Eden Mennonite Church Sunday, February 7, February Congregational Meeting Agenda: Celebration of 2015

Transcription

1 Eden Mennonite Church Sunday, February 7, 2016 February Congregational Meeting Agenda: Celebration of 2015

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3 Table of Contents A. Minutes from last annual meeting... 1 B. Membership Statistics... 2 C. Church Officers, Boards and Committee Reports Central Treasurer... 6 Statement of Assets... 7 Statement of Revenue & Expenses... 8 Eden Contributions Education/Discipleship Commission Church Moderator Deacon Commission Eden Mennonite Endowment Fund Everance Trust Company Gifts Discernment Commission Nursery Committee Partners In Mission Pastors Reports Associate Pastor Interim Lead Pastor Peace/Witness Commission Playground Ad Hoc Committee Sexton Staff Congregation Relations Team Stewardship Student Grant Trustee Commission Worship Commission C. Special Reports Associated Churches of Moundridge Pine Village Board D. Auxiliary Organizations Reports Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class Cornerstone Sunday School Class Eden Youth Fellowship (EYF) (FEWZ) Kitchen Service Mary Martha Circle Mennonite Men Sisters In Spirit (S.I.S.) E Budget... 34

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5 Eden Mennonite Church Congregational Quarterly Meeting February 15, 2015 Sunday, February 15, 2015 the Eden congregation met for their quarterly meeting after a fundraising meal put on by the Student Grant Committee. Jeff Snyder, outgoing chair opened the meeting. Looking back on last year, he thanked the ELT for being open enough to meet on Saturday to accommodate his work schedule. Primary accomplishments: Beginning test of new structure. Hopefully we have a clear path where to go with questions. Everyone gets s in ELT. The mass communication system is not perfect yet. We welcomed a new Associate Pastor and his family. He seems deeper and older in his spiritual life than his actual age. We rejoice for Dave and Carole on their move. Year of the Bible grand plan to cover lot of reading in 12 months. No Pictorial Directory yet. Have some serious discussions about same sex marriage question. Eden is working its way back to stability and has great people to work on it. Pastor Lee opened with prayer. He read Scripture Zachariah 4:6 Not by power, not by might, but by my Spirit. He led in prayer. Bret Gillmore called the meeting to order. We had a very good turnout. We reviewed the commission and committee reports. Does any commission or committee want to highlight their report? SCRT Berni thanked Eugene and Pam for their help. Bob Tolle has joined the team. Thanked ELT and congregation for support. Concerns should be directed to SCRT. Come to Eugene, Berni or Bob. Their job description includes: Meet monthly with pastors, meet with staff once a year, memos of understanding, structure of office staff, changed office hours, said good-bye to Dave and Darrell, welcomed Derek and Kevin, not a behind the scenes team not withholding any information, are ambassadors of reconciliation. Bret thanked the SCRT for their work this year. Any questions form the congregation? Bret entertained non. Gary Regier moved and Jeff Snyder seconded to accept report printed and verbal. Motion carried. Jay Goering- Treasurer: At the end of 2014 the balance was $299, Page 12 of report book, the Eden Endowment and the Student Grant Endowment had never been reported in the book. One correction: The Building insurance should read $15, and the Workmen s Comp should read $1, Any questions for Jay? The propane price was an issue on one of the fills. Could we watch that a little closer? That is a trustee issue. The utilities were higher than usual because of higher propane prices which we cannot control. We exceeded total expenses by $13, in the black. We made 5 mission payments instead of 6 but that was more than last year. As of today, February 15, we are right on budget and a little ahead of expenses. Eugene Goering moved to approve the budget and Del Kaufman seconded. Motion carried. Bret Gillmore: The structure work is ongoing. He thanked Jeff for his 4 years of work. Congregation applauded. He thanked the congregation ahead of time for their patience for the next two years of him being moderator. Berni moved and Linda seconded to adjourn. Motion carried. The time was turned over to Pastor Derek and Pastor Lee for their visioning presentation JoLene Kaufman, Secretary 1

6 EDEN CHURCH STATISTICAL REPORT FOR 2015 MEMBERSHIP RECORD *Non member; **Associate Member Total Membership December 31, Children (not baptized) 248 Associate Members 63 Total Number of Households 480 A. Decrease in Membership - 12 By Death 10 Edith Flickinger... January 23, 2015 Myron Jim Graber... January 28, 2015 John J. Goering (Alaska)... Date unknown Alfred Stucky... February 12, 2015 Janet Kaufman... March 7, 2015 Judy Schrag... April 30, 2015 Neva Schrag... June 20, 2015 Sherwin Niehage... September 17, 2015 Florene Wedel... October 19, 2015 Virgil Goering... December 12, 2015 By Letter of Transfer 1 Brett Schrag... March 5, 2015 Withdrawal 6 Derek Schrag... December 16, 2015 Clinton Stucky... December 23, 2015 Brenda Gawith... December 23, 2015 Catherine Johnson... December 23, 2015 Jonathan Budd... December 23, 2015 Jolene Alonso... December 23, 2015 Changed to Associate Member 32 Carol Lichti... January 7, 2015 Mary (Nachtigall) Graber... January 15, 2015 Eric Goering... March 2, 2015 DeLonna Barnett... April 16, 2015 Steven L. Goering... September 18, 2015 Kayla Kaufman Gowdy... November 11, 2015 Jonathan Schrag... December 16, 2015 Paul Crabb... December 17, 2015 Wendell Kaufman... December 17, 2015 Pamela Webb... December 17, 2015 William Juhnke... December 23, 2015 Randall Goering... December 23, 2015 Tyler Gehring... December 23, 2015 Michael Gehring... December 23, 2015 Teresa Gehring... December 23, 2015 Kim Cutting... December 23, 2015

