Table of Contents
Minutes of the 2004 Annual Meeting
United
Moderator Ken Remsen called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. The church service had been shortened. About 45 members of the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall to share a buffet of soups and breads prepared by members of the Hospitality Committee. The Gospel Folk Group provided music during the meal. Pastor Barbara Purinton led the group in a dedication prayer adapted from Power Lines: Celtic Prayers about work, by David Adams.
Minutes: Pastor Barbara Purinton noted that in the 2003 annual report, the statistical report didn’t include the names of the confirmation class and the omission hadn’t been noticed at last year’s annual meeting.
Randy
Sargent, treasurer, asked for a correction on page 6 of the minutes from last
year’s meeting. The new sentence would read as follows: Robin Rabideau asked how the rental income from church use was figured.
Mabel Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected, which was seconded by Bruce Jacobs. The congregation approved the motion.
Reports: Chris Schuft of the trustees asked for a correction in the board’s report on page 13. The report as submitted had stated that the trustees had already put $10,000 of the income from the Ware trust toward paying off the Cornerstone Fund loan. Instead, the sentence should have said that the trustees recommended this investment of the extra income from the Ware trust.
Nancy Remsen brought up one of several concerns emailed to heads of committees by David Thomas, who was unable to attend the annual meeting. He said future annual reports should include a report on the chicken pie supper because it is the church’s biggest fundraiser and involves so many people in the church. Pastor Barbara Purinton said there should also be reports about the summer and winter suppers. Nancy Remsen, who as clerk assembles the annual report, said that no one from the chicken pie committee had submitted reports in the past three years.
Randy Sargent made a motion to approve the first 15 reports in the annual report, which was seconded by JoEllen Swaine and approved by the congregation.
Nominating report: Gale Cass reported for the nominating committee that several vacancies remained on committees, including two open slots on the Deacons. She wondered if the nominating committee needed to start recruiting volunteers earlier. Mabel Schroeder said the nominating committee’s job was actually a year-round effort to identify and recruit for key positions.
Two more names were added to the list in the published report. Michele Grimm and Marilyn Swanson will assist with the newsletter.
Also, the terms for the Christian Education Committee should have been listed, but weren’t available.
JoEllen Swaine made a motion to accept the nominating committee’s report, noting the two additional volunteers and the missing terms. Marshall Paulsen seconded the motion. The congregation approved.
Review Board: The review board had recommended a 3.5 percent increase for the pastor in 2006, a 3 percent increase for the staff in the current year and an expansion of the hours for the administrative assistant from 15 to 20 hours a week.
Christ Schuft, trustee chairman, reported that the trustees’ budget reflected 17.5 hours for the administrative assistant, a compromise.
Pastor Barbara Purinton briefed the congregation on concerns that Dave Thomas had raised about her salary in an email. Here is what he wrote:
Last year’s annual meeting deal with refining the wording on “active membership.” This year’s report makes no mention of the journey through the membership list. In the budget, I pick up that the trustees are outlooking 305 members … up from 250 last year.
This leads me to what is really our church size? Is it the 305 (if this is the number after applying the new definition) or is it the number of members who are financing the church’s ongoing operation? I understand the pledge units for 2005 are 69, pledging approximately $80,000. If I assume each pledge unit averages 2 to 2.5 members (ranges from 1 to 4) then this means somewhere between 140 to 175 folks are financially keeping the church going. That means an average member gift of between $450 to $570. If one were to multiply that times the supposed 305 members, we would have pledges of at least $140,000. Why is this an important topic? Our pastor (who deserves and should get every possible dollar) is benchmarked against UCC conference pay guidelines based on the size of the membership. Barbara’s 2005 pay is well above the top for a 150-member church, is within 4 percent of the top for a 150-250 member church, and is only slightly above the midpoint of a 250-400 members church. So, here is the dilemma. What church size are we? We need to balance our thinking with the size of the group funding the operation. As you will recall, the Hartwicks were rocked during our capital campaign when they realized at the end of the process that only half the “members” were pledged operationally. Thus we raised only have of what they expected we could raise.
The conference pay guideline for this year assumed a 2.5 percent year-to-year cost of living increase. The review board adopted a 3.5 percent increase … on the basis that our highly valued pastor should be higher than the midpoint in the 250-400 member church. While this adoption represents only $500, my concern is our strategic direction. We are woefully understaffed (hours of pay) for administration (glad to see some progress toward rectifying the situation), show pledges actually declining year to year, facing a collision with debt payment in 2006, should be further along on funding the next sabbatical, etc. At the same time, we can only increase our other valuable employees 3 percent, where I am sure we are below market prices. As you might guess, I can only support the 2.5 percent increase specified in the conference guidelines.
Barbara Purinton read the new guidelines for being an
active member, adopted just last year. The member count – 305 – reflected the
tally based on the new definition. She said everyone was counted who in some
way contributed to the church – even if they didn’t pledge. She noted that 48
people were moved to inactive status during a re-evaluation of members during
the past year.
Ingrid Cichoski said the question of the church’s size had been an issue as long as she could remember.
