FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH STAFFfiles.ctctcdn.com/9e1f7f87001/137c14d1-c657-4693-9133-6a...0 FIRST...

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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH STAFF The Rev. William Burhans, Lead Pastor The Rev. Ms. Judith B. Arnold, Associate Pastor Ms. Kathleen Zagata, RN, MS, CS, Minister of Congregational Health and Wellness Ms. Jane Ring Frank, Minister of Music & Worship Arts Mr. Benjamin Pulaski, Minister of Faith Formation: Children and Youth Mr. Jeffrey Mead, Organist Mr. Bradley C. Ross, Building Manager (Sexton) Ms. Sarah Marino, Office Manager Mr. Tyler Campbell, Assistant Sexton The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Orth, Pastoral Counselor (Affiliate)

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OFFICERS Penny Sparrow, Moderator Anne Hoenicke, Clerk Bruce Lauterwasser, Treasurer Keith Russell, Assistant Treasurer William McCarter, Historian Leslie French, Librarian Bruce Alexander, Church Auditor Rebecca Beltz, Church Auditor Edward Lamson, Church Auditor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Church Staff and Officers …………………………………..................…... Preface Agenda and Warrant …………………………………................…………. 2 Call to Annual Meeting …………………………......................………… 4 Report of the Clerk: Church Membership Statistics for 2015 ...........…….. 5 Report of the Ministerial Team ………………………...........…………….. 7 Report of the Leadership Team…………....................…………………… 8 Report of the Music & Worship Arts Ministries …...........……………… 12 Report of the Health Ministry …..…...........……………………... 16

Caring Network……………………………………………………. 17 Flower Ministry……………………………………………………. 18 Prayer Shawl Ministry…………………………………………….. 18

Report of the Mission & Outreach Ministry ……...............……………….. 19 Report of the Worship Ministry ……………........……………………… 21 Report of the Welcoming Ministry…………………………………………. 23 Report of the Faith Formation Ministry

Children/Youth Committee ……………………………………. 24 Adult Education……………………………………………………... 26 Church Librarian ………………...........……………………….…… 28

Report of the Treasurer ……………………….............…….……………… 29 Report of the Financial Resources Ministry……………….……………… 36 Report of the Personnel Ministry …...……………..............……………. 38 Report of the Communications Team……………………………………….. 40 Report of the Dwelling Place Team………………………………………… 42 Report of the Reno Garden Committee……………………………………. 43 Appendices: 44

A: Minutes of the 175thAnnual Meeting May 3rd, 2015…...........……..... 45 B: Minutes of Special Congregational Meeting June 28th, 2015 ….....…. 61 C. Minutes of Congregational Budget Vote February 7, 2016………… 63

AGENDA AND WARRANT

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176th Annual meeting 11:30am May 1st 2016

“New beginnings” Order of Meeting 11:30

• Grace/Opening Prayer

• Light lunch

• Slide show and presentation

• Table topic: Serving in love

• Moderator’s Opening Remarks Establishment of Quorum Call to Order Approval of Minutes of Congregational Meetings since last Annual Meeting

• Welcome to our new pastor and acknowledgement of the work of the Search Committee

• Hymn

• Covenant

• In Memoriam

Articles of Business 12:30

I. Receive reports and place on file.

II. Thanks for service in love and elections

III. Transition update and continuance of transition structure and bylaw suspension

IV. Hear and act on any special gifts and bequests

• Closing Hymn

• Benediction 1:30

AGENDA AND WARRANT

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CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING The 176th Annual Meeting of The First Congregational Church in Winchester, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ is called on Sunday, May1st at 11:30 a.m. in Chidley Hall.

THE COVENANT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN WINCHESTER

We, the members of this church, covenant and bind ourselves to strive to know the will of God; to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made known; to exalt the worship of the one true God; to work and pray for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realization of human community.

OPENING HYMN: FOR ALL THE SAINTS verses 1&4 Tune: SINE NOMINE R. Vaughan Williams

For all the saints whom from their labors rest, Who thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia! O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!

CLOSING HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD verses 1 &2

Tune: NUN DUNKET Johan Cruger

Now thank we all our God With heart and hand and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom this world rejoices, Who, from our mothers’ arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us, The one eternal God Whom earth and heaven adore For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.

CLERK’S RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP AND BAPTISMS Annual Report for the year 2015 Annual Meeting held May 1, 2016

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SUMMARY

Total Membership End of December 2014

439

Total Received into Membership 2015 +5 Confirmation +

Letter of Transfer + Confession of Faith +

Reaffirmation of Faith +5 Reactivated from Inactive +

Total Released from Membership 2015 -22 By Letter of Transfer -1

Withdrawn By Request -2 Moved to Inactive -12

By Death -7 Net Change -/+ -17 Total Membership End of December 2015 422

RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP 2015 - Total New Members Received (5)

By Confession of Faith (0) By Letter of Transfer (0) Reactivated From Inactive (0)

By Reaffirmation of Faith ( 5) Christopher “Chris” D. Corvi Suzanne “Sue” Lyn Corvi David James Ekelund Jr. Carline Orelus Lyonel Orelus

RELEASED FROM MEMBERSHIP 2015 - Total Released from Membership (22)

Moved to Inactive (12) Amy C. Sterling Bratt James “Jim” M. Flavin Pamela “Pam” Watts-Flavin Alistair Bruce Johnston Carol Jones Ryan Ludwig Kristen Rene Malia Judith “Judy” G. Ober Emily Elizabeth Schneider Jenifer (Jackson) Trevett Dennison “Denny” Favout Trevett Amy (Taber) Villeneuve

CLERK’S RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP AND BAPTISMS Annual Report for the year 2015 Annual Meeting held May 1, 2016

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RELEASED FROM MEMBERSHIP 2015 (continued) By Death (7 active members) Members, Former Members, and Inactive Members

Richard Bannister (m) Charles “Chas” Roger Burr (m) Grace M. (Henderson) Edwards (m) Norman Siegfried Fieleke, Life Deacon (fm) Jane (Dawes) McClennan (m) Mary Neff (Russell) Osgood (m) Esther “Terry” (Boghossian) Seferian (m) Ann Marie (Telfer) Strout (m)

m – member, fm – former member, i – inactive member

Extended Church Family Joyce A. Edwards

- former office secretary Susanne Martin

- friend of Carol Johnson, Judy Arnold and Autumn Hendrickson

Robert Paul Morris - husband of Eileen Morris

Christopher O’Keefe - friend of Carol Johnson and Judy Arnold

BAPTISMS 2015 (11) 1. Cameron Drew Halloran 2. Wesley Bishop Hankin 3. Hannah Louise Hintlian 4. Abigail Starbuck Holman 5. Curtis William Holman 6. Caroline Mason

7. Nathan Geoffrey Morris 8. Shawn William Murphy 9. Lincoln Charles Penna 10. Jake Robert Rose 11. Peyton Annastacia Rose

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL TEAM

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“Faith is not clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.

Audacious longing, burning songs, daring thoughts, an impulse overwhelming the heart,

usurping the mind - these are all a drive toward loving

the one who rings our heart like a bell.” - Abraham Heschel

This quote from one of the leading Jewish theologians and philosophers of the 20th century has appeared in our worship bulletins over the past year. It is a quote that speaks well to the spirit of the First Congregational Church in Winchester, particularly at this juncture in our faith journey. As I step into the Lead Pastor role mid-way through 2015, I have been struck and moved by the pilgrimage of the heart that this congregation has embarked upon and humbled by being called to join the journey. I step into this pilgrimage with a ministry team that is skilled, passionate and devoted and I so appreciate the spirit of respect for one another, commitment to the ministries of the church, and graciousness with which Judy, Ben, Jane, Kathleen and Sarah have all received me as a new member of their team. The significance and weight of what this year has held for the Ministry Team cannot be underestimated as they said goodbye to a beloved interim Lead Pastor in Rev. Marlayna Schmidt, welcomed a new one in myself, adjusted to the new hours and duties of Rev. Judy Arnold as Associate Pastor and a new full-time Faith Formation Minister position for Ben Pulaksi. Our weekly team meetings were filled with orientations and re-orientations and negotiations of roles and relationships all while not only maintaining but rejuvenating regular church operations, weekly worship services, seasonal activities, pastoral care, outreach endeavors, etc. The team also gratefully welcomed in another new employee as a 30-hour/week Assistant Sexton, Tyler Campbell, even as our ever-devoted and deep-rooted head Sexton, Bradley Ross, pulled back on his hours and gracefully handed over much of the manual labor and cleaning of the building while still maintaining the critical position of facility mastermind and overseer. Of course all of what the Ministry Team does is to encourage and support the relationships and ministries of a devoted and vital congregation which has been working for years now to let go of “clinging to a shrine” and encourage instead “audacious longing, burning songs, and daring thoughts.” A Faith Formation ministry that tends to the growth in faith of our children, youth and adults, a Worship ministry that encourages creative and innovative practices in our worship lives, a Health and Wellness Ministry that lifts up and integrates into our spiritual journey the importance of the care for body, mind, and spirit, a Deaconate that is holding the congregation’s spiritual care and development in its sights, an Outreach Ministry that offers many opportunities for us to serve in love, a Welcoming Ministry and Communications Team that is pressing hard for us to be visible to the wider community, welcoming to “outsiders” and hospitable to new-comers, a choir that encourages and inspires our faith through “burning songs”, and many many more invested folks, are all actively and critically engaged in this congregation’s full-hearted pilgrimage of faith. And then there are of course the devoted folks behind Financial Resources, Facilities, Personnel, Leadership Team and Purpose Forum who work hard to make sure the bones of our church, the structure of the community, is strong and vital and moving in the right direction so that the ministries can live out the church’s purpose “to be a Christ-centered

REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL TEAM

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nurturing community, growing in faith, serving in love, and welcoming all with joy!” 2015 was the first year of what was previously determined to be a 3-year process for living into a more flexible and stream-lined structure in order to more effectively respond to God’s call and “do” church vitally in 21st century Winchester, MA. We have not arrived to where we want to be as a church and a people, but this only right. The pilgrimage of the heart toward God is ever-ongoing and while there might be moments of arrival into a full experience of God’s life, the end of our journey only comes at the fulfillment of time when God draws all people together for that great and final feast in the heavenly realm. Until then, we will journey together, struggle together, make mistakes and course correct together, all the while tending to the One who rings our hearts like a bell, even Jesus Christ, our brother and savior. Amen!

Respectfully Submitted by Rev. Will Burhans on behalf of the Ministry Team, which includes Rev. Judy Arnold, Jane Ring Frank, Sarah Marino, Ben Pulaski, and Kathleen Zagata.

REPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Year 1 of Its Existence May 2015-May 2016 We begin this report with a framework for Leadership – we are, after all, a leadership team. Reading the framework below you’ll notice that strategic leadership is a tall order indeed. Leadership as described below doesn’t happen overnight but this is what we understand our charge to be, and we have spent our formative year trying, at least, to begin to live up to these lofty goals! Leadership Principles (consolidated from Robinson, Heifetz and Klaas) ● Consistently articulate purpose and core values ● Achievement of the mission and overall outcomes – for FCCW these are: grow in

faith, serve in love, welcome all, nurture, be Christ-centered ⇒ Empowered to create the structure needed to accomplish the mission including

creating boards, committees, task forces, action teams, [ministries] . ⇒ Empowered to change (including disband) components of the structure that are

not functioning effectively to achieve the purpose and mission. ● See the relationships between parts and the whole ● ‘Get on the balcony’ and ‘Give the work back to the people’

⇒ Largest decisions belong to the members; Strategic, long term decisions are developed by the Leadership Team; All other/most decisions are delegated to the appropriate Ministries, Purpose Forum, Ministers, and Officers.

⇒ Develop necessary church policies so that day-to-day operations can run smoothly and effectively. Ensure that administrative systems and functions are in place and are being accomplished including personnel, financial and facilities management.

⇒ Delegate the day-to-day operations of the church to appropriate bodies, check-in to ensure they are functioning well.

REPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM Year 1 of Its Existence May 2015-May 2016

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● Identify adaptive change and challenges. Ask good questions; frame and describe big picture/adaptive problems and challenges accurately

● Regulate distress ● Step forward and take risks when it is helpful and strategic to do so ● Develop and empower leaders The leadership principles outlined above are to be applied in a Christian setting. FCCW’s purpose and the Leadership Team’s work are about doing God’s work in the world as we perceived and discerned it to be through the development of the purpose statement. It’s about what we, this local church, in this place and in this time (the 2010s and, yes, the 2020s!), do to make God’s purpose for us a reality. One unique thing that the LT has been trying to do is ‘transform our church board into a community of spiritual leaders.’ Our ‘work’ is spiritual, it is purpose-driven, Christian; it involves worship and prayer and compassion and connecting with one another and with God. It involves discernment as much as it involves decision making, analysis, information gathering and reporting.

1. Some of what we did this past year was directed at forming the Leadership Team so that it would be able to perform well going forward.

● Seeing the relationships between parts and the whole; thinking both in terms of the

whole and also the parts of the church in relationship, not just focusing on one particular part. - It was our first year; we needed to get oriented, to learn about all the parts of the

church and the whole of it, how it all fits (or doesn’t fit!) together - We had a new Lead Pastor and we were a new group - even with experienced

members on the team, the group itself was new and unique, a particular set of 13 people learning to be in covenant together, getting to know each other and learning how to work well together

● ‘Get on the balcony’ and ‘Give the work back to the people’

- We spent a fair amount of time this year just trying to figure out if a topic was ‘strategic enough’ to belong on the LT’s agenda. ▪ It actually takes work to keep operational items off the agenda and not

automatically take up each topic or decision that presents itself. ▪ We worked on learning/having the discipline to ‘send the topic/decision back’ to

the appropriate body. - In establishing the LT, we went from a board populated with the heads of ministries,

to a strategic board, representing the whole congregation ▪ This was a significant change in the structure and approach to decision making

for the church and shouldn’t be minimized in terms of its magnitude ▪ The LT did not make all the decisions about the church in a centralized body;

decision making was decentralized; we gave the work, power, authority back to the people where appropriate and this was a little unsettling to many (or even all)

- At our fall retreat, we discerned that a fair amount of financial anxiety existed/exists within the congregation and it is the LT’s responsibility to address it; ▪ In the area of a one-year planning horizon, the LT set the strategic direction for

the annual operating budget during Dec and Jan


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▪ Recognizing that a strategic 3-5 planning horizon is also needed, in late spring of 2016 the LT is gathering a team to develop a 3-5 year sustainable financial model

● Primary responsibility is achievement of the mission and overall outcomes

- We began to introduce outcomes into the mindset and planning cycles of each of the ministries; how is each ministry moving the needle on the purpose statement?

