Galatians 5:22 23 (NRSV)...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. We are a missions-oriented, multiculturally-minded congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a member of the Presbytery of New Hope. As a congregation we seek to grow in grace, live in peace, and serve the Lord. In other words, we seek to live as God s people and join in God s work in the world. Our congregation recognizes that all people are uniquely loved and valued by God. We seek to be a place where all of God s children are welcomed, loved and encouraged in the journey of faith. We strive to be a place where worship, care and mission happen in a welcoming, enduring, life-giving community of faith.
have spent preparing food for the more than eighty residents at the Crossroads Community Shelter each month? Have you ever considered how much money our children have collected and sent to Heifer International in order to buy animals for people around the world? We are a community of generosity making an impact with our giving! In this booklet you ll find the many ways in which we, the members of Peace Presbyterian Church, have expressed our faith through our generosity. For a congregation that averages approximately 95 people in worship each Sunday, a lot of ministry is happening within the church, in our community, and around the world. The various ways that we give and serve often go unnoticed and unheralded. But every once in a while, we think it s important that we recognize the many and varied contributions of our members and friends to the life and ministry of our church. For instance: Have you ever considered how much time the Knit Wits have spent creating their wonderful prayer shawls, squares, and lap robes we give to people during difficult times and how much money they have spent on the yarn? Have you ever considered how much money our volunteer pianist and organist have saved us by freely providing their gifts and skills in our worship services and choir rehearsals? Have you ever considered how much money we are saving the ministries of our sister congregations (the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship, Una Iglesia Para Todos, and Jubilee) by providing offices and sharing our fellowship hall, kitchen, classrooms and chapel for worship? The list goes on. And none of the above are included in our annual church budget. Consider: Operation-In- As-Much, Stop Hunger Now events, Angel Tree, Crop Walks, Souper Bowl Sunday collections, Special Offerings for our denomination, and many, many more. As you flip through this booklet, think about the impact that all of our ministries and programs are having in our community and in our world. They happen because of your generosity. Have you ever considered how much time our volunteer yard crews spend taking care of our property and cutting the grass and how much money they save our church because we don t have to hire a professional crew? Have you ever considered how much money for ingredients and how much time our members
Food Bank of Eastern NC The Greenville Branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina serves 10 counties in eastern North Carolina where more than 149,090 people live in food insecure households, almost a third of whom are children. Budgeted Support: $1,000 Crossroads Community Center An emergency homeless shelter with a 98-bed capacity: 58 men, 24 women and 4 family rooms. Budgeted Support: $1,000 The Ulster Project Bringing Protestant and Catholic high school kids from Northern Ireland to the US to live with local families for a month to promote understanding between the sects that have been in conflict for several decades. Budgeted Support: $2,000 Operation In As Much Every October, we host the residents of The Village (an addiction recovery center) for makeovers and family photoshoots as part of the city wide service project. Budgeted Support: $1,000 Presbyterian Campus Ministries PCM offers all college students a place to gather on Thursday evenings for dinner and Bible Study as well as retreats and mission trips. Budgeted Support: $1,000 Blood Drives Peace Presbyterian Church hosts several blood drives each year for the American Red Cross. Souper Bowl of Caring On Super Bowl Sunday, our young people take up a collection which is given directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice. Community Shelter Meals We cook and serve dinner at the Crossroads Community Center on the third Friday of each month for up to 80 people. Budgeted Support: $1,000 CROP Hunger Walk A community-wide event sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. First Born CDC The First Born Community Development Center in Grimesland, NC is where we donate all of our monthly food collection items. Pet Food Pantry Each month we collect bags of dog and cat food that are donated to the Pet Food Pantry which was established to help prevent the abandonment or surrender of animals when their families cannot afford to feed them.
