ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

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4 ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH 2017 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Pastor Anita Warner 5 Director of Music and Worship Arts 9 Communications Specialist 11 Parish Associate 13 President 14 First Vice President 18 Second Vice President 19 Worship and Music 21 Community Connections 22 Stewardship 24 Operations 28 Christian Music Theater 29 Columbarium 31 SCORE 31 Frontage Improvement Project 32 Congregational Meeting Minutes 35 Treasurers Report 38 Parochial Report 39 Financial Secretary Financial Summary Budget Summary 58 4

5 Annual Report of Pastor Anita Warner So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 The people and congregation of Advent Lutheran proclaimed and lived the gospel in many ways in 2017, through our regular life of worship, faith development, connections with the community, giving and service; and in special and particular ways. It is my honor to engage with the leadership and people of the congregation every day in this work. I invite you to read more about all of these from the reports by our Church Council members and staff members, and I will lift up a few particulars in this report. Vision development Our vision work this year built on our past year s work of assessing where we are, defining our core values, and determining the strategic focus of Growing The Beloved Community in South County through service and the creative arts. At a May retreat with Kevin Ford of TAG Consulting, we named a particular new signature ministry focus, the Beloved Community Art Center. As this was just an idea, designed to involve and include neighbors who are not currently engaged with Advent, we began, in August, a co-development process with Latino neighbors. The co-development process is a new process I am learning and leading, with support from Tim Perlick of Rutgers University, one of my instructors at Executive Skills for Pastors, Level 2 at California Lutheran University. A steady group of Advent people and neighbors have been meeting regularly to work on the co-development process, developing a design brief for the Beloved Community Art Center (BCAC). Based on what we are learning from that work together in January 2018 co-development team members will pitch their ideas for first series for the BCAC, and the whole team will evaluate, choose and launch a first BCAC offering during the first six months of We will use this as a learning process as we prepare for future offerings and programs through the BCAC. Advent people involved with this co-development process have included Kris Andry, Janel Jannusch, Grant Leff, Valerie Sacks, Kyle Jones, Ed Merrell and Bill Mains. Neighbors involved in the process are Delia Gomez, Cesar Gamboa, Marcella Martinez, Leticia Alvarez and Susana Aldana. Carlos Barba, Juan Carlos Villaseñor and Sharon Benítez may become involved in the next phase of the co-development process. Ministries with youth, children and families Each month during the school year I lead a half-day retreat for youth in Confirmation. Study, service and play are part of our time together. Thanks to Jacqui Kanode, Carrie Merrell and Lee Tyler for assisting with Confirmation this year. Beyond Confirmation, youth are engaged in leadership and service in various ways in 5

6 our congregation. In August, Jacqui Kanode and I led a group on a week-long retreat on a Houseboat, in partnership with Sonshine Ministries. We studied the Gospel of Mark, using a Bible study I prepared for the week. We have registered a group to participate in the ELCA National Youth Gathering, This Changes Everything, in Houston, June 24-July 1, Youth have begun fundraising for this, and we will participate in getting ready sessions in the months before the Gathering, and a Synod BASH day April 21. The beginning of youth and children s choirs in early fall was a great step forward for our congregation. Participants are enthusiastic about this opportunity to learn and work with Mr. Kyle, and are sharing their musical gifts with spirit and joy. During 2017 on several occasions, children and parents gathered for a potluck supper, Bible story and faith activity. The congregation and Council worked through the keys to Growing Young this year. I look forward to supporting more lay leaders in ongoing and new ministries with children and youth in 2018 to build and support their faith development and receive their gifts in our community. Community Recognition Our rental partnership with Voices College-Bound Academy concluded in 2017 as the growing school needed more space. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new space, they present their first Community Partner Award to Advent, in grateful recognition of the accommodations we made to support their starting this new school. Special thanks go to Carrie Merrell, Operations chair, for all her work in this area before, during and after their time at Advent; and to Sherry Quick as the primary point of contact between the school and Advent. Gavilan College presented their Community Spirit award to the Interfaith Clergy Alliance, of which I am a founding member, for our public work in promoting respect, unity and appreciation for the diversity of people and religions in South County. Staff additions We conducted a search process for a new Communications Specialist in early 2017, and Eileen Arellano joined the staff in that role in April. Eileen brings strong background in marketing, search optimization and communications best practices to our team. I look forward to our new Communications Committee working together with Eileen in 2018 as our communications within the congregation and with the community continue to evolve. 6

7 Our vision work led us to support more dedicated leadership in music ministry. We conducted a national search for Director of Music and Worship Arts, leading to Kyle Jones joining the staff in mid-july. Kyle directs and leads the Chancel Choir and has started a children s choir and a youth choir. He accompanies worship and has led special music events. He also brings skill as a composer and arranger and will be a key leader in the Beloved Community Art Center. Reformation 500 We marked the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation with three big public events: 1. Faith of Our Neighbors: Christianity in the Lutheran Tradition, a teaching event on October 15, sponsored by the Interfaith Community of South County; then adults and youth hosted a meal afterwards for everyone who attended. 2. Reformation Hymn Festival on October 22, led by 80 voices from 13 congregations. 3. Common Prayer Service for Lutherans and Catholics on October 29, which included clergy and laity from the two Catholic and two Lutheran congregations in South County. A five-sunday sermon series on key points of Lutheran teaching, and a stewardship program based on this, Freed in Christ Free Indeed! rounded out our Reformation500 observance. Special thanks This fall we recognized Sherry Quick s 10 years of service at Advent as Administration and Operations Manager. Sherry continues to serve our congregation with consistency, diligence, compassion and good judgement and is a blessing in all she does and in who she is among us. I thank the Church Council leaders for their gracious and excellent service in all the various areas of our congregation s life. Each role is key, and Advent is blessed to have dedicated leaders and to continue to develop new leaders. I wish to particularly thank Bruce Naylor, who has served as volunteer bookkeeper for the last 14 years, and who performed both bookkeeping and treasurer duties for a number of years before that. Bruce will be concluding his service as bookkeeper in early He has been doing this work quietly, consistently, faithfully, and with great attention to accuracy and detail. He consults with others to ensure proper procedures and compliance with law, regulations, Advent s constitution and Council and congregational decisions. And he does all of this with care and good humor. 7

8 Looking ahead In last year s report I wrote about the need for adaptive change in order to grow younger and more ethnically diverse and representative of our surrounding community. That need for adaptive change remains as we take specific steps this year in implementing our vision: Anti-Racism training workshop: this is for everyone age 16 and older at Advent. It will be held on February 3, 9 AM 4 PM, facilitated by the Rev. Adisa Armand. This training is to support our taking steps toward dismantling racism in our church and community. If you want to be doing this in any way, this training is for you! A few people have told me, I don t need this, and that puzzles me. If you want to do the good work of making our church and community more hospitable to all, and if you want to do away with the harm that institutionalized racism causes to people of color, then this is for you. This is the beginning of our organizing for this adaptive change. It is also key work in our development of the Beloved Community Art Center. Our Church Council will be using the book Understanding and Dismantling Racism: The 21 st Century Challenge to White America by Joseph Barndt as the basis for our devotions and shared learning this year. All of these actions and initiatives come from our shared vision work. Beloved Community Art Center development will continue and we will launch programs and offerings this year. There will be volunteer opportunities as this develops: stay tuned! Reconciling in Christ process: Another part of our vision work is to engage in a shared process of discernment as a congregation on the possibility becoming an official Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, which publicly practices full welcome and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. I look forward to this process that is intended to include all voices. Growing Young: I look forward to shared leadership that includes many in our congregation so that generations will learn, worship and serve together more and more, and we as a congregation will fully support the growth in faith for people of all ages. The gospel and freedom given to us in Christ Jesus has set us on a joyful path of discovery and ministry. All praise be to God! In the Spirit s love and power, Pastor Anita R. Warner 8

