FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VASSAR, MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL / CORPORATION MEETING DOCKET Sunday, January 24, 2016

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1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VASSAR, MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL / CORPORATION MEETING DOCKET Sunday, January 24, 2016 AGENDA: 1. Call to Order with Prayer 2. Declaration of Quorum 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of 2015 Cong. Mtg Minutes 5. Clerk s Statistical Report 6. Financial Secretary s Report 7. Treasurer s Report 8. Approval of Pastor s Terms of Call 9. Receipt of 2016 Budget 10. Elections 11. Convene Corporation Meeting 12. Election of Corporate Officers 13. Reconvene Congregational Meeting 14. Review of Annual Reports 15. Misc/New Business 16. Adjournment with Prayer APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2015 CONGREGATIONAL MTG (See attached) CLERK S STATISTICAL REPORT 2015 SESSION ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT: Elders serving on the session in the year 2015 were: Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Jo-Linda Manus Steve Franko Betty Jo Atkins Robert Strecker Mark O Connor Kevin Haines Connie Gamet Bob Rice Scott Wegrzyn Clerk of Session: Dan Johnson Treasurer: Bob Rice Moderator: Pastor Doug Abel STATISTICS INCLUDED IN THE REGISTER: Infant Baptisms: 3 Active Members ( ): 146 (117 reported last year was an error) Adult Baptisms: 0 Members Gained: 10 (4 conf, 3 reaff, 3 transfer) Marriages Performed: 1 Members Lost: 5 (3 transfer, 2 deceased) Funerals/MEMORIALS: 2 Active Members ( ): 151 Members who joined the Church Triumphant in 2015: Kathleen Asher, Marge Clark Dan Johnson Clerk of Session FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT 2015 FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT GENERAL $ 97, MEMORIAL 1, FIFTH SUNDAY 3, VIDEO WOMEN S GUILD 1, TOTAL $104, Mary Johnson Financial Secretary TREASURER S REPORT (See attached) Annual Congregational Meeting Page 1 of 17 January 24, 2016

2 APPROVAL OF PASTOR S 2016 TERMS OF CALL: Minister s Salary... $24, weeks paid vacation, including 4 Sundays 2 weeks paid study leave, including 2 Sundays Social Security Set Aside... 3, Housing Allowance... 10, Pension & Major Medical... 15, Professional Expenses... 1, Car Allowance... 2, Continuing Education... 1, Book/Electronic Resource Allowance... 1, Total Pastor s Terms of Call... $59, RECEIPT OF 2016 BUDGET (See attached) ELECTIONS SESSION: Shelley Abel (installed) Nicole Baker (ordained and installed) Lynn Childs (ordained and installed) DEACONS: Mike Kennard (installed) Kim Wegrzyn (ordained and installed) NOMINATING TEAM AT LARGE MEMBERS: Mark Bilbee (2nd term) Winona Osmond (2nd term) Dan Zuzula (1st term) Kate Pease (1st term) Barb Baker (1st term) FINANIAL SECFETARY Mary Johnson TREASURER Scott Wegrzyn CONVENE CORPORATION MEETING ELECTION OF CORPORATION OFFICERS President: Kevin Haines Vice President: Steve Franko Secretary: Dan Johnson Treasurer: Scott Wegrzyn ADJOURN CORPORATION MEETING RECONVENE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING REVIEW OF ANNUAL REPORTS (See attached) MISC/NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT Annual Congregational Meeting Page 2 of 17 January 24, 2016

3 2015 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MINUTES First Presbyterian Church, Vassar MI Sunday, January 25 th, The Annual Congregational Meeting of the Vassar First Presbyterian Church was called to order at 11:12 a.m. on Sunday January 25 th, 2015 with prayer by Moderator Doug Abel in the church Sanctuary. A quorum was present. 2. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the Agenda as presented. 3. READING OF THE MINUTES: A copy of the minutes of the Annual Congregational Meeting of Sunday, February 9 th, 2014 was discussed by Clerk Dan Johnson. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the Minutes of the 2014 Congregational Meeting.. 4. APPROVAL OF PASTOR S SALARY PACKAGE The Pastor s Salary Package was presented in written form: Salary. $24, Social Security Set Aside.. $ 3, Housing Allowance... $10, Pension & Major Medical. $15, Professional Expenses $ Car Allowance.. $ 3, Continuing Education $ 1, Book/Electronic Resource Allowance.. $ 1, Total Minister s Call $60, A motion was made and supported to APPROVE Pastor Abel s Terms of Call. Motion approved. 5. A motion was made and supported to RECEIVE the 2015 Budget. Motion approved. Annual Congregational Meeting Page 3 of 17 January 24, 2016

