Annual Report-Saint Anne's 2016 2
Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church
2016 Annual Report
Presented Jan. 22, 2017 to the members of Saint Anne’s
An executive summary about the health and vitality of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church faith community. Introduction
The following report is a summary about the current state of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church, located in Sunfish Lake, Minnesota for the fiscal year 2016. The report has been drafted for the members of Saint Anne’s so they may have a summary about the health and vitality of their faith community. All figures are accurate as of Dec. 31, 2016.
Our Vision:
God calls Saint Annians to put down spiritual roots that are nurtured by rich tradition; to offer loving community to all who seek shelter, from infant to elder, from stranger to friend; and to produce fruit in abundance, spreading peace and kindness to the world through bold acts of service and transformative prayer.
Our Mission:
God calls us to be Christ's loving arms in the world, transforming lives through sacred space and bold acts of love, prayer, generosity, dialogue, and justice.
Our Values:
• Include and welcome all.
• Serve our neighbors (primarily those who live within a 15-minute drive of Saint Anne’s.)
• Be a safe, sacred space, open to new ideas, expressions of faith, and spiritual healing.
• Spread the good news of Christ through worship, education, music, activities, and service to our community.
• Take inspiration from the life of Jesus and gently share it with others.
!2 Senior Warden’s Report Submitted by Stephen Dupont
Dear Saint Anne’s,
The state of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church at the time of this writing is excellent. Over the course of the past year, our faith community has continued to transition following two key events: 1.) a major capital campaign which was used to fund significant updates to our building and grounds, and 2.) the resignation of our long-time rector, Lydia Brown, who served Saint Anne’s for 11 years.
In true Saint Annian style, we weathered these transitions with elán. Over the course of the past year, we accomplished the following:
• Paid off the equity line of credit that was used to fund the building and grounds improvements.
• Raised more funds for the building and grounds improvements than were originally pledged.
• Maintained a zero-based budget, while paying down debt and continuing to make improvements to our facility.
• Strengthened our relationship with Spirit of Hope Old Catholic Church, with whom we share our building.
• Attracted new members – and more members – than we lost.
• Experimented and created new opportunities to connect with more people in our community while doing good (Harvest Pack, Sermonpalooza, Blessing of the Bicycles, Kick-Off Christmas Service).
• Examined our reason for being (MAP Process) and re-focused our mission statement, and developed a new logo that expresses who we are today.
• We are in the process of prioritizing our
• faith community’s needs for the next 5 years.
• We relaunched our peace and justice efforts.
• We reached out to other local churches in our neighborhood to start building mutually beneficial relationships.
• We increased not only the quality of our communications, but the frequency.
• We hired our first half-time priest dedicated to youth and families.
• We exceeded our pledge drive goal for 2017.
• We shared many voices of faith through our Voices of Saint Anne’s Blog and by opening up the pulpit to our deep bench of priests, deacons and nuns, and even to our faith community members.
• Conducted an audit of our financial situation, and drafted an investment policy for our endowment fund.
!3 • Launched a monthly Celtic service.
• Identified new streams of income (rental income, band camp, flute camp, art lessons, etc.)
For 2017, I see the following priorities:
• Agreeing, as a faith community, to the key priorities that will guide the development of the faith community for the next five years.
• Selecting a new rector and acclimating our new faith community administrator to our systems and culture.
• Growing our relationship with Spirit of Hope.
• Building relationships with other nearby faith communities.
• Creating events and opportunities to introduce Saint Anne’s to new potential members.
• Identifying and meeting the needs of our local community – such as feeding homeless children attending ISD 197 schools.
• Reaching higher to create the faith community that we dream about, and enrich our members with soul-refreshing worship services, outside speakers, and healing.
• Empowering our members to volunteer their precious time and financial resources to build a community that they’re proud to be a part of, and proud to share with others.
• Continuously improve our building and grounds with which to share with the greater community.
• Developing new streams of income, and building a legacy giving program to ensure Saint Anne’s long-term sustainability.
I sense a new vitality throughout Saint Anne’s and I strongly encourage our 2017 Vestry to continue investing their time and effort in engaging not just our own members, but the local community, to maintain the momentum that we have built together in 2016. We need to continue to empower our members to leverage the spiritual strength of our community as well as our unique campus to serve the local community. That means, inviting new people into our living room, and sharing our faith experience with them.
Here is my message to our entire faith community: It is up to us to write the story about Saint Anne’s. Everyone is needed for this story. Only we can create the kind of faith community that we dream of. We did a lot in 2016 – but we need to be even more assertive in 2017. We cannot rest on our laurels and we certainly cannot return to the way things were. Saint Anne’s must be a faith community of welcome disruption. And to accomplish this – we need our faith community members to step up and help with leading our faith community.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your senior warden. It has been my honor.
