Mark 10: 46-52 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that

Mark 10: 46-52

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside (where he collected the coins/editor), he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” Jesus said, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Results of Vestry ElectionElected:• Frank Anderson• Heidi Gant• Bob McCartin• Karin Remington

Re-Elected:• Mary Ellen Howey• Lynette Telford

Questions

1.What do you have in common/not have in common with Bartimaeus?

2.What is the phrase/image/freeze frame that most grabs your attention?

3.What is the significance of this phrase/image in your life now? If you take this part of the story seriously what happens? What might hold you back from letting this story influence your life? What might move you toward letting this story influence your life?

What encouragement might you need to let this story influence your life?

4.How might the same phrase/image apply to the community of St Nick’s? If we were to take this story seriously what would happen? What might hold us back from letting this story influence our life? What might move us toward letting this story influence our life? How does this story inform what we are called to do/to be as individuals in

community? How does this story inform what we are called to do/to be as community?

Wardens Report

The LORD has done great things for us,and we are glad indeed.

Psalm 126:4

Wardens Report

Accomplishments in 2008-2009:

• Completed/occupied the church building (Apr. 2008)

• Held first Holy Week/Easter services in the new building (Apr. 2009)

• Dedicated/consecrated the new building – 300+ attendees (May 2009)

• Begun exploring/experimenting with our space (Jun. 2009)

• Kicked off our first full program year in the new building (Sep. 2009)

• Added 90+ new people to our fellowship since last annual meeting

Wardens Report

Goals for 2009-2010:

• Become more “settled in” & “organized” while continuing to explore.

• Assist newer members to become engaged in the work of the church.

• Assist all parishioners in discerning their unique callings in leadership.

• Strengthen/support/expand our programs/ministries.

• Begin to develop plans for a second morning service

• Stabilize finances: income = expenses by mid-to-late 2010.

Wardens Report

Dreams for the Future (beyond 2010):

• To be a place to belong & become for all whom God sends to us.

• To be a place of ministry and a place of healing.

• To be a place to be strengthened to do God’s work.

• To live fully into our vision of being a place united by Christ alone (his love for us, and ours for him and each other).

• To be a place fully committed to supporting the work of God through the Church.

• To be a place to be called fully into life

Wardens Report

Needed to accomplish our Goals and Dreams:

• A fully engaged membership.

• A partnership of clergy and laity.

• Generosity of time/talent/treasure.

Worship

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness;

come into God's presence with singing.Psalm 101:1-2

Worship

Our Mission

Worship is the heart and soul of our faith community

Believing that corporate worship is the heart and soul of Christian faith and that “all who seek God and are drawn to Christ are welcome at Christ’s Table,” our vision is to foster a worship environment that is joyful, warm, and relaxed, yet reverent, inspiring, and uplifting; appreciative of Anglican liturgical and musical traditions, yet open to learn from other tradition and forms. We strive for a worship experience that is inviting to the newcomer and the stranger, and accessible to people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and traditions. We seek the active involvement in liturgy and music by clergy and laity, young and old.

Worship


• Called new Music Director – Steven Carman (Nov. 2008)

• Held first Holy Week/Easter services in new building (Apr. 2009)

• Dedicated/consecrated the new building – 300+ attendees (May 2009)

• Began the process of adapting our services to dedicated space and recruiting/(re)training servers (June 2009).

Worship


• Recruit/train full worship teams for all services (target: Dec. 2009).

• Begin to develop plans for 2nd morning service (target: Lent 2010).

• Complete liturgical outfitting of worship space (target: Fall 2010).

• Start a children’s choir (target: Fall 2010).

Worship


• Using our music program creatively, to attract people to St. Nick’s.

• Installation of organ (a significant, though not exorbitant expense).

• Possible joint choir programs with other congregation.• Install a labyrinth on our site.


• Volunteer Worship Servers (all positions).• Continued growth.

Spiritual Formation – Children & Youth

"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."

Matthew 19:14


Our Mission

A Safe, Peaceful, Nurturing Place to Explore, Learn, Love and Belong

Guided by and sustained in Christ, our vision is founded in a

welcoming spirit that encourages a flexible, creative, and

active learning environment for the entire

community. Children and Youth will find at St. Nicholas a

safe, peaceful, nurturing place to explore, learn, love and

belong, and a playful curriculum that facilitates a growing

relationship with God, communication with our community

and opportunities to embrace diversity.