Jerry Carpenter said at another church he had belonged to, people were called and asked if they considered themselves members. Meredith Schuft said the deacons had considered that approach, but were too shorthanded to carry out such a project.
Ingrid suggested some people might be recruited just to do the calling.
Greg Rabideau, a trustee, said that as the board was developing the budget, members talked about how a 10 percent increase in the number of households pledging would put the church in a more comfortable financial position. He suggested that active church members needed to reach out to those who were absent. Gail Meddaugh recommended an organized calling effort. She said there is a lot of benefit to personally contacting people.
Moderator Ken Remsen suggested the cabinet could discuss an outreach effort at its next meeting.
Randy Sargent made a motion to accept the salary recommendations of the review board. Bruce Jacobs seconded the motion. It was approved without opposition.
The pastor’s salary in 2006 will be $50,653 for the year, paid at a rate of $2,110.54 twice a month.
Auditors’ report: Ingrid Cichoski made a motion to approve the report as printed. Mabel Schroeder seconded the motion. The congregation approved.
Budget and treasurer’s report: Chris Schuft, trustee chairman, reported that the budget as proposed by the board showed a $6,000 shortfall. He said the reason for the deficit was that income was projected to be slightly below 2004, while expenses were projected $4,500 higher. Chris said the trustees decided against cutting $6,000. Instead, the board made a leap of faith, hoping that extra revenue would come in to close the gap. The board has suggested tapping $2,000 of the $12,000 that has accumulated in an operating reserve. The board also proposed to delay paying $1,800 to charities until more pledges come in.
Randy Sargent reported on the one-time bonus in income that the church received in 2004 from the Marion Ware Trust. In total the church received $24,700. The church used $4,200 to pay for a new furnace for the classroom wing, $10,500 for operating expenses and set aside $10,000. The church would likely receive about $7,000 from the trust in 2005, although an unexpected check for $6,000 arrived in January. Randy said he had yet to verify if this would be in addition to the expected $7,000 in income for 2005.
The trustees recommended that $2,000 of last year’s Ware surplus should be put in a capital reserve account to pay for unexpected maintenance. The rest -- $8,000 – would be used to help pay down the church’s debt for the renovations in the fellowship hall.
Justin Willis made a motion to take $746, which had been raised by defunct men’s breakfast group, and use it to help pay down the debt. John LaRue seconded the motion. Justin noted that the money had been raised to fix up the hall. Members agreed with the motion.
Pastor Barbara Purinton reminded the congregation that the church’s loan balance would be $127,000 when the loan comes due for repayment on July 1, 2006. She noted that several church members were involved in a training program to learn how to gain more community support for key activities sponsored by the church. Hopefully, she said, the participants would come up with ideas to help solve the church’s financial challenges.
Justin Willis noted that the sabbatical reserve account was far short of the amount that would be needed for the pastor’s scheduled time off in 2006. The trustees will need an estimate soon of the amount of money necessary to fund the sabbatical in order to plan how to raise it. Barbara Purinton said the minimum would be enough money to cover an interim minister for four months. She has applied for grants, but wasn’t successful this year. She will try again.
Marshall Paulsen made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report and the trustees’ budget. Greg Rabideau seconded the motion. The members approved the report and the budget.
Historian: Ingrid Cichoski, current historian, reported she is clipping newspaper articles and taking photographs of church events. She asked members to share with her any photographs or other items for the archives.
New purchases: Esther Nui, administrative assistant, reported that she and her husband had purchased a $294 automatic paper folder for use in the church office, and an $84 wireless microphone system. She noted it came with one set of earphones. Barbara Purinton suggested finding out the price for additional earphones. Earphones would be helpful for some members who have trouble hearing sermons.
Thanks: Moderator Ken Remsen said the congregation owed thanks to Jon Milazzo, who had provided the microphones and speaker system used at the meeting. Special thanks also were offered to the hospitality committee for the luncheon.
Mabel Schroeder said volunteers who served on boards and committees during the past year should be thanked. Pastor Barbara Purinton said everyone who has promised to help in the coming year also deserves thanks.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Pastor’s Report
Spiritual growth happens in many different ways. Looking back at 2005 I would highlight the excellent adult education groups we have experienced, from Deep Ecology to Experiencing the Heart of Christianity. How good it is for our youth and children to see that we all continue to seek deeper understanding, learning and growth in our faith. This is probably one of the most important goals for a congregation – to encourage one another in our faith, to teach our children well and give them a strong spiritual foundation for their growing years.
One of the joys of a long pastorate is seeing youth I baptized now serving as youth leaders, young people who are willing to stand up for their faith. It is wonderful to see the younger children forming a second youth group and new faces in the youth choir.
Some of the other opportunities we have offered this year for spiritual growth have been a meditation class, and a three session course in visiting and caregiving. Sharing the questions from the God is still speaking campaign have led to some deep and insightful conversations at Cabinet and in our committee meetings. As we continue to integrate some faith-focus conversations into our meeting agendas, we will be better reminded of what we are about when fulfilling the duties and tasks of our various committees.
