ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Family of Christ Remodeled Sanctuary Reforming the Future Last year was the 500th year anniversary of the Reformation and with it an examination of who we are as a church and where God is leading us. Over the last twelve months we have been on a journey that has taken us to places we could only imagine, but is filled with the Grace and love of God. We have truly embraced our vision to be a Grace filled family of God, living the Gospel through faith, love, and compassion. One of the main emphasis of the community was the building remodel project we completed that both pointed us in the direction God is leading us and helped us begin to lean into that future. What started as a simple carpet replacement turned into a formalized campaign Grounded in Faith; Growing to Serve. As a community we not only replaced the carpet, but reformed most of our space preparing us for God s ongoing work in a changing world. With over 85 people giving nearly 1500 hours of service raising $47,000 we not only renewed our building but ignited a spark in God s world around us. This spark has the potential to grow into a new light in God s kingdom. As we begin 2018 its time to shine this light into our lives, community, and God s creation. I invite you to join us as we embrace a year of personal faith growth and making a difference in the world in God s name. Come with us as we continue to build the foundations of Family of Christ and grow God s kingdom. Peace, Pastor Brent Erler FAMILY totally describes this church. It is a wonderful place to begin a week! - Bob Steen In This Report Vision, Mission, and Value Statements Summary of Ministries Financial Report Next Year s Emphasis
Vision Statement Family of Christ seeks To be a Grace filled family of God, living the Gospel through Faith, Love and Compassion Mission Statement We are a family embraced by God s Grace, growing in faith, serving and proclaiming Christ s love for all people. Mission Renewal Process For the last year we worked with the synod and other churches to come up with a plan to grow into our mission and vision statements. This process included deep interviews with members and the community around us and will guide us as we make an impact in God s world around us. Making Tie Blankets for 360 Communities Core Values Faith--We will gather together to grow through worship, learning, stewardship, prayer and action in the world. Acceptance--We will be a place where all are welcome and can grow into the people God has created them to be because God can be seen in the faces of all people. Meaningful relationships--we will care for one another and grow in relationship with God and one another. Impact--We will make a difference in the world in Christ's name bringing about change in our lives and community. Love--We will provide care, compassion and support for one another. Youth--We will create an environment where the young and young at heart can learn and be supported on their faith journeys. 2017 Church Council President Lisa Tulisaari Vice President Ed Hellier Secretary Kathy Olson Treasurer Miles Miller Financial Secretary Chad Specht At Large Member Martha Johnson At Large Member Donny Bergquist Thank you all for your grateful service and the gifts you have shared with our congregation. Church Staff Pastor Choir Director Brent Erler Debra Capener Youth and Family Musicians Sherry Goodman Mary Wescott Office Assistant Laura Porter-Jones Linda Bauer Custodial Morgan Jones Dan Benson Jessica Christensen
FAITH We will gather together to grow through worship, learning, stewardship, prayer, and action in the world. Worship In 2017 we continued on a journey that used the Narrative Lectionary to emphasize our faith seen in God s stories in the scriptures. We walked through the Old and New Testaments during this time and integrated the stories of the people of God into our lives. Family of Christ Baptism Music, Sermon Series, and the Arts This last year we continued to have quality and diverse music as part of our worship. The choir performed monthly and a new worship group Logos began that was lead by Laura Porter Jones and Morgan Jones. Wednesday worship in Lent included a sermon series, Animating our Faith while we meditated using the Holden Evening Prayer. Our community band continued to grow as did our Christmas Pageant. We also saw some changes to our worship space. These included adding a new altar area, upgrading our sound system, refinished altar pieces including a new baptismal font, and a more permanent projector. Visual art created by members of our community were the main emphasis in the sanctuary, Narthex, and new fellowship space. Children s art made during worship hung in the Narthex and Multi purpose room, Kitty Soderberg painted massive canvasses that have surround the altar area and changed with the seasons, and a new art space was started in the Fellowship Hall that showcased an art curation called Light in the Darkness. Throughout the year in worship we embraced our the 500th year anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation and our summer worship concentrated on foundational elements of our faith. We looked at our Lutheran understanding of Grace and how that shows up in long held practices like the Lord s Prayer, the Creeds, the Bible and the 10 Commandments. These ancient concepts still play a part of our faith and community as we look to the future. Worship Art Statistical Information Confirmands - 4 New Members - 39 Baptisms - 7 Weddings - 3 Palm Sunday Worship Funerals - 0 2017 Confirmands