Stephen Dupont Senior Warden, 2016 Addendum to the Senior Warden’s Report: Priorities for 2016
!4 Faith community Priorities for 2016
Updated Feb. 18, 2016 and presented to the Vestry at the February 2016 monthly meeting.
1. Refresh/redefine Saint Anne’s Identity ▪ Revisit our mission, vision, values and purpose (our reason for being), and our unique selling proposition (what we offer that’s special and different) ▪ Complete MAP process/present vision for Saint Anne’s to guide planning ▪ What do we advocate for? ▪ Think through our clergy model to attract and retain clergy team members who will help us reach our potential as a faith community
2. Build on our beautiful grounds; be good stewards of our building ▪ Address major “bones” projects: Well, HVAC/furnace, siding ▪ Complete exterior projects (playground, landscaping, walking path) ▪ Beautify our interior: declutter, refresh narthex, bring in new art ▪ Prepare for the remodeling of the kitchen ▪ Incorporate approaches to make our building and grounds more sustainable
3. Define the Saint Anne’s member experience ▪ What does it mean to be a member? ▪ Increase efforts to attract and welcome new members ▪ Invest in advertising
4. Leverage our building and grounds as a tool to serve the community’s needs ▪ Host four Harvest Pack events to feed local hungry kids ▪ Host a holistic health workshop series ▪ Launch dinner church ▪ Conduct special services (blessing of pets, blessing of bikers) ▪ Offer concerts with new organ ▪ Offer a community garden
5. Deepen our spiritual well – strengthen the faith of our members to serve others ▪ Invite our members to express their faith through their creativity and share it with our community ▪ Invite other expressions of faith into our community (Celtic, meditation, yoga) ▪ Seek opportunities to share our faith through our works and good deeds ▪ Bring beautiful design into our worship experience (worship table, art, other objects)
6. Build a more diverse community ▪ Understand how we can build a faith community community that’s more reflective of our local community ▪ Create sacred safe spaces where our members feel confident in sharing their diverse perspectives about faith and spirituality
7. Refine what “partnership” means with Spirit of Hope ▪ Also explore what partnership means with Sunfish Lake and other potential partners ▪ Secure long-term lease with Spirit of Hope/increase contact and dialogue Priest-in-Charge Report Submitted by Fr. Theo Park
Dear Saint Anne's:
!5 I hope you are present at our annual meeting on Sunday, when my sermon will say much more about my perspective on our journey and the past year together. (Look for it online if you can't be with us.) For now, let me say that I think you are an amazing community of people with a history of welcoming those of many different backgrounds, ages, ethnic origins and sexual orientations in addition to being a community engaged in outreach to the poor and the wider community. I am so greatly enjoying being with you again during this interim time. I have the privilege to be here to support you and listen to you, but also to challenge you during this transition time as you move to the next stage of your journey and prepare yourselves to call a new senior clergy partner.
Any interim period can be unsettling as well as life-giving to a congregation. This period has required trusting your leaders (the extremely capable Stephen Dupont and Lisa Falk-Thompson), remaining engaged with one another, and trusting the movement of the Holy Spirit urging you to try new things. You have wonderful leadership and a great staff who are serving you well in this time of transition. Despite the uncertainty and the changes that are inevitable, I have felt this as a very energizing time for this community of faith as you examine your gifts and envision your future.
I want to share with you an excerpt from a narrative called The Parable of the Trapeze by Danaan Parry (http://www.earthstewards.org/ESN-Trapeze.asp). It describes transition times by comparing them to that moment (seemingly endless) when one has let go of one trapeze bar and reaches for the next. To me it sweetly encaptures this in-between time: "It remains that the transition zones in our lives are incredibly rich places. They should be honored... Even savored. With all the pain and fear and feelings of being out of control that can accompany transition, they are still the most alive, growth-filled, passionate, expansive moments of our lives. And so, transformation of fear may have nothing to do with making fear go away but rather giving ourselves permission to hang out in the transition between trapeze bars.” Or as in a quote attributed to Andre Gide: "You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of shore."
So, as we continue this journey together and live into this time in-between, honor this transition and savor it. Let us keep one another in our prayers. Let us keep our hearts and minds open to the workings of the Holy Spirit and let us go forward toward a new horizon trusting that God is at work leading us to be Christ's loving arms in the world...and in this community called Saint Anne's.