9 Director of Music and Worship Arts Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ! I am amazed that six months have already flown by since my arrival on July 15 th. I feel very blessed to be a part of the leadership team here at Advent and continue to be overwhelmed with the generosity and graciousness shared by so many of you. Please know of my profound gratitude for your sharing of Christian love and helping both me and my family feel so welcomed and part of the faith community. One of the main tasks for any director/manager in a new position is to be eyes and ears. Upon my arrival, much of my time outside of worship planning was spent asking many questions and listening. What was working well in our music ministry? What opportunities for improvement were there? Almost unanimously, every shared with me how rich a heritage of music and the arts Advent has enjoyed. It was clear to me there were many talented people in your community and a tremendous amount of support for music and the arts. Choir members observations included: not being able to hear one another while singing in the choir loft not feeling integrated into the worship service due to lack of sightlines not being exposed to enough new music and varied repertoire not enough light to see music enjoying the sound of the piano (too harsh); not enough space in rehearsal (too crowded) As a result of this listening, there have been many improvements made in the last six months, as well as plans begun for future growth. The arrangement of our choir loft in the sanctuary was changed. The chair risers were previously set up in the corner of the room. This limited sightlines for choir members to see the screen and any goings on in the chancel as well as made it difficult to hear the spoken word. The chair risers have now been set up more toward the middle of the west wall. As a result, the choir now feels more integrated into the worship service, hearing with the ensemble has slightly improved, and the congregation is able to hear the choir better. Two new positions were created to help support the music ministry in its growth choir accompanist and additional child care. With the addition of a choir accompanist, I have been able to provide more effective communication in worship and rehearsal through gestures from both hands. This has helped the choir with confidence as well as improved their overall sound. As we continue to grow and attract new membership, we want to be able to offer childcare as needed to younger families as a means of hospitality. 9

10 The music library has been reorganized and we are in the process of taking inventory of its contents and cataloging the titles into a database for easier use. I thank George Crowe for his generous donations of shelving and filing cabinets and storage to help with the major project. The action in our sanctuary piano has received new hammers, shanks, and flanges to correct the harshness of sound it was producing with the older, harder, compacted hammers. I thank Rick Siverson for his generous donation toward the new hammers as well as his gift of service in installing them, regulating the action, voicing, and tuning of the instrument. In addition, Rick has made it possible to have two more pianos in classrooms on campus. These instruments will be of great help as we need small group rehearsals in choir, CMT, and the future BCAC (Beloved Community Arts Center). The membership of the choir has begun to grow since we reconvened in the fall. Rehearsal became quite cozy in the choir room located behind the sanctuary. Also, a great deal of time each week was being spent setting up and breaking down the space for the various weekly rehearsals. It was decided to consider other larger rooms on campus where chairs could remain set up, singers would have more room, the piano not be so overwhelming, and have room for growth. As of December, our choir rehearsals have been held in room #1 and it has been a welcomed change. Two youth choirs were re-established in the fall Jubilation (for 2 nd 6 th grades) and Resound (for 7 th 12 th grades). Presently, we have 15 youth actively singing on our roster. We rehearse weekly and the groups sing every second Sunday of the month during the school year. In my worship planning and selection of repertoire, I have worked closely with Pastor Anita to balance familiar music with new music. We are being very diligent about creating a variety of music in worship and are proud that we have begun to introduce new songs from many cultures and even in different languages. We have been singing the Lord s Prayer on the first Sunday of each month and singing Hymn medleys on the fourth Sunday of each month. Jubilation and Resound have presented several songs from Africa in worship, one in which the youth had the congregation join in singing. Our observance of All Saints this year was very memorable and opened our minds, hearts, and ears to another tradition shared by members in Latino community. We used a Dia de Los Muertos theme to celebrate the memory of our loved ones. A youth Mariachi group from St. Mary Catholic in Gilroy led music in worship and we sang music both in Spanish and in English. Lastly, we have replaced our older choir folders with newer ones, which better hold all of our music and eliminate the need to hold more than one book during worship. We have a new, mobile white board with music 10

11 staves on it for teaching choirs in rehearsal. We purchased six new music stand lights. We have a new conductor s podium thanks to the generosity and talents of Mike Orth. Mike built us two podiums in one so that it could function as a larger podium for larger events with large ensembles or be broken down to function as two smaller podiums for our weekly schedule. In looking to our year ahead, some of the goals on the horizon are: surveying our current audio/visual in the sanctuary and evaluating it for improvements/updates establishing BCAC - a school for music and the arts beginning to acquire a collection of world percussion/hand drums to be used in worship and in BCAC for teaching Purchase additional Manhasset music stands and storage racks. We should have at least stands on campus. Establishing a formal concert series to be rolled out either in the summer or fall of Research and consider purchasing staging that can be used to expand our current chancel for larger music ministry productions, CMT, and hosting outside musical events like the South Valley Symphony. Upgrading the 30-year-old organ to a more user friendly instrument, with updated features, memory, and more varied sounds (current sounds are basic and lack variety of contrast) Thank you for all your continued support of music and the arts at Advent. I am excited about what the future has in store and look forward to making the journey with you! Respectfully submitted, Kyle T. Jones Director of Music & Worship Arts Communications Specialist Annual Report We have been focused on improving our communications and making sure our messages are reaching our Advent members as well as our surrounding neighbors and community. We are communicating across multiple channels allowing people to access Advent information across multiple touchpoints whether it be by social media, , web, print or all of the above. 11

12 Bulletin Each week a worship bulletin is prepared to include worship information and also includes weekly announcements. Each week, Advent sends out a Friday morning highlighting upcoming events to approximately 265 members of our congregation. In the past year, we have changed this to include more than just dates and times. The now details upcoming events and programs that are happening and upcoming at Advent. We also use to send out information to targeted ministries. Newsletter Our newsletter, Advent Adventures continues to go out to 300 members of our congregation on a monthly basis. We are currently looking at ways to improve this newsletter for 2018 and make sure we are bringing compelling subject matter to the Advent community. Postcards, Brochures and Signage and Flyers We have mailed out postcards, created flyers and posters all in support of communicating key activities such as special worship services, educational opportunities, and musical programs. Additionally, a new core values canvas art piece was also created to be displayed at Advent. Press We have been working with local press specifically Morgan Hill Times and Morgan Hill Life to make sure our events are included in their online and print calendars. Furthermore, the Morgan Hill Times published an article written by Pastor Anita which highlighted the Reformation 500. Social Media We are continuing to engage with the congregation more and more on Facebook. Our page is up to 315 likes which is up from 235 likes last year at this time. On Facebook, we post information about upcoming events, pictures from past events, and articles which are may be of interest to Advent members. Website This past year we have made several updates to New copy, graphics and sections have been added to the website. Additionally, the home page is now being used to display current events and projects. We receive approximately 400 views a month with Google being the main referral search engine that brings the most traffic to our website. As a result, we have updated our Google profile information, added 12

