We welcomed 15 new members and reinstated a previous member in 2017, for a year-end membership of 181 plus three associate members

Of Medford, Oregon

Annual meeting, January 28, 2018

Beginning our 133rd

year of ministry to Medford and the

Rogue Valley

85 South Holly Street

Medford, Oregon 97501

Phone: (541) 779-1711

Email: fpcm@firstpresmedford.org

Office hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Pastor………………….....Rev. Murray Richmond

Associates for visitation and pastoral care …..Rev.

Mary Wright Gillespie, Rev. Barbara Haddon

Administrative & Financial Assistant………….

….............................................Elizbeth Mahan

Sarah Corson Childcare & Learning Center

Director…...……………………………………...Jaime Snider

________

Session

Class of 2018: Cindy Bursk, Linda Campbell, Dan John-

son, Vera Morrell, Bob Sharp

Class of 2019: Marg Funch, Scott Harrison, Carolee

Jones, Josie Metz, Bill Silfvast

Class of 2020: Tyler Johnson, Jack Jones, Jerry Lambo,

Dwight Sinner, Robert Stark

Moderator: Murray Richmond

Clerk: Tam Moore

Board of Deacons

Class of 2018: Ann Lowe, Janet Stang, Sue Silfvast,

Harold Sudmeyer

Class of 2019: Sally Densmore, Tom Dyer, Anne Irons,

Carol Sharp

Class of 2020 Amoena Quan, Caren Lea (moderator),

Patricia Herkert, Vickie Domis

2017 corporate officers

President…………………...………………….. Dwight Sinner

Clerk (corporate secretary)………………...Tam Moore

Treasurer………………………….…………….....Bob Haddon

2017 year-end statistics

Active members 181

Average weekly worship attendance 143

Church school and youth 11

Individuals served by Food Bank 5,688

Sack lunches provided the hungry 9,805

2,020 households were served by our weekly Food Bank

1

Pastor’s report

When I came down to interview with the church in Sep-

tember of 2012, I could see that this congregation had great

potential, but also had some significant issues to overcome.

In the five years before I got here there was a significant loss

of membership, which often leads to a loss of morale. There

was no overall sense of direction for the congregation, and

there were substantial financial issues.

In the last four years we have come a long way. If you just

look back over the last twelve months, you can see how far

we have come.

We had many significant events last year—the first seg-

ment of the Covenant Bible Study, a very significant Wom-

en’s Retreat, the start of the Connecting Points, a successful

Jazz Benefit concert for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance,

and many fun and interesting fellowship events, including

Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year. We had a successful stewardship campaign, and our budget looks sound for 2018. The Food

Bank provided sustenance for 2,020 households, representing 5,688 individuals. We handed out 9,805 lunches at the Brown Bag

Café. The two choirs and our organist provide consistently excellent music and our bell choir is a welcome addition to our worship

experience.

We had 15 new members join this year, and we have been growing consistently over the past four years. In short, if we look back,

there are many great things to see.

We’ve overcome the major issues facing this congregation, and have become a rarity—a growing, thriving, downtown mainline

traditional church.

But I want to take this time to look ahead. The present is pretty rosy, but the future has some possible bumps in the road, and the

better we can anticipate them, the better we can move ahead.

We are still primarily an older congregation. This has many benefits, and we are a very active congregation. But we are missing

out on some of the advantages of having a wide diversity of ages adequately represented. We are bringing in a wider variety of

ages, which is good, but I have to ask, “Can we do better?” I think we can, but we must be intentional about it.

We do a fantastic job reaching out to the community around us. We can do a better job taking care of one another. When I first

got here I realized how important the Food Bank and Wednesday Night Live were to the well-being of the congregation. Adding the

Brown Bag Café increased our mission, and our sense of purpose. But there are many in the congregation who have needs, and we

can be more deliberate about caring for our own. It’s not that we are doing a horrible job, but again I have to ask myself, “Can we

do better?” and I believe we can. We have taken some steps toward this in the past year. The Connecting Point was one way.

We’ve talked about resurrecting Supper Clubs, and are looking at various programs for member care such as Stephen Ministry.

This church has a rich and meaningful past. Currently we are in a very good place. Part of my task here is to make sure our future

is just as bright. That means working with the Session and with the deacons to assure we maintain the stable position we are in

now.

