The Episcopal Church of St Matthew 2017 Annual Report

Transcription

1 The Episcopal Church of St Matthew 2017 Annual Report The Episcopal Church of St. Matthew seeks to be an assembly of people fully devoted to serving God; grounded, loving, welcoming, respectful and affirming; forever seeking to grow in the ways of Jesus in everything we do. January 28, 2018 January 28, 2018

2 The Fifty-Third Annual Meeting of the Parish and The Fiftieth Meeting of the Corporation THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. MATTHEW 9071 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ Sunday, January 28, :00 pm Contents...2 Parish Statement Everyone Needs a Home...3 Rector s Report...4 Senior Warden s Report...11 Junior Warden s Report...13 Commission Reports Service...14 Worship...17 Education...21 Evangelism...24 Pastoral Care & Wellness...25 Financial Reports...27 Attachments: Questions about St. Matthew s Finances (updated 1/20/2018)...28 Treasurer s Report...30 Appendix A: 2017 Income & Expense January to December Unaudited Appendix B: 2017 Restricted Fund s Balance Report Unaudited Appendix C: 2018 Financial Statement of Mission Vestry approved, November 21,

3 EVERYBODY NEEDS A HOME The Episcopal Church of St. Matthew seeks to be an assembly of people fully devoted to serving God; grounded, loving, welcoming, respectful and affirming; forever seeking to grow in the ways of Jesus in everything we do. WHAT WE ARE FOR We are, with God s help, an inclusive people of God, reverent in our worship, radical in our hospitality, and devoted to growing in the Spirit of Jesus, to boldly yet humbly love and serve our neighbors. WHAT WE ARE AGAINST Our list is short but important to share. We oppose claiming to have all the answers, violating the dignity of any human being, prejudice for any reason, indifference to injustice and suffering, superficial answers to life s hard questions, and faith without works. WHAT WE VALUE We are a diverse people and yet unified around certain essential core values that describe how we seek to live our lives out in the everyday world and within our Parish: To be Loving: To be a reconciling force for good in the world, a builder of people s relationships with God and each other. Seeking the highest good for everyone. To be Grounded: To live in God s presence, allowing and receiving God s guidance, ever centered on and trusting God as our source and our foundation. Receiving both grace and truth. To be Stewards: To be responsible, to wisely use what God has entrusted to us: our abilities, our material goods, and the precious natural resources of the earth. To be Respectful: To understand the sacred origin of people, holding them in reverence as brothers and sisters, always following the example of Jesus, and rejecting the temptation to label or judge. To be Welcoming: To gladly and warmly embrace every seeker entering our Parish as an honored guest and valued new friend and to invite the ministerial gifts of both guests and members. To be Growing: To grow in our capacities for service, collectively and individually. To be intentional about growing in our relationship with God, our understanding of God s ways and how we are each called to serve. To be Serving: For us, the fruit of love is service. Being an instrument of God s love requires extending ourselves for the good of others. We delight in knowing only God can count the life-enhancing fruit to be harvested from the seeds we plant with God s help. 3

4 Rector s Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Fr. Rick Wilson As I was preparing this report, I reviewed what I had written last year. The opening paragraph stated: In many ways, 2016 was a troublesome year for many Americans. A very inflammatory political campaign period generated a discomfort over and above the usual ill-ease of an election period. The ongoing escalation of violence in the United States made us all aware of how troubled our society has become. The prayers of many are that 2017 will be better. I would like to say that 2017 was less troublesome than 2016 but in good conscience I cannot. It is hard to imagine when the United States has been more divided than it is now. Possibly one could point to the time of the Civil Rights movement. The amount of racism that has been expressed this past year at all levels of society has been shocking. It seems we have not moved forward as much as we thought we had. One response to this is despair. The other response is to re-affirm who we are as followers of Christ, committed to strive for peace and justice among all people and to respect the dignity of everyone and live those commitments. It isn t easy, but as we say when we make these commitments, with God s help. In 2017, there have been some very special moments at St. Matthew s. The Nursery. At the Bishop s Pastoral Visit in autumn 2016, a Vestry member asked about his suggestions regarding attracting younger families. Bishop s response was provide a nursery. In 2017, we were able to do so. The Vestry had budgeted resources to be able to pay two nursery caregivers for the 10:30 liturgy. This service allows parents, raising children 3 years old and younger, an opportunity to worship knowing that their children are receiving the care they need. Before a caregiver begins, they have had a background check and completed a six-module children s safety course. There are to be two nursery caregivers whenever the nursery is available. Aspirants for Holy Orders. Omar and Edwin Rodriguez attended the Diocesan Day of Discernment and Information May 6, given at the Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. Afterward, discernment committees met with them both to begin the process. During the process, Edwin withdrew from continuing at this time, and took on the Ministry of Verger at St. Matthew s. Omar continued with the process: meeting with the parish discernment committee and the regional discernment committee (of parishioners from several local Episcopal churches), and having his physiological / psychological evaluations completed in He will meet with Bishop Smith and the Commission on Ministry in 2018, as further steps. Daughters of the King Chapter: Desert Chrism. On Sunday, August 13, in the 10:30 liturgy, eight parishioners Pat Anderson, Jessie Billhardt, Lisa Butler, Nadine Cole, Virginia Jones, Shelia Kruse, Kathy Nelson, and Caroline Wolstenholme joined with already-established Daughters of the King members Karen Hatfield and Alicia Alaniz, in being founding members of the Desert Chrism Chapter at St. Matthew s. This women s religious order has members make a pledge to a life-long program of prayer, service. and evangelism. They have taken on coordinating the Greeters and Caring Casseroles ministries. 4

5 2017 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAINT MATTHEW 50th and 20th Anniversaries of St. Matthew s at Old Spanish Trail. On September 24, we celebrated St. Matthew s 50th Anniversary of being at Old Spanish Trail. Significant dates that year are as follows: o July 19, 1967: Groundbreaking for first construction unit, now named the Barr Building. o Oct 25, 1967: First wedding performed in the new (nearly completed) nave. o Oct 29, 1967: First celebrations of the Eucharist in the Barr Sanctuary at 8:00 and 10:00 am. o Nov 5, 1967: Dedication and Blessing of the new Church and its appointments. We celebrated with a special catered luncheon. It was also the 20th Anniversary of the building of the present church. Significant to us at this point was the replacement of the carpeting with a new stained and glazed concrete floor. It was a festive time, in which we gave thanks to God for all the blessings that have come to St. Matthew s in all its years. The Ministry of Verger. Edwin Rodriguez began as our verger at the Anniversary liturgies mentioned above. Liturgy is central in Anglican worship; it is the uniting identity of Anglicans throughout the world. The history of the Verger dates to the Middle Ages, when the Verger was Protector of the Procession. He would lead the way, making room for the procession to enter the church from the town square, and with his virge (mace) in hand, would literally clear the way if necessary. The basic vestment of the Verger is a black cassock covered with a chimere of the liturgical season s color. The ministry of Vergers is supported and encouraged by the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church. Clergy Addition to Pastoral Care Ministry. In September, the Rev. Sumith De Silva became part of our pastoral care ministry. Fr. Sumith, a retired priest of our diocese, has served as Rector at St. John s Episcopal Church in Globe, and for 13 years as Curate (Assistant Priest) at St. Alban s, Tucson. Fr. Sumith assists in providing pastoral care visits for St. Matthew s homebound, rehab facility, care center, and hospitalized parishioners. Both his presence and ministry are blessings. Rector s Discretionary Fund Grant from the JASAM Foundation of America. We received a grant of $5,000 from the JASAM Foundation of America to be directed to your fund for assisting church members in need. New parishioners Matt and Maura Roll submitted St. Matthew s for the grant. Between November 17 and December 21, 2017, $1142 in assistance to parishioner households has been expensed from this grant. Assistance to non-parishioner households continues as well, from other donations received into the Rector s Discretionary Fund. Our Senior Warden, Jeff Patten; our Junior Warden, Carl Genthner; and our Commission Chair/ Contacts Eleanor Sergi, Edwin Rodriguez, and Donna Nervik will share with you their reports about the specific areas of ministries they represent. Before we look at the reports, I want to acknowledge many who are responsible for helping us be the community of faith we are. 5