13 reviews and consistently update our Google Business page which keeps us relevant with Google and helps with webpage ranking. Youth App We are now using a youth app that Pastor Anita is using to connect with the youth of Advent via text message. Eileen Arellano Communications Specialist Parish Associate Annual Report To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 As I look back on the year 2017, I see a year of change in my ministry at Advent. Where I once played with the conformation class, now I find myself dedicating my time to Bible study in assisted living facilities. I lead a weekly Bible study group with communion at Valley Pines, where I have ten to twelve faithful attendees. I also lead a group twice a month at Village Green, where I have six to eight attendees. Discussion in both groups is lively and I find each group to be refreshing and delightful. As I work with these two groups I find that I am reflecting more on the spirituality of aging. I marvel at how God keeps drawing me into new ministry that suits my abilities. In addition to the Bible study groups, I continue to assist in worship as needed. I had the privilege to lead worship and preside at the table once this year and to plan a lead the Service of the Longest Night. I continue to serve as needed in such groups as God s Work/Our Hands; planning for the 500 year celebration of the Reformation; and a prayer group for grieving parents. Finally, I continue to be passionate about Advent s participation in the interfaith activities, which included the 4 th of July parade, a Walk for Peace, and community education and worship. As such I participate with the interfaith clergy in gaining deeper understand of faith relationships. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Advent and look forward to seeing how God continues to shape my ministry with you. Blessings, Rev. Lee Tyler 13

14 President s Annual Report For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 The year 2017 was significant both for Advent and for Lutherans. Advent continued the Transforming Church process, began implementing some of the recommendations from work of previous years, and regularly communicated our Strategic Focus - Growing The Beloved Community in South County through service and the creative arts. For all Lutherans, 2017 was a time to commemorate the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation begun by Martin Luther. Advent began the Transforming Church process in In 2016, we identified Our Core Values (which are posted in the Gathering Area/Narthex) and defined our Strategic Focus. The SCORE team was created to address five areas of ministry. S = Sustaining Strengths (Lead Grant Leff), C = Capabilities (Lead Bill Mains), O = Outreach (Lead Valerie Sacks), R = Resources (Lead Janel Jannusch), E = Engagement (Lead Mark Gill). Kris Andry is the SCORE team leader. The SCORE team and Council held a joint retreat in February 2017 to facilitate working relationships and develop mutual goals. Members of SCORE and Council began to implement recommended actions from previous years. One major task was addressing staffing needs. The job descriptions for Communications Specialist (part-time) and Director of Music and Worship Arts (full-time) were refined and developed, respectively. The search teams worked diligently to identify, interview, and host visits by the most qualified candidates. They forwarded their recommendations to Council. We are so pleased that Eileen Arellano, Communications Specialist, joined our staff in April and Kyle Jones, Director of Music and Worship Arts, joined Advent in July. In response to changes in US immigration policy and enforcement, five Council Conversations on immigration were held in March and early April. Participants reflected on What is our response as Christians? What is our response as Advent Lutheran Church? Invited guest speakers presented information on the impact of these policy changes in our South County community. Information and resource materials were made available in the Gathering Area. Advent hosted a Rapid Response training session for people of South County in April. This training teaches how to respond to calls from community members concerned about immediate ICE actions throughout Santa Clara County. People Acting in Community Together (PACT) sponsored the event. Nearly 60 South County people attended the presentation by immigration attorneys and PACT organizers. Kevin Ford of TAG Consulting led another Vision Retreat in May. During our review of previous work, we were reminded that Vision is critical to success. Advent scored low on Vision in the 2015 congregational 14

15 assessment done by Advent members. The Visioning Team then held several small breakout sessions to come up with innovative ideas for a signature ministry for Advent. The criteria were: a ministry solely owned by Advent, will be ongoing and sustainable, will tap into the majority of Advent s members and friends, and will build on our strengths, passions, and core values. Our conversations and guidance from the Holy Spirit led us to the Beloved Community Arts Center (BCAC) concept. In early June, more than 40 people attended the Fireside Chat where Pastor and Council shared this exciting vision of a new outreach in our South County community. The presentation, discussions, and comments reflected enthusiasm, questions about how we move forward, some concerns, and a willingness to help implement this vision. At the Special Congregational meeting in June, the Congregation approved the resolution to enter into a new mortgage agreement with Mission Investment Fund that would consolidate Advent s current mortgage on the church and a mortgage for purchase of suitable housing in Santa Clara County for lay staff housing, provided that the new monthly mortgage payment is less than our current monthly payment. Advent made a successful offer on a condo at the end of September. The purchase documentation was completed by the end of October and Kyle Jones moved in shortly thereafter. The mortgage terms comply with the Congregation-approved resolution. Voices College-Bound Language Academy was an integral tenant at Advent for the past two academic years ( & ). Advent could not accommodate Voices planned future growth so they had to find a larger space. At Voices year-end awards ceremony, their staff, students, and families recognized Advent as a valued member of the community that has been instrumental in making the Voices mission possible. Everyone who engaged with Voices can be justifiably proud of this recognition. We intend to continue expanding our relationship with Voices through The Beloved Community Arts Center. Thanks to all who have and will engage with Voices! In July, the SCORE leadership team, interested representatives of Voices staff and families, some Advent staff, and some Council members met to begin the vision development process for Advent s Beloved Community Arts Center (BCAC). Meetings have continued once or twice per month since then. Discussions have included mutual strengths, issues to address, opportunities for the BCAC, and the gains, pains, and jobs of parents of BCAC participants and of Advent s congregation. We drafted an opportunity statement: a concise statement that expresses what BCAC is and does. We also defined the scope of BCAC what it will and won t include. The BCAC planning team now has the task of developing several minimum viable proposals that the BCAC will offer to the South County community. These proposals will meet the needs of the four stakeholders that the BCAC planning team identified: parents, students, mentors/teachers, and the congregation. One of these 15

16 minimum viable proposals will be selected as the initial BCAC offering in We will build on that experience to expand what BCAC offers to the South County community. All members and friends are encouraged to seek opportunities to engage with the BCAC. The Reformation 500 task force was also formed in July. This group helped plan and organize many commemoration activities that were held from late September through early November. A keynote event was "Faith of our Neighbors - Christianity in the Lutheran Tradition" that was sponsored and supported by the Interfaith Community of South County (ICSC). The Stewardship Committee aligned the fall stewardship program theme, Free Indeed, with the Reformation commemoration activities. The Stewardship team also led Oktoberfest and Commitment Sunday. Other highlights included the Reformation Hymn Festival and the Common Prayer Service for Lutherans and Catholics together. Year-end update of key SCORE and Council Action Items that were completed or are in progress Item Description Responsible group & person Remarks Recommendations to change Endowment Fund bylaws Exec - Grant In progress - completion expected Jan 2018 Focused Youth Activity Teams; Preschool (Margie S.), Jr. High/Grades 6- Faith Development - Peter In progress 3 leaders identified, need 3 more 8 (Jacqui K.), Sr. High/Grades 9-12 (Daniel C.). Ages K-2, 3-5, & Young Adults need leaders. Establish Good Egg Award Stewardship Joyce/Valerie Completed Explore People Acting in Community Community Connections Completed Together (P.A.C.T.) Marcia Review MH Parent-Child Nursery School Exec - Ed Completed rental agreement & other on-going facility use agreements Put together financial and practical guidelines for planning an intern year Exec - Ed Completion expected 1st quarter 2018 Refresh Advent welcoming experience SCORE: Engagement Mark In progress Anti-racism training SCORE: Resources Janel Feb. 3, 2018 training scheduled 16