- We asked ministries to think about softer measures of outcomes – not just numbers; things like ‘sacred moments,’ ‘newcomers invited,’ ‘visible presence’ in the community

- There is still more work to do; change doesn’t happen overnight; discipline and habits take time to develop. We will continue to work on this over the next 2 years (and beyond!)

- The church as a whole started to demonstrate what we mean by ‘outward facing;’ many activities engaged with the community inside and outside our four walls - Town Day Rest, Refreshment & Restrooms, Women’s Advent – bring a friend, Jazz Vespers, re-invigorated Community Tree Lighting Supper, and Ash Wednesday Coffee and Ashes at the train station

- We reported to the UCC 500 people for their metric “Community Engagement” – the total number of individuals in the wider community (beyond regular church participants) who

▪ attended church sponsored events, or ▪ whose lives have been served/impacted by the church’s ministries (in our

case these would be ministries like the Dwelling Place, Outdoor Church, Lowell Transitional Living Center, Habitat for Humanity, City Mission Society)

2. The Leadership Team took responsibility for managing/deciding on several matters.

● The leadership team played its part in setting strategic direction, identifying adaptive

change and developing and empowering leaders. - The LT received and approved the recommendation of the Pastor Search Committee to

call Rev. William Burhans as our permanent Lead Pastor. The congregation called Will in June 2015. ▪ The LT took a substantial role, in collaboration with the Search Committee, to

support Will and his family in their move to Winchester. In the late fall, LT assisted with the financing of their purchase of a house in Winchester, in collaboration with the Financial Resources Ministry.

● Develop the necessary church policies so that day-to-day operations run smoothly and

effectively. Ensure that administrative systems and functions are in place and are being accomplished including personnel, financial and facilities management. - The Restricted Fund Spending Authority work group followed the principle of ‘giving

the work back to the people’ – in most cases we gave the authority to the ministry that the fund’s purpose belonged to.

- The LT authorized the Purpose Forum to control the budgeted strategic initiative line item


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- The LT recruited a new church Treasurer and elected him to serve as interim treasurer until the Annual Church Meeting where he will be nominated to serve the full term. This work included obtaining valuable input from the departing treasurer and a review of staff roles in collaboration with the Personnel Ministry. LT also reviewed our insurance coverages in connection with our financial management. Although these were operational matters the LT felt that this was such a key time for the church it met the requirement of a strategic issue.

- The LT provided strategic guidance toward the development of the 2016 church budget and subsequently reviewed the proposed budget and recommended it to the congregation for approval. It is notable that the 2016 budget is a deficit budget and the LT is overseeing the longer term matter of getting the church to a sustainable balanced budget that is supported by a 3-5 year financial model to improve our ability to manage ourselves on a multi-year basis.

- Worked with personnel to oversee 6-month position check-points for newly structured positions(the position reviews are separate and distinct from performance reviews)

- Developed Lead Pastor Evaluation Process - Through a Nominating Committee subgroup, we identified and called two new members

of the Leadership Team to be affirmed by the congregation at the Annual Meeting. - Developed our own internal working procedures (i.e. a covenant, minute recording, etc.)

to provide transparency and protect confidentiality appropriately. - Developed a new format for annual report feedback from the ministries, which will be

used in the development of a strategic plan for the upcoming program year

3. There are areas that definitely are a work in progress. Some things we have identified but have not made sufficient progress on (yet), but plan to in the coming year, are: ● Regulate Distress

- We tried to provide calm leadership during that always anxious period of year-end financial results (deficit or surplus?) and the upcoming year annual operating budget

- We tried to strike a balance between hope for the future and understanding current reality

- We have plans to start in the next few months a process to re-write the bylaws. This will be a process with much opportunity for congregational involvement over the course of the 3-year transition period.

● Consistently communicating purpose and core values; the LT tries to keep purpose

and vision before the congregation. This is its leadership function. We need to do a better job of making our work accessible and transparent. - We provided an article each month in the Spire about the activities of the Leadership

Team. Based on anecdotal commentary, however, it appears that this was not an effective communication method. It seems that ‘people don’t read the Spire as much as they used to.’ Or, if they do read it, they didn’t retain information about the LT.

We’re looking forward to fully living up to our potential in the coming year. We now have a comfort with one another, a covenant to guide our behavior, a better sense of our relationship to the life of the congregation, and a clearer idea of the decisions that lay within our purview. We are starting to hit our stride, starting to find space to look at the big picture. We are open to


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new ways of discerning and understanding that will help equip the church to be Christ-centered, to nurture, to grow in faith, serve in love and welcome all with joy. ~The Leadership Team: Bruce Alexander, Judy Arnold, Will Burhans, David Dubard, Jane Ring Frank, Anne Hoenicke, Marsha Lamson, Elizabeth Page, Dina Pradel, Ben Pulaski, Dick Sayre, Penny Sparrow, Kathleen Zagata

REPORT OF THE MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY OVERVIEW

“Art is not an end in itself. It introduces the soul into a higher spiritual order, which it expresses and in some cases explains. Music and art and poetry attune the soul to

God because they induce a kind of contact with the Creator.”

Thomas Merton, Monk and poet (1915-1968) Possessing a power of its own, music often exceeds the spoken word in communicating the landscape of the soul. Through choral and congregational singing, through instrumental music, through traditional, jazz, gospel, and folk styles, we believe that music serves to glorify God, to magnify God’s word, to unify, and to inspire. We at First Congregational Church have a long and storied musical tradition, and we are blessed with a talented organist, Jeffrey Mead, who graces our C.B. Fisk, opus 50, 1969 pipe organ. The music and worship arts ministry at FCC is a multi-faceted program, under the direction of Jane Ring Frank, Minister of Music and Worship Arts. It includes a large number of volunteers, both instrumental and vocal. The program supports the Senior Choir (Thursday night rehearsals and Sunday morning worship); the Carilloneers (Monday night rehearsals and periodic participation on Sunday mornings); Jazz Vespers (a new and experimental initiative, 6 times per program year); Jazz Singers (weekly Thursday night rehearsals and participation in each Jazz Vespers service). The ensembles are also regularly invited to participate in worship services that celebrate life events: for instance, Ordinations, Installations, Weddings and Memorial Services. Additionally, the Senior Choir presents larger choral/instrumental works within the context of worship, at least two times per program year, an endeavor that includes additional rehearsals, commitment of time and organization. QUESTIONS/ASSESSMENT/OUTCOMES

1. Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate were involved in some way?

REPORT OF THE MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY

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PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS • Senior Choir: @ 30 singers each week. • Carilloneers: @ 10 – 12 participants (One positive outcome = the addition

of younger players: Kerri Pulaski, Cam McPherson and guest Clara Lauterwasser).

• Jazz Vespers: @ 4-6 instrumentalists (A mixture of congregational amateur volunteers and professional instrumentalists).

• Jazz Singers: @ 10-12 singers (Entirely volunteer effort) • Lessons & Carols, December 20, 2015: 8 Brass Players, Organ, Chorus, 7

Lay Readers, including youth and children, Ministerial Team as per usual. • Other special services for holidays (Special Lenten music (3/13/16),

Maundy Thursday, Easter, Christmas Eve, etc…). Includes a sizable number of volunteers.

PROJECT ATTENDEES

• Sunday Worship (weekly): congregation numbers vary, based on time of year, seasons, etc…

• Special services: Ordination of Jena Roy, 4/18/15 (160 attendees); Installation of William Burhans, 4/10/16 (TBD); Memorial Services – Chas Burr, 1/9/16 (500 +) and Marilyn White, 5/14/16 (TBD), congregation numbers vary.

• Lessons & Carols, December 20, 2015, presentation of John Rutter’s Gloria with eight brass players, organ and chorus: 281 attendees, up 62 attendees from the previous year (219).

• Jazz Vespers – a new and experimental initiative. Congregational numbers vary from 50 – 100 on a Saturday afternoon. (Average # = 80 attendees per service).

2. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on various aspects of the mission statement? The music program, by and large, continues to thrive. Participation in each of the ensembles has been enthusiastic, committed and growing. Attendance at rehearsals and worship services is high and energized. For an almost exclusively amateur/volunteer program, I am continually awed by the program’s high level of performance, and the laudable volunteerism and generosity amongst the program’s participants. The newest offering is the Jazz Vespers, which is an experimental initiative in support of the Mission Statement. The vespers is not only an avenue for “growing our faith,” but a true opportunity to “welcome all with joy.” We have had a joyful congregation, culminating in December 2015 with 100 attendees. We make overt attempts to welcome those in the congregation who are not regular Sunday morning worshipers.


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Marketing to the community (resulting in increased town presence) has been successful in a number of ways: Marsha Lamson and Liz Sayre have successfully connected with the local newspapers, procuring photos, small articles and mentions on a regular basis; Nancy Kneiss has designed new flyers and website and lawn banners, which are colorful, clear and eye-catching; the Jazz Singers have increased their presence in the community by performing at Winchester’s Midnight Madness, early December 2015. Ongoing challenges: the first Spring Vespers of 2016 only attracted @ 50 people to the congregation. There are a number of issues here, namely that a number of our regulars were out of town, and it was a beautiful spring day. It was also the first of the three Jazz Vespers, after a hiatus of three months. It is always a bit of a challenge to get the Vespers re-established after the winter and the holidays. Also, we continue to experiment with the format of the vespers – whether to include lay readers or to regularly employ professional musicians. Currently, Will, Judy and Jane are leading the Vespers in a more formal way, with the participation of a mixed jazz band – including amateur paid congregants and high level jazz professionals. As well, the jazz band has been highly encouraged to play more throughout the services! Secular as well as sacred material!

3. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016? Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect.

• Pending approval from the Leadership Team, the Music and Worship Arts Ministry will continue to produce and offer the Jazz Vespers as a part of the church’s three-year structure/transition process. I would like to see the program grow in a couple of ways: increased congregational attendance – especially newcomer or non-regular Sunday worshiper attendance – and continued proficiency of leadership and confidence from our house jazz band. This requires a careful monitoring of the success of each service – its spoken content, its music, its leadership, its musicians, its welcoming spirit and exuberant style – an ongoing assessment. I would like to see an assessment of the program that includes folks who are not in the music program. I think we could learn much from those who are coming AND from those who are choosing not to participate.

• The second project involves the renovation and restoration of the church’s organ. This project requires the creation of a small exploratory committee (currently in process) to determine the path forward on a $120,000 restoration: including fundraising, timeline establishment, and determining how long the organ will need to be out of commission. The Minister of Music and Worship Arts is currently engaged in individual meetings, in order to bring together a small but energetic group of congregants who will help to drive the success of this much-needed project. The organ is certainly a part of “growing our faith,” but it also represents a critical piece of our history and ongoing commitment to blended worship styles.

4. How much will it cost? How many people will it take to put together? Is the effort

required easy, medium or hard? What kind of help would you need to pull this off (staff hours, etc.)?


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• Based on Fall of 2015, most of the Jazz Vespers expenses are now known:

Drummer: $150 Bassist: $175 Pianist: $125 Trombonist: $125 TOTAL = $575 per vespers service, six times per program year (at this point) PROGRAM YEAR TOTAL = $3450 Additional expenses: Lawn Banners, sexton assistance, office manager assistance. Generally, the Minister of Music and Worship Arts (in consultation with the ministers) organizes most aspects of each service, including service content, all related rehearsals, management of musicians, hiring, scheduling, etc…the Minister of Music and Worship Arts is supported by the Deacons, who are greeters/welcomers; the Ministerial Team; the Sextons; the Office Manager, who copies the bulletin; Liz & Dick Sayre, who regularly organize and supply goodies for a reception. The effort for the Jazz Vespers = HARD, but worthwhile.

• Organ Renovation/Restoration – Exploratory Planning Committee. Again, expenses are clear, and we have obtained, from Fisk Organ Company, a detailed estimate of $120,000 to restore the organ. Initially, this will include an intense time commitment from the Minister of Music and Worship Arts with help from the Organist/Keyboardist. The Minister of M&WA is already engaged in conversations in order to bring this small and very important group together. This is a project that includes few congregants directly, but the whole congregation in aggregate. The effect speaks to all aspects of our Mission Statement, most importantly, the organ as a feature in growing our faith (and honoring a long and storied tradition). The effort for this project = HARD. It will require the support of the Leadership Team and all leaders within the church. Especially because extra fundraising is involved.

5. How will you know if you’ve been effective in meeting those goals?

• Jazz Vespers: I think that attendance is a HUGE factor in the continuation of the

Vespers, along with continued interest by the congregation. This is why I am eager to receive feedback from the Leadership Team, since this program is a sponsored experimental initiative.

• Organ Renovation: If we find support – both financial and spiritual – for the organ restoration, we will be successful. Time involved = @ three years, with the expectation that the organ will be inoperable for some of that time.