I continue to be ever thankful for the commitment of all of the folks at Richmond Congregational Church who offer time, talent and energy to see that God’s word is lived and God’s work is done. For there is basic, nitty-gritty work to be done: from cleaning the furnaces to paying for fuel, organizing music and deacon closets, planning and serving suppers, fellowship hours, bereavement receptions, training teachers, scheduling church space, choir rehearsals, and so on. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we do this as co-workers with God in this particular vineyard.
An increasing commitment to working with other churches has been a highlight for me – as is a local clergy group that meets monthly, and the occasional ecumenical services we share. We also learned a lot and developed some good relationships during our WURCS project last spring (Working to Uproot Racism in our Community). We all stretch in our understanding of God’s grace as we open ourselves to working with communities outside of our own congregational
We continue to be involved with a number of projects that started from the Mission Committee: the Richmond Community Camp, the Community Christmas Baskets, and PINS, to name a few. A need is identified, we find a way to meet it, and then it takes on a life of its own. This is true mission!
I wish to express my thanks for all of the wonderful support you have offered to me and my family in this second year of deployment. It has been a challenging time, but the true depth of a faith community is evidenced at such a time. As pastor, I am grateful for all the ministers in this church.
Looking to 2006, I am excited at the chance to do some new learning and training in spirituality during my sabbatical. Living in a Celtic community with the rich worship resources of Iona, followed by a course in Spirituality that will continue through the year with a study group from this congregation, will offer us fresh perspectives and focus for our common ministry. I hope we can set some goals together for the year ahead; celebrating what is good and inviting God to guide us into new ways of living out our call to be God’s disciples.
“Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew that I may love the way you love and do what you would do…”
Rev. Dr. Barbara deB. Allen Purinton
Deacons
According to the RCC Constitution, the primary responsibilities of the Board of Deacons are to:
- Assist the pastor in organizing and carrying out the ministry of service, focusing on the spiritual life of the church
- Assist the pastor with the preparation and ministering of the sacraments, and the joining of new members
- Give leadership to the church’s ministry of serving
- Oversee the Deacons Fund, which is used to help those who are experiencing financial hardship. A total of $310.00 was given for assistance.
Special Services this past year included:
- Feb. 1 – Women’s Sunday. Sunday service led by women of the congregation
- Feb. 9 – Ash Wednesday
- March 20 – Palm Sunday. Welcomed new members
- March 24 - Maundy Thursday (dramatic reading)
- March 25 – Good Friday. Ecumenical service held at the Hinesburg United church. Huntington Baptist church members also attended.
- March 27 – Easter sunrise service at the town green and 10 a.m. Easter Sunday service
- April 17 – Men’s Sunday. Greg Rabideau and John LaRue spoke.
- May 8 – Mother’s Day, youth group leads service
- Sept. 4 – Worship at the
- Oct. 30 – Welcomed new members
- Nov. 20 – Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at our church. Members of Holy Rosary, Williston Federated and Huntington Baptist churches visited our church.
- Nov. 27 – First Sunday in Advent, hanging of the greens
- Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve services (5 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
- Total attendance for our services exceeded 4700.
The Deacons would like to offer many thanks to all of you who have led and participated in worship this year. We offer a special thank you to Jerry Carpenter for his help with the audio system, to Sylvia Peet for baking our communion bread every month and to Rev. Richard Crocker of the Williston Federated church for providing pastoral coverage when our pastor was away.
The Board of Deacons: John Friedeborn, Ed Roberts, Dave Cass, Danny Peet, Robin Rabideau, Lane Thornton
Trustees
This year, we spent much of our time wrestling with the church operating expenses. We entered the year with a planned deficit of $5,900 based on the proposed expenses for the church as compared to the income we would receive. By the end of 2005, our actual operating deficit was $5,000. One significant contributing factor in this deficit is the cost for heating fuel. Our fuel budget increased in 2005 by $300 per month – almost 85% higher than 2004. Insurance and salary increases account for the other increases in cost. The income side was right on plan with pledges being kept and contributions as anticipated. Thanks to everyone for the sales, bazaars, chicken pie supper – all of the activities that pitch in to raise funds for the church, we need these more than ever. The Marion Ware trust fund generated some one time additional interest, of $4,156 which we received in 2005. The trustees have decided to put this money to use as a prepayment of some of our Cornerstone loan. As of the beginning of 2006, our operating funds checking account has approximately $4,500 and our reserve fund stands at approximately $11,000.
The capital campaign is another issue that we discussed throughout the year. Our Treasurer has estimated that we will face a shortfall of over $11,000 by July 1, 2006. This assumes that the balance of pledges are paid into our current account balance; we make our UCC loan payments; we pay the member loans interest, and pay the member loans principal. In addition, the balloon payment for the reconstruction loan is due on March 1, 2008 of approximately $107,000. Finding solutions to the ongoing challenges of income to meet the capital campaign will continue to be an important job.