17 Item Description Responsible group & person Remarks Develop strategy to implement the vision of Beloved Community Arts Center (BCAC) SCORE: Kris, Janel, Valerie S., Bill Exec: Ed Staff: Pastor, Kyle In progress regular SCORE/BCAC meetings held since July 2017 Voices representatives Reconciling In Christ (RIC) Faith Development - Peter (& Kris) In progress completion expected in 2018 Please thank the outgoing Council members: Greg Katterhagen (Financial Secretary), Grant Leff (1 st Vice President), Peter McElheny (Faith Development), and Kathy Munk (Secretary) Council members elected at the November 2017 Congregational meeting were Kris Andry (Faith Development), Brad Bannister (1 st Vice President), Peter McElheny (Secretary), and Carrie Merrell (Operations) Council candidates to be presented for election at the January 2018 Congregational meeting are David Chambliss (Financial Secretary) and Sharon Pepper (Communications). They have begun the on-boarding process with Council to facilitate the transition. Continuing Council members for 2018 are Joyce Gray (Stewardship), Jacqui Kanode (2 nd Vice President), Ed Merrell (President), Marcia Nelson (Community Connections), Norm Osumi (Treasurer), and Valerie Sacks (Worship & Music). Guests are always welcome at Council and Executive committee meetings held in the Berkland Fellowship Hall. Executive committee meets on the 2 nd Monday of each month. Council typically meets on the 4 th Tuesday of the month. All meetings start at 7:00 PM. (Meetings and all events are listed on Advent s website calendar, Quite a few others volunteered their time to support Advent. Please take a moment to thank them. Advent s voting members at the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly were Lynn Astalos, David and Valerie Chambliss, Catherine Holmes, and Pastor Anita. Reformation 500 task force participants included Pastor Anita, Pastor Lee, Kyle Jones, James Dill, Pam Kenyon, Virginia McQueen, Karen Parker, Valerie Sacks, Allen Siverson, Peter Walker, and Ed Merrell. 17

18 The Nominating Committee of Valerie Sacks (Council liaison), Valerie Chambliss, and Tom Dunham in consultation with Pastor and Council President identified and contacted potential candidates for Council and for the Capital Campaign task force. What s coming in 2018? Anti-racism training on Saturday, February 3. Please save the date. Rev. Adisa Armand who is an experienced Lutheran pastor and anti-racism trainer will lead this all-day event. A Capital Campaign to fund projects such as Murphy Frontage Improvement project (curb, sidewalk, gutter, landscaping, and signage), renovation of classrooms for the BCAC, upgrade our sound system, lighting upgrades, modernization of the trash/recycling area, exterior painting of our buildings, possible expansion and renovation of the choir room, new furnishings for the gathering area, and possible organ upgrade. Continued development and implementation of the Beloved Community Arts Center (BCAC). This ministry is solely owned by Advent, will be ongoing and sustainable, will tap into the majority of Advent s members and friends, and will build on our strengths, passions, and core values. As Kevin Ford of TAG Consulting reminded us at the Vision Retreat in May, Advent is in The Time of Great Confusion as we develop our Strategic Focus - Growing The Beloved Community in South County through service and the creative arts and implement the Beloved Community Arts Center. This time of uncertainty could continue for several years. We are called to have faith and not to lose hope. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Respectfully submitted, Ed Merrell Council President First Vice President Annual Report The primary responsibility for the First Vice President during 2017 has continued to be support for Advent s Transforming Church initiative. Together with the Search Committee and the Church Council, we succeeded in hiring Kyle Jones, our new, very talented, Director of Music and Worship Arts, relocating him from Florida, 18

19 finding housing (both temporary and permanent), and securing a new loan for the housing from Mission Investment Fund. Another responsibility was researching and establishing a new Constitution framework for a fund to provide for financial support through bequests and donations for mission work beyond Advent s operational budget. Assuming Congregation ratification in January 2018, the new fund will be called a legacy fund and will be the responsibility of the Church Council. The legacy fund will replace Advent s endowment fund which was established in 1998, was the responsibility of a separate committee independent of the Church Council, had no committee activity since 2001, and had no assets. While we have made significant change and progress in 2017, we must remember Kevin Ford s (TAG Consulting) advice that the Transforming Church process will likely require another three or more years. We are still in the Time of Great Confusion. Adaptive change is needed and does not happen solely through hiring new staff. Grant Leff First Vice President Second Vice President Annual Report The members of Advent have generously supported many local, national, and world organizations this year. Our quarterly missions focused on local and international projects. FIRST QUARTER MISSION First quarter mission funds were collected to support Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services, LIRS. LIRS is one of 9 national organizations that resettle refugees on behalf of the U.S. government. Donations collected for this quarter mission were $3, SECOND QUARTER MISSION The second quarter mission was supporting the homeless student population in our area. Congregational members donated money for the purchase of materials, and care package items were brought to the church. A God s Work, Our Hands day was attended by a small group of members on July 13 th to assemble the care packages. Thirty packages; 22 individual and 8 family, were assembled. The congregational members donated a total of $ The money purchased; 30- $10. Movie passes, 20 for the Morgan Hill Theater, and 10 for the Gilroy Theater, 10 Mod Pizza $10 gift certificates, and 4- $15. Morgan Hill Bowling passes, and 10 day passes for the Morgan Hill Swimming Center. All items were delivered to the Morgan Hill Community 19

20 Solutions Center on July 14, The Community Solutions counselors passed out all the items to their homeless clients. THIRD QUARTER MISSION Third quarter mission was the Ghana Mission. I volunteered at the Awaso Academy International for six week this fall. My efforts focused on opening the new Jr. High school, (developed the master schedule and curriculum materials); gardening (initiating composting, and soil testing), and direct student services (teaching Math to grades 4-7, and introducing volleyball to the after school 7 th grade girls and boys teams). The money donated $4,703, was used to purchase Ghana specific materials required by the Ghana government, such as exercise and homework books, and curriculum material for the Awaso Academy International, and a local government school. Medications were given to two small rural clinic doctors for free distributions to patients. Funds were also used for shipping congregational donated items to Ghana. FOURTH QUARTER MISSION Fourth quarter was divided into two mission projects. The first, Lutheran Disaster Response, LDR, brings God s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by natural disasters, including hurricanes and the California wildfires. A total of $1,959 was donated to LDR. The second mission supported during the fourth quarter was ELCA Good Gifts. Donors had a choice of over 50 charitable gifts that are hard to wrap (for example, bees, chicks, etc.) which will be sent to places around the world in need of these life-changing gifts. At the time this report was written, $1, had been donated to purchase these gifts. I would like to thank all those who have donated their time, and financial support to these missions. Together we can make a difference in our community and throughout the world. I would like to thank Craig and Judy Simberg for helping me load over 100 desks from a school in San Jose and driving a 28-foot truck (Craig) to the Oakland shipyard. These long-arm desks were received at the Awaso Academy International in time for the start of the 7 th grade opening. I would also like to thank Linda Loftesness for all her time and energy supporting these missions, including seeking local donations for the second quarter mission, setting up the egg donation basket each week with the current quarter s mission name, and coordinating the fourth quarter Good Gifts efforts. Respectfully submitted, Jacqui Kanode 20