Theo+
!6 Priest Associate Report, Youth and Families Submitted by Rev. Jennifer McNally
Dear Saint Annians,
It always feels odd for me to summarize my year in January, when the program year for Sunday mornings running from September to June. The feeling of “January is just the middle” is so ingrained in me. But then again, every month, every week, every day, represents an ending and new beginning of sorts. There is an old saying from the Talmud (ancient Jewish wisdom, literature, and commentary) which asks the question, “When is it the best time to review your life, and then begin again with God?” The answer is “At your last breath.” “How do you know when it will be your last breath?” “Exactly.” If not only every day, but every breath, brings the opportunity to review, reflect, and renew, then January is just one of endless chances. I’m in!
Serving as your Associate Priest, and walking especially with children, youth, and families on their journeys, is one of my greatest honors and joys. There are daily challenges, and daily gifts; daily opportunities for growth and much daily gratitude. Thank you for trusting me with this awesome responsibility and honor. I am continually amazed at the deep spiritual wisdom our children and youth have to offer, and continually challenged by them to live as authentically as they do. And of course, none of it happens alone. I am blessed to team up with some amazing people, who show up regularly with creativity, passion, and love that they so willingly share with the Saint Anne’s community. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to:
My mentor and friend, Father Theo Park; Deacon George Smith; outgoing Office Administrator Bobbie Moraine and incoming Office Administrator Liz Palmer; wardens Stephen Dupont and Lisa Falk- Thompson; and all who partnered with me in 2016 in Sunday Club and Confirmation programs: Hadley Bakker, Lori Bakker, Kate Burgett, Dan Davis, Karen Gott, Lisa Guyer-Rooney, Jeff Hvass, Kate Johnson, Bill Lanoue, Jessica Manivasager, Emilie Rexiesen, Jessica Ricardo, Dan Rooney, Doug Rude, Sandy Rude, Steve Truran, and my right-hand-woman, Carolyn Swiszcz. What a team!
As the new year unfolds, my prayer for the Saint Anne’s community is for us to continue to walk in love with one another, to be slow to judge and quick to assume the best of one another, and to do as Jesus encouraged us to do, in looking to the youth for guidance and wisdom.
And a little child shall lead them...
Blessings and peace, Jennifer+
!7 Treasurer’s Report Submitted by Jeff Hvass
Executive Summary of the Financial Condition of Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church
Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church instituted a zero-based budget system in 2015. A spending budget is built each year from $0 based on the total anticipated donations received through member pledges, as well as rental and other income.
Based on this approach, Saint Anne’s ended fiscal year 2016 with a surplus of more than $9,000 over reported expenses.
In addition, the faith community maintains a number of dedicated accounts for special purposes, such as building and maintenance, endowment, etc. Key dedicated accounts are listed below. Between the Building and Maintenance Fund, the OVS Fund (long-term improvement projects) and the Memorial Fund, Saint Anne’s has more than $36,000 in funds pending for building and grounds improvements.
Overall, Saint Anne’s finances are in excellent condition.
Financial highlights for 2016 include:
• The faith community paid off a line of credit instituted through Bank Cherokee to finance major building and grounds improvements (OVS). The OVS Fund currently has more than $17,000 (a surplus) for future improvements.
• The Finance Committee forwarded for approval by the Vestry a new policy regarding investments within its Endowment Fund.
• The faith community received an unexpected gift of $5,000 from Spirit of Hope Old Catholic Church. These funds will go toward the printing and installation of a new sign at the corner of Hwy. 110 and Charlton Road.
• The faith community received a grant from the Episcopal Church in Minnesota for nearly $10,000 toward food-packing events, and grants for more than $10,000 from the State of Minnesota and Dakota County for the installation of a new well.
• The faith community received monthly rental income from Spirit of Hope Old Catholic church (based on a 5-year lease agreement), and rental income from a band camp, a watercolor artist, a flute instructor, a dance recital, etc.
Key financial risks to consider for the next several years:
1. Individuals/households who are currently large donators to the annual operations of Saint Anne’s, moving away from the area (to retire), need long-term care, or pass away – putting in jeopardy income needed to keep Saint Anne’s healthy financially. The Vestry must continue to grow the faith community to offset losses of members in the years to come.
!8 2. Ongoing building improvements – Our aging building continues to need ongoing repairs and maintenance. Besides large remodeling projects, major maintenance projects include:
• Replacing aging furnaces (8 furnaces that will be replaced individually as needed) • Replacing aging siding • Repairing and painting window frames
3. Reliance on pledged income – Our faith community continues to rely heavily on pledged income from member donations. In the years to come, we must continue to develop additional streams of income to lower the faith community’s risk of relying too heavily on pledged income.
4. Mortgage – The faith community continues to carry a mortgage on the additions it made to the faith community approximately 20 years ago. The current mortgage balance is $108,953.
Bottom Line Financial Highlights for 2016:
For the fiscal year 2016, Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2016:
Budgeted (Jan. 1, 2016) Actual (as of Dec. 31, 2016)
Income $223,048.00 $222,820.15
Expenses $223,048.00 $213,038.59
Net Income/Loss $0 $9,781.56
Note: Income consists of pledged donations, plate contributions, rental fees, and other non- designated contributions.