Let me close this by saying how honored I am to be your pastor. When my wife and I decided to move to Medford from Alaska,

we knew we were making a good decision, and the years here have born out the wisdom of choosing to move to Medford, and

choosing to be your pastor. I am looking forward to many more good years to come.

—Murray Richmond

2

Being God’s light: Reaching out to the World The Mission Committee discerns, discusses, and decides local mission projects this Church undertakes. It interprets how to best show Christ’s light to the world through community, presbytery, and global mission work of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Here’s a summary. Local Mission:

Food Bank — Members and friends gathered at the church each Wednesday to distribute food to the needy as part of the ACCESS Food Bank network in the community. Each week a three-to-five-day supply went to a total of 2,020 households. Several of our volunteers also manned the ACCESS Health Mobile Pantry which reached an additional 547 households. Co-chairs are Audrey Berry and Bob Elert. Sack Lunch Program (Brown Bag Café) — This year saw another signifi-cant increase in the number of sack lunches we gave out. The average weekly distribution was 188, up from between 120 to 140 lunches per week in 2016. Ascension Lutheran and Eastwood Baptist, the Gleaners Network and Sherm’s Supermarkets along with several individual do-nors, supported the Sack Lunch Program. Congregation members volun-teer their time to pass out lunches throughout the week.

Pastors Discretionary fund — This year, numerous people from outside our congregation came to Pastor Murray seeking help. This ranged from prayer and theological discussion to help with utilities and even travel home. Every year, our operating budget sets aside some funds for the Pastor to use as he deems appropri-ate. Cooking class – For the third year Family Nurturing Center used our kitchen during the winter for weekly classes. Their year-round program helps people with different parenting and life skills. For most of the year, this class takes place at historic Han-ley Farm. Family Warming Shop — Instead being a room where warm clothing can be found to assist those living on the street, this year we opened the room for those waiting their turn at the Wednes-day Food Bank. The same room is the Christmas Caring Shop, and each winter we have a Family Warming Shop. Gloves, socks, and knit hats are highly desired. Kelly Shelter dayroom — Session approved use of part of our Christian Education wing as a day room each Friday for clients of

the Kelly Shelter for the homeless housed at First United Methodist Church from January through March. The program is an experi-

ment. It began January 5, 2018. Session in January extended the day room ministry to both Thursday and Friday.

World Mission:

Through our operating budget in 2017 we gave $14,875 to Presbyterian Partnership Giving for work of the church around the World. In addition our congregation gave over $6,200 to the denomination’s special offerings -- One Great hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peacemaking, and Christmas Joy. Through a benefit concert by musicians playing our monthly Jazz Vespers and a special offering in September, we raised $14,400 for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as wildfires, earthquakes and hurricanes put people in peril. Committee members are Tyler Johnson, chair, Terri Johnson, Caren Lea, Sandi and Bob Frey, Meghan McDonald, Audrey Berry, Bob Elert and Evonne Hubbard. Pastor Murray Richmond is an ex-officio mem-ber.

3

Packaged beef stew awaits distribution

The coat rack was half-empty in mid-December

Christian Education:

Your Christian Education Committee is charged with providing opportunities to enhance spiritual growth for

church members and for youth in our community.

Youth Programs:

Wednesday Night Live has been active in this church for about 20 years. We first started with children of our

congregation. It evolved to children of the community. We now serve children who are from Medford and beyond.

This fall 11 children and youth signed up for this program — three high-school youth, two middle-school youth and six

grade-school children. About eight attend on a regular basis. Six of the participants are picked up and taken home by

two volunteers, some from as far away as Eagle Point. Some children are in foster care homes. All of these children

need us for various reasons. We are truly a mission in this church.

Our program runs September through May following the school schedule. Our hours are 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. each

Wednesday. We normally stay until 8:00 p.m. so children can finish craft projects.

We have the most wonderful volunteers, great cooks, excellent Bible study teachers, caring adults who drive and

help with crafts.

Our Wednesdays begin with the children setting the tables for dinner. If there is enough time left before Bible

Study we have recreation in the Great Room. Between 5 and 6 p.m. we have Bible Study in the Youth Lounge and in

the Library. Dinner at 6 p.m. begins with grace and ends with a “thank the cooks” song. Crafts at 6:45 p.m. consist of

many different projects.

