20/20 Goals Report st, 2 nd and 3 rd Quarters. The 20/20 Vision is:

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1 January 20, 2017 Dear Partners in Ministry at Faith United Methodist Church, 20/20 Goals Report st, 2 nd and 3 rd Quarters This 20/20 report celebrates the ministry goals accomplished thus far in our 20/20 Vision work together. We hope that you will be inspired by and rejoice in all that God is doing in and through Faith UMC. Future reports are intended to be provided quarterly and will be much shorter. A timeline summarizing the 20/20 Vision History is provided at the end of this letter to help everyone understand and appreciate the faithful process, transitions and steady progress we have made as a church. Thanks and praise to all of you who have given sacrificially of your time, talents, resources, prayers, presence, and witness. The 20/20 Vision is: To expand our Faith Footprint affecting lives near and far with the Gospel, making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ and growing into the optimal capacity of Faith s facility for worship, mission and ministry. To accomplish this vision, the church has identified 6 focus areas that are detailed in the 20/20 Acting on Faith brochure (contact the church if you do not have a copy). Each focus area is reported on below. Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 1: Giving a Tithe Total allocated* at end of 3 rd Quarter: $23,517 Total approved and given: $23,517 Allocated means set aside for this focus area or goal. Approved means approved for spending. A tithe [tenth] of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 (NIV) The practice of giving an offering to God goes back to Cain and Abel, the offspring of Adam and Eve. Offering is found 827 times in the NRSV Bible. Over 2,300 verses tell us to be generous and good stewards of our resources. By the end of Genesis, we see the practice of giving one tenth, which by the third book of the Bible is called a tithe. Giving one tenth of all that we receive is an act of gratitude to God that helps us keep God first in our lives, cultivates humility and builds a life of thankfulness. Following the Biblical model of a tithe, Faith UMC decided to give the first 10% of its 20/20 Vision gifts as a tithe for mission outside of our church. Of the tithe, 40% is given locally, 40% is given internationally and 20% is reserved to provide prompt support when disasters such as hurricanes and floods strike at home or abroad. Celebrating local support to Canton Calvary Mission Total given at end of 3 rd Quarter: $9,407 Connecting in the garden Connecting at the table Sharing Christ, Loving People, Making a Difference 1

2 Celebrating international support to the 3Cs (Churches, Clinics and Classrooms) Total given at end of 3 rd Quarter: $9,407 3Cs is an East Ohio Conference initiative that is making a significant difference in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Zimbabwe and Russia by supporting churches, clinics and classrooms. More kids in school Educated girls with a future More people in church More healthy births church Kathy Urban Dickriede 3Cs Report Funds for medicines and supplies at the Bopolu Clinic in Liberia. Supporting the training and education of a biomedical technician in Liberia. Monthly salary support for George Z. Dean Clinic at Camphor Mission in Liberia Partial payment for a vehicle in the DRC (Congo) for Global Mission Missionaries Funding for the caretaker house at the Emzizini school in Zimbabwe Team Leader expense for partnership strengthening to Liberia and Sierra Leone More 3Cs teams forming for 2017 Celebrating Disaster Response Total given at end of 3 rd Quarter: $4,703 WV Flood Help Q1 = $2,015 Louisiana Flood Help Q2 = $1,594 Hurricane Matthew Help Q3 = $1, % of all funds given to UMCOR goes directly to helping to provide relief and aid. This is because of the connectional strength of the United Methodist Church that covers all the cost of administration. For more information and inspiring news visit 2