6 Legacy Acknowledgement The Tree of Life Society is composed of people who, through one s will, estate plan, or by making St. Matthew s the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement fund, can leave a legacy to St. Matthew s. This supports the ongoing work of God at St. Matthew s to be an inclusive people of God, reverent in our worship, radical in our hospitality, and devoted to growing in the Spirit of Jesus, to boldly yet humbly love and serve our neighbors. The second part of a legacy gift from the estate of Sally Goodrich helped us put down new flooring in the church. The Junior Warden will have more to say of this in his report. The Estate of Carol Walker contributed a $10,000 gift, which was reserved for capital repairs. Carol transitioned to be nearer to God in June She was a fervent church member, serving as a Vestry member, Senior Warden, Pastoral Care Commission Chair, and Lead Captain of the Altar Guild. Through this posthumous gift, Carol is one of our newest members of the Tree of Life Society. Another new name to this Society is Vestry member and Altar Guild Minister Eleanor Sergi. She joins other members Legh and Cheryl Burke, James Fetzer, Peter and Linda Ffolliott, Irene Gentry, Sally Ward Goodrich, Robert Greene, Pauline Urbano Hechler, Clare Lazar, Daneen Renee Longhurst, William P. Matthews, Charles Harry Redman, Jason W. Vogler II, the Rev. Richard A. Wilson, and three people who prefer being anonymous. Wardens, Vestry, Clergy, and Staff Acknowledgements Considering our Wardens, Clergy Vestry and staff, I would like to list various ways in which our parish was blessed this year with these people and the work they did. As a body is one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, I do not need you, nor again the head to the feet, I do not need you. Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ s body, and individually parts of it. [Paul s first letter to the Church at Corinth, Chapter 12: verses ] Senior Warden: Jeff Patten continued in his ministry as our Senior Warden in Jeff had served as Senior Warden several years ago. Jeff brings with him a history of being at St. Matthew s at least 18 years. He knows the various developments the parish has had during these times. This is most helpful as we chart our moves into the future. We are fortunate to have his leadership continuing as our Senior Warden. As delegated Chair of the Vestry, Jeff leads the Vestry meetings and is responsible for having the agenda and various Commission Reports available to the Vestry members in advance of the meeting. This way, 6

7 every Vestry member has had the chance to read them before the meeting and can come with any questions they may have. Commission Contacts who are present can also provide any last-minute updates and other additions that may have been left out. Junior Warden: When it was time to discern who would be a good Junior Warden, Cheryl Burke, the Junior Warden at the time, enthusiastically recommended Carl Genthner. Carl has served this past year as our Junior Warden and has achieved remarkable things around the campus. Among the major works he took on were the putting down of a new floor in the church and repainting the Barr Building. He established a projects list, which is anything but short. With help from Allan Jones and Rich Robertson, he has taken on many of the projects on the list. Keeping the campus in good shape is no easy task, but Carl has been doing a remarkable job of not only maintaining needs but improving much. Vestry: 2017 Members included Jeff Patten (Senior Warden); Carl Genthner (Junior Warden); Pat Anderson, Gini Jones, Nancy Reynolds, Jim Nelson, Edwin Rodriguez, Eleanor Sergi, Larry Waggoner, and Caroline Wolstenholme. Vestry meetings were productive and seasoned with just enough humor to keep us sane. Truly, the men and the women of the Vestry are committed to Saint Matthew s and all its parishioners. Commission Chairs/Contacts of our Commissions (some of them Vestry members) are listed below; their sense of responsibility was incredible and reflected their love for their parish: 1. Chair of the Stewardship Campaign Committee: Jim Nelson 2. Contact of the Evangelism Commission: Edwin Rodriguez 3. Chair/Contact of the Education Commission, (through August 2017): Sharon Stetz and Jeff Patten (as of fall 2017) 4. Chair/Contact of the Pastoral Care Commission: Donna Nervik 5. Chair/Contact of the Service Commission: (through May 2017) Larry Waggoner and Eleanor Sergi (began November 2017). Finance Chair. As Finance Chair, Tricia Galvin facilitates the Finance Committee every second Tuesday of the month. As with any ministry she undertakes, she does an incredible job. This Committee makes sure any questions about financials are asked before the Vestry meeting. This committee reviews monthly financial reports, the annual Financial Statement of Mission (i.e., budget) and new unbudgeted expense requests before the Vestry approves them or not. The Finance Committee consists of Carl Genthner, Dan Kelleher, Jeff Patten, Rich Robertson, and Marion Stoner. Deacon Brigid Waszczak. Though retired this year, Deacon Brigid s ministry as a deacon reminded us that we are sent into the world to live our faith and to grow our relationship with God. Deacons do this through proclamation of the Gospel, the dismissal given at the end of our Holy Communion liturgy, the service they do within the broader community, and the example of their lives. While here, Deacon Brigid Waszczak assisted in being an example and invitation to all of us to live lives of service. Among her ministries at church were preaching at Sunday liturgies, providing pastoral care and communion visits, and instructing lectors. Outside St. Matthew s, she worked for the Deacon Formation Academy, spiritual direction, and as a Women s Ministry Mentor. She brought a great deal of energy, knowledge, and experience to our parish. Her absence since October is sorely felt. 7

8 Priest Associates. In 2017, we had four priest associates at Saint Matthew s: The Rev. Frank Bergen, the Rev. Debbie Royals, the Rev. Sumith De Silva, and the Rev. Ellen Morell. Father Frank has been with us for several years, and remains very active throughout the Tucson community, especially with social justice concerns. Not only does he preside and preach occasionally on Sundays, he presides at the Thursday morning Holy Communion liturgy on the third Thursday. Each year since he became involved at St. Matthew s, he preaches and presides at the Christmas Day liturgy of the Holy Family. The Rev. Debbie Royals occasionally presides and preaches at Sunday liturgies. She has also coordinated interactions we have with the Old Pascua Yaqui community as part of our diocesemandated partnership directive. Her time availability is limited because she was, in 2017, Interim Vicar of St. George s in Holbrook, is the Diocesan Director of Native American Ministries, works with CREDO (a Church Pension Group program for priests regarding their physical, psychological, spiritual, and financial well-being), and ministers with other Native American programs and initiatives. This year, these ministries have kept her very busy. The Rev. Sumith De Silva served as the Curate at St. Albans for 13 years. He retired and became a part of St. Matthew s. He has taken on the ministry of Pastoral Care as clergy at St. Matthew s, visiting parishioners who are in the hospital, care centers, and homebound. In 2018, he will be on the preaching and presiding Rota. The Rev. Ellen Morell, part of the St. Matthew Household of Faith since 2017, taught a three-part class on the Women in Jesus Genealogy. In 2018, she is on the preaching and presiding Rota and will often be the assisting priest at Sunday liturgies. These priests bring with them outstanding skills, enriching our household of faith. God has blessed us through them, as they share the grace of their calling with us. Licensed Homilist. A licensed homilist within the Episcopal is someone who has not been ordained as a deacon, priest, or bishop, but is gifted with the ability to preach. In recognition of this gift, the bishop of a diocese can license (at the request of the person s rector) this person to preach at liturgies within his or her church. Clyde Kunz, who has been serving as cantor for the Saturday evening Celtic Liturgy, as one of the homily discussion leaders at the Celtic Liturgy, and as mentor for the Education for Ministry (EfM) class, is continuing in the licensing he received from the Bishop. Clyde s homilies reflect his passion for both learning and teaching. Joined with this passion is his amazing ability to communicate theological perspectives in a manner that can clearly be understood. He was elected to the Standing Committee in 2017, and appointed as chair to the Bishop s Search Committee almost immediately afterward. 8