6. If the church had a theme for the year, what would your ministry like it to be? I currently do not have any suggestions. The Ministerial Team meets at the end of each program year, for an extended planning session (2016-17). Out of that brainstorming, we often are inspired to propose themes, prayers, new worship styles, etc…

REPORT OF THE HEALTH MINISTRY

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Health Ministry: encourages members to live the connection between faith and well-being- mind, body, spirit- in ministry to self and others. This is in concert with the FCC mission: to be a Christ-centered, nurturing community, growing in faith, serving in love, welcoming all with joy. Gratitude goes to the Health Ministry members who shared their time and talents: Christine Atkins, Pam Budner, Anna Campbell, Nanci Barker Church, Carrie Ehrbar, Steven Haggett, Branda Wilhoite, Frank Willwerth, Janice Wilson. As a committee, we sought to create opportunities: - to deepen faith practices through mindfulness, healthy life style choices, balance in work and personal life. -to seek healing, comfort and guidance offered by faith at times of crisis, presence grief and stress. -to build a healthy community through fellowship, service and visitation. Each year we hold a May Retreat at which we plan for the following year. We will forward a summary of our plans to the Leadership Team following that meeting along with our best estimates of people, time and funding. In response to the Leadership Team’s question regarding a church wide theme for the coming year, we suggest, Called to Serve. Respectfully submitted for the HM Committee, Kathleen Zagata, Health Minister

Health Ministry (sustaining Committee) 2015 Program Year Annual Report Event 2015 Date(s) HM hosts Attendees Co-sponsored HM Mission FCC Mission Living the connection Mind body spirit: Move to the scripture: January 2 12 (series) Worship Body oriented Grow in Faith Exploring the Psalms Series 4,11,18 faith experience Mid Winter Worship Nurturing Connections: Spring Concert & Tea March 1 15 92 music community welcome with joy 175th Church historian building Anniversary Jeffrey Mead, Organist Fellowship Tea Nov 8 11 63 flower committee community welcome with joy Childhood Memories of building, grow in faith Living in China mentoring Fred Greene & Pam Budner

Stroller Walk June 7th 2 8 health activity welcome all Sept. 20 2 7 networking serve in love Visitation Sunday Nov 1 2 11 ministers, deacons, inclusive serve in love lay church members church

REPORT OF HEALTH MINISTRY

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Health Ministry (sustaining Committee) 2015 Program Year Annual Report (continued) Event 2015 Date(s) HM hosts Attendees Co-sponsored HM Mission FCC Mission

Women’s Advent 5 62 D. Johnston fellowship welcome /joy Gathering W. Procops centering in Faith grow in faith C. Tresselt charity donation serve in love

Sounds of Grace

Healing Opportunities: Health Ministry Healing Service Service and Visitation Sunday Worship and March 22 12 118 Caring network Inclusive grow in Faith Healing Service Flower committee nature of serve in love Ministers & Deacons healing welcome all Choir & guest musician Church school classes Visitation March 22 12 7 HM members, deacons inclusive serve in love. Healing Scriptures Oct- April 10 HM study grow in faith Monthly Study of healing Service of Light Dec 17 11 60 Steve Cole/ JR Frank time of healing grow in faith Guest musician rebalancing, remembering Wellness & Healthy Transitions February Coffee Hours February 16 120 (series) conscious eating Grow in Faith Nutrition displays/ 1,8,15,22 as faith practice Hospitality Samples May- 11th Hours Hospice Update May 17 3 24 health education serve in love Dough Taylor MD re: life transition Nancy Carney, RN Eating for Energy May 31 3 22 health education serve in love Nanci Church Faith& Resilience Oct 27th 2 12 Katrina mission faith & health serve in love trip members sciences CPR Class Lay Responder 3 8 Church School teacher prep serve in love Lay request Parenting during Oct 27 3 11 family life serve in love College Years Dec 6 4 8 transitions --- --- 118 645

Caring Network Program Year 2015 Nurturing community, Serving in Love The Caring Network provided 25 meals in 2015. Those meals were lovingly prepared and delivered by 12 providers.


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2016: To all Church Members, Help us keep our finger on the pulse of the community by suggesting the name of a member or family in need. Examples include recuperating from an operation, a family crisis, the passing of a loved one or a happy exhaustion like when a baby arrives. Become a Caring Network Volunteer. Contact Susan Rozmanith at [email protected]. Back up contact: Maria Fernando Flower Ministry Committee (see attached letter) 2015 members: Laura Bailey, Jenny Splaine, Marie Perrot, Debra Damren, Bev Stone and Margaret McIndoe, Kellee Fiske and Sally Hawksworth Program Year 2015 Serving In Love: 72 flower deliveries were made from the arrangements which have adorned the sanctuary from September to June. Deliveries and visits were made in times of need and celebration. 44 deliveries of Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies were gifted to members at home or in nursing centers. 16 Advent evergreen arrangements were created and taken home or to a person in need. Welcoming all with joy! The tradition of hanging outdoor Christmas wreaths Beautify the sanctuary with plants for the Christmas and Easter Seasons. For 2016: Serving in Love A grant from the Innovation Fund supported new projects and upgrades in 2015. We would like to request another grant in 2016 to enhance our flower ministry (materials and supplies) and to sponsor new events such as the Advent evergreen craft project. The request will be made following the group’s May committee meeting. Prayer Shawls Ministry Program year 2015 Service in Love 5 prayer shawls were bestowed to members and their relatives in times of transition, grief and celebration. 6 were gifted to a local hospice upon request. Thanks to our church knitters: Karen Lauterwasser, Marjorie Moore, Connie Rosenberger and Mike Redding. For 2016: Serving in Love We no longer have a weekly knitting group to replenish the shawl closet. Currently, we have 8 adult and 2 youth prayer shawls available. Request: Wish to make a prayer shawl? We welcome experienced knitters and crotcheters from the wider community to take part. A small fund is available to cover the cost of yarn. If you know of a youth, individual or family that would benefit from receiving a shawl, contact Kathleen Zagata, Health Minister.

mailto:[email protected]


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March 22, 2016 Dear Leadership Team and Purpose Forum, Thank you for your leadership this year and for your generous support of our ministry through the award of $500 from the Innovation Fund Mini-Grant. The following is a summary of this year's activities accomplished by our 8 member Flower Ministry: *In program year 2015 we were able to make approximately 72 home flower deliveries and visitations from the arrangements which have adorned the sanctuary each week. Our deliveries were made in times of need and celebration. *The length, variety and overall beauty of the flowers for the altar and later for visitation were enhanced on a weekly basis as a result of the grant. *In addition to prepping the sanctuary for Christmas and Easter Sundays, the tradition of organizing the distribution of poinsettias and Easter lilies for delivery by church members continued. A total of 44 plants were gifted to members at home or in nursing centers. *The tradition of hanging outdoor Christmas wreaths was continued. *On the fifth Sunday of November we hosted an Advent craft event in Chidley Hall after our church service. Church members flocked to our tables to create Advent, evergreen arrangements together. Over 16 unique arrangements were taken home or to someone in need. Cost for this new event was covered by the Innovation Fund. We would like to request another grant for 2016 to enhance our flower ministry materials and supplies and to sponsor events such as the Advent evergreen craft project. The request will be made following our May committee meeting. Many thanks to the following church members: Laura Bailey, Jenny Splaine, Marie Perrot, Debra Damren, Bev Stone and Margaret McIndoe, who have worked along with Kathleen Zagata, Kellee Fiske and Sally Hawksworth. Of course many thanks to Will Burhans, Judy Arnold, Sarah Marino, Bradley Ross and Tyler Campbell for their council and work with us. Best, Sally and Kellee

REPORT OF MISSION & OUTREACH MINISTRY

The purpose of the Mission and Outreach Commission The Mission and Outreach Commission develops and promotes opportunities for the members of First Congregational Church in Winchester to share our abundance through hands-on service, information and advocacy events, and financial contributions in the form of special offerings. The Mission and Outreach Commission also makes distribution decisions on the funds set aside for Mission and Outreach in the church’s annual budget. These funds are derived from a percentage of the pledge income. Our Focus this year We continue to focus on alleviating hunger in children, combating homelessness, and helping women, teens and children at risk. We maintain our efforts to work with organizations where we can be physically involved. In addition, the grant application went live on our webpage and applications were successfully processed.

REPORT OF MISSION & OUTREACH MINISTRY

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Hands-on Mission and Outreach • Little Red Wagon (monthly): Solicit and deliver bags of food for the local pantry at

the Woburn Council for Social Concern. • Massachusetts Coalition for Homelessness (Sept. – Nov.): School Supplies were

collected for homeless children. • Christmas Tree Giving (December): Hundreds of gifts were collected and distributed

to individuals in need at Germaine Lawrence and the preschool at Woburn Council of Social Concern.

• Lowell Transitional Living Center (March) Volunteers from our congregation shopped, prepared, delivered, and served over 150 individuals at LTLC.

• Outdoor Church (every 5th Sunday): Volunteers make sandwiches in Chidley Hall and deliver to the homeless people of the Outdoor Church in Cambridge.

• Walk for Hunger (May): Members of our congregation collected funds and walked with others to support food shelters across New England.

Mission and Outreach Giving The Mission and Outreach Commission manages the distribution of the portion of pledge income specifically set aside for Mission and Outreach. In 2015, $98,000.00 was voted to be the budget, which was 13% of the overall pledge income. Of that total, the Mission and Outreach Commission distributed $41,600.00 to our church’s wider mission (OCWM), the fund for the United Church of Christ work beyond the local church through conferences, national ministries, and UCC related institutions. Of the balance, $43,500.00 was distributed through grants to many charitable organizations, including The Children’s Room, Lowell Transitional Living Center, Rosie’s Place, Women’s Lunch Place, The Dwelling Place, Mission of Deeds, BMC Grow Clinic, Council of Social Concern, Youth Villages Germaine Lawrence, Winchester Got Lunch, Meals on Wheels, Pilgrim Church, Outdoor Church, CASPAR, Mass Coalition for the Homeless, Protestant Chaplaincy Council at Newton Wellesley Hospital, City Mission Society and Habitat for Humanity. We also contributed funds to support a youth mission trip and Jane Ring Frank’ s mission trip. 2015 Special Offerings Special Offerings are another way that our congregation shares its abundance with others in our community:

• Easter Offering (April): Our congregation contributed $2,990.00 to support Boston’s Homeless.

• Just Peace Offering (October): Our congregation contributed $4,234.00 to support the Syrian Refugee Crisis through the UCC.

• Christmas Offering (December): Our congregation contributed $5,000.00 to support Healthcare without Walls

Respectfully Submitted, Cynthia Mahoney Co-Chair Louise Ritenhouse Co-Chair Mission and Outreach Commission

REPORT OF THE WORSHIP MINISTRY

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We are a Christ-centered, nurturing community:

growing in faith, serving in love, and welcoming all with joy.

This is the tenth anniversary of the Worship Ministry. Following the Holy Conversations process in 2006, what started as an ad hoc committee was eventually embraced as a standing ministry when FCCW re-organized its structure in 2015. It seems appropriate at this time to re-visit not only how the Ministry has embodied our church's purpose, but also remained faithful to the key desires for our congregation as outlined in Holy Conversations. These desires include:

• Seek to continually deepen our spiritual journey – to cultivate faith both at our core and expressed in daily activities

• Yearn for true community – to know ourselves and one another, and through those relationships, the Holy Spirit

• Strive to live a committed Christian life – to follow Christ’s example with our whole selves

Our worship services are an important part of our overall spiritual experience and

development. The Worship Ministry supports the Ministerial Team in exploring and experimenting with various forms of worship which will foster a deeper connection with God and with one another. One of guiding principles has been what we call the “75/25% rule.” Whenever we try something new, we expect that there will always be 25% of people who won't like it, but this will fluctuate from person to person and from experience to experience. There is also the principle that it may take several attempts at trying something new before it catches on. And there is the principle that just as we are evolving and growing in our individual faiths, our worship services should reflect and encourage that growth and development. To this end we have tried to incorporate a variety of styles and traditions, multiple ways of learning and experiencing, and opportunities which encourage the congregation to more fully and actively participate in worship. The “liturgy” is after all the work of the people. What we have done this year:

• Summer Services in the Reno Garden All of the services this past summer were held in the Reno Garden, weather permitting; continued practice of lay led worship; first time there was a waiting list for preaching.

• Summer Healing Service Collaborative effort with Faith Formation; an outgrowth of the Unleashing our Weekday Ministries series.

• Blessing of the Animals Can Chidley Hall be sacred space? Another experiment with exploring worship in alternative spaces and welcoming and blessing of our beloved pets.

• Jazz Vespers Our second year with increased attendance, although not particularly the audience we initially thought might attend – young families; increased effort at publicizing outside our church.

• Midwinter Worship

REPORT OF WORSHIP MINISTRY

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Spent considerable time this year evaluating this 6 year experiment with mixed results; accomplished our original goal of everyone studying together, everybody worshipping together; held entire program in Chidley Hall which provided ease of transition from study to worship; use of screens, dispensing of bulletins and more contemporary music allowed for hands free worship; attendance fluctuated, raising questions about the start time, our not always honoring an abbreviated time frame, and how much attendance is related to normal seasonal downturn; also questions about the desire for all church worship in our congregation; very much a lay led effort in the facilitation of discussions, offering testimony and leading music; space made more beautiful and intimate with the artwork of Karen Swyers and gathering in front of an actual fireside.

• Lent/Holy Week/Easter Long held desire to expand our offerings during Lent and particularly Holy Week; the addition of the Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Vigil and service offered a time and space for quiet reflection and prayer in a darkened sanctuary as we wait with Christ in His final hours on earth; the vigil remains a meaningful experience for those who participate; moved out into the community with other churches on Palm Sunday and then again to Wright-Locke Farm for the Easter sunrise service. Prayers listed in the bulletin Part of a long standing discussion about prayer and attempts to incorporate a variety of formats; this was aimed at keeping the congregation better informed about people in need of prayer and when and where people are in nursing home and hospitals.

• Passing of the Peace A spirited 75/25% discussion within our own Ministry; exploring how some, especially newcomers, might not feel comfortable with this practice, and how the placement of it in the service can feel disruptive; some feeling this was a true embodiment of intentionally sharing of Christ's peace with each other.

• Testimonies An ongoing attempt to encourage people to share their personal stories of faith; increased comfort around and appreciation for this practice; gratefully surprised when every one of our facilitators for Midwinter Worship agreed to also give testimonies on their given Sunday and all were beautiful.

Possible Projects for the Future

1. Experimenting with additional services (in addition to Sunday morning) – currently visiting other churches to see what works in other congregations

2. Focusing on Sabbath rest – we have already introduced periods of silence in worship; exploring other ways to encourage Sabbath rest

3. Refitting Ripley Chapel as a more flexible and multi-purpose space– this most likely would involve considerable expense and time both in the planning and execution

4. Working more closely and incorporating needs of families with young children – addressing how to make children and families with young children feel welcome and engaged in worship

5. Sharing worship with other congregations – creating a more outward and collaborative partnership with congregations both within and outside our tradition

6. Making better use of our web page

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Finally, we are grateful for the commitment and service of three of our members who are rotating off this year: Sarah Gallop, Laurie Roby and Liz Sayre.

