Christ Church, Ithan. Parish Profile 2017

Transcription

1 Christ Church, Ithan Parish Profile 2017 Christ Church is a welcoming place of spiritual refuge for all who seek to extend the teachings of Jesus into their lives.

2 History of Christ Church, Ithan Christ Church, Ithan began as a wooden frame chapel in November of 1894, after the Vestry of St. Martin s Church in Radnor donated land just north of the intersection of Conestoga and Radnor-Chester Roads. Two months later, the first service was held at Ithan Chapel on January 20, 1895 with 135 people in attendance. For twenty-five years, the wooden chapel at Ithan was an active church community until Theophilus Chandler, a pre-eminent Philadelphia architect, decided to replace the wooden chapel with a simple gothic-style country church on his own land. The formal consecration of the new Ithan Church of St. Martin s Church was held on All Saints Day, November 1, In the years that followed, the congregation at the Ithan Church grew and a curate was placed in charge. The congregation became interested in becoming independent of St. Martin s, and the Vestry there called it the separation project. The growth of both St. Martin s and Ithan Church from 1955 to 1958 made it essential to have an independently functioning parish at Ithan Church with its own rectory and vestry. On May 7, 1957, the Church at Ithan was given autonomy, however the administrative and financial matters were still determined by the rector of St. Martin s Church until March 13, 1958, when the name Christ Church, Ithan was selected for the new parish. The final step toward autonomy took place at the 174th Annual Convention of the Diocese on May 4, As laid out in our 2012 Strategic Plan ( in 2016 we celebrated the centennial of the laying of the cornerstone on the land of Theophilus Chandler. This centennial celebration will continue through 2019, the anniversary of the consecration of our wonderful church. 2

3 Our Community Christ Church, Ithan is located 15 miles west of Center City Philadelphia, in the center of Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. The surrounding community has approximately 31,000 residents and a median household income of about $106,000. Within a three mile radius, there are four other Episcopal Churches, and more just outside, each of varying size and personalities. Church of the Good Shepherd 3

4 Radnor Township boasts a highly ranked school district. In a recent national ranking, Radnor Township School District was ranked 2 nd in the state and 3 rd nationally. The area also has over fifteen colleges and universities including the largest employer in Radnor, Villanova University, as well as Cabrini, Eastern, Haverford and Bryn Mawr colleges. Downtown Wayne is less than one mile from Christ Church, Ithan, and offers fine restaurants, shopping and entertainment options to the residents of Radnor. Public transportation is readily available in Radnor, including Philadelphia s most active regional rail line, with multiple train stations less than a mile from the Church. Five minutes by foot from the church is the Radnor Trail, a former railroad bed converted into a two-and-a-half-mile paved multipurpose trail for walking, jogging and bicycling. Only fifteen minutes away is the King of Prussia Mall, the second largest shopping mall in America. The City of Philadelphia and its many cultural institutions and historic sites are easily accessible from Radnor Township. 4

5 Our Facilities and Grounds Christ Church, Ithan is situated on approximately 5.1 acres in a residential area. The facilities include the church, a parish hall (Ithan Hall), and a Rectory. Ithan Hall houses the church offices, a chapel, and open space for functions. About half of the parish hall is rented to a Montessori School. The Rectory is at the back of the property, which is currently rented under a short-term lease agreement. The Rectory can be made available for a new rector, should the need arise. The church facilities are in good working order, but as in all older buildings, they require maintenance. All repair work is carefully considered and implemented as needed and budgeted. Church Church Offices & Ithan Montessori Ithan Hall Rectory 5

6 Our Congregation The mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. BCP 855 Our congregation is a warm and welcoming community of dedicated and committed members. The spirit of our hard working and involved vestry spills over to ignite the spirit of Christ in the rest of the congregation. Although we are a small congregation, our membership rises to every occasion. With a generous spirit, we come together with both time and resources to help our church community as well as the greater community in which we live. Christ Church, Ithan is of a size where people are known in a familial way. There is genuine care for one another, pride in our church, and openness which creates a warm feeling of hospitality. During our time of transition, our parish family has come together, supported each other, and started new outreach ministries. We are Leadership Clergy Rev. John W. Sosnowski - Interim Rector Staff Dr. Jeffrey B. Fowler - Music Director Nancy McLaughlin - Parish Administrator Charles Gerhab - Sexton Judy Englerth - Parish Assistant Vestry: Julia Gould - Rector s Warden Bruce Wietlisbach - Accounting Warden Janice Martin Chris Herring Martin McNeil Patricia Palumbo Dirk Soutendijk Rick Wheeler Joe Merlino working to launch ourselves forward, open to seeing the ways the Holy Spirit is leading us as we explore new opportunities. We are small but mighty, and eager to explore the church of the future. Currently we have about 150 members in the parish, with an average attendance of 61 worshipers between two services. Our congregation is also very fortunate and blessed to be supported by a very dedicated parish administrator and sexton. Their compassion for the church and attention to detail only helps the church flourish. 6