21 Worship and Music Annual Report Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was observed at St. Mary s Catholic Church in Gilroy, with Advent members joining the Interfaith Community of South Count (ICSC ) in the observance. On February 17 th, the first candidate for the position of Director of Worship and Music visited us. On February 24 th, we had An Evening about Lutheran Music featuring Professor Emeritus Avner Itai from Tel Aviv University and Avi Eilam Amzallag ( a Morgan Hill resident, who attends all of our musical events) plus guest musicians. On March 1, we hosted Ash Wednesday service, with members of St. John the Devine Church joining us. Lenten Soup Suppers were held each week of March. On Maundy Thursday, there was a dinner, with communion served at the individual tables. There was prayer, music and fellowship. Good Friday Service opened with bagpipe music. A choir of three voices sang the story of the Passion. Easter Vigil, we lit our candles from the New Fire and dressed the church. On Easter Sunday, a new banner was displayed. A second candidate for the position of Director of Worship and Music was with us from May 11- May 14. We hired Kyle T. Jones as our new Director. He began his service with us on July 16. As of this writing, our Chancel Choir has stabilized at 37 people with assigned folders. We now have a youth choir with a total membership of 15 children, ranging from second to eighth grade. The children perform at the second service of each month, at the 10:45 AM service. Instrumentalists and cantors now have a weekly rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 PM. We had a single Sunday service, from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, at 9:30 AM. On October 22, we held a Hymn Festival with 73 singers, composed of our choir and people from other churches and South County, plus a Brass Quintet and a guest organist. Art work, which was featured in the program for this event, was available for purchase, from the artist. On November 5, we celebrated All Saints Day/Dia de los Muertos with a Mariachi Band from St. Mary s Church in Gilroy playing the music for our service, followed by a Papusa Lunch supplied by people from Santa Cruz al Salvador, as a fund raiser for their work. On November 18, the Altar Guild had their annual organizational Luncheon and Pot Luck. A Thanksgiving Eve service was hosted by the LDS Church and attended by members of Advent. The first ICSC choir performed at the service. 21

22 In preparation for our concert, Lux, on December 10, the choir had a retreat on 11/9 and 11/10, which included music rehearsal, and time for food and fellowship. The energy level remained high. The concert took place during the late service and was well attended. Pastor Lee Tyler held a Service of the Longest Night on 12/18. Worship and Music has seen lots of change during the last six months of this year more singers and musicians, more major musical events, more receptions, a large Christmas caroling group that went to 5 locations to spread the joy of the season. Liturgical Arts has continued to give us a feast for our eyes and a lift to our hearts. The choir loft area has been rearranged. Both pianos have new hammers, shanks and flanges. The Altar Guild has expanded. The Worship and Music Committee has monthly meetings which greatly facilitates our activities. Please consider sharing your gifts with Liturgical Arts, Altar Guild, Ushers and Greeters, SALT, Communion Assistants, Lectors, Cantors and Healing Prayer. Talent and inspiration abound here at Advent. We are blessed to be here together and to share in this wonderful work. Valerie Sacks Chair of Worship and Music Community Connections Annual Report The various committees under the Community Connections umbrella have been very busy this year. Established programs have continued successfully and a few new programs have been added. Sew Seeds has been very active again this year. Headed by Jeanett Severson, they have been working in the Berkland Fellowship Hall and the gathering area due to the presence of Voices school. Now that the school has moved to another location, Sew Seeds has been preparing to move into Room 2 where there is better lighting and more space. At the ingathering event in October 115 boxes were boxed and ready for shipping. Sew Seeds made 230 quilts and 500 kits consisting of Baby Care Kits, School Kits, Health Kits and Sewing Kits. Pastoral Partners continue to minister to the spiritual needs of members of Advent. Long-time head of this program, Ellie Quayle, moved and was replaced by Fran Hagenbach. A speaker from Gentiva Health Services came in August to discuss Alzheimers and normal forgetting. 22

23 Community Table continues to provide a hot meal to those in need on Tuesdays. Response varies by time of year but no food goes to waste. The food is brought by Martha s Kitchen. The Food and Fellowship group is headed by Nancy Lee. Their annual BBQ was held in June and was attended by 77 people. $1800 was raised for the LED lighting project in the parking lot. A PACT (People Acting in Community Together) training was held on February 20 and 25. Topics covered were on Sanctuary/Solidarity Congregation Training and Civil Disobedience/Resistance Training. In March, Leticia Alvarez, South County representative for PACT, came to Advent in order for Advent members to learn more about PACT. In April the church council hosted a Rapid Response training meeting for the people of South County. This meeting was sponsored by PACT. Also sponsored by PACT was a workshop in September, discussing the housing crisis in Santa Clara County. A Memorial Service Committee has been established to smooth the way for those wanting to have a reception at church following a funeral or memorial service. This committee is headed up by Valerie Sacks and Brad Bannister and has other volunteer members. The Morgan Hill Safe Car Project is a new focus for Advent. This project was started in July although planning for its implementation lasted many months. The Safe Car Park is located at the Morgan Hill Bible Church and can host up to 8 cars or RV s. Clients are recommended by various agencies and are vetted by the Morgan Hill Police Department. The project is funded by a grant from the police department. Volunteers from various faith communities in South County staff the site in the early morning and in the evening. A paid security person is on site during the night. Various members of Advent have volunteered there and Nancy Lee and Masuyo McElheny are regular volunteers there. More volunteers are always welcome. God s Work, Our Hands Sunday on September 10 was a big success. Materials were collected ahead of time and on the day, 130 We Care Bags were assembled, 101 School Kits put together, 58 Baby Care Kits assembled, 58 Personal Care kits put together, 30 encouraging notes to Ghana school children were written and a laundry basket full of socks were taken to Community Solutions by Sharon Pepper. In addition, a church service for seniors was held at Valley Pines, an assisted living facility. This service was spearheaded by Gunnar Marcheschi as part of his Eagle Scout Project. The We Care Bags have been very successful and in April an 23

24 additional 50 bags were assembled to replenish the supply that had run out from the previous God s Work, Our Hands Sunday in The Interfaith CommUNITY of South County sponsored a talk at Advent in October. Dr. Diane Bowers presented CHRISTIANITY IN THE LUTHERAN TRADITION. After her talk, she and Pastor Anita and Pastor Ron Koch from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd answered written questions from the audience and panelist Rabbi Debbie Israel. This was followed by a meal for all, hosted by Advent. Additionally, the Interfaith Thanksgiving service was held at the LDS church in November. The Local Assistance Fund is used to help those in need in the South County. Some of the money in the fund will be used in December to purchase a supply of Safeway and Target gift cards available in the church office. These will be handed out to local residents asking for assistance during the holidays. Respectfully submitted, Marcia Nelson Community Connections Chair Stewardship Committee Annual Report In preparing to write this year-end report, I looked at writings about stewardship, and Erin Matteson, in writing Talk about Stewardship for Giving, struck a chord in my heart. Erin writes: While stewardship is about money, it is not only about money. In Genesis which means beginning humanity was entrusted with the care of all creation long before money even existed We are stewards of resources (money) in addition to our time, talents, attitudes, and how we advocate for the earth and all that is in it. Our Stewardship Committee is made up of people who are indeed stewards of a variety of resources at Advent: our time, our talents, our attitudes, our willingness to advocate for others, and yes, even our giving of money. Our work on this committee reflects this broad mission as we endeavor to be part of God s healing work on earth was an exciting year for the Stewardship Committee. Early in the year we handed out Lenten Devotionals. On March 9th, we hosted one of the Lenten Soup Suppers with the Executive Committee helping 24