7 Timothy Graber... December 23, 2015 Harlan Stucky... December 23, 2015 Joyce Stucky... December 23, 2015 Sharon Harris... December 23, 2015 Nellie Laird Waltner... December 28, 2015 Dustin Krehbiel... December 28, 2015 Miriam Krehbiel... December 28, 2015 Patricia Reimer... December 28, 2015 Taryn Temple... December 28, 2015 Mark Albrecht... December 28, 2025 Danny Zerger... December 28, 2015 Carol Zerger... December 28, 2015 Ronnie Krehbiel... December 29, 2015 Teresa Birky... December 30, 2015 Harvey Graber... December 31, 2015 Mary Graber... December 31, 2015 B. Increase of Membership 8 C. Decrease in Associate Membership 0 By Letter of Transfer 4 July 26, 2015 Morgan Kaufman Derek & Becky King December 13, 2015 Jerry Lankford By Baptism 5 June 21, 2015 Jaeden Dalke Jacob Ewy Chelsey Knight Josh Knight Ben Schrag D. Increase in Associate Membership 32 Carol Lichti... January 7, 2015 Mary (Nachtigall) Graber... January 15, 2015 Eric Goering... March 2, 2015 DeLonna Barnett... April 16, 2015 Steven L. Goering... September 18, 2015 Kayla Kaufman Gowdy... November 11, 2015 Jonathan Schrag... December 16, 2015 Paul Crabb... December 17, 2015

8 Wendell Kaufman... December 17, 2015 Pamela Webb... December 17, 2015 William Juhnke... December 23, 2015 Randall Goering... December 23, 2015 Tyler Gehring... December 23, 2015 Michael Gehring... December 23, 2015 Teresa Gehring... December 23, 2015 Kim Cutting... December 23, 2015 Timothy Graber... December 23, 2015 Harlan Stucky... December 23, 2015 Joyce Stucky... December 23, 2015 Sharon Harris... December 23, 2015 Nellie Laird Waltner... December 28, 2015 Dustin Krehbiel... December 28, 2015 Miriam Krehbiel... December 28, 2015 Patricia Reimer... December 28, 2015 Taryn Temple... December 28, 2015 Mark Albrecht... December 28, 2025 Danny Zerger... December 28, 2015 Carol Zerger... December 28, 2015 Ronnie Krehbiel... December 29, 2015 Teresa Birky... December 30, 2015 Harvey Graber... December 31, 2015 Mary Graber... December 31, 2015 MARRIAGES 3 June 27, 2015 *Jerry Lankford... Patricia Knoll September 6, 2015 *Kevin Sechrist... Taylor Schrag November 7 *Christopher Thompson... Kristeen Goering ADOPTIONS 0 BIRTHS 2 Althea Pax Harrison... February 12, 2015 Cory & Amanda Harrison Britton Eli Graber... September 8, 2015 Zachary & Kali (Diederich) Graber CHILD DEDICATIONS - 3 Coy Logan Kaufman... June 7, 2015 Brandon & Morgan (Peters) Kaufman Evelyn Horst King... June 7, 2015 Derek & Becky (Horst) King Althea Pax Harrison... June 7, 2015 Cory & Amanda Harrison

9 Total Membership December 31, Children (not baptized) 248 Associate Members 94 Total Number of Households 499

10 CENTRAL TREASURER S REPORT This was a year where we ran a deficit for most of the year. Due to your generosity in the end we came out positive and that was with all our mission commitments met. That was the first time we met the budget commitments for several years. I want to thank all of you for your generosity. We still have a healthy reserve and hope to continue meeting our commitments. We will have a new look next year so that is why we have zeros in many of the balances. I want to thank Becky for the many things she does behind the scene to make my job easier. Following is a list of accounts of the Eden Central Treasury with balances as of 12/31/2015: Christian Education Commission 0 SS Offering Library FEWZ 11, JYF 2, Deacon Commission 0 Peace & Witness Commission 0 Stewardship Commission 160, Eden Leadership Team 0 Eden Endowment 4, Student Grant Committee 5, Student Grant Endowment 0 Leadership Development Fund 6, Trustee Commission Mass Communication Fund 0 Capitol Building Fund 63, Worship Commission 0 Auxiliaries Historical Committee Kitchen Service Committee Mary Martha 3, Mennonite Men 3, Nursery Committee Playground Committee SIS 2, Sunday School Classes Christian Home Builders Cornerstone Seeds Total Balance 12/31/2015 $269, Balance in Checking Account $108, Balance in Money Market Account $66, Balance in Mid Kansas Credit Union Savings Account $26.14 Balance in Cetera Investment Services $65, Balance in Sunflower Bank $24, Balance in MKC Demand Certificate $3, Jay Goering, Central Treasurer

11 Eden Mennonite Church Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance As of December 31, 2015 Assets Checking/Savings $160,952 Total Assets: $160,952 Liabilities & Equity Payroll Taxes Withheld: $1,246 Total Liabilities: $1,246 Equity: Fund Balance - Beginning of year 117,555 Net Surplus: 42,151 Total Equity: $159,706 Total Liabilities & Equity $160,952