We also had some outings during the year; the favorites were “The Pumpkin Patch” at Don and Doreen Brad-

shaw’s Seven Oaks Farm and a Summer outing to Monty and Carol Holst’s Applegate Valley ranch. Volunteer cooks

are Ron Avery, Rod and Ellen Rancik, Sage Taylor, Monte and Carol Holst, Dudley Peterson and Jack and Carolee Jones.

Dishwashers are Dudley and Julie Tom. Teachers include Pastor Murray, Tom Dyer, Harold Sudmeyer, Patti Sprinkle,

Ann Lowe and Josie Metz.

Adult Education:

Two adult classes were offered in 2017.

The Men’s Bible Study morphed into the Thursday

Club in January, inviting all-comers. It featured a video

lecture series on Israel’s history and the Bible as seen

through the eyes of a trained archaeologist. Classes ran

weekly until June, took a vacation and wrapped up in Sep-

tember.

This fall, the first eight-week unit of the Covenant

Bible Study began with Pastor Murray as leader. It contin-

ues in two more eight-week units being taught in 2018.

Members of the Christian Education Committee are Bill

Silfvast, Patti Sprinkle, Ann Lowe, Tom Dyer and Josie Metz. Pastor Murray Richmond is an ex-officio member.

4

A look at the year: Worship, play and

more

Teena Anderson gives chopstick–handling lessons at the Chinese

New Year celebration

Fellowship:

During 2017, 249 people attended events arranged by the

Fellowship committee. By far the largest was the January Chi-

nese New Year dinner which featured education on Chinese

culture by Teena and Hugh Anderson who returned in 2016

after two years of working as missionaries in Mongolia. Sixty-

four people tried to master eating with chopsticks and learned

about traditions of the multi-day Chinese New Year celebra-

tion.

Other events included a May rummage sale that re-

quired 38 volunteers to arrange and host — with proceeds

helping to replenish the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund— a bowl-

ing and pizza party, bingo at a St. Patrick’s Day party, a Seder

dinner during Holy Week, the Fall Kick-off barbeque, dinner out

at Shoji’s Restaurant,

attendance at a Came-

lot Theater play and

the Christmas concert

of the Rogue Valley

Chorale, an outing to

Crater Rock Museum,

a golf tournament and

a November pie social

after worship services.

Committee members this past year were Cindy Bursk, chair,

Carol and Bob Sharp, Carolee Jones, Ruth Engle, Sandi and Bob

Frey, Josie Metz, Lynda Morgan and Sally Densmore. Pastor

Sarah Corson Child Care and Learning Center

Our enrollment stayed steady for most of

the year. We estimate we served 70 children

and their families in 2017. We continue to fill

open enrollment spaces as they become

available, such as when we move children up

to the next class level. We continue to have

a Waiting List for Infants and Toddlers, as we are one of only a

handful of Child Care Centers in the Rogue Valley who care for

these young children.

We continue to pro-

vide a very high-quality

benefit package to our

employees. We offer

medical, dental, vision,

and life insurance. We

have the best benefit

package of any child

care facility in the

Rogue Valley.

We experienced moderate staff turn-over this year. We had a

couple of employees out on medical leave for a number of

months, which caused us to keep enrollment down in some

classes to accommodate fewer staff. While challenging, we still

don’t experience as high staff turnover as other comparable

programs in the Rogue Valley.

All staff received a 4.6 percent pay raise July 1, at the same

time the Oregon State Minimum Wage increased. We’ve budg-

eted a 4.9 percent increase on July 1, 2018.

In late spring, we had a water leak on the roof of our building,

which caused some water damage to the Child Care Center.

Repairs were made and our insurance company replaced all the

carpeting. We have beautiful new carpet throughout the Cen-

ter, and volunteers painted the interior to match. God made a

blessing out of a challenge!

We look forward to what God does with our Child Care Center

in 2018!

Blessings,

Children gather in the Sanctuary for the

Christmas program

5

Worship:

The Worship and Music committee works with the pastor in overseeing the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services each Sunday morning and the Jazz Vespers service the second Sunday of most months at 5 p.m.