3 Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 2: Worship Arts Coordinator Position Total allocated as of end of 3 rd Quarter: $39,967 Total approved for spending: $37,404 On July 1, 2014, Dan Parsley became Faith UMC s first Worship Arts Coordinator. The position was recommended in October, 2013 after a 10-month study in worship arts and congregational vitality. Seed money from an undesignated bequest from George Owen paid for the first 18 months of the position (which ended 12/31/15). In 2016, 100% of the position cost came from the 20/20 Acting on Faith Initiative funds in partnership with the East Ohio Conference. In 2017, 75% of the cost will come from 20/20 funds and 25% is included in the annual mission and ministry budget. By 2020, the position is to be sustained 100% out of the annual mission and ministry budget. Under Dan s leadership, the chancel choir has more than doubled. A Choral Scholars program was started that partners with local choral college students who sing as section leaders. Schola Cantorum, a vocal ensemble, was formed. The Harmonia Sacra Brass Group was started. Concert series have opened our doors to the community. Worship has grown in numbers and in spirit. Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 3: Worship Space Renovations Total allocated as of end of 3 rd Quarter: $22,183 Total approved for spending: $0 Sanctuary Chapel Family Life Center Debbie Wiley Convener For more than a decade there has been talk about remodeling the sanctuary. Similarly, our 9:45 worshippers in the Family Life Center have identified worship space improvement needs such as: better lighting, better acoustics, a screen on the west wall for worship leaders to see, worship visuals, more comfortable chairs and more. The chapel is our newest worship space, completed during the 2002 renovations. 20/20 Vision Focus Area 3 now has a Worship Space Renovations group with Debbie Wiley as the Convener. This group, along with others from the church, met with Catherine Kapikian, Distinguished Artist-in- Residence at Wesley Theological Seminary, on March 13, 2016 for a worship space walkthrough that stimulated thoughtful conversation informed by Catherine s trained observations and reflections. On September 29 the group met with Ted Good from TS Good Church Organ Company, affiliated with Steinway Gallery in Hudson, who specializes in worship space renovations. The group will continue to gather 3

4 information and consider ideas moving at a pace that honors the necessary sensitivity, congregational involvement and careful planning that our three worship spaces deserve. Look for opportunities to share your thoughts and ideas in the near future. At this stage in the planning, there have been no requests made for 20/20 funds for this focus area. Thus, its allocated funds will continue to accumulate for requests at the appropriate time. Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 4: Programmatic Goals Total allocated as of end of 3 rd Quarter: $38,582 Total approved for spending: $28,620 Programmatic goals refer to the hands-on, life-changing ministry goals carried out by the ministry teams. They discerned these goals to allow the church to fulfill the 20/20 Vision (see top of page 1). Many of these goals have existed since 2014 or before but could not be funded without compromising another 20/20 Vision Goal passing a balanced budget. After more than a decade of passing deficit budgets, we celebrate that Faith UMC has passed a balanced budget every year since By investing in vital programmatic goals today with 20/20 funds, we believe the church will grow deep and wide so that by 2020 the annual mission and ministry budget will be able to sustain this higher level of ministry vitality. This means that in 2017, 25% of the 20/20 programmatic goals are included in the annual mission and ministry budget; in 2018, 50%; in 2019, 75% and in %, achieving sustainability. 1 st Quarter - Celebrating 10 Programmatic Goals Total Allocated: $16,650 Total approved for Spending: $16, Summer Arts Camp: Thumbprints in the World Aug. 8-10, 2 hrs each night. First time ever. Bringing 64 children and 44 volunteers together from church and community (approx. 65%) exploring creativity through 18 different art experiences plus a 6 x4 Dove Mosaic. $1,500 Worship and s 2. Choral Conducting Internship Engaging college music students, expanding music ministry. Peter W $1,500 Worship Team 3. Youth Mission Trip Providing support to this 30+ year life-changing event will increase its stability and expand its vitality. $5,000 Youth Ministry Team 4. 5 th -6 th Grd Transition Ministry 1 st time 5 th Grade Retreat and Wed. p.m. Middle school program started to transition and reach more Youth. $1,000 Youth & s 5. College Ministry 64 of our college students have received cards and will receive care packages reminding them and others that FUMC cares. $500 Youth Ministry Team & UMW 6. Little Free Library Promoting literacy, love of reading and community partnership. People are free to take a book and/or leave a book. $500 4