We maintain a list of necessary church improvements. In 2005 we have accomplished repairs or upgrades on a number of items which include renovated doors for the dumpster enclosure. In addition, we looked at those ideas that could save the church on energy costs. We have repaired the back door by the kitchen which let out a great deal of heat. We have also addressed weather sealing of windows. Currently, plans are underway to replace the side door of the Beary Country Day School.
Another significant improvement this year was replacing the sign in front of the Church. Jerry Carpenter led the effort and did a beautiful construction job of the new sign. Greg Rabideau handled foundation and stone wall issues. The sign is functioning very well and is a welcome improvement.
We also have increased our rates to those groups who pay the church for use of the property. This includes the Beary Country school and a number of other groups. The increases are modest, but intended to reflect the increased cost for heating fuel.
Our budget for 2006 has been completed and is balanced at this time. Barbara has elected to go under a military health plan with her husband Charlie for 2006. The savings for this will be used to seed a sabbatical fund to meet the needs during Barbara’s planned sabbatical later this year. In addition, the trustees proposed 2006 budget includes planned pledges of $90,000. This is an $8,000 increase over what has been received for 2006 pledges and $6,000 over the actual pledge income received in 2005. Additional fund raising, member pledges and contributions will be required to meet our goal of a balanced budget.
Jerry Carpenter, Greg Doremus, Bruce Jacobs, Greg Rabideau, Peter Swaine, Ed Thornton, and Justin Willis
This
year we continued to participate in scarred Places attending meetings in
various locations throughout the state.
Learning to value just how important the Richmond Congregational Church
is to our community, making us aware of the many hundreds of hours and
thousands of dollars that are outlaid by the dedicated, concerned and loving
members of this church to which this community should be very grateful.
We
have also done the organizing for the annual fund drives, the general fund ,as
well as the capital campaign for which the committee would like to extend our
thanks for the pledges to date and are looking forward to the few remaining
that have not been received.
Christian Education Committee
The Christian Education Committee’s mission is to provide the children in preschool sixth grade with an understanding of God’s teachings.
The committee welcomed Gretchen Paulsen to our committee. We are still in need of two more members to complete our team. Please consider joining our committee, we have lots of fun!!
We are using the “Biblequest” curriculum and find we are very happy with the format and teaching options presented in this curriculum.
Highlights
for 2005:
- The students are divided into four classrooms. Pre-kindergarten/ Kindergarten, 1&2 grades, 3&4 grades, 5th grade. Starting in September, the sixth grade was part of a new Junior Youth Group lead by Gretchen. The fifth grade class is working on the Scouting Religion Award.
- Learning Centers this year included small groups reviewing both Testaments of the Bible, the Muslim religion as it relates to our sponsored child, Prayer, music and Communion were all topics as well.
-Sunday School members sang during Easter service
-On Children’s Sunday, the children took part in every aspect of the service, from
writing prayers and reading Scriptures to greeting and ushering.
-The children of the congregation are donating their offering to Cara from the
Philippines and Sanoussi from Niger through Childreach.
-Vacation Bible School was held this year at the church the last week of June,
with a focus on Psalm 23, and a look at other Psalms. Each day consisted of two
lessons that incorporated several verses of Psalm 23 for the children to
memorize and understand. The children created a booklet of Psalms and at
the end of the week went to the Brownway residence to share some singing.
A dozen children participated in the four day program.
-The Junior Youth Group began meeting in September and consists of youth in
6 – 8th grades. The committee does not oversee this group, nor are involved
in planning events for the group, but is led by the committee’s newest member,
Gretchen. Twelve youth have consistently attended the meetings and activities,
bringing more families to church services weekly.
-The Heifer Project Alternative Market was held on Dec 11 and $1904 was
raised.
-The Christmas play this year was a traditional nativity play, organized by
Louise Friedeborn. The cast was a mixture of children and adults.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Arnott (8/08) Cindy Preston, CoChair (6/07) Caitlin Thornton (2/07)
Buffy Burachowski (1/08) Gretchen Paulsen (8/07) Louise Friedeborn, CoChair (8/06)
Kathryn Roberts (8/08)
Mission Committee
Richmond Food Summer Camp supported by the congregational members was held July 5-29 at Camel’s Hump Middle School for 46 children. Fran Walker, Jennifer Supple and Pastor Barbara were on the community camp committee. The camp was started by the church several years ago and has grown from a two-week camp to a month with breakfast and lunch served to the children. The mission committee’s goal has been to have the camp supported by more people in the community. This happened this year with Dr. Paul Parker, a local pediatrician and Becky Burk, a parent joining the camp committee.
The Special School Project was continued in 2005. Snacks, bottles of water and some articles of clothing were given to Camel Hump’s Middle School and the Richmond Elementary School.
Items for School Kits for Katrina Hurricane children were collected. Many people provided items for twenty-two school kits that were sent to Church World Service. Irene LaRose and Michelle Grimm sewed beautiful cloth bags for the kits. Clothing was sent to hurricane victims from the Miscellany Mart.
A brochure for Mission was updated by the committee and is in the pews of the church.
