Table of Contents
i Docket
ii-iii Congregational Meeting Minutes, January 26, 2003
iv-v Congregational Meeting Minutes, June 15, 2003
vi Congregational Meeting Minutes, September 21, 2003
1 Clerk’s Report
2-5 Staff Member Reports
5 Board of Deacons
5-8 Christian Education Ministry
8 Glebe Guild
9-11 Membership Concerns Ministry
11-16 Mission Outreach Ministry
17-18 Property Management Ministry
16-17 Nominating Committee
18-19 Staff Personnel and Administration Ministry
19 Stewardship and Finance Ministry
20-21 Trustees
21-23 Worship Ministry
Separate booklet 2003 Church Budget
Separate booklet Church Treasurer’s Report
The Annual Meeting
Of
The Congregation
Of
Fairfax Presbyterian Church
February 1, 2004
THE DOCKET
Prayer
The Rev. Henry G. Brinton
Certification of call to Meeting
Appointment of Clerk of Session and Clerk of Meeting
Approval of Minutes
Necrology Date Joined Date of Death
Annette Prickett Johnston 12/05/93 1/8/03
Larry Sylvester Bowen 12/18/77 4/14/03
Jean Douglass Horstman 4/5/92 6/26/03
Rob Roy McLallen, Jr. 10/11/70 7/12/03
Mary Jane Elder Carlson 12/28/75 10/16/03
Diana Sue Jeffries Sowers 2/16/86 10/22/03
Corella Marion Diven 6/10/73 12/11/03
Anna Gibson Hayes 10/30/66 12/14/03
Sandra Roos Etheridge 10/4/87 12/27/03
For All the Saints
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
Who we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Yet singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reception of 2003 Annual Reports
Reception of 2003 Financial Reports Ms. Stacie Cage, Treasurer
Review of Year 2004 Budget Elder Al Fowler,
Co-Chair, Stewardship and Finance Ministry
Vote on Pastors’ Terms of Call
Update on 50th Anniversary Plans Elder James Fahs
Open Forum
Adjourn with Prayer The Rev. Carrie Yearick
i
Report of the Clerk of Session
Total Communicants 809
As of December 31, 2002
Additions: Profession and Reaffirmation of Faith, Restoration 29
Certificate of Membership Transfer 23
Total 52
Losses: Removal from Active to Inactive Roll or deleted 3
Removal by Certificate of Transfer 14
Death 9
Total 26
Total Communicants as of December 31, 2003 835
Church School Enrollment
(Figures not available at time of printing.)
Baptisms
Infants 15
Adults 1
Total 16
Average Attendance at Sunday Worship 340
Senior Pastor
This year marked the beginning of a 14-month observance of our 50th anniversary. Such celebrations always involve considering how life has altered over time, and looking at FPC, I'm struck by the changes it has undergone -- along with most other mainline Protestant congregations.
Our weekly Semicentennial Moments, prepared by Jerry Parrott and offered by a variety of church members in worship, have revealed that our church grew quickly through the 1950s as it rode the wave of the baby boom and responded to postwar interest in religious life. Its early expansion was helped by the fact that it was the only Presbyterian congregation in Fairfax City, making it a logical choice for Fairfax residents with this particular denominational background. By the end of the decade, the church had about 600 members and was becoming known for its progressive educational ministry, offering a racially integrated preschool program and a set of adult classes that certainly sounded ahead of their time: ethics, politics, the Middle East, death and dying.
Members had different political and theological beliefs, but for the most part people came together around a shared denominational identity. Back then, whether you were Presbyterian or Lutheran or Baptist, you tended to choose a denomination that either you or your spouse had known since childhood. But today, we are witnessing a deterioration of denominational loyalty, and Protestant Christians now think of themselves, as so much of society seems to, in more political terms -- as conservatives or liberals, instead of members of a particular religious tradition.
This is tragic, in my opinion, because I believe we are called as Christians to combine tradition and innovation, and to maintain a creative tension between time-honored truths and new theological insights. We are strongest when we run the gamut from conservative to liberal, and when we are willing to stake out a middle ground of moderation that seems so sorely lacking in many parts of society today.
FPC has been -- and still can be -- a meeting ground for diverse points of view, and a place for conversation and discovery. I see this kind of intellectual and spiritual growth occurring in our expanding youth program, led by Carrie Yearick and Michelle Fincher, and in the educational ministry being carried forward by our new director of Christian education, Stephanie Voss. The good news is that our church is now growing again, reversing a decline that began in 1990 and saw total membership drop from 1,200 to 800.
I can only hope that when Fairfax Presbyterian Church celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2053, my children will look back and remember not just the comfort of church, but also the challenge of stimulating classes and conversations in a community of diverse points of view. The fact that this church serves as a spiritual meeting ground is a major reason that I feel so privileged to serve as its pastor.