9 Staff: Directors Director of Sunday School: Nadine Cole. Nadine has continued to develop the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, with the addition of other new teachers and training for a few of them. With a considerable increase in attendance and older children, we will need to purchase more suitable tables and seats for the children. Nadine provides detailed information about the program in the Education Commission report. Director of Vacation Bible School (VBS): Mary-Helen Douglas continued as Director of this vital program. The children who participated in 2017 found the experience most enjoyable. The staff included both men and women of the parish. Thank you, Mary-Helen, for providing this enjoyable and meaningful ministry for our children. Director of Music: Harry Redman again led the choir and congregation in worship as dynamically this year as he has in years past! Selecting hymns that are liturgically proper for worship requires knowledge of the liturgy and an appreciation for the readings. Harry brings these to his ministry as Director of Music. Staff: Administration, Building and Grounds Treasurer: Dan Kelleher. Dan took over this ministry from Ed Cabrera. As treasurer, Dan oversees parish finances, working closely with Karen, our bookkeeper. He prepares and brings monthly financial reports to the finance committee for review. Generally, at this time, any red flags that show up are discussed, and Dan either answers at the meeting, or follows up and gets back to the finance committee. The next week, Dan presents the financials to the Vestry, having addressed the red flags, and fields any questions or clarifications the Vestry may have. Dan also helps prepare the Parochial Report, which goes to the Diocese by March 1. Dan s willingness to take on this ministry has proven a blessing to St. Matthew s. Bookkeeper: Karen Blocher. Karen continued as our bookkeeper this past year. She has served with two previous treasurers: Jason Vogler and Ed Cabrera. Karen brings an expertise to our finances that assists us greatly as a church. With the growth of our parish, the financial accountability has increased sizably. Karen s employment has increased to help meet this accountability. We are fortunate to have her with us. Parish Administrator: Brian Arthur. The parish administrator is responsible for preparing the worship, celebrations of life, and wedding bulletins; compiling and printing announcement inserts for Sunday liturgies bulletins; scheduling rooms for various parish and non-parish functions; tracking Memorial Garden records; purchasing office supplies; and preparing requested reports such as the annual report, the parochial report, necrology report, etc. Archiving the Vestry reports and making them available to be put on the information table are also Brian s responsibility. Brian s ability to address these various demands exemplifies his incredible dexterity and efficiency. Through his expertise, the position has seen an increase in work output, while at the same time, a decrease in time necessary to do it. Parish Registrar: For several years now, Bill Bailey has been our registrar. Marcia Bailey assisted him with much of this work. As parish registrar, Bill keeps records of the members including baptisms, weddings, life-time covenants, and deaths. He also tracks Sunday liturgy attendances. All this information is made available on the March 1 Diocese Parochial Report. The job is often painstaking and requires detail abilities. Bill s talents fit amazingly well in this responsibility. We owe him a debt of gratitude for this ministry. 9

10 Office Ministers Coordinator: Ruth Galvin continued with this ministry as our office coordinator, which she began mid-december In the exercise of this ministry, Ruth s performance has been superlative. She has shown a conscientious commitment to ensuring coverage, even if it meant doing it herself. The Office Minister Coordinator arranges coverage of the office by parishioners on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The various ministers open the campus, answer phones, and assist the parish administrator and Rector with various tasks. Without these dedicated parishioners, the office would not be able to function as well as it does. Thank you to the following ministers for their willingness to serve: Ruth Galvin, JoAnn Van Note, Gini Jones, Helga Small, Tom Hemingway, Caroline Smith, and Beverly Lewis with Bob Lewis assisting. Sexton: Kevin Brown has continued as sexton. The sexton takes care of cleaning the buildings. Kevin s conscientious professional commitment to detail is evident in the way he cleans the Church, the Barr Building, and the Frensdorff Building. Groundskeeper: Kevin Brown. With the amount of grounds, we are fortunate to have Kevin Brown as our groundskeeper. Kevin s expertise comes from his professional experience in landscaping. Keeping a campus this size attractive is not easy; yet Kevin s professionalism and energy have certainly made it possible. It is responsible stewardship to keep the campus a place honoring God by providing for its care. 10

11 Senior Warden Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Jeffrey L. Patten The New Year is an opportunity to anticipate the future as we take an accounting of the past. Often, we take for granted things we have accomplished, as though they were inevitable, even as we bemoan our shortcomings. As such, it can be a challenge to recount our accomplishments with accurate perspective. As with any endeavor, there have been a variety of challenges, but we have achieved some significant accomplishments, and we have much for which we can give thanks. As was mentioned in our 2016 Annual Report, in our last Mutual Ministry Review, the Vestry was challenged to work on just four things: (1) Buildings and Grounds; (2) Increased Social and Community Involvement; (3) Social Media Development; and (4) Increasing Membership. We have taken a significant step forward with respect to Buildings and Grounds with the concrete overlay of the church floor. An undertaking several years in the making, this came at considerable expense, but the choice was deemed to be the most cost effective, providing the most aesthetically pleasing and durable results. It also required a high degree of coordination, cooperation, and timing removal of all furnishings in the church and the relocation of our regular services to Matt s Place for two weeks. Our Junior Warden, Carl Genthner, and his team are to be commended on the successful completion of this endeavor. With respect to Increased Social and Community Involvement, opportunities have come to us in some unexpected, yet quite welcome ways. After a false start in May, we began an arrangement with Tim Howell to use the space in Matts Place four times per week for yoga classes. This type of arrangement helps to elevate our visibility in the community and demonstrates our desire to be a good neighbor. Likewise, St. Matthews became a charter organization for Boy Scout Troop 772 this year. In addition to providing neighborhood youth with exposure to our church campus, this has already returned benefits in the form of a clean-up service project that the troop has performed for the campus. We have engaged in ongoing outreach through our Mission Share Rebate with Gale Elementary School, Gridley Middle School, Imago Dei School, and El Hogar Ministries in Honduras. We also continue with our various other ministries through Matty s Angels, Matty s Men, Shoe Box Ministries, Primavera, NAMI, UTO, and African Team Ministries. We remain engaged, involved, and ready to seek out opportunities to serve our neighbors. The nature of Social Media makes its development an ongoing challenge. We should applaud the efforts of those who support the work of our parish through our website, electronic newsletter, and our Facebook page. At the same time, we must recognize that our parish should not place all the responsibility of this vital ministry on one or two lone individuals. Just as we invest in the physical facilities of our campus, so too must we invest in our electronic presence, if we hope to demonstrate our relevance to our 21st century neighbors. We need not all rush to join in on social media to appear hip or trendy, but for those who look to social media for information, we must present a space that is as welcoming, engaging, and friendly as we claim to be in person. I can claim no expertise in this area; I am probably less engaged in social media than most average Tucsonans. But I do know it is almost a reflexive response for the current generation to use electronic media when seeking information. If we hope to have them seek out our parish, we need to cultivate a strong, vibrant, and attractive social media presence, exemplifying who we are as a parish; it s not primarily for us, but for those we seek to attract and those we seek to serve. Our fourth focus, Increasing Membership, while an admirable desire, would seem to be more of a result than an action item. We certainly want to attract new members, but I think attracting new members is a byproduct of who we are as a parish. We need to continue to be God s people in this place, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, through our words and through our actions. James 1:17 tells us Every 11