25 with set up and clean up. Bags of Gladiola bulbs with a note saying, We re Glad You re Here were handed out on Easter Sunday. On Sunday May 14 th in honor of Mother s Day all the women and girls were given red roses. On Sunday, June 18 th, in honor of Father s Day, Advent men were given a choice of three barbeque products from Blossom Valley Foods. Then it was time to start planning for our fall program, Free Indeed. Following is a synopsis of the events that took place during our fall stewardship program and the schedule for our 2017 Did You Know? recognition. Fall Stewardship Program for 2017 This year was significant because of our Church emphasis on Reformation 500 activities and themes. It was inspiring to imagine that this was the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation started by Martin Luther in We wanted to align our Stewardship theme with the overall Reformation 500 series of fall events, starting with the Oktoberfest celebration on September 30 th and concluding with Reformation Sunday on October 29 th. Our theme for the Fall Stewardship Program for 2017 was Free Indeed, which was addressed through letters, bulletin inserts, temple talks, sermons, and special events such as the Reformation Hymn Festival. The Fall Stewardship Program team is made up of the Stewardship Committee: Pastor Anita Warner, Valerie Sacks, Virginia McQueen, James Dill, George Crowe, Brad Bannister, and Joyce Gray. Temple talks were given by Joyce Gray, who spoke on Sunday, October 8 th, George Crowe, who spoke October 15 th, and Valerie Sacks, who addressed the congregation on Oct. 22 nd, which was Commitment Sunday. If you give through Simply Giving, the Stewardship Team and Financial Secretary still need your pledges to plan for You may complete your pledge card(s) and place them in the offering plates, drop them off at the office, or our Financial Secretary, Greg Katterhagen, at rfwzrd@live.com. Thank you to each and every person and household who have made commitments of giving to Advent in If you haven t yet made a commitment of giving, we invite you to do so. General Fund commitment cards are white and Mortgage Fund commitment cards are green. Both are on the Resource Table in the gathering area. Members of the Stewardship Committee sent out personalized, custom Thank You cards to each person or family making a commitment. Children making a commitment received their own thank you card. Cards were sent out as soon as the list was available, and those who missed Commitment Sunday or didn t commit on that day, were reminded in the worship bulletin to pick up and complete pledge cards for the General Fund and Mortgage Fund. 25

26 Oktoberfest One of the highlights of the year was the Oktoberfest on September 30 th. As was the case in the past couple of years, the event was a success with 55 people in attendance. As we have in the past, the Stewardship Committee provided sausages, buns, drinks, beer and wine and members of the congregation brought a dish to share. Kyle Jones added a special touch to the celebration with the music program he put together for the event, and Wendy Goris delighted the children with Legos displays. Did You Know? On February 7, 2010, the first Did You Know? appeared in the bulletin and the first article expanding on the weekly recognition went into Advent Adventures in March. Each week a different Ministry or group at Advent Lutheran is recognized both in the bulletin and during service. The members are asked to bring the Communion elements to the altar along with the offerings for the day and receive a thanksgiving prayer and blessing by Pastor Warner. These ministries and groups do make a difference and we wanted to share them with you. Here is the 2017 schedule Sunday Children s Time Participants Coffee and doughnut set up and clean up volunteers Mid-week Bible study group Participants of the Interfaith Event on January 16, Memorial Service Reception Volunteers Church Council Those who would support refugee family or ESL classes Past Presidents of Church Council Search Team for the Director of Music and Worship Arts Growing Young: Preschool faith development team Growing Young: Grades K-2 faith development team Growing Young: Grades 3-5 faith development team Growing Young: Junior High faith development team Growing Young: High School faith development team Work Day Volunteers Chancel Choir Operations Team Pastoral Partners Vision Team Mother s Day Communion Bread Bakers Phil Robb Confirmands (High School Graduates prayer) Plant Care Givers Men s Fellowship and BBQ Participants CMT Staff Librarians th of July Parade Interfaith Community Participants Mike Fumigalli Advent Adventures Editor Ken Carlson Carpet Cleaner CMT Participants and Staff Houseboat Participants 26

27 Educators, both current and retired Cantors Interfaith Walk for Peace with Prayer participants Acolytes and Crucifers Faith in Daily Labor (Labor Day) Participants in God s Work, Our Hands Community Table Free Indeed Fall Program Team Resound Youth Choir (Grades 7 through 12) Sew Seeds-Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Participants Free Indeed Congregation Financial Commitments Santa Cruz al Salvador participants past and present Reformation 500 Task Force Veterans Day Altar Guild Prayer Chain Tuesday Bible Study Music Assistants Liturgical Arts Salt And Light Team S.A.L.T Coffee and Doughnut set up and clean up volunteers Our meeting times changed in 2017, and currently we are meeting on the 3 rd Thursday of the month from 10:30 until 11:30. We welcome all who wish to attend and invite anyone who is interested in stewardship to become a part of the team. Our team includes members who have been with Advent for years and those who are new to the congregation. New in 2017 was the implementation of the Good Egg Award, which is given out to those in the congregation who, behind the scenes and often unknown to others in the church, make good things happen at Advent. Valerie Sacks gave out these awards to Megan Gill, Rosemary Perry, Doris Staehr, Floyd Seitz, Carrie Merrell, Janet Kammermeyer, and Mike Orth. Goals for 2018 include creating a committee whose responsibility it is to contact those members who haven t been attending services, continuation of personal notes thanking individuals for their support of and commitment to the ministries of Advent, and creating articles for the Did You Know? program, which recognizes ministries, individuals and groups at Advent. Work will begin in drafting a once-a -year publication devoted to those considering giving to the church s new legacy fund, which will be administered through church council. My thanks go to the dedicated men and women on the Stewardship Committee. It has been a pleasure to be part of this team since January I am looking forward to seeing what we will be able to accomplish in Respectfully submitted, Joyce Gray Stewardship Committee Chair 27

28 Operations Committee Annual Report It s been another busy year for the Operations Crew. Much was accomplished and our facilities and grounds are looking good! Major projects include: Various dead trees and limbs around campus removed Table/Chair rack built in Fellowship Hall closet New handrails installed in chancel area Leaking/rusted gutters replaced or repaired Casey s old office sorted, cleaned & emptied for Kyle Jones arrival Pastor s office cleaned & dusted, curtains washed & pressed Large Sunday School cupboard emptied, cleaned & reorganized Landscape & Maintenance company hired Irrigation system inspected & repaired New button-style TP holders and seat cover dispensers installed in restrooms Newer, free couch found for Fellowship Hall Motion detector/flood light replaced at rear of Room 2 All rooms vacated by Voices cleaned, painted & new flooring/carpet installed (Rm 2 is scheduled to be completed in January 2018) Magnetic door stops installed in Rooms 9, 10, 11 & 12/13 UV film applied to windows in south offices and choir room Storage shed cleared out & cleaned for CMT prop & costume storage Resource Room set up & organized in Room 11 Red stacking chairs, grey folding chairs, main office, entry tile, halls, restroom tile, kitchen, Fellowship Hall, Gathering Area, vinyl floor in Rm 9 & Sacristy all steamed-cleaned Old couch, office chair, pallets & old BBQ taken to dump In addition, many smaller jobs were taken care of: kitchen cupboard hinge replaced, various door hardware repaired, toilets replaced, frontage lights repaired & cleaned, light bulbs replaced, water fountain filter replaced, Spring & Fall Work Days held, and many unneeded and unclaimed items taken to Goodwill or given away on Freecycle. 28