Associate Pastor
This has been again a year of ups and downs where the presence of God has been felt in both! There have been some wonderful “mountain top” events in the areas of new and old members using their gifts for ministry, growth (spiritual and numerical!!) in the youth ministries, meaningful worship and staff interaction. There have also been some sad times of great loss from our membership and many events of crisis in our older population. I have certainly used my counseling background this year!
Below are some highlights:
- Coordinated many moving, multi-sensory Jubilee services — using our new sound system!
- Had “proud moments” watching the youth lead worship and knowing they are developing into the next generation of Elders and Deacons!
- Sharing sacred moments of tears and grief with family members who have lost loved ones.
- Developing systems of care for our older population.
- Loving every minute of time hearing stories of faith and family dynamics from our older population!
- Nurturing youth struggling with suicide, eating disorders, and low self worth.
- Challenging MCM with questions like, “Why do people need Christ?” “Why do people need the Church?” and “Why do people need this particular Church?”
- Capturing on digital media parents and youth doing the duck walk, making a cheer up about the resurrection, doing the limbo, and making a human Easter symbol using everyone in their group!
- Hiring a part-time Youth Coordinator – Michelle Fincher!
- Laughing my head off as I watched the Sr. Highs try to smoosh into the “Aqua Roller” (big round tube) at Survivor Weekend. (Most groups laid it flat to smoosh in, but this particular group of Sr. Highs tried to stand upright and the Tube blocked their field of vision!)
- Lock-In $15.00. Seeing Nicola Kerlin (one of the youth advisors) TRY to do a Cartwheel and watching the faces of the youth while she is doing it. Priceless!
- Working with the finest group of Deacons there are!!
- Traveling to NC and PA for 3 great Mission trips! These trips were so meaningful for both youth and parents — in fact, I have photos of the parents raising their hands in victory—as in, “Yes, they are gone for a whole week!!”
Most of all, I have enjoyed just being one of your pastors!
Blessings! Carrie
Director of Music
This was my first year here at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. I held the position of Acting Director of Music from January 1, 2003—May 31, 2003. I became the permanent Director of Music starting in June, 2003.
This first year was marked with getting acquainted with the music program and ministry of this church. In March, I gave my first Abendmusik program which was the Rutter Requiem, by the Sanctuary Choir, soloists, and small orchestra. Easter was celebrated with a brass quartet and tympani. The Sanctuary Choir did their second Abendmusik in December—Handel’s Messiah, with string quintet, organ, and soloists. It was snowed out and was held one week later. That group enjoyed some growth—it started out with about 25 members and has now grown to about 42 (when everyone is there). This was the first year to provide babysitting for the rehearsals as an outreach to young families who want to participate in the Sanctuary Choir.
During Holy Week, Fairfax Presbyterian Church and Providence Presbyterian Church joined forces to cover the services—Maundy Thursday was held at Providence with that church’s choir providing the choral work for the evening and Good Friday was held here at Fairfax and the Sanctuary Choir provided the service music. The Thanksgiving eve service was held at Providence with both choirs joining forces to provide the music for the service.
September saw the official beginning of the 50th anniversary services which featured the Sanctuary Choir supplemented with a trumpet to provide glorious music for the first Sunday. Andrew Dobos composed a hymn to be used as the introit for the 50th anniversary Sundays. A lyricist has been commissioned to write lyrics to Judas Maccabeus for our final celebration Sunday in September, 2004.
Henry Brinton composed a melody and lyrics to support the message of the Mission Statement for this church and I supplied the harmony. This was used for a series of Sundays in the summer during the worship service.
Andrew Dobos provided a wonderful organ recital in November.
The young people’s choir system was revamped to more closely conform to the natural growth and learning cycle of children. Carol Choir is now for K—1; Chapel Choir is 2—5; and a newly formed Teen Choir is for 6—12. Choir Chimers is for 6—7; and Rockin’ Ringers is for 8—12. The choirs have enough numbers in them to sustain the change and I hope for growth in those groups. On Christmas Eve, the Teen Choir grew to include teens who could make the final three rehearsals, and included about 25 young people for the 8:00 PM service.
All groups work consistently toward refining the clarity of message of God’s word through music.
I continue to feel blessed to be here to witness and lead the music ministry of this church. I have truly come to love the children, teens, and adults that I lead—what a JOY! I look forward to continuing the work with the wonderful staff of Fairfax Presbyterian Church to provide a worship experience of integrity and meaning—alive with the message of God’s love for us in this life.
