Brookings United Church of Christ. Annual Report

Transcription

1 Brookings United Church of Christ Annual Report Annual Meeting: January 18 th, 2015

2 Brookings United Church of Christ: Annual Meeting January 18 th, 2015 AGENDA I. Annual meeting called to order Julie Huebner II. Opening Prayer Pastor Wade III. Presentation of 2014 Financial Statement and Proposed 2015 Budget- Sue Hay IV. Presentation of new officers and council members- Election V. Church Commissions and Special Project Leaders Reports a. Church Connection Report Kathy Apland b. Church Life Report Peg Schemmel / Darlene Dokken c. Church Outreach Report Julie Huebner / Carl Kline d. Church Home Report Leonard Henneman / Dave Huebner e. Empty Bowls Report Pastor Wade f. Backpack Report -- Darlene Dokken VI. Moderator's Report Jim Wilson VII. Pastor's Report Rev. Wade Schemmel VIII. Mission Statement IX. Ministry Teams 2015 X. Congregational Discussion- Presentation and Vote on Open & Affirming- Pastor Wade / Kristi Prunty I. Empty Bowls Pastor Wade XI. Meeting adjourned XII. Benediction and Blessing Pastor Wade TABLE OF CONTENTS Church Staff and 2014 Council Roster 2015 Church Council nominations 2014 Pastoral Statistics Report Financial Reports o 2014 Budget and Actual Expenditure o 2015 Proposed Budget o Treasurer comments and explanations Empty Bowls Report Backpack Project Report Moderator s Report Pastor s report

3 BROOKINGS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TH Ave. S., Brookings, SD CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS (Year is expiration date of the member s term) OFFICE Name Term Phone Moderator Kristi Prunty Secretary Ruby Wilson jrwilson@itctel.com Treasurer Sue Hay (cell) heysuehay@gmail.com Financial Secretary Don Marshall (cell) COMMISSIONS Council Member Term Phone Church Connection Kathy Apland 2014, II, Vacant Church Home Dave Huebner 2015, I, Randy DeBoer 2015, I, Church Life Darlene Dokken 2014, I, (cell) dokkendar@yahoo.com Peg Schemmel 2014, I, Church Outreach Julie Huebner 2014, I, Marlene DeBoer 2015, I,

4 CHURCH STAFF Pastor Rev. Dr. Wade Schemmel (service began 9/3/2013) Office Manager Carolyn Warmann (temporary volunteer) & Terri Logan (permanent staff 9/5/14) Pianist Pricilla Pulscher Nominations for 2015 Position Term begins Term Ends Nomination Floor Nomination Moderator 1/18/2015 1/31/2016 (1 yr) Kristi Prunty Secretary 1/18/2015 1/31/2016 (1 yr) Ruby Wilson Treasurer 1/18/2015 1/31/2016 (1 yr) Sue Hay Financial Sec. 1/18/2015 1/31/2016 (1 yr) Don Marshall Commissions (all are two year terms) Church Connection 1/18/2014 1/31/2016 Kathy Apland 1/18/2015 1/31/2017 Vacant Church Home 1/18/2015 1/31/2017 Randy DeBoer 1/18/2014 1/31/2016 David Huebner Church Life 1/18/2014 1/31/2016 Peg Schemmel 1/18/2014 1/31/2016 Darlene Dokken Church Outreach 1/18/2015 1/31/2017 Marlene DeBoer 1/18/2014 1/31/2016 Julie Huebner

5 2014 PASTORAL STATISTICS REPORT BROOKINGS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Membership as of January 1, New Members (6) Baptisms (2) Marlene & Randy DeBoer Chad & Laura Gloege Marisol & Raul Mendoza-Galvan Olivia Mendoza-Galvan Trevor Gloege Confirmations (0) Weddings (1) Funerals/Memorials (2) Membership transfers (2) Rachelle Angove-Milianta and Lawrence Starling III Larry Holmes Gene Helvig Membership as of January 1, AVERAGE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE BY MONTH January February March April May June July August September October November December Average by Year