5 9. ACS Database Training Ongoing training with an ACS expert to maximize the power of our new state of the art database will enhance stewardship, care and ministry - $2,500 Office Team 4 7. Special Needs Hospitality Sensory resources and new changing tables in the Nursery and Parlor bathroom increased our hospitality to special needs families $1, Faith Friends Scholarship Helping families in our community who are struggling economically is at the heart of ministry and this goal. $2,000 Faith Friends Ministry Team 10. Signs and Advertising Investing in signs and advertising increases Faith s visibility and makes it easier for new people to find us. $1,000 Outreach Ministry Team 2 nd Quarter - Celebrating 9 Programmatic Goals Total allocated: $7,470 Total approved for spending: $7, Children s Honors Chorus First ever. 40 students 4 th -6 th grade with guest Ann Usher (Director of Cleveland Orchestra Children s Choruses) and Mindy Whitesmith (Director a NCMS). Attracting new families to FUMC - $2,475 Worship Ministry Team 2. Youth Kickoff Skate Party Promoted throughout the community including in Schoology to reach all families of 6 th -12 th grade youth, this event rented out the North Canton Skate Center for fun and fellowship to grow Youth Ministry - $800 Youth Team 3. Special Needs Hospitality Growing awareness about special needs led to continued growth in special needs ministry including the purchase of sensory resources and manipulatives like noise reduction earphones and comfort objects. $ Labyrinth Faith UMC may be the only church in our community that owns a labyrinth. This goal is to welcome more people to use our labyrinth and to purchase a portable labyrinth for expanded use. - $ Library Resourcing Faith UMC has one of the best church libraries around. This goal will add books and other media to assist greater spiritual growth. $ Next Step Resources On a journey into faith is the motto at Faith. This goal helps members and friends of Faith UMC find the right next step to grow toward becoming a more deeply committed disciple of Christ. - $300 5

6 7. Fall Adult Group Materials Adults who participate in small group studies consistently report significant growth in their walk of faith. This goal provides increased opportunities for small group formation, offering assistance as needed. - $1, Mentor & Facilitator Training Training is key to expanding small group opportunities. This goal helps us grow deep and wide welcoming first time participants and deepening the faith of regular participants. A record number of trained facilitators resulted. - $ Veteran s Day Community Dinner Building on the tradition of honoring veterans in our church and community, this goal will reach out to even more Veterans and their families to gather at the table for a special dinner. - $1,000 Outreach Ministry Team 3 rd Quarter - Celebrating 2 Programmatic Goals Total allocated: $14,463 Total approved for spending: $4,500 Changing Lives 1. Artist in Residence This goal builds on Faith UMC s growing arts ministry, partnering with Dyanne Williams, local mosaic artist, to involve the congregation in making 4 mosaics. $2,500 Worship / Spiritual Formation 2. Welcome Videos This goal contracts with Ben Leeson (Northern Brothers Media) to create 6 high quality videos that will be used on our website to better tell our story and invite new people to Faith. - $2,000 Communications / Outreach Teams Loving God and loving neighbor is what mission and ministry is all about. Everything we do as a church is for this purpose. Programmatic goals allow Faith UMC to reach more people with the good news of Jesus Christ and provide a path for each person s journey of faith, deepening their discipleship. How have you experienced God s love shaping your life at Faith through its ministry programs? How have you seen God at work in and through Faith? Help share the good news! Share your faith story. See examples: Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 5: Facility Upgrades Total allocated as of end of 3 rd Quarter: $28,522 Total approved for spending: $12,200 Several 20/20 Vision Goals are upgrades that will make our church facilities better equipped for ministry. Examples include Wifi throughout the building, new computer for Library, better signs, renovating the lower level, creating wall space for showing art, purchasing new more comfortable portable chairs, etc. Accomplishing these goals will help to make Faith UMC more hospitable, more beautiful, and more effective in its mission and ministry. 1. Wifi Throughout Building Increasingly, people depend on internet connectivity, and many new ministries use the internet for teaching. This goal, completed in October, expands ministry and provides hospitality. - Trustees $11,800 approved $10,695 actual Cost 2. New Computer for Library In addition to helping us better maintain our library, this goal will provide newer computer programs that will attract and engage children in learning activities contributing to faith development. - $400 6