Respectfully submitted by the Worship Ministry: Judy Arnold, Will Burhans, Jane Ring Frank, Sarah Gallop, Laurie Roby, Liz Sayre, Taylor Tresselt, Lucy Willoughby, Julianne Zimmerman

REPORT OF WELCOMING MINISTRY

Laura Bailey, Fred Greene, Lynne Rahmeier, Jenn Richter, Liz Sayre, Christine Tresselt

Honorary members: Will Burhans, Ben Pulaski Answers to question 1 Initiated and installed new Welcome cards in the pews Began new policy of recognizing baptisms with a personal note welcoming the child and family, including the scripture from “their” Sunday, written on a church note card, which we included with a children’s book about “my baptism”. The church had many of these that hadn’t been offered in the recent past. Organized the new photo directory for the church families, which should be delivered from LifeTouch by mid-May. Re-organized the back of the sanctuary to make it feel more welcoming, with upside-down tables for neater and more visible presentation of materials to enhance the first appearance one has of the narthex, and to allow for ease of movement. Took in five new members in 2015, with shepherds (current members who will look out for new members, keeping them informed of events, etc.) and a welcoming meal, both innovations Raised awareness at Purpose Forum and the Deacons’ Life Deacons gathering of the importance of the entire church population to be welcoming Answer to question 2: We think it affected the entire congregation, including newcomers. Answers to question 3: Continue focus on new members – encouraging new members to visit a Welcoming Ministry monthly meeting once (one new member a month) to increase their involvement in the church, and to inform our perspective on how welcoming we are. Provide welcoming materials at coffee in Chidley Hall – have a new nice wooden stand with trifolds, etc., and find a process for keeping it current Have a professional sign made for the Welcoming Table in the vestibule Instigate having blurbs of new members’ bios printed in the bulletin on the day they join, and to include same in the next (or previous) Spire, so current members can get to know a little about new members and possibly find connections, making it easier to reach out. Continuing the process of providing new members with shepherds and a welcoming meal upon joining. Answers to question 4: Cost -- $2,000 or so Effort – Medium. We could use more members on Welcoming Ministry to share the load and to provide other perspectives

REPORT OF WELCOMING MINISTRY

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Answers to question 5: We’ll look for increased interactions and smiles Answer to question 6: Welcoming all with joy

REPORT OF THE FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY CHILDREN & YOUTH

Faith Formation: Children and Youth 1. Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate were involved in some way? Children Ministry -Stepping Stones: 53 children, 17 shepherds, 1 Nursery school director, 3 youth helpers=74 -FAN and Church Thanksgiving baskets: 30 people from outside, the congregation -Book collection for donations: 25 families -Vacation Bible School-26 children, 12 adults -Winchester Got Lunch-in combination with VBS and the Kindergarten and 1st grade class -Wear Red for Bed Youth Ministry -Rite 13: 24 students, 4 teachers=28 -J2A: 13 students, 4 teachers=17 -Forum: 20 students, 2 adults=22 -Bean Supper: 15 students -Turkey Collection for Pilgrim Church: 10 students, 4 adults (plus the congregation) -Cookie Walk: 20 students, 4 adults, (plus the congregation) -Souper Bowl Sunday: 8 children (plus the congregation) -Chili Sale:13 students, 5 adults (plus the congregation) -High school mission trip: 11 youth, 4 adults -Bead for Life: 15 youth, 5 adults Other -CPR training-10 people -Bagels and Bunnies: 60 children and their families -Easter Pancake Breakfast: 25 youth, 6 adults, the congregation 2. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on various aspects of the mission statement? Growing in Faith-One of the biggest accomplishments in this area was finding a curriculum for Stepping Stones that backs what we believe in and is successful in the classroom. We struggled with one in the Fall but were able to find one that suits our needs for the rest of the year. We are currently using Deep Blue Adventures Curriculum. In the Journey to Adulthood program we have been using some supplemental curriculum throughout the year to incorporate more religion in the classes.

REPORT OF FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY

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Serving with Love-The main focus this year was to continue to do the same service projects we have done in the past. In Stepping Stones, we have focused more on local projects within our community (or surrounding communities). The youth group continues to work towards serving the community and also the world. This year on the mission trip they not only worked on helping doing minor repairs on houses but also spent time tutoring children in poverty stricken neighborhoods. The Rite 13 class made beaded jewelry and bookmarks which they used beads made out of paper that were made by 3rd world countries. Welcoming all- This was probably the biggest movement of the needle this year. We have had 10 new families become an active part of our community. I have encouraged the youth to bring friends to events. Our church school is growing because of the wonderful teachers that make a connection with the new parents as they pick up their children. Better communication for the Minister of Faith Formation has made huge improvements in families feeling welcomed because they are kept aware of events that are happening. 3. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016? Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect. Our first major goal of this next year (and it has already started) is to incorporate a new curriculum for the youth program. We want to continue to grow the faith of our students so that they are more like the man who built his home on the rocks instead of the sand. Our second goal is the work more with the church school to develop mission projects that are inclusive of them. We want to work towards finding projects that they can help with instead of just having their parents give something. For instance, during our Chapel Services we have encouraged the children to bring in an old book of their own for the offering that we donate to an organization that gives it to families that do not have books. We also want to try to find a project that they can go help at on a more consistent basis. In general we want to find one or two projects and work on them the entire year for a huge impact instead of doing many and making little impact. 4. How much will it cost? How many people will it take to put together? Is the effort required easy, medium or hard? What kind of help would you need to pull this off (staff hours, etc.)? The first goal’s cost will be dependent on which curriculum is chosen. Typically 2-3 thousand dollars a year (but some are much less or more). The entire congregation is being encouraged to help put this together. Ultimately it is going to take a solid 20 people to finalize and put it into action. This would definitely be a much more difficult goal that others but with a lot of work put in to get it up and running will have great rewards in the future. The second goal will not take much money at all (if any). It will take the support of families and teachers. There are many organizations out there that are in need of help and we feel like this will be a much easier goal, but still one that will make a huge difference in our children and those people that we help.


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5. How will you know if you’ve been effective in meeting those goals? For the first goal, long term we will know that we hit this goal if the youth feel more comfortable talking about their faith and have a stronger foundation in biblical knowledge. We will also be asking for feedback from parents, students, and teachers for much shorter term results. For the second goal, we will know that it is effective almost immediately. We will be looking for how many families are supporting the mission, how many children participate in the projects and we will be able to ask the organization specifically what we can do to help them the most. 6. If the church had a theme for the year, what would your ministry like it to be? -Bringing Church Back

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY: ADULT FAITH AND LEARNING MINISTRY

1. Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate

were involved in some way? We are a revitalized and revitalizing Ministry. We began regular monthly meetings in January. Our first offering was an 11th hour viewing and discussion of a Frontline DVD, Being Mortal. Thirty-nine people attended (including the Ministry members). But that was by no means the first adult-faith-related gathering for the congregation this year. In the fall, Health Ministry hosted a Parents of College Students program. Beginning in September, Rev. Will Burhans convened a number of House Communions to allow him to meet and begin to know the congregation. The last one of these was in January. Also in January, the Worship Ministry offered discussion groups based on events in Jesus’ life before Midwinter Worship each Sunday. In February, Rev. Will organized a Centering Prayer workshop held on a Saturday morning. This was followed up by Tuesdays with Jesus, a weekly prayer, dinner and Lenten Bible study hosted by Rev. Will and Rev. Jena Roy. There were a lot of opportunities to gather, learn and share here this year. While we are not trying to take “credit” for these other offerings, it is our intention to be cognizant of, and work in the context of, all the faith and learning opportunities offered in the church as a whole. And, it is our hope that we can work with other Ministries where interests and expertise intersect.

2. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on

various aspects of the mission statement? Our Being Mortal presentation began a conversation around what matters most at the end of life. We say “began” because this is our first gathering around this topic. For years now, Health Ministry has been arranging gatherings, worship and support opportunities to facilitate discussions about death and what steps each of us can take to make our wishes clear. These dialogues are not a one-time thing. We each are open to this conversation in different ways and at different times in our lives. We feel that offering people a chance to be part of this ongoing conversation fulfills our purpose as a church in many ways. As we enter into this ‘new’ territory, opportunities to grow our faith and deepen our understanding of God’s presence at all stages of life


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abound. It is our intention to provide a nurturing atmosphere and a path to going deeper with one another.

3. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016?

Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect. We have a lot of exciting ideas for 2016-2017. Undoubtedly we will find that not all can be done in the coming year but will have to wait to another year. As well as continuing the end-of life-conversations, programs about Science and Faith, Comparative Religions, Civility, Music and Poetry -- among others -- are envisioned. We hope to provide space and support for sharing our thoughts and opinions on big and perhaps controversial issues. We can learn and grow from informational programs, and we have a good deal to teach one another. We hope to invite knowledgeable people to guide us in discussions about other faiths, science, music and poetry. We also plan to use activities from previous other programs that have been successful in opening us up – for example, the Altar Building that was so effective in the Unwrapping and Unleashing programs. Our programs fall into the “Growing in Faith” category most obviously. We see small-group discussions as nurturing and welcoming, and we hope our work with other Ministries will involve us in “Serving in Love” activities, too.

4. How much will it cost? How many people will it take to put together? Is the effort

required easy, medium or hard? What kind of help would you need to pull this off (staff hours, etc.)? Costs will vary depending on whom we invite to help lead. Materials such as handouts, dvds and books should be under $50 per program. We will probably provide food at many of our events which runs about $100-$150 for a large group, less for a small one. Currently there are 4 lay people and one staff person on this Ministry. We plan to include others in leadership and in structuring programs. The effort required to successfully host faith and learning opportunities probably falls in the “medium” category in level of difficulty. Staff support will vary, but we imagine somewhere around 20 to 25 hours a month.

5. If the church had a theme for the year, what would your ministry like it to be? We’ve talked about author and worship leader Dr. Marcia McFee’s attraction to the phrase “Let us speak about the deepest things we know.” She asks: “Do we invite our communities of worship to speak about the deepest things?” Do we invite dialogue at all? Do we truly believe that God invites us to speak honestly, in the context of our rituals of worship, of pain and uncertainty? It is not our intention to pry secrets and tears out of people at each gathering. It is, though, our hope that through our programs we will be able to talk authentically to one another and to listen openly in love.

Submitted by Karen Roberts, Jack Howland, Sarah Gallop and Andy McKinley

Rev. Judy Arnold is our clergy connection.


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CHURCH LIBRARIAN

Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate were involved in some way? The projects that the Church Library was involved with this year were similar to past years in that they were mostly slow, on-going, unseen work to clean, organize, and update the library. This was done by the church librarian and sometimes a helper. Periodic displays of books related to a season of the church were continued and new books were added to try to perk interest. The number of people borrowing books remained about the same – low. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on various aspects of the mission statement? The Church Library exists mainly for supporting our congregation’s theological understanding and spiritual growth, as well as maintaining some of the historical records. While recognizing that times are changing and people are often too busy to read, the library’s job is to make these resources available. By weeding out old and/or not relevant books, and making relevant books more accessible, it is easier for people to choose a book to aid them on their personal faith journeys. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016? Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect. How much will it cost? How many people will it take to put together? Is the effort required easy, medium or hard? What kind of help would you need to pull this off (staff hours, etc.)? How will you know if you’ve been effective in meeting those goals? There are several goals for the Church Library in the upcoming year. All of these goals are related to being a Christ-centered community, and “growing in faith” in our mission statement. The first goal would be continued weeding of old religious books, many of which have never been borrowed. This would require help from knowledgeable sources as to their historical /monetary value, and help deciding what to do with discarded ones. The ministerial staff would have to be involved. Removal of these unwanted, out of date books would open up much needed space on shelves. Another goal is to increase the congregation’s awareness and interest in borrowing books from the library. Besides displays in Chidley Hall during major church holidays, it would be exciting to have a “special library table” in the lobby celebrating something like “Books of the Month”. A third goal is to totally reorganize the library, classifying books by topic rather than number. This would make it easier to find a book on a certain subject. This is obviously a daunting task, but with a group effort it could be accomplished in a few years. It would mean reclassifying every book as well as reorganizing the card catalogs. Leslie French, Librarian

REPORT OF THE TREASURER 2015

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There exists a treasurer’s report for 2015 that is in the standard format. It’s so boring, it puts even me to sleep and I like this stuff. When Anne Hoenicke was searching though the archives for some arcane piece of information only she can ferret out, she came across a 1957 Treasurer’s report written by then treasurer Rupert F. Jones that was the most delightful document either of us had ever read in a church report. It is full of self-deprecating humor and pithy comments on the treasury function and other aspects of church life. In homage to Mr. Jones, an incredibly erudite treasurer, I offer this revised 2015 Treasurer’s report. How little we knew about the year ahead when we developed the 2015 budget. We were ignorant of ceiling collapses, winter, movies, church leadership and staffing changes. How blissful was ignorance. But, one could say that about life in general. Let’s walk through the year and the budget together. Some patron saint or guardian angel of Christmas services and small children allowed the sanctuary ceiling to drop between services on Christmas Eve 2014 when only Ben Pulaski was in the sanctuary. And that same saint or guardian angel made sure Ben wasn’t standing in that particular spot. So we started 2015 with a gaping hole in the ceiling but our children and Ben intact; a reasonable tradeoff. A swarm of carpenters, plasterers, painters and probably magicians put the ceiling back together and reinforced the remainder of it. In hindsight, it might be possible to see the “sky falling” ceiling episode as a prophetic precursor of our bottom line but really, that’s just too far-fetched, so we won’t go there. Our wise and generous church ancestors, who put aside funds for building maintenance, covered the cost. We, however, kept the sanctuary lit and heated during the many weeks it took to complete the project, so plaster could cure and paint could dry and workmen didn’t freeze. And then there was winter -- the interminable, mind-numbing, snowplow and heating budget-busting winter. But during this seemingly endless series of gray and white days, a movie crew arrived to film several scenes in the church. By the time they were done, they had transformed our lovely Congregational sanctuary into a Catholic church complete with (fake) marble flooring. We lived with fake marble flooring for Easter that year. We believe about 5 seconds of this transformation actually shows up in the movie. Our family room turned into a lawyer’s office and the Palmer room briefly into a living room. These gracious people also came with checks and about $20,000 additional dollars made it into our rental revenue, half of which was used to turn the church back into a lovely Congregational sanctuary. They also, because they had a hiatus in shooting, uncovered and restored the mosaics in the church nave at no cost to us. It is a delightful discovery. And while we are sure the crowds of fans waiting outside the church were enticed by our splendid building, strong programs and firm faith, we have a sneaking suspicion that they might have been there for a glimpse of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. But enough about the superficial. There were serious and exciting changes afoot in the church. In January the church voted to implement a new organizational and staffing model, all of which had, in spite of our best efforts at forecasting (guessing), unforeseen budget implications. A gradual transition was planned with complete change by September, 2015. At around the same time a search committee was formed and charged with the responsibility to find and recruit a new lead Pastor. Everyone kept busy transitioning and searching until the process reached fruition in late August, culminating in Rev. Will Burhans joining the ministry team in September. A sense of relief and completion settled on the congregation.