12 good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. The hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness is based on this verse. God is faithful to us, and I believe as we are faithful to God, we will see our numbers increase. The Vestry began 2017 by examining the Policies and Procedures for the parish to make necessary updates. This task needs to be periodically revisited so we re able to be effective and current with diocesan and National Episcopal Church practice. Regarding care of the parish, we invited the Tucson Fire Department in for CPR training, and we had an assessment of our campus security and a presentation given by the Tucson Police Department. With Bishop Smith s encouragement, we also initiated regular nursery for our principal services. Summer brought the resurfacing of the floor in the church, and September brought celebration as we gave thanks for fifty years of St. Matthews Parish here on Old Spanish Trail. The fall brought a Vestry Retreat led by the Rev. Canon Debbie Royals, and the organization of the Desert Chrism Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King was an eventful year, marked with accomplishments and some less than anticipated performances in some areas. Though we were able to bring Fr. Ricks compensation up to parity, we had attempted to seek grant funding to provide sabbatical leave for Fr. Rick in his seventh year of service to our parish. Though this was not accomplished in 2017, we anticipate that this contractual obligation will be achieved in The work of the church and of our parish is never-ending. But let us recognize that this is not a burden, but an opportunity to invest ourselves in the service of a God who loves us, cares for us, and invites us to be co-creators in his kingdom. Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia! 12

13 Junior Warden Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Carl Genthner The most significant accomplishment of this year was the installation of the new sanctuary floor. Building on Cheryl Burke s work as Junior Warden the previous year, Clyde Kunz, Bob Delaney, and I evaluated options and contractors. We recommended a concrete overlay as offering the best results for the money, and Monroe Concrete as our contractor. The goal was to have the floor finished before our anniversary celebration last September, and we succeeded. I think all would agree the new floor looks amazing. Infrastructure, for want of a better word, was the focus of much of the year. With an aging campus, a number of issues needed addressing. Our electrical system was a high priority. The lack of adequate capacity in Matt s Place to support the griddles during the annual pancake supper and other events necessitated the installation of two additional outlets on a new 20-amp circuit. The new outlets will eliminate tripping hazards caused by lengthy extension cords run from outlets all over the building. Our aging wiring was also responsible for problems with the spotlights for our cross and the church sign at Old Spanish Trail. Incorrect wiring, coupled with age-related deterioration, knocked the lights out for some time. We are in the process of selecting an electrician to complete repairs and convert our sign from obsolescent fluorescent bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs. Alan Jones was the first to identify specific wiring issues when he troubleshot and repaired the wiring for our large fountain. Replacing the old stove in the Parish Hall and a faucet in the church restroom, removing and replacing the rat-infested small paint shed, and repairing / painting the Barr Building are other examples of infrastructure work in the past year. Many thanks to Alan Jones and Rich Robertson for their contribution of time and talent in taking on a number of items in need of repair. Their skill and knowledge have been invaluable. I also want to thank Mark Griffin for all the work he did on campus, most of which was on his own initiative. Installation of the lending library and landscaping around it, the gravel placed in the walkway between parking lots, painting, and so much more made my job a lot easier. I also want to thank everyone who turned out for our work day last year, especially for the clearing of the church for the floor installation and the replacing the church furniture upon completion. It was remarkable to see how quickly you were able to move so many items in so short a time. In the year ahead, we will address the condition of the Hermitage House, establish pest-control services, work to improve plumbing, replant the memorial garden, and paint the Frensdorff Building. It is my intent to carry on Cheryl s commitment to ensuring our campus always looks excellent. I also hope to complete some long-term planning that will aid in future budgeting, to help ensure the church is prepared for and capable of handling any facility problem that may arise. 13

14 Service Commission Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Eleanor Sergi I became Chairperson of the Service Commission in November The following represents efforts and accomplishments of the many and varied ministries undertaken by members of St. Matthew s, seeking to be of service to the church and to the local community, and to provide fellowship among members. This report is drawn from monthly service commission reports provided to the Vestry during 2017, and from feedback from the various coordinators. Ongoing Collections Food Collections continued to New Faith Lutheran Church, Gale Elementary School, and, through the summer months, to the Food Bank. Donations to New Faith averaged an estimated items each month, according to Bob Lewis. Father Rick reports that the parishioners of St. Matthew s have continued their Care Center Outreach in north central Tucson by donating slip-on clothing to care center residents with few resources. This year, several visits were made to the center, bringing numerous clothing articles. Annual Events Lisa Butler coordinated the St. Matthew s contingent participating in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk in April. There was a good turnout, and the walk raised more than $100,000. NAMI presented St. Matthew s with a thank-you for our participation. As in prior years, Julie Neff-Encinas coordinated the signing and distribution of Cards to Deployed Forces. She reports that 657 cards were collected to send to three different groups of deployed personnel in Julie also continues to coordinate the Lenten United Thank Offering. Jeff Patten and Eddie Montano coordinated African Team Ministries, with handcrafted items ranging from carvings and jewelry to shawls, scarves, decorative boxes, and Christmas decorations available in time for Christmas giving, purchased at Coffee Hour following church services in December, realizing a total of $ These sales benefit those who make them, mostly in Kenya and East Africa, as well as St. Matthew s. Occasional Events Matty s Angels, co-chaired by Shirley Rimmel and Kathy Nelson, is a ministry by and for the women of the parish of St. Matthew s, meeting monthly for a variety of activities, such as fellowship, outreach, service, and other activities of interest to the group. Representatives of the Angels visited downtown offices of Ben s Bells, donating clay items to be used in spreading the message of intentional kindness. Matty s Angels joined with Matty s Men in April for a tour of the new Mormon Temple in Tucson, during the time when public tours were made available. The October Craft Fair, chaired by Lisa Butler, was a great success from all perspectives, including the donation of craft items and volunteer work to staff the different tables, and raised $1,564.50, enabling Matty s Angels to give financial support to groups within our church. In November, Matty s Angels was joined by Matty s Men on a trip to St. Anthony s Monastery in Florence, Arizona. Matty s Men, chaired by Bob DeLaney, is a ministry that meets on the third Saturday of the month for a 7:30 breakfast, followed by a meeting at 8:30 in the Parish Hall. Their mission is to build friendships, deepen commitment to St. Matthew s Church and be a positive force in the community. Matty s Men Food collection continues the third Sunday of each month for Gale Elementary. They are excited that the 14