7 Our Worship We come together every week to share the Lord s Table of Word and Sacrament, offered at two services. One service is at 8:30am, and is a Spoken Eucharist. The other service is at 10:00am with a full Choral Eucharist. We currently use Rite II for both services. The services are supported weekly by participation from our congregation with altar guild, readers, Eucharistic ministers, crucifers, acolytes, and ushers. For holy days, the congregation comes together to decorate the church. Worship life and all of the traditions are very important to the Christ Church, Ithan community. The rituals of the service, the Word, and timely and engaging sermons help to feed our souls as we listen to God s call in our lives. 7

8 Music The Choir of Christ Church welcomes both professional and amateur singers. The choir is made up of five professional singers and four Choral Scholars (intentionally recruited high school singers) augmented by volunteer voices. Challenging music from Anglican as well as other sacred choral traditions form the basis of the choir's repertoire. Our Music Director, Dr. Jeffrey B Fowler, holds degrees from West Chester University and the University of Michigan. At Michigan, he was awarded a Rackham predoctoral fellowship, the David McK. Williams Scholarship, and was teaching assistant to his organ professor and University Organist, Marilyn Mason. Dr. Fowler is adjunct professor of organ at Eastern University, and has been active with the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, serving as Chair of the Exhibits Committee for the 2002 National AGO Convention, and as Sub-Dean and then Dean. Choir members describe their work with Jeff as both challenging and rewarding, noting that his sense of humor and warmth make it fun. He is also very flexible and works with the rector for liturgical planning. The choir blesses us weekly with exceptional voices and music, leading the congregation in worship. 8

9 Outreach & Community Service Our outreach and community service programs have been recently rekindled with a good cross section of the congregation participating. In an effort to make our community visible and welcoming, we held an outdoor community service last spring. At this service, we recognized and contributed to two local organizations. One is The Radnor ABC House (A Better Chance), which provides housing to youth from underserved communities so they can attend Radnor High School. local support group for LGBTQ youth. The second organization is the Main Line Youth Alliance (MYA), a We are an active participant with the Ardmore Food Pantry, located at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Ardmore, providing staffing, donations of food, and financial support. We were excited by the congregation s response to a Thanksgiving and Christmas drive this year. Christ Church, Ithan has also partnered with the Radnor Police Department to assist local families who have been identified as needing outside help. We have recently worked with two families to paint, clean and organize their houses to allow them to continue living in their houses. In addition to above, Christ Church, Ithan is supporting programs such as Stand with Iraqi Christians, Episcopal Community Services, United Thank Offering, St. James School, and the Church Farm School. 9

10 Our Financial Stewardship Other 17% REVENUES Utilities & Maintenance 15% EXPENSES Other 7% Offerings 50% Clergy 45% Rentals 33% Admin 21% Music 12% The financial picture of Christ Church, Ithan is one of stability. The net assets of the church, which include an endowment of $1.o million dollars, is in excess of $1.4 million dollars. Our revenues for 2016 were $328, and our expenses totaled $362, resulting in a deficit of $34, The Vestry strives to maintain a balanced budget as faithful stewards of God s gift to us. In the past five years, our financial performance has vacillated with relatively small surpluses and deficits. The projected deficit for 2017 is $20,000, down from the previous year. This year we have 46 pledges totaling $153, Other sources of revenue include a Montessori School (Ithan Montessori), rental of our rectory, as well as various organizations who rent our facilities producing an additional $100, of income. Our percentage of completion of pledges is 94+%. Christ Church parishioners are committed to their obligations, and this has been a consistent trend for many years. These are all very positive numbers, given the church is in a time of transition. 10