Key Dedicated Accounts:
Category 2015 2016 Notes Permanent Endowment $33,033 $32,753 Funds invested in stock market. Building/Maintenance Fund $25,514 $13,868 Contributing $100/month to this fund OVS/Capital Improvements $17,617 Organ Fund $60,397 $0 Memorial Fund $6,272 Gifts received through donations from deceased members. These funds are unrestricted. Columbarium $13,850 Funds received for the future purchase of a second outdoor columbarium. !9 Rector Sabbatical Fund $8,000 $8,000 $0 contributions Saint Anne’s Benevolence Fund $878 $1,128 Formerly the rector’s discretionary fund Random Acts of Kindness Fund $0 $165 Funds to purchase meals for individuals or families that need it – determined by the senior/jr. warden Historic View of Key Financial Statistics:
Category 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Annual Budget $241,438 $224,159 $223,048 $239,708 Income, Actual $230,943 $229,470 $222,820 Expenses, Actual $237,609 $214,722 $213,038 Income/Loss $-6,666 $14,748+ $9,781+ Pledges, Total pledges $180,231 $180,767 $191,588 $192,863 $193,557 $195,918 # of pledge households 72 78 70 68 68 67 Avg. pledge/household $2,503 $2,317 $2,737 $2,878 $2,898 $2,924 Total pledges received $181,593 $183,486 $195,610 $203,107 $189,553 Pledge completion rate 102% 103% Plate donations $2,197 $1,587 $2,365 Rental income $21,005 $13,887 $18,872 • Spirit of Hope • Sunfish Lake • AA Red Door Campaign Goal $307,000 (Phase 1) Red Door Campaign $0 $378,261 Pledges Organ Fund (donations) $60,000 Endowment $31,429 $31,081 $32,753
!10 Ten-Year Faith community Statistics
Category 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Members, Individual 213 Members, Households 105 99 110 Average Sunday 88 91 93 90 92 96 94 87 85 89 attendance Eucharists, Sun./Sat. 54 53 61 79 101** 109 128 108 102 91 Eucharists, Weekday 11 22 7 7 8 8 22 7 0 6 Private Eucharists/ 54 54 62 36 43 85 63 40 38 78 Eucharistic Visits Daily Offices, Sunday 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Daily Offices, 56 63 70 67 71 82 71 72 68 70 Weekdays Compline, Healing 8 Services (Celtic Service) Special Services 5 5 5 6 2 3 3 4 1 2 (solstice, house blessings, animal blessings, etc.) Baptisms 1 1 0 5 3 6 5 3 6 3 Confirmed/Received 5 0 4 1 5 0 4 0 2 8 Marriages 3 2 4 2 1 0 3 1 1 1 Burials/Funerals 2 2 5 4 5 6 7 6 3 2 # of children, Sunday 18 25 Club # of children, Summer 37 50 Stretch Website Sessions Facebook Likes/ 315/ Followers 310 # receiving Weekly Announcer
Notes:
*Adjusted the member rolls – determined that a number of members listed in the member directory were no longer members – had moved away, stopped coming regularly, died, etc.
!11 **Went from one service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. to offer two services, one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m.
