Encounter God 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
About this report
This report is organized in sections that correspond with the broad ministries of our church: Worship, Care & Connect, Grow & Equip, and Go. Each section has ministry highlights from 2019, as well as a look ahead to where God is calling our ministries to Encounter God in 2020.
A detailed financial report from 2019 is available in the annual meeting or by contacting Marilyn Patterson, chief financial officer, [email protected], 713.354.2215.
Our Organization
INTERIM RECTOR Bishop Gary Lillibridge
WORSHIP MINISTRY CONNECT MINISTRY GROW MINISTRY GO MINISTRY Steven Newberry Kim Jameson The Rev. Reagan Cocke The Rev. Greg Buffone
CARE MINISTRY EQUIP MINISTRY OPERATIONS MINISTRY The Rev. Louise Samuelson The Rev. Charlie Holt Suzanne Boué 04 Table of Contents
About this Report...... 2
Encounter God...... 4
St. John the Divine in Action...... 6
SJD Leadership...... 18
05 06 Enclosed in this brochure are the annual reports from our ministries in 2019. Our 2019 theme, “Draw Near” was intro- duced last January, and we enhanced that with a particular focus on “Living Thanks, Giving Thanks” throughout the year. I am very grate- ful to all who made 2019 a very focused and successful year of ministry in so many ways. Thank you, thank you.
I look forward to the coming year and discover- ing what God has in store for us; and what we, in turn, have to offer our Lord in thanksgiving and through faithful discipleship. God always invites people into partnership for spreading the Good News, and what a privilege and sa- cred responsibility it is.
Our 2020 theme is “Encounter God: Truth, Hope, Rest, and Love.” The foundational aspect of this partnership is found in encoun- tering God. As we encounter God as 2020 unfolds, may the eyes of our hearts be enlight- ened so that we know the hope to which God has called us (Ephesians 1:18). And then, may we joyfully respond by offering and present- ing ourselves, our souls and bodies, as living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1 and the Book of Common of Prayer, page 336).
Bishop Gary Lillibridge Interim Rector
07 Worship in 2019
1,159 worship services held
with over 48,000 worshipers
381
parishioners volunteered as acolytes, altar & linen guild members, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, usher 6,383 People guild & associate vestry worshiped together at members, flower guild Holy Week, Easter, and members, & prayer ministers Christmas Services
08 children Children 80 experienced music, & Youth storytelling, and art at 45 Choristers Summer Fine Arts Camp
Began a rebrand of the Contemporary Service 2,185 • Reached out to current people attended Entersect service attendees for their produced events including: thoughts and opinions Christmas on the Boulevard Re-named the service • • Holy Week Messiah concert “The Table” • & church-wide art project The Table seeks to offer a • Draw Near Weekend service to reach our neighbors. Worship Experience It will be true to our Anglican • All Saints’ Evensong roots, contemporary in • 5 Taizé services practice, and offer a relaxed atmosphere to worship God.
THE
Tat STABLE JOHN THE DIVINE the
at STABLE JOHN THE DIVINE Encounterat ST JOHN THE DIVINE God in 2020 • Continue to offer and elevate our many diverse worship experiences. • Offer Mozart Requiem as Concert Prelude to Holy Week. • Offer Contemplative Prayer opportunities: Five Taizé Services and All Saints’ Choral Evensong. • Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Létourneau Pipe Organ in a series of three concerts. • Continue to reach out to our community during the holidays by offering Christmas on the Boulevard. 09 Care & Connect in 2019 St John the Divine thrives on relationships and the Connect Team is happy to help you find your place to in the vibrant life of this church!
