The American Church in Paris
2020 Ministry Reports
Annual Congregational Meeting 11 April 2021
“For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
Tel: +33 1 40 62 05 00 • Fax: +33 1 40 62 05 00 • Web: www.acparis.org • Email [email protected]
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
The American Church in Paris Annual Congregational Meeting Draft Agenda 11 April 2021, 13h00
1. Welcome Marleigh White, Council Moderator
2. Opening Prayer Jodi Fondell, Interim Co-Associate Pastor
3. Establishing a Quorum Kerry Lieury, Council Secretary
4. Call to Order Marleigh White
5. Approval of Draft Agenda Marleigh White
6. Presentation of 2020 Ministry Reports Marleigh White
7. Introduction to Financial Presentation Pam Bohl, Treasurer and Chair Finance, Stewardship and Development
8. Presentation of 2020 Preliminary Financial Results Juliàn Acosta, Vice-Chair Finance, Stewardship, and Development
9. Looking Forward Marleigh White
10. Approval of 2021 Budget Juliàn Acosta
11. Other Business Marleigh White
12. A Word from our Pastor Odette Lockwood-Stewart, Interim Senior Pastor
13. Closing Prayer and Benediction Odette Lockwood-Stewart
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The American Church in Paris 2020 Ministry Reports
Table of Contents Moderator’s Report ...... 4 A Message from AFCU ...... 6 Senior Pastor’s Report ...... 8 Associate Pastor’s Report ...... 10 Youth and Young Adults Pastor Report ...... 12 Director of Children’s Ministry Report ...... 14 Director of Music’s Report ...... 15 The Business Administrator’s Report ...... 16 The Communications Coordinator’s Report ...... 17 Contemporary Music Director’s Report...... 18 Christian Education Committee Report ...... 19 Worship and Music Committee Report ...... 21 Mission Outreach Committee Report ...... 22 Finance, Stewardship & Development Committee (FS&D) Report ...... 24 Human Resources Committee Report ...... 27 Community Life Committee Report ...... 29 Property Committee Report ...... 32 Communications Committee Report ...... 33
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Moderator’s Report 2020
Dear ACP Members, Friends, Brothers and Sisters,
Last year at this time, we were in the middle of the first Covid-19 lockdown; the streets of Paris were empty, as was our church sanctuary. Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for God’s provision and protection of our church during this pandemic time. With God’s help, and the leadership and hard work of our Pastors, ACP staff, lay leaders on Council, and a tremendous number of you who have volunteered in a myriad of ways, ACP weathered storms of change and transition. We prioritized the safety and welfare of our members and employees and reached out to bring Christ’s love and care to those in our congregation and community particularly affected by illness, isolation and grief. And we devised new methods and means to allow our Congregation to continue to worship God, connect, learn and grow together.
But this has not just been a year of “weathering storms.” It has also been a year of critical transition in the life of our church. Following Pastor Scott’s July departure after 12 years at ACP, we were tremendously blessed to welcome Pastor Odette as our Interim Senior Pastor. In her transitional role, Pastor Odette has steered ACP through some rough waters. She has journeyed with us through the challenges of the pandemic; and lent her expertise and patience in assisting lay leadership to understand and address the important and sometimes complex tasks of this interim period. With her guidance we have engaged in a year of measured evaluation and discernment, reviewing procedures, processes, organizational structure, staffing needs and issues, and even our governing documents, with the goal of making us more current and effective. Naturally this shed light on some challenges and even weaknesses. But ultimately, all of this this led to the implementation of necessary changes and issue resolution through collaborative and creative means. ACP is becoming healthier, stronger and ready for the arrival of our next Senior Pastor.
This process began with our Council retreat, we had a brain-storming session focusing on the goals and priorities of this transition and pandemic year, and the ways in which each different Council Committee could specifically address them. Following creative cross-committee discussions dealing with transitional year issues, Council decided upon the following goals: To equip our congregation with hope in Jesus Christ for the plans God has for our future; to care and minister to those in and beyond ACP who are hurting and vulnerable; to provide multiple ways for connecting with each other and with those outside of ACP; and to get our organizational and missional house in order for a healthy transition to a new Senior Pastor.
I urge all of you to review the Council Committee Annual Reports to see the many ways they have implemented these goals. These reports reflect thousands of hours of Committee Members’ volunteer work. Our Council Program Committees (Community Life, Worship, Christian Education, MOC) worked to support our in-person worship services, as well as providing numerous opportunities for virtual connection. And they instituted ways to care for those who were isolated, grieving, homeless or hungry.
Meanwhile, our Council Administrative Committees (Finance/Stewardship, Property, Communications, and HR) have been heroically engaged in managing our financial health as well as the complexity of staffing and labor laws, GDPR laws, and maintaining our church property --- all significantly impacted by the uncertainties and income loss due to Covid.
Through this interim review process, it became clear that ACP’s future as a relevant church depended on obtaining improved sound and light and live-streaming equipment. I am thrilled to say that through the determination of a team of eleven people, we made significant progress toward a new era of Audio Visual Ministry! Miraculously, we are acquiring audio-visual and sound equipment, and improving internet connectivity, and will be live-streaming services for our growing online audience very soon!
In addition, the Council mandated Welcome and Inclusion Task force (WIT), which is made up of several ACP members, Council representatives and Pastor Odette, guided the entire Council through deeply spiritual conversations related to ACP’s mission and the issues of welcome and inclusivity. Council reflected on how, by following the example of Christ, we could eliminate all potential barriers to those who
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might wish to join our ACP community. We look forward to sharing those discussions with you soon. Council also has recognized the need for greater knowledge and understanding of systemic racism, and how that might be part of the work we need to do together at ACP. Earlier this year, Pastors Doug and Jodi introduced us to some excellent Thurber speakers on these subjects, and later this spring Executive Committee has committed that Council, our lay leadership, staff and congregation will participate in spiritually based diversity and racial equality training.
Finally, a word about Worship this year. I would like to thank to the pastoral staff, worship leaders and musicians who make up ACP’s Worship Team for their hard work and ingenuity in immediately pivoting to online worship at the beginning of the first confinement, and continuing to provide us with lovely opportunities to worship in our homes thereafter. This continued with Pastor Odette, when she marshalled the help of new volunteers, some with professional level videography skills, and led the Worship Team to build on our prior services with new, creative worship ideas specifically oriented to online visual and worship experiences. Our online worship is now truly expert and professional, with gorgeous, visually arresting moments, and inspiring music. The Worship Team also added a more modern in-person 2:00 service, equally as beautiful and respectful of Sunday Covid limitations.
On behalf of the entire Council, I want to express our gratitude to Pastor Odette for her wise, calm and inspired leadership in the midst of these challenging times, and her generous collaboration with Council in our interim work. And I want to thank all the servant leaders serving on Council, as well as ACP’s pastoral, worship and administrative staff. Each and every one of them have given sacrificially and generously of their time, expertise, creativity and wisdom during this interim pandemic year, and we are so lucky to be blessed by their efforts.
This year has prepared us for or a new season in the life of ACP and a new Senior Pastor this coming fall. Thanks be to God for all that we have accomplished this year, and for His continued protection and love throughout this in-between time.
Blessings in Christ,
Marleigh White – Council Moderator
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A Message from AFCU
American & Foreign Christian Union 2885 Sanford Avenue SW #29934 Grandville, MI 49418
March 2021
Greetings from the American & Foreign Christian Union.
My letter this year will be quite different from those in the past due to the continuing impact of the COVID- 19 Pandemic. Most of us have not been able to travel and we’ve held all of our AFCU Board and Committee meetings by ZOOM since April 2020. Our next AFCU Board Meeting will again be held virtually on April 16- 17. Our members have also been very active with ACP leadership virtually this past year. We are thankful for this technology as it allows us to visually interact with AFCU members and our European church leaders.
We are so pleased that Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart was selected to fill the interim position this past year. We thank Pastor Odette and Jim for their flexibility, resilience, and persistence in navigating the difficult process of obtaining their visas and for Odette’s leadership these past 8 months.
The AFCU Sr. Pastor Search Committee, led by Don Eppert, has been especially active again this year and has now submitted two great candidates for the permanent Sr. Pastor’s position. We look forward to learning which candidate is ultimately selected by the ACP.
As you know, the AFCU works together with the ACP to provide sustainable ministry as well as helping to properly maintain God’s house. You, as members of the congregation, share your faith by spreading the Gospel, by your warm hospitality, by reaching out to those in need in the community and beyond, and by your financial support. May God continue to bless your work.
Every year, fellow members of the AFCU participate in “Thank-a-Thon” calls to thank the “Friends” who contribute to the ACP. It is always a blessing to hear stories from former ACP members and visitors who now live in the U. S. and other countries outside of France who still support the ACP with their prayers and financial contributions! In all cases, the ACP touched them to the extent that they remain faithful to you! During 2020, AFCU Board Members and Friends contributed over $250,000 to support the ACP. All gifts designated for the ACP are used directly to support the ministries of the ACP.
The AFCU is much more than a 501 c (3) conduit for tax deductible contributions. Members of the AFCU contribute countless hours in support of the ACP and other member churches, keep you in their prayers, and provide substantial financial support.