Stop Hunger Now Stop Hunger Now gets food and life-saving aid to the world s most vulnerable people. Every year on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday we host a Stop Hunger Now food packaging event. In just under two hours, a group of fifty (50) volunteers can package 10,152 nutrient-rich meals. Angel Tree Members buy Christmas gifts for the children at the Village according to lists retrieved from a Christmas Tree set up in the sanctuary each December. Interfaith Refugee Ministry Dedicated to helping refugees rebuild their lives in eastern North Carolina by assisting refugees with the basic necessities when they first arrive. The ultimate goal is to help refugees become self-reliant, emotionally secure and culturally adjusted in their new home. Budgeted Support: $1,000 Serving the Presbytery Peace Presbyterian Church currently has members or staff serving on the following committees of presbytery: ECU Campus Ministry Board Committee on Preparation for Ministry Campus Ministries Camp Albemarle We support our local Presbyterian camp and conference center in Newport, NC. Budgeted Support: $500 Heifer International Every Sunday morning our children collect coins to donate to Heifer International for the purchase of animals to be given to people around the world. Per Capita to Synod and GA Peace contributes $7.12 per active member to support the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and $0.80 per active member to support the administrative budget of the synod. Budgeted Support: $1,640 Mission Giving to Presbytery Peace also contributes to the annual mission budget of the Presbytery of New Hope. Budgeted Support: $6,000 Special Offerings of the PC (USA) Peace members contribute to the four churchwide Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA): One Great Hour of Sharing Pentecost Peace & Global Witness Christmas Joy These play an important role in reminding us of what it means to be a connectional church.
Letters of Care & Compassion Every Sunday morning on the Care and Compassion table we sign and then send letters of encouragement to people and churches related to Peace. Home & Hospital Visitation Whenever a member of the church is hospitalized or homebound, the pastor and members of our care ministry are delighted to stop by for a visit, a prayer, and a blessing. Extended Communion People who are homebound or unable to come to church for communion on the first Sunday of each month can request to have communion brought to them at home by elders of the congregation. Memorial Service Receptions Whenever someone dies and a memorial service is held at our church, the Care and Connection committee helps coordinate a light reception of juice and cookies in the Fellowship Hall. Celebration Potlucks The Care and Connection committee organizes celebration potlucks and events for baby showers, wedding showers, birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. In 2017 the C&C committee will be reinstituting the Third Sunday Gatherings. Bookmark Ministry A prayer ministry where you are invited to select a new bookmark each week containing the name of a person associated with Peace Presbyterian Church. Throughout the week you are invited to pray for the person named on your bookmark. Deacon Ministry This year, Peace Presbyterian Church will be nominating deacons to serve the church through its Care Ministries. The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Knit Wits A ministry of care, the Knit Wits gather each Wednesday to knit or crochet lap robes, prayer shawls, and prayer squares that are given in love to people during difficult times. Peaceful Seniors Lunches Each month our seniors gather for a time of fellowship, a short program and lunch in the fellowship hall.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP We believe worship shapes who we are and who we hope to be. The four-fold movement of our worship takes us on a specific journey that seeks to model the kind of life we seek together in the world practices that give meaning and make us whole, including moments of joy and praise, confession and reconciliation, reflection and selfdedication. CHANCEL CHOIR The chancel choir sings regularly during the school year at our 11am worship service and takes a break over the summer. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. NURSERY CARE Nursery care is provided for young children up through age four on Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm. USHER/GREETER TEAMS Many of our members volunteer in this ministry of hospitality on Sunday mornings. Ushers and greeters pass out bulletins, collect the offering, and provide a warm welcome to all who visit. FAITH TREK (pre-k to 5th grade) On Sunday mornings from 9:45am to 10:30am, Faith Trek is where children learn the stories of our faith and grow in their relationship with God. Our Faith Trek program follows a rotational Sunday School model. PPYC Peace Presbyterian Youth Connection is for middle and high school students on Sunday evenings from 6pm to 7:30pm; a time of fellowship, and faith exploration. CONFIRMATION Confirmation is a period of questioning and preparation for teenagers who are contemplating membership of the church. It takes place during the Sunday School hour on Sunday mornings. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL The adult Sunday School class meets in the conference room from 9:45am to 10:45am on Sunday mornings. All are welcome to join. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School is a fiveevening program in the summer that invites children to explore their faith through music, crafts, stories, and games. RIGHTNOW MEDIA An anonymous donor has purchased a subscription for all church members to RightNow Media which is an online, streaming bible study and Christian education resource.