7 Celebrating God s work from Focus Area 6: Facility Maintenance Total allocated as of end of 3 rd Quarter: $82,395 Total approved for spending: $22,000 6 I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together The church is not a building, not a steeple, not a place, but the church is a people! The Trustees of Faith UMC embrace the truth sung in this popular hymn (We Are the Church - UMH 558). Maintaining the more than 47,700 square feet of building space, 5 ¾ acres of property and the parsonage is always for the church the people and the church s mission. A well cared-for building and grounds provide an inviting and functional space for people to connect in worship, mission and ministry. The 20/20 Facility Maintenance goals proactively insure that our facility is at its best to support growing ministries, energy-efficiency and safety. 1. Interior Stained Glass Repairs Faith s interior stained glass windows enhance the beauty of our facility and connect us with our beginnings. Started in September, this goal was completed in October. $12,000 approved $7,450 actual cost Trustees 2. New Office Phone System Effective communications is an essential component for effective ministry. Our 20+ year-old office phones were outdated. A new system, installed in November, provides modern features and greater reliability. $10,000 approved $7,230 actual cost Trustees Celebrating Other 20/20 Vision Goals Accomplished outside of 20/20 Funds (since 2015) Total financial support outside 20/20 Funds for these 20/20 Goals: $159, Boston by Steinway Grand Piano This 20/20 goal has expanded our music ministry, hospitality and outreach as it has enhanced our worship. The piano, stand, cover and humidifier were purchased on Nov. 30, 2015 with $36,250 donated in memory of Mary Davis. Worshippers and several community musical events have been blessed by its sound. 2. Faith Friends Learning Center New Sign $7,850 from an anonymous donor plus $400 from the FFLC fund allowed for this 20/20 goal to be accomplished in August, 2016, publically branding its new name and welcoming new and returning families alike. 3. Faith Friends Learning Center New Turf $15,000 was donated in memory of George Wilkin for this 20/20 goal and the remaining $850 came from the Faith Friends Learning Center fund. Take a walk on this new turf and see why kids and parents love it! 7

8 4. Faith Friends Learning Center Painting Rooms and Halls $667 from the 2016 Trustees budget plus a lot of helping hands accomplished this 20/20 goal giving FFLC a facelift painting all rooms and halls. Almost at maximum capacity, this beautiful space matches the beautiful dedication of its teachers and staff. 5. Exterior Building and Stained Glass Refurbishment $46,150 from the Trustee Contingency Fund paid for needed building repairs and the refurbishment of the 1977 exterior stained glass windows increasing beauty and energy efficiency, and insuring safety. Completed July, Projector in Sanctuary $5,391 from the sound system fund and $502 from the music fund paid for this goal to provide seamless quality image and video projection in the sanctuary to enhance the worship experience on Sundays like All Saints. It was installed in April, 2016 and first used in worship on Easter. 7. ACS New Church Database $10,000 gift in memory of George Wilkin allowed the church in May, 2016 to purchase the nation s leading church database program. Features include remote access, highest levels of security, robust customization, member-defined preferences, care and small group ministry tools and more. 8. Financial Peace University $1,000 from Endowment made it possible for us to offer the course at a reduced cost resulting in 25 participants, 10 under age 35! Remaining costs ($1,080) came from participants and $540 from Spiritual Formation Ministry Team budget. 9. Resource Room Makeover $1,500 from an anonymous donation plus many helping hands transformed this space into an organized and well maintained room abounding with resources for ministry that can be easily found and used! 10. More Kids to Camp One week of camp provides more hours of Christian learning and experience than a year of weekly Sunday school and church! $4,209 from donors, $1,650 from the Conference and $1,104 from the District helped send a record 18 kids to camp. Nine kids went for the first time! 11. Camp Read-a-Lot (CRAL) With 225 kids participating (90% outside of FUMC) and 110 adult volunteers, CRAL has become a hallmark ministry at FUMC. Member donated items and Giving Tree contributions estimate $750. Partners include: Stark Community Foundation ($1,700), Kohl s Department Store (1200 books estimated value $6k). 12. Worship Materials Shelf While the contents of this shelf and one just like it in the Family Life Center are from 20/20 funds, the shelves were made by Alan Martinsen. Wood, paint and time were all donated. Estimated value of $250 8