12 Eden Mennonite Church Stewardship Funds 12/31/15 Statement of Revenue & Expenses (Cash Basis) Jan 15 Dec 15 Jan 14 Dec 14 Farm Income 1, , Interest Income , Burial plots 3, Other Income 13, , Unified Budget Contributions 421, , Total Income $440, $457, Expense STAFF Salary - Stevens , Social Sec. - Stevens , Retirement - Stevens , Health Insurance - Stevens , Continuing Ed. - Stevens Professional Expenses - Stevens Salary-Derek King 52, , Soc. Sec.-Derek King 3, , Health Insurance King , Retirement King 4, , Continuing Ed.-Derek King 1, Profess. Exp.-Derek King Salary-Interim Suderman 61, , Soc Sec.-Interim Suderman 4, Retirement Interim Suderman 5, Health Insurance Interim Suderman 2, Continuing Ed-Interim Suderman Professional Expenses-Interim Suderman Pastor-Insurance Compensation , Auto Reimbursement Auto Reimb. Suderman 1, Auto Reimb. - Stevens , Auto Reimb. King 1, Total Auto Reimbursement 3, , Salary - Office Secretaries 24, , Health Ins. Office Secretary Continuing Ed Secretary Salary - Custodian , Health Ins. Custodian , Salary - Asst. Custodian 7, , Salary - Ministers of Music 8, , Social Security - Non-pastors 5, , Disability/Life Insurance Staff Insurance Compensation , Total STAFF $205, $231,

13 Eden Mennonite Church Stewardship Fund 12/31/15 Statement of Revenue & Expenses (Cash Basis) Continued ADMINISTRATION Communication to Congregation 1, Printing & Publications Postage & Office Supplies 5, , Copier Maintenance & Supply 5, , Insurance Building/Liability 15, , Workers Comp. Insurance 2, Total ADMINISTRATION $29, $28, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Church Utilities 28, Church Maintenance 22, , Church Office Utilities 3, , Church Office Maintenance Total BUILDINGS & GROUNDS $55, $52, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Sound System Improvement Video System Office Computer Total CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS $0.00 $ OTHER EXPENSE Taxes Miscellaneous , Miscellaneous other Total OTHER EXPENSE $ $3, TRANSFERS Sunday School - Supplies 3, , Library Worship Commission 1, Capital Building Fund 3, , FEWZ 2, , Junior Youth Fellowship Eden Leadership Team 3, Eden Camp Mennoscah Weekend Total TRANSFERS $14, $9,

14 Eden Mennonite Church Stewardship Fund 12/31/15 Statement of Revenue & Expenses (Cash Basis) Continued Jan 14 - Dec 14 Dec. 12- Dec 13 MISSION & OUTREACH Associated Churches 8, , Deacon Commission 3, , Bethel College , Food Bank 1, , Mennonite Central Committee 17, , MCC Meat Canning 8, , Peace & Witness Commission 3, , Mennonite Disaster Service 5, , Pine Village 3, , Student Endowment Fund 2, , Student Grant Fund 2, , Total MISSION & OUTREACH $60, $61, DENOMINATIONAL & CONFERENCE Assoc. Menn. Biblical Seminary 9, , Mennonite Church USA 7, , Camp Mennoscah 1, P.E.T. 1, Hesston College Angel s Attic Circle s of McPherson County Mennonite Publishing Network 1, , Mennonite Men Join Hands Program Mennonite Mission Network 28, , Western District Conference 21, , Peace & Justice Network Total DENOMINATIONAL & CONFERENCE $72, $60, Total EXPENSE $438, $447, NET INCOME/DEFICIT $1, $10,

15 Eden Contributions 1/01/15 12/31/15 Balance Receipts Disbursements Balance Angel s Attic Kansas MCC Sale Food Bank , , Hopi Mission School , , MCC Meat Canning , , MCC , , Memorial Funds 5, , , Mennonite Mission Network Partners in Mission , , Mennonite Disaster Service P.E.T Total Contributions $5, $17, $22, $0.00 Capital Building Fund Beginning Balance $69, Trustee Transfers $3, Earnings $ Withdrawal $9, Ending Balance $63, Eden Endowment Fund Balance $269, Student Grant Endowment Balance $111, Jay Goering, Central Treasurer 11

16 EDUCATION/DISCIPLESHIP COMMISSION REPORT The Education/Discipleship Commission exists to provide meaningful spiritual formation for all ages marked an active year working to carry out the commission's purpose. Undertakings included: - Distributed Shine Story Bibles and Bibles to families, 3rd graders and freshmen. - Arranged for recognitions of Jr. Sunday school teachers and annual backpack blessing - Organized Sunday school classes and meeting locations. Offered several adult electives throughout the year. - Secured Jr. Sunday school class teachers. - Organized Christmas Eve service and prepared gift sacks for children. - Planned and executed Wednesday night activities including service projects, adult Bible study, meals each week, and kids activities. - Provided congregational spiritual resources. - Coordinated Children's Day with Sunday school classes of all ages participating. - Arranged for several members to attend Western District Conference Faith Formation Launch Event for learning and resourcing. - Selected Jr. Sunday school offering projects and communicated offering projects. - Maintained Sunday School Supply Room. - Coordinated with the library, mentoring and nursery committees. Special thanks to: - all Sunday school teachers - Susan Goering, Sunday school Supply Room Manager - Derek and Becky King, Galen and Kathy Waltner and Brenda Wedel for directing the Christmas Eve Service - Shayna Smith, Bible School Representative - Marcy Schrag, Mentoring Committee Chair - Juanita Graber, Library Committee Chair Submitted by Katie Gillmore EDUCATION/DISCIPLESHIP FINANCIAL REPORT Balance on hand January 1, 2015 $10, Receipts Transfers to Ed 3, Devotionals/SS Books Wednesday Night Supplies/Meals Total receipts plus balance on hand $15, Disbursements SS Curriculum/Devotionals 5, Wed. Night Supplies/Meals 1, Infant Care Kits Misc Pocket Projector Total Disbursements $7, Balance on hand December 31, 2015 $7, Submitted by Pat Stucky 12