6 CHURCH COMMISSION REPORTS 2014 CHURCH CONNECTION Kathy Apland (2014) No report submitted CHURCH HOME Leonard Henneman (2014) and Dave Huebner (2015) Work was done on the Memorial garden by several people planting perennials and Leonard Henneman and Jim Wilson did the trenching of the water line to it. New visitor signs were ordered and installed in the parking lot. Most of the mowing was done by the Marshall family, but others helped also. Carolyn Warmann & Heidi Meyer planted the flower gardens by the main entrance to the church. Work is being done to fix the water warped baseboard inside the church. Calking was done to the outside siding where the siding meets the brick. The balloon was removed from the ceiling fan. Dave Huebner and others organized the Seder Meal. This was designed as a learning experience with foods of the times and pottery made by Dave. The public was invited, but it was by reservation for a limited number of seats. Pruntys did the snow removal of the parking lot in the winter and spring. Tyson did the snow removal of the sidewalks. Dave & Leonard did the sidewalk once after the early snow this November. This fall and winter we have hired Trifon Theodosopoulos to do snow removal. Various other projects around the church included changing light bulbs, changing furnace filters, new door dampers installed in women s bathroom, Cleaning the floors and carpets was accomplished, water leak in east furnace, The bulb was replaced in the outside flood light that shines on the church. The hedges were trimmed. The yard cleaned up spring and fall, A leaky toilet in east bathroom was checked, The dishwasher & windows were cleaned. Branches were hauled away. The siding on the outside of the church was looked at for possible repair. CHURCH LIFE Darlene Dokken (2014) Church life continued with various opportunities for Christian education. Pastor Wade conducted an Adult Bible Study on Wednesdays, 11:30 to 1:00. This group studies and discusses the text for the coming week. There is also an adult class on Sunday mornings at 9:00. Pastor Wade has been leading the group through a book about 100 important women of the Bible. Feel free to join either of these groups. There are learning opportunities for children in grades 5 and below. This is led by Sue Hay. She has a 5 year plan so that when the children reach the age for confirmation that they are well versed in the Bible. The older students have been meeting once or twice a month. They have engaged in various activities. The group made gift jars for Empty Bowls in order to raise money for Heifer International. They also made table decorations for the Thanksgiving meal. Most recently they held a movie night. The group met at the church. Pizza was purchased. A game of RISK was enjoyed followed by watching the movie, Now You See Me. They have plans to meet in two weeks in order to decide on a project to help in the community. Church life is seeking input from families about what would be a better time to have Church School if Sunday does not work for some. Letters and phone calls will be going out. The Christmas program was held December 21, A Birthday Party for Jesus was held. Peg Schemmel wrote a play about the birth of Jesus. Adults as well as children acted out the script. Helen Anderson was the narrator. After the play, there were refreshments including a birthday cake for Jesus.

7 Church life reorganized the ministry teams so that now there are 6 groups. Each group will serve twice a year. The groups will not have to clean as part of their duties as someone has been hired to do that. Plans are in the works to also update the ministry team s duties. Church life will also make recommendations about some set requirements for groups who might use the church. For example, that they should clean the kitchen, take trash out, etc. Suggestions for activities that all can participate in are welcome. Please tell Darlene Dokken or Pastor Wade. CHURCH OUTREACH Julie Huebner (2014) and Carl Kline (2014) Food Pantry. There is always a need for food in the community. We have donated to that and other distribution places in Brookings. Brookings Backpack Project. They are feeding over 400 kids every week during the school year and less in the summer. Darlene Dokken has been buying the food for many years and she retired this year. Our church is still sponsoring this organization and Sue Hay is on the Board. Open and Affirming. We have had discussions over the past year and the pastor has visited the members to get their input. A majority of the members are in favor of going ahead with this. We will vote on it at the Annual Meeting. The Brookings Arts Festival. In July Pastor Wade Schemmel preached at the church service at the Arts Festival and several members helped with ushering. Blackhawk (Richard Kapusta) from Wisconsin played his guitar for the music. There were about 200 plus people there. The collection of $500 went to BBP. Interfaith Group. Carl Kline has been active in the Interfaith group this year. Some of our other members have also attended the meetings. The December meeting was held at our church and we talked about the homeless and poverty in our community. Another topic was sustainability. 5 th Sunday. Every 5 th Sunday we have had discussions on topics such as domestic violence and poverty, global warming, and sustainability, etc. Spirit Camp. Carl Kline spent some time at Spirit Camp in western South Dakota where there were discussions between the ranchers and the Native Americans and others about the expiration of the permit allowing the Keystone XL pipeline to be built. About 300 people attended. There was a celebration that the permit was lost and many prayers were shared. LGBT Several members of the LGBT group in Brookings came to the church in December to tell of their experiences about not being accepted because of their sexual orientation. They were happy that we are voting to become open and affirming. Coffee House. A Coffee House discussion group was formed that met at a local coffee house and then moved to the church to talk about current events in the news. SDSU Students. A booth was set up at the college to let students know who we are. 350 Care Beaners were handed out with our address on them. There was some interest. Newspaper Ads. Ads were put in the paper inviting people to come to our Easter and Christmas Eve services. Ads were also put in the paper for our Lenten series and Seder meal. Artlicles were put on the church page for some of our other events. An ad was put in the Our Towns publication and Your Life magazine on campus. Spanish Immersion Pre-School. We are helping support this project as an outreach program with Marisol, a Spanish speaking woman from Mexico that is teaching the Spanish culture and language to young children. Special Offerings. Native American SDSU graduates for quilts and My Neighbor to provide funds for people in need such as rent or utility bills, etc.