!12 Faith community Statistics
Membership
New members and contributing affiliates: 14 individuals, 3 households Births to member households: 1 Transfers in: 2 individuals (1 household) Transfers out, inactive: 3 individuals Member deaths: 1 individual Net gain: 12 individual members, 1 household
Births to member households: Hayden Bakker New members: Paul, Nicole, Ben, Isaac, Autumn, Norah Archambeau; Jerry Lopez, Christine Lord, Emiliana Lopez, Iztla Lopez, Tala Jun Kim, Nemi Lopez; Edward and Katherine Colon Transfers in: Joan and Doug Stovall Transfers out: Deb Koob, Michael and Ingrid Benda Member deaths: Shirley Mueller Burial/Funeral service: Nancy Desmond
Passages and Liturgical Rites
Baptism
Shalini Manivasager, March 26, 2016 Hayden Bakker, June 5, 2016 Lilyann Hanuman, June 12, 2016
Confirmation/Reception into the Episcopal Church
Bridget Coonan Carter Henry Aiden McNally Erin Sweeney Sydney Truran Stephen Dupont Beverly Moraine Carolyn Swiszcz
!13 Saint Anne’s Clergy and Staff
The work of the church is done by many people. Some of our members contribute so many hours per week that they are effectively “non-stipendiary” staff members, functioning together as a Shared Ministry team. It is a joy and a privilege to work with this group of talented and dedicated people. A prayer in our service of Compline asks “that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil.” So it is that the operation of our congregation depends on each other’s work. Listed here are those who are effectively our Shared Ministry team:
Saint Anne’s paid part-time staff in 2016:
• Tony Sofie, Director of Music Ministries • The Rev. Jennifer McNally, Priest Assist and Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries • Carolyn Swiszcz, Minister of Communications • Bobbie Moraine, Office Administrator • Ashley Lofgren, Nursery Caregiver • The Rev. Dr. Theo Park, Transitional Priest
Members who in 2016 functioned as non-stipendiary staff, giving 10-20 hours per week:
Finance team who handle daily financial work: • Jeff Hvass, Treasurer • Mary Holland, Bookkeeper • Barb Ogorek, Check-writer • Bobbie Moraine, Assisting Check-writer
Clergy in Residence • The Rev. Bob Furniss, Priest-in-Residence • The Rev. Joanie Delamater, Priest in Residence • The Rev. Kate Hennessy-Keimig, Priest-in-Residence • The Rev. Georgianna Smith, Deacon • Sr. Laurie Niblick, SSG
Contracted Services
• Cleaning Service: KJMs Cleaning, Lourdes Mendez, Owner • Lawn Mowing: Andrew Fuenffinger • Snow Removal: Matt McCarty
!14 Minutes, Annual All-Faith community Meeting, January 2016
Jan. 24, 2016
Present: Fr. Theo Park, Deacon Jennifer McNally, Senior Warden Wayne Ogorek, Junior Warden Stephen Dupont, Treasurer Jeff Holland, various Vestry members, and faith community members representing Saint Anne’s.
Vestry clerk: Minutes filed by Rebekah Dupont on behalf of Vestry Clerk Jessica Ricardo
Meeting called to order at approximately 10:40 a.m.
Items discussed during the meeting:
1. Father Theo leads the faith community in an opening prayer.
2. Sr. Warden Wayne Ogorek called for a vote to accept the minutes from last year’s annual meeting. Minutes approved with a voice vote.
3. Sr. Warden Wayne Ogorek opened meeting by discussing the state of the faith community, which is very good.
4. Treasurer Jeff Holland presented the financial records for fiscal year 2015. Holland was expecting a deficit of approximately $13,000-$15,000 when budgeting for the year. Instead, the faith community ends the year with a surplus of $14,000+.
5. Junior Warden Stephen Dupont presented a summary of the 2016 pledge drive, and summary of the Red Door Campaign.
6. Ogorek presented a summary of the 2016 budget.
7. Dupont presented a summary of current membership statistics.
8. Ogorek responded to most commonly asked questions.
9. Ogorek announced the slate of candidates for the 2017 Vestry, and called for a vote to accept the slate of candidates for next year’s Vestry. The slate of candidates is approved with a voice vote.
10.Fr. Theo commissioned the new Vestry with a prayer. Fr. Theo also commissioned the members of the MAP Committee.
11.Ogorek presented Marilyn Garwood with a lifetime achievement award.
12.The meeting is closed out with the singing of Saint Anne’s Hymn.
Addendum: Finance Committee Report for 2016 Submitted by Jim Delamater !15 1) Financial Auditing -- Financial records are in need of auditing as required by Diocesan Canons. (High Priority)
a. Update 3/10/2016: Review current inventory documents and make additions as needed. b. Updated 4/8/2016: Bobbie M. to re-enter inventory spreadsheets used in the past and update accordingly. c. Updated 6/5/2016: New inventory sheets have been created for each space/room on the property. Now an inventory needs to be coordinated and documented. This will be a 2017 project. d. Updated 12/8/2016: Financial Audit completed 10/26/16 with Christ Church Woodbury and St. Mary’s Church St. Paul. The following recommendations were noted: i. Review of bank statements – When unreconciled bank balances are allowed to roll forward, any later resolution of the issue should be clearly notated with the documentation of the original problem. ii. Review of faith community investments – St. Anne’s should create a written record of any restrictions or provisions regarding the use of its endowment or other dedicated assets. iii.Review of faith community property and equipment – St. Anne’s should continue the process of inventorying property and equipment. In addition, the faith community should consider to update photographic/videographic documentation of property and equipment due to the age of the current documentation and with the changes the faith community’s recent capital campaign has brought about.
2) Endowment Fund Committee- The funds are currently invested in BlackRock Global Allocation Fund – MDLOX)
a. Update 3/10/2016: Kelly Guncheon, Earth Keeper’s representative, spoke to Finance Committee regarding social responsibility vs. fiduciary responsibility on April 11, 2016. b. Update 6/5/2016: The endowment monies invested in the MDLOX will remain in this fund for now. However, going forward an Endowment Committee should be put together and an Investment Policy Statement. c. Update 12/08/2016: Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund Guidelines document has been created was presented to the Vestry for approval at the December Vestry meeting. Due to the technical nature of the document the Vestry members are reviewing the document and will re- address this issue at the January Vestry meeting.