Pastor Barbara continues to serve as Welfare Secretary for the Salvation Army. Each year she is given money to distribute in the community. This year she obtained two kettles from the Salvation Army for collecting money. Volunteers rang the bell in Richmond and Huntington during the Christmas season. Eighty percent of the $478 collected remains in the community.
Christmas baskets were provided for thirty-three families in Bolton, Jonesville, Huntington and Richmond. Edythe Slayton led the project with help from Tone Good roe, Wendy Savoie, Suanya Slayton and Fran Walker. Thanks go to many who contributed especially Mary Beth Berliner’s hard working class who donated $257.52 and an anonymous gift of turkeys for all the baskets. Thanks to the congregation’s great support in donating toys and food to this project.
Burlington District Department of Children and Families (DCF) continues to be our PINS project. This partnership focuses on encouraging, rewarding and supporting parents in Drug Treatment Court. Participants have the option of choosing to participate in this innovative program aimed at restoring the parents to health and stability while equipping them to parent. Leta Watkins is the liaison for this group. She again secured Christmas present for the single moms and their children. Vouchers were provided for some of the Moms to redeem at our rummage sales in 2005. We provided one mother with furniture that a RCC member provided, when she graduated to living on her own. A RCC member delivered furniture in this truck to the Burlington apartment. We also raised money to purchase four gift certificates for manicures and pedicures to four mothers to celebrate graduating from various stages. We solicited businesses in the community and were able to receive gift certificates from Walmart and Shaws.
PURCS (Partnership with Urban and Rural Churches) focused on the Richmond Church and the Essex Junction Church connecting with the New Alpha Baptist Church in Burlington. This was a change from the previous effort to connect the two churches with a predominately African-American UCC church in Springfield, MA. Three potluck meals were held with the New Alpha Church during 2005. It is hoped that this will continue.
Curt Minter, former executive minister of the Vermont Conference, was heard to say “The church exists for mission as fire exists for burning”. With this in mind we look forward to this new year for the Richmond Congregational Church of Christ. May our commitment and effort for mission continue to reach out across the community.
Fran Walker, Jennifer Supple, Janice Chandler, Carol LaRue, Leta Watkins, Barbara Purinton
Pastoral
Relations Committee
The Pastoral Relations Committee has met regularly and sponsored a three-session training in Caregiving. We offered this in the hopes that we can expand the ability of the congregation to offer care to our members, especially in anticipation of our pastor’s sabbatical in the summer of 2006.
Barbara has pursued plans and funding for the upcoming pastoral sabbatical. Though grants were not received, Barbara has found a way to partially fund pastoral coverage, through a different health insurance option, freeing up some funds. She still needs to find resources for the sabbatical time, including the course she anticipates taking through the Shalem Institute: “Clergy Spiritual Leadership: Going Deeper.” This course will involve a core group in the congregation who will study and work to integrate the contemplative into our congregational and personal lives. We seek input and support in meeting the needs of our congregation and community in Barbara’s absence from mid-May through mid-September. We are excited for the opportunity to contemplate our spirituality in daily life when Barbara returns with new ideas.
The committee wishes to thank all those who have come forward with help and kindness as she goes through an extremely challenging time with the family deployments. We appreciate your patience as she seeks to balance these priorities with her ministry.
We encourage members of the congregation to continue to share concerns and ideas about our common ministry with committee members as well as volunteering to help nurture each other. Our strength comes from all of us working towards mutual spiritual growth as we travel life’s journey.
Kathy Kort, Dick Dunn, Angie
Jacobs, Bonnie Morin, Gene McCarthy
Memorial Planning Committee
Members: Carol Adams, Margaret Buxton, Molly Dugan, Barbara Purinton, Connie van Eeghen
At the start of the year, the Fund had a balance of $2,633.75 with no loans outstanding. During the year, the Committee was notified of $1,086.78 of donations received. Acknowledgments of individual contributors were provided in writing. Donations were higher than the previous year by $288.52.
I. Expenditures
The Committee approved expenditures totaling $964.14, providing materials for the Planned Giving Workshops (video tape and 20 workbooks), repairing one Office and four Choir chairs, and refurbishing six Parlor lights The fund balance at the end of the year was $2,756.39.
II.
Projects
Completed
The Committee continues to prepare and maintain the Memorial Garden every year, as directed by the RCC Constitution. Thanks are due to June Banks for her continued support in preparing the Garden for seasonal changes. Donations to the Garden are always welcome. The Committee received a finalized letter from the Town of Richmond confirming that there were no municipal barriers to establishing the Memorial Garden. This letter is filed in the Church Office. Barbara performed three committals in the Memorial Garden during the year. These are commemorated on the Plaque that hangs between the two stained glass windows in the upper hallway.
The Committee sponsored three workshops exploring “Life is a Gift”, providing community members to plan for the arrangement of their affairs and to prepare important documents for Living Wills, Durable Power of Medical Attorney, and Wills/Bequests. The Workshops were conducted during the season of Lent and reflected sensitive and effective planning and communication of one’s wishes with one’s partner. An outside speaker, David Sunshine, generously offered his time and advice on the subject of wills and various related topics.