ACCEPTANCE We will be a place where all are welcome and can grow into the people God has created them to be because God can be seen in the faces of all people. MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS We will care for one another and grow in relationship with God and one another. Renovation Project New friends and family were made as we renovated the interior of the building. This project brought together not only church members but others in our community who use the space in Fellowship Space ways that created lasting relationships. It connected us in ways we could have never imagined and used our gifts to grow. Adult Education We continue to have opportunities to grow through Intergenerational Activity learning. Men s and women s Community Partners AA Boy Scouts Cub Scouts American Red Cross 360 Communities South Metro Montessori Forte Fine Arts Seussical the Musical City of Lakeville Christian Motorcycle Association Ebenezer Ministries Chili Cook-Off Winners bible studies met regularly. The book club had a monthly program that gathered in people s homes. Sunday classes ranged in topics from Reformation history, to Waking up White; a Conversation on Privilege, and the beginnings of a new study on Faith, Sexism, and Justice. Community Meals Periodically throughout the year we met as a congregation for community meals. This year we started with a game night, moved on to the annual Chili Cook-Off, bared the elements with a picnic interrupted by a storm, celebrated 500 years of reformation with an Oktoberfest, and ended with a women s Advent luncheon. Thanks to all who helped create these experiences. Staff Changes This year Linda Bauer joined our staff as our Office Administrator. Linda brings a great deal of passion, talent, and experience to our community.
IMPACT We will make a difference in the world in Christ s name bringing about change in our lives and community. LOVE We will provide care, compassion and support for one another. This year we saw several changes in our community care programming. We formalized our partnerships with certain organizations, increased our benevolence and found more ways to directly involve our community with loving our neighbors. $2300 was distributed in gift cards and financial support to our members and community Global Mission Tanzania We continue our relationship with our sister congregation in the Usokami parish. Other support; More than 19 Secondary Scholarships Technology upgrade for the school Medicine and Surgery Scholarship FMSC We raised nearly $1300 for the Mega Pack and had more than 80 volunteers give nearly 200 hours. ELCA Global Mission Through special appeals and our general benevolence to the ELCA we worked with World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, HIV and AIDS Relief, the Malaria Campaign, and Immigration and Refugee Services. Local Mission Open Door Food Shelf Last year we had 2 formal food drives and donated $1279 to the Lakeville food shelf and other local food programs Food Shelf Donations Feed My Starving Children Mega Pack Homeless Shelters In 2017 we donated over $1000, tied more than 40 blankets, made regular meals, and helped start a local transitional homeless shelter in Dakota county to support local and regional homelessness Trinity Care We again hosted a Christmas party with gifts for Trinity Care Center in Farmington. We were able to provide an abundance of blessings for all of the residents. Community Events This year we had several community service events that served local mission by tying blankets for local families, painting ornaments to support homelessness, making care kits for those on the streets, collecting hats and mittens for St. Joseph s children s home, and packing meals for FMSC. $6422 Amount collected in our Noisy Offering and other special offerings that went to support mission partners locally and globally. BENEVOLENCE Money from our general and noisy offerings went directly to support the following partners; St. Paul Area Synod Usokami Parish Feed My Starving Children Lydia Place Luther Park Open Door Food Shelf Camp Noah Lutheran Social Services (LSS) CATCH House Rezek Youth Homes St. Joseph s Children s Home ELCA Disaster Relief Matrix Housing Campus Faith Club Trinity Care Christmas
YOUTH We will create an environment where the young and young at heart can learn and be supported on their faith journeys. Preschool and Elementary Our faith formation programming contains several elements that seek to meet the needs of our youth and their families. This year used a rotation model of Sunday School concentrating on two stories each month. Included in this time is a kids choir that shares music during worship. Other programs included Fun Factory VBS which had the kids making connection with their faith and a community Christmas pageant. A special thanks to all the volunteers that helped make this possible. Wednesday Nights VBS The Wednesday night youth program continues to be a time of learning and community building. It includes; 5-6th Christian education 7-9th Confirmation 10-12th AGAPE youth group These times include a meal, service, worship, and other faith building opportunities. Sunday School Community Christmas Pageant Peer Ministry Leadership Nine of our High School youth were selected to participate in our Peer Ministry Leadership training and have become leaders in our community in various ways. These students work with and mentor our middle school and younger youth while developing skills for faith and life. Youth Service and Mission Service events are a big part of our Middle and High School programming. This year we participated in the National Service Blitz, our High School students went to Brooklyn, NY for a mission trip, we had our 2nd Cardboard Box City to raise homeless awareness, and packed meals at US Bank stadium for FMSC. Fall Retreat Luther Park Lutheran Social Services Meal Buildings and Grounds Activities - Replacement of Windows - New Fellowship Space - Community Garden - HVAC Rebuild - Storage Space Remodel - New Lunch Room School age youth had the opportunity to go to Luther Park last summer and experience faith in the great outdoors. This partnership continues to grow and a new scholarship program was started to encourage all kids to attend camp.