• Continued to grow Sunday school student population (25+ K-6 Kids).

• Held Children/Youth Summits to plan educ. programs for new space (Aug. 2009).

• Started Youth Program (15+ Youth) &Confirmation Program (Sep. 2009).



• Recruit/train more Sunday School Teachers/Youth Program Leaders (target: Dec. 2009).

• First Confirmations from new Youth Program (target: Spring 2010).

• Achieve greater stability/consistency in program/teachers/students.



• Mission Trips for Youth Program.

• Service projects for older Sunday School kids and Youth Program.

• Addition of a dedicated part-time Youth Leader/Minister.


• More Volunteer Teachers (keep existing volunteers from burning out).

• Generosity in giving to support a part-time Youth Leader/Minister.

Spiritual Formation – Adults

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:29


Our Mission

A Place of Welcome for Adults to Examine and Deepen Their Spiritual Walk

Grounded in scripture and in obedience to Christ,

we offer opportunities for adults to examine and

develop their Christian faith and wrestle with the

question, “How do I live out my faith in everyday

life?”



• Expanded Sunday Adult Program (15+ adults and growing in Sep. 2009)

• Established reg. Tues. Bible Study Breakfast (8+ adults in Sep. 2009).

• Two seasonal book studies (Advent 2008/Summer 2009) & retreat.


• Increased congregational participation in/lay leadership of programs.

• Continue EfM program in coordination with other parishes.

• “Theology on Tap” (Pub Evangelism/Spiritual Formation)



• Adult programs year round, greater variety, and for specific target groups or issues.

• Develop self-sustaining small groups.

• Open adult spiritual formation offerings to non-parishioners.


• Greater engagement of the congregation.

• Lay Volunteers.

Parish Life

"This is my commandment,

that you love one another as I have loved you."

John 15:12

Parish Life

Our Mission

A Welcoming Community Where People Can Find a Spiritual Home

Believing that the only sufficient basis for Christian community is Christ’s love for us, our vision is to create a welcoming community where people of faith from all backgrounds can find a spiritual home. We offer a variety of opportunities to explore faith, build community, strengthen friendships and have fun. We strive for a balance of organizational structure and laid-back atmosphere where strangers are welcomed, newcomers are included, diversity is celebrated, leadership is shared, and sharing the Good News with our friends and neighbors leads to the growth of our spiritual community.

Parish Life


• Sponsored gala hospitality event after Dedication of Building

(May ‘09).

• Held Hospitality Summit to plan for welcoming/incorporating

visitors in new building (Aug. 2009)

• Sponsored several other hospitality events: (a) End of Summer

Tailgate Picnic, (b) Kick-Off Sunday Fellowship, (c) special

hospitality at Blessing of the Animals service.

Parish Life


• Continue to optimize use of building space for hospitality, including installation of kitchen (Nov. 2009)

• Develop two annual community fundraising events that both draw the whole congregation together and draw in the surrounding community (Spring 2010/Fall 2010)

• Regular monthly fellowship programs suitable mixing newcomers and vintage members.

• Quarterly New Member Welcome liturgy.

Parish Life


• Become a gathering place for the surrounding community.

• Creative ways of encouraging group fellowship that make effective use of building.


• Greater engagement of the congregation.

• Lay Volunteers.

Outreach

"I was hungry and you gave me food...thirsty and you gave me something to drink...

a stranger and you welcomed me...naked and you gave me clothing...

sick and you took care of me...in prison and you visited me."

Matthew 25:34-36

Outreach

Our Mission

Transforming the World with Small Deeds Done with Great Love

Responding to Christ's call to proclaim the Gospel by both

word and deed, our vision is to serve the diverse community

around us, inclusive of all cultures and ages, responding with

love and compassion to those in need within our

congregation, in the greater community, and throughout the

world. We serve all God's people and transform the world with

small deeds done with great love, one at a time.

Outreach


• Continuing Outreach Programs: – (a) El Hogar Vocational School in Honduras (supporting 2

students),

– (b) Germantown HELP (food collection),

– (c) Shady Grove Nursing Home (communion ministry),

– (d) Adopt-A-Highway (Darnestown Road clean-up),

– (e) M.D.G. Project (mosquito nets to fight malaria),

– (f) Animal Welfare League (Blessing of Animals bake sale & offering).

• New Outreach Programs: – (a) Outreach Sundays (monthly, intergenerational outreach project

).

– (b) InterFaith Works (winter coat collection).