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The year 2021 promises to be another year of change for the ACP as Pastor Odette completes her interim assignment and a new Senior Pastor joins the ACP this summer. The AFCU Board and Associates thank Pastor Odette for her strong leadership. We wish God’s richest blessings to Pastor Odette and Jim as they prepare for their transition back to the U.S. later this year.
The members of the American and Foreign Christion Union commend you for your faithful dedication to serving Christ and being a “Beacon on the Seine”. We are pleased to partner with you in this endeavor and commit ourselves to this common mission.
We invite those of you who eventually return to the U.S. to join us as a partner with the AFCU to continue to support the ACP.
May God’s Grace and Peace be with you always.
In Christ,
Ted Ziemann President, AFCU
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Senior Pastor’s Report 2020
Welcome, everyone, to the love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Welcome as greeting and verb is just the beginning. Every person who gathers for worship, to work, study, create, serve, and do justice is a part of something bigger than the American Church in Paris. We are an emerging church, a diverse community where faith is nurtured, and lives are changed as we change the church and the world by God’s grace.
Dear ACP Members and Friends,
In January 2020, after five months with search committees from both the American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU) and the American Church in Paris, I was invited to serve as your Interim Senior Pastor. It is a privilege and a joy to serve with you as we witness to the love of God in Christ in this extraordinary moment in history. For surely, I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jer. 29:11
Interim Ministry at the American Church in Paris Interim ministry is a time for both blessed assurance and for risk for Gospel’s sake. Interim ministry is a time to grieve and celebrate and look forward, a time to clarify and align with mission, a time to address critical issues as we care, equip, assess, and create space for the healthiest foundation and freedom for our new Senior Pastor to build a team and lead guided by the Holy Spirit in the Way of Jesus. In March 2020, I gave a Thurber Lecture on A Theology of Letting Go. We could not have imagined the depth of grief and letting go required of everyone in the year that followed! Prayerfully, I selected A Future with Hope from Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8: 24-25 for ACP’s Worship and Program Theme for 2020-2021. This theme has been lived out beautifully in worship, preaching, educational offerings for all ages, in Council, as well as every partnership and ministry area. Your willingness to turn to God’s future with hope, and to do the hard work to serve God’s future with humility and grace has been inspiring. Grief at beloved Pastor Scott Herr’s departure in late July after twelve years of fruitful ministry deepened when ACP could not gather in person to say farewell to the Herr family. Grief at Covid illness, loss, and death, multiple confinements, global movements against racism and fear, and perpetual re- imagining and re-equipping for ministry required much of ACP’s pastors and staff as well as members of the congregation. In church, city, and our many nations there is a temptation to narrow vision and compassion in times of grief and change. This church has not succumbed to that temptation but instead has committed to follow Jesus in the wideness of God’s mercy.
Worship The heart of ministry is worship. To glorify God and create caring community through worship and devotion at ACP is both duty and delight. Last March, Interim Co-Associate Pastors Jodi and Doug Fondell stepped up and learned to film, edit, and produce worship, all new skill sets for them! Associate Pastor Victor Greene and Intern Grant Mongin generated podcasts and other media-based ministries for youth, young adults and the whole congregation. Director of Children’s Ministries Allison Wheeler brought Children’s Worship and online support for families to new and exceptional levels. When I arrived and relief was requested, God blessed us with a gifted volunteer with a love for ACP and gifts in television production, Marta Hobbs, who continues to advance ACP’s worship online, live-streaming, and team development. Another longtime gifted ACP leader, Teteh Atikpo, has advised and overseen technical improvements that will make ACP live-streaming stable and sustainable. 8
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It is a delight to serve and conspire with Fred Gramann. Fred excels as auteur, editor, and producer of our online worship services alongside Marta, bringing each service to new beauty and power. Natalie Raynal is incubating new contemporary worship models for ACP’s next season of ministry. In the ever- changing landscape of protocols Charlie Gay and Anna Dai build ushering teams and lead our health and safety protocols with grace along with Jörg Kaldewey, and ACP’s Re-Gathering Task Force. Don Farnan, Pam Bohl, and I have worked to move forward ACP’s Audio-Visual Ministries with a dedicated team including: Teteh; Marta; Natalie Raynal; Fred Gramann; Phil Swanson; Daniel Grout; Mark Primmer; Jane Kendall; Andrea Richard; and John Newman.
Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord,… -Jeremiah 29:12 Leadership Through the challenges and changes I have been blessed in prayer and partnership with ACP’s Moderator Marleigh White. Marleigh has led with wisdom and compassion. Program ministries have flourished on Zoom while less visible administrative teams addressed challenges to keep programs, missions and ministries supported in the midst of the Covid. I am extremely grateful for faithful leaders with whom I work on a daily basis… Council, Executive Committee, Finance, Stewardship and Development, Nominating, The Property Development Committee, the Audio-Visual Ministry, Human Resources, Communications, Re-Gathering Task Force, Welcome and Inclusion Task Force, and ACP’s wonderful Staff. During this interim, I have worked with Church Council to address issues in order to build Christian community in which everyone can flourish. We have engaged and moved forward: 1) a restorative process of listening and learning; 2) development of welcome and inclusion as practice; 3) diversity, inclusion, equity training to learn about and address systemic racism as our witness to the Gospel. Associate Pastor Victor Greene will be leaving ACP after his three-year contract is completed on 30 June. This year we were unable to have a seminary intern or a visiting pastor from the U.S. Kate Snipes, a member of ACP and student at Wesley Theological Seminary, began a two-year internship at ACP.
This Moment The Kingdom of God is “already” and “not yet.” We pray and wait. We pray and await word on when it will be both wise and safe to return to worship in the sanctuary. We will launch live stream tests in April. We pray and await word on the results of our Senior Pastor Search Committee and our Associate Pastor for Youth/Young Adult Ministries Search Committee. ACP’s new Senior Pastor will give input into the Associate Pastor search.
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. -Jeremiah 29:7
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with you for this most extraordinary year. May God’s grace continue to sustain and invigorate the life of the American Church in Paris not for its own sake but for the sake of the Gospel, and for the welfare of the city of Paris.
In Christ,
Odette Lockwood-Stewart Interim Senior Pastor
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Associate Pastor’s Report 2020
Dear members and friends of the ACP,
About a year ago, we were tasked with writing the annual report for 2019, just a few weeks after we arrived in Paris to begin our two year interim with ACP as co-associate pastors. In looking back over that report, the final paragraph really stood out to us: We need to be willing to continue to learn, open to all that God wants to show us, especially during this season of change and transition. Together we can learn to listen to how God is moving in our midst, asking us to try something new, to change, to remain flexible, to be more and more attuned to the work in the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church. In looking back over 2019, we feel excited about all that 2020 holds for us. Little did we know how much we would need to be willing to continue to learn, grow, change, and be attuned to the work of the Spirit in 2020.
2020 was a year of change, loss, disappointment, and disruption. We abruptly ceased in person worship in mid-March and the cancellation of so many treasured gatherings at ACP quickly followed. At the time we could hardly grasp that we'd be walking through Holy Week and celebrating Easter fully online and in strict confinement, unable to gather and fellowship in the manner that we had always known, let alone grasp that a year later many of the same restrictions would still be in place. But in the midst of the rising global pandemic, we found a way to continue to be the church in completely new and different ways.
The first confinement was marked by a flurry of online content as the pastors and staff sought new ways to connect. Lay Care members organized a phone call effort, seeking to make at least one connection with every member of ACP. For us, as this new reality unfolded, one of the more memorable moments was in recalling when we bought our computers for this job. The clerk asked us if we did much with video and our answer then was, “hardly ever.” How that has changed! We quickly learned how to use iMovie and Zoom became a household word and tool. You are muted, what's the link, and I can't hear you have taken a prominent place in our vernacular! And while none of the technology replaces the longing for actually gathering, it has truly been a gift to see the ways that relationships have grown and been strengthened through the online gatherings that have ensued.
The summer was a time of transition as we bid a warm and online farewell to Pastor Scott Herr and his wife Kim. The pandemic quashed all of our dreams of festively thanking them and sending them off to their new call and home, but we were grateful for the ways each group who wanted to thank them had a chance to do so and be filmed for the broader community to eventually enjoy. We were deeply thankful for the effort of many to be able to live-stream Scott's last service at ACP.
One of the gifts of discovering remote connections has been the reality that people far and wide have been able to connect or reconnect with ACP. This has been a great gift in the midst of this trying time and challenges us to consider the ways we can continue to allow this to happen even when gathering becomes more normalized. We've been delighted by how many times we've heard people say that they have gotten to know people through our zoom gatherings that they otherwise would likely never have met or had cause to interact with. Yes, in the midst of the hardship, the gifts have been many.
Different as 2020 was, there are still notable things to lift up. The Wednesday evening adult education initiative has been well-received. Journeying together while studying the Minor Prophets in the spring/summer months, and the Enneagram through the autumn proved stimulating and meaningful. We started the new year by walking through the Sermon on the Mount and moved through Lent seeking to connect the parables of Jesus to our daily lives. Digital connections have meant we've been able to continue
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an excellent Thurber Conversation program. We watched Just Mercy followed by a discussion in the summer. We welcomed (virtually) Dr. Soong Chan Rah, Dr. Greg Garrett, Dr. Salim Munayer, Dr. Steed Davidson, Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Kathleen Dameron and Dr. Rod Wilson to ACP to help us wrestle with significant theological matters. We are grateful for the fine leadership of Elizabeth Eposi and Caroline Cuozzi along with all of the members of the Christian Education committee who provide a robust and thoughtful educational program for so many people.