8 Empty Bowls. A benefit for Heifer International to provide animals for persons to feed themselves in this country and abroad. A soup supper and a handmade pottery bowl were given for a donation. There was entertainment by a local jazz group and a SD Humanities speaker Frank Pommersheim who spoke on the plight of the Native Americans in South Dakota. Food was provided by SDSU Aramark. Faith Through the Arts Lenten Series and Seder Meal. Speakers were brought in for the Thursday night gatherings and soup suppers during Lent. A Seder meal was held with traditional foods from the Middle East and and served on handmade pottery by Dave Huebner. The public was invited to these gatherings. Turtle with a Mustache, Jerry Leggett. Special music concert about Peace event. Vote Center for SDSU students. Carl Kline worked on a possible location. Free Thanksgiving Meal. We served the meal and many volunteers helped serve the meal and provided food and desserts. We also provided turkey gravy packets for Feeding Brookings. EMPTY BOWLS Pastor Wade The 11 th Annual Empty Bowls On November 20 th the church was abuzz with activity as 100 plus folk gathered to hear a good message, share in meaningful conversation and give their support to Heifer International. With gratitude to.many who gave of their time and money we ended up raising $4500. An arc is awarded when the donation becomes $5000. At the present time we are holding that offering in the hopes that we will be able to raise the additional $500 so we could make the $5000 threshold. Any who would be interested in making an additional offering please let the church know. BROOKINGS BACKPACK PROJECT 2014 Brookings Backpack continues to provide weekend supplemental foodbags for children in Brookings. During the school year , between 375 and 400 bags were distributed each week. In the summer of 2014, around 130 bags were picked up at the 3 different sites. We had close to 100% participation at each site. When a bag could not be picked up at the site, arrangements were made for delivery or to meet at the BBP site by the airport. At the present time, 427 bags are put together each week. At the beginning of 2015, the board decided that we would no longer offer special diet bags. The child/children and parents would have to decide what the child could and could not have, once it is taken home. Jessica Langford was the coordinator until she and her husband moved to Huron. Cathy Ching is now the BBP coordinator. Darlene Dokken resigned from her post of food coordinator. RaeAnn Thompson is fulfilling the duties of that position. We welcome Cathy and RaeAnn on board. They will do an excellent in taking BBP forward to finish the school year. We continue to receive support from Larson's Foundation, United Way, Arby's, WalMart, plus many other corporate and individual donations. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the success of the program.