29 Thank you to the Crew members who have so willingly offered their time and skills: Bob Quayle, Bill Hiller, Paul Nugent, Jerry Kenyon, Grant Leff, Ken Carlson, Steve Barr, Dave Paulsen, Craig & Judy Simberg, Dave Pepper, Dave & Valerie Chambliss, John Hopkins, Pastor Frank, Linda Loftesness, and Ed Merrell, as well as all those who helped at our Work Days. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me. Respectfully submitted, Carrie Merrell Operations Committee Chair Christian Music Theater (CMT) Annual Report Christian Music Theatre (CMT) is a musical theatre day camp for children of all faiths. It uses the performing arts to cultivate respect for ourselves and others, to communicate human values, to increase concern for the health of our planet, and to grow in relationship with God. Children participate in drama, music, choreographed movement and art (set, costume and prop construction). The week culminates with a performance of a full-length original musical. EVERY child is in the performance! Participants are children entering kindergarten through the ninth grade. We are limited to 100 children per session, in each age group. CMT is a non-profit outreach program of Advent Lutheran Church. Children and teens learn positive values, develop skills and experience healthy relationships. Families learn that Advent Lutheran Church values youth and youth programs. CMT is a safe environment for campers who grow in responsibility, teamwork, and positive self-esteem. All adult staff, counselors and counselors-in-training (CITs) must complete Safe Community Training (which is provided at Advent) in order to work at CMT. A counselor training meeting is also held prior to the beginning of the summer sessions for all volunteer and paid counselors. 29

30 In summer 2017 we held one 6-day session in July. A scheduled session in June had to be cancelled due to insufficient sign-ups. A total of fifty-five children participated and performed in the Saturday evening production. Thirteen high school and college age students worked this past summer as counselors and two volunteered as CITs. The CITs must volunteer for two sessions before they are eligible to be hired as a paid counselor. The adult staff consisted of eight adults. Tuition fees pay for royalties, supplies, costumes and payroll. Advent Lutheran Church provides rehearsal and performance space. All productions are on Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and are free and open to the public. No ticket purchase is required. The productions will be available online at There will be two CMT sessions offered during summer 2018: -Session I - TBD 7/9 through 7/14, Performance on Saturday, July 14 -Session II - TBD 8/6 through 8/11, Performance on Saturday, August 11 CMT Camper Registration forms will be available in March Scholarships are available. Families can apply for a scholarship in writing during the registration period. We generally ask the family to pay a portion of the tuition. CMT currently has a balance of $ for the 2018 summer season. The Executive Committee of Advent Lutheran Church will approve the schedule and budget in early The CMT board meets informally to decide various issues that come up regarding CMT. The members are Carrie Merrell, others TBD, and the Worship & Music Chair as Council liaison. Pastor Warner is consulted as needed. Respectfully submitted, Carrie Merrell CMT Production Coordinator 30

31 Columbarium Committee Annual Report The Columbarium Committee members are: Jim Carr, Joyce Carr, Dick Franzen, Cheryl Franzen, Carrie Merrell (Council Representative), and Pastor Warner (Advisory). Number of niches sold this year: 2 Number of niches sold to date: 21 Number of niches available: 15 Number of inurnments this year: 1 Number of inurnments to date: 9 Columbarium Fund Account Beginning Fund Balance: $ Funds Received: $ Funds Expended: $00.00 Ending Fund Balance: $ SCORE Report Little children, let us love, not with words or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 In 2017, SCORE helped to search for and hire Kyle Jones (Director of Music and Worship Arts) and Eileen Arellano (Communications Specialist). We also made plans for the upcoming anti-racism workshop which will be on Feb 3rd at Advent. SCORE went through a transition in In May, Kevin Ford with TAG returned for a review of the Visioning process. As a result, SCORE was refocused from five separate groups and instead put to the task of helping coordinate the Beloved Community Arts Center. Janel Jannusch, Valerie Sacks, and Kris Andry from SCORE have been meeting regularly with Kyle Jones, Ed Merrell, and members of the Voices Charter School community; under the direction of Pastor Warner. We have been going through our own visioning process to figure out what the BCAC should be and who will benefit most from it. That is an ongoing process. 31

32 The final task left over from the SCORE meetings is achieving a Reconciling In Christ certification with the ELCA. This will be tackled after the anti-racism workshop and subsequent meetings have taken place. The SCORE Group was created in May 2016 as the result of the Visioning Retreat that was led by Kevin Graham Ford of TAG Consulting. Kevin was asked to help Advent evaluate our current strengths and weaknesses. This led to defining our 3-5 strategic focus (Growing The Beloved Community in South County through service and the creative arts) and goals for the future. To quote the website The Beloved Community is a term that was first coined in the early days of the 20th Century by the philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, who founded the Fellowship of Reconciliation. However, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., also a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, who popularized the term and invested it with a deeper meaning which has captured the imagination of people of goodwill all over the world. For Dr. King, The Beloved Community was not a lofty utopian goal to be confused with the rapturous image of the Peaceable Kingdom, in which lions and lambs coexist in idyllic harmony. Rather, The Beloved Community was for him a realistic, achievable goal that could be attained by a critical mass of people committed to and trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. Dr. King s Beloved Community is a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. In the Beloved Community, international disputes will be resolved by peaceful conflict-resolution and reconciliation of adversaries, instead of military power. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. Peace with justice will prevail over war and military conflict. Submitted by Kris Andry Strategic Leadership Team leader Advent Lutheran Church Frontage Improvement Report Project Update December 2017 The improvement project remains an ongoing possibility dependent on the Development of the Busk Project on the corner of Dunne and Murphy. On December 18, 2017, the developer was awarded Map Approval by the 32

33 City of Morgan Hill. Currently the Developer has 18 months from the Map Approval date to start construction. Communications with the Developer has been sporadic over the last year, but we keep trying. Verbally they are still committed to helping Advent in utilizing their contractors to complete our portion of the required frontage improvement. History In 1973 when the first building permits for Advent were issued, the City of Morgan Hill required that Advent enter an agreement in regards to the street frontage along Murphy Avenue. In 2000 when we had our last major expansion, this agreement was reviewed and renewed. The agreement is a deferral in required frontage improvements (sidewalks gutters, road widening) until the City of Morgan Hill determined that those improvements ( Frontage Improvements ) would be required and that Advent would bear the cost of those improvements. Over the last two or so years the property directly to the south of Advent was improved with the addition of approximately 9 new homes with commensurate street frontage improvements along Murphy Avenue. In a previous agreement with the City of Morgan Hill, Advent also agreed to pay for Undergrounding of the overhead utilities along our street frontage through a long-term, lost-cost loan that has since been repaid to the City. This should not be confused with the current Frontage Improvement agreement we are currently working on. Present The property directly to the north of Advent (Busk Development) is scheduled to have 12 homes developed over the next year also with frontage improvements along both Murphy and Dunne Avenues. During this year (2016) because of the housing developments occurring on north and south sides of Advents property the City of Morgan Hill has determined that it is now an appropriate time to institute the Frontage Improvements. To affect this project in the most cost effective manner we have been working with the Busk Developer to make the Frontage Improvements in conjunction with the Busk Development Frontage Improvements. We believe that by piggy-backing on to their construction we can gain cost savings in the project. An early estimate from MH Engineering places the cost for the Frontage Improvement construction at $150,000. This cost estimate is strictly the cost for street, sidewalk and gutter improvements and does not include preparation of drawings, permits and other costs that may be incurred in preparing Advents parking lot and driveways and landscaping. We are currently estimating the additional costs between $35,000-$50,