Community Life quite possibly experienced the greatest shifts as no in house events were possible. How we miss gathering for food and fellowship! Under the dedicated leadership of Kay Enchill and Kym Stewart, Community Life still managed to hand out home baked cookies on Christmas eve and host our first ever online Christmas party! During a year where everything has been different, these leaders have been flexible, creative, and steadfast. See the Christian Education and Community Life reports for more information on their activities.
In addition to these educational opportunities, we've been involved in training and equipping the Lay Care team to continue their vital and excellent ministry under the fine direction of Marie Grout, welcoming new members to ACP, co-hosting the radio show, supporting men's and women's ministries, and participating in the worship life of our community, seeking to connect with the African and Filipino fellowships. We are grateful to be on the pastoral team at ACP during this extraordinary time and deeply appreciate all of our colleagues who work so hard to keep ACP vital. We look forward to a time when we can see more of you face to face and continue to build upon the strong tradition of fellowship and learning that have been a hallmark of ACP.
Bloom Where You Are Planted went all digital this year as well and it turned out to be far more successful than we could've imagined. Michael Bahati and Lisa Anselmo partnered with us to ensure that we were able to offer something even when gathering physically became impossible. Diane Ficarelli continues to work tirelessly on the Bloom book. Turns out there's a pretty good audience of people dreaming of living in France who are not yet physically here. It has given us much food for thought regarding the most effective way to make the most of the Bloom opportunity.
I suppose our words from last year's annual report hold true for this year too: We need to be willing to continue to learn, open to all that God wants to show us, especially during this season of change and transition. Together we can learn to listen to how God is moving in our midst, asking us to try something new, to change, to remain flexible, to be more and more attuned to the work in the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church. In looking back over 2020, we feel excited about all that 2021 holds for us.
Grateful to be sharing the journey with you.
In Christ,
Pastors Jodi and Doug Fondell Interim Co-Associate pastors
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Youth and Young Adults Pastor Report 2020
Maybe one word. “Covid” was a reality, the scaffolding for all we could and couldn’t do. But this isn’t the word. “Loss” is a strong candidate. Our numbers have dipped. Zoom isn’t optimal for community building. Yet we have a steady core and steady leaders. But more significantly, we lost people. People died. Three fathers of Young Adults died. One Young Adult experienced the year anniversary of their father dying. One of our own Young Adults died. We mourned and honored them alongside the others — those dead-by- COVID, reduced to statistics on a graph, showing us the results of the world we made. Because we made this world. Because we make decisions that don’t have to be. We talked about that too. Decisions. And why … “Change” is also a contender but it is too misleading. To be sure, we were incredibly flexible when Macron said what he said. We locked down and immediately created a YAYA Podcast, a modified Tuesday Night and Sunday ZOOM format, and a separate YA Thursday Night Bible Study on Mark’s Gospel. We made care packages for the Youth Group. We said goodbye to Youth and Young Adults who were moving away. We learned something. Many somethings. Yes, I think “Epiphany” is better. We revealed and witnessed what was revealed: in our world, in our ministries, in our church, and in ourselves.
In the Springtime … we stood in solidarity for Black Lives Matter during a global uprise and the Church decision for “reconciliation” as a yearly theme. We protested in France and took that protest to the Pulpit honoring Black Lives Matter and Juneteenth. Privately and outside of programming, we grieved in private chat groups and spontaneous meet-ups with others in Paris. We learned what is happening elsewhere is happening here in France, in Paris, and in our church. We shared our stories together and resources on Social Media. We held space for questions, told our own stories about how we feel, and how God is at work in the world despite what is being shown. In this spirit, we held an annual series called God + Me. Young Adults shared their testimonies: a story where they experienced and encountered God. We heard about the complications of mixed ethnicities and races around marriage; the toxic language and violence done by the Church around sex and intimacy; being an expat and a Christian at a French workplace; looking for rainbows in times of grief; sexual assault; the power of deep friendships and community; how to move on without closure; finding love in messy families. We probed Mark’s Gospel, engaged with Mark’s urgency, Mark’s brevity, Mark’s mystery. We dealt with demonic possession as a multi-layered subject made manifest in the cosmos and through people: faces, institutions, and those in positions of authority and power. We let Mark open our imagination to the importance for asking why something is missing in biblical interpretation, why Jesus really is contending against evil “in this world,” and why the Christological question still matters: who is Jesus?
We laughed as much as we could.
In the Autumn … we started a house-church small group model via a livestream and ZOOM combination. We called it Ekklesia (called out ones) and focused on Acts 1-3. YA Leaders hosted 5 people, providing food and leading discussions. We made an intro-music-video. One for Youth and another for Young Adults. We revamped our Welcome and Inclusion Statement for YA. The Youth held 2 Amazing Race gatherings before we went online and the YA Pastor added a weekly 2 Minute video devotional format on the Instagram. We learned the news that Jakaela Davis would not be coming to be our intern. We lamented what could have been together. We held one wedding, off site — Nadia — and danced the night away before the lockdown in October. We held one memorial on a Tuesday Night — Monika — and grieved the loss of our dearest friend. We cried together and lit candles in her honor. We had violin and Psalms and the YA Pastor read her God + Me for the first and last time. We learned the news about the ACP Executive Board decision to not renew the YAYA pastor contract. We asked a lot of questions. We talked about Bonhoeffer’s “God against God,”
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distorted forms of relationality, and systemic and institutional racism. We held a worship night. We joined Sojourners, an anti-racist group here in Paris for its Election Day event. We welcomed 12 new Young Adults as ACP Members. We witnessed 1 YA become baptized.
We laughed as much as we could.
In the Winter … we held an Advent Series hosted by Young Adults for the YA and Youth programs. We learned about hope as the possibilities of new worlds, the importance of peace-work, the necessity to choose joy, and how God’s love for us searches for us like lost sheep. We sent personalised Christmas cards — made by Youth Leaders — to ACP Youth and complete with Candy Canes (some got returned). We attended the Longest Night Service and had a separate longest night video by the YA Pastor about the Bethlehem Star: the way heaven will turn the tide. We said goodbye to YA who returned to the United States. In January, we gave the Social Media Accounts over to the YAYA Leaders. We began a series called Theology on the Ground. We’ve grounded our work in the idea that theology is not elitist, theology is a practice of prayer, risky, and that God is still speaking to and through the Church. We’ve used Theology on the Ground to help develop better tools of interrogation, interpretation, and improvisation for our Christian confession and our Christian practice. To talk about who we are, from where we come, why we speak the way we do. To probe the decisions the Church made and keeps on making. To talk about God and God’s love. To ask a lot of questions for why we keep on “loving against love.” In the Future, April - June … we hope, rather optimistically, to plan a mini YA retreat as a follow up to Theology on the Ground. Additionally, we hope to host another worship night, a spring God + Me series, a possible brunch soireé to integrate the Youth and Young Adults, and potentially a guest speaker: Dr. Christena Cleveland.
And we will laugh as much as we can.
Now … I can say finally, I am most proud of our YAYA flexibility, creativity, support, trust in each other, openness to new voices, and refusal to stay the same during COVID. The Epiphany is this their insistence : to love, to change, to ask questions, to contend for justice, to stand in their truths, to not be fooled by “counterfeit gods”, to tell their own stories, to believe in the future of the Catholic Church, to risk speaking on behalf of God, to mess up, to walk in the messiness, to courage into uncomfortable places with their theology, and to not surrender to the seduction of numbness, mediocrity, denial, fear and or hopelessness in a time of COVID. Their insistence is evident in their interpretative postures — the way they go about leading, their understanding and witness to and as church community, their readings of biblical passages, and current local and global contexts. In the end, their insistence is to commit and put into practice Jesus' command: to be known by how we love one another.
With Love,
Pastor Victor Andre Greene
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Director of Children’s Ministry Report 2020
As of March 2020, Children’s Ministries at ACP have been exclusively online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While we miss being together, prioritizing the safety of children and their families has been the right decision. By remaining steady with this format through the varying periods of confinements, openings, and re-confinements, we have been able to provide much needed consistency for kids and families whose entire lives have been turned upside down. This has also allowed for forward momentum as myself and the CW volunteer team adjust and hone the skills that this new format requires (they did not teach lighting design, stop motion animation or video editing in seminary, but I sure wish they would have!).
Based on parental and collegial feedback, we shifted from providing separate content catered to different ages to a single 20-30 minute weekly video for all ages. These videos typically include at least one child and several adult volunteers participating via video submission. Our viewership has, on average, remained consistent with our Children’s Worship in-person attendance at the 11h service. We have even been able to garner a small but appreciative audience from other parts of the world well beyond Paris.
We have continued offering a monthly virtual Kids’ Bible Study for children seven and older. Our topic this year has been the Lord’s Prayer, and we have increased attendance from when we held live sessions.