Blessings, Brenda Weiser, Director of Music
Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons met ten times in 2003. There are 15 adult Deacons and 1 youth Deacon. One Deacon resigned in October 2003 due to changing life priorities and time commitments; that position will be filled at the annual congregational meeting in January 2004. Our primary mission is care-giving to members of the congregation. We delivered flowers to members with health problems and to those recently bereaved. We wrote notes to those who lifted up prayer concerns at Sunday worship services. Deacons also supported worship services as scripture readers. The Board adopted a goal of contacting every church family, and we accomplished that by sending a letter to each home. We also made phone calls to members to make contact and offer a channel of communication. We made a number of hospital and home visits to express the concern of the church in times of sickness or sorrow, or to share a joy of healing and new life when babies arrived. Deacons, along with Elders, served communion four times this year to homebound members. Deacons made a study of member demographics and voted to expand the Board by re-distributing parish groups due to membership additions, deletions and area relocations. This action results in a request to expand the Board by two adult Deacons. The Board of Deacons unanimously approved the expansion, as did the Session; we now propose to the congregation that the church bylaws be amended to permit the addition of two new Deacon positions. Our $800 budget was used to acquire training and spiritual support literature for Deacons and the congregation at large, postage, and note cards. Deacons completing their elected terms as of December 31, 2003 are Rees Llewellyn, Cyndy Dailey, Bill Wall, Esther Bevis and Marilyn Hartell. These dedicated members have made a real difference in how we respond to member needs. They exemplify the real Deacon. Thank them!
C. R. (Bob) Thompson, Moderator 2003
Christian Education Ministry
The Christian Education Ministry had a very exciting year in 2003. Elders Jim Ashe, Colin McKenzie, and Cheryl Richardson were aided by a host of wonderful volunteers in creating our Christian education programs.
Major highlights included the resignation of our long-time Director of Christian Education, Mary Ann Harwell (who will be missed by all), and the hiring of our new Director of Christian Education, Stephanie Voss. A very special thanks goes out to Carol Barrett, one of our Clergy Associates who took on the tough job of Interim Director of Christian Education over the summer. Child Protection Training continued through the year and a new CE brochure was produced. Special thanks also goes out to Ed Gross, who lead our Adult Ed Committee once again, and Nicola Kerlin, our Youth Advisor.
The Christian Education program has continued to thrive at FPC, especially our Youth program and our Vacation Bible School. We are already seeing wonderful improvements from the hard work that Carol Barrett did over the summer and the new initiatives put forth by our new DCE Stephanie Voss.
Children’s Committee
The Children’s Committee deals with the nursery, Godly Play and playgroup (during the 8:45 service), as well as our 2 to 5 year-olds, young children’s classes and Great Explorations classes for 1st through 5th graders (during the Christian education hour). In the nursery, we added the nursery caregivers to the church staff earlier this year. Godly Play continues to be a fantastic program for our children during the early service with the guidance of Christy Fesak, Midge Coward, and Deborah Berman. Stephanie Voss is currently transitioning the playgroup into Storytime and eventually a Godly Play program for younger children.
Great Explorations, our rotational model program, was a success once again with many fun, educational workshops to help our children learn about God’s love. Stephanie Voss has brought a new excitement to Great Explorations with plans for new workshops, re-energized stewardship and further decorating for the classrooms. Special thanks goes out to all of the volunteers for young children’s teachers, workshop leaders and shepherds – without them these programs could not be possible.
Our Vacation Bible School was a huge success this year receiving great reviews. Under the leadership of Carol Barrett, the program hosted 80 children with 66 volunteers helping out.
Youth Program
Junior High and Senior High Sunday School – We have seen fabulous growth in both the Senior High and Junior High Sunday School Classes. Many Sundays we have over 30 Youth in EACH class. With these numbers we have added many more teachers to help facilitate the learning experience as well as act as mentors to the Youth. We have also structured the classes into “Small Groups.” These Small Groups give the youth the opportunity to talk together in a more intimate setting with fewer people about the topic of the day. Junior Highs continue to start each Sunday morning with a breakfast provided by the parents – yummy food, including eggs, waffles, pancakes, bacon, etc.
Junior High and Senior High Fellowship – As with Sunday School, the evening program has also seen a significant increase in attendees, with over 60 youth present on many evenings. The number of advisors for these groups was increased and each youth was assigned to a “Care Group.” The Care Group Leaders work in conjunction with the advisors to help plan and lead each of the Sunday Programs ranging from service projects to ice skating to games to spiritual quests to lock-ins. Multi-media worship is held most Sunday nights before our regular programming starts with singing led by Annie Hall. Whatever is planned, one thing is sure – everyone is guaranteed to have a good time.
Service
Greenspring Village – The Junior High youth visited Greenspring Village, a large retirement community in Springfield. Our youth led an afternoon worship service for about 80 seniors, reading Scripture, praying, singing and speaking about how God has been working in their lives through the FPC summer mission trips. This was so enjoyable that the Senior Highs will be visiting Greenspring in 2004!