SISTER CONGREGATIONS Korean Presbyterian Fellowship The Korean Presbyterian Fellowship of Greenville has been our partner in ministry and sharing our space since 1999. Una Iglesia Para Todos In 2010, Una Iglesia Para Todos was brought in as a second partner in ministry and ethnic worshiping community. Jubilee International Jubilee International is a ministry for the English-speaking spouses and members of the Korean Presbyterian Fellowship of Greenville that meets in the conference room during worship. COMMUNITY GROUPS Homeowners Associations Various local neighborhood homeowners associations hold their annual meetings at our church, including Irish Creek and Shamrock. ECU Chamber Singers The ECU Chamber Singers is the select choral ensemble at ECU, comprised of 34-40 auditioned singers, many of whom are voice majors from within the School of Music. Greenville Police Department Most recently we hosted the retirement dinner for one of Greenville Police Departments finest: Sergeant Joe Friday. Greenville Choral Society The Greenville Choral Society uses our facility for their weekly rehearsals as well as the occasional concert. Each year they also use our property for the pickup of trees, wreaths, and garland from their Annual Christmas Tree Sale. OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS The Yard Sale This year the mission committee brought back the Yard Sale. Numerous people from the congregation donated personal items that were sold to members of the community. This year we raised just under $4,000 which will be used to expand our Stop Hunger Now event in January. Neighborhood Fun Day In coordination with the Mission and Outreach committee, the Care and Connection committee helps serve food and organize activities for our annual Neighborhood Fun Day in the Fall. Annual Easter Egg Hunt Each Palm Sunday, the Care and Connection committee helps to organize an Easter Egg Hunt for the youngest members of our congregation. Parents First On the first Friday of each month, parents are invited to drop their kids off at the church from 6pm to 9pm for a time of food, fun, and fellowship. Cookies and Caroling with Santa Each December we host a cookie exchange in combination with a Christmas Caroling party.
Memorial Garden and Columbarium Project For many years this church has considered installing a Memorial Garden and Columbarium as way to help keep alive the memory of those who have died who remain dear to us. The session recently encouraged our resident architect, Richard Johnson, to draw up some preliminary plans (shown below). Plantation Shutters in the Sanctuary For many years we have tried various ways to soften the brightness of the sun as it shines through the large window on the south side of the sanctuary. The glare effects not only church members in the pews, but also the choir, our musicians and their instruments. In the design you will find 72 niches for the internment of ashes, an open garden for scattering, benches for sitting and reflecting, and two plaques: one near the garden for those whose ashes have been scattered and one near the gate for church members to be able to memorialize the names of loved ones, even if they are buried elsewhere. At different times of the year we have used artwork in the windows, sun shades behind the piano bench, and a cover to protect the piano from the sun s harmful rays. Plantation shutters would provide a more permanent solution that would still allow us to use artwork when desired. Andrea Croskery has solicited bids from three companies which fall between $3,500 and $4,500.
Volunteer Value of In-Kind Value of Total Total Hours Hours Value Donations w/out hours w/hours Buildings & Grounds Building Maintenance 50 $750 n/a $300 $300 $1,050 Grounds Maintenance 219 n/a $15,000 $1,236 $16,236 $16,236 Spiritual Life Pianist/Organist 240 n/a $8,000 n/a $8,000 $8,000 RightNow Media n/a n/a n/a $1,300 $1,300 $1,300 Mission & Outreach Local Mission 510 $7,650 n/a $10,200 $10,200 $17,850 National/Global Mission 120 $1,800 n/a $2,025 $2,025 $3,825 Special Offerings n/a n/a n/a $1,258 $1,258 $1,258 Fellowships Building Use n/a n/a $29,500 n/a $29,500 $29,500 Totals 1,139 $10,200 $52,500 $16,319 $68,819 $78,269 Pledge Range # of Households Total Amount Pledged $ 1 to $2,999 34 $ 48,310 $ 3,000 to $4,999 11 $ 39,340 $ 5,000 to $9,999 9 $ 65,200 $10,000 + 7 $114,232 Totals 61 $267,082* How will you respond financially to God s love and grace in 2017? Please prayerfully consider your own level of generosity when making your financial pledge for 2017. *adjusted for household relocations
Amount % Area of Ministry $ 72,663 22% Music & Worship (includes choir director, 1/2 pastor, plus Music & Worship line items) $ 10,804 3% Care & Connection (includes 1/10 pastor, plus Care & Connection line items) $ 25,800 8% Mission & Outreach (includes 1/10 pastor, plus Mission & Outreach line items) $ 22,104 7% Spiritual Life (includes children s coordinator, 1/10 pastor, plus Spiritual Life line items) $ 60,342 19% Property Maintenance (includes 1/10 pastor, plus Buildings & Grounds line items) $ 68,136 21% Mortgage Payments (includes only budgeted mortgage payments) $ 65,660 20% Administration (includes office administrator, 1/10 pastor, plus office line items) $320,385 100% Total 2016 Weighted Expense Budget Mission & Outreach 8% Care & Connection 3% Spiritual Life 7% Mortgage Payments 21% Music & Worship 22% Administration 20% Property Maintenance 19% Can you imagine what will happen when we pay off our mortgage and no longer have $68,136 per year tied up in mortgage payments? The effect on our ministry and mission will be significant. Our current mortgage balance is $348,381.