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5 6. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee met three times in September 2014 at the church. Nominating Committee members were: Elders Connie Gamet and Kevin Haines, Deacons Mike Kennard and Deb VanWormer, committee members were Sue Campbell, Alex Campbell, Ryan O Connor, Louanne Campbell, Karl Lee and Pastor Doug Abel. Discussion was held indicating that the committee needed to select persons to serve as Elders and Deacons (3 year terms and maximum of 2 consecutive terms), a Financial Secretary and 5 member Nominating Committee for 2015 (5 members at large, plus 2 Elders and 2 Deacons). The Financial Secretary is to be elected annually. Motion was made, supported and approved to present the slate of candidates at the Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, January 25 th, 2015 after service. Elders (Class of 2017, 3 year term): Kevin Haines, 2 nd Term; Betty Jo Atkins, 2 nd Term; and Scott Wegrzyn, 1 st Term. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the slate of Elders. The Elders are elected Deacons (Class of 2017, 3 year term): Tanya Steele, 1st Term; Carol Swaffer, 1st Term; and Lou Anne Campbell, 1st Term. A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the slate of Deacons. The Deacons are elected. Nominating Committee: Mark Bilbee, Lori Hubbard, Mary Kennard, Jill O Connor and Winona Williams. There will also be 2 Elders and 2 Deacons on the committee. A motion was made, supported and carried to elect the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is elected. Financial Secretary; Mary Johnson A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the election of the Financial Secretary. Mary Johnson is elected as the Financial Secretary. Treasurer: Bob Rice A motion was made, supported and carried to approve the election of the Treasurer. Bob Rice is elected as the Treasurer. Connie Gamet 2014 Nominating Committee Recording Secretary Annual Congregational Meeting Page 5 of 17 January 24, 2016

6 7. SESSION ANNUAL STATISTCAL REPORT: Elders serving on the session in the year 2014 were: Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Betty Atkins Jo-Linda Manus Steve Franko Bobbi Gamet Robert Strecker Mark O Connor Kevin Haines Connie Gamet Bob Rice Clerk of Session, Dan Johnson Treasurer, Bob Rice and Moderator Rev. Doug Abel STATISTICS INCLUDED IN THE REGISTER: Infant Baptisms: 3 Active Members: ( ) 187 Adult Baptisms: 0 Members Gained: 0 Marriages Performed: 4 Members Lost: (Major Error) 70 Funerals 3 Active Members: ( ) 117 Dan Johnson, Clerk of Session 8. RECESS: The Congregational Meeting was recessed at 11:36 9. CONVENE THE CORPORATION MEETING: A motion was made, supported and carried to convene the Corporation Meeting. The Corporation Meeting was convened at 11: ELECTION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS: A motion was made, supported and carried to elect the following Slate of Officers for the Corporation. OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION: Bob Strecker, President; Kevin Haines, Vice-President; Dan Johnson, Secretary; Bob Rice, Treasurer; Trustees: Betty Jo Atkins, Steve Franko, Connie Gamet, Jo-Linda Manus, Mark O Connor and Scott Wegrzyn. The slate of Officers is approved. 11. RECONVENE THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: A motion was made, supported and carried to adjourn the Meeting of the Corporation and to reconvene The Congregational Meeting was reconvened at 11: FINANCIAL SECRETARY S REPORT Income Source: General Fund: $102, One Great Hour of Sharing Memorial: MTUSA Fifth Sunday: 2, Annual Congregational Meeting Page 6 of 17 January 24, 2016