III. Future Project Planned
Completion of the Parlor Lights project is planned for 2006. Renovation of the parlor windows, front door, and the protective covering on the stained glass windows continues to be of interest to the Committee, pending access to grant or other funds. The Committee continues to research ways to raise Church members’ awareness of planned giving and is seeking a volunteer grant writer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Connie van Eeghen
Music Committee
The Music Committee underwent many changes this past year. We said goodbye to longstanding members, Mary Peet, Joanne Machia, and welcomed JoEllen Swaine, and continuing members Michele Grimm, Martha Alexander, Barbara Purinton, Louise Friederborn and Ann Gnagey. Our youth choir director, Louise Friederborn, continued in this position as well as accepted the responsibility of Special Music Coordinator. Ann Gnagey stayed on as organist and pianist for Sunday services and Adult choir rehearsals and performances. We sadly accepted Glory Douglas’s resignation in February, effective in April and therefore spent time advertising and recruiting for a new adult choir director. We were pleased and fortunate to hire Jennifer Carpenter for this position, knowing that we would probably lose her next September as she is applying to graduate school. We have enjoyed her expertise and enthusiasm directing our choir, and wish her the best in her endeavor. We hope to advertise for the new director prior to June so that he or she can shadow Jennifer, as mentor, during rehearsals. Martha Alexander announced in December that she also would be retiring from the music committee in June.
The committee continues to take turns selecting hymns each week, with Barbara finalizing the selections. We have had support with this from Esther Nui and Wendy DeForest.
We were able to get rid of the old green piano downstairs (had a cracked sound board) in exchange for a donated piano from the Cavanaugh’s. We thank Bruce Jacobs and his work crew for helping to move both pianos with the use of one of his very large trucks!!
We gave the green piano bench to our piano tuner, Jim Gabaree, in exchange for free tuning of the new (old) piano. Jim continues to tune both pianos twice a year, with the upstairs piano paid for by the Brown family. The organ required some adjustments and new fuses as the old ones kept blowing, and Arnie Clough, tuner and organ dealer from Harmony House, came and fixed it (still under warranty) as well as offered us a almost new speaker to amplify the sound, for only $500.
The Adult choir held a recruitment party in September, and we are growing slowly but surely. Gospel choir has lost many members, but hopes to continue, if possible. Youth Choir has added new members, but continues to be without a regular pianist at rehearsals. Special thanks to Esther Nui and Carol Adams for playing the piano, when able. Thank you to all the children and adults who participate!
The music library was sadly “out of shape” and we started in September the difficult task of categorizing and alphabetizing the music, as well as entering the music on a lap top! We also got approval from the Deacons to consolidate our music library and robes into one room (former Deacon’s room), which received a fresh coat of paint. A new file cabinet will be purchased to replace very old, and not safe, file cabinets. JoEllen answered an ad for donated music from a “retired” musical group, Martha donated new black music folders for the choir and Michele is researching a fund raiser, selling UCC logo mugs in the spring, to church members and friends. We hope to purchase new collars for our robes, as the old collars need repairs.
The Cabinet approved a 2.7 % increase in our employees, down from 3% last year, as recommended by the UCC.
The Thanksgiving Ecumenical service, held at RCC, included Holy Rosary, Huntington Baptist, Williston Federated, and was well received. The Christian Unity Ecumenical service will be held at Huntington Baptist on January 29th.
We continue to welcome any new members to the committee or to the choir! You voice will be heard!!
Respectfully submitted by Martha Alexander
Junior Choir
The past year's Junior Choir consisted of 7 members. The
choir met once a week and ministered to the congregation on the second Sunday
of each month from October to June. They participated in a local Junior Choir
festival in May. The choir was directed by Louise Feiedeborn and Carol Adams
accompanied choir several times during the year.
Youth Group
The Senior Youth Group had another active and adventurous year in self-direction and the development of a sense of mission. Many “old favorite” trips and events were repeated; new ones were added.
In January, the group planned and conducted the Church service commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. February saw the group participate in its third 30 hour Famine Retreat. The youth raised money which was sent to people in developing countries who don’t have enough food. The retreat began at the church on Friday and ended Saturday afternoon. On Saturday morning, they divided into small groups and did various service projects around town. The participants fasted until Saturday afternoon when they prepared and ate a meal together. The retreat, by having the participants feel what it’s like to be hungry, deepened their understanding and their compassion for those without enough food, as well as raising a record amount of funds for World Vision.
The Youth Group sponsored a blood drive in May and, with lots of support from the Church’s community, reached the goal of 40 pints donated. It provided community service by working on recovering the grounds at Covenant Hills from a long winter. This included replanting annuals on an eroded slope and cleaning the outdoor chapel. The weekend also afforded the opportunity to study a slide show of “Weavings on War,” presenting the artwork of those in war-torn countries through the only medium available for sale from such countries: the weavings of those that suffer the crimes of war.
