Fairfax Presbyterian Church

Staff Member Reports

Senior Pastor

Different people have different gifts. As Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord” (12:4-5). So what does this say about the State of our Union at Fairfax Presbyterian Church?

2006 was a year of staff transitions at FPC, but fortunately this congregation is not defined by its staff. You, the members of FPC, are the heart of this church, and your health and vitality is stronger than ever.

Church members worked tirelessly on the Director of Music search committee, leading to the hiring of Bruce and Sallie Horner at the start of the year. Another group met weekly to search for a Youth Director — a search that was completed with the hiring of Nancy Stevens, who began her work right after Easter. FPC’s personnel ministry and session worked quickly and carefully to realign the staff in the wake of Associate Pastor Carrie Yearick’s resignation in February, and were unanimous in recommending that Michelle Fincher serve as our Director of Small Group Ministries, and Robin Meeks take the position of Business and Building Administrator.

What tremendous efforts these have been — by you, the members of FPC. On top of all this, you responded so generously to the 2006 stewardship campaign, increasing your pledges by almost $70,000. Looking at your energy, your enthusiasm, your commitment, and your love, I have to say that the State of our Union is strong.

The key to our health, you see, is that we are one body with many members. Our church’s vitality does not depend on a particular person being in the pulpit, or at the organ bench, or in the church office, or leading a youth mission trip. I know this is a radical thought, since we put a lot of trust in church professionals, and we expect them to do an excellent job.

But what Paul says in First Corinthians is true, “Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many” (12:14). Not one senior pastor … not one associate pastor … not one director of music … not one organist … not one business administrator. No, the body of Christ consists of many members, people like you who have gifts for understanding scripture, playing music, handling money, teaching classes, mentoring young people, maintaining buildings, caring for children, serving neighbors in need. The body of Christ is all of you, not just the members of the FPC staff. While we staff members have important jobs to perform, we know that we are just one part of complex and multi-talented organism known as the Body of Christ.

May the State of our Union remain strong, as we exercise all of our God-given talents and abilities in service to Christ and his church.

Yours,

Henry

Director of Small Group Ministries

In March, 2005, FPC created the position of Director of Small Group Ministries (DSGM), and I was hired to fill this position. The DSGM is tasked with guiding the church to become a nurturing lay leadership congregation and serve as a facilitator for the growth of new educational ministries and small groups within the Reformed Presbyterian tradition. As such, I oversee programs of spiritual nurture to give members opportunities to translate beliefs into Christian discipleship, building community and leadership. Specifically, I have responsibilities in the following areas:

Assisting in worship service leadership each week, preaching approximately once per month, and offering alternative worship leadership;

Coordinating with the Christian Education elders to provide training, nurture, and oversight to the children’s ministry and adult education programs;

Providing staff leadership for the Board of Deacons as we participate together in the ministry of pastoral and congregational care; and,

Encouraging, supporting, nurturing and providing resources that deepen the spiritual lives of parishioners as they participate in small groups.

The focus of small group ministry is relationships, both our relationship with God and with one another. “Deep spirited friendship” is the phrase we have borrowed from the Apostle Paul (Philippians 2:2, The Message) to describe both our self-understanding (identity) and our goal in small group ministry. To be small group centered as a family of faith means that as we go about the tasks of ministry, we make relationships a priority. We are intentional about creating spiritual friendships with one another and thus, careful to create a group atmosphere of hospitality. Hospitality means that trust, respect, acceptance and commitment are integral to creating the small group environment in which members pray for one another and reach out to one another, even if the purpose of the group is to do the “business” of the church. Our Sunday school teachers, Deacons, youth advisors, mission committees, music groups, and other groups that meet for everything from Bible study to planting flowers to teaching to providing the communion elements are encouraged to develop deep spirited friendships in order to be more intimately connected with God and the family of faith. The Director of Small Group Ministries encourages, supports, resources and oversees the church’s commitment to this model of ministry, but perhaps most importantly, s/he is called upon to model deep spirited friendship in every area of responsibility.

Michelle Fincher

Music Ministry

We began serving as Director of Music and Associate Director of Music in January, 2006, and prepared a foundation for this start on a part time basis in December, 2005 by meeting with staff, worship leadership, volunteer leadership and participants in the music program. Much of the scheduling of ensembles, first communications and repertoire selection was completed before the year began. The church was wonderfully supportive as we coped with the illness and eventual death in February of Bruce’s mother.

As 2007 began, ensembles met as follows:

Carol Choir (K-1, during Sunday school 10-10:20), Sheri Zimmerman, director

Chapel Choir (Wednesday – 6:30-7 p.m.)

Teen Vocal Band (Wednesday–7-7:45 pm) (speaking roles & solos, Sun. 7-8 pm)

Rockin’ Ringers (Wednesday – 7:45-8:30 p.m.)