7 Youth Mission Trip: 3, Total: $109, Mary Johnson, Financial Secretary A motion was made, supported and carried to receive the Financial Secretary s report. Motion approved. 12. OTHER BUSINESS; No other business 13. ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business to address, a motion was made, supported and carried to adjourn the Congregation/Corporation Meeting at the conclusion of prayer by Pastor Doug Abel. The meeting was adjourned at 11:42 a.m. Dan Johnson Clerk of Session Annual Congregational Meeting Page 7 of 17 January 24, 2016

8 TREASURER S REPORT 2015 Annual Congregational Meeting Page 8 of 17 January 24, 2016

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11 SESSION-APPROVED 2016 ANNUAL BUDGET Annual Congregational Meeting Page 11 of 17 January 24, 2016

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13 2015 ANNUAL REPORTS Pastor s Annual Report: 2015 This past year has been for our community of faith a significant one. We have lost some longtime members and friends to relocation whether to another part of the country, or to the Church Triumphant. We have also gained some members through confirmation and adult processes. But far more than just observing numbers, whether they represent people or finances, we have grown a lot this year in a qualitative manner. And I am convinced more than ever, as are many my pastor colleagues, that God is cooking something up in Vassar. One of the most significant moments in our ministry together was when REACH came to Vassar. Our congregation played a leading role in so many ways in that effort, from the fund raising to preparations to publicity to participation. REACH left a permanent mark on the broader Vassar community, which has shone the love of God for all to see. And REACH is only one of many ways that we have reached out. Through both our hands and our treasure, we have served locally and world wide, as we always have: the backpack program, the food pantry, the Vassar ministerial alliance, and untold ad-hoc acts of service and generosity. We also helped bring in Sushma Ramswami from the church in India. I have been blessed to be involved in supporting and sustaining these efforts in various ways. I am always proud to say I am the pastor of this church because of all the ways we reach out. We have also had a good year of spiritual growth and nourishment. The regular and special services we held were consistently memorable and nurturing. And we have enjoyed the consistent support of faithful worship leaders, ushers and greeters, children s sermoners, teachers, communion servers, techies, musicians and vocalists, and those who direct and support all these service aspects. Without you, the church, church wouldn t happen. By pulling this off every Sunday, we lift up the name of Jesus in our community and beyond. We have also run several groups of various kinds, and I am excited that more are forming. These are the backbone of the church, as we seek God and do life together. Our youth group, shared with FUMC and Grace ELCA, has also been a part of this deepening of faith. Within our various Session-led ministry teams and other groups we are seeing increased vision and focus, as well as increased activity and creativity. In addition to getting to be a part of all that God is doing in and through our congregation, I ve also been graciously invited into many spaces in our broader community that afford me voice, influence, and the privilege of helping make new things happen. I assumed leadership of the Ministerial Alliance in the beginning of 2015, and have since seen God bless that group s work and add to our numbers. It has become not only a significant force in our community that other leaders are now seeking out, but a precious space for area pastors to pray for and care for each other. I ve also been pleased to serve on the Chamber of Commerce, and now most recently on the Riverfest Committee as we seek to not just reboot the festival, but take it to a new level. And in so many other ad-hoc ways, God is opening doors for me to demonstrate our commitment to this community and bring focus and healing in many places that need it. In the midst of all that, of course, have been the ongoing ministries of visitation, marriages, memorials, administration, planning, strategizing, preaching, teaching, and praying. I count it a privilege to be able to do these things as part of this church s ministry. And as I have sought to be a blessing to you, you have out done me in blessing my family and me. All of this is evidence of genuine life and growing sense of purpose in our family of faith. Everywhere I look, I see seedlings sprouting, as well as green, healthy leaves on longstanding oaks. We have also seen some pruning, but this is what the Master Gardner does to fruit-bearing trees, so that even more fruit grows. We ve seen that happen this past year a lot! 2015 seemed to be a year of solidifying ministry, preparing for the future, and focussing our sense of mission. And 2016 is already showing signs of new ministries breaking out as we pursue that mission. Keep your eyes peeled. It s coming. Annual Congregational Meeting Page 13 of 17 January 24, 2016