ANNUAL BUDGET COMPARISON 2015 2016 Proposed 2017 INCOME Pledges 261,000 271,222 271,222 Loose Offering 30,000 25,000 25,000 Building Use 3,000 1,700 1,875 Capital Fund Campaign 10,500 10,000 10,000 Korean & Hispanic Fellowships 13,000 12,000 12,000 Other 8,000 463 3,066 Total Income 325,500 320,385 323,163 EXPENSES ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Personnel 153,316 155,632 160,391 Buildings and Grounds 118,400 118,924 117,924 Finance and Stewardship 50 5,125 500 Office 12,000 11,100 12,100 Total Administration Committee 283,766 290,318 290,915 CARE & CONNECTION COMMITTEE Connection Activities 500 750 1,500 Care Ministries 500 500 500 Total Care & Connection Committee 1,000 1,250 2,000 SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE Music 5,600 5,300 5,300 Worship 2,090 1,908 1,908 Christian Education 5,300 4,900 5,400 Total Spiritual Life Committee 12,990 12,108 12,608 MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE Denominational Support 7,744 7,640 7,640 Mission Support 10,000 8,606 10,000 Outreach 0 0 0 Total Mission & Outreach Committee 17,744 16,246 17,640 TOTAL EXPENSES 315,500 320,385 323,163 TOTAL INCOME 325,500 320,385 323,163 Difference 10,000 0 0
What is Estate Planning? When someone mentions estate planning, what is your first thought? If you said a will, you are not alone. For many people, a will is the cornerstone of a well-organized estate plan. But, in reality, there s more to consider in successful estate planning. Estate planning is the process of managing accumulated assets for the present and the future. An active plan can protect, preserve and distribute your assets throughout your lifetime and upon your death. It can help you prepare for possible future needs, such as health problems, accidents and unforeseen financial challenges, and may reduce the tax liabilities on your current income and total estate. Taking Responsibility as a Good Steward If you have ever been in a situation where a loved one has died and did not make any plans for the distribution of their assets, you can certainly appreciate the value of taking the time to make an estate plan. It can be difficult guessing who should receive remaining assets. Did they want to leave a gift to their church and perhaps the humane society where they volunteered, and where did they keep their insurance policy? This only hints at the decisions to be made - decisions that could have been made in advance. For Christians, there is an added dimension to estate planning recognizing God as the owner of all assets places us in a responsible position as a steward. It is important that we use our God given assets to their fullest potential during our lifetimes for ourselves, our families, our businesses and for God s glory. As a steward, we must also arrange for the most efficient and effective transfer of the assets at death to individuals or charities in a manner that reflects our faith and our values. For the sake of your loved ones, take the time to think about your present plans and meet with a legal adviser to help create or adjust your plans to reflect your response as a steward of God s gifts to you. Estate planning offers Presbyterians the opportunity to make an enduring statement of faith. This act of stewardship can leave an indelible mark on your Church or a mission program of your choice. You may be surprised that even a small asset can be turned into a gift which will support your choices in perpetuity. You may even identify assets previously not considered that could be used to make a generous gift. The Presbyterian Foundation has produced two booklets that can help you understand your options for planned giving: Composing A Legacy and An Estate Planning Workbook. Both will be available in the church Narthex throughout the months of November and December.