.00 |
|
TRAVEL ADVENTURE GROUP FUND |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/10 |
|
|
|
$ 12,136.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receipts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 30,110.00 |
|
|
Total Receipts |
|
|
|
$ 30,110.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$(42,246.00) |
|
|
Total Disbursements |
|
|
$(42,246.00) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance 12/31/11 |
|
|
|
$ - |
|
WEBMASTER