30

While these welcome and planned changes and stabilization with a permanent lead pastor started the church forward to a new era in leadership, it also began a time of greater budgetary and cash flow anxiety for your treasurer. September was a particularly expensive month, yet we were coming off the usual summer doldrums when not many contributions are received. If I may, I offer just a small self-portrait of the Treasurer during Fall 2015 at the top of this page. This portrait shows the reaction to the bank account and the monthly payroll draw, although your treasurer would never utter the profanity implied by this portrait in church – even if she was thinking it at the

time. By the end of September, it was clear we would have about a $30,000 operating deficit and that turned out to be correct. The actual deficit was $29,215. Thanks to several back pledges received the prior year causing a significant surplus, we had funds in the Emergency reserve to cover the deficit. All is well that ends balanced, at least for 2015. But too much focus is on a very brief time in the history of 2015 and the annual budget. Our congregation is extraordinarily generous in responding to special requests. In addition to general donations to the operating budget, there are a number of small donations that go unrecognized unless you read the treasurer’s spreadsheets, included in all their exciting detail with this report. These include a number of special offerings and our Christmas and Easter Offerings that total $19,162. These funds are distributed to organizations outside the church that are in addition to the Outreach grants recorded in the operating budget and in the Outreach Report. A full list is included in the Report on Expenditures from Restricted and Reserve Funds. Our stirring saga wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of invested funds, that source that keeps us solvent in even the worst of years. We guard it carefully. Our invested funds held most of their value during the year, closing on December 31, 2015 with a total of $4,959,729. We are fortunate to have enough invested in the general unrestricted endowment to be able to offer a second mortgage to the Burhans to help complete their permanent transition to Winchester. This investment totals $142,300 and is included in our invested funds accounting. The decision to offer the Burhans a secondary mortgage was a joint decision of the search committee and the financial resources ministry (and the treasurer, I modestly add). Given what has happened to our invested funds since January, 2016, we all look like financial geniuses for having funds in such a stable investment vehicle. Unusual spending from our invested funds this year included the ceiling repair noted above and the costs for searching for and relocating our lead pastor. Thus ends our financial journey through 2015. It truly was an interesting and exciting year. For those of you with insomnia or those who really, really, like to read through numbers, we offer the following reports for your perusal. Operating Budget vs. Actual Receipts and Disbursements - 2015

Report on Endowed Funds – 2015

Report on Changes in Restricted and Reserve Funds – 2015

Expenditures from Restricted and Reserve Funds – 2015


31

Your intrepid treasurer and guide through the wilderness of 2015 church finances is ready to hang up her green eyeshade and ride off into the sunset, or wherever retired treasurers go. I believe Dilbert (the comic strip) depicts the accounting department as one of the lower levels of hell. I refuse to think about that. Following after me is my good friend Bruce Lauterwasser who I sincerely hope will still be my friend after he gets settled into the job. I wish to end by thanking my colleagues Sarah Marino and Gay Williams who keep the financial office running smoothly. In spite of everything said above, the view from the office at the back of the regular church office is one of an organization that is filled with extremely generous people who often give anonymously and sacrificially when they see a need. It restores one’s faith in the basic goodness of the average individual and the congregation of this church. Thank you for this opportunity to share this view. Respectfully submitted and with gratitude to Mr. Jones, the 1957 treasurer, for the inspiration to move this report beyond the mundane, Elizabeth Cooper


32

OutR 2015 2015 2015 2015Base Budget Actual Budget Actual

Surplus (Deficit) 1 -29,125 Christian Faith FormationIncome 3400 Lay Staff Faith Formation 35,548 35,705

1050 Pledge Receipts OR 492,000$ 483,400$ 3420 Lay Staff Pension and Insurance 1,132 4,1841100 General Endowme OR 115,350 115,350 3500 Independent Contractors Nursery 1,440 1,6311200 Jenks Endowment Transfer 65,940 65,940 5800 Church School 6,100 7,2691250 Rental Income OR 42,000 62,191 5825 Adult Education 700 8441300 Back Pledges 2,400 944 5700 Welcoming 2,600 1,9231350 Cash Collections OR 10,000 12,010 Library 200 431400 Unrestricted Gifts OR 2,000 30 5850 Youth Activities 7,200 5,1381401 Non-Pledged Gift OR 24,000 23,799 Total Faith Formation 54,920 56,7361500 Interest / Miscellaneous 63 -728 Health and Wellness1705 Transfer from Emergency Reserve Fund 0 0 3400 Lay Staff 35,703 35,703

B1>Z9 Transfer from Other Reserve Funds 3420 Lay Staff Pension and Insurance 4,998 4,998 Income totals 753,753 762,936 5750 Health Ministry 2,350 2,391

MEMO Total endowment transfers 181,290 181,290 Total Health and Wellness 43,051 43,093percentage of Total Income 24.1% 23.8% Mission and Service

Expenditures 5100 General Outreach Appropriation 55,820 48,097Clergy OCWM contribution 41,500 41,600

3100 Clergy 82,438 85,427 Total Mission and Service 97,320 89,6973110 Housing 68,995 95,226 Business Office3120 Clergy Pension & Ins. 52,260 55,168 3200 Office Staff 52,144 46,094

Total Clergy 203,694 235,821 3420 Lay Staff Pension and Insurance 6,154 6,428Other personnel costs 3500 Independent Contractors Office 3,120 2,013

3600 Travel 1,200 827 4000 Copier rent & maintenance 3,500 3,9343610 Professional Expenses 2,000 2,553 4010 Postage 2,500 2,7153620 Sabbatical 2,000 2,000 4100 Office Expense 11,265 12,9343640 Personnel Contingency 2,000 2,341 4120 Telephone 4,400 3,2823620 Church FICA 27,684 30,057 5900 MAUCC Dues 9,358 9,064

Total Other Personnel 34,884 37,778 Total Business Office 92,440 86,462Worship excluding clergy salary Facility Maintenance

3400 Lay Staff Music 51,522 51,546 3300 Sexton 28,669 35,0933420 Lay Staff Music Pension and Insurance 4,971 0 4125 Electricity 11,681 15,9623500 Independent Contractors Music 9,300 11,855 4130 Water & gas 3,400 2,8365500 Music Materials 3,800 1,877 4140 Interior Maintenance 17,500 27,5324170 Piano and Organ Maintenance 1,200 1,442 4141 Exterior Maintenance 9,000 9,8915626 Worship & Congregational Life 1,500 2,420 414_ Capital Reserve 2,000 2,0005625 Deacons 1,800 3,478 4145 Rubbish removal 2,200 2,080

Total Worship 74,093 72,617 4150 Sexton supplies 3,000 2,7194155 Snow removal 5,750 9,2054160 Insurance 32,750 33,2254200 Fuel 22,400 22,800

Total Facilities 138,350 163,344Strategic Initiatives

5630 Strategic Initiatives 15,000 6,513Total Strategic Initiatives 15,000 6,513

Expense totals 753,752 792,061 Income over (under) expenses 1 (29,125)

2015 Operating Results


33

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35

Fund Amount Use

Chidley Scholarship 8,250$ Andover Newton tuitionMemorial Gifts 412$ Signage project

Pastor's Special Project 750$ Ordination gifts, tuition, unreimbursed organist expense

Palmer Special 49,315$ Ceiling repairSteeple Lighting 300$ lightsWallace Music 300$ Rutter

Flower 1,050$ Pointsettias, chancel flowers, Easter

Eberle & Redmond 2,973$ Mission trip and confirmation

Pastor and Deacons 243$ Grocery gift cards, medical co-pay

Directed Gifts 12,453$

Met Bos Scholarship Fund, Andover Newton, Outdoor Church, Mass Coalition Homeless, UCC International Emergency Fund

Xmas/Easter 6,709$ Doctors without Borders, Long Island Shelter

Jenks Scholarship 7,650$ Seminary tuitionMemorial Reserve 18,741$ Search and Relocation CostsReno Garden 2,061$ plants, clean-upMusic Expendable 500$ RutterTOTAL 111,707$

Expenditures from Restricted and Reserve Funds - 2015

REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURES MINISTRY

36

Members: Mike Bailey (chair), Becca Beltz, Doug Clarke, David DuBard, Rich MacNeille, Tom Roche, Jena Roy, Jennifer Wilson The Financial Resources Ministry’s goals for 2016 are:

• Increase participation in the annual Stewardship (pledge) Campaign

• Raise awareness of Stewardship throughout the year

• Act as good stewards of the church’s investment accounts The First Congregational Church in Winchester has two primary financial resources – the pledge giving of active members and the income generated from invested funds (previous gifts). 2016 Stewardship Campaign For the fourth year, we conducted the Stewardship campaign earlier than in prior years (Pledge Sunday was November 8, 2015). Church members provided offering testimonies during the worship services leading up to Pledge Sunday. These faith offerings invited others to share in their joy to support the mission of the church. For the second time, we prepared a “Pledging Q & A”, that provided a refresher on the basics of financial stewardship. We again used a Narrative Budget to show--with words, graphics, and photos--how faithful giving through Stewardship is making a difference within and beyond our faith community. And at worship on November 1, we provided a visual presentation of images of the ministries and missions that our pledges support, accompanied by beautiful music from our choir. Income from 2016 pledge commitments increased to $505,900, up 3% from the time of this report in 2015 ($505,900 in 2016, $490,881 in 2015). The number of pledges in 2016, 126, was similar to last year (124). Our church was blessed with great generosity in giving through the Stewardship Campaign this year: 43 givers (34% of all givers) increased their pledges compared to 2015, and there were 16 new/returning pledges, up from seven last year. Pledges included:

• 126 total pledges (53% of approximately 239 member households), up from 124 pledges in 2015

• Average pledge: $4,015 ($3,959 in 2015)

• Median pledge: $2,400 ($2,158 in 2015)

• Pledge range: $25 to $38,000


37

The following table describes the number and amount of 2016 pledges that increased, stayed the same, decreased, or were new/returning compared to 2015.

* Please note that these figures are based on pledges received; actual results may vary. Invested Funds

12/31/15 12/31/14 12/31/13 12/31/12 12/31/11 12/31/10 12/31/09

Value $4,959,729 $5,203,229 $5,131,422 $4,535,968 $4,066,829 $4,230,694 $3,716,275 Return +0.3% +5.3% +17.7% +12.8% -1.4% +12.3% +17.4%

Note: the totals above include both unrestricted funds available to support the operating budget and funds with various spending restrictions. Objective: The investment objective for the invested funds is to grow the real (inflation-adjusted) value of invested funds after accounting for spending in support of annual operating needs. Strategy and Asset Allocation: To achieve our investment objectives, the investment accounts are managed with a mostly passive indexing strategy and “style-neutral,” well-diversified approach. The Church has adopted a target asset allocation for typical investment environments as follows: approximately 65% in equities, 30% in fixed income, and 5% cash. By indexing, the invested funds seek to achieve long-term total returns (income plus appreciation) approximately equivalent to the weighted average returns of the relevant benchmark indexes. The Invested Funds balance declined 4.7% in 2015, the result of the +0.3% return on the portfolio offset by the budgeted $181,290 drawdown to support the church’s operating budget and $49,000 of sanctuary ceiling repairs. Unrestricted funds comprise about 70% of the portfolio balance above, and are expected to provide $188,500 for the 2016 operating budget (representing a 5% drawdown of the trailing 3-year average of these Unrestricted funds) plus an additional $16,400 for the projected 2016 budget deficit.

Pledge Pledge Amount % ofCategory Number Pledged Total

Increase 43 $189,241 37%

Same 59 $274,116 54%

Decrease 8 $22,888 5%

New/returning 16 $19,655 4%

Total 126 $505,900 100%


38

As the Financial Resources Ministry reported during the February 2016 congregational meeting to consider the 2016 budget proposal, in December 2015 we reallocated a portion of the investment accounts to invest in a second mortgage that supported the purchase of a home in Winchester for Rev. Will Burhans’ family. The source of funds for the second mortgage was the sale of a portion of the Investment Accounts allocated to fixed income. The second mortgage terms are similar to those of the first mortgage on the property. In 2015, equity market returns hovered around zero, with a slight positive skew towards size (S&P 500 Index Fund +1.4%, Mid-Cap Index Fund -1.3%, Explorer Fund/Small Caps -4.2%, and Total International Stock Index -4.3%), likely the result of risk tolerances continuing to decline. The same risk-off behavior was experienced on the fixed income side of our allocation as risk spreads widened (Total Bond Market Index +0.4% and High-Yield Corporates -1.3%). The current yield on Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund is a mere 0.4%, a number well below projected 2016 inflation of 1.5%, which indicates that investors are willing to accept negative real rates in exchange for safety. Overall, the portfolio generated a small, positive return (+0.3%) though clearly well shy of 5% drawdown practice in place. Portfolio weights at year end 2015 were 66% equities, 31% fixed income, and 3% cash, roughly in-line with long-term target weightings. On March 31, 2016, the portfolio balance was $4.953 million, after posting a 1.5% gain since year-end. Expectations for future financial market returns are unusually muddied now, as central banks around the world jockey to stimulate their own economies, taking interest rates down near zero and even beyond. The dramatic slowdown in the pace of China growth seen over the course of 2015 and the geopolitics driving down oil into the $30’s from $100/barrel in mid-2014 are additional reasons the world is anxious. Our relatively strong economy is being hampered by the strength of the US dollar and the loss of competitiveness that gives to exporters. Return expectations for our Invested Funds should remain appropriately tempered and realistic, perhaps struggling to earn the back the 5% annual drawdown until risk tolerances normalize.

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL MINISTRY

Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate were involved in some way?

The Personnel Ministry was very busy this year. • We received and supported a new Lead Pastor, Will Burhans, in September, as well as hired a

temporary Assistant Sexton, Tyler Campbell, in November, to assist and support our long-term Sexton, Bradley Ross. After working with the Facilities Ministry, the Treasurer and the Leadership Team, Tyler was hired on as a permanent staff member beginning in January, 2016.

• The Personnel Ministry followed through with the Transition Team recommendations. The Faith Formation Minister’s position changed from the part-time role of Christian Education Minister, to a full-time position focused on the entire children and youth Christian education program of our church. Working with the Christian Education Ministry and feedback from several round table meetings open to the congregation, a new job description was created to incorporate all of the current responsibilities.