80Ambassadors Introduced the welcomed, engaged, and Mourner’s Path connected parishioners & six-week grief process for guestson Sunday mornings and people mourning the loss of a loved one. at special events
2000 meals served while our community CONNECT-ed at Summer Sunday Brunches
over 1,000 people attended Christmas 10 on the Boulevard 61 baptisms
15 tech-savvy youth 68 trained seniors on their adults & youth 27 were confirmed or received tech devices at Senior Tech Workshops
31 Lay Eucharistic Visitors made Prayer in 2019 saw: 500+ visits • 8 Sessions of Second Sundays of Prayer 40 Stephen MInisters made & Care with 250 total participants. 500+ care contacts • 160 people engaging with prayer at the Draw Near Prayer Weekend. to our church family in need Encounter God in 2020 • Promote relationships throughout our SJD community at parish-wide connection events. • Offer a new Discovery dinner and one-day class pathway to membership. • Expand our Ambassador program with recruitment and training opportunities. • Train eight new Stephen Ministers to continue to care for our parishioners. • Develop new processes and strategies to help our parish family connect more deeply with the church and with each other. 11 Grow & Equip in 2019
Life Group Bible launched Studies Thrived
Draw Near leadership 500 participants and church history Disciple’s Way Core classes 350 participants
3 Sumners Series Speakers
ESL Classes grew from
375 kids attended to students Vacation Bible School 75 140 representing 38 countries 125 VBS Volunteers 50 youth, 75 adults
12 25 young professionals attended engaged in a weekly study the men’s 230 and women’s 9 young professionals people retreats taught some of the lessons 290+ Young People are 266 people attended GROW-ing in their faith the Global Leadership Summit 171 children 51 SJD-sponsored 7 Wonderfully Made participants (special needs ministry) local mission partners 18 student leaders 100+ youth
2 Mini-Summits taught over100 valuable leadership lessons from the GLS
people attended the Youth 215 Red Candle Dinner where was raised for people deepened their youth missions 25 $15,000 faith on pilgraimage to Egypt Encounter God in 2020 • The Lenten Life Groups will feature a study by the Rev. Reagan Cocke, Encountering Truth in the Gospel of John. • The Easter Life Groups will follow a study on 1 Peter, and the Fall Life Groups will follow a study on Exodus. • Continue to refine The Core offerings. • Travel in pilgrimage to Oberammergau in August and the Holy Land in November. • Offer opportunities for families to Encounter God together through varied parent and student classes. 13 Go in 2019
Determined the most effective outreach procedures via our outreach committees (local, world, and strategic). Deacon Greg Buffone appointed to lead this effort.
8,000+ Houstonians were helped through
42 youth & adults 3,500+ mobilized on mission trips to St. John the Divine 14 Bolivia, Belize, and Houston volunteers Grants awarded Grants awarded to these 40 local organizations: & agencies helped CAMPUS CRU INNER CITY MINISTRIES Agape Development Ministries outreach/ CHILDREN AND YOUTH The FORGE for Families Arrow Child (Freedom Place) mission agencies Boys & Girls Country MENTAL HEALTH 64 to serve Houston Casa de Esperanza de los Niños Bo’s Place Covenant House Palmer Drug Abuse Program and the world Today’s Harbor re: Mind (DBSA) Vita-Living, Inc. EDUCATION Grants awarded to these 10 Archway Academy OTHER world missions partners: Generation One Rector’s Outreach Fund Nehemiah Neighborhood Center Yellowstone Academy PREGNANCY AND ADOPTION SOUTH ASIA LifeHouse Abba House — Nepal EPISCOPAL SEMINARIES/LEADERSHIP The Source for Women Crossway Ministries — Nepal Seminary of the Southwest Higher Ground Ministries — Nepal Wycliffe Hall PRISON MINISTRIES Bridges to Pakistan — Pakistan Bridges to Life HEALTH His Father’s Heart Ministry SOUTH AMERICA Epiphany Community Health Outreach No More Victims Amistad Mission — Bolivia Services (ECHOS) WorkFaith Connection
CENTRAL AMERICA HOMELESS SENIORS Faith in Practice — Guatemala The Beacon Amazing Place Mexico Medical Missions — Mexico Lord of the Streets (LOTS) New Life School — Guatemala Mission of Yahweh YOUTH CAMPING Open Door Mission Camp Allen Capital Campaign CARIBBEAN SEARCH for the Homeless Camp for All Haiti Education Foundation Yellowstone Scouting Cub Scout Pack 255 HUNGER Young Life Greater Houston AFRICA Christian Community Service Center Sonrise School/The Mustard Seed Kids’ Meals Grants represent SJD’s biblical Project — Rwanda L.I.F.E. Houston tithe – 10% of our annual budget
Grants awarded to 4 Strategic Mission Team Grant: organizations though the English as a Second Language Ministry Special Outreach Fund: Disaster Relief Fund Grant (Harvey): St. Thomas Episcopal Church Global Pastor Grant Seminary Scholarships (4) The Guild Shop Grants: Amazing Place CarePartners (formerly Interfaith) Seminarian Weekend Holly Hall Retirement Community VitaLiving Wednesday Women’s Bible Study Episcopal Church Women: Lord of the Streets Bo’s Place Forge for Families Priest’s Discresionary Funds
Encounter God in 2020 • A working group from the local, world, and strategic outreach committees will continue to determine and refine the most effective outreach procedures. • The Rev. Greg Buffone will continue to offer classes focused on outreach as part of our Teaching Center offerings. 15 Operations in 2019
10,916 Facilities bookings Boilers & Chillers supporting over replaced 1,000 weekly Comfort enhanced for the entire visitors outside our campus thanks to the St. John the Sunday worship. Divine Memorial Endowment Fund
150+ 43,077 services views of sjd.org livestreamed in 2019
Screens in Sumners Hall updated and moved to a more user-friendly location
16 Generosity expanded efforts to a year-round campaign: Living Thanks, Giving Thanks
350+ people 1,192 families gave tithes and attended the Fall offerings to St. John the Divine Celebration Dinner
Sumners Society: Legacy Giving Thank you to those who have remembered St. John the Divine in their estate plan – we honor your legacy as we seek to Change Lives for God in Christ.