Fairfax Nursing Center – Twenty-seven Senior High youth visited the Fairfax Nursing Center, where they chatted with residents in their rooms, helped them make their way to the activities room, and led them in a spirited round of Thanksgiving Bingo.
Care Packages – The youth also prepared care packages for 27 college-age FPC members. Hand written cards, homemade cookies and brownies, snacks, and special prizes were all included.
YAV Missionary – The Junior Highs continue to collect different supplies to send to Jen throughout the year to help her in her ministry as a YAV missionary in Guatemala.
Adopt-a-Family – The Senior Highs spent an evening shopping in Fairfax to buy presents for their Adopt-a-Family project.
Mission Trips
The Junior Highs had a FANTASTIC Mission Trip to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Twenty-two youth and four adults joined hundreds of other Youth from around the country for this Group Work Camp Mission Trip. Each Youth was placed in a small group with others that they had never met before. They spent five days building, painting, caulking, hammering, and cleaning the homes of those that needed them, and bonded as a group. In the evenings the entire Work Camp came together to enjoy singing, fellowship, and worship.
The Senior Highs traveled to Smoky Mountain, NC, about an hour west of Ashville, with Youthworks. There they interacted with the Eastern Cherokee Tribe and worked with children and home repairs. During this week, similar to the Junior Highs, the Senior Highs bonded with new friends, joined together in fellowship, worship, and song and worked VERY, VERY hard.
Fellowship
Ski Weekend - In February the Junior Highs and Senior Highs joined together as they set off for their ski adventure at “Ski Roundtop” in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They enjoyed a weekend of fun, food, camaraderie, skiing, and snow tubing.
Survivor Weekend – In May the Junior Highs and Senior Highs came together again to head into the wilderness! They spent the weekend camping at High Roads Camp. This weekend gave the groups the opportunity to split up into smaller groups and complete a rope cross, complete with a Live Wire! The weekend was full of bonding, games, singing, worship, and friendship. We were also able to honor the 8th Graders and 12th Graders as they moved forward the following year for their next great adventure.
Fundraisers
Mulch – The Junior Highs and Senior Highs sold mulch to the congregation and in the month of March you saw larger Rider Trucks delivering these purchases directly to homes. Sore backs and all, this fundraiser is always a huge success.
Easter Breakfast – What, the youth cooking? That’s right! Easter morning, the youth are up with the sun to serve breakfast to the many who come to the annual Easter Breakfast.
Candy Canes – For the first time this year, the youth decorated candy canes and handed them out to the congregation. The candy canes were empty, except for a proverb of the youth’s choosing. The congregation took the candy canes home and filled them with coins, dollars, and even checks and returned them to the youth in support of their mission trip.
Stock Shares – The youth also sold stock shares in the weeks leading up to the Mission Trip. The Shares give the congregation a chance to not only support the Mission Trip but also experience a small part of it. Depending on the donation, a person would receive a letter or two and pictures from the Mission Trip.
Confirmation
Fourteen Youth went through the confirmation class and were confirmed into the church. Each Youth was assigned a mentor from the Church Membership that they met with to ask questions of, talk to, and learn from. Their annual retreat was held on January 24th & 25th. This overnight experience gave them the opportunity to explore their faith more deeply and also bond with their fellow confirmands.
Scouting
FPC continued its support of the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs during the past year. First, FPC serves as the chartering organization for Cub Scout Pack 889. Marty Farmer serves as Cubmaster and Eileen Walsh serves as the pack's Parent Committee Chair. The pack, which meets at FPC, has approximately 25 scouts in the first through fifth grades. FPC also hosts Girl Scout Troop 1194, led by Leigh Sexton. Troop 1194 is a group of approximately 22 high school senior high girls.
Reverend Henry Brinton guided five scouts, listed below, and their participation in the God and County program, a scouting-related program open to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls that seeks to further the religious education of participants.
God and Me: Will Ashe, Devyn Krupkowski, and Sam McKee; God and Family: Jay Ashe and Tyler Measell
As his Eagle Scout Service Project, Carl Sparacino designed and led the construction of a labyrinth on the church grounds. With support from the Property Management Ministry, FPC youth, FPC adults and scouts from several units constructed the new facility during August and September. The labyrinth was formally dedicated by Reverend Brinton, Reverend Yearick, and Mr. Sparacino at the November 30th worship service.
Finally, Reverend Carrie Yearick, Reverend Henry Brinton, and the Christian Education Ministry nominated FPC member Sal Sparacino for the God and Service award for his outstanding service to both FPC and to Scouting. The award, presented in June, recognized Mr. Sparacino's church contributions as a deacon, a youth leader, and a leader of FPC's participation in the Christmas in April program, as well as his service as an assistant scoutmaster.
Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool
The Preschool is more actively working with parents to support both their families and the preschool. We have increased opportunities for parent training, parent involvement in the school, and more informal discussions with the director. Director Marti Ringenbach led both the teachers and interested parents in a program called "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" designed to help children with anger management and the development of self-control. We also worked at strengthening our parent training class to help parents understand methods and policy while participating in the classroom.
The Preschool continued successful mission/outreach programs such as Breakfast with Santa, Toys for Tots collection, a canned food drive, UNICEF support, and donations for FISH. The Preschool also continued fundraisers including our new logo design, T-shirt sales with our new logo, Original Works Yours, school photos, Moms Night Out, a penny drive, and Holiday Shopping Days.
In March, FPP lost its National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. We had undergone a review due to our staff turnover and a complaint that had been lodged against us by a former parent. Due to time constraints with the end of the school year, we decided not to challenge the decision. The Committee is now analyzing whether we want to seek reaccredidation with NAEYC or not. We are conducting parent surveys, teacher surveys, and investigating other alternatives to help determine the best course for the Preschool. Despite this loss, all families that had already registered returned for 2003-2004 school year.
To promote our school in the community, we held an Open House, reaching 15 families; participated in a Burke Preschool Fair, reaching 100+ families; and provided over 25 individual tours of the preschool.
The Preschool Committee and the Preschool Director have worked with the church to ensure that the church's sheltering-in-place program adequately and effectively meets the needs of both the preschool and the church.
Committee members are Cate Rodman, Tori McMichael, Becky Buschor, Ellen MacGregor, Cara Radoll, Mary Pat Peri, and Mary Mandrgoc.
Submitted by Cate Rodman, Preschool Committee Chair
Glebe Guild
The Glebe during the year of 2003 provided an outstanding, colorful approach to the Church grounds even though there was an extended dry period during the late summer. Even so, only a minimum amount of watering was done. Special organized activities during the year included a spring planning luncheon on March 16th at the home of Margie & David Ralston; a spring clean-up work day on April 12th and a follow-up clean up on June 1st; and a spring annual flower planting day on May 17th, delayed till the 21st due to late flower arrival. The fall clean up work day was held on September 27th. The Glebe Guild is most thankful to "Mac" Mercer for his help in maintenance of the light installation. Also, Tom Larson has taken care of the fish pond throughout the year. The Glebe, with the exception of the grass mowing and maintenance, is maintained through the combination of volunteer services of members and friends and finances from the special fund. The fund is maintained through contributions occasionally received as memorials, usually for a family member whose ashes have been interred on the Glebe and also from interest received from investments supervised by the Trustees. The Glebe funds are currently used to purchase annual flowers, obtain arborist services and other miscellaneous work. It is likely that in some near future funds from the Church's general operation will be needed to secure professional grounds keeping services to offset the attrition of many of the current volunteers and their major contributions. This will result in a significant increase in membership financed expenses. We are most grateful for the diligent and sustained work of the many members that spend several hours, individually and during the organized work days, helping to enhance and maintain the Glebe's appearance. The respective plot area coordinators are: Tad Thompson, Parsons corner; Marion Lokay, Sundial semicircle; Doug Dunbar, Hawthorne corner; Bob Wright, Lower terrace bed; David Watson, Beech tree corner; Margie Ralston, Magnolia semicircle; Cliff Wallington, English Holly corner; Marty Whipple, Upper terrace bed; David Ralston, Lower divider bed; Tom Larsen, Fish pond; and Mac Mercer, Lighting. Some of the many active workers in addition to the coordinators are Ginger Avery & Brian Watts, Mel Barb, Cathy Bowen, Paulie & Norm Brew, Val Bruton, Janet Butler, Vivian Cannon, Elaine & John Creigh, BobDickson, Sandy and Al Henderson, Julia Heim, Jeff Hodes, Dixie Hopple, Jan Johnson, Toyoko Keppler, Lillie Kite, Claudia Leo, Pattsie Libby, Fred Lokay, Jan & Bill Parrott, Jane Rolofs, Imogen Saunders, Sarah & Charles Speer, Kevin Strickler, Patti Tuttle, George Whipple, Shelby & Otto Will. The opportunity to help with the gardening on the Glebe is open to all who enjoy and have an interest in helping maintain the beauty that the Glebe and church grounds provide to our community of faith and the surrounding neighborhood. It is enjoyed by residents of the Fairfax Nursing Center and their families and the staff and by the Preschool children, staff and parents. It is common to see nearby workers taking a noon time break to have lunch in a pleasing garden setting and listening to the birds sing and the fish pond water flow. We give thanks to all who help bring a refreshing respite to our busy and cluttered lives.