14 We are in the business of gospel-proclaiming and gospel-living. And we serve a God who loves us and forms us from the inside out. The best part about what God is doing through us and with us is how He does things in us. I have seen many signs of spiritual growth in us, as individuals and as a community. And let me assure you: God has been working on me, too. As we look forward to 2016, I pray that will continue, because it is the well from which all the rest springs. May many be drawn to Christ this year because of us. Including us. Shalom, Deacons: During the 2015 church calendar year, the Deacons helped prepare a meal for a guest speaker and food for the Pastoral dinner. We provided transportation for an individual who didn t have his own transportation to and from doctor appointments. In addition, meals were prepared for homebound members and a visit to a member in the hospital was made. We prepared for Communion at least once a month during the year at regular services and also helped serve communion to homebound members. The Deacons also prepared for three memorials during the year and found another means of helping members through the development of the care groups. Mike Kennard Administration: Highlights of the Administrative committee for Prepared 2015 budget to present at annual meeting - Updated job descriptions - Revised building request/use policies and forms - Interviewed choir director candidate - Moved payroll functions to Pioneer Financial Services - Worked on 2016 budget Submitted by Bob Strecker No written report Building and Grounds: Discipleship and Growth: In February 2015, we began to plan for a process to confirm several youth in our congregation. From the planning, the youth were involved in a series of six, one and a half hour classes led by Pastor Doug, involving church membership and Christianity. Each student was teamed with an adult mentor and met monthly through the spring and summer months. The process began the last week of March with a meeting with parents and students and a lock-in at the manse and ended with four students confirmed on Sunday, September 13. The students, mentors, and Pastor Doug also came together for a culmination retreat on August 7-8 and met with the session on Sunday, Sept 6. Annual Congregational Meeting Page 14 of 17 January 24, 2016

15 In February and March, Pastor Doug held Lenten bible study classes. In May, our team went on a weekend retreat where we were searching with God s help and guidance for short and long term goals for our ministry. We researched questions like: 1. What is and what is not the gospel of Jesus Christ? 2. What do children need to understand the gospel at age appropriate levels? 3. What is discipleship? 4. What is and what is not the churches responsibility to discipleship regardless of age? 5. What are three core discipleship objectives that apply to children s ministry? 6. How do we become inviting to families with children? 7. How do we gain trust and a positive reputation? 8. What has to change? Through prayer and deliberation of our three core objectives we were able to create our long and short term goals. Our short term goal was to have 8 new regularly attending families by May 30, One long term goal was to have 4 Sunday school class groups with a minimum of 5 students in each class by May 30, The second long term goal was to have 20 families consistently part of three small groups by May 30, To reach our short term goal, we had a Sunday school kickoff program scheduled for Sept. 13. We began planning for a Christmas pageant which was held on Dec.20 and well attended! We are currently planning for a parenting class to be held in February, Our group also worked ecumenically to have Vacation Bible School on August 3-6. Kevin Haines Chair of Discipleship and Growth Team Fellowship: The Fellowship Committee provided functions throughout the 2015 year for the purpose of bringing our congregation together for fun, conversation, creating friendships and feeling God's love for each other each time we gathered. In January, this committee set a schedule of activities for the 12 month time period. Some of these activities were "every year" events and some were "potential" projects we might try if the congregation demonstrated enough interest. This committee held meetings on a every/other month basis. This committee had a lot of freedom to choose projects/activities, as well as provide time and talent for church events. In 2015, we helped with Graduation Sunday, Confirmation/Sunday school, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas decorating and undecorating, and Advent and Harvest suppers. This year we also joined with the Women's Guild to help with the May Church Rummage Sale and the Cookbook project. "Outside" the church activities included a Saginaw Spirits hockey game and two Great Lakes Loons baseball games. This committee was also called upon numerous times during 2015 to provide refreshments for special activities at the church (i.e. special music, guest speakers). Congregational members of the Fellowship committee had the freedom to join for the entire year, or just choose a project to work on that appealed to them personally. Pastor Doug will be appointing a new chairperson from the session to take on this committee for 2016, so the focus of this group may change a little. Connie Gamet Annual Congregational Meeting Page 15 of 17 January 24, 2016