The group continued its commitment to raise funds for good causes, particularly The Nest (future Teen Center) and Habitat for Humanity International. It also used its funds to help support a trip to the Heifer International Farm in Massachusetts, resulting in a three day experience exploring the life, livelihoods, and livestock of countries with far fewer resources than ours. The group raised money through a cabaret, intergenerational team building workshop, French toast brunch, and a bottle/can drive, all of which showed tremendous support from the Church Community. The group spent some of its meeting times with the new Junior Youth Group, helping junior members to think about ways it can participate in Senior Youth Group activities. As their final achievement for the year, they became a band of roving carolers, bringing good cheer to the residents of Brownway, Richmond Terrace, and a long-time cheerleader of the Youth Group: Mabel Schroeder as a way of sending her their heart-felt thanks!
In many ways, the Senior Youth Group continues to show what good youth leadership and commitment can do for its community—and how its community supports the group.
Respectfully submitted,
Connie van Eeghen
Hospitality
Committee
The Hospitality Committee continues to provide beverages and snacks after church from September thru June. The committee also takes charge of the two Bazaar Luncheons, Sunrise Easter Breakfast and the lunch for annual meeting. We are also available to provide a meal, or beverages and dessert for Conference meetings, new member teas or other gatherings. We also coordinate the flowers for Christmas and Easter. We are always looking for helping hands to provide baked goods, food or taking a monthly rotation position for “coffee hour”. Please contact any committee member to volunteer.
Respectful submitted by Terri Schultz
Newsletter Committee
This committee has been successful this year in getting next month’s newsletter to the Post Office before the end of the previous month. For this success we have the following volunteers to thank: Meredith Schuft, our editor, Rev. Barbara Purinton, our pastor, Michele Grimm, our calendar editor, Jerry Carpenter and Dan Carhart, our photocopiers and occasional folders and Sharon Morrill, her mother and her little crew of helpers for folding and labeling the newsletters and Esther Nui, our coordinator and “postmistress”.
Several individuals have volunteered but getting the newsletter to the mail requires a large block of time once a month and not everyone has a large block of time to volunteer. The committee thanks everyone who has volunteered.
The bulk mailing permit requires a minimum of 200 newsletters to be mailed and we are well over that number. It has allowed us to reduce our postal costs by getting some members to read the newsletter on our internet website. The committee is looking into improving the website so that we can have links to more than one newsletter at a time.
We look forward to another successful year in 2006 and thank everyone for making the effort of meeting our deadlines, emailing articles to Meredith and providing titles whenever possible.
Chicken Pie Supper
Thanks to your efforts along with many, many others, we were able to serve more people then ever before at our 58th annual chicken pie supper fundraiser. We served 634 hungry, happy dinner-goers along with the 40 to 50 helpers during this year’s event. We grossed $5167 with expenses of $1064. Our expenses were kept to a minimum with some of the amenities and food being donated. The evening went off like clockwork with everybody doing his or her part. It is our honor and pleasure to carry on this traditional feast as it has so often in the past. The Chicken Pie Supper committee realizes that if not for you, this supper would not take place. The church is grateful for all the hard work you take on when accepting our invitation to participate or to make chicken and/or dessert pies. We especially want to thank Irene LaRose for years of behind the scenes effort, taking reservations for the dinner. Thank-you, Irene.
God Bless
Your Chicken Pie
Danny Peet, Bob Fischer, Tom Desautel, Ed Wells, Peter Pochop, Ed Thornton, Dave homas, Bruce Jacobs, John Milazzo, and Heath Riggs
Statistical Report
Baptisms
Mason Buchanan Alling 3/20/05 Rachel Sierra Parker and Mason William Alling
Nathan Charles Warren 6/5/05 Jennifer Mae and Michael David Warren
Ian Lawrence Alexander 7/24/05 Alison Kohlmeyer and Sheldon Alexander
Sophie Grace Seitzer 7/24/05 Jana Suzanne and Daryl Michael Seitzer
Megan Elizabeth Dwire 9/11/05 Jennifer Ann Dwire and Steven Wendell Dwire
Marriages
Kathleen Still and Stephen Nurcombe.