As we look toward that hopefully not-so-distant day when it is safe to regather on a large scale, considerations are already being made as to what Children’s Worship might look like going forward. There is opportunity to reconsider priorities and practice to make this ministry even more reflective of the love of God and the values and mission of the ACP. For example, we are already considering what changes can be made to make Children’s Worship safer. We are also looking toward sustainability. How can we better care for volunteers, as well as kids and families?
Finally, as we consider what life for kids and families might look like at ACP when are back together again, we know that we will not be able to pretend that the last year did not happen. There will need to be opportunities to process the collective trauma that we have all experienced. And we will need to give plenty of space and plenty of grace to kids and to their parents to reorient themselves to what it means to be in an up-close kind of community.
This ministry would not be possible without the village of people who work for the benefit of the children of ACP. This includes Pastors Jodi and Doug Fondell, the entire ACP staff, and Elizabeth Eposi and Caroline Cuozzi, whose advice and encouragement have been indispensable. This of course includes our volunteers, whose love and faith continue to be such a blessing to the families of our church, especially in these greatly challenging times.
Respectfully submitted,
Allison Wheeler
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Director of Music’s Report 2020
It continues to be a privilege to serve The American Church in Paris as I arrive at my 45th anniversary on June 1st as Director of Music. The combination of excellent music facilities, strong staff support, a congregation eager to be blessed by excellent music and a sanctuary of immense beauty truly inspire me in my ministry.
From January through mid-March my work involved directing three music ensembles, being organist for worship services and weddings, organizing the Atelier Concert Series, and overseeing the Youth Choir program and Ensemble Lumina. Of course, in mid-March everything changed. While I continued to work full time, my focus shifted from directing ensembles, to learning new computer skills for our virtual services. The silver lining is that what I have learned over the past year will allow me to be of greater service at such time as the music ministry is no longer stifled by Covid-19 restrictions.
Amidst the process of seeing my weekly routine of four decades evaporate, my ministry headed in a new direction out of necessity. No longer did I simply prepare music for worship. It now had to also be videotaped for our virtual worship. I personally invested in an iPhone 11 to enhance my first attempts at recording and editing videos on iMovie. Wanting to advance, I personally purchased a MacBook Pro and was graciously mentored by Jodie and Doug Fondell, our in-house experts at the time.
• I produced weekly music videos for the virtual services which have included organ music, hymns, responses, vocal and instrumental solos, and handbell offerings. I also provided live traditional music as soon as sanctuary services were again possible.
• I learned how to edit an entire worship service, performing this task on occasion, allowing for a back-up plan for Marta Hobbs when needed.
• I produced two video series for the ACP community at large: “The Accidental Docent” and “Monday Musings with the Maestro.”
• I produced two special videos for ACP: “A Musical Meditation for All Saints Day” which was a 27- minute video, and “An Advent Adventure” which was a one-hour video.
• On occasion I assisted the pastoral team in recording their worship videos.
• I have continued to compose special music for worship and write special hymn lyrics in support of the worship themes set forth by the pastoral team.
• I designed and realized the sanctuary and altar decorations for Advent and Lent.
• As we were unable to have the yearly maintenance visit for the organ, I have done my best to keep the organ in tune and good working order, all the while missing the expertise that a specialist from the Beckerath Company brings. Hopefully, the yearly visits will begin again in 2021.
My goals for 2021 are to restart our choral program and Sunday concerts once it is safe to do so. There is reason to hope this might be possible in September. I also look forward to welcoming and working with the new Senior Pastor and Youth Pastor.
I am eternally grateful for the support I have received from Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart, our Interim Senior pastor. I feel particularly blessed for all the support she has lavished on my ministry, and I look forward to being her colleague during the coming months.
In Christ, Fred Gramann 15
The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
The Business Administrator’s Report 2020
Major Events in 2020 which affected ACP staff and operations:
1/ The Coronavirus pandemic which cause a total confinement mid-March to mid-May, resulting in the closing of ACP, the schools, church services, gym and other activities.
2/ A second confinement in November, 2020 - but the schools were allowed to remain open and church services which had initially been shut down were allowed once again. No other
Activities or classes have been allowed since end of October.
3/ And between these two momentous events came the departure of Senior Pastor Scott Herr and family and the arrival of Interim Senior Pastor, Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart.
A notable effort was made by the Re-gathering Task Force and those administrative staff members responsible for developing and implementing new Covid-19 sanitary protocols for staff, residents and outside groups, including the schools. This included designating which entrance was to be used by the schools & outside visitors (main entrance), while the Jean-Nicot door became the entrance & exit door for residents & staff alike, thus limiting any cross contact between the schools and ACP staff. The creation and implementation of the plexiglass panels in the Reception area contributed to this same traffic control. Signs were created and posted throughout the building, occupancy of rooms re-evaluated according to activity, hand-gel distributors were installed throughout the building and new protocols and seating guidelines were established for church services. Sanitary protocols are now attached to rental contracts and must be signed by all outside groups using ACP space.
In light of these events, the administrative staff has continued to maintain a relatively smooth running of the ship. Rental revenue dropped drastically, down 31% from the previous year, as all classes, meetings, gym activities have been closed for most of the year. Thankfully, the schools have remained open, ensuring a solid base for rental revenue.
We worked to compensate this lost income by reducing overhead costs. A few examples:
- Most of the staff was placed on the government-backed program, “chômage partiel”, which saved ACP 65,000 €uros in salaries,
- We negotiated down building cleaning costs, saving 16,000 €uros
- Our natural gas and electricity contracts were re-negotiated and the lower rates combined with a lower consumption of utilities due to less activity resulted in a savings of 27,000 €uros.
ACP’s Building superintendent for more than 25 years, Tom Padden, retired at the end of the year and we hired Laurent Renoit to replace him. So far, it’s been a smooth and effective transition.
As we look ahead to more transitions during the coming months (Senior Pastor and Youth and Young Adult pastor) we hope and pray that we are moving away from the Coronavirus pandemic and that by summer we will be able to welcome cultural and sports activities back onto our premises, as well as live wedding ceremonies.
We have a super team in place and I only pray that each staff member continues to be as motivated and appreciative of working at the American Church in Paris as I am!
Respectfully submitted, Andrea Richard
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
The Communications Coordinator’s Report 2020
The role of the Communications Coordinator is to present the American Church in Paris to its members, friends, and visitors in a way that welcomes further participation and fosters growth in its ministries, missions, and activities. My job is to make you and others better aware of the many wonderful things happening at the ACP – worship services, music performances and learning times, Sunday school classes, Bible studies, missions, care giving, fellowship activities, retreats, lectures, … – so that you can find your places for spiritual growth.
A large part of the Communication Coordinator's job is acting as a collection point done with great help from Heather Walter (Executive Secretary) and Alison Benney (previous Spire Editor and current ACP Today radio manager) for information about ACP’s activities and events and making sure that information is reflected clearly and accurately in the appropriate media: Sunday bulletins, website, weekly email messages (eblasts), mobile app, Spire magazine, ACP Today radio show, Facebook, and ministry brochures. I meet with the pastors and music directors weekly to discuss the calendar of activities and events and to set ACP’s communications priorities.
This year, my main focus has been adding and adapting ACP's electronic communications – its worship presentation (Vimeo and YouTube), registration and group/event communications (Church Planning Center), and donation (Donorbox) platforms – to the combined virtual and in-person ACP community interactions required by and made possible by Covid restrictions.
Respectfully submitted,
John Newman
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Contemporary Music Director’s Report 2020
2020 was unlike any year we’ve known, and as such, we’ve explored many new ways of working as a worship team to provide worship for the congregation. In strict confinement early in the year, the worship team met by Zoom regularly and we were blessed to have John Arndt of the Brilliance produce many pieces with our team for on-line worship. We recorded new arrangements of old pieces, pieces newly composed by the team and pieces by the Brilliance, with the composer at the piano.
When confinement ended, we began leading worship in a combined service with Fred and the musicians of the traditional service. It was an incredible joy to watch our teams explore and enjoy other styles of worship from our rich community. Working with Fred to shape a cohesive service was a real privilege. I was awed by his ability to pick up motifs from pieces we had done and improvise on the spot on organ and bells to bring a magical flow to the whole experience.
I think we learned that there’s much more to explore in combined services that can be a blessing to the community. During this season we continued recording pieces with Josiah Woodson producing and added Sanctuary sessions, a weekly piece filmed and produced by Marta Hobbs in our sanctuary and offered on the church website every Wednesday. Marta not having been able to return to France, we have experimented with different ways of filming material for these sessions.
We attempted to relaunch a full, separate contemporary worship service with a new liturgy on 1 November but were prevented from implementing it due to further COVID restrictions.
The liturgy included weekly testimonies and a more constant musical background behind all of the service elements.
The next season included a morning combined service, online combined service and leading an hour-long “open doors” service at 2pm. This open door service has a very free-flowing format, largely music with silence and prayers, led by myself and the preaching pastor. While small in attendance this has proven a really powerful place for exploring a less structured and more spontaneous flow in worship and has many people have expressed that it’s been meaningful to them.