Special worship services in 2017 included an Ash Wednesday evening service at the church and a Good Friday service at 12:15 p.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ. An outdoor worship service was held in Alba Park in August. We again hosted musicians from the Southern Oregon Music Festival at our 10:30 a.m. service the first Sunday of October with over 300 attending. Also in October we had a benefit concert for Presbyterian Disas-ter Assistance.

All of this could not have been done without our 60-plus volun-teers. They include communion preparers and servers, ushers, lay readers, liturgical arts, Chancel Choir, SonShine Singers and hand bells.

Committee members are Linda Campbell, chair, Jane and Robin Blomquist, Marg Funch, Ann Lowe, Ginni Peterson, Cyndy Patter-son, Angelee Richmond, Robert Stark and Andy Ullrich. Pastor Murray Richmond is an ex-officio member.

In remembrance

Those who passed on in 2017

Jeanine McDermott

Betty Heyerman

Jean Maack

Claire Salmonson

Betty Rogers

Diana Wadsworth

Ray Lux

Herb Cattani

Guy Smith

Andrew “Drew“ Dixon

Beth Major

Brian Mooney

Ginni Peterson com-

pleted her 60th year as

organist and pianist in

2017

New lights, another flood

Our Sanctuary received a new sound system in February. Just before Christmas the 24 lights above the pews were updat-ed with LED bulbs. Dimmers for the pew lights were installed in January 2018. This completes our major update of the sanctu-ary.

Medford’s Landmarks and Historic Review Commission turned down our request to replace three exterior doors and the first floor windows of the Christian Education wing. A car-penter rebuilt the doors for us in April.

In June we had a new irrigation system installed in prepara-tion for the new landscaping project. Landscaping was complet-ed in September with Carolyn Smith and Michael Bennett lead-ing a task force of volunteers.

Last but not least, a blocked downspout from the roof caused a major water leak in the Urban Center II building. Ore-gon Pacific Financial Advisors offices had intensive damage. Wa-ter leaks continued down into the Sarah Corson Child Care and Learning Center. All of the carpeting in the SCCC was replaced and rooms repainted.

Committee members are Scott Harrison, chair, Jack Jones, Jim Foucault and Bob Haddon and a crew of volunteers who step up to countless projects during the year.

Board of Deacons

Deacons provide for the spiritual and emotional needs of members and friends of the church. They operate through par-ishes, with each Deacon assigned a parish. Our 12 Deacons kept in touch with their parish members, greeting them at church, sending cards and emails and making phone calls. During the year we’ve helped members with transportation, made hospital visits and provided meals.

In October we organized a panel discussion on end-of-life issues. About 45 people attended. Serving on the Board of Deacons in 2017 were Caren Lea, moderator, Ann Lowe, Janet Stang, Sue Silfvast, Harold Sudmey-er, Sally Densmore, Tom Dyer, Anne Irons, Carol Sharp, Amoena Quan, Patricia Herkert and Vickie Domis. Rev. Barbara Haddon is adviser.

Church Growth

The Church Growth Committee began the year with a charge from Session to improve member communications.

As a result we continued the Connecting Point desk in the Narthex after worship, assured that E-blast and worship bulletin announcements were coordinated, published the monthly newsletter and fine-tuned the scrolling announcements in the Fellowship Hall before, between and after services.

We looked at communicating with the community, increased our use of Facebook, began redesign of our Webpage, contin-ued event and worship notices in newspaper, TV and other me-dia.

New member classes were held quarterly. In 2017 we wel-comed 15 new members. Session also reinstated one member who had been out of contact for several years.

Our goals for 2018:

• Finish webpage overhaul

• Arrange a PCUSA Communications Strategy Workshop with Presbytery for this and other congregations

• Look at how to increase our community presence and in-crease participation in activities of our congregation.

Committee members are Bob Frey, chair, Sandi Frey, Terri Johnson, Robin Blomquist, Carol Holst, Tam Moore and Rod Rancik. Pastor Murray Richmond is an ex-officio member.