9 MODERATOR S REPORT Jim Wilson (2014) As I look back though the newsletter articles that I wrote as Moderator I am concerned that my final Annual Report will be a lot of repetition. I believe that we have moved back from the brink of the Church failing, to a point where there is a good deal more optimism. We owe Pastor Wade a great amount of thanks for his energy, commitment and overall leadership to our Church, but we still need to remember that the Church is the people and that we are all responsible for the positive direction that we have taken. I know that it is dangerous to start thanking people, but I would like to start by going back to the pastoral search committee and thanking them for their long, hard, and diligent work to bring us stable and committed leadership. We need to thank both Pastor Wade and Peg for uprooting their lives and acting on faith to provide strong leadership for our Church. Caroline Warrmann provided us not only with organized office operations, but was there to be sure the bases were covered and the phone was answered. When you consider the financial gift of her time and effort, she deserves a very big thank you as well. Thank you to Terri Logan for cheerfully picking up the secretarial duties and helping to keep Pastor Wade in line. A continuing thank you to all who worked to provide Empty Bowls, the Thanksgiving meal, the Backpack project, and support for Harvest table, Feeding Brookings, and the Food Pantry. Thank you to all of you who worked with Marisol Galvan to bring the Spanish immersion pre-school to a reality and to provide housing for the Family Resource Center. Both of these not only utilize and help support costs associated with the Education wing, but also provide a service to the greater community. Thanks to the Marshalls, Jerry Warmann, and everyone else who maintained the lawn and also to those who planted, weeded, trenched, and provided support for the Memorial garden and other landscaping that adorns our Church. Thank you for the work done in preparation for a Church revitalization grant and for the efforts to bring our membership roles to a more current state. Thanks also to those who provided or sought to provide special music that always make our services just that more special. A special thank you to our Council treasurer and secretary and each commission member. A good deal of work happens at council that often doesn't get seen. I know I have forgotten some of the many things that our church needs to be thankful for, but look at that list. It would be hard for you not to find yourself included somewhere. It goes back to what I said earlier. Our Church is our people and we need to be thankful for each and everyone of you and understand that the strength and bright future of our Church is because of you. Thank you again for the opportunity to be your Church council moderator. I know I leave this position with a good leadership team in place. May God's blessing be on each of you.

10 PASTOR S REPORT Rev. Wade Schemmel The Report of the Pastor As I reflect on the past year I find myself having a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. The gratitude grows from several sources one of them being the dedication of so many to the various ministries of the church. Thanks to your commitment financially and personally the church is able to answer a call to discipleship that is far greater than its actual membership. On behalf of all those that have food to eat, a hope of the future, shelter from the cold, medical and other services, I say thank you. Your faith imprint is very large. The anxiety part comes basically from the fact that when the good lord handed out patience I was in the nose line. I do believe that we as a community of faith are moving forward and I know that it will take years for us to get to a point where we are secure in our membership and finances. In fact I am not disappointed in the progress that we have made. But I will hold that anxiety until our journey is complete. The task to which I believe you called us was not to sustain the ministry of this congregation but rather to engage it until its membership, mission and vision are all on solid ground. As I look at our congregation I see areas that need to grow if we are to find that fullness of vision that we seek. One of those areas is Christian education. In spite of the fact that we have a strong program with good, creative teaching the numbers of participants is very low. The Church life commission along with the teacher are working on finding a time and style of Christian education that will meet the needs of our congregation. I commend their effort and look forward to what the future will hold. We are interacting with the community, but there is always room to grow in that area. We benefit when people walk in our door. Our goal has to be to seek ways that those who walk in our door also benefit. Our challenge is to strive to be the community where those that seek to be understood will know they can come. Radical hospitality does not put boundaries, on those that are welcome, but seeks to be a safe place for all. This is a message that I believe we need to proclaim beyond our building and community. I am looking for ways to do that and ask that any who might have an idea please let me know. Being United Church of Christ is not just the name brand for our congregation it is our life style. It is a call to be as embracing of God s people as God was in Christ. It is a call to remember that each of us is part of God s family and that in that family there are no step children and there is no junk. We need to respect one another with a passion. It is not easy to be UCC, but it is necessary. Finally Peg and I would like to say that we are grateful for the opportunity to share in your ministry and look forward to the privilege of being a part of it in the future. It very truly is a privilege. We wish you God s grace and strength as we move forward into the future. Namaste Wade MISSION STATEMENT Possible Ideas Who are welcome here? If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black or White or. If you are male, female or transgender.. If you are three days old, 30 years old, or 103 years old.. If you never stepped foot in a church, or if you are Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Agnostic or a life long UCC.. If you are single, married divorced, separated or partnered.. If you are straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual..