• The Associate Pastor position moved from a full-time to a part-time position and a corresponding job description was created as well. All of the youth activities, education and

REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL MINISTRY

39

direction that once resided under the Associate Pastor’s responsibilities were moved over to the new, full-time, Faith Formation Minister’s position.

• The Personnel Ministry continued to support the Ministerial Relations Committees (MRCs) for Judy Arnold, Ben Pulaski, Kathleen Zagata and Jane Ring Frank. A new MRC was created for Will Burhans in September.

• New job descriptions were written for the new Assistant Sexton, Sexton, Bookkeeper, Faith Formation Minister and Associate Pastor to better reflect current job responsibilities.

• A new Bookkeeper position was created and approved and there is a search underway to fill this 10-hour a week position.

• In November, Personnel supported a staff member, with the help of the Facilities Ministry, who needed to take medical leave.

• Personnel continues to lead the annual staff reviews. Additionally, the Ministry has facilitated the 6-month check-in on the new staffing model, namely the new FFM position and the new hours for the Associate Pastor.

All of this work involved the Personnel Ministry, the wonderful staff, many folks from other Ministries, as well as the congregation. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on various aspects of the mission statement? The focus of the Personnel Ministry has always been to support a nurturing community for the staff, to serve with love and compassion as we are tasked with hiring and performing annual reviews, and welcome all new staff with joy. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016? Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect. Personnel, with the help of the Leadership Team, would like to pilot a 360-degree review of the Lead Pastor. Following a request by Will Burhans, we will support the efforts to create, administer and manage a congregational-wide review of our Lead Pastor, beginning this year, and then offered every 2 or 3 years moving forward. This would deepen our nurturing community by creating open communication and a feedback mechanism for the whole congregation. We’d also like to promote the Ministerial Relations Committees as a way to support our staff. Utilizing the Spire throughout the year, we’d like to highlight each staff member and the amazing work they do so the congregation can feel more in touch with what makes our church run. We believe that these goals support all aspects of our mission statement and will require a lot of effort by the Personnel Ministry in concert with the Leadership Team, the Ministry Team and staff, and others as the need arises. A measurement of success will be a high level of staff satisfaction and empowerment as well as increased ease of communication and feedback from the congregation and staff, utilizing mechanisms such as the Lead Pastor review and the MRCs. If the church had a theme for the year, what would your ministry like it to be? We are a nurturing community, growing in faith, serving with love and welcoming all with joy and support the leadership of our Ministry Team and seek to empower our staff in ways that allow them to pursue their passions. Prayerfully submitted by the Personnel Ministry

REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

40

What is the Communications Team working on?

1. Can you make a list of the projects you did this year, and how many people you estimate were involved in some way? Press Releases (2-4 people) The church has had ten press appearances in the Winchester Star and the Daily Times Chronicle since September 2015, including announcements for: New pastor interview, Tree Lighting Supper, Christmas services, Centering Prayer Workshop, Easter vigil, Easter services, Bagels and Bunnies Egg Hunt, two Jazz Vespers announcements, and Rev. Will’s installation. Website Revamp (5-8 people) The team began a redesign and overhaul of the current website including a new layout and structural organization, new or refreshed content, and updated imagery. Website Updates and Content Maintenance (2 people) Updated content regularly on the existing website to reflect changes in the weekly service or season. Uploaded and maintained podcasts of sermons. Created new web and email graphics for the Tree Lighting Supper, Service of Light, Advent and Jazz Vespers. Social Media Presence (1 person) Posted regularly to Facebook about church events and information. Banners (2 people) Redesigned front lawn signage for Midwinter Worship, Jazz Vespers, Easter, and Bagels and Bunnies Flyers (2-3 people) Created flyers for the Tree Lighting Supper and Jazz Vespers events, which were posted around town and throughout the church. Photography (2 people) Researched and hired a professional photographer for the website and other communications purposes. FCC Mark (2-5 people) Redesigned the church logo and implemented it in new business cards and email templates. Email Templates (3 people) Refined and streamlined design of weekly church communication emails. Spire Newsletter (2-4 people) Produced 11 issues of 12-16 page booklet and began design process for email-only newsletter

2. How do you feel the major projects you accomplished in 2015 moved the needle on various aspects of the mission statement? The Communications Team focuses primarily on the “Welcoming all with joy” aspect of our purpose statement, by addressing these questions:

• How can we increase our presence in the community?

REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

41

• How can we communicate more effectively, both within the church and to the world beyond our walls?

• How can we make our information as accessible as possible to those unfamiliar with the church?

We “welcomed all with joy” by increasing our community presence through publicity efforts for the Tree Lighting Supper and Jazz Vespers, numerous mentions in the press, and timely content updates to the website. We aimed to “create a nurturing community” within our church through regular email communication of weekly news and through the Spire newsletter. As we revamp the website, we hope that its new design and organization will be more accessible to both those within the church and to newcomers, thereby creating a nurturing community and welcoming all with joy.

3. What are the 2-3 major goals or projects your ministry would like to take on in 2016? Please identify which part of the mission statement each goal is intended to affect.

• Launch new website (welcoming all with joy, creating a nurturing community) • Regular press releases (welcoming all with joy) • Migrate The Spire to digital-only newsletter (creating a nurturing community)

4. How much will it cost? How many people will it take to put together? Is the effort required easy, medium or hard? What kind of help would you need to pull this off (staff hours, etc.)?

• Website: 4-6 people, hard effort, some help from ministry chairs may be needed to review content

• Press releases: 2 people, medium effort, no help needed • Digital Spire Migration: 1-2 people, medium effort, no help needed

5. How will you know if you’ve been effective in meeting those goals? Website: Part of our success will be measured in website traffic numbers. However, more of our success will be measured anecdotally. We would love to hear stories of members directing friends and neighbors to the website, or newcomers indicating that they checked us out online and were intrigued enough to come visit. Press releases: Similar to the website, our success will be measured through conversations with others. For example, chatting with a neighbor, a church member might hear “Oh, you’re at that church? Is that the one with Jazz Vespers?” Increased attendance at publicized events such as the Tree Lighting Supper and Bagels and Bunnies is also an indicator. Digital Spire Migration: We will receive data through our email service that indicates which stories are most popular, and which follows traffic from the newsletter to the website. We will know we are successful if church members feel that they have been well-informed about upcoming events or church matters without having received a paper copy in the mail.

6. If the church had a theme for the year, what would your ministry like it to be? Reaching outwards!

REPORT OF THE DWELLING PLACE TEAM

42

The Dwelling Place is a soup kitchen at the United Methodist Church in Woburn that is supported by a collaboration of area churches and civic and community groups. These groups prepare and serve free hot dinners for individuals and families in need. Meals are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday of each week. In 2015, 2,987 meals were served, a substantial increase over the 2014 total of 2,285. In 2015, our First Congregational Church Dwelling Place Ministry coordinated the preparation and serving of dinner on the third Saturday of each month. Approximately 55 people--individuals, couples, families, and on two occasions a Girl Scout troop—served in 2015. Also in 2015, The Dwelling Place Board of Directors, in partnership with the United Methodist Church, replaced the old gas stove in the kitchen with a new 10-burner commercial gas stove and ventilation and fire suppression systems. To help support this project, the FCC Outreach Ministry provided grants. Individual members of our church also made donations. The mission of The Dwelling Place is to provide free hot dinners in a welcoming place to anyone in need of a good meal. By providing opportunities for our members and folks in the Winchester community to prepare and serve these meals, FCC’s Dwelling Place Ministry has helped our church live into its mission of serving in love and welcoming all with joy. In 2016, the goal of FCC Dwelling Place Ministry is to encourage greater participation in serving at The Dwelling Place. We would especially like to encourage parents looking for opportunities to participate with their children and youth interested in opportunities to fulfill service hours. Linda Alexander Lisa Loughlin

REPORT OF THE RENO GARDEN COMMITTEE

43

44

APPENDICES

Minutes of 175th Annual Meeting Sunday May 03, 2015 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Theme: Moving Right Along

Minutes 1 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes

The Annual Meeting was held on Sunday May 3rd immediately after worship. The meeting started with grace, an opening prayer and a celebration of the 175th anniversary that included cupcakes for adults and kids and singing Happy Birthday. The kids left for pizza and a Rainforest Reptile presentation and the adults stayed in Chidley Hall for a light lunch and informal, facilitated round table discussions. The discussions focused on being ‘outward facing’ – finding ways to intentionally and respectfully invite, welcome and build relationships with people who are not currently part of the church community yet who may be searching for spiritual connections, growth and meaning in their lives. After the table discussion, the formal portion of the meeting began.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moderator Penny Sparrow welcomed all to the 175th Annual Meeting of the church. She explained that Lead Interim Pastor, Marlayna Schmidt, was unable to attend the meeting as she was recovering from surgery. Penny thanked everyone for engaging in the discussions at their tables and she thanked the facilitators for being willing to serve in that role. She thanked all who helped prepare for the meeting – ordering food, putting together slides, setting up tables, planning the articles and motions; there were quite a lot of helping hands, making the job lighter for each one. Even those who couldn’t attend today did behind the scenes prep work and leg work. Penny asked people to refer to the handout packet (Attachment A to these minutes) at each setting at the table with the agenda and key materials to follow along during the meeting. Penny reminded the group of a couple of procedural items:

Anyone wishing to contribute to the meeting needs to wait to be recognized by the chair and the microphone will be brought to you for your comments to be audible to everyone.

We are delighted to have non-members join with us for this meeting, but please don’t vote! Penny Sparrow declared that she had examined the Warrant for the meeting, she had found that it was properly posted with additional notice given in the Spire, Sunday Bulletins and weekly emails, and she declared that there was a quorum present and declared the meeting called to order. Penny stated that the first order of business was to vote whether to approve the minutes of the Congregational Meetings held since the last Annual Meeting. There have been 4 meetings: 1. The 174th Annual Meeting held March 16th, 2014. 2. The Special Congregational Meeting held January 25, 2015 – Vote to transition to new

organizational structure 3. The Special Congregational Budget Meeting held Feb 8, 2015. 4. The Special Congregational Meeting held April 12, 2015 – Vote to affirm the lay members of the

Leadership Team discerned and nominated by the Nominating Committee. The minutes for each meeting can be found in the Appendices of the Annual Report which was available online prior to this meeting and of which there are hard copies available at your tables. Penny asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of any of the meetings. There being none, she declared the minutes approved as distributed and they will be placed on file.




Minister of Music and Worship Arts, Jane Ring Frank, led those gathered in singing the opening hymn, For All the Saints. Moderator Penny then led the unison reading of the Covenant. Associate Pastor, Rev. Judy Arnold, read the In Memoriam names of church members, former members and the wider church family who died in 2014.

Article I Penny turned to Article I: To receive and place on file the reports of the Ministry Team, the Treasurer, and the Chairpersons of the various Sustaining and Living Ministries of the Church and any other written and oral reports which the Church may vote to receive. Penny explained that each Ministry prepared a written report contained in the Annual Report which was published online and paper copies were available at the tables. To supplement those written reports, each group is represented by one slide in the upcoming slide show. Penny expressed her gratitude for those who offer these slides and for the work it took them to think about and prepare them. She said, “Let’s see what the last year has held and where God has led us together.” A slide show was then presented accompanied by music “Further On Down the Road” (Eric Clapton) and “Ease on Down” (from The Wiz). The Slides are Attachment B to these minutes. There was hearty applause at the end of the slide show. It was moved, seconded and voted that the reports and slides of the Ministry Team, the Treasurer, and the Chairpersons of the various Sustaining and Living Ministries of the Church, having been received, be accepted and placed on file.

Article II Penny then turned to Article II: a. To elect Officers willing to serve for the upcoming year; b. To thank all those who served on a Commission/Team/Committee/Ministry in the past year, and c. To give thanks and acknowledge all who will Serve in Love on all ministries, including

deacons and the leadership team, as they conduct the affairs of the Church for the 2015-2016 program year.

It was moved, seconded and voted that the following officers be elected to serve for a one year term:

Moderator Penny Sparrow Treasurer Elizabeth Cooper Assistant Treasurer Keith Russell Librarian Leslie French Historian Bill McCarter Clerk Anne Hoenicke

Associate Pastor, Rev. Judy Arnold, then asked each person to stand and remain standing as she highlighted the many ways each member of the congregation serves in love. She thanked all those who served on a Commission in the past year and drew attention to the large banner with names, handprints & hearts that took up the entire length of the wall of Chidley Hall. Judy thanked Stepping Stones, Rite 13 and J2A teachers and shepherds. She thanked those who




sang in the choir. She thanked those who served on living ministries and committees such as – flowers, prayer shawl, Welcoming, Lead Pastor Search committee, Transition Team. She thanked those who provided a meal through the Caring Network or Dwelling Place or Lowell Transitional Living Center, and those who help out at Habitat for Humanity. She thanked all those who attended a small group or fellowship event such as the men’s groups, Ruth group, Bean Supper, Women’s Advent, Unleashing your Weekday Gifts. If you participated in Christian practices such as attending worship, praying, practicing compassion, visiting and serving others, we thank you. And if you are attending this meeting today, which in and of itself is an act of commitment and fellowship, we thank you. Judy then said she wanted to also look ahead to next program year, and thank those who will be serving. Head Deacon, Taylor Tresselt, thanked the 2 new deacons who will be serving – Andy Gallop and Jennifer Wilson – and spoke briefly about new models being tried for how the deacons serve and tapping into life deacons to serve again. Judy then asked the lay members of the newly formed Leadership Team and all those who have signed up to serve on any ministry for next year to stand. With everyone in the room standing, Judy gave a blessing for all those standing here now, those who couldn’t be here and those yet to jump in anytime next year on living & sustaining ministries.

Article III Penny then proceeded to Article III: To celebrate the transition of church governance and receive a report on the progress of the search committee for a new Lead Pastor. The article started with showing a clip from the Muppet Movie where the characters sing “Movin’ Right Along” about the joy of getting started on a new journey. New Church Governance Recap Taylor Tresselt, Head Deacon and former Transition Team member, then gave a recap of the

changes in church structure that were voted in by the congregation in January 2015. He

showed the ‘pie diagram’ illustrating the church structure and living and sustaining ministries

that is so familiar to many by now. Last year at this time, we didn’t have this in place. Now we

have launched and are starting down this path – we’re movin’ right along!

Congregation

Faith

Service

Welcome

Our purpose is to be a Christ-centered, nurturing community: growing in

faith, serving in love, welcoming all with joy.