15 Carol Walker Plaza was dedicated in February. Matty s Men prepared the Simple Lenten Dinner in April and helped assemble the new storage shed. Members also participated in the CPR and first aid training. Matty s Angels joined with Matty s Men for a tour of the new Mormon Temple, when public tours were made available. Matty s Men promoted, and many attended, a summer workshop by Father John Christopher, Director of Recovery Ministries of the Diocese of Arizona was St. Matthew s sixth year of participation at Poz Café, a monthly lunch put on by Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) with contributions from faith community partners, under Matty s Men sponsorship, and we will continue to serve at this event in 2018 (details of this event listed separately). In November, Matty s Angels was joined by Matty s Men on a trip to St. Anthony s Monastery in Florence, Arizona. Long-Term Events Shoe Box Ministry Dawn Stoner, coordinator (August through October): 138 shoeboxes, the largest number since St. Matthew s has participated in this ministry, were filled and taken to Nogales, Mexico. Items included hand-crocheted baby blankets and other items, toys and puzzles, gloves, bubbles, and other gifts for children ranging in age from infancy to 12 years old. From the handcrafters, gift-buyers, and other donors, to the box stuffers, congregation response was wonderful, benefitting underprivileged children who opened their boxes on Three Kings Day. Sewing and Quilting Guild Virginia Jones, coordinator: 12 children s quilts were donated by this ministry to Emerge!, an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The Guild made $500 from the sale of quilts/table runners after the craft fair. The ministry continues to work on new quilts to be donated to needy children, and larger lap-size quilts for women in crisis. Military Affairs Committee Gloria Smith & Jim Thompson, coordinators: This ministry donated 21 boxes of cheese snacks to Borman School at DMAFB, for students in each class unable to bring snacks from home. The committee continues to support the Homeless Vets, delivering items to them at Camp Bravo. The Military Affairs Committee had a coffee hour to honor WWII veterans during the December 7th week. The honor celebration included a bagpiper visit, as well as the Roll Call for the Departed, reading of the names on the flag, and a viewing of the Book of Honor that includes names of loved ones who were in the military and died, along with deceased military and local Gold Star Families fallen heroes. The Book of Honor has been updated to reflect the deaths of parishioners M/M Robertson, Phil Coleman, and Don Armstrong. St Matthew s joins the country in honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, celebrated at the White House, and also in mourning losses as death thins those elite ranks. Also helping the committee are additional folks who help with the Book of Honor and the list of local Gold Star heroes. Gloria notes that folks who find unclaimed remains of military should contact MIAP (Missing in America Project) at a remedy found by a parishioner who came to the committee with the information now available in the back of the Honor Book in the Narthex, on the table with the flag. Primavera Monthly Food Preparation Cheryl Burke, coordinator: On the third Thursday of the month, Cheryl Burke and five others meet in the Parish Hall at 7 a.m. to make 35 lunches for participants in the Primavera Works Program. Then, Legh and Cheryl deliver them to their site in South Tucson by 8:30, so they can go out with the work crews. Last year s lunches were funded almost completely by a raffle of four quilted table runners. Poz Café Ed Cabrera, Coordinator: Thursday, August 17, a group from Matty s Men participated in their annual service project at Poz Café, a monthly lunch put on by Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) with contributions from faith community partners. Participating August partners were St. Matthew s Episcopal, Santa Cruz Lutheran, and Catalina United Methodist. Poz Café served its 25,000th meal at the September lunch was St. Matthew s sixth year of participation at Poz Café 15

16 under the sponsorship of Matty s Men, and we will continue to serve at this event in The date will be Thursday, August 16, Thank you all who donated time and money toward this year s Matty s Men annual service project at Poz Café, and we look forward to your continued support in Just Coffee Eddie Montaño, Coordinator: Just Coffee makes ground and whole-bean Arabica coffee available for sale to parishioners at St. Matthew s in one- and five-pound bags that can be ordered from Eddie Montaño. The coffee is grown and ground in Jalisco, Mexico, and sales benefit those local growers and St. Matthew s. Regular or decaf coffee is available. Sales are approximately $ per month. It is a privilege to know and work with so many individuals at St. Matthews who adopt, as their personal ministries, service to the church and wider community, along with the development and nurturing of fellowship within the congregation. Together, we make the church a home, as well as an active, responsible contributor to the world around us. 16

17 Worship Commission Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Fr. Rick Wilson, Rector We praise you and bless you, holy and gracious God, Source of life and abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars, earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. Sunday Holy Communion Liturgies [Eucharistic Prayer II Preface, Enriching Our Worship] Our practice of two Holy Communion liturgies on Sunday morning continued, 8:00 a.m. without music and 10:30 a.m. with music. Both liturgies had music on Sunday morning Easter liturgies. We continued with traditional Passion/Palm Sunday liturgies beginning Holy Week. Maundy Thursday liturgy, Good Friday liturgy, and Easter Vigil made up the Triduum of Holy Week. For our Christmas liturgies, we had Liturgy of the Shepherds (6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Liturgy of the Angels (11 p.m. Christmas Eve), and Liturgy of the Holy Family (10:30 a.m. Christmas Day). This liturgical year, as always, began with First Sunday Advent, in late November 2016, the first of the four Sundays of Advent. In the liturgical cycle, 2017 was the year for Gospel readings from the Gospel of Matthew. Monthly Celtic Liturgy We continued with the monthly 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening Celtic Liturgy, started over four and a half years ago. This liturgy generally attracts people looking for something different from the traditional Sunday morning liturgies. Instead of a homily, there is a discussion centered on a question asked by the discussion question facilitator (Clyde Kunz or myself). Attendance is light but this service becomes, for some, their introduction to St. Matthew s. There is no instrumental music, but Clyde Kunz serves as cantor leading the attendees in acapella chants. When Clyde is unavailable, Harry Redman, our Director of Music, serves as cantor. Weekday Prayer and Eucharist Service and Weeknight Evening Prayer Wednesday Evening Prayer in Spanish. Each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. we have Evening Prayer in Spanish, co-officiated by Edwin and Omar Rodriguez. Books of Common Prayer in Spanish were donated by an anonymous parishioner for this service. Thursday Morning Prayer with Eucharist. Each Thursday at 10:00 a.m., we have a liturgy in which we offer in prayer the names of everyone on our prayer list. We have Morning Prayer and then the Eucharist. Donna Nervik and Bob Greene are the two Morning Prayer officiants. Eleanor Sergi has also served as officiant. On the second Thursday of the month, we have an anointing segment as part of this liturgy. However, anyone can be anointed at other Thursday liturgies. Fr. Frank presides at the Eucharist on the third Thursday. 17

18 Taize Holy Communion liturgies. On two occasions, we had the alternative liturgy of a Taize service, drawn from the worship pattern of the Taize Community, an ecumenical monastic order in Taize, France. Chanting and silence are important elements of this liturgy. Midway during Lent and on the Eve of Thanksgiving, we had this meditative service. The self-reflection of Lent and the chance to reflect on our blessings at Thanksgiving made these services ideal! Our Director of Music, Harry Redman, selected and led chants for these liturgies. Special Celebrations Baptism Celebration. Baptism is how a person becomes a member of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church and a follower of Christ. In 2017, we were excited to celebrate the baptism of Bibianna Brown, daughter of Savannah Brown and granddaughter of Michelle and Kevin Brown, longtime St. Matthew s family members. People making transitions from life to new life in God. In the longstanding tradition of the church, the day a Christian dies is called the Christian s new birthday. During 2017, we had the following move closer to God through death; most had their Celebrations of Life at St. Matthew s: Don Armstrong (husband to parishioner Diane Armstrong) Vera Balke (longtime parishioner) Philip Coleman (parishioner and husband to Johanne Coleman) Mike Francisco (longtime parishioner and husband to Ann Francisco) Russell Jones (founding parishioner, past Vestry member, past Chancellor; husband to Gretchen Jones) Elizabeth (Libby) O Leary (longtime parishioner) Jane Starks (longtime parishioner) Barbara Stevens (parishioner) Addie (Dee) Sweet (longtime parishioner) Blessing of Animals. In memory of St. Francis and as our commitment to the care of our pets, we had a Blessing of Animals service in Matt s Place on the actual feast of St. Francis, October 1. Thirteen dogs and one cat attended with their human companions. Deacon Nadine Martin officiated for this service. Featured speaker Nancy Reynolds offered a reflection on the value of these gifts from God. Worship Ministers in Our worship leaders at the Episcopal Church are defined by their responsibility. At our church, we have the ordained sacramental ministers, priests, and deacons, who are listed in the Rector s report. As Rector, it is my responsibility to assist each of our priests and deacons to find placement for their worship ministry at St. Matthew s. For priests, this means primarily presiding and preaching at Holy Communion liturgies. Regarding deacons, it is assigning their schedule to prepare the table at Holy Communion, and when to preach at the Sunday Holy Communion liturgies. Of course, these sacramental ministers are involved in other ministries, but this is their role at worship. More than the activity of sacramental ministers, the liturgy is also the work of numerous other ministers called to help lead public worship. The following people were part of the ministry categories for the entire year last year or part of it. Liturgical Coordinators ensure the sound system is on, the lector microphone is ready, and that all ministers for the liturgy are accounted for. If someone has not shown, the liturgical coordinator finds a replacement. Our 8:00 am liturgical coordinators are Mark Griffin, Julie Neff-Encinas, and Donna Nervik. 18