17 CHURCH MODERATOR I would like to thank all of the Commission and Committee members and Pastors for their diligent work this past year, as well as those individuals who are stepping into leadership positions for the 2016 year. I would also like the thank the congregation for their patience and support during the past year. We started the year off with a whole church planning session and then continued to meet monthly. Our focus for this year was on updating church policies to meet our current needs and to have accurate job descriptions for each position in our new structure. As we worked through our 2nd year of the new leadership structure it came to feel more familiar. At the December congregational meeting the church voted to make our leadership structure permanent. In the coming year we will be formulating the necessary changes to the Eden constitution and presenting those to the congregation. As with any changes to organizational structure more fine tuning will need to done, but we have made a huge step forward in the past year. Bret Gillmore Church Moderator DEACON COMMISSION The Deacon Commission met regularly throughout the year working closely with the pastoral staff assisting with care needs, week-end call rotation, communion, parent-child dedications, baptisms, worship leading, and personal needs in the congregation and the community. Deacon representatives also participated in the ELT and Pastoral Search Committees. The 2014 Church Record updates were completed early in There were many full members who did not reply to the letter and who no longer attend Eden. It was decided to contact these individuals during our 2015 church update later in the year. In January 2015, the Deacon fund had a large balance, accumulated from many previous years consumed with administrative concerns. Many of the generous funds entrusted to this commission were distributed throughout the 2015 year to help individuals with specific needs for rent, utilities, gasoline, car repairs, transportation, medical bills, moving expenses and budget training. Additional funds were distributed to support spiritual growth at camps and conferences, including MCUSA, WDC, Biblical Storytelling and Camp Mennoscah. Gifts were provided to service workers and to members who had lost spouses since Memorial Day With the loss of Pastor Gail s visitation ministry and the changes in organizational structure, the Deacon Commission requested assistance with congregational caregiving. Seven individuals volunteered to help and were paired with deacons to form Care Visitation teams. The teams were commissioned in April. Pastor Gail led several training sessions and deacons provided learning materials for the teams. While the Care Visitation teams provide general caregiving, the pastors continue to be the main contact for critical needs such as hospitalization and deaths. In addition, the Deacon Commission noticed that they spent much more time on community rather than congregational benevolent needs. After much discernment, the Deacon Commission proposed to ELT that the Deacon Commission would focus on congregational care and the community care would be moved to the Peace/Witness Commission in conjunction with Associated Churches. The Deacon commission also proposed to reduce its 2016 budget accordingly so that funds could be disbursed to Peace/Witness for benevolent giving 13

18 to the community. After congregational feedback, this proposal was approved by ELT to begin on January 1, Pastor Lee held an inquiry class in April for those who may be interested in membership at Eden. The pastors increased their participation at Pine Village since Eden has more pastors than the other associated churches. Communion was offered with more frequency and the commission continued the use of a website for scheduling online meals for those in need of this service. Eight bereavement packets were distributed in Piggy banks with baby blessing offerings were given to two families upon the birth of a new child. In December, 2015, the Deacon Commission conducted another church records update. This letter was sent only to those full members who no longer attend Eden and who did not respond to our update letter in Deacons will recommend to ELT and the congregation that those individuals who did not respond in either 2014 or 2015 will be automatically moved to associate membership. Having more realistic numbers of active participants in our church body may help with budgetary and other planning activities. The deacons thank all who do God s work through Eden Mennonite Church and ask for prayers for Eden s leadership, pastors, staff and the entire congregation as we continue to grow together in our ministry. Carol A Zerger, 2015 Recorder Jan 1 Beginning Bal: Deposits: Misc/Supplies Camp/Conf Benevolent Dec 31 Ending Bal Brandon Kaufman, Deacon Treasurer DEACON COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT 14

19 EDEN MENNONITE ENDOWMENT FUND Balance on hand December 31, 2014 $ 4, Transfer from Eden Endowment Fund - Everence Trust Co. 6, Memorial Gifts 11, Donations 1, Grant - PET Kansas (5,000.00) Grant - Angels' Attic (1,800.00) Grant - Eden Playground Committee (1,000.00) Grant - Eden Mennonite Men (5,300.00) Grant - Becky King for Schools (900.00) Transfer to Everence - Eden Endowment Fund (4,220.57) Balance on hand December 31, , Everence Trust Company - Eden Mennonite Endowment Fund Balance on hand December 1, 2015 $ 282, Transfer from Eden Endowment - Central Treasury 4, Interest Income 9, Change in Market Value (17,328.62) Transfer to Eden Endowment Fund (6,000.00) Fees (3,105.73) Balance on hand December 31, 2015 $ 269, Perry Krehbiel, Treasurer 15

