In consultation with your Lay Leader, I want to report to you that FUMC is in a more healthier place since last year.

Transcription

1 Status of the Church Address Sunday, December 24, 2017 Fishersville UMC Greetings!!!! In consultation with your Lay Leader, I want to report to you that FUMC is in a more healthier place since last year. (JANUARY) 1. Installation & Anointing of officers on the 29th. 2. Revival from the 25th-27th Jerome Ross preaching) Providence Park Baptist Church, Richmond (FEBRUARY) February 7, 2017 Church Council approved recommendations from FUMC's Parsonage Strategic Committee to read as follows: a. FUMC retains ownership (process out, economic modeling) b. FUMC makes investment for full upgrade estimated between $80-$100,000.00) c. FUMC parsonage used for best alternative available (i.e. Staff member, rental) d. Sense of urgency to move forward with financial and upgrade plan Since then, several things have elvolved, including a visit from the Conference Development Company to help us make a loan determination. The company offered us a $490,000 loan that would have paid off the current loan amount and remodel the parsonage. We declined the offer because it would have caused the church almost as much as the loan amount in interest alone.

2 Remodeling is expected to start on January 15, Currently we are negotiating a self-loan with the CDC to renovate the parsonage. You will be informed. The CDC is financially vibrant. In its school year, it netted $52, in profits. In , it netted $71, In , it is projected to net $52, Student population is on the rise and staff motivation is high. Summer Camp was a success. The CDC Board is working on a strategic plan that is inclusive of several factors: 1. The relationship with the church 2. The future of the school 3. Expansion options 3. How to maximize usage of the fund and minimize risks. Back to Trustees: We are asking Trustees to publish a wish-list that addresses the needs of the church. Already a family in the church, which prefers to remain anonymous, has donated more than $20, for an electronic sign. This will help greatly in alleviating the financial burden of the church. February 8, 2017 we began an investigation of financial improprieties that led to the dismissal of our church secretary on March 21, (February - 10th-11th) 1. Two days visioning 2. Reconvene on February 17th-18th and several things emerged: a. Spiritual Development 1. New Bible Study offering

3 2. Wesley's Series b. Missions/Community Connections/ Externally Focused 1. A part of this initiative was launching the Welcome Wagon led by Ann Frisbie. c. Intergenerational Ministry d. Leadership Development 1. Example is Ivy Cox and VBS 2. Dr. de-bordes and the prayer Team (MARCH) We initiated a process of establishing Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for each ministry areas. They were due in June. To date, most have not been received. Each ministry that submitted draft copies will receive an amended copy for review by the end of the week. Upon you review, each will be placed in a binder. It will work as a lesson plan so that when one person is not here, anyone can follow the written procedure. (APRIL) We experienced the resurrection of the LINKS. (JUNE) In June we said farewell to the Oswalds for six years of faithful service to FUMC. Saddened as it was, we rejoiced with them. Their leaving paved the way for what would be an unprecedented time for the SPRC in terms of hiring new staff.

4 Thanks to Dave Leatherwood and our front desk volunteer staff who step up to the plat. 1. Inez Roadcap 2. Susan Fitchko 3. Donna Kleuffer 4. Ann Buel 5. Jackie Pikul We have hired: 1. Tracy Daniel, Church Administrator 2. Rev. Dr. Gene Williams, Minister of Visitation 3. Lauren Sandercock, DCE/FM 4. Chris Tortorice It was not until recently we reported that we had a full staff. In June we also recognized two high school and nine college graduates from our church. (AUGUST) a. Started the Prayer Team prior to both services. b. We re-instituted Lay Readers We started a series on Stewardship: (Prayer, Giving, Gifts, Presence, Service, and Witness). Thanks to our Stewardship Chairperson, Dan Frisbie The series ended on November 26th with the blessing of commitment Cards on December 3th. (NOVEMBER) 1. On November 5, 2017 we remembered the Saints during service.

5 On the 12th we remembered our Veterans. We continue to provide community counseling. Grief Support Group is helping members learn how to grieve healthily and thereby changing lives. We strive to preach fresh sermons each Sunday. Sermons that offer hope, encouragement and challenge our thinking. We started carrying the sermon live this year. Each Sunday we reach up to 300 viewers, including members in Florida and Texas. Thanks to Vickie Bates and the Bates family for initiating this ministry. Additionally, sermons are uploaded along with sermon notes each week on our website and on our FaceBook page. This year we embarked on our membership endeavors. The roll is updated. The blue cards now match the membership roll on books and online. Thanks to Ms. Inez, Tracy and the membership Team. Charge Conference was a success. I want to thank the members for their financial faithful this year. We received $579, $495,526 of that was for the budget $84,459 was restricted. UMCOR $8, Liberian Association of Virginia (LAVA) $1, Women's Liberia Clinic $3, God's Pit Crew VBS $ Digital Sign $20, Food Pantry $3, Christmas Family $2,464.00

6 Mortgage Principal only $23, Upton Playground $2, Mexico Mission $4, Also, a Memorial donation of $ Other contributions that did not come through the church, but was reported to me, was $ distributed to various causes by the Nillie Myers Circle. From all indications we will meet our financial obligations by the end of the year, including 100% Conference & District Apportionments. We project we will end the year in the Black and we will move forward with a balanced budget into 2018 for the very first time in the history of our church. FUMC has inherited major funds: 1. Simmons Trust Fund. Established in 1986, this fun has $450, principal with Union Bank. This year, this fund netted $11, % of which goes to scholarships. Missions received 30% Pastor Discretionary Fund received 5% 2. Karnes Trust-Cemetery. Established in 1970, this fund has $336, principal with Sun Trust. This year, this fund netted $2, This fund is for the upkeep of the cemetery. 3. Cemetery Working Capital. This fund was also established in Currently it has $9, held at Wells Fargo. There isn't any interest reported. It is primarily used as a working capital. 4. Allen Simmons Endowed Fund. It was established 04/23/2017. It has a principal of $229, and is parked with the VAUMC Foundation.