9 Summary of Other Funding For 20/20 Goals 13. Touched by Cancer Fueled by Faith This 4-week worship and program series brought the community together around shared experiences with cancer. Stomp Veteran Elec Simon from Canton starred in the opening event sharing his story of hope when his mom had cancer. This 20/20 goal was paid for with: $3,000 from Endowment and $3,000 from anonymous gifts. 14. Choral Scholars The Choral Scholars program connects young adult choral college students majoring in music with FUMC and provides unique opportunities for them to grow and learn more about careers in church music settings. Student share their gifts by singing with the Chancel choir and Schola Cantorum while engaging in real world experiences of music and worship. This 20/20 goal has received $9,000 from the Endowment. These fourteen 20/20 goals were accomplished with a total of $159,904 from the following sources since 2015: Designated Gifts --- $78,809 Other Funds $53,293 Annual Budget ---- $1,257 Endowment $13,000 Participant Fees -- $3,091 Grants $10,454 Faith Church is generous. When there is a need, the necessary funds come. Designated gifts are often given as second mile giving meaning above and beyond a commitment to the annual mission and ministry budget. 20/20 Proceeds Summary 2016, Quarters 1-3 Focus Area Total Allocated Total Approved to Spend Carryover to Future Program Costs $139,000 $139,000 $0 Tithe, 10% of Available $23,517 $23,517 $0 WACP, Fully Funded $39,967 $37,404 $2,563 Worship Space Renovation $22,183 $0 $22,183 Programmatic Goals $38,582 $28,620 $9,962 Facility Upgrades $28,522 $12,200 $16,322 Facility Maintenance $82,395 $22,000 $60,395 Total Receipts $374,166 $262,741 $111,425 Why? Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. Luke 4:17b-19 This passage from Luke 4 was adopted 2 years ago as the 20/20 Vision theme scripture. It reveals Jesus sense of call and mission for his own life, and reminds us of our own call and mission as followers of Christ and as the body of Christ the church. All the goals in this report celebrate the ways in which Christ, in and through Faith UMC, is still carrying out this Luke 4 call and mission. It is why we do all we do at Faith. While this report highlights a total of 40 goals identified with the 20/20 Vision, there are many other goals being worked on and accomplished every day at Faith for the same Luke 4 mission. Incredible, growing ministries like VBS, Faith Kitchen, Sewing for Missions, signing in worship, more small group opportunities, refugee ministries, and more are not even included in this report. All that we do involves prayer, presence, gifts, treasures, talents, time and witness. Thank you for allowing God to work in and through you for our shared mission at Faith. Every level of participation makes a difference for God s kingdom. If you would like to make a gift to 20/20 or the annual mission and ministry budget, click here. Please contact Sharyl Syler, Director of Finance and Administration at the church if you have gifts of kind such as stock transfers. If you have questions or wish to provide feedback, please contact Pastor Steve (sstultzcostello@faithumchruch.org) or Tom Fiala, 20/20 Vision Leader (tfiala78@gmail.com). Celebrating God s work through us together Pastor Steve 9