As the church looks ahead to streaming the traditional service, I’d like the contemporary worship team to offer an online presence through artistic worship pieces that can both draw people to in-person worship, invite participation in our community and explore the themes of each season, all inspired by the beauty of our city and the diversity of our community. I’m working with Marta to develop a strategy to produce them. There is much re-building to do, but I think the last year has provided rich opportunities to experiment in ways we might never have done under easier circumstances.
This year I’ve seen us make significant progress towards a sound system overhaul ten years in the making. I’m optimistic that its implementation will be wonderful tool welcoming back a full crowd at 2pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Raynal
Contemporary Music Director
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Christian Education Committee Report 2020
Chair: Elizabeth Eposi Vice-Chair: Caroline Cuozzi
Pastoral Liaison: Jodi & Doug Fondell, Co-Interim Associate Pastors Additional Committee Members: Children’s Ministry Director – Rev. Allison Wheeler Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries – Victor Greene Alpha – Lisa Prevett Men's Bible Study – Christopher Kramme ACP Library – Nathaniel Akujuobi Women's Bible Study – Teri Lee Valluy
Mission Statement: The mission of the Christian Education Committee is to show the love of Jesus by inviting, equipping and learning.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT, APRIL 2021
2020-2021 HIGHLIGHTS: The American Church in Paris is blessed by a wide and rich variety of Christian Education initiatives and to the ACP community and beyond to visitors and the city of Paris. We would like to thank the more than 100 volunteers who freely offer their time, abilities and knowledge to make all these programs, events and activities possible. The commitment and love shown by volunteers enable our church to have such a wide range of opportunities for growth and formation such as:
Children’s Ministry, Children’s Worship, Young Adults Group, Collège Lycée Youth Group, Thurber Lectures, Community Groups, Alpha Course, Women’s group, and Men’s Group.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: The Children’s Ministry, led by Pastor Allison Wheeler, has been extremely active. The Children’s Bible Study worked on the Lord’s Prayer and Children’s Worship is still offered weekly and has good participation from volunteers, children, and families. “Threaded Together”, a family fellowship of small groups started in the Fall. Allison has recently started a “Lenten Family Prayer Chain” where families are invited to pray for each child by name, daily. They are trying to proceed with Vacation Bible School with the hope to meet in person next August.
THURBER LECTURES: ACP offered a wide variety of lectures: viewing and discussion of the movie “Just Mercy”; Dr. Soong-Chan Rah; Dr. Greg Garnett; Salim Munayer, live from Bethlehem, Peace and Reconciliation in Palestine/Israel; Dr. Steed Davidson, Letters of Hope and Contention: Reading the Letters of Jeremiah 29; Kathleen Dameron, From Racial Literacy to Racial Healing; Lola Akinmade Akerström, The Power of Asking Why Not: Unlocking unconscious bias in the church.
COMMUNITY GROUPS: Community Groups includes a variety of Bible studies, fellowships, service and small groups. These groups create a space where members can get to know one another and Jesus deeply. Throughout the period of Covid restrictions, many who live far away from ACP and have not often been able to participate in ACP activities during the week have been very happy to be able to participate in these activities via Zoom.
Wednesday evening Bible Studies, led by Pastors Doug and Jodi have been very successful. The Enneagram 12-week program attracted about 45 people per week. Starting in January, the new topic was
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The Sermon on the Mount. In mid-February for Lent, the theme has been based on the Sunday Worship theme, Bridging Worlds, and is called Bridging the Gaps.
There is also a study called, Discipleship Encounter: In His Steps to nurture the faith development of new Christians, which is led by Pastors Jodi, Doug, Odette, and Jim; and two lay leaders.
Sunday Afternoon Bible Studies: led by Patti Lafage and Nathaniel Akujobi, studied Philippians during the Fall and started John in January.
ALPHA is an introduction to the Christian Faith. The first Alpha Online was completed on 25 June 2020. The Weekend Away took place via Zoom and was a great success. A second Alpha Online and a new Alpha Campus (students aged 18+) were launched on 1 October 2020. It was great that the pastors offered an 8- week discipleship course during January and February, where Alpha Guests could continue their spiritual journey. The most recent Alpha Online was launched on 22 February 2021, after the leaders had spent about 6 weeks in prayer to seek God’s guidance on how to go forward.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY: has met monthly with women from the ACP speaking on topics close to their hearts.
WOMEN’S MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY: “Focus on Forgiveness”, which was led by Teri Lee Valluy, was the theme until June 2020. This Bible study was offered once a month simultaneously with a Children’s Bible Study. In April and May, because of Covid restrictions, lessons were sent by email, then in June, the last session was held via Zoom. Starting in October, the group began studying women of the Old Testament. Their next subject will be women in parables.
MEN’S MINISTRY: led by Chris Kramme, has continued meeting via Zoom with regular attendance around 20. They were also able to hold outdoor petanque gatherings! Their Bible study follows the common lectionary and during Lent will focus on the parables. Based on a survey conducted over the summer, they plan to continue offering fellowship opportunities in addition to their weekly gatherings and adding service projects in the church. They are also planning to do a painting project at the church and hopefully have a retreat in 2021.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Eposi and Caroline Cuozzi
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Worship and Music Committee Report 2020
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “ Matthew 5:16
January - June 2020 July 2020- Present Chair: Delia Esteban Chair: Charlie Gay Vice Chair: Charlie Gay Vice Chair: Anna Dai Pastoral Liaison: Pastor Scott Herr Pastoral Liaison: Pastor Odette Lockwood-Stewart
Usher and Greeter Team Leaders: Pascal Berger, Anna Dai, Denise Dampierre, Delia Esteban, Daphne Elfferich, Tawa Mosaku, Christopher Wobo
The coronavirus pandemic severely affected the work of the Worship and Music Committee just as it did every other ministry at the American Church in Paris in 2020-2021. Our task of welcoming worshipers to services came with brand-new rules in the Coronavirus Era. When the church closed for services in March 2020 as the pandemic began, the committee waited in the wings wondering when parishioners would be back together in worship. Then as the first lockdown ended in mid-May, the committee worked at the request of the ACP Task Force on Regathering to secure ushers to staff live services that would start up again on June 28. A single service with reduced capacity would replace the normal three services. We used a database of 70 people on the ACP “Welcome Team” to solicit volunteers to usher. Fourteen people responded who were comfortable returning to live services. That wasn’t enough to meet our goal. Because of special coronavirus protocols, including a registration table and ushering each worshiper to a socially distanced seat in the sanctuary, we needed six ushers for each service instead of the normal four. And our hope for their own worship lives was to avoid having volunteers usher more than once a month, so we sought 24 ushers. We did not reach that number, but we were able to staff services all summer with several people pulling “double duty.” The old 11h00 service had always had teams that each took one service a month. We desired to return to that system in the fall, but the pandemic had blown up the former teams, so we had to solicit more volunteers to form four six-person teams. We made pleas through several channels including at live services and on-line, and by the end of August had 24 volunteers for the teams. Our next task was to form four teams for the restart of contemporary services. Because those services had historically had lower attendance, we aimed for five-person teams. With the help of some non-member students seeking volunteer hours, we filled those teams. The teams were all set to go starting November 1, but the second lockdown closed the church again. They began service when live worship began again on December 6 and have been serving ever since. We found 20 ushers to staff three live Christmas services and 22 to serve at 2021 Easter services. The Worship and Music Committee and ACP leadership are overjoyed that 44 volunteers have stepped forward to usher during the Coronavirus Era. All have been trained in coronavirus protocols by trainer Jörg Kaldewey. It is amazing to us that literally 1 out of 4 people in the pews on Sundays has served as an usher in these challenging times, compared to 1 in 15 during “normal” times.
Respectfully submitted by Charlie Gay, Chair, and Anna Dai, Vice Chair
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The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Mission Outreach Committee Report 2020
Pastoral Liaison: Victor Greene Vice-Chair: Daniel Tostado Chair: Tom Wilscam
Active committee members and lay leaders of the 2020 missions and ministries: Ashley Hafer, Anna Cobbinah, Nathaniel Akujuobi, Jeff Waters, Carolyn Bouazouni, Barima Osei, Amy Dahmen, Jonathan Schmutz, Joe Schlie, Ruth Eldridge, Henry Luzolo Lua Ntima, Pascale Deforge, Peter DeWit, Chris Mann, Brook Fisher, Pascale Deforge, Fabiola La Rocca, Ursula Perrier, Jurie Ane Feleo, Eliane Kakpo, Jonathan Reid, Daniel Grout, Colombe Akiwacu, Patti Lafage, Jean Taquet, Patti Turquet, Catalina Wang, Kristie Worrel, Kim Powell, George McDees.
Overview – 2020 was a challenging year for the MOC missions, yet most of our missions continued to provide services in spite of the Covid pandemic and 2 lockdowns in Paris. In January, new missions such as Hope for Uganda, the Jordan Foundation, Petit Dej Solidaires, Réseau des exilés en France, and the Renaissance Union Biblical Seminary, were all created by ACP members in Paris and abroad. Most of our existing missions (remaining listed below), survived the difficult year with the exception of those missions that required face to face interaction with their beneficiaries, such as the Welcome Dinner Project, Marche Noel, The Computer Drive project, and the Legal Immigration Clinic.