Family of Christ 2017 Financial Review / 2018 Proposed Budget 2017 Budgeted Giving General Fund Income / Expenses 2017 Actual Giving Surplus 2017 Budget 2017 Actual Over Budget Income / Expense $338,215 $378,536 $40,321 $336,633 $340,700 $4,067 2017 Expenses vs. Budget 2018 Proposed Budget 2017 Budget 2017 Actual Over / (Under) Budget BENEVOLENCE $12,000 $12,000 $0 2018 General Fund 2018 Expense Change vs. 2017 $13,000 $1,000 EDUCATION $3,000 $3,161 $161 $4,000 $1,000 FELLOWSHIP $300 $715 $415 $1,000 $700 FIN/STEWARDSHIP $300 $952 $652 $1,300 $1,000 OFFICE SUPPLIES OFFICE SALARIES $12,000 $163,949 $13,673 $164,875 $1,673 $926 $386,107 Annual $13,000 $179,235 $1,000 $15,286 OUTREACH $1,000 $1,264 $264 General Fund $1,500 $500-2% over PROPERTY $35,000 $35,082 $82 2017 Actual $36,000 $1,000 WORSHIP $4,000 $3,652 ($348) $4,500 $500 MISC/PREPAID $1,200 $1,442 $242 $1,500 $300 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $2,400 $2,400 $0 $14,400 $12,000 RESERVES $2,400 $2,400 $0 $3,600 $1,200 MORTGAGE $99,084 $99,084 $0 $109,766 $10,682 Total $336,633 $340,700 $4,067 $338,215 $382,801 $46,168 Noisy/Special Offering 2017 Extra Giving Giving Tree Benevolence Tanzania Total Giving $6,422 $3,108 $12,000 $12,704 $34,234 Savings and Reserves Beginning Balance + - Ending Balance Reserves $36,049 $2,434 $0 $38,483 Capital Improvement $6,177 $59,825 ($53,496) $12,506 Total $42,226 $62,259 ($53,496) $50,989 Attendance YTD General Fund YTD 6790 7544 8277 378536 326713 331583 2015 2016 2017 2015 2016 2017
Next Year s Emphasis After the Year of Renewal results we will focus on growing our personal faith and creating greater impact through our community and service partnerships. Continue to improve our buildings and grounds through sustainable practices and policies. Grow our stewardship practices by examining our mortgage, exploring a possible capital campaign to reduce debt, and creating a long term plan for stewardship. Contact Us Family of Christ 10970 185thStreet West Lakeville, MN 55044 952-435-5757 office@familyofchrist.com Pastor Brent Erler pastorbrent@familyofchrist.com Youth and Family Sherry Goodman sherry@familyofchrist.com Office Assistant Linda Bauer linda@familyofchrist.com Visit us on the web at www.familyofchrist.com Family of Christ Lutheran Church Living the Gospel through Faith, Love, and Compassion Family of Christ 10970 185th Street Lakeville, MN 55044