20 GIFTS DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE Eden Mennonite Church is blest with a congregation of members who are willing to lead. This year, of the 11 commission positions that were open 8 of them were filled on the first request. We should all be gratified by and thankful for those who have served this past year and those who will serve in the coming year. There are a couple of things the ELT has asked this committee to work on this year and we are meeting to see how we can best accomplish these tasks. Two items on our to do list that the congregation needs to help us accomplish are a new survey to determine where the strengths and talents of Eden attendees lie. From this list we will form a pool for each of the commission s committee needs. There are about 17 committees or positions that need to be filled each year by our commissions and ELT Executive involving over 110 attendees of Eden. Added to this number are 30 commission members and 6 members of the Eden Executive. Members of the commissions may also be members of committees. These positions are currently filled. As I said, Eden is blest with good workers. Our church works best when ALL of us are involved in some part of its mission. We have put together a list of some 276 (not all inclusive but we re working on it) of Eden attendees, 56 of whom live in a retirement center. This does not include children and is the pool of workers we will survey. The committees and the commissions that are listed in the yearbook are the ones we will survey to fill. It is our hope that when a commission asks for a list of people to fill its committees we will have that list available to them. Thank you all for your dedication to Eden. God finds miraculous ways to use each of us in his mission. Cindy Bartell Carol Temple Dick Zerger Fred Goering NURSERY COMMITTEE The nursery committee organized a nursery schedule and kept the nursery stocked with snacks and supplies. They want to thank all the volunteers who helped to keep the nursery staffed each Sunday. Balance on hand January 1, Balance on hand January 1, Nursery Committee Brenda Dalke Samantha Doane Pat Stucky Submitted by Pat Stucky 16

21 PARTNERS IN MISSION PROGRAM Our partners and projects are as follows: George and Tobia Vieth Macau Mark and Mary Hurst Australia Brian and Noelia Gox Spain Monthly donations to Moundridge Food Pantry and Angels Attic We want to thank everyone who was involved with these people and projects. Offerings are taken twice a year. Thank you for serving the Lord with your gifts and prayers! Mission Partner Coordinators Howard & Neva Kaufman 17

22 PASTORS REPORTS ASSOCIATE PASTOR Derek King I had described 2014 as a year of transition as my family and I moved to a new town, started new vocations, learned to know a new congregation, had a new baby, said goodbye and hello to Lead Pastors, etc. It felt like a stiff Kansas wind that wouldn t let me get my feet set. As I reflect on 2015, the image of growth comes to mind. I feel as though I have found a firm place to stand and my roots have begun to dig down into the soil. I have become more familiar with the seasonal rhythms of the land, the town, and the church. I have had the opportunity to deepen my own practice of ministry through some amazing firsts. In the summer, I helped lead the catechism class and got to baptize several youth for the first time. In September, I had the honor of officiating my first wedding. While going through these firsts, I took time to deepen my own understanding of these rituals in our church life. I now have a much richer understanding and appreciation for them not as the same old things the church has been doing for years, but as living, vibrant, meaningful events in the life of the faith community. That passion for rediscovering why we do what we do led me to lead a Sunday School class with the young adults covering those topics and others like Communion, Worship, and Pacifism. I have also appreciated chances to learn from others: my working relationship with Pastor Lee has deepened over the last year and I am grateful for his willingness to share out of his rich experiences and love of the church. I was able to travel to Virginia in January to attend the School for Leadership Training week, which was focused on reaching out to those around us who choose not to affiliate with a faith community. At the Mennonite USA Convention in Kansas City, I was able to hear from wonderful speakers and attend several seminars, including one on ministry in the rural context. I have also been impressed and inspired by growth within our own faith community at Eden Mennonite Church. We have read the Bible together, especially through the Year of the Bible. We have offered worship and learning opportunities for our children on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. We have invested in technology that expands our options to teach and learn. We have deepened our understanding of the Bible by experiencing biblical foods and essential oils. We have sent missionaries into ministry, served those in need locally and around the world... the list could go on and on. My hope is that 2016 can also be a year of growth for our church family. May we deepen our relationships with and trust in each other. May we communicate more openly and honestly. May we be open to hearing God s word for us in the coming year in both the familiar and the new. Shalom, Associate Pastor 18

23 INTERIM LEAD PASTOR Lee Suderman This is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ; filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. This prayer from the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church (1:9-11) continues to also be my prayer for us here at Eden Mennonite Church at the close of this year. God has been at work in our midst as we ve read and preached our way through the Bible and favorite scriptures that have helped shaped who we are as a congregation. I appreciate our worship through music and artistic expression, and especially applaud the hard work on an improved structure and model of governance. In this time of unprecedented change, our ongoing review of priorities and ministries will be a continuing work in progress that will require perseverance, patience and flexibility from everyone. The growing trend toward diversity, independence, demand for choices and difficulty in leading, have all created new challenges in selecting and retaining pastoral leadership even in the wider church. This is especially true in traditions like ours with a congregational polity and governance. New ideologies and rigidity even in biblical interpretation, plus the independent DNA of our Anabaptist history, have added concerns about our pastoral search and perhaps even the relevance of our own Mennonite Church USA. If I had foreseen my future work as a transitional pastor I would likely have studied more in sociology, church history and how people-movements and behavior impact how churches respond to their times. In this view from the balcony, I firmly believe that recognizing the huge difference between the traditional democratic principle of majority rule and Spirit-led discernment as Paul advocates in Philippians, will be crucial in the church s future. That churches who are the most in tune with what the Spirit is saying to their particular situation will be the most effective salt and light in an increasingly troubled world (see Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29 and 3:6, 13, 27). This demanding work requires much more prayer and time than most churches are willing to give it. Also the ability to honestly speak one s truth with each other in genuine love, and to set our own personal preferences aside to fully mirror God s heart in critical decisions. All genuine truth is God s truth, as new scientific revelations keep challenging even traditional understandings of the Bible. A Bible written to a specific time and place, which now requires careful interpretation and application for our own context. I believe that a steady stream of new developments will also require a growing array of Spirit-led, ethical decisions to achieve God s will for our time. Which will challenge us to own our true identity who we are and how we behave. And to accept the real world in which we live if it s square box, a round lid really won t do. And finally, to agree upon a shared vision that we can all own and enthusiastically engage in, as we pursue the higher calling that God has for us in these important days. I close with the challenge to accept Paul s call for knowledge, insight, and true discernment. Work that will require much time in prayer, listening carefully to one another, heeding the Spirit s message to us, and welcoming unexpected outcomes from the Spirit who moves where it will, not according to our own preferences or dictates. Let us also create safe places for learning to better speak our truth to one another in love. And finally, to enter the New Year with an expectancy that God will do exceedingly beyond what we can even ask or think as we surrender ourselves to his sovereign guidance. Peace! 19