Similar to the year prior, many of the 2020 missions still rolled out programs focused on the humanitarian needs in Paris by helping a larger number of marginalized individuals and refugees in the streets in 2020. In spite of the pandemic and borders closed for most of the months throughout the year, the refugee crisis continued in France, and the homeless problem became worse. Many of the MOC missions and their committees still focused their attention on this challenge.
Before Covid, the Refugee Ministry was able to hold regular scheduled meetings at the church to coordinate activities between missions. Halfway through the year, this ministry lost its leadership and since then, it’s also been very difficult to find new leadership to run this ministry. In spite of this challenge, the MOC held quarterly MOC conference calls with many of the missions, and many joined forces to help the homeless and refugees in and around Paris. Legal aid continued with members from ACP. Job training took place during 2 months of the year under the TIEO program. Food was provided for over 400 refugees and homeless per week, with the help of the ACP Sandwich Ministry, Petit Dej and Serve the City. Most recently, the 100 night shelter program continued a much needed service in Paris, … providing shelter to refugees and homeless.
Due to the pandemic, ACP was forced to close the gym where refugees slept the two years prior. Daniel Tostado and his wife Lisa Tostado found a solution to keep the program going. A hostel in the 75010 of Paris called The Generator hostel was able to provide rooms for 14 refugees at 11 euros per night. ACP stepped forward to help pay for over half the cost, while the remaining amount came from donations (many from ACP members). Other NGO’s and MOC Missions helped feed the refugees, and at least 5 of the refugees started coming to the ACP in 2020 when service was available. Other members of ACP donated sleeping bags, tents and other necessities for surviving through the winter months.
Here are other updates about the ACP missions that took place in 2020. In September, Alison Benney became the new Lay Leader for ‘SOS Help’, and this great mission for providing phone support to the marginalized is now back with ACP for 2021. Daniel Grout became the new Lay Leader for Love in a Box, and Jean Tacquet became the new Lay Leader for the Foyer de Grenelle. Carolyn Bouazouni and Patti Turquet ran the Prison Ministry all throughout 2020 and their mission has been growing stronger and stronger every month. Due to health reasons, Patti Lafage has been forced to work with Rafiki Village remotely (with the help of Nathaniel Akujuobi). Brook Fisher supported her mission “Hope for Uganda” remotely, and Pascale LaForge continued to support her mission, traveling back and forth from India in spite of the pandemic. 22
The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports
Below is the list of local and international missions and ministries we supported in 2020. For further information about each of them, please see their description on the ACP website. Many of the lay leaders have also written stories about their missions in the 2020/2021 Spire newsletter, and videos about several MOC missions created for Lent this year, can also be found on the ACP Website.
ACP LOCAL MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES IN 2020
Foyer de Grenelle Sandwich Ministry Serve the City Paris The 100 night Shelter Program Program TIEO (Work for Refugees) The Welcome Dinner Ministry The Prison Ministry Réseau des Exilés en France The Refugee Ministry Kabubu Petit Dej Solidaires JRS France Agapé Street The DK-Bell Company
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS & MISSIONARIES SUPPORTED IN 2020
The Living Truth Foundation Renaissance Union Biblical Seminary Hope for Uganda Rafiki Village Deep Griha
This ACP MOC 2020 overview is submitted on behalf of the many MOC committee members and volunteers. For Daniel Tostado and I, our roles as Chair and Vice Chair of the MOC for the last 3 years, will come to an end in June of 2021. It has been an honor working with the ACP and serving MOC Missions. We have tremendous gratitude to the Lay Leaders and volunteers from ACP who gave their hearts throughout 2020 (and the last 3 years), who offered their spiritual, physical and material support, and praise God for the continued support from the ACP and its congregation.
In Christ we follow,
Tom Wilscam March 2021
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Finance, Stewardship & Development Committee (FS&D) Report 2020
Chair: Pam Bohl Vice Chair: Julián Acosta Pastoral Liaison: Odette Lockwood-Stewart Committee Members: Finance and Development – Kay Bentsi-Enchill, Don Farnan, Neil Gibson, Hady El Haddad, Eliane Kakpo, Christopher Kramme, Robert J Oliver, Sue Orsoni, Mark Primmer, Kym Stewart, and staff liaisons Andrea Richard and Arnaud Vandamme Stewardship/Generosity Team – Don Farnan (lead), Kay Bentsi-Enchill, Neil Gibson, Ashley Hafer, Neil Hafer, Christopher Kramme, Sue Orsoni, Kate Snipes, Kym Stewart and Tom Wilscam
To say that 2020 was a different year than any of us expected is a huge understatement. While we were prepared for the departure of the senior and associate pastors and blessed with amazing interim pastors for both positions, nobody expected to have to completely re-think the ACP financial plans for the year. We entered the initial Covid-19 confinement period having no idea the virus would so significantly impact the world for the remainder of 2020 and well into 2021. For ACP the two most significant financial impacts were on our rental revenues and wedding blessings. The budget we approved at the last congregational meeting anticipated reductions from 2019 levels of €167k and €290k, respectively in these revenue streams. While rental revenues finished in line with budget, wedding blessings were down by over €400k!
The council adopted the theme of “A Future with Hope” in September, following from Jeremiah 29:11 – “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Along those lines two of the key goals of the FS&D Committee helped us to weather the storm so far. The first goal was to continue to be good stewards of our resources and the second was to seek the generosity of the congregation for those who were able to continue giving throughout this difficult year. Thanks to wonderful show of love and generosity from our congregation, AFCU donors and new online donors, total giving was €105k greater than budget and €42k more than 2019!
As a committee, FS&D interacts with almost all committees of the church to further the ACP mission and in 2020 we were even more closely involved to help in controlling costs while providing funding for a constantly changing set of needs. We are thankful for our longstanding team as well as new committee members: Neil Gibson, Christopher Kramme, Kate Snipes, Kym Stewart and Pastor Odette, who have each brought new skills and perspectives to the team. Also, Julián, now the Vice-Chair, took on a significantly increased role, taking charge of the 2021 budget exercise, with excellent input and coaching from Don Farnan.
Cost savings initiatives
With lots of teamwork Andrea, Arnaud, the HR Committee and the FS&D Committee, we managed to take advantage of the French government’s program for chômage partiel, which covered part of the monthly salary for staff on reduced work schedules. The ACP supplemented this to keep the employees whole, one of the initial principles of our approach to Covid, which we’ve been able to maintain.
Certain expenses were reduced because the building was not open but we’ve also revisited some of our utilities and service contracts and negotiated significant savings, thanks to Andrea, Arnaud, Julián, and Jörg Kaldewey, the ACP Wedding Coordinator. We will continue to reevaluate costs in these and other areas to increase savings. Savings on ours mission and ministries of human outreach feel like less of an accomplishment. Even though our pastors and music staff have successfully made so many programs virtual over the year, we long to greet people in person, shake hands, hug, sing and serve one another meals and communion again. We sincerely hope that many of those programs can resume very soon in 2021.
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Giving and Cash Flow Initiatives
We were blessed with increased giving from old and new friends of the ACP through our online platform throughout the year. Many friends and family of our members enjoyed our online services and group studies supported those ministries. Thanks to Lucy Jamin the Hafers who spearheaded our thank you note program! We’re also incredibly appreciative that the AFCU continues to fund the senior pastor compensation package as well as taxes and insurance on our beautiful facility. These gifts were vitally important in 2020. However, as wedding blessing revenues completely stopped, rental revenues continued to lag, and we were significantly behind on congregational giving we needed a real push for the 2020 Generosity campaign. Thanks to the great work of Pastors Jodi and Doug, Don Farnan, Kym Stewart and son Zia, Chris Kramme, and other members of Council we hosted a well-received “Gratizoom” meeting to both catch the congregation up on our financial situation and launch the 2020 Generosity campaign. This online meeting, followed by a timely matching campaign backed by two key donors in December, brought us over the hump and we finished strong with over €235k in donations in the last two months of 2020. The showing of generosity was an amazing and necessary blessing to finish out a trying year. In spite of somewhat daunting revenue declines from other streams, 2020 giving levels from all sources and careful cost controls allowed us to finish 2020 with a lower than budgeted preliminary loss of -€167k.
Other boosts from a cash flow perspective were the ability to defer a significant portion of our French payroll “social charges” into 2021 and a French government-guaranteed loan we obtained through our bank (thank you Arnaud and Chris). While these funds give us some temporary breathing room, they must eventually be repaid, plus interest for the loan. We also have to keep in mind that borrowed money does not increase our reserve funds. Our general reserve is now well below the recommended level of three months of operating expenses. This pandemic year brings that need very clearly to light. We are thankful for support from members and friends, as well as the French government in dealing with this crisis.
Moving into 2021
Neil Gibson and Kate Snipes are working with others on the Generosity Team to improve the ways we engage with donors from our congregation, alumni/AFCU and new online donors to express our appreciation and keep them informed of new giving needs and opportunities. Also, Neil G. and Chris are working with Pam and others to move forward on enhancing our planned giving efforts. Don is leading the multiple streams for the Audio Visual Ministry (formerly Sound and Light), which now includes vital components for live streaming and outreach. Arnaud is working with Solsequia Finance, the new financial auditors approved at the June 2020 congregational meeting. Pastor Odette continues to work with Jörg, Julián and others to reduce the impact of travel restrictions by expanding the local wedding blessing ministry with vow renewal and other creative wedding ideas. Check out the website or contact [email protected] for details!