Submitted by Margaret & David Ralston, Glebe Guild Coordinators
Membership Concerns Ministry
In 2003, Membership Concerns Ministry continued to support its mission to reach out to the community, connect people to others who are connected to God, and nurture a supportive church community.
Outreach
Bread Outreach Team: Lenny Pacholski energetically headed this team of dedicated bread bakers and bread deliverers for several years and has turned over the leadership to Shelby Will. Each week freshly baked bread is delivered to homes of first-time visitors to FPC along with a welcome note and Octagon. The team has been averaging delivery of three loaves per week. We have received correspondence from visitors who were delighted to return home from work and find a beautiful bag at their door filled with bread. This has made a lasting impression in their minds and tummies!
Web Team: Carolyn Thalman has provided leadership to the creative FBC Web Team. They continue to develop and expand this exceptional Web page. Many new members have “found” FPC by searching on-line. Visit the site at www.fairfaxpresby.com (See separate report)
Publicity: The publicity team of Linda Carlton, Jennie Miller, Julie Sparks, and Earl Berner developed a flyer for the annual Glebe Service. Marilyn and Carol worked with Outreach Ministry to develop a postcard inviting families to the Christmas Eve Service. The mailing went to 5000 targeted families in the Chantilly and Centreville zip codes.
Connecting
Fellowship: MCM hosted a pot-luck brunch in September following the Festival of Ministries and several receptions following special music events.
Presbyterian Women: Headed by Serena Mercer, PW continued to build caring relations among women in our church, our community, and the world. (See separate report below.)
Men’s Breakfast: Al Henderson provided leadership to this group, which enjoyed a monthly hardy breakfast, fellowship, and a thought-provoking menu of speakers. The group, meeting on the first Saturday of the month, had a regular attendance of between 22 to 24 men.
Church Records: In June, MCM sent a letter and response card to members who had not been attending regularly. As a result of that letter, sixteen members were placed on the inactive rolls, fourteen responded as having another church home, and one responded wishing to remain active.
Nurturing
Deacons: A member of the Board of Deacons has met with MCM and been an integral link in identifying needs, concerns, and joys in the congregation. Communications have been enhanced by their presence on our ministry team. (See separate report)
New Members: MCM took a more active role in new member classes by attending most of the sessions, leading several sessions, organizing and hosting four new member receptions, and starting a revision of the Time and Talents Survey to be used with new members as well as the entire congregation as a part of the 2004 stewardship campaign. Sora Gross initiated having an insert to the bulletin with new members names, addresses, and information for the congregation.
Many thanks to all who have supported Membership Concerns Ministry this year with their time and talent.
Marilyn Cromartie and Carol Hodes
Presbyterian Women
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves: to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study; to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace, and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom. The activities of Presbyterian Women in 2003 have tried to reflect these goals. Some of the highlights of this year follow.
We added another circle in September, Elizabeth, which meets on the 3rd Monday of each month in each other’s homes.
Four of our circles are nurturing their faith by using the study, Unnamed Women of the Bible. One circle is using last year’s study, No Longer Strangers, based on Ephesians. Two others are using books, Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado and Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. Still another is using inspirational tapes.
Mission has always been important to PW. We supported the mission of the church worldwide and locally in many ways. We sent $1,200 to National Capital Presbytery from our pledged money. Locally, we supported Bethany House and the Lamb Center with approximately $207 each, also from our pledged money. Additionally, 6 circles contributed over $1,175 to adopt 5 families during the holidays. They contacted these families through FISH, shopped and delivered food and gifts to them. One circle gave a tea for the teachers of the pre-school to express our appreciation for what they do. Another circle was able to send a donation of $90 to the Presbyterian Children’s Home. Still another supports the Lamb Center by collecting contributions from their members all year long and was able to give $107. By sponsoring the Christmas stocking project, we able to deliver 134 stockings filled by our congregation to the Salvation Army. We continue to have a relationship with Main Street Childhood Development Center. We provide for each child attending, on their birthday, 2 dozen cupcakes, so they can celebrate with their classmates. By sponsoring Church World Service project, Tools of Hope, we gave an opportunity to the congregation to contribute- and it did very generously. They donated $3018 to buy blankets! Next year we hope to raise enough to buy a well to provide a reliable safe source of water in some part of the world where it is lacking. We also contributed over $200 to the Birthday Offering which supports 3 projects chosen annually by the Creative Ministries Committee to meet some of the needs of suffering people, usually women and children due to poverty or abuse. PW also helped maintain the Fish pantry in our church for most of the year to get us through a transition period. We helped obtain transportation for a member of our congregation to attend job training classes and are trying to encourage her with our love and prayers
We learned more about Equal Exchange Coffee from Margi Ralston who attended the Summer Gathering and this project’s place in helping the small coffee growers keep their farms. We support serving Equal Exchange Coffee in our church and in our homes.