3) Legacy Giving (Low Priority) a. Action Item: Re-establish Committee to promote and communicate Legacy Giving. Jan Needham is possible resource. Materials and generic policy available. i. Update 12/08/2016: Discussion of wills, trusts, end-of-life planning, and legacy giving was presented during the Sunday conversations hour on November 13, 2016.
4) Record Retention Policy (Low Priority) a. Action Item: Develop record retention policy for St. Anne’s. Vestry should review the following Link for recommended records retention policy and see if this is something that can be incorporated into St. Anne’s business procedures. b. Action Item: Ann Lanoue to review current policy and procedure available. i. Update 5/5/2014: Ann has obtained an updated version (2012) of national church policy that could be used for basis of St. Anne’s retention policy. 5) Business Continuity Plan (Low Priority) a. Action Item: Develop Business Continuity Plan for St. Anne’s i. Back-ups for computer information – done daily through software provided by Dan Davis ii. Off-site storage of essential documents 1. Starting with Church registries 2. Maps & plans – off site is backed up computer iii.Fire proof file cabinets – Bobbie Moraine to research 1. Some question as to the fire-proof quality of this file cabinet iv. What to do in case of … v. Update 5/5/2014: Bobbie is putting together a procedure for office back up and recovery. She is also beginning the process scanning all of the records into electronic files. vi.Update 11/30/2014: Ramona Scarpace is another resource for putting together a policy on this issue. !16 6) Office Lease Agreements with Spirit of Hope (High Priority) a. Action Item: Update existing lease agreement and conduct analysis to determine fair share rental payments from SOH. i. Update 4/8/16: One year lease agreement has been accepted by SOH with increase to $1300/mo to take affect 4/1/16.
7) Sunday Counting Group (Low Priority) a. Action Item: Convene Sunday counting group members for training, discuss current issues, and best practices. i. Update 3/10/2016: Currently experiencing about two incorrect Sunday Counting sheets per month. Need to gather all Sunday Money Counters for a training and best practices session. ii. Update 12/08/2016: Mary Holland has conducted training with Sunday counting group members over several Sundays in October and November to discuss procedures and best practices with Sunday collections.
8) Outward & Visible Sign Project bridge loan with Cherokee Bank (Medium Priority) a. Action Item: Need details of what bridge loan will look like – Mary McDougall has been in contact with Cherokee Bank. i. Update 4/8/16: $4000.00 principal payment made 4/1/16. Principal balance on line-of- credit is $38,000.00. ii. Update 6/5/2016: An additional principal payment of $25,000.00 was made and the current balance is $22,000.00. iii.Update 12/08/2016: Principal on OVS Loan has now been fully paid and balance on loan is now at zero.
9) Automatic transfers to St. Anne’s (High Priority) a. Action Item: Develop a procedure to address auto transfers from one year to the next. i. Update 8/9/15: Working to create a checklist of administrative functions that need to be updated at the end of or beginning of each year (i.e.: New signature cards).
10) Dedicated Accounts Description Document (Medium Priority) a. Action Item: Develop a description document for each dedicated account that defines purpose, use, and how funded. i. Update 9/11/15: Sample description document was created and reviewed with Finance Committee. Jon Rexeisen volunteered to create the remaining description documents for the other dedicated accounts.
!17 Addendum: Children and Youth Ministry Report Submitted by Carolyn Swiszcz and Jennifer McNally
Changes to Staff and Lay Service
Jennifer McNally was brought on board as a part-time priest at Saint Anne’s with a focus on youth and family.
Ashley was hired as the new Nursery Director, taking Jackie’s place.
The Sunday Club teachers roster includes: Emilie Rexeisen, Karen Gott, Hadley Bakker, Lori Bakker, Kate Burgett, Lisa Guyer-Rooney, Jeff Hvass, Steve Truran Jessica Manivasager, Jennifer McNally, Carolyn Swiszcz, Jessica Ricardo, Sandy Rude.
High school kids have taken on new leadership roles in worship: Aidan McNally is now a Verger, Sydney Truran, Anna Dupont are now Lectors. Erin Sweeney, Sydney Truran, Bridget Coonan, and Aidan McNally are now Eucharistic Ministers.
Emilie Rexeisen led a Children’s Christmas Choir at the 4:000 Christmas Eve service.
The number of Sunday Club kids has increased to an average Sunday attendance of 18.