Leadership Team

Lay Lead

ers

Min

istry Team

SUSTAINING AND LIVING MINISTRIES

Pu

rpo

se F

oru

m

Calls DiscernsParticipates & Leads

“Purpose Pie”

Nurture

Christ




Leadership Team We have a new Leadership Team in place with 6 lay members who were discerned by the nominating committee to be asked to serve – we all affirmed their selection at a congregational meeting in April. Taylor read the names to the sound of applause: Bruce Alexander, David Dubard, Marsha Lamson, Elizabeth Page, Dina Pradel, and Dick Sayre. Together with the Moderator, Clerk and Ministry Team we have a Leadership Team assembled and ready to serve.

The LT is operating on more of a consensus building approach than a strict voting approach. Its challenge is to stay strategic and not get involved in the decision making that happens at the sustaining and living ministry level. It sees the whole and sets overall direction. Its charge is guiding the church to the achievement of our purpose and overall outcomes – to grow in faith, serve in love, welcome all, nurture, and be Christ-centered.

Ministry Team The configuration of the ministry team has changed. We’ve increased the hours and responsibilities of the Minister of Music & Worship Arts. Our Associate Pastor has gone to half time with responsibility for worship, adult faith formation and mission & outreach, but not youth faith formation any more. Our formerly part time Church School Director is now our full time Minister of Faith Formation for both Church School and Youth.

Associate Pastor

Minister of Health & Wellness

Minister of Faith

Formation

Office Manager

(25 hours) (25 hours) (25 hours)

Minister of Music & Worship

Arts

(40 hours) (35 hours)

Lead Pastor

(50+ hrs)

• Visible in the Community• Primary Spiritual Guide and Worship Leader• Ministry Team Supervisor• Guides Ministries and Implements Initiatives• Servant Leader

• Worship Leadership• Adult Faith Formation• Mission & Outreach

• Children• Youth

MINISTRY TEAM

4

Sustaining and Living Ministries Taylor explained that we now have ‘living ministries’ – ministries that pop up, inspired by anyone’s passion. They are flexible in duration and activity. In one church they started with 47 of these and grew to 64! We also have sustaining ministries, ones that persist and are always part of our gathered church such as personnel, financial resources and facilities. Decision making resides in each ministry. People are serving in ways that are meaningful to their own lives.




Taylor then turned the floor over to Liz Sayre and Rob Skinner, co-chairs of the Settled Search Committee, who gave an update on the search for a new Lead Pastor. Search Committee Process Liz and Rob commented that they don’t have the Lead Pastor T-Shirt filled yet! At this time last year, the search committee had been gathered. We started by gathering information for our local church profile - many of you filled out surveys, we held open forums and we used the Transition Teams work to fully fill out the 30 page description of ourselves – our history, our current state and our hopes and dreams. We then posted the Pastor position nationally with the UCC. And then the candidate profiles started rolling in. We read their profiles, we prayed about them, we discussed them. If we were interested, we reached out to them, sent them our profile, and checked their blogs and websites. This part is so much easier in the age of the internet – this used to be time consuming and physical (documents snail mailed, travel even).

We engaged in prayerful discernment, really engaging with prayer and the process of uncovering a fit, not purely analytical. As we are approaching the home stretch the prayer part is becoming more intense. We are looking for the right person – a worship leader, a team facilitator, someone who will live out our purpose themselves and help us to do the same. We can look at ability but also must discern potential. We are happily reassured by the quality of the candidates we are seeing.

We did a round of first interviews. Then we did a second round with fewer people. The next part of the process is arranging for neutral pulpits to see a candidate preach live. (We are also able to see and hear video and audio electronically). This part is even more confidential than the prior parts of the process. As a result of all of these steps of the process, we will then identify one candidate we would like to call. We will then arrange to have that person preach on a Sunday here, organize events and social gatherings for people to meet the candidate and then have a congregational vote on the same day that the person preaches to see if the congregation will vote to call the candidate. We would love to say that the date is “X”, but we just don’t know that yet.

We are all so excited about this, we’ve done so much work already and we are feeling energetic about stepping forward. There was a hearty round of applause at the conclusion of this explanation of the process and its status.

ARTICLE IV: To hear and act upon reports of special gifts and bequests, if any, to the Church

since the last Annual Meeting.




Penny turned the floor over to the Treasurer, Elizabeth Cooper,

Elizabeth Cooper stated that we have had two bequests – one from Robert D. Beattie (Bob) and one from George Hebb. As is our tradition, someone will speak about each person.

Margy McIndoe spoke about Dorothy and Bob Beattie. Dorothy had passed away in 2008 and Bob passed away in February of 2014. They both belonged to the church for a really long time, with Dot being particularly active. She attended every Women’s Association event and ran the rummage sale which was no small job. Bob was very active in town government, especially the finance committee. He was a more private person than Dot, but he was always available for a chat, and had a quiet twinkle in his eye. They both loved to play bridge – playing with/opposite them was an experience to remember. This gift will mean a great deal to the church and the church meant a great deal to them.

Penny read the motion, which was moved, seconded and unanimously VOTED: that the Congregation accept with gratitude, the bequest of Robert D. Beattie of $30,000, to be used to establish a fund named the Dorothy and Robert Beattie Family fund, the income only to be used for maintenance of the church.

Fred Greene then spoke about George Hebb.

George Hebb, at age 93 when he died, was the longest participating member of this church having joined in 1939 when he was 18. Even before he joined he was participating at age 7! He grew up in this church and this town. His father had a leather business. George attended the Winchester Schools, then Kimball Union Academy. He graduated from Bowdoin College. He was a WWII Navy Veteran; he commanded a landing craft on Omaha Beach on D-day. He loved Memorial Day events and loved being a part of the annual remembrance. Recently, he spoke to a youth class about his D-day experience.

He joined his father’s business and married Martha Bugg Hebb. They had a daughter Sarah Hebb Carpenter. George and Martha were long-time church members and active participants in many aspects of church life throughout the years. George was part of the Parish Players theater group that was founded in 1925. It is appropriate that we are remembering him here in this hall, where he had been on stage so many times.

He was a deacon from 1974-1977, which was not that easy a time at this church. It was in the 70s that we transitioned to team ministry. Later, George was very active in the Parish Visitors and annual Senior Tea. He faithfully attended worship week after week throughout his whole life. He was a gracious presence; he always a smile on his face. This has been my special pleasure to speak about George today.

Penny read the motion, which was moved, seconded and unanimously VOTED: that the Congregation accept, with gratitude, the bequest of George S. Hebb Jr. of $5,000, to be invested or disbursed according to the wishes of the family.

Article V: To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting

Penny declared there was no other business to be brought before the meeting. Penny asked that people please provide feedback on the forms provided and help with clean up if they can. Those assembled stood and sang the closing hymn – Now Thank We All our God.

Judy then gave the Benediction.

http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/ww2/?personid=171221540&affiliateID=1232

Attachments to the Minutes of the Annual Meeting Held 5-3-2015 Attachment A – Table Handouts

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 7 Attachment A

Agenda 175th Annual Meeting Sunday May 3, 2015

“Movin’ Right Along” Informal Portion of the Meeting 11:30-12:15

175th Anniversary Celebratory Cupcakes – kids & adults together

Grace/Opening Prayer (after grace, children leave for children’s activity)

Light lunch

Facilitated table discussions Opening of Formal Portion of the Meeting 12:15

Moderator’s Opening Remarks - Establishment of Quorum - Call to Order - Approval of Minutes of Congregational Meetings since last Annual Meeting

Opening Hymn - For All the Saints

Covenant

In Memoriam

Articles of Business 12:30 I. Receive reports and place on file

II. Gratitude and Acknowledgement of Serving in Love

III. Celebration of Transition

IV. Hear and act upon special gifts and bequests

Closing Hymn - Now Thank We All our God Benediction 1:30 pm



Facilitated table discussions 11:45-12:15

5-10 minutes: Community Building, Getting to Know Each Other Better

• Go around the table and say your name.

• Then tell the table one thing about yourself that you do outside of church. You could

share what you do for a living or as a volunteer or raising children or in retirement. It

could be something you did in a prior phase in your life, it could be a hobby, interest or

activity you enjoy.

15 minutes: Outward Facing

• What: To be “outward-facing” is to find ways to intentionally (and respectfully) invite,

welcome, and build relationships with people who are not currently part of a church

community, yet who may be searching for spiritual connections, growth and meaning in

their lives.

• Why: Churches need to be intentionally outward-facing because many people are

looking for spiritual connections but most don’t know they can find those connections in

the institutional church, many have never been to a church or they are intimidated (or

disillusioned) by ‘institutional religion’.

• Being intentionally outward-facing is the main way churches grow (failing to do so

often leads to gradual decline, dwindling slowly, fading away.)

• How:

• #1: What is one way our church already “Movin’ Right Along” in terms of incorporating

“outward-facing” components into its current programs/activities? Examples from any

and all ministry areas are welcome (sustaining and living), or from an individual

perspective (such as, “I invited a friend to Bean Supper or Jazz Vespers and this is how it

went/felt…” or “I was too shy to do X, but I did try Y).

• #2: What is one NEW way you, the church or your ministry area could be more

outward-facing, could move a little bit more down the road towards being outward

facing?

5 Minutes: Share 1 Item with the whole room

• Share one item that is outward facing – something that is already being done, or an

idea that came up at the table



The CovenantThe First Congregational Church In Winchester

We, the members of this church, covenant and bind ourselves

to strive to know the will of God; to walk in the ways of the

Lord, made known and to be made known; to exalt the

worship of the one true God; to work and pray for the

progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of

peace, and the realization of human community.

In Memory of Those Who Passed Away in 2014



Members, Former Members, and Inactive Members

Robert “Bob” D. Beattie Dolores Boodakian Mary Thornton (Martin) Brink Odette S. Friou Frank M. Gunby Jr. George S. Hebb Jr. Shirley A. (Frykberg) Hebert Roxie Kazanjian - (died in 2000, we learned of it in 2014) William E. Lagergren Sherman E. Mapes Jean (Bowman) Mortensen Frederic H. Oram Linda “Mollie” (Jeffery) Pataro David E. Rush Helen E. (Reeves) Shean Edith Perry Wilson

Extended Church Family

Ryan T. Connolly, son of Debra C. (Cone) and Tim Connolly Janet W. Dewhurst, participant in our congregation Betty Ann (Smyth) Hosmer, participant in our congregation Arlene M. Moore, Steve Moore’s sister Raymond B. Tourtellot, participant in our congregation Miriam Evelyn (Good) Troisi, mother of Nick Troisi Bernard “Bernie” J. Vrostos, father of Thomie (Vrostos) Tucci

Attachments to the Minutes of the 175th Annual Meeting 5-3-2015 Attachment B – Article I: Sustaining and Living Ministries Slides

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 11 Attachment B

Presented with musical accompaniment: Further on Down the Road sung by Eric Clapton and Ease on Down

the Road from the Broadway Show the Wiz sung by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson

On Down The Road

Movin’ Right Along

at FCC Winchester

Attachments to the Minutes of the 175th Annual Meeting 5-3-2015 Attachment B – Article I: Sustaining and Living Ministries Slides

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 12 Attachment B

Attachments to the Minutes of the 175th Annual Meeting 5-3-2015 Attachment C - Article II: Election of Officers

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 13 Attachment C

Attachments to the Minutes of the 175th Annual Meeting 5-3-2015 Attachment D – Article III: Recap of Church Structure Changes

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 14 Attachment D

Attachments to the Minutes of the 175th Annual Meeting 5-3-2015 Attachment E – Article IV: Bequests

Attachment to 5-3-2015 Annual Meeting Minutes 15 Attachment E

First Congregational Church in Winchester MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

June 28, 2015

Minutes 1 6-28-2015 Special Congregational Meeting Minutes

On Sunday, June 28, 2015, the members of the First Congregational Church in Winchester met in the Sanctuary with Moderator, Penny Sparrow, presiding.

Penny rapped the gavel and called the meeting to order at 11:10 am. She explained that she had examined the warrant and the return of the service of the warrant and declared that the meeting has been properly noticed and that a quorum was present.

Penny then asked lay member of the congregation, Laurie Roby, to lead the gathered group in prayer.

At the conclusion of Laurie’s prayer, Penny took the floor and stated that there was one item of business before the congregation: Article I: To call Rev. William (Will) McReynolds Burhans to serve as our next Lead Pastor.

She then turned the floor over to the co-chairs of the Lead Pastor Search Committee, Liz Sayre and Robert Skinner, to give a brief introduction.

Liz Sayre said that it was an exciting day and weekend for the Search Committee and the congregation. She thanked everyone for attending – recognizing that this is later in the church year than we usually worship in the sanctuary and she realized that people changed their plans in order to be here. She thanked them for that.

Liz reminded the gathering of the names of those people who served on the Search Committee – asking them to stand if they were present: Andrew Beltz, Dan Burke, Kim Farina, Fred Greene, Elizabeth Page, David Peretti, Penny Sparrow and Gabby Wankowicz.

The candidate unanimously recommended by the Search Committee to the congregation is Reverend William (Will) McReynolds Burhans, who currently serves at the Charlotte VT Congregational church.

Liz and Rob explained that the congregation has had opportunities to learn about Will this past week and this weekend – through the 11th hour that was held Sunday, June 21, 2015, through the email and letter sent to all and on Saturday, June 27, at two receptions and a potluck dinner with the deacons, leadership team and ministry team. And, the congregation had also seen his gifts for ministry that morning during worship. The Search Committee was very excited to recommend him as the candidate to lead us to where God is calling us to be. Liz and Rob thanked the congregation again for the opportunity to serve on the Search Committee.

Penny added that in addition to the unanimous vote of the search committee, there was a unanimous vote of the Leadership Team supporting the recommendation of the Search Committee and adding its recommendation that the congregation call Reverend William McReynolds Burhans to serve as our next Lead Pastor.

Penny then asked: Is there a motion that First Congregational Church of Winchester call Rev. William (Will)

First Congregational Church in Winchester MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

June 28, 2015


McReynolds Burhans to serve as our next Lead Pastor?

It was so moved. Penny asked for a second. It was seconded.

Penny then asked if there was any discussion or questions people would like to ask. She reminded everyone to use the handheld microphone so that all could hear each speaker.

Jack Howland stated that Will does have true charisma. Jack was a little worried about things being politicized. He hoped that we would deal with each other as individuals not as political groups. He expressed hope that we would be ‘pre-political’. He expressed worry about the ongoing politicization of society.