PW tries to subsidize many activities we sponsor to make them affordable to many people in our church to attend. Retreats, dinners and luncheons are examples of this. We had to cancel our February 2003 retreat at the last minute due to a snowstorm. Twenty women had planned to attend this. This important event has been rescheduled for March 2004. We feel that retreats afford us a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and bonding which is more difficult to obtain in other settings. We did have a successful “Generations of Women” luncheon in May for all women of FPC and their guests. This was organized by Cate Rodman and featured some important women of the Bible and their impact on us today. Sixty-five women of all ages attended. The Christmas Dinner for all members and friends of FPC almost had to be cancelled due to an early snowstorm but 65 of 86 people who planned to attend were able to come. Since our entertainment couldn’t safely travel to us, we even provided our own by being led in carol singing by Nancy Kay accompanied on piano by Esther Bevis. Everyone had a good time of fellowship. We donated leftover dinners to the Lamb Center along with some items we had collected for their needs.
Heather Young spearheaded our efforts to publish an anniversary cookbook to commemorate our 50th year as a church. Cookbooks arrived in September. They were offered for sale to the congregation for $15.00. They are beautiful and while we sold a lot, there are many remaining which we hope to sell during the rest of the year.
Presbyterian Women have given generously of themselves to each other and to the church. We honored a special woman in this regard. Sora Gross has given long, outstanding, gracious, dedicated service to Presbyterian Women and the church and was awarded a Life Membership in P.W. She exemplifies what we are about. We have also given a memorial gift in honor of two women who have given us much and who died this past year, Jane Carlson and Diana Sowers.
We have come to know and support each other in the context of a caring inclusive community of women who, with Christ as our center, can make a difference as we seek to serve. We are trying to be more intentional about letting women of this church and the congregation know what we do and who we are so that they do may decide to share their stories and gifts with us, join us and help shape us to meet their needs in service in the world today. The invitation to join is always there.
Respectfully submitted, Serena Mercer, Moderator
Mission Outreach Ministry
Mission Outreach Ministry continues to celebrate the dedication of the congregation at Fairfax Presbyterian Church for their commitment to local and global missions and social action. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed their time, treasure and talents. 2003 has been an especially rewarding year for us. In addition to the mission's efforts we traditionally support, we have been able to put a "face" on missions by under-girding one of our own, Jen Thalman, who is a Young Adult Mission Volunteer to Guatemala. Also, we have introduced a new mission project to the congregation by serving and making available Fair Trade Presbyterian Coffee. Much of the work in missions is done behind the scenes, but we are aware that each time we feed a hungry person, find shelter for a homeless one, hug a child from Chernobyl, nurture and provide assistance to a client at the Lamb's Center, hammer a nail, paint a wall, or many other multitudinous acts of love, for the "least of these our brethren," we ARE doing this for the LORD.
The following reports describe many of the various ways mission outreach projects are carried out at FPC.
Charlene Griffiths and Joni Wright, co-chairs for 2003
Alternative Christmas was sponsored by FPC’s Mission Outreach Ministry. Designed as an alternative to traditional Christmas gift giving, the Alternative Christmas Program allows donors to make a donation to a worthy charity in honor of a friend or loved one. Despite the loss of one week of Sunday collections in the Narthex due to the snow, Alternative Christmas donations totaled $1380.00 this year. Donations were designated to the following charities: Amnesty International, FACETS, Heifer International, The Lamb Center, Main Street Child Development Center, Opportunity International, Presbyterian Hunger, Presbyterian Disaster Relief, and Youth Mission.
Amnesty International.
FPC is an institutional member of Amnesty International and a participant in its Urgent Action Network. AI assigns a Prisoner of Conscience each month to this congregation and asks as many members as possible to write letters or send faxes to express concern to the leadership of the country in question. The goal is to show those holding prisoners that they are in the bright light of public awareness. The monthly AI request is posted in the narthex and an announcement is made of the new prisoner(s) on the second Sunday of each month. Jerry Williams, AI coordinator
Belarus Mission Annual Report 2003.
- Rudensk Orphanage: During the year 2003, Fairfax Presbyterian Church sent $1,600 to the Rudensk Orphanage in Minsk, Belarus to assist them in repairing the Orphanage and to purchase other materials and supplies. The Director has reported that the repairs have been completed. and greatly appreciated our assistance. These are orphans between in the ages of six to sixteen living in deplorable conditions resulting from the economic conditions in Belarus. Funds are only available to provide food, and housing. There is little available for other necessities such as clothing, school supplies, shoes, tooth brushes and other medical supplies.
- Bethlehem Baptist Church: The Reverend Victor Krupko, Pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minsk, visited Fairfax and preached a sermon in our church May 2003. Victor expressed appreciation for our assistance in building the church. The church presently has over 300 members and is growing each year as they recover from over 70 years of oppression. He reported that there are now 200 children attending Sunday school.