Julián, with input from pastors, committee chairs, Andrea, and Don Farnan, has received Council approval for the 2021 budget after presenting several iterations based on the ever-changing government announcements for Covid regulations and assistance. As in every year, we have building issues on the horizon for which we don’t yet have a clear cost estimate. This year those uncertainties are related to repairs/replacements for the heating and alarm systems. While there are surely concerns for how the year plays out we continue to have a “future with (much) hope” in what God is doing through the ACP and the love and generosity of our congregation, our wonderful alumni at the AFCU and friends from across the globe.
The FS&D Committee thanks you for your trust and support and looks forward to continued service to our beloved ACP. Respectfully submitted, Julián and Pam
Financial Plans for 2019-2023 (update)
While 2020 was different than any of us planned, we believe it is all the more important to continue to focus on the Goals and Action Plans from the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan. Below is a reminder of the goals and strategic pillars of that plan and our current status.
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Goal – Develop a deeper sense of Generosity (Stewardship) within the ACP Community Strategic Pillars addressed by this goal – Discipleship, Mission, Worship Action plan 1. Financial Generosity - Develop and execute a year-round program – A strong work-in-progress, thanks to many shining examples in our growing community of faith 2. Explore every opportunity to build financial giving to a sustainable level – Continued progress in an exceptional year 3. Connect our missions/ministries and mission to the funding needed – To refocus in 2021 as more of our in-person programs can resume 4. Update the system of volunteers to increase connections – Work still needed as volunteerism was more challenging with our facilities not fully open
Goal - Improve our facilities Strategic Pillars addressed by this Goal – Worship, Mission, Administration Action plan (working with the Property and other Committees) 1. Invest sufficiently annually to maintain minimum fire code/regulatory compliance – Progress continues but, after almost 100 years in this beautiful facility, we are sure to face new challenges 2. Invest sufficiently to support the mission of ACP and its mission and ministries – Continued progress. Closures and limited sanctuary seating accentuate the need to improve audio visual quality and implement live streaming for our expanding on-line following. 3. Pursue development opportunities which enable the mission of the Church for the next 5, 10, 50 years – Current works keep in mind the hope of a more extensive Property Development project - see below 4. Explore the Property Development project (Didi Pei and Vincent Cortes) to increase number of classrooms/space to improve sustainability of facilities – While progress was limited during this Covid year we continue to fine-tune the project and consider feasibility issues and funding options 5. Prioritize elements of the five-year property plan and work with FS&D committee regarding financing, funding sources, capital plan – Audio Visual Ministry project advanced with refinement of needs and exploration of new funding sources 6. Maintain five-year property outlook and expand to 10 year. Maintained, but not yet advanced beyond 5 years 7. Regularly reassess contractors that maintain the facility – Important progress on utilities and cleaning contracts but this requires constant reflection and reassessment
Goal Secure Financial Resources Strategic Pillars addressed by this Goal – Administration Action plan 1. Develop and Maintain a five-year finance plan to support the ministries/missions of the Church – Not updated from Strategic Plan – Currently under reassessment as we understand the “new normal” post Covid restrictions 2. Define reserve levels necessary and communicate to the Congregation – We continue to believe that we must have an adequate general reserve to cover three months of expenses and 2020 has taken us far below that level 3. Communicate more frequently on church finances to congregation – Done via Budget, thermometers, bulletin inserts although we can still improve on the frequency and delivery of this information 4. Deliver monthly financial information sufficient to enable key decisions – Thermometers, more to be done to make available for congregation 5. Improve mobile/online giving (credit card, app, etc.) – On-line giving, electronic baskets and more widespread use of bank virement over checks have been very important to our 2020 giving 6. Reassess key contracts regularly (e.g. cleaning, maintenance of boilers, etc.) – Continued progress and must be an ongoing effort 7. Perform a ground up cost assessment – Not forgotten but another area where we need to understand the “new normal” 8. Develop longer term sources of giving such as Charitable remainder trusts, Minimum Required Distributions, etc. and communicate – Currently reassessing goals and French structures, more to do in 2021 9. Implement the endowment fund – Finalization expected in 2021 in conjunction with 8 above 10. Determine timing/appetite for capital campaign, and other financial resource – Deferred to 2021 11. Explore income diversification (assess rates on rental and weddings, explore Bloom opportunities) – Good progress made on internal assessments but need to understand demand under the “new normal” so more to do in 2021 12. Develop and deepen alumni relationships – Alumni coordinator identified locally and an AFCU coordinator for ACP alums recently named. More progress to come in 2021
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Human Resources Committee Report 2020
Chair: Pascal Berger Vice Chair: Avril Lee Pastoral Liaison: Odette Lockwood-Stewart
Committee Members At the beginning of 2020 the HR Committee consisted of 6 members: Pascal Berger (Chair), Avril Lee (Vice Chair), Daniel Grout, Valentina Lana and Lela Losq. In September Neil Hafer joined the HR committee. In addition, the Senior Pastor and Moderator are members ex officio.
2020 activities The mission of the HR Committee is to support all church activities on HR related matters, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations, managing staff transitions and recruitments, and creating a safe work environment where our staff can thrive.
In 2020 a large part of the work carried out by the HR committee was dedicated to managing the COVID19 Pandemic situation, and its impact on the church operations and personnel. Most of the ACP pastoral and administrative staff was placed on leave during the first confinement period, while the church building was closed. Our employees were eligible to financial aides that were put in place by the French government to manage such interruption of activities. Due to the closure of the building to the public, some positions were not renewed in 2020 – the Visiting Pastor and the Youth intern.
In 2020 the HR Committee also helped manage the transition from our previous Senior Pastor, The Rev. Scott Herr, who left in July 2020, to The Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart, our Interim Senior Pastor who arrived in Paris in September 2020. The Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart will serve ACP until our next Senior Pastor is called and can take on her/his new role.
The HR Committee is also currently working with the Youth & Young Adult Pastor search committee. This committee was formed at the beginning of 2021 to coordinate the process for the calling of our next Youth & Young Adult Associate Pastor in anticipation of the departure of Victor Greene this summer.
On the administrative & operations side, Tom Padden, who had been ACP’s Maintenance Manager for more than 20 years retired at the end of 2020. The HR Committee worked with the Property Committee to prepare for Tom’s retirement and recruit his replacement. ACP’s new Maintenance Manager, Laurent Renoit was hired in January 2021.
The Committee also worked on many other smaller initiatives to help address specific administrative issues and find ways to keep improving the functioning of the church.
Objectives for 2021
One of the main goal of the HR committee in 2021 is to continue to work with the Council, the Executive Committee and the Pastoral team to manage the transition of our Senior Pastor and support the process for the calling of ACP‘s future Senior Pastor.
In addition, the HR committee will continue to work in close coordination with Finance to ensure all personnel continues to receive the equivalent of 100% of their salaries, and ensure HR costs are kept at a minimum while the COVID situation continues to impact the revenue of the church.
Finally, the HR Committee will continue to respond to the needs of the church as they arise, supporting the pastoral and administrative teams as required, and ACP’s plan at large to make the best use of our resources.
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We thank the members of the Committee as they generously give their time and talents, and all those who serve our community in working or volunteering.
We express our gratitude to the AFCU, the Pastors, and the Council of the ACP for the opportunity they give us to serve the ACP community. To God be the Glory!
Respectfully submitted,
Pascal Berger & Avril Lee
ACP ORGANIZATION CHART (2020)
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Community Life Committee Report 2020
Chair: Kuukua Bentsi - Enchill Vice Chair: Kym Stewart Pastoral liaison: Doug & Jodi Fondell September 2020 to March 2021 Community Life (ACP)
In the past six months, which have gone past so fast, we have had a harder time trying to put together activities and take initiatives to keep our members engaged during this difficult time.
We usually have a lot to account for by this time of the year but for the obvious pandemic reason, our usual activities have been scaled down with events relegated online. Community life is one of the committees which has been greatly impacted as most of our engagements are with people physically. We are one of the committees which uses the ACP Kitchen for various hospitable events of the church, so our activities have been severely limited. For many years we have made meals for Thurber lectures and Alpha meals which are all organized online now. We managed to do one physical event in September and met in the kitchen once in December. The rest were organized online.
September: we organized and set up for the annual ministry ACP fair in the courtyard during the pandemic. We had less people attending but it was successful. There were online meetings for some activities for the Lay Care and the community life provided sandwiches for the new members meeting in the Thurber hall.
October: Online Thurber lectures and coffee hour was organized by Community life. And there were various meetings within the Community Life leadership about future activities.
November. This month for many years has been the time we organize our 200 seated Thanksgiving dinner but in place of this, we organized the Gratizoom which was the very first organized and was interesting bringing people to share what they were grateful about nevertheless the great pandemic obstacle. Online Thurber lectures continued online.