• Recruited new Outreach co-chairs: Rose Mahan & Reynold Kirby-Smith.

Outreach


• Focus on doing a few Outreach programs well.

• Increase our MDG giving to achieve our goal of 1% of normal operating income.

• Open our building for use by community organizations.

Outreach


• Work with Diocese/other churches to sponsor a Kids-4-Peace program.

• Partner with other organizations in outreach activities.

• Creative use of property for Outreach (e.g. community garden).


• Lay Volunteers.

• Generosity in giving.

Administration & Ministry Support

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God,

serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

1 Peter 4:10


Our Mission

Stewards of God's Many Gifts

As individuals and as a community of faith, we are good

stewards of the many gifts we have received through God's

grace and love. We respond to God's generosity by supporting

God's work in the church and in the world.



• Completed construction and occupied church building (Apr. 2009).

• Brought on board two seminarians to assist with programs (Sep. 2009).

• Moved from Pledge Giving to Estimated Giving (Nov. 2009).

• Individual giving to parish operations continues to grow (but income still short of expenses).



• Reach breakeven point (increasing income surpasses already increased fixed expenses).

• Raise additional $90,000 in capital for remaining to complete repayment of building contractors and/or pay down additional indebtedness.

• Start regular twice annual, community-building fundraisers (spring and fall), possibly in coordination with Seneca Academy.



• Begin renting classroom space to Seneca Academy.

• Complete Afforestation project and retire our bonds.

• Complete entrance from Darnestown Road.

• Continue construction of remaining phases, perhaps in defraying expenses through classroom space rental by Seneca Academy.



• Generosity in giving.

• Continued determination.

ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCHANNUAL PARISH REPORT

Investment Allocation by Ministry AreaOctober 2009

Construction and Finances

Completion, Occupancy, and Dedication

•Building Completed and Occupied (April 2000). After years of hard

work by the Building Construction Committee, under the diligent and

determined leadership of its chair, Dave Ruf, St. Nicholas Church

completed and occupied its first building in April 2009, just in time to

celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

•Building Dedicated (May 2009). After much preparation by the Parish

Life committee, under the creative leadership of Mary Ellen Howey, the

new building was dedicated and consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Bryson

Chane On May 10, 2009. Over 300 guests were in attendance.


Financial Summary

•“Punch List,” Financial Close Out, and Audit.

• Upon completion of the construction project, Vestry requested a final closeout and audit of the Building/Reserve Account.

• Diocese of Washington picking up cost for a Bookkeeper and a CPA.

• Completion of the post-construction “punch list” is proceeding apace.

• The Bookkeeper has completed a preliminary analysis of our accounts.

• No red flags and that all funds appear to have been used for appropriate purposes.


Financial Summary

•Construction Costs Outstanding.

• Final bill from Hopkins&Porter Construction approx. $1.18M on a fixed-price contract of about $1.14M.

• Diff. of $37.5K (about 3%) due entirely to changes required by Montgomery County Office of Permitting Services, Pepco or Verizon

• Permitting Services, Pepco or Verizon were also responsible for significant additional charges outside of our fixed price contract with H&P.

• Remaining balance due to H&P approx. $90K, of which $45K has been advanced by the Diocese on our behalf


Financial Summary

•Building Fund Pledged/Anticipated Income Outstanding.

• Bad News: due to the 2-year delay in permitting approvals in 2006-2008 and the deteriorating economic climate in 2008-2009 pledged and other income to the Building/Reserve Fund slowed considerably.

• Good News: as the economic climate improves we may see an upswing in completion of Building Fund Pledges.


Financial Summary

•Building Fund Pledged/Anticipated Income Outstanding.

• Bad News: due to the 2-year delay in permitting approvals in 2006-2008 and the deteriorating economic climate in 2008-2009 pledged and other income to the Building/Reserve Fund slowed considerably.

• Good News: as the economic climate improves we may see an upswing in completion of Building Fund Pledges.

Financial Report Summary

•Currently operating in deficit (as expected).

• 18-24 months is generally accepted post-occupancy “window” for income growth to catch up with new fixed expenses.

• Deficit larger than originally forecast because faltering economy suppressed giving and later-than-expected occupancy precluded additional fundraising.

• On the positive side, deficit is not as bad as it could be, since we held down expenses aggressively (including foregoing staff C.O.L.A.’s).

• Need to increase income by about 1/3 by the end of 2010 to break even.