24 PEACE/WITNESS COMMISSION REPORT Our main project in early 2015 was the planning of Peace Sunday. Erica Littlewolf, director of the MCC Indigenous Visions Center, was our featured speaker. She was assisted by Karin Kaufman Wall, MCC Central States Peace and Social Justice Education Coordinator. They guided the congregation through a simulation called The Loss of Turtle Island that highlighted the indigenous people and their assimilation into American culture. Cade Graber and Anna Stucky read their peace essays. We continued our support of Marike Stucky, Elizabeth Schrag, and Alyssa Schrag in their service placements with MVS, Service Adventure, and SALT. We also provided financial support to Bob and Sondra Tolle for their Service Adventure assignment and to Mary Schrag for her PULSE placement. In addition to these service placements, our commission will manage the Benevolent Fund which assists individuals in our community who are in need. We will partner with Churches United in Ministry to further our county wide outreach to care for individuals in emergency situations. Our current focus is to promote a peace project: The Bucket Challenge. We hope to engage the entire congregation in filling MCC buckets bound for Syrian refugees. These buckets will contain basic supplies necessary for daily survival. We also will match donations for the MCC refugee program up to $1, On February 7, the whole congregation will celebrate our efforts for peace in Syria with a bucket dedication and send-off. The year has been exciting as new opportunities for peace and witness have presented themselves to the Eden Mennonite community. Mark Stucky PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE The Playground Committee received $1000 from the Endowment fund in Our request included the purchase of new playground balls and hosting community meals at the playground. As of December 31, 2015 the committee has spent $ on the new balls. The meals are planned for the spring of The Playground Committee has an account balance of $ Emily Regier Committee Member 20

25 SEXTON REPORT The following were buried in the Eden Mennonite Church cemetery from January 1, 2015 to December 31, Name Age Burial Date Edith Flickinger 80 January 29,2015 Myron J. Jim Graber 76 January 31, 2015 Marjorie Olson Stucky 87 January 31, 2015 Alfred Stucky 90 February15, 2015 Janet A. Kaufman 70 March 11, 2015 Judy Carlene Schrag 75 May 4, 2015 Neva M. Schrag 83 June 25, 2015 Sherwin Lee Niehage 78 September 22, 2015 Florene M. Wedel 79 October 23, 2015 Virgil G. Goering 89 December 16, 2015 Children s graves 80 Children s graves added 0 Total children s graves 80 Adult graves 719 Adult graves added 10 Total adult graves 729 Total Graves 809 Gary Regier, Sexton STAFF CONGREGATION RELATIONS TEAM The Staff Congregation Relations Team met monthly with Pastor Lee and quarterly with Pastor Derek. We also met once with each staff member and a representative from their accountability commission to discuss job description and make adjustments as necessary. The contribution of Bob Tolle was appreciated for the time he served on the Team. He was also the Team representative to the Search Committee. Al Neufeld joined the Team to fill Bob's vacancy. His perspective will be an asset to the Team. I would like to thank Eugene Goering for serving on the Team for two years. Jim Dalke is joining the Team in I look forward to working with a full Team. Every effort is made to be available for the pastors. We come to the regular meetings with the pastors without agenda. These are times for the pastors to share what is on their heart - personally and in local church and community work as it relates to their ministry at Eden. During these times, we encourage and support. You may do the same. Berni Kaufman 21

26 STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION The Stewardship Commission met 7 times during Commission and committee reports from 2014 were audited in January. The commission tracked budget progress, investments, and endowment funds throughout the year. The 2016 budget proposed to the congregation was approved by 98% favorable vote. Commission has offered ELT a plan to reduce excessive commission and committee balances with a zero balance accounting proposal. Current excess balances would be dispersed evenly throughout 2016 to mission partners. These excess funds would be paid in addition to scheduled budget payments. Stewardship Commission and ELT could alter plan if emergency needs arise during the year. Commission began conversation about determining our focus on charitable giving in future years. For the first time in years, all 6 payments for missional accounts were fulfilled. The congregation s generous contributions for 2015 came very close to meeting actual expenses for the year. I want to thank the congregation for your prayers and support. I also want to recognize Fred Schrag s contributions as he leaves the commission, and welcome Bruce Stucky to the 2016 commission. Respectfully submitted, Bob Schrag, 2015 Stewardship Commission Chairman STUDENT GRANT COMMITTEE The Student Grant committee had one Sunday noon meal fundraiser during Gail Stucky continued to do the paperwork associated with grant disbursements. During 2015, Eden provided grants for the following students: Fall 2015: Bethel College (Miranda Snyder, Renae Stucky, Emily Knight, Anna Stucky, Elizabeth Schrag, Michelle Schrag) and Goshen College (Abby Flickner). Spring 2016: Bethel College (Miranda Snyder, Renae Stucky, Emily Knight, Anna Stucky, Michelle Schrag), Goshen College (Abby Flickner). Submitted by Gail Stucky 22