Penny asked if there was any further discussion or any other speakers. There being none, she called for a voice vote.

Penny declared that the motion carried unanimously – no No’s and no Abstentions.

It was unanimously voted that the First Congregational Church in Winchester call Rev. William (Will) McReynolds Burhans to serve as our next Lead Pastor.

Penny said a closing ‘Thank You’ to the Search Committee for their thoughtful, prayerful diligence in this year-long process. She explained that Will would be in Chidley Hall for coffee hour.

There being no further business to come before this meeting, Penny declared the meeting adjourned.

Recording: Clerk, Anne Hoenicke

2-7-2016 Special Congregational Meeting Minutes Budget Vote


Immediately after worship in the sanctuary, on Sunday February 7, 2016, Moderator Penny Sparrow welcomed all and asked people to move forward for the budget meeting. She stated that she had examined the Warrant for the meeting and found that it was properly posted. She declared that there was a quorum present and called the meeting to order. Penny stated there was one article of business to attend to: ARTICLE I: To hear and act upon the budget report and the recommendation of the Leadership

Team that the budget be adopted by the congregation and to appropriate the designated sums of money to be expended by the Church’s Treasurer for the purposes set forth in that budget.

Penny turned the floor over to Treasurer Elizabeth Cooper. Elizabeth encouraged all to get a handout. Elizabeth started by thanking Gay Williams and Sarah Marino in the office for all of the work they do to keep the finances running smoothly. Second, she noted that this year was the best budget committee she had worked with – no one came with a preset agenda. They took one look at the budget that originally, with everyone’s requests included, had over a $57,000 deficit, and just got to work. There was lots of common sense and compromise involved and some issues were laid on the table and resolved that had been hanging over the church finances for years. The committee was extraordinary this year with broad representation and eager participation (not always the case!). I’ve been asked to read their names and the areas they represent. In alphabetical order they are: Bruce Alexander (Leadership Team and Facilities), Judy Arnold (Leadership Team, Ministry Team, Outreach), Mike Bailey (Financial Resources), Will Burhans (Leadership Team and Ministry Team), John Crabtree (Facilities), David DuBard (Financial Resources, Endowment and Leadership Team), Annmarie Galli (Outreach Treasurer), Anne Hoenicke (Leadership Team and Clerk), David Peretti (Deacons), Jena Roy (Financial Resources and Outreach), Michelle Stewart (Faith Formation Kids/Youth), and Christine Tresselt (Personnel). Oh, and she mentioned that she was there too! Those who were not able to attend meetings in person registered their comments by e-mail.

At the core of our assumptions this year is the underlying principle that we’re trying to be realistic about our budget this year while allowing enough flexibility to pursue the work started last year. We all remain optimistic about our future and focused on the church’s purpose. The story here is good. We just have a little more work to do

Elizabeth explained that the packet of material handed out included 1. a sheet that has the 2015 actual operating budget results and the proposed 2016 operating

budget with comparisons of 2015 budget to actual and the change from 2015 budget to 2016 budget,

2. a sheet that has salaries and benefits supporting detail listed, 3. an Endowment and Restricted Funds Planning Sheet that is a summary of major

projects/expenses incurred against our Restricted Accounts last year and a list of projects anticipated for 2016

Starting with the 2015 actual results on the budget sheet, we had quite a year in 2015. When you think about it:

• We had the worst winter on record, • A movie was filmed in our sanctuary



• A new form of worship introduced - Jazz Vespers • We formed and charged a search committee for our lead pastor • We fully implemented the new staff model in September • We said goodbye to our Interim Pastor Marlayna Schmidt in August and hello to our new

Lead Pastor Will Burhans in September.

It was an eventful year in the life of the church. So let’s take a look at what that did to our 2015 budget. At the top of the 2015 actual column is our $29,125 budget deficit result for 2015. This will be covered by the emergency reserve fund, but let’s see how we got there.

2015 Actual Revenues

• Pledges came about $9K under budget, which is not bad for a year end result. Especially since our pledge revenue was short by $30K on December 22nd. A Christmas miracle! And, thank you to all of you.

• Elizabeth noted that rental income was way up due to the $20K from the movie rental. The $20K was offset by about $10,000 in cost we chose to spend to restore our sanctuary floors.

• The rest of the income was pretty much on target. 2015 Actual Expenses

• Starting with the clergy lines, we had a one month overlap when we paid salary and housing for both our Interim Lead Pastor, Marlayna Schmidt and our new Lead Pastor, Will Burhans. We also advanced Will two month’s housing allowance to get him started in Winchester. He’s paying that back over this year.

• The remaining expense lines are pretty typical. Some are overspent, some under. If you have questions about specific line items, we can discuss them.

• Elizabeth wanted to mention in particular the facilities interior maintenance line. It felt like facilities was hemorrhaging money there for a while. There was a failure of a major fire alarm system that cost $4,000 to fix and recurring problems with the elevators. A water heater was replaced in the nursery school area. It was a toughand expensive year for interior maintenance.

• There was an underspend both in outreach ($7K) and in strategic initiatives ($9K).

Elizabeth then turned to the 2016 proposed budget. 2016 Estimated/Budgeted Revenues Revenue projections are very good and you can see from the comparison to 2015 that projected revenue is up by $24,610. 2016 pledges are currently over $500,000 which was Financial Resources’ target. We have slightly more than that pledged now (about $503K), but since we do not always realize our entire pledge amount, we’ll keep it at $501K for the budget. This came from 124 pledging units, one more than last year. The signal is positive. This is the first year we have reversed a steady downward trend in pledge units. The rest of the income budget estimates are pretty standard, the estimated revenue numbers are pretty realistic

Expenses. On the expense side, going down each line: Clergy

• Personnel recommended and the budget committee endorsed a 1.5% increase in staff salaries. These salaries take effect in September 2016.



• The reduction in clergy salary line item amount reflects the decrease in Associate Pastor, Rev Judy Arnold’s, hours. She has chosen to take all of that as a salary decrease while maintaining her housing amount at its current level.

• The increase in the housing line item amount is because Will is taking about 60% of his total compensation in housing. We all know how much it costs to live in Winchester.

Other Personnel Costs • In the other personnel costs, under professional expenses, we have a contractual

obligation to provide Will $2,000 a year in professional expenses and $1,500 in education. Personnel recommended an increase in professional development for the remainder of the ministerial staff equal to 1.5% of staff salaries. This would have amounted to about $4,600 in addition to the $2,000 budgeted last year. In one of the budget committee compromises reached, personnel agreed to delay this request for a year.

• The FICA line reflects the general increases in staff salaries and hours. Worship and Music

• Music salary line reflects the increased hours to 25/week for the Minister of Music, Jane Ring Frank.

• There are some shifts in the music budget from materials to contractors (our summer organist).

• There is a general increase in the Music budget for Jazz Vespers. Jazz Vespers for all of 2015 was funded by Strategic Initiatives. Moving it into the regular budget as part of the music budget engendered a pretty lively discussion about when an activity should be institutionalized. Jazz Vespers itself is continuing to evolve and is still pending evaluation and assessment. This poses the broader question of an evaluation process for new ideas. That issue was unresolved and it will be interesting going forward to see if other strategic initiatives become part of the regular budget.

Faith Formation • In Christian Faith Formation, the increases are due to our Faith Formation Minister of

Children and Youth, Ben Pulaski, moving to full-time hours and opting for medical and pension coverage.

Outreach – Mission & Service • Outreach was a major topic for discussion and we struggled with this one. What’s in the

outreach budget is a total amount of $90,000. It will be up to the outreach ministry to allocate these funds between the UCC’s Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) appropriation and the local appropriation, with guidance from pastors Will and Judy. Last year the Mass Conference of the UCC had suggested a new way of local churches funding their commitment by combining OCWM and dues; last year we weren’t ready for that change but we are ready to take that approach this year – so, you will note that the MAUCC dues line is deleted under business office. We have to note that the outreach portion of the budget is down from 14.2% to 12.7% of the relevant income streams, a decrease from our prior commitment, but close to what was actually spent last year (except for the dues/conference support). We learned from Outreach that in the past few years they have been striving toward greater congregational participation and less toward the check writing/granting making activity.

• We also note that the congregation donated an additional $19,000 in special offerings (Christmas, Easter and Just Peace) which are not shown in the operating budget, all of which were contributed to outside organizations. We too often don’t talk about this generosity and we need to communicate it in the Spire and other places – acknowledge and celebrate it.



• The Outreach reduction was a difficult decision and we spent a great deal of time and consideration on it before coming to this recommendation.

Business Office • Moving down to the business office section, a 10 hour per week bookkeeper position is

included for 2016. The 2015 budget supported a 5 hour per week bookkeeper but the incumbent rarely worked over 2. It is felt that the additional bookkeeper hours will relieve much of the accounting activity done by the Office Manager, freeing her up for other activities, and relieve a portion of the work currently done by the Treasurer. This may aid in recruiting a new Treasurer. The budget committee endorses this position.

Facilities • The next major change is the addition of a 30-hour per week assistant sexton to provide

more responsive facility support, particularly to our renters. This addition is offset by a reduction in hours of our current Sexton, Bradley Ross, to 10 hours from 20, and the elimination of our cleaning contract. The cleaning will be undertaken by the new assistant sexton – he is able to provide cleaning support when it’s needed, rather than the set hours of the contractors. The net change is about a $1,000 increase in expense.

• We also note a large increase in electric costs this year in the facility line. This may have been due to the movie shoot and/or when the sanctuary was lighted and heated for an intense period for ceiling repairs, but we’re not sure these were the causes.

Strategic Initiatives • The Strategic Initiatives line item is reduced to $6,000 comparable to what’s been

actually spent the past two years. In summary the Budget Committee asked the LT to support and endorse a deficit budget, which it did, and now is asking the congregation to support a $16,395 deficit operating budget for 2016. This deficit, like others, will be managed from the Emergency Reserve. The ER is able to support this level of a deficit since a past error has been corrected this year - unused operating funds were transferred in error to a restricted fund and have now been correctly transferred back to the Emergency Reserve. Those of us who struggled with this budget this year feel we are on the threshold of a new and invigorated life for our church. It’s going to take us another year, or maybe even two, to get to where we need to be. The Leadership Team is undertaking a financial study of where we’ve been and where we should be going financially. We’re asking for your patience and support as we get there. Restricted Funds Let’s move on briefly to the restricted funds sheet. Elizabeth reviewed the Endowed and Restricted Funds Planning exhibit. It is the same format as last year. We’ve reported the major categories of what’s been spent from our restricted funds during 2015. And it shows an estimate of anticipated major restricted fund expenses for 2016 for planning purposes.

• The Lead Pastor Search costs and relocation costs are recorded. • The sanctuary ceiling repair is completed and costs are noted. • We need to talk a bit about the Pastor Housing Assistance line. Discussions were held

early on with the search committee about the possible need for housing assistance for our lead pastor moving into a very expensive housing market. The Search Committee and FCCW’s call to Rev Will Burhans had a strong element of wanting our Lead Pastor to live in and be actively engaged in the town of Winchester – ‘outward facing’. A small group was



put together of Bruce Alexander, Mike Bailey, Elizabeth Cooper, David DuBard, Rob Skinner and Penny Sparrow [members of the Leadership Team, Financial Resources, Search Committee and the Treasurer] to work out exactly how to make this housing support happen. Ultimately, we decided to treat it as a diversified asset in our invested funds comparable to the way Skip Waterbury’s mortgage was handled when he started in Winchester. The Burhans were offered, and accepted, a second mortgage as a 30-year adjustable rate mortgage at 3.5% (7-1-ARM). The 3.5% is fixed for seven years and then will follow the Winchester Community Bank schedule for adjustments after that. This approach has the full support of the Leadership Team and the Financial Resources Ministry. The Burhans closed on their house in December 17th, 2015. In hindsight, given what’s happened to the rest of our invested funds due to market swings and the interest rate environment, this may be our most stable investment.

Elizabeth then turned the floor back to the Moderator. Penny asked if there were any questions for discussion. She asked that if you have something to say, please wait for the microphone to be brought to you, so that all can hear. A question was asked about the final exhibit, the Endowment and Restricted Fund Planning sheet. What is the status of the funding for the Organ maintenance or replacement?

• Response: A year ago last spring, the Council on Ministries sanctioned the forming of a committee to look into a fund raising campaign to replace the existing organ. That effort was held off during this past transition year, but the organ is becoming more and more of an urgent issue.

Penny asked for any further discussion. There being none, she called for a vote. It was moved, seconded and unanimously VOTED: That the 2016 proposed Operating Budget, recommended by the Budget Committee and endorsed by the Leadership Team, be adopted by the congregation and that the designated sums of money be appropriated to be expended by the Church’s Treasurer for the purposes set forth in that budget. Penny said we now turn our attention to the proposed expenditures from the Memorial Reserve for costs associated with the pastoral search which Elizabeth addressed in her presentation. She asked for a motion to approve the use of the Memorial Reserve for Lead Pastor search and relocation costs. It was so moved, and seconded. Penny asked for any discussion on the motion. There being none, she asked for a vote. It was unanimously VOTED: to approve the use of the Memorial Reserve for the Lead Pastor search and relocation costs. Penny expressed thanks on behalf of the whole church to Elizabeth Cooper for the many hours and the careful consultation she has engaged in as she has prepared this budget. Penny expressed particular thanks because Elizabeth will be stepping down from the position of Treasurer before this spring’s annual meeting, so this will be the last budget she prepares for us. There was a loud and extended round of applause honoring Elizabeth’s service to the church. There being no further business to come before this special meeting, Penny declared the meeting adjourned.

2-7-2016 Special Congregational Meeting Attachments Budget Vote

Attachment A – Proposed 2016 Operating Budget

Attachment to 2-7-2016 Minutes 6 Attachment A

2-7-2016 Special Congregational Meeting Attachments Budget Vote

Attachment A – Proposed 2016 Operating Budget

Attachment to 2-7-2016 Minutes 7 Attachment A

2-7-2016 Special Congregational Meeting - Budget Vote Attachments to the Minutes

Attachment B – 2016 Salary Detail

Attachment to 2-7-2016 Minutes 8 Attachment B

2-7-2016 Special Congregational Meeting - Budget Vote Attachments to the Minutes

Attachment C – Endowed and Restricted Fund Planning Sheet

Attachment to 2-7-2016 Minutes 9 Attachment C

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