7 Its current interest is $1, It is intended to maintain and upkeep the playground. At the December Church Council meeting, the Finance Committee made a recommendation for the creation of an Endowments & Memorials Committee. It will be comprised of: a Trustee representative, a Finance representative, the Stewardship Chair and the Memorials Chair. The UM Discipline states that Trustees have the authority to delegate responsibility for management of endowments, bequests, and memorial gifts to such a committee. This is what the Church Council has approved. The new committee will be tasked with reviewing the currently held trust funds, as well as the newly formed Allen Simmons trust fund, to ensure that they are being held and managed in a way to maximize earnings, and minimize management fees and taxes, while adhering to the intent of the wills or memorandum of understanding under which they were created. Any recommended investment plans or investment changes will be made to Church Council, who has the approval authority. This needs to be an ongoing process, not a one-time initiative. In addition, this new committee can also help to create opportunities to educate the congregation for leaving behind your legacy with guidance on wills and estate planning through our Conference and GBOD resources, done in a way to maximize the future financial impact to the church, and to minimize the future impact of fees and taxes. In 2018 we will begin a new thing, an initiative of the Missions Team. Already you have seen information floating around about: "The Great Commission Challenge" In the New Year, the Council meeting will change from once a month to once every quarter. 1. January 2. April 3. July 4. October Each ministry is free to meet as they are. This will give them decision rights and only bring major decisions to the council through their representatives.

8 The Council will comprise of: 1. Pastor Bates 2. Lauren Sandercock-DCE/FM 3. Ann Frisbie, Lay Leader 4. Susan Fitchko, Chairperson 5. Tim Armentrout, Chairman-CDC 6. Rhonda Ford-Missions 7. Thora Rippens-Recording Secretary 8. Trustees Rep. 9. Finance Rep. 10. SPRC Rep. All Family Ministry related reports will go through the DEC/ Family Ministry. 1. Older Adults 2. UMW 3. UMM 4. The Circles 5. Young Adults 6. Youth 7. Children Worship related reports will go through the pastor. 1. Music 2. Acolyte 3. Sound-which may involve Trustees

9 4. Ushers 5. Greeters This effort will alleviate the burden of our older adults from coming out at night to make a report. We believe they have earned the rights to spend the evenings home. It also reduces the amount of reports thus offering good stewardship of time, especially for those working people who come directly from work to meetings. Few months ago, we started locking the main entrance for security reasons. We want to take caution in wake of the Texas shooting. We have consulted Brian Edwards and Trustees and conversations will commence early next year on a security system. Let me personally thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. Dr. Eloise, Kim, Bob, Richard, the 8:30 a.m. worship leaders, the choir, and recently Chris, for your sacrificial ministry. Thora Rippens and the Craft ladies. Also as UMW president and Council secretary. Roger Rippens as Council Chair. Tim Armentrout & Lord Acre Day volunteers. Tim as coordinator of WARM and all volunteers. Also as Finance Chairman. Tim as CDC Board chairman, Christi, the Director, and Board members. Ms. Judy Hostetter & Operation Christmas Child volunteers. Ms. Inez and the Membership Team. Ivy Cox & VBS volunteers. Community Thanksgiving Meal volunteers. Billy Beach, Jack Ward and the ushers. Joan Ward and all greeters.

10 Martha Mawyer, Acolytes, & acolytes' parents. Ann Frisbie as Lay Leader. Dan Frisbie for coordinating the Stewardship drive. Robbie, Richard, Lloyd, Greg for sound. Butch Clark for video recording. Norma Mathis for providing water for the pulpit each morning. Joe Zapotoczny & UMM. Also for walking around collecting attendance and Sunday school offering. All Sunday school facilitators. Youth & children leaders. Wendy Olli and child care volunteers. Donna and food pantry volunteers. Donna as Worship Chairperson. Mary Wahlstrom, Barbara Grunder, Roger & Thora Rippens, all volunteers of FUN-IN-THE- SON and those who provided and prepared meals. It because of you that this ministry continues to grow and remains a vibrant outreach ministry. Dr. de-bordes and the prayer team. Rhonda Ford and the Mission Team. Bill Kauffman and Trustees. The kitchen crew for all the meals. Second to the last, but not the least, Kathy Humphrey, Charlene Beach and XYZ. Lastly Fred Grunder & SPRC (wow!!!!!) My Staff Thank you!

11 If I have done anything to you knowingly or unknowingly, I plead for your forgiveness. If you have done anything to me knowingly or unknowingly, please know that you are forgiven. Let us move into 2018 with a renewed sense of unity and a shared commitment with the mandate to love one another and put God first in all we do. Let us understand that FUMC is first in every ministry endeavor, and every other ministry of mission is secondary. The ministry areas we are privileged to serve in is because of our gifts and expertise. However, those ministry areas do not, under no circumstances, supersede the ultimate goal of the church. FUMC is first.