11 Larger Church Community The Diocese of Pennsylvania ( is the second oldest diocese in the Episcopal Church. This historic body is comprised of 132 congregations located in the southeast portion of the state - Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, & Chester counties. Thirteen of its parishes ante-date the founding of the Diocese itself in The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutierrez was consecrated on July 16, 2016 to serve as the 16th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. He has been a renewed light in the diocese and has made an effort to make a pilgrimage to all of the churches, including Christ Church, Ithan. We had a wonderful lunch and visit with the Bishop, and look forward to future visitations. The diocese is divided into 11 deaneries. Christ Church, Ithan is a member of the Merion Deanery, which is comprised of All Saints, Wynnewood, Christ Church, Ithan, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, The Church of St. Asaph, Bala Cynwyd, St. Christopher s Church, Gladwyne, St. David s Church, Radnor, Nevil Memorial Church of St. George s, Ardmore, St. John s Church, Lower Merion, St. Martin s Church, Radnor, St. Mary s Church, Ardmore, and St. Mary s Church, Wayne. Currently, Fr. Ryan Whitley of St. George s, Ardmore is the Dean. In addition to the Episcopal Church, Christ Church, Ithan has been a member of the Wayne Ministerium, a collection of ministers in the Wayne, PA area, who meet monthly. This group also holds a collective Good Friday Service. The participating churches are Wayne United Methodist Church, Christ Church Anglican on the Main Line, St. Katharine of Siena Church, Wayne Presbyterian Church, Church of the Saviour, Christ Church, Ithan, and Eastern University. Finally, Christ Church, Ithan has reconnected with St. Martin s Church, Radnor during our centennial year. Christ Church was once a mission of St. Martin s. Through the efforts of our Interim Rector, Fr. John, and St. Martin s Rector, Fr. Chris Bishop, ties are being reestablishing with a joint Vestry meeting and participation in each other s events. Fr. Chris Bishop has established Stand with Iraqi Christians, which Christ Church, Ithan has supported both by attending fundraisers as well as with a financial commitment. 11

12 What We Seek in Our Rector Parishioners met on October 23, 2016 to discuss what we are looking for in a new rector, what brought us to Christ Church, Ithan, and why we have stayed. would like to see in its new rector: Christ Church, Ithan A sensitivity and appreciation of the church s past while helping it adapt and thrive in the 21 st Century. A bold and energetic leader who will work to energize the parish. A creative leader who will help to generate ideas to further the church s growth. Someone whose sermons will inspire and be meaningful and timely to parishioners. Someone who genuinely enjoys and will be active in pastoral care. A willingness to partner with other churches and organizations to further our outreach initiatives. The issues the new rector will face are similar to many other churches - an elderly and declining membership; a beautiful but old church building that needs maintenance; a need to expand a small nucleus of parishioners who do much of the work. To assist in addressing these issues, the new rector will be blessed by a dedicated and capable staff, a motivated vestry, an engaged and caring congregation, and a diocese that has recently been invigorated by a new, energized bishop. We have great comfort and affection for our church and are looking for a leader who will join our community, help us develop our mission, guide us in finding innovative ways to be a church, and help us grow our membership. But growth alone does not necessarily make a church thrive. We are working to better define our mission, and hope to attract children, younger families and young adults to add to our solid base for years to come. Our desire is that there is a place for each parishioner of every age within Christ Church, Ithan. 12

13 We have been candidly reviewing our experience for what has worked and has not. Our last two rectors were present for many and few years, respectively. Just as our prior rector went through his own discernment, and left to pursue academia, our congregation has also been going through a discernment process. We have utilized this interim time to assess our ownership, develop leadership, and to form committees to assist with the daily workings of the church. All of this has been with the help, support and guidance of our Interim Rector Fr. John Sosnowski. We want to see a continuation of our interim rector s strength as a relationship builder and his commitment to pastoral care while helping to further refine our mission. Since we are looking to adapt and thrive as a 21 st Century church, being tech savvy is important. We like that he has challenged us to define what it means to witness Jesus s love among ourselves and in the community, as a whole. It is also important that our new minister appreciate our distinct geographic community that has several lovely and nearby Episcopal churches. We would like to see connections made with our neighboring parishes that can benefit all, at the same time we want to retain our individuality and distinctiveness that has made Christ Church, Ithan a place where people take respite in the warm, familial environment with a small town feel; a place that encourages spiritual growth without judgment; a community that does not have cliques. We want to continue efforts to be as welcoming as we possibly can be; and a place that is blessed with a well-loved music program and director of great skill and openness to support growth. Christ Church, Ithan is in the midst of celebrating our centennial. We hope our wider community will learn that they are welcome to share in the peace, support, and comfort of our church as we eagerly look forward to the next chapter in Christ Church, Ithan s life. 13

14 Called to Be Our Rector? If you believe you are called to be the next Rector of Christ Church, Ithan, we would be happy to hear from you. Please your resume along with a cover letter to: ccidiscernment@gmail.com Other material may be mailed to: Christ Church, Ithan Attn: Search Committee, Porter Gould 536 Conestoga Road Villanova, PA For more information about our parish, visit us online at: O God, you know us better than we know ourselves. Guide us throughout our time of transition here at Christ Church, Ithan. Empower each one of us to use our unique gifts in ministry, to share openly and honestly our thoughts, to respect the opinions of others, and to encourage humility, patience and joy. Instill in us a vision for our Church s future; that, guided by your Holy Spirit, we will be united in love and joyfully accomplish our mission, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 14