6

To: The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Medford, Oregon

From: The Session

After considering the performance of Pastor Murray Richmond in his fourth year of service to this congregation, including an eval-

uation based on the adopted job description, the Session recommends these terms of call for Pastor Richmond (which include a 3

percent increase in effective salary):

Effective salary Total $68,134.50

Cash salary $37,852.50

Housing allowance $30,282

Professional expenses Total $5,000

Auto, business, etc. $3,500

Continuing education $1,500

Vacation 4 weeks per year

Continuing education 2 weeks per year (accruable up to three years)

Pension and Health Insurance Total $25,209.77

Pension $8,176.14

Major Medical Insurance $17,033.63

Sabbatical leave 3 months at full pay after seven years’ service

Respectfully submitted,

Tam Moore, clerk of session

85 South Holly Street, Medford OR 97501-3157

7

8

2018 operating budget Adopted by Session 11/28/2017

Estimated revenue $354,822*

Offerings * 280,822

Incidental Income 15,200

Urban Center II rent 58,800

Estimated expenses $375,728

Administration 83,128

Pastoral compensation 99,235

Other personnel compensation 72,717

Building and grounds & janitorial 21,660

Worship 9,900

Christian Education 4,400

Fellowship 1,000

Church Growth 4,400

Mission 32,500

Presbyterian Partnership Giving 10,000

Other missions (local) 3,500

Food Bank & sack lunch ministry 12,000

Pastor’s discretionary 2,000

Urban Center II expenses 56,284

*pledges since adoption of the budget

have increased estimated offerings to

$292,502 and total revenue to $366,502

Sarah Corson Child Care and Learning Center budget

Estimated income $426,966

Estimated expenses $426,966

Landscaping around our downtown building complex got an

overhaul in 2017. Project leaders were Carolyn Smith and

Michael Bennett .

Jazz Vespers the second Sunday of each month reach

many people who don’t attend traditional worship.

Shepherd’s Bells rang in the Christmas season with a mid-Advent concert in the Sanctuary

Financial Report

Unaudited

January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

For the period January through December 2017 the church received total income of $780,326.87 and expended $715,963.71 leaving a surplus for the year of $64,363.16. Expenses from the Temporary Restricted Funds totaled $44,568.14 leaving a current balance of $53,176.67, of which $46,723.85 is in the Capital Improvement Fund. Outstanding pledges to this fund due in 2018 are $44,014.80. As of December 31 we have $211,544.56 in the bank (includes petty cash). The Pastor’s Discretionary bank account balance is $2,668.95. The outstanding mortgage on the Urban Center II building is $174,309.78.

Income Expense Balance Congregation $347,552.82 ($284,126.96) $63,425.86#

Sarah Corson Center $373,974.05 ($374,153.40) ($179.35) Urban Center II $58,800.00 ($57,683.35) $1,116.65 $780,326.87 $715,963.71 $64,363.16#

#$46,029.93 of this amount was received as a bequest and not through regular income sources. The $64,363.16 balance brings our Accumulated Surplus (saving) at the beginning of 2018 to $141,453.76. During 2017 the Finance Committee:

• Streamlined financial reports to the Session and provided detailed reports for the committees. • Transitioned to direct deposit for salaries of all church employees. • Developed procedures for making on-line contributions to the church. • Completed a review of 2016 financial operations. The financial review task force found “the financial records of the

church to be in good order” and had “no recommendations for changes.”

Dwight Sinner Robert Haddon Chair, Finance Committee Treasurer

Committee members are Dwight Sinner, chair, Bob Haddon, Vera Morrell, Jerry Lambo, Fred Willms, Mary Lynn Lucas, Sally

Densmore, Jaime Snider, Elizbeth Mahan. Pastor Murray Richmond is ex-officio.

Women’s Fellowship

The Fellowship launched the year with a mission project to hon-

or Jeanine McDermott who passed away unexpectedly. She was active

in volunteering in women’s shelters. The Fellowship collected toiletries,

towels, bed linens and pillows, plus $1,500 in cash as a gift in Jeanine’s

name to Dunn House, a local shelter for women escaping from domes-

tic abuse.

This fall we held a retreat at the Sun Oaks club house. Carol Mil-

ler, a retired chaplain at Rogue Regional Medical Center, led us in a

discussion of caring for others. Twenty-nine women participated in the

daylong retreat, which generated many ideas for how we can better

care for those in our congregation.