December. As much as Christmas 2020 was very unusual, we managed to organize an online Christmas party which was attended by many of our ACP members. We also made 800 cookies for the 24th night services and handed them out to the congregants. Eggnogs weren’t available this year unfortunately and we hope to do it this coming Christmas. There was also the initiative to make Pies and sell them in order to raise money for the church. We made Sweet Potato Pies and Pecan Pies which were greatly appreciated by all. We were also happy to be able to do this and raise some money for the church
January: We collaborated with the All-church fellowship group to host a bimonthly movie night to bring our members and dedicated volunteers together to watch meaningful movies and have a conversation afterwards. The chairs of Community life also hosted the coffee hour.
February: Movie nights continued, online Thurber was help and usual meetings between the Community life leadership
March: Online lectures continue, and we are currently planning on doing some special events and some cookie handouts for this Easter. We held another movie night hosted by Kym and Kay who are the current chairs of Community life.
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During these past 6 months, we have had our committed committee members who have always been coming around to help us keep up with some usual routines. We cleaned out the kitchen in September with the help of Jorg Kaldewey, Cecile Rouzet, Kym Stewart, Patti Turquet, Kay Enchill, Madalina Andrei, Chris Mann and John Price. We welcomed new hands also during the Christmas time with the cookies.
Community life Goals & Projects 2021 & Subcommittee Reports
We have the desire to rebuild our Community Life committee so groom members to future leadership roles. Encourage members and friends of our congregation to step forward in the role of a cook/chef in the coming years to rebuild our Kitchen crew - proposing a menu for 50 guests and leading the Kitchen Team for the Thurber Lecture dinners and the ALPHA course. Mobilize new volunteers to join our committed Kitchen Team; to be able to rotate and to give new people the possibility to be involved in kitchen fun and fellowship. Continue to create Fellowship, bringing together through Community Life activities, brothers and sisters from the 3 Sunday worship services, Young Adults and members from the African and Filipino Fellowship groups. All-Church Volunteer Recognition Party All-Church Adult Fellowship & Games Afternoon: 2x/Year Grow the Adult Fellowship (30Plus) group monthly social meetings.
Lay Care: 2020 - 2021 season
The lay care team has continued to grow and support our ACP community in spite of, if not because of, the pandemic. As many of our usual caring activities have been curtailed, we have learned to be flexible in our ministry and use technology to virtually reach out to those in need. We continue to be listening ears as we care for our church family.
At the start of the pandemic, the lay care team tried to contact all members of ACP to make sure all were well and knew how to stay in touch with our ACP church family. Later in the year we were able to use these calls to help with the annual church database update.
Prayer and care go hand in hand. The prayer chain continues to flourish. We have initiated an online prayer request form on the ACP website. And now with the easing of sanitary restrictions, we are able to offer distanced face to face prayer after the two worship services.
New member orientations have also taken on a new look. We have a zoom meeting mid-week for those interested in becoming an ACP member, followed by an in-person meet and greet opportunity on the following Sunday. We are hopeful that the May membership orientation will have lightened sanitary restrictions so we can get to know and welcome our new members.
This year we have embarked on formal lay care training using the book "The Caring Congregation" by Karen Lampe. The trained lay care team will be installed in the autumn 2021.
The lay care mission and ministry continues. We keep in touch with our church family through calls, emails, zoom, prayers, cards, and Sunday worship.
African fellowship: 2020 - 2021 season
The African fellowship has been deeply impacted by the inability to meet as most of their activities are always in person. Then monthly fellowship meeting was replaced by and online zoom meeting in January which is still ongoing.
The fellowship meets on the 1st Sunday of each month from 4pm – 5pm. During these Zoom meetings, discussions concerning the well-being of our brothers and sisters are held and help is given to those in the fellowship who need it. We are thankful to them! 30
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Filipino Fellowship: 2020 - 2021 season
Our brothers and sisters in the Filipino fellowship have always given the ACP a helping hand and they continue to do so during these unusual times. During the Christmas period, they decorated the sanctuary beautifully – an activity important to keep up with the spirit of Christmas at the ACP. They organize meetings to help each other in these difficult times and they help Community life in various cooking and setting up activities. We are thankful to them!
Through all these changing times, we still put our trust in the Lord, and we continue to walk in his path, and we continue to let him guide us in all we do. We remain hopeful for the coming months and years. May God bless us and may continue to bless our church ACP.
In Christ,
Kuukua Bentsi-Enchill (Chair) & Kym Stewart (Vice Chair)
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Property Committee Report 2020
Chair : Phil Swanson Vice Chair : Carol Mundinger Members : Daniel Grout, William Johnston, Cecile Rouzet, Andrea Richard (from Admin.)
Please find hereunder the activities of the Property committee to maintain the buildings in good condition, including preparation of new investment projects:
WORK ACCOMPLISHED March 2020 – March 2021:
Security/Safety: Working with a safety (SSI) engineer to address negative points signaled by the Prefecture de Police during its safety inspection. Submitted dossier to the Prefecture and currently awaiting its response. Fire alarm: As part of the dossier for the Prefecture, hired a specialist to draw up specifications (cahier des charges) for a new fire alarm system. Electrics: Addressed various issues following electrical inspection, incl. updated schematics. Heating: Dealt with multiple breakdowns of heating system over the winter. Installed new water heater in women’s locker room. Hired consultant to advise on future heating investments. Elevators: repair of handicap lift, and installation of new doors for main lift. Leaks: repair of various leaks, incl. in sanctuary, gym, ground-floor terrace facing rue Jean Nicot, and gutter and roof above associate pastors’ flat. Chandeliers: Cleaned chandeliers in sanctuary (Thanks Carol, Cécile & volunteers!). COVID-19: Installation of various plexiglass barriers in sanctuary and Reception area. Pastors’ apartments: new kitchen floor, repair of radiators, plumbing, minor painting. Handyman: Hired replacement for Tom Padden, who retired at end of 2020. (Thanks Tom, and welcome Laurent Renoit!)
FUTURE PROJECTS:
Heating: Invest in heating system, guided by consultant’s report. Fire alarm: Further study and install a new fire alarm system. Tower: Water-proof horizontal surfaces, organize further inspection and repairs. Property Re-development Project: Continue to meet periodically with the architects, in order to resume momentum when means permit. Sanctuary sound/light/livestream: Continue to assist group preparing this investment project. Marble plaque to commemorate former pastors: Already identified company that can supply marble for new plaque similar to the existing 2 plaques, but await funding to proceed. Clean wall facing neighboring building’s courtyard (later in year, as means permit). Painting: Work with volunteers from Men’s Group, e.g., for -1 hallway and pastoral apartments.
Respectfully submitted by the Property Committee.
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Communications Committee Report 2020
Co-chairs: Genie Godula, Brad Stucky
Committee members: Alison Benney, John Newman
Objective
Our job is to coordinate – collect and disperse – information concerning the ACP’s different missions, programs and projects. Our call is to present this information in a clear and timely way to the congregation, and to help newcomers find a place in the community.
Working with John Newman, Communications Coordinator, this committee is responsible for the ACP website, the Spire, social media platforms, recording the sermons and producing the ACP Today radio broadcast.
At present we are studying how best to:
- Migrate the congregation database from eTapestry to Church Planning Center while remaining compliant with GDPR. - Redefine, streamline and clearly present content on the church’s different platforms (website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). - Preserve historical continuity and memory by holding church history sessions with Pastor Scott and Daniel Grout. - We’ve put out a call for content managers for the social media sites, as well as photo editors/archivists and volunteers to help produce and edit the radio show. - The committee will be holding a training session for Church Planning Session on 20 April. - We are exploring the possibility of supplying a tablet to the Welcome Table. - Working with committee heads, we are updating and tidying the church’s website.
Respectfully submitted.
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Ministers of the American Church in Paris
Ministers The Entire Congregation Interim Senior Pastor The Rev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart [email protected] [email protected] Interim Associate Pastor The Rev. Jodi Fondell [email protected] Interim Associate Pastor The Rev. Doug Fondell [email protected] Youth / Young Adult Pastor Victor Greene (M.Div.) [email protected] Children’s Ministry Director The Rev. Allison Wheeler [email protected] Director of Music Fred Gramann [email protected] Contemporary Music Director Natalie Raynal [email protected] Youth/Children Music Director Sara Barton [email protected] Executive Secretary Heather Walter [email protected] Wedding Coordinator Jörg Kaldewey [email protected] www.acparis.org Twitter.com/AmChurchParis
Facebook.com/AmericanChurchParis
The Ministry of the American Church depends on you
The American Church’s operating costs depend primarily on the generosity of its members and alumni around the world who have been touched by its ministry. If you wish your gift to be tax-deductible in the United States, you must make your check payable to our parent organization “The American and Foreign Christian Union” (AFCU) and put the words “for ACP Stewardship” on the memo line of your check. In France, your gift in Euros is deductible under the category “réduction pour dons à des organismes d'intérêt général.” The church issues year-end receipts of giving acceptable for French tax authorities. Contributions in either euros or US dollars are accepted by both the ACP and the AFCU. To find out more about how you can help secure the future of the ACP through bequests, charitable trusts, and other forms of planned giving, please speak to one of the pastors. If you would like to set up recurring electronic fund transfers to facilitate giving, please visit acparis.org to find out how.
American Church in Paris 65 quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris www.acparis.org tel: 01 40 62 05 00 34
The American Church in Paris –Ministry Reports