19 Verger. Edwin Rodriguez became our verger this September. It has been an absent ministry since Lindsay Hamon retired a few years ago. The verger is a lay person who takes care of the interior of a church and acts as an attendant during services, where he or she carries the verge (or virge). The verger, as a lay minister, assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship, especially in the marshaling of processions. At St. Matthew s, Edwin leads the processional and recessional, and attends the proclaimer of the Gospel. The verger ministry is a ministry of service and welcome. Lectors. Proclaiming the Scripture at Holy Communion is an awesome responsibility. Lectors know that this book, this Bible, has a long history and is one of the most revered writings in the entire world. It has provided stories of numerous communities encounters with that ultimate mystery we call God. It is a holy book set aside to assist people in their deepening relationship with God. Preparation must be made so one can clearly and precisely proclaim the sacred writings. The congregation is to open their ears and hearts to the readings of the sacred Scripture. People who have served in 2017 as lectors were Pat Anderson, Mary-Helen Douglas, June Genthner, Bob Greene, Clyde Kunz, Julie Neff-Encinas, Linda Konkel, Judy Kowalick, Clyde Kunz, Eddie Montano, Jim Nelson, Donna Nervik, Jeff Patten, Harry Redman, Rhonda Rugg, Eleanor Sergi, Barbara Sanchez, Sharon Stetz, Larry Waggoner, Kristen Wendler, and Caroline Wolstenholme. Intercessors lead us in offering prayers as a community and invite us to share our individual concerns. In 2017, our intercessors were, at the 10:30 liturgy, the Choir, and in the absence of the choir, Pat Anderson, Jennifer Lopez, Jim Nelson, Jeff Patten, and Harry Redman. Bob Greene, Eleanor Sergi, and Larry Waggoner served as intercessors at the 8:00 am liturgy. Lay Eucharistic Minister/Altar Servers. Extending the cup of salvation to fellow parishioners is truly a sacred moment. Eucharistic ministers share with others a very special gift Jesus has given to us, the gift of his presence in this sacred meal. To be a Lay Eucharistic Minister requires a faith that humbles and rejoices. The ministry of Acolyte and Crucifer have been added to the responsibility of Lay Eucharistic Minister. In 2016, the following people joined themselves with Christ s presence in the extension of the chalice to their fellow parishioners in Holy Communion: Jesse Billhardt, Norman Bauer, Ed Cabrera, Mark Griffin, Marty Konkel, Clyde Kunz, Julie Neff-Encinas, Donna Nervik, Jim Nelson, Harry Redman, Edwin Rodriguez, and Omar Rodriguez. Lay Eucharistic Visitors. Some of our parishioners are unable to attend Sunday liturgies for health reasons. So we have specially trained ministers who go to their residence and share communion with them. Near the end of the Sunday Holy Communion liturgies, the presiding-celebrant, on behalf of the congregation, presents the consecrated bread and wine to the Lay Eucharistic Visitor, naming the person(s) the Visitor is going to see. Extending the cup of salvation to fellow parishioners is truly a sacred moment. By visiting with the parishioner, the lay visitor extends both the fellowship of the congregation and the sacrament of the altar. It is our obligation to remember through this special ministry those who can no longer attend. Those who have answered the call to this ministry of sacrament and presence are Linda Ffolliott, Tricia Galvin, Irene Gentry, Nancy Haugh, Eddie Montano, Julie Neff-Encinas, Donna Nervik, Rich Milks, Edwin Rodriguez, and Omar Rodriguez. 19

20 Music Ministers. St. Augustine, fifth-century bishop of Hippo in North Africa, wrote that he who sings prays twice. Music at worship is a strong part of the Anglican tradition. At our parish, two of our three weekend Holy Communion liturgies have music: Saturday evening, the Celtic Liturgy has a cantor lead chants acapella, and Sunday morning, the 10:30 Holy Communion liturgy. 10:30 a.m. Sunday liturgy musicians: Harry Redman, our Director of Music; George Choban, our organist; and Jennifer Lopez, our musician-in-residence. Choir members for 2017 included Pat Anderson, Bob DeLaney, Linda Ffolliott, June Genthner, Eddie Montano, Jim Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Jeffrey Patten, Shirley Rimmell, and Helga Small. Celtic Liturgy Cantor: Clyde Kunz Ushers. As one enters the narthex at the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. liturgies, holy day liturgies, celebrations of life, and marriages, one encounters the ushers. The ministry of being an usher is one of genuine hospitality. Ushers are the first welcoming faces worshippers meet as they enter the church. Ushers greet worshippers, provide them with church bulletins, receive and present their offerings to the altar, and assist worshippers at the time for Communion. These special ministers of hospitality for 2015 were Norman Bauer, Nick Billhardt, Kevin Brown, Legh Burke, Bob Delaney, Ernesto Encinas, Carl Genthner, Bob Greene, Cathy and Lloyd Hunt, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Ruth Galvin, Tricia Galvin, Marion Stoner, and John Wisner. Greeters. The ministry of Greeters was brought back in Initially, Cindy Weiler and Eddie Montano were the first to restart this service. Once the Desert Chrism Chapter of the Daughters of the King was established, the members took on this ministry, inviting others to assist them. Members of the chapter are Pat Anderson, Jessie Billhardt, Lisa Butler, Nadine Cole, Virginia Jones, Shelia Kruse, Kathy Nelson, and Caroline Wolstenholme. Altar Guild. One of the least visible, yet crucially important, ministries of worship is that of the altar guild. Our tradition takes seriously the preparation of the sacred vessels and atmosphere of our worship space for the celebration of our liturgies. Caroline Wolstenholme continues as the Altar Guild Lead Captain. Her amazing organizational and interpersonal skills have served in this ministry in extraordinary ways. Her leadership has been inspiring. The women and men on the four altar guild teams give of themselves generously in the care of the environment, vessels, and linens used in worship. Setting up the altar may seem basic, but there are numerous details to consider. Altar guild members for any or all of 2017 were Pat Anderson, Legh Burke, Joseph Evans, Linda Ffolliott, Bob Greene, Annette Hayes, Gini Jones, Bev and Bob Lewis, Donna Kelleher, Kay Murrens, Kathy Nelson, Donna Nervik, Edwin and Omar Rodriguez, Eleanor Sergi, Carol Walker, Tami West, Nancy Whitaker, Caroline Wolstenholme, and Tami West. In all services, the entire Christian assembly participates in such a way that the members of each order within the Church, lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons, fulfill the function proper to their respective orders, as set forth in the rubrical directions for each service. [Book of Common Prayer, p 13] 20