- Children's Orthopedic Hospital: Because of lack of funds we were unable to support this program.
Children of Chernobyl
This past summer Fairfax Presbyterian Church members generously supported this very worthwhile mission project. Five Belorussian girls spent six wonderful, relaxing, fun-filled weeks with their American families. A special thanks goes to our host families: the Naehers, Fesaks, Measells, Stallmans, and Fitzgeralds, for the time and love they gave the children. Lynne Thompson and her sewing group spent numerous hours sewing and collecting clothes for the children. Local dentists volunteered their services, seeing each girl several times. FPC members surrounded them with love and support, taking them to many fun and exciting places. All of this contributed to the goal of the program which is to improve their immune systems by giving them healthy food and fresh air. The girls returned to their families having experienced God's love through their new friends at FPC.
FISH – For Immediate Sympathetic Help
This ecumenical volunteer outreach program, made up of 18 member churches, continues to serve the greater Fairfax City area by providing help with rent/mortgage, utilities, prescriptions, gasoline, transportation, food and clothing to help a family through a crisis. Member churches rotate on-call responsibilities. FPC volunteers serve as captains and drivers for four hours every 5th week, receiving calls from Fairfax County Human Services regarding clients needing the kind of help FISH can give. The Clothes Closet is averaging about 40 clients a week and ran a Christmas gift shop December 16 with donations of toys, towels, blanket throws, and clothes for about 40 families. Over 100 families access a Fish Pantry each month. (Seven churches in FISH maintain pantries). I would like to thank the members of this congregation, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their generous food donations and financial support of FISH. FPC members sponsored 11 families for both Christmas and Thanksgiving meals as well as 13 families for Christmas gifts.
Fish is always seeking volunteers. Our Chair has just moved to South Carolina, so we are seeking a new chairperson. At FPC, we need additional captains and drivers for Fridays especially and I am still seeking a team to help maintain our pantry once to twice a month. No report would be complete without acknowledging our FPC volunteers who so faithfully have given 780 hours, and driven 325 miles this past year to serve over 78 clients. Members of your FPC team are Judy Chambers and Kathy Uphaus who assist the volunteer receptionists at the desk with “walk-ins” who come to our church seeking help, Elaine Creigh, Eleanor Duffield, Cherie Gordon, Jan Johnson, Carolyn Klein, Marylove Klein, Malcolm Mercer, Kathleen Meyer, Betty Michael, Doris Naeher, Mike Nelson, Dave Ralston, Cheryl Richardson, Bob and Lynne Thompson, Tad Thompson, Cliff Wallington, Marty Whipple, Otto Will and Bob Wright who also serves as my alternative representative. It is very special people like these who with your help make FISH such a successful ministry.
Respectfully submitted, Serena Mercer, FPC’s FISH Representative
Homeless Concerns Committee.
Providing a helping hand for families moving from homelessness into publicly supported housing is the current mission of the Committee. In 2003 the Committee provided furniture, paid a gas bill, bought clothing, gave help with budgeting, obtained cars, furnished Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and Christmas gifts, paid an apartment deposit and provided tutoring, legal assistance, food and special meals. In short, whatever the situation required. The main vehicle for the Committee’s activities is Project Homes, a County-sponsored program to help people over the bumpy spots as they move toward self-sufficiency. A mentoring/support relationship with each family is established for a period of at least a year as they become acclimated to their new situation. The Committee has also entered into a slightly different arrangement with Homestretch, a major non-profit provider of transitional housing. In addition, ties have been strengthened with Interfaith Housing Ministries to take advantage of joint action potential among churches. The Committee began the year with four families. Two cases were closed out during the year and, as happens from time to time, one was terminated for lack of cooperation. Four more families were added, and the Committee wound up the year with five. Of the eight cases in 2003, half were foreign-born. Altogether, 35 people were helped.
Hunger Program
The purpose of the FPC Hunger Program is to help alleviate hunger on local, national and international levels. Using the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) guidelines, FPC continues to alleviate hunger needs in the Northern Virginia area with direct food assistance to the poor, the destitute and the homeless in the Fairfax City area. FPC works cooperatively with two local ecumenical groups dedicated to the reduction of hunger – FACETS and Our Daily Bread.
Bread for the World (an international organization dedicated to the relief of hunger) has identified several factors related to hunger. The following are a few facts from their website:
• More than 800 million people in the world go hungry.
• In developing countries, 6 million children die each year, mostly from hunger-related causes.
• In the United States, 13 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
Hunger needs continue in Northern Virginia and the Fairfax City area. FPC and FACETS supply hot meals to homeless people housed in motels in the Fairfax City on the first and third Monday of each month. The hot meals are prepared by one group of