Caren Lea is moderator of the fellowship.

Following up on ideas from the 2017 Women’s Retreat

9

Minutes of the Annual Congregational Meeting, January 29, 2017

Moderator Richmond called the meeting to order with prayer at 11:57 a.m. The clerk announced a quorum of 59 members present. The meeting is called to receive reports, elect new classes of elders and deacons, fill four positions on the 2017 Congregational Nominating Committee and to consider such other business as the mem-bers may bring forward. The pastor highlighted several of the items contained in his written annual report distributed with other reports for 2016 at the start of the meeting. Our ministry to the hungry continues to expand. This past week the Food Bank served 51 families, and we gave away 184 bag lunches to folks knocking on our doors. Staff and volunteers from the Finance Committee made a transition easier after our Business Operations Administrator position became vacant at mid-year. We have increased the Monday-Thursday office hours to 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Thank you for being who you are,” he said, “you make it easy to be your pastor.” On behalf of the Session and Personnel Committee, the clerk presented a recommendation that the pastor’s effective salary be increased five percent, noting that we began a year ago with a cash flow shortage. The pastor declined to take any increase. MSP that 2017 terms of call, effective January 1, 2017, be adopted:

Effective salary Total $66,150

Cash salary $36,750

Housing allowance $29,400

Professional expenses Total $5,000

Auto, business, etc. $3,500

Continuing education $1,500

Vacation 4 weeks per year

Continuing education 2 weeks per year accruable up to six weeks after three years

Pension and health insurance Total $23,483.25*

Pension $7,276.50

Major medical insurance $16,206.75

Sabbatical leave 3 months at full pay after seven years’ service

*Adjusted to conform to Board of Pensions allocation. During presentation of the financial reports, a mathematical error in the printed Pension and health total was discovered. MSP to authorize the clerk correct the figure to conform with Board of Pensions allocation.

Dwight Sinner, chair of the Finance Committee, elaborated on his written report and summarized the 2017 budgets adopted by Session. The year ended with a net income of $53,283. There were no questions from the floor. The moderator invited questions on other written reports. There were none. Linda Campbell, chair of the 2016 Nominating Committee presented recommendations for new classes of elders and deacons. There were no nominations from the floor. MSP to instruct the clerk to cast a unanimous ballot for the Ruling Elder Class of 2020: Tyler Johnson, Dwight Sinner, Jack Jones, Robert Stark, Jerry Lambo. MSP to instruct the clerk to cast a unanimous ballot for Dea-cons Class of 2020: Amoena Quan, Caren Lea, Patricia Herkert, Vickie Domis. MSP to elect Kathy Gordon, Cathy de Wolfe, Meghan MacDonald and Audrey Berry to congregational positions on the 2017 Nominating Committee. The moderator asked if members had additional business to bring before the congregation. There was none. The moderator recognized Al Densmore, resigning as treasurer at the end of this month because of job obligations; Sandi Frey, Roberta Hasui and Nancy Zitzner completing terms on the Board of Deacons; Kathy Gordon, Bob Frey and Caren Lea, completing terms on Session. We remembered members and friends of the congregation who passed away in 2016. With no other business before it, the meeting was adjourned with prayer by the moderator at 12:24 p.m.

s/T. Murray Richmond, III s/Tam Moore

T. Murray Richmond III, moderator Tam Moore, clerk

10

Annual meeting of the congregation and the

corporation

January 28, 2018

Opening prayer Rev. Murray Richmond

Declaration of a quorum Clerk Tam Moore

Pastor’s annual report Rev. Richmond

Consideration of pastor’s terms of call for 2018 Dan Johnson

Financial report Dwight Sinner

Questions from the congregation on the annual program reports

Report of the Congregational Nominating Committee Josie Metz

Introduction of nominees for Ruling Elder, Class of 2021

Introduction of nominees for Deacon, Class of 2021

Nominations from the floor, if any

Election of elders and deacons

Nominations for at-large members of the 2018 Nominating Committee (four congregational openings; Session appoints

two, Deacons appoint one)

Election of at-large members of the 2018 Nominating Committee

Other business

Recognition of retiring church officers

Remembering those who passed away in 2017

Closing prayer

11