21 Education Commission Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Jeff Patten, Senior Warden Quarterly Speaker Series: Larry Waggoner 1. Transgender Awareness: Wednesday, January 18, 2017: A community awareness presentation was made January 18, The topic was Transgender. It was the first of the quarterly speaker series. The presentation focused on transgender issues. For 40 years, the church has continued its work toward full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Episcopalians. Speakers came from Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA). Since their founding in 1998, SAGA has sought to bring about a change in attitudes and perceptions of and by transgender people. Transgender 101 will answer: What defines someone s gender? What does it mean to be transgender? And many more. 2. Criminal Justice System: Wednesday, March 22, 2017: America s criminal justice system is badly in need of reform. The incarceration rate in the U.S. is the highest in the world, with over 2.4 million people currently behind bars, at an expense, in 2016, of $6.9 billion. Half of those incarcerated are non-violent drug offenders. What does criminal justice reform mean? In the U.S, it is aimed at fixing perceived errors in the criminal justice system. Rebecca Fealk, from American Friends Service Committee in Tucson, discussed drivers of mass incarceration, and unique aspects in Arizona that cause this State to be the Number One incarcerator in the western U.S. She also discussed criminal sentencing, private prison companies, and legislative barriers to success for those released from prison. Judge Pyle talked about causes and consequences of over-incarceration, confinement conditions, and challenges upon return to community, including collateral consequences of conviction. Judge Pyle is a Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Tucson Division. Adult Education Fr. Rick Wilson led a book study on The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu, from March 9 through April 6, 7:00 9:00 p.m. Thursdays. On Saturday, March 18, a diocesan-sponsored workshop was held on Spirituality & the Second Half of Life, led by the Rev. Ann Johnson and Dr. Linda Williams. Episcopal Church 101 was taught by Fr. Rick Wilson on two Tuesday evenings, September 26 and October 3. Each two-hour meeting provided an understanding of the Episcopal Church for people new to the tradition, people curious about the Episcopal Church, and Episcopalians who came for a refresher. Covered topics included the history of the church, the structure of the church, and the uniqueness of the church. An instructed tour of the church concluded the class. 21

22 Java with a Jesuit Begun in June, Fr. Frank invites participants into conversation. The group meets in the Library, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. to share concerns about everything from the congregation to the cosmos. Whatever is on our minds civil, serious, sensible, sensitive we will join him. We may or may not find the answers. When we do, we may not all agree, but Fr. Frank expects we will all enjoy the questions and find areas of agreement where least expected. The Quaker Tradition On Sunday, July 9, Jaimie Mudd, a Quaker and member of the local Tucson Friends community presented a very interesting and well-attended talk on the history of the Quakers from 1660 to today. She also shared elements of the Quaker tradition. Both Jaimie and Dan, her husband, are seminarians at the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana. Education for Ministry (EfM): Clyde Kunz EfM is an intensive tuition-based seminar program that comes from the Beecken Center at the School of Theology, University of the South. The four years of study focus on the Hebrew Scripture (Year 1), New Testament (Year 2), Christian Church History (Year 3) and Theology and Ethics (Year 4). Participants in all four years meet simultaneously, with focus on a process of theological reflection tying the themes in all four years of study together. Each year, the group s membership is closed for that academic year; new participants may be added once again this coming fall. For information, contact Clyde Kunz at or via at kunz@cox.net. Vacation Bible School (VBS): Mary-Helen Douglas/Director VBS was held on Friday evening, August 25 and Saturday, August 26. The event was called S More Jesus. The children spent the weekend exploring Jesus as the light of the world through story, craft, science, and recreation. Teachers and students and their parents hosted a S mores campfire with our families on Friday night. They made Teacher Care Kits for the staff of Gale Elementary, which were delivered the following week. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Nadine Cole Opening: We opened the Atrium on September 10, with a blessing of the Atrium, led by Lisa Butler and Kay Murrens; Nadine was on a trip. Materials and Presentations: We began the year with an introduction to the space, including how to walk, talk, and use the materials. We focused on greater participation in the Eucharist by focusing on the materials of the altar and the gestures in the Eucharist. We recently began Advent with a procession and introduction to the Advent wreath. We heard infancy narratives and parables concerning Jesus. The older children also worked on parables that indicate the Parousia. Kay Murrens and Lisa Butler continue to work in the program and are fully training and credentialed for Level 1. We continue to schedule two adults in the room each Sunday, allowing for more independent work of the children. We had a two-week break, off December 24 and 31. Plans for having the children involved with the church services on fifth Sundays have not worked out well; we have not had enough participation for this yet. 22

23 Future: We have completed all materials for Levels 1 and 2 materials. We have only to maintain our materials and provide repairs as needed. Our expenses in the future will be for more training. So far, we do not have training coming up in the area. We will have several events soon, beginning with the parish decorating the Alleluias during coffee hour on February 4. Retiring of the Alleluias will be the last Sunday in Epiphany, February 11, with their return Easter, April 1. We will all be in church for Good Shepherd Sunday April 22, with a special presentation, and the Pentecost celebration on May 20. Church Involvement: We continue to seek ways for the children to be more involved in the services. So far, our younger children have not been interested in being at the altar. We will plan to involve the older children for Good Shepherd Sunday and Pentecost. An attendance overview is shown below; our numbers reduced in the fall. Month Date In Attendance Month Date In Attendance January September 17 3 February October 15 1 March In Church November April 16 Easter December May January Finally, a thank you to all the parishioners who continue to support us in prayer and have worked on materials for the children s use! Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:4 23

24 EVANGELISM COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT Respectfully submitted by Edwin Rodriguez This is a summary of the Evangelism Commission as reported from January December Electronic Communications The Newsletter has gone out each month through October. Julie Neff-Encinas has served as the editor for as long as we have had it. She resigned from this ministry in October. The weekly E-bulletin has gone out each week with a variance from 44% (June 8) to 59% (October 19); the average is 59%. Fr. Rick Wilson has continued this weekly service and added a Note from the Rector segment. Pauline Hechler served as our Facebook contact and promoter until she and her husband, Gene, moved to Phoenix. Ann Shaylor took on this responsibility and has been an excellent job at getting our face on Facebook with great frequency. We currently have 277 Facebook friends and 285 people who like our Facebook page. St. Matthew s website continues to be updated as information is provided, and has been instrumental in informing people who St. Matthew s is and what we offer. It has been the first point of contact for many people. Several parishioners have come to us initially by looking at our website. Nick Billhardt updates and refreshes information on the website. Matty s Men Bob DeLaney serves as president and Jim Thompson as treasurer of this fellowship and service men s group, which meets the third Saturday of each month. It has a long history of service to the community. More details about the activities of Matty s Men are available in the Service Commission Report. A few parish services they have provided are participation in parish-wide cleaning days and having the lights for the seasons of Advent and Christmas to be put in place. Further, Matty s Men regularly served as Coffee Hour hosts for this post-liturgy parish fellowship. Matty s Angels Caroline Wolstenholme and Irene Gentry served as co-presidents of this fellowship and service women s group through August. Shirley Rimmel and Kathy Nelson then assumed the mantle of leadership. Matty s Angels generally meet the first Saturday of each month. Occasional breakfasts and other group activities serve as part of this fellowship. Their service commitment is laudable and can be reviewed in the Service Commission Report. They serve as Coffee Hour hosts during the year and take on specific jobs for the Church and Parish Hall. Daughters of the King St. Matthew s Chapter of the Daughters of the King is the Desert Chrism Chapter. Members are Alicia Alaniz, Pat Anderson, Jessie Billhardt, Lisa Butler, Nadine Cole, Karen Hatfield, Virginia Jones, Shelia Kruse, Kathy Nelson, and Caroline Wolstenholme. Their goal is to assist St. Matthew s in spiritual up-building of the parish. At St. Matthew s, they have chosen to coordinate the ministries of the Greeters and of Caring Casseroles. 24