11 If you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, socialist or not registered to vote.. If you have had addictions, phobias, abortions or a criminal record If you own your home, rent, live with your parents or are homeless.. If you are fully-abled, disabled, or a person of differing abilities. You are welcome here! This congregation is committed to being a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, centered in the good news of Jesus. Therefore in faithfulness to the gospel and our UCC heritage, and to the best of our abilities, we promise to provide programs, ministries and pastoral care to all who seek God s presence in this place. Ministry Teams 2015 January July Stuart & Melissa Apland Kathy Apland Jihong Cole-Dai Steve & Kristi Prunty Darlene & Dennis Dokken April October Jim & Joanne Satterlee Leonard & Norita Henneman Don & Nancy Marshall Scott Meyer & Taylor Mertz Steve & Jean Chappell February August Chris & Sue Hay Clarence & Darlene Bauer Kyle & Tiffany Eide Larry Rogers & Ruth Harper Matt Chang & Brandy Donaldson May November Jim & Ruby Wilson Helen Anderson Brenda & Carl Kline Doug & Mary Ward Raul & Marisol Galvan-Murillo March September Chad & Laura Gloege Susan Helvig Dave & Julie Huebner Christina & Justin Wiemer Shanta Messerli June December Tom & Susan Rosen Loye Holmes Randy & Marlene DeBoer Wade & Peg Schemmel Linda Langner

12 BROOKINGS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2013 Budget and Actual expenditures, 2014 Proposed budget Sue Hay, Treasurer 2014 budget 2014 Actual 2015 budget Building and Grounds Insurance $ 6, $ 6, $ 6, Building Payment $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, Maintenance and $ $ $ Supplies Snow Removal $ 1, $ $ 1, Taxes/Fees $ $ $ Total $ 23, $ 22, $ 24, Employees Guest Minister $ $ $ Payroll Expenses/FICA $ $ - non-pastor $ Pianist $50 per Sunday $ 3, $ 2, $ 3, Janitorial Services $ - $ - $11/hr. - 12hr. Per Month $ 1, Secretary $11/hr. - $ 5, $ 1, hrs. Per month $ 5, Total $ 9, $ 4, $ 11, Leadership Salary $ 33, $ 33, $ 33, Taxes $ 8, $ 8, $ 8, Total $ 42, $ 42, $ 42, Benefits Professional Expenses $ 1, $ $ 1, Total $ 1, $ $ 1, Total leadership $ 43, $ 42, $ 43, Office Advertising $ $ 1, $ Equipment $ $ - $ Equipment Repair $ $ - $ Postage $ $ $ Printing Costs $ $ $ Office Supplies $ $ $

13 2014 budget 2014 Actual 2015 budget Copier Lease $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, Total $ 5, $ 3, $ 4, Programs Utilities Missions Dues and Subscriptions $ $ $ Worship, Fellowship, $ 1, $ $ 1, Special Sunday School, VBS $ $ $ Choir/Music $ $ - $ Workshops/Registrations $ $ $ Total $ 2, $ 1, $ 2, Electric, Water $ 2, $ 1, $ 2, Heat $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, Telephone $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, Total $ 5, $ 4, $ 5, OCWM $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, Total Expenses* $ 91, $ 80, $ 93, Offerings** $ 51, $ 83, $ 54, Difference $ (40,492.16) $ 2, $ (39,167.16) Total Pledged 2012 (15 pledges): $55, Total Pledged 2013 (17 pledges): $50, Total Pledged 2014 (18 pledges): $50, Total Pledged 2015 (17 pledges): $54, *Income reflects offerings, funds raised, and donations made to offset expenses. **The Total Expenses does not reflect the expenses of the church in that several members of the church supply with in kind donations, including snow removal for the parking lot, supplies for the kitchen and bathroom, Sunday School supplies, office equipment, etc. Special Offerings Received/Paid in 2014: One Great Hour of Sharing $385 Eagle Butte: $171 Star Quilt Congratulatory Fund: $600 Strengthen the Church: $130 Neighbors in Need: $140 Brookings Backpack Project: $ Christmas Fund: $285 Total Special Offerings: $2,718.67

14 Notes on the 2015 Budget Here are some notes about the budget to explain the changes for this year. Insurance: The insurance has gone up so the budget covers the new cost. Snow removal: Prunty's are no longer clearing the drive so I adjusted the budget to cover expected snow removal for the drive and sidewalks for this year. Pray for less snow. Guest minister: Calculated by 4 Sundays at $75. Payroll expenses/fica: This is the budget line to cover the taxes to be paid by the employer for the Secretary. Janitorial Services: This is a new budget line. Our expectation is for this to be an expense of $11 per hour for 144 hours per year. Secretary: The calculation for this is $11 per hour for about 520 hours per year. Taxes: This is the budget line to cover the taxes we will pay on Wade's salary. There were other slight changes based on historical spending. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions about anything in the budget. I would be happy to discuss anything. --Sue Hay, Treasurer