16 Womens Guild: The year 2015 proved to be a very fun and productive one for our church's Women's Guild. This group looked at needs inside the church as well as in the community and surrounding area. This group's largest project began in January with the planning process for a church cookbook. This process/project took about 9 months from start to finish, but was well worth the effort! The proceeds from this project will help purchase replacement tablecloths for the Becker Fellowship Hall. This group's second project was to provide a variety of items for the residents of the Veteran's Homeless Shelter in Akron. We collected backpacks, personal need items, gloves, hats, blankets, games, books and puzzles. We delivered all the items to the shelter. Other projects we took on were the Carleigh's Kids shoe drive, hanging pictures/sign in the Heritage Room and the Becker Fellowship Hall, providing manpower and food for the Reach Project and the successful Church Rummage Sale. Proceeds for the rummage sale helps fund the local Reach expenses. Projects for this group are short termed and designed to benefit or help people, as well as purchase much needed items for the church. After a wonderfully successful 2015, this Guild is already focusing on 2016 and a Valentine's Day coffee and mug project for the Veteran's Homeless Shelter in Akron. Respectfully Submitted, Connie Gamet, Elder Mission: Report available upon request (PD goofed so is not in packet) :) Nominating: The Nominating Committee is charged with the task each year of presenting potential nominees for offices of Elder, Deacon, Church Treasurer, Church Financial Secretary and the new Nominating Committee to the congregation at the annual Congregational meeting. Throughout 2015, the committee chairs worked on and established three ongoing documents to be used by the committee not only in 2015, but for future years. The committee established a Timeline document, which gives guidelines for when to meet during the year, and tasks that have to be accomplished. The second document created was the Team Descriptions document, which helps the committee give out accurate information and helps answer questions the potential nominees might have before making their decision. This document was a joint project with the session and Pastor Doug. The third document was the current Church Officers document, provided by Clerk Dan Johnson. This document dictates to the committee which terms are expiring each year and need to be filled. The Nominating Committee formally met in September and October to complete the process of selecting the slate of nominees to be presented to the congregation at the annual Congregational meeting in January. These names were then presented to the session at their November meeting. Elder Kevin Haines presented the 2015 slate of nominees at the Congregational meeting on Annual Congregational Meeting Page 16 of 17 January 24, 2016

17 January 25, 2015, and will also present the new slate of nominees at the January 2016 meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Connie Gamet, Elder Worship: The Worship Committee of VFPC is charged with overseeing everything having to do with worship for our congregation, including music. Current members of the committee are sitting elders, Steve Franko (Chair,) JoLinda Manus, Mark O Connor, and Scott Wegrzyn. Other members of the congregation include Cheryl Childs, Brenda Haines, Mike Kennard, Karl Lee, and Pastor Doug Abel. During the past year our committee revised a Wedding Handbook which was approved by the committee and the Session, recruited members to lead the children s message, planned special activities for Pentecost, and revived the Drama Team (which presented a Father s Day readers skit, a Thanksgiving dialogue, and supported the Christmas program, The Light Before Christmas. ) We also approved a Tenebrae Service for Maundy Thursday, which was also approved by the Session. In July, we met to review our tasks and mandates, deciding to directly manage and handle communion servers, greeters, ushers, and worship leaders. Video/tech operators were added later in the year. We oversee the children s message, but the scheduling of people to do this is coordinated by the person in charge of Sunday School. We also discussed ideas to change and enrich worship, such as a hymn sing Sunday, worship in the park or pavilion, dress-down worship, etc. In the fall, we decided to combine the adult choir and handbell choir with the Methodists because we were lacking a choir director and to strengthen the program at both churches. A team was formed to interview candidates for the choir director s position, which is still open. We are also responsible for anything related to worship like candles and other supplies, paraments, signage, and music. This year our committee, renamed the Worship and Music Committee will continue to oversee, handle, and manage all the things mentioned above, in addition to anything new presented to us. One of the first things on our agenda may be the replacement of the paraments for the communion table and podium. Submitted with respect, Steve Franko, Chair Worship and Music Committee/VFPC Annual Congregational Meeting Page 17 of 17 January 24, 2016