25 Pastoral Care and Wellness Commission Annual Report Respectfully submitted by Donna Nervik The purpose of this commission is IN-REACH, or the care, nurturing, and fellowship of our parish members and friends. Donna Nervik continues as Pastoral Care Commission Chair. Donna s leadership manifests itself as she coordinates the Prayer Circle every second Thursday of the month. A deep person of prayer, Donna brings to this position great compassion, a necessity in pastoral care. Caring Casseroles, previously led by Helga Small and, since autumn 2017, by the Daughters of the King, has provided casseroles for families needing assistance during an illness or other stressful situations. The casseroles have been most appreciated by those in need. If you desire helping with this ministry, please advise Karen Hatfield, as the Daughters of the King are always looking for additional caring casserole ministers. Fr. Rick Wilson holds a monthly Word and Communion service for the residents of Pacifica Senior Living Center. Providing a ministry to people with severe health issues and who are not necessarily members of St. Matthew s demonstrates willingness to extend ourselves to the broader community. Visits to parishioners in hospice care, whether at home or at a facility, to those sick at home or hospitalized, or in rehab facilities continued as ministries of our Pastoral Care ministers. Pastoral Care Ministers offer a variety of ministries to St. Matthew s parishioners: Card Ministry: Irene Gentry and Barbara Miranda send greeting cards, as requested. We also have a Prayer Chain for instant prayers. Prayer Chain Ministry: Judie Bass coordinates the Prayer Chain. Those participating are Judie, Adrienne Dungee, Lindsay Hamon, Susan Johnston, Julie Neff-Encinas, Donna Nervik, Barbara Sanchez, Shirley Rimmell, and Joanne Van Note. This important ministry is meaningful to those praying as well as those needing our prayers. Pastoral Care Visitor: Parishioners unable to attend liturgy have Eucharistic Visitors who bring them Communion once a month. In addition, Eddie Montano continued to make additional visits to parishioners who cannot attend on Sundays. The Pastoral Care Visitor does not bring Communion at this visit, but provides a ministry of presence, providing conversation and fellowship, and prayer to those they visit. Eddie stepped up to continue this ministry again this year. Shoebox Knitting and Crocheting Group. There is a group of ladies who knit and crochet prayer shawls taken to the hospital or home to provide the warmth and caring from our parish. They also knit/crochet hats and scarves for the shoebox ministry. Those involved are Dawn Stoner (leader), Diane Armstrong, Judie Bass, Lisa Butler, Barbara Flink, Cathy Hunt, Susan Johnston, Donna Nervik, Donna Schoening, Helga Small, Virginia Jones, and Karen Hatfield. St. Matthew s Quilting Group. Present members Cheryl Burke, Gini Jones, and Ruth Galvin will be joined this year by Kathy Nelson. This group quilts and makes available finished products for specific outreach needs. In December 2016, quilts were sold, and raised proceeds of $240 went to the Rector s Discretionary Fund. Yoga Ministry. Hatha Yoga, led by Libba Westin, meets every Tuesday afternoon with participants, who reap the positive physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. They also enjoy lunch out once a month, which provides socialization. 25

26 Additional Pastoral Care Clergy. The Rev. Sumith de Silva became part of the parish and has moved into our Pastoral Care ministry. He will be added to the preaching and presiding ROTA beginning January Fr. Sumith served as Curate (Assistant Priest) at St. Alban s for 13 years. We would like to say that we appreciate everyone whose name is mentioned and thank you for your ministry. St. Matthew s couldn t offer pastoral care without all of you. The following are our Parishioner Deaths in 2017: Don Armstrong (husband of parishioner Diane Armstrong) Vera Balke Philip Coleman Mike Francisco Russell Jones Elizabeth (Libby) O Leary Jane Starks Barbara Stevens Addie (Dee) Sweet O Lord, grant them eternal rest and let light perpetual shine upon them. (Adapted from BCP Burial Rite 2) Rector s Discretionary Fund continued to assist both parishioner households and non-parishioner community households. Utilities (gas and electric), food, rent, and vehicle fuel were the areas assisted predominantly with regard to requests for help. A sizable grant from the JASAM Foundation made possible extending rent assistance to parishioner households. Furniture Donation. Some furniture, sofas, and chairs collected by the congregation for another purpose, and which were no longer needed, were donated by the Rector to several families to assist in setting up their households. 26

27 FINANCIAL REPORTS for

28 Questions to the Treasurer about St. Matthew s Finances 1. Why does it cost so much to run the church? Costs associated with running a church are really no different from running a business or even running your own household. Many of the cost elements are the same regardless of the business, i.e., mortgage or rent, insurance, utilities, salaries, taxes, etc.; the main difference is the size of that business that determines the cost for each of those elements. We at St. Matthew s are fortunate that since May 2016, we no longer have a mortgage payment to make. Insurance is a requirement of the Diocese, and in most cases required by home lenders in your own household. Salaries must be paid on time to all who provide a service. Staff who help run day-to-day operations of the church add to the cost of salaries. Employees who work more than 25 hours per week must be paid benefits in addition to salary. Fr. Rick Wilson is our only full-time employee. Churches where there is no money to pay for staff must rely on volunteers to perform some of those duties, such as bookkeeping, choir/music director, groundskeeping, etc. We are fortunate to have Harry volunteer as our Choir Director, for without his services, we would need to allocate a considerable amount in our budget. All these costs add up to make the expense side of the budget, and hopefully there is enough pledging to cover expenses. The main difference between a church and a business is that a church does not and should not exist to make a monetary profit, but instead to further God s reach in our midst through us. 2. Why is there generally a deficit in each year s Financial Statement of Mission (budget)? The budget is a necessary tool for managing any operation. It is our roadmap telling us where we ve set our spending priorities and measuring our progress in that regard. While it is not ideal to start each year with a deficit budget, it is, at times, necessary due to a combination of changes in household giving and increases in non-discretionary expenses beyond our ability to pay for at the time the budget is adopted. An example of the former is a loss of a major donor(s), and of the latter is an increase in health premiums. Our losses/relocations of several sizeable contributors have forced us into a deficit situation. 3. Is there a plan in place in case the deficit projected does not look like it will be eliminated by year s end? The Vestry is fully apprised of options when approving a deficit budget. It is the Vestry s responsibility to develop a plan to erase the deficit. Options on their own or in combination are: 1) appeal for increased giving to erase the deficit (mid-year campaigns), 2) fundraisers/rummage sales/raffles, etc. 3) reduce expenses, 4) do nothing and make it up from reserves. The Treasurer reports on the progress of deficit reduction at the monthly presentation of financial results. 4. Could the money we have in reserves be used to fill the deficit? The Vestry at its discretion can choose to do this. The reserve account is a Vestry-designated account that the Vestry can vote to make expenditures from at any time. 5. If we have so much money, why can t we use it for other church needs? 28

29 Church needs are expressed in expense items developed into the budget by Vestry members, Commission Chairs, and other stakeholders. During budget development, input is sought from stakeholders as to expenses for the coming budget year. Budget items are discussed, clarification is sought, and justification is evaluated, before they are incorporated into the budget. The budget is on the agenda for three separate Vestry meetings leading up to its approval. If at any time during the year, an unbudgeted item of $500 or more is requested, Vestry must approve such expenditure and identify its funding source. Anyone can make an expense request for an unbudgeted item, but it must go through Vestry for approval. 6. What is being done to meet ongoing major repairs? We have a Capital Repair account, started from a bequest from Sally Goodrich s estate, the remaining Capital Campaign commitments that some parishioners are completing, and some direct contributions to this account. This year, the Estate of Carol Walker donated $10,000 to this account. It is to be used for major repairs to our infrastructure beyond the scope of the Repairs/ Maintenance line on the budget. What does God want? God wants our hearts. And where might our hearts be found? As Jesus taught us where our treasure is. Our giving has virtually NOTHING to do with the church s budget, although if we are pledging fully, a balanced budget will be part of the result. But that is the RESULT, not the REASON for our pledges. Our pledges are about one thing and one thing only: to bring us into closer relationship with God. Clyde Kunz (taken from his homily 10/9/2016) 29