John Harold Spence and Audrey Ann Burachowski Berteau
Jeffrey Scott Andrews and Ann Marie Downer
James Howard Kilpeck and Melissa Jean MacNabb
Morgan Lee Wolaver and Melissa Ruth Connor
Funerals
Wilma T. Walden
Doris Farr Murray
Virginia Davis Cochran 2/9/05
Ernest G. Burrit
Murray L. Riggs
Thomas John Parent
Bessie Phelps 5/27/05
Beulah Rosina Hill*
Mark D. Williams
Ruth C. Farr
Roger W. Stevens
Harold P. Brown*
Eric Koeller
*Members
Confirmed Members on 6/5/2005: New Members
Michael John Estes Rachel
Sierra Parker Alling
Andrew Christopher George Mason
William Alling
Alexandra Lena Graves Gail
Workman
John Luke Haddock Jill
Lacey Perras
Jacob Roberts-Gevalt
Lindsay Noel Kilday
Rebecca Lynn LaRose
Amy Elizabeth Roderer
Hannah Elizabeth Schultz
Erin Elizabeth Snyder
Jared Sears Supple
Taylor Foster James Yeates
Officers
Moderator
Clerk John LaRue
Treasurer Randy Sargent
Assistant Treasurer
Cash Receipts Verifier Carol LaRue
Auditors Anne Doremus and David Banks
Historian
Boards
Deasons – 3 year term Trustees – 3 year term
Ed Roberts 2007 Greg Rabideau 2007
David Cass 2007 Ed Thornton 2007
Lane Thornton 2007 Bruce Jacobs 2008
Danny Peet 2008 Peter Swaine 2008
Robin Rabideau 2008 Jerry Carpenter 2008
2008 Gail Meddaugh 2009
2009 2009
2009
Christian Education
Cindy Preston 2007
Jennifer Arnott 2007
Caitlin Thornton 2007
Kathryn Roberts 2007
Gretchen Paulsen 2008
Buffy Burachowski 2008
2009
2009
Committees
Bazaar: Sue Pochop, Terri Schultz, Cathy Desautels, Barb Willis, Leta Watkins, Susan Snyder, Martha Alexander, Irene LaRose, Alice Sandwell, Gale Cass and Gretchen Paulsen
Bereavement: Susan Snyder, Carol Adams, Janice Chandler, Sylvia Peet, Jennifer Supple
Stewardship: David Estes, Bruce Jacobs, Gale Cass, Esther Nui
Champlain Association Delegates: Carol Adams and Fran Walker
Hospitality: Terri Schultz, Chair, Susan Snyder, Cathy Desautels, Kathryn Roberts, Jill Perras
Memorial Planning: Connie Van Eaghen, Chair, Molly Dugan, Margaret Buxton, Carol Adams, Carol Cavanaugh
Mission: Carol LaRue, Fran Walker, Janice Chandler, Kathryn Roberts
PINS: Pat Haskins and Laura Andrews
Summer Camp: Fran Walker and Jennifer Supple
Music:
Choir Director – Jen Carpenter – June 2006
Youth Choir – Louise Freideborn – June 2006
Organist: Ann Baribault
Committee: Michele Grimm, Gail Workman,
Necrologist:
Newsletter: Chris and Meredith Schuft, Editors, Calendar: Michele Grimm, Copy & Fold: Jerry Carpenter, Dan Carhart and Sharon Morrill
Nominating Committee:
Pastoral Relations: Kathy Kort, Chair, Gene McCarthy, Dick Dunn, Bonnie Morin, Marilyn Swanson
RUG Coordinator (Readers, Ushers and Greeters): Candi Thornton
Rummage Sale: Stacy Andrews, Chair, Buffy Burachowski, Angie Jacobs, Marion Mumford,
Summer Suppers: Margo Muttilainen and Jackie Estes, Co-Chairs, Camille George, Karen Gillam, April Berteau, Cathy Burns, Lori Grzywna
Winter Suppers: Gail Meddaugh, Margaret Taft, Bruce Jacobs, Dan Carhart, Cathy Laurita
Vermont Conference Annual Meeting Delegates:
Michele Grim, JoEllen Swaine, Carol LaRue,
Youth Delegate:
Sr.Youth Group:
Rebecca LaRose – Coordinator
Connie Van Eaghen – Recorder
Barbara Purinton – Advisor
Jr. Youth Group:
Gretchen Paulson – Advisor
Review Board
The Pastoral Relations Committee recommends that for 2007 the Conference Church Compensation Guidelines be adopted with a salary increase of 2.7%. (The 2006 increase adopted last year is 3.5%.) The Review board moved, seconded and passed this recommendation.
The details of the package are as follows:
Position 2007 Amount per pay
period
Pastor (Salary +
Housing) $52, 020.72 {$2167.53 semi-monthly}
2006
Pastor’s package
includes:
- Housing allowance
- Annuity at 14% of total salary
- Health and dental insurance
- Family protection plan for group life
and disability
- Social Security allowance of 7.65% of
total salary
- One month paid vacation with church
paying guest preachers
- Continuing education leave of two
weeks plus expenses up to $500
- Travel reimbursement at IRS guidelines
- Sabbatical
Funding to implement 2006 Sabbatical
Music committee: The
Review board moved, seconded and passed a recommendation for a 2.7% raise for
music employees for 2006.
Trustees: The position of office coordinator has been funded at 17.5 hours this year. Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8-2. Esther has worked to organize systems, record duties, and update a database. She oversees building use and key distribution. The newsletter and paper folding are the most time consuming. The Review board moved, seconded and passed a recommendation to continue 17.5 hours of office support with a 2.7% increase in salary.
The Review board moved, seconded and passed a recommendation of a 2.7% salary increase for the facilities coordinator.
The Review board would like to commend the performance of all employees and recognize their dedication to their job.
Position 2006 yearly salary Amount per pay
period
Office administrator $10620.00 $442.50
semi-monthly
Facility coordinator $4926.48 $205.27
semi-monthly
Organist $4475.76 $186.49 semi-monthly
Adult choir director $1428.60 $119.05
monthly
Youth choir director $608.04 $67.56 monthly (9 payments)