34 Project Funding At the January 2017 Congregational meeting we will be asking the Congregation to approve a budget of $200,000 in order to implement the Murphy Avenue Frontage improvements. At the present we believe that we have three options for funding this project: 1. Self-fund through direct member contributions. 2. The City of Morgan Hill has indicated that they may provide a 10-year low-cost loan. 3. Our current mortgage holder, Mission Investment Fund, would extend our current loan (this would require us to make a new loan application that they would use to evaluate our financial strength). The time frame for this project is tied to the Busk Development. The Busk Development project is currently scheduled to start construction in June of We believe that it would take 3-6 months for completion of the Frontage Respectfully, David Paulsen 34

35 Advent Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting Minutes November 12, Opening Devotions: The meeting was called to order by Council President, Ed Merrell at 9:32am. Pastor Anita Warner led us in devotion about the Franke Foundation in Halle, Germany which built an orphanage in the 1700 s with analogies to a more workable legacy foundation. Significant gifts bore fruit for generations. She led us in prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes for the Congregational Meeting on June 18, 2017 Tom Dunham moved to approve the minutes of June 18, Bill Hiller second the motion. Motion was carried. Minutes were approved as written. 3. Election of Council members for 2018 Ed recognized the nominating committee of Valerie Sacks, Valerie Chambliss, and Tom Dunham. They are working diligently to contact people for openings on council. Selected council members for incoming term are Brad Bannister for 1 st Vice President, Peter McElheny for Secretary, Kris Andry for Faith Development, and Carrie Merrell for Operations. Marcia Nelson moved that all candidates in council positions as elected for Valerie Sacks seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ed noted that nominating committee would seek candidates for remaining open positions. Ed asked that if a qualified candidate were found, could Council begin the on-boarding process prior to the January Congregational meeting. No objections noted; Congregational consensus received. Ed recognized and thanked the 2017 Council members. 4. Presentation of the 2018 proposed budget - The proposed budget is based on what is known now and what we expect after 2017 year-end. The budget will be voted on in January In 2016 we built reserves, 2017 we had flat spending and spent some reserves and in 2018 we have to take more from reserves. The proposed budget assumes we have a 10% increase in offerings. Focus for 2018, being a transition year, is on the Beloved Community Art Center (BCAC) and music ministry. The proposed 2018 budget shows spending is greater than income received. To achieve a balanced budget, Advent will draw on reserves. Questions were raised: How much do we have in reserve ($270,000) and if funds were set aside for intern (Yes). Peter McElheny noted a significant drop in offerings. The hope is that with building the new 35

36 5. BCAC program, it will bring in people and this will offset the cost of these programs. Increased giving is also requested. There are plans for a 2018 Capital Campaign for improvement projects such as Murphy frontage improvement and trash/recycling area. This is a special appeal outside the budget and will be presented in January. Tom Dunham noted concern over increased offering levels and asked the congregation to assess their giving levels. The Murphy frontage improvement has yet to determine a start date. The start date is likely based on the development on the Busk property next to the church. The builder is required to meet the commence construction deadline of 12/31/17. It is challenging to get any updated information from developer. The City of Morgan Hill has said they can offer us a low interest loan, but the process will be different than in the past. If we were to get a new loan for Murphy frontage improvement, MIF would need to approve Advent s additional debt. We have not heard from the City if we must do the Murphy frontage improvement project if the Busk development does not meet its commence construction deadline. 6. Resolution to rescind Advent Lutheran Trust Fund Grant reviewed the proposal to rescind the endowment. It involves complex management requirements. He has identified alternate legal structures for endowment type activities. Grant explained the endowment principle of principal to remain intact, but earnings can be used. Grant explained that as the trust was approved at a Congregational meeting, the resolution needs to be approved by a majority at this November 2017 congregational meeting and then ratified by a 2/3 vote at the January 2018 congregational meeting. Tom Dunham motioned to rescind the Advent Lutheran Trust. Terry Pratt second the motion. Motion carried by majority. 7. Resolution to establish Advent Lutheran Legacy Fund Resolution to make Legacy fund part of the constitution to be under the supervision by executive council. The following additions to the resolution were: Add section C5.05. as follows: C5.05. This congregation shall have a legacy fund which will operate under guidelines as specified in this congregation s continuing resolutions. The purpose of the legacy fund will be to provide for mission work beyond the operating budget of the congregation. and Add section C12.05.f as follows: C12.05.f The Congregation Council shall be responsible for overseeing the work of the legacy fund, this congregation s investments and its total insurance program. Approval would be the same two-step process: majority approval in the November meeting and ratification by 2/3 vote in the January meeting. Motion carried by majority. 36

37 Discussion of existing trust/endowment fund: There are no funds in the trust/endowment fund and never were. Any donor has choices and donated funds can be designated for specific uses. Operational functions of the trust/endowment were very restrictive. Discussion of the difference between the endowment fund and memorial fund. Low success of endowment funds, only 4 know instances. Existing assets where cemetery plots with origin unknown. No other assets. Legacy fund would provide structure to be able to accept and large gifts. Gifts must be designated to legacy fund, example, if someone has put into their trust that the gift goes to the church it can go into the legacy fund. Subject to management by Council. Moved and carried by a majority. 8. Resolution for Amendment to the Model Constitution for Congregation This is moved to January 2018 Congregational meeting. 9. New Business Ed recognized Sherry Quick for her tenth year of service to Advent Lutheran Church. Closing prayer Ed Ed Merrell closed in prayer and adjourned the meeting at 10:19am. Relevant Documents for this meeting: Minutes of June 18, 2017 minutes 2018 proposed budget Resolution to rescind the Advent Lutheran Trust Resolution to establish the Advent Lutheran Legacy Fund Amendments to Model Constitution for Congregation 37

38 2017 Treasurer s Report Audits The 2015 audit has been completed. This was presented to the church council in early 2017 and accepted into record. The audit for 2016 is in process and expect it to be completed in Q1 of Robert Beasley will lead the 2016 audit effort. Actual Results Compared to Budget 2017 Operations Actual vs. budget YTD, the church was $49,528 below budget on offering income (89.1%), and $45,524 below budget for total income (92%). We are $66,335 below budget on expenses (88.4%). Unrestricted cash on hand is $291,594, compared with $270,784 at the end of last year, and $271,341 at the end of last month. Comparing the same YTD periods (January to December), 2017 to 2016: Offering income is lower by $24,825 (down 5.8%: $405,645 this year; $430,470 last year). Total income is lower by $79,388 (down 13.2%: $523,971 this year; $603,359 last year). Total expense is higher by $58,231 (up 13.1%: $503,161 this year; $444,930 last year). The Voices School rental income ceased in June 2017 as a result of their finding a larger property in north Morgan Hill. Actual Results Compared to Budget Mortgage Fund Building fund income in December was $7,333. The building fund balance is $35,228, compared with $34,553 at the end of last year, and $33,657 at the end of last month. The ending loan balance for the church s real property is approximately $831,000 as of December 31, Respectfully submitted, Norman M. Osumi, Treasurer 38

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