Financial Report Summary

•“People Metrics” Are Moving Strongly in the Right Direction (UP).

• Added more than 90 people since last Annual Parish Meeting.

• New Estimates of Giving have been arriving regularly.

•Diocese is Backing Us.

• Bishop understands it takes time to build a congregation .

• Diocese is helping us with cashflow while we grow.

• “You do the work God has given you to do… We’ve got your back!”

Budget for 2010

•Main Points:

• Flat in most areas, except…

• Giving C.O.L.A.’s originally planned but not paid in 2008 and 2008.

• Phasing in pension benefits for lay employees as required by church rules.

•Needed:

• $70K in income growth to break even in 2010 in.

• Growth in membership and giving.

• For the “right” reasons (not because we have to but because it’s what God calls us to do).

ENGAGE 2010

Theme:We belong to each other:

Becoming an engaged congregation.

ENGAGE 2010

PurposeTo increase the engagement

of our congregation memberswith each other, with the Church,

and with God.

ENGAGE 2010

Approach•We believe that every person God brings into our fellowship God has sent to us for a reason.

• to complete us in some way that only they can do and

• so that we can complete them in some way that only we can do,

• so that both as individuals and as a congregation we are better equipped to do the work God has called us to do.

ENGAGE 2010

Approach•It’s our job as individuals and as a congregation to help each other listen to God’s call and to fully engage in our individual and corporate callings. •We believe that the key to our growth as a church is our full engagement as individuals and as a congregation.

ENGAGE 2010

Approach•Our approach to growth this year will be one of discernment about engagement. We want to ask ourselves several questions:

• What draws us toward deep engagement with God and each other? What holds us back?

• What draws us toward seeking to fulfill the dreams God has given us? What holds us back?

ENGAGE 2010

Timeframe

Engage 2010 is a year round campaign:

•begins at the 2009 Annual Parish Meeting on October 25

•continues throughout 2010.

ENGAGE 2010Timeframe

Phase 1: Discerning/Deciding our Commitment to Engagement (Oct. 25-Dec. 6)•Oct. 25 – Nov. 15: Focus on Discernment

Giving Estimates Not Accepted

•Nov. 22– Dec. 6 (St. Nicholas Sunday): Focus on Decision

Giving Estimates Accepted


Phase 2: Blessing/Celebrating our Commitment to Engagement (Dec. 6 – Dec. 25)

•Dec. 6: St. Nicholas Sunday/Advent Program Begins(“Giving Presence”)Visit from Bp. Nicholas/Ingathering & Blessing of Giving

Estimates

•Dec. 20: Annual Christmas Party & Dinner/Advent Program Culminates

Christmas Presence Potluck Celebration


Phase 3: Fulfilling, Expanding and Deepening our Engagement•Jan. 1: Second Sunday of Christmas

Begin Planning for 2nd Morning Service

•Jan. 10 – Feb. 7: Epiphany Sunday/Epiphany Program Begins (“Daring to Dream”)

Dreams for St. Nick’s discussions begin (Potluck Supper)

•Feb. 7: 5th Sunday after the Epiphany/Episcopal Visitation

Dreams presented and blessed.


Phase 4: Accounting for Our Engagement•Monthly Income/Expense Reports

So everyone knows how we’re doing.

•Quarterly Membership Recognition Sundays Recognizing members and ministries

A Prayer for EngagementDear Lord,

Help us to face our fears: of loving you with all that we are and all that we have:

all our heart and all our soul, all our mind and all our strength.

Help us to face our fear of loving our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.

And help us to embrace our desire to do them both.

Amen.

Estimate of Giving – 2010 (May submit after November 22)

Estimated Financial Giving

Yes. Recognizing that all that we have and all that we are comes from God, we estimate that during the next year we will give to our church to carry out the work God has given us to do:

$________ per week, or $________ per month, or $________ per year.

Name of Household __________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________

Tele _________________________ Email________________________

I understand that this giving estimate may be raised or lowered at any time simply by notifying the Treasurer.

–

Estimate of Giving – 2010 (May submit after November 22)

Estimated Time and Talent Giving

Yes. We would like to explore ways that we might give of our time and talent to carry out the work of God through our church. Please contact us to discuss how our specific gifts and talents might best be put to work.

Name_________________________ Email________________________

Name_________________________ Email________________________

Name_________________________ Email________________________

Name_________________________ Email________________________

Documents

Mark 10: 46-52 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that