27 STUDENT GRANT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL REPORT January - December 2015 Student Grant Endowment Fund Beginning balance $ 2, Receipts Total receipts Church budget $ 2, Total disbursements Transfer to Grant fund $ 5, Student Grant Balance on hand, January 1, 2015 $ Receipts Church budget transfers $ 2, Fundraiser meal $ 3, Additional donations $ 1, Endowment transfers $ 7, Total receipts plus bank balance $ 15, Disbursements Student grants $ 9, Meal expenses $ Total disbursements $ 9, Balance on hand, December 31, 2015 $ 5, Submitted by Gail Stucky 23

28 TRUSTEE COMMISSION REPORT In early spring the Trustees sponsored a work day at the Church. With the turnout of nearly 30 hardworking individuals we were able to get several projects completed. A large group of men worked in the cemetery filling in around nearly two thirds of the graves where the ground had settled. A couple of men set up a ladder at the front of the sanctuary and replaced all the light bulbs in the cross with LED bulbs. They reported that almost half of the old light bulbs in the cross were burned out. After they had that job completed they set the ladder up in the fellowship hall and vacuumed out the light fixtures there and replaced several burned out bulbs. Several men and women took on the task of cleaning out the storage building. Over the years a lot of unneeded things had accumulated there. We let anybody who could use the unneeded things take them home, the rest of the stuff was hauled to Gary Regier s burn pile. Finally a group of people finished up some work in the playground area. The Trustees were very pleased with the turn out for this workday and all of the things that were accomplished. Just a few of the many other projects we worked on over the past year were as follows. The sidewalk at the main entrance to the church was leveled and repaired. The concrete around the water well had buckled and was putting a lot of stress on the well casing. With a jackhammer we broke all this concrete up and removed it. The tile around the drains in the kitchen was coming loose. This was repaired. A dark mirror film was placed on the large window in the nursery that looks out to the sanctuary to provide more privacy in the nursery. We wrote a new church usage policy for those renting the church facilities for family gatherings. We also wrote a church ground lease agreement for the individual who farms the church ground. The Trustees want to thank everyone for their support and prayers as we strived to maintain our Church facilities in a safe and workable condition this past year. Keith Albrecht Trustees Commission 24

29 WORSHIP COMMISSION Worship Commission (WC) members include: Linda Goering (2015)-Chairman/Secretary, Tyler Stucky replaced Sondra Tolle (2017), Jill Zerger (2016), Becky Clark, Choir Director, Jerry Schrag (2017)-Treasurer, Joe Lichti (2015), Wayne Schrag (Sound System Representative) and Gib Burgan (Audio Visual Representative), Pastor Derek King and Pastor Lee Suderman. The Worship Commission worked together with the pastors and choir director to coordinate a meaningful worship experience for everyone who came to our services. We incorporated a variety of individuals gifts and provided supports for the sharing of these gifts. We facilitated multi-sensory learning through visuals, music, foods and the spoken word. Hearing aids were made available. The Eden Family Art Gallery was opened. Biblical foods added to our celebrations. A year of reading and studying the entire Bible together as a congregation was completed. Time was taken for the choosing and study of favorite and foundational scriptures of the congregation. We look forward to the direction the Lord will guide us in through the coming year. Year of the Bible (YOB) was started August 2014 and continued through August The Symphony of Scripture included weekly sermons and a Bible reading guide, a Sunday school discussion group, and a Monday morning Bible reading time. Quarterly celebrations with Biblical foods gave us opportunity to taste some of the foods identified in the Bible. A nine-week study on the essential oils listed in the Bible and healing in the Bible was offered during the Sunday School hour. This year-long study helped us come to the scriptures together to reflect, ask questions and wonder about its meaning for us today. Following the YOB, a series of sermons were based on the Twelve Favorite Scriptures of our congregation. Many scripture texts were submitted by church members and an additional weekly list of scripture readings, which tied into the favorite scriptures, were shared. We celebrated scripture our congregation attendees hold dear to them. Advent followed with a focus on the message and the carrier. The messages of hope, love, joy, peace and the birth were revealed to those long ago - but how important that message is for us today! The Children s Story Time consisted of readings from a Bible picture book. Decorations of trees and lights throughout the fellowship hall and sanctuary energized us as we anticipated the Birth of our Savior. The Worship Commission worked with ELT to purchase the overhead screen for the back of the sanctuary. The 4-panel visual display on the front sanctuary wall continues to enrich the visual aspect of our worship experience. Choir and instrumentalists schedules were coordinated by the Worship Commission. The Commission scheduled greeters, ushers and children's story time storytellers. We communicated with the Potluck Committee in regard to church meals. When both pastors needed to be away on a Sunday, we encouraged lay members to share about their faith experiences. Respectfully submitted by Linda Goering WC chair 25