Major Events
Confirmation: After a two-year program of meetings and mentorship the following young people were confirmed at Saint Mark’s cathedral in May: Bridget Coonan, Carter Henry, Aidan McNally, Erin Sweeney, Sydney Truran. Anna Dupont chose not to be confirmed but attended the service and has been recognized as an adult in the Saint Anne’s community.
Summer Stretch: This program saw record numbers this year. All in all, Summer Stretch hosted 50 kids during the week: a high school group which headed up north to work at Camp Heartland and spend time at the Rude's cabin, and groups of K-4, 5th & 6th, and 7th & 8th graders who met at Saint Anne's all week. Summer Stretch is centered around the theme Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly; it was a meaningful week of learning and service to others, which also held a lot of laughter, and saw many new friendships. Field trips were taken to: Care Center, Youth Farm, Minneapolis Parks & Rec, Circle of the Beloved, AmeriCorp, and Camp Heartland. All generously hosted our groups. Summer Stretch Leaders were: Carolyn Swiszcz, Ali David, Colleen Watson, Hothan Mohammad, Terri Burnor, Kelsey Soderholm, Mary Truran, Doug Rude, William McNally, Wayne Ogorek,
!18 Jennifer McNally, and all of the Valley Fair parent chaperones, including Saint Anne's own Chris Johnson. Kate Burgett bought many snacks for the group.
We Day: Jennifer McNally and Doug Rude chaperoned 14 teens to We Day at the Xcel Center in St. Paul in September.
Sunday Club Changes
• When our beloved Ingrid Benda moved away, Emilie Rexeisen came on board to help Karen Gott with Gathering Time.
• The first Sunday of each month is now devoted to a service project. So far students have made pillows for homeless youth at Teen Safe Zone, Care Kits, and pet toys for the humane society.
Other Noteworthy Details
• Jennifer McNally made beautiful illustrated Eucharistic prayer books to help children follow along with the service. They are available on the “children’s rug” in the sanctuary.
• Anna Dupont preached about Creation to both services in August.
• The new playground opened and sees a lot of use. The fence was expanded this year and other improvements (a slide and picnic table) are planned.
• Fr. Theo started the custom of having a short children’s sermon as part of the 10:30 sermon.
• New activity bags were created for children to use during the service.
• There was no Christmas Pageant this year. A group of children sang “Silent Night” in a children’s choir at the 4:00 Christmas Eve Service. Two young people also served as lectors for this service: Ramona Webb and Anna Rexeisen.
• Bill Lanoue wrote and directed a well-attended and well-received Epiphany pageant which included singing, acting, and storytelling in a new way. In addition to Bill’s leadership, the pageant’s was supported by Jessica Ricardo, Chris and Kate Johnson, Carolyn Swiszcz, Kate Burgett, Steve Truran, Lisa Guyer-Rooney, Ashley, Tony Sofie, and Jennifer McNally.
!19 Addendum: Adult Education Submitted by Dianne Del Giorno
“Sunday Conversations,” a unique adult education offering, began in the fall of 2013, meeting each week from 9:30 to 10:15 in the Fireside Room. The focus and purpose of this experience is to create conversations that are safe, sacred, heart-opening, and spirit- boosting. Through Sunday Conversations, participants deepen their self-reflection while deepening their connections with others. Within the trusted space that is created each week, participant explore questions, tell stories, share laughter, admit doubts, share pain, find support, and seek meaning.
“Sunday Conversations” (also called “Sacred Conversations” by some) is a free-flowing interaction. No one is sure, in advance, where the Spirit will take the discussion. Participation has varied this year (from two to fourteen), leading us to follow the Sunday Club schedule and take the summer off. Attendance was uneven in the early fall. However, this weekly gathering proved important in the wake of the presidential election in November as many sought a safe place to process shock and grief, as well as to explore hope and transformation. Once again, we were drawn to the power of sharing stories, discovering, disclosing, exchanging, and connecting these at deeper and deeper levels.
“Sunday Conversations” allows for all types of participation or silent presence, if preferred. Some participants are frequent; some, occasional. Some arrive late and some leave early. Anyone is welcome at any time, for all or part of a conversation.
Addendum: Healing Ministry Submitted by Dianne Del Giorno
St. Anne’s has a long history of healing practices and services.
At the 10:30 AM Sunday service each Sunday, healing prayers are offered at a healing station in the back of the church during communion. Individuals, couples, and families are invited to experience laying on of hands and spontaneous prayer. Those who elect this experience often seek help for themselves, for others, or for the world. Additionally, people sometimes come with the intention to express gratitude. Releasing cares and concerns or verbalizing thanks with a healing minister is a valued and powerful spiritual practice in the faith community.
Our Healing Prayer Ministers are Terry Capiz, Dianne Del Giorno, Mary McDougall, Diane Penn, Laurel Stiebler, and Colleen Watson.