Mr & Mrs John Arnoult Mr & Mrs Stewart Baker The Rev & Mrs Laurens Hall Mrs Diane Simpson Mr. & Mrs. David J. Boldra Mr & Mrs J. B. Mallay Mr Charles W Hall Ms Jackie Skeffington Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Breckwoldt Mr Allen Parks, Jr Mr & Mrs Charles Hartwell Mr & Mrs Richard S. Smith Mr & Mrs James Connell The Rev Dr & Mrs Douglas Mrs Joan Hazelhurst Mr. Harvey Smith* Mrs Chaille Hutcheson Richnow Mr & Mrs Charles Herder, II Mr & Mrs Timothy T. Stephens Mr & Mrs Thomas Knudson Mr & Mrs Eugene Shepherd, Sr Mr & Mrs Palmer Hutcheson Mr & Mrs John Sult Mr & Mrs George McDaniel, III Mr & Mrs Keith Short Mr & Mrs Robert Jewell Ms Carlotta Thomas Mr & Mrs Don Miller Mr. & Mrs. Randolph Allen* Mr & Mrs Craig Massey Mr & Mrs James Tyler Mr & Mrs Robert Nelson, Jr Mr & Mrs George Allen, Jr Dr & Mrs Charles McCollum Ms. Brittany Underwood Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Riepe Mr & Mrs Sydney Bailey, Jr Mr Andrew McCullough Mr & Mrs Burton J. Willingham Mr & Mrs William Schwind Mr & Mrs William Caudill Mr & Mrs Kenneth Meyer Mr & Mrs John Wombwell Mr & Mrs Garvin Stryker Mr & Mrs Craig Childers Mr & Mrs Charles Ofner Mr Dickinson Yale, Jr Mrs Shirley Burgher Ms. Sandra Clark Mrs Sarah Parks Dr. & Mrs. Gary Brock Mrs Michele Roberts Mr & Mrs Roddy Cutsinger Mr & Mrs Timothy Peters Ms. Dawn Sabo The Rev & Mrs Reagan Cocke Ms Sue Edmonson Mrs Sara M. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Scott Mrs Paula Douglass Mr Philip Ferguson & Mrs Mr & Mrs Steven A. Raben Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Stone Mr & Mrs William Galtney Katherine O’Neil Dr. & Mrs. Carl Rountree Ms. Nany Synott Mrs Paul Goehrs Mrs Judith Frost Mr & Mrs William Russell, Sr Ms Ann Rogers Mr & Mrs Theodore Gobillot Mr & Mrs Douglas Selman * deceased Ms. Amy Whittington Mr. & Mrs. Albert Grobmyer Mr & Mrs Haag Sherman
Encounter God in 2020 • Launch of two new connection points: the St. John the Divine app where you will be able to follow Bible studies, connect with events, sermons, & your church family. • Move to a new database system to allow members better access to their SJD records and giving information and to help members and staff to better engage with each other. 17 SJD Leadership
Clergy
Bishop Gary Lillibridge, Interim Rector The Rev. Louise Samuelson, Associate Rector The Rev. Reagan W. Cocke, Senior Associate Rector The Rev. Gregory J. Buffone, Deacon The Rev. Charlie Holt, Associate Rector
Vestry
2019 2020 2021 Officers
Melissa Grobmyer Andy Breckwoldt Andy Boyd Michael Young, Treasurer Eileen Hairel, clerk Drew Burgoyne Cheri Fossler Scott Weber, Grant Hall Craig Childers Elizabeth Galtney Chair of Endowment Fund Bill Kinney Chap Hutcheson Larry Lawyer Jim Loftis, Sr. Warden Carolyn Kirklin George McDaniel III Barbara Strobel, Jr. Warden Patty Shepherd Ann Rogers
Associate Vestry
2018 – 2020 Max Buja Dave Jeans Hadley Smith John Rosson, Sr. Warden Travis Chulick Amy Johnson Elizabeth Toedt Jennifer Roberts, Jr. Warden Randy Dolan Ewing King Jerry Boldra Heather Firestone Karina Patman Laura Borda Emily Hodges Bryan Sanchez
2019 – 2021 Carrie Caton Chrissy Lewis Walter Weathers Emily Adams Alan Christensen Jay McMurrey Mary Webber Alistair Barnes Fulton Davenport Matt Phillips Enoch Woodhouse Kathleen Brooks John Davis Anne Ramsey Nick Zdeblick Blake Butler Laura Gilchrist Sosheel Saleem
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