30 WORSHIP COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT Balance on hand January 1, 2015 $ Receipts Funerals $ Budget transfers $1, YOB meal donations $ Fish & fowl meal donations $ Misc. income $ Wednesday night meal donations $ Total Receipts $3, Total receipts plus beginning balance $5, Disbursements Honorariums $1, Choir music & new folders $ Worship decorations and materials $86.62 Meals expense $ Piano tuning $ Video camcorder $ Camera & camera equipment $1, White screen $ Misc. sound & video supplies $ Total disbursements $5, Balance on hand December 31, 2015 $ Jerry Schrag, Voucher signer SPECIAL REPORTS ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF MOUNDRIDGE In 2015 meetings were held with Diane Dickson serving as president. Perry Krehbiel is treasurer and Marvis Doering is secretary. The Associated Churches Board includes the pastor and one representative of each member church. Churches include Eden Mennonite, Evangelical Free, First Mennonite, United Methodist and West Zion. The budget is reviewed at every meeting. Reports are gathered from various commissions, including the blood mobile, Cradle to Crayons Child Care Center, Angels Attic, Senior Citizens Center, youth commission, VBS, community service expenses, Food Pantry, insurance, religious education expenses and worship commission expenses. Some of our commissions apply and receive various grants for services and/or supplies. Some of our commissions were the recipients of funds from Moundridge Community Foundation Match Day which was in November. The ReUse it Center in McPherson has also donated funds to the Associated Churches Board. Eden Church Representative Jerri Kaufman 26

31 PINE VILLAGE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE The Pine Village Board of Directors currently consists of representatives from nine different local congregations, with 2 representatives from Eden. The two representatives from Eden Mennonite Church are Bruce Stucky and Cindy Bartell. The Pine Village Board meets monthly to review and discuss the operations of Pine Village from financial to staff concerns, to event planning, medical care/legislative issues and other resident concerns. Eden Mennonite Church members again participated and assisted in planning and implementation of many events such as Benefit Day (bake sales, garage sale, Bierock meals, Bar-B-Q meals), Variety Show, Blood Mobile, Walk-a-thon, musical and theatrical groups (Senior Singers, Pine Village Players) gardening, and the Mobile Hen House. These are just a few of the activities that make Pine Village a leader in providing personcentered care. Eden continues to participate in the rotation of a weekly worship service on the Pine Village campus. The board is grateful for the monetary contributions and hours of work toward all these projects was a good year for Pine Village in the big picture of the organization. There were some months of less than normal occupancy and revenue but still Pine Village was able to complete remodel work on the neighborhoods, bathing units, and update other parts of the facility. There is ongoing work on the independent units, i.e. duplexes, six-plexes and individual houses on the campus when each is prepared for occupancy for many in the Eden congregation. Above all, Pine Village provides compassionate care in a Biblical context. This is evident in the care given, which was especially recognized by the State of Kansas this year. The exemplary level of care given allowed Pine Village to be awarded a Level 4 Peak Award as one of a handful of care facilities in Kansas. A special presentation by Kansas Secretary of Aging and Disability Services, Kari Bruffett, was made to Pine Village recognizing Pine Village as a Person-Centered Care Mentoring Home in October. The Pine Village Board has been working hard to support the staff in development and maintenance of optimal resident care. It takes dedicated and very competent staff to create this kind of special care facility environment and Eden Mennonite Church is a big part of the Pine Village environment. Caring People Caring for People. Cindy Bartell, Board Member 27

32 AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION REPORTS CHRISTIAN HOME BUILDERS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS FINANCIAL REPORT Balance on hand December 31, Perry Krehbiel Treasurer Receipts Wednesday night meals $ Offerings/donations $ Total Receipts $1, Receipts plus balance on hand $1, Disbursements Angels Attic $ Flowers for class members $ Gifts to MVS/Service workers $ John McCabe Juhnke Honorarium $50.00 Moundridge Food Pantry $ Total Disbursements $1, Balance on hand December 31, 2015 $ CORNERSTONE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS FINANCIAL REPORT Balance on hand December 1, 2014 $ RECEIPTS Wednesday night meal donations $ Total Receipts $ Total receipts plus bank balance $ DISBURSEMENTS Mission partners $ Total Disbursements $ Balance on hand December 31, 2015 $ Marcia Goering, Treasurer 28

33 FIRST EDEN WEST ZION (FEWZ) YOUTH FINANCIAL REPORT 2015 was filled with lots of very memorable events for our youth. This was the first full calendar year for the FEWZ youth group to be in existence. It consists of youth and sponsors from First, Eden, and West Zion Mennonite Churches, as well as some youth from other local churches. In total, 5 local churches were represented by the youth who participated in FEWZ in A lot happened in the past year, so I ll just share a few highlights. Bible Studies covered a range of topics, but we had some in-depth studies on the topics of Money and Sexuality/Dating. Between Fundraiser Meals, Coffee Sales, and direct gifts from the congregations, we were able to raise enough money to pay for everyone to attend the bi-annual Mennonite Convention in Kansas City with around 3,000 youth from across the country. The Convention was a very formative time for the youth as they were moved by powerful worship experiences, inspirational speakers, educational seminars, and diverse fellowship with Mennonite youth from all over the U.S.A. The youth got several opportunities to be servants as they focused on local, regional, and global concerns. We helped piece together new playground equipment at Pack Park. The youth also prepared and served a meal at the Soup Kitchen in Hutchinson. We also put together Infant Care Kits for Mennonite Central Committee. While in Kansas City at the Youth Convention, our youth joined a youth group from Pennsylvania to help clean and clear overgrown areas of a local park. We also got together regularly with no other agenda than to have fun. This happened through lock-ins, pool parties, hot dog roasts, bowling, and even an overnight camping trip. Our group went through some major changes over the summer as eight seniors graduated in June, then left for college soon after the Convention. In August, we also added three new adult sponsors that represent the three Mennonite churches. The younger youth have now become the leaders and I am really excited to see this group grow as individuals and as a faith community in the coming year. Respectfully Submitted, Derek King Associate Pastor 29