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At 7:00 PM on the last Tuesday of every month, St. Anne’s offers a Celtic Service for Healing and Wholeness. Designed in the spring of 2016 and launched in June, this service is a quiet, powerful, intimate, communal experience. In Celtic spirituality, the emphasis is on wholeness. The whole of creation is embraced and celebrated: air, water, light, and earth. The interplay of each person is valued: body, heart, mind, spirit. The intricacy of human !20 relationship is emphasized: to self, to nature, to each other, to God. Likewise, healing is a call to wholeness. God calls us to release what we no longer need, to mend what is broken in relationship, to balance what we tend and carry. In the midst of human busyness, God calls us to holy pauses in which we breathe with awareness, reset our pace, and widen our hearts.
In unique liturgy and prayer, our Celtic Healing Service at St. Anne's invites participants individually to return to wholeness and collectively to celebrate, with deep gladness, the wonders of creation and community on Earth, our beautiful and fragile island home. Our Celtic Healing Service is a contemplative experience where all the natural elements--air, water, light, earth--are integrated. The liturgy includes Celtic chants, music, healing prayers, scripture readings, guided meditation, and Eucharist. In addition, an opportunity for laying on of hands and anointing (asking for yourself or for another) is offered.
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As an educational part of our Healing Ministries, in the spring of 2016, we offered Words of Hope And Healing: Seminar Series on Holistic Health. The five-part series, addressing the interplay of body, mind, and spirit, covered preparing for surgery, dealing with stress (especially caregiver stress), journeying with cancer, the basics of healing touch techniques, and an introduction to healing touch for animals. Talks emphasized the importance of positive language choices and story-sharing as well as the uses and benefits of aromatherapy, guided meditation, and practical experiences with healing touch. Additionally, three members of the faith community, Mary McDougall, The Rev. Jennifer McNally, and Laurel Stiebler, took the level one class this summer in Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry. Dianne Del Giorno, who completed the HTSM basic program in 2005, was present as well.
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Interest in and use of Healing Touch has grown quietly and steadily at St. Anne’s for the past several years. Cathryn Bashore, the Rev. Joanie Delamater, Dianne Del Giorno, and Laurel Stiebler are active healing touch practitioner volunteers at the Episcopal Church Home. They and others have also offered healing touch to St. Annians post-surgery and post- accidents. The use of essential oils and guided imagery CDs, for preparing for surgery and for dealing with caregiver stress have been shared as well. At St. Anne’s, we combine an energy-based approach to health and healing with deep prayer and holy touch, helping recipients release what they no longer need to carry, in body, mind, and spirit. We use our hands, both at rest and in motion, to clear, energize, and balance the energy field. Our goal is to help the body, mind, and spirit move into closer harmony with God; our hope is that through the power of the Spirit, self-healing is promoted on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. As interest in and understanding of this ministry continues, we anticipate that this ministry will expand in 2017.
!21 Addendum: Peace and Justice Submitted by William McNally
From Me to You
The clothing for the Peace and Justice Committee's drive. We collected Fall and Winter men’s and women’s career clothes for the From Me to You program (similar to Dress for Success). Items needed include fall and winter jackets and coats, boots, gloves/mittens and hats, and accessories like jewelry, scarves, men’s ties, shoes and dress socks, purses and briefcases. Lisa Falk-Thompson did great work organizing the events.
Peace Poles
Thanks to Denny Thompson and Fr. Theo for digging the holes and setting the peace poles in their new location! For those who were able to attend, it was spiritually moving to read sacred writings from both Christian and other traditions as the peace poles were re- dedicated.
Angel Tree The Angel tree grows stronger with our donations. Again, we supported our community. The gifts will benefit children at Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Learning in St. Paul. Wayne and Barb delivered all the gifts. (many car loads)
Neighbor’s Inc. The Saint Anne’s faith community was very generous in donated food and cash donations to Neighbors, Inc.
Harvest Pack
Conducted four Harvest Pack events during 2016: February 6, 2016, April 28, 2016, September 22, 2016, and November 19, 2016.
Total meals packed 54,216
We invited local residents to join our community, along with Spirit of Hope Old Catholic Community, to pack these meals. Harvest Pack events are for all ages. Many volunteers joined us from outside our congregation. Harvest Packing was great fun. Joyful music. Lots of laughter. People working together to help others. And we did a lot of good work.
Growth Rachel Babbit facilitated a short session on leadership in advocacy to help us take the next steps into our mission and outreach. In case you missed it, here are the presentation notes from the Adult Forum from Rachel's session at the Adult Forum.
Standing Rock Seminar Conducted a seminar about spirituality and the protest at Standing Rock on Jan. 12, 2017 that drew more than 50 participants. !22