Joyful Ringers (Tuesday – 7:20-8:30 p.m.)

Radiant Ringers (Monday – 7:15-8:30 p.m.), Karen Hammond, director

Sanctuary Choir (Thursday – 7:30-9:30)

Spiritual development of those ministering in music is a central value. Devotions and prayer time related to the church season and music literature being practiced take place in each group. Performance selections have been chosen for FPC’s music ensembles based on the sermon themes, scriptures and seasons.

Prior to our arrived the annual Sanctuary Choir Retreat for January 2006 at Massanetta Springs was capably planned by choir volunteers. The choir chose the theme “New Beginnings.” It was a meaningful time of bonding, healing, and musical learning. A choir in-church retreat with breakfast was held Saturday morning, September 23 with about 20 present. The retreat included food, fun and singing most of the choir’s repertoire for the fall/Advent/Christmas seasons. Plans are under way for the weekend choir retreat at Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center from January 26-28. “Soup for the Saints” was the theme for a choir gathering on Friday, November 3 at 7:00 PM at the Horner’s new home. Soup, bread, fruit, dessert, beverage and a good time for all were the order of the evening. The Bush family hosted a choir gathering at the end of the spring season. We attended the church’s leadership retreat and the staff retreat.

Abendmusik, the traditional model of presentation of a sacred masterwork took place on April 2, 2006 at 4 p.m., involving the Sanctuary Choir, Chapel Choir, Joyful Ringers and a contracted Chamber Orchestra. The featured musical work was Haydn’s St. Nicolas Mass. The performance was recorded and CD’s made available for purchase.

There is a tradition of combined services with Providence Presbyterian Church. On Maundy Thursday, an octet from the Sanctuary Choir sang for the Communion service at Providence Presbyterian. On Thanksgiving Eve, a combined choir from both churches sang at FPC.

The youth musical, Life on the Edge, was presented by our teens on June 4 at the 8:45 a.m. confirmation service and performed again that afternoon at the nursing center fronting the church.

Vacation Bible School took place July 31 – August 4. We were active in Bible school music leadership and implementation. Sallie participated in two volunteer meetings and led the music for the five weekdays and Sunday presentation of the Fiesta songs and materials. Bruce sang, moved to the songs and provided help to the leadership. Extensive preparation was required for Sallie’s leadership in writing scripts and learning song material. The songs were modeled and taught for six weeks preceding VBS during the Sunday school hour and in the Sunday Conversations with Children following the anthem.

Equipment purchased for music recording and performance included a set of professional quality Neumann recording microphones, Shure stands, and an Alesis 16 channel mixer was purchased using a combination of budgeted funding sources, including some money left in Carrie’s grant designation for this category of purchase. A Korg OASYS synthesizer/work station has been used on a regular basis for creative worship and for music preparation.

Summer Music began with the Glebe Sunday service. The Glebe service featured M.I.M.E. (Might I Mention Eternity), a Christian expressive movement group from Bel Air, MD. Sunday, June 11 was the first participation of our Summer Choir. Singers in high school or college or beyond rehearsed with us each Sunday at 8:50 in the choir room. On a couple of occasions during the summer children were invited to join the adults in intergenerational music making.

On June 25, MidMorning Matters was a “Handbells Circle” – an interactive handbell workshop led by Bruce with assistance from our experienced bell players. We adapted the name from a currently popular experience called drum circles where experienced and inexperienced players join together to form a community of music makers who, on the spot, imitate the patterns of a leader and make fascinating combinations of rhythms and sounds. The purpose is to have a shared fun experience with handbells, and perhaps entice some to explore further.

We participated in several Jubilee services and on the planning committee that eventually changed the approach to the Encounter! services. A string ensemble was formed to provide music for the concurrent 4th Sunday Communion contemplative service. Sallie led the singing and worship at the spring and fall women’s retreats.

The equivalent of FPC’s traditional Abendmusik took place on Sunday December 3, 2006 during the 8:45 and 11:15 services as a musical Advent service. It included the Sanctuary Choir, guest musicians, our revived Instrumental Ensemble and many of the church’s musical ensembles. The text and styles of the musical selections were worshipful. The sermon was presented in music.

On Easter Sunday, FPC’s Sanctuary Choir and Joyful Ringers joined with contracted brass and timpani for an enhanced worship music experience.

We participated in a professional workshop sponsored by Fox’s Music on Saturday, July 22. Each of us participated in two 2-hour reading sessions conducted by nationally known professionals covering repertoire in organ, handbells, choir and children’s music. We made registration, flight and accommodations preparations to attend the Church Music Explosion at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in January, 2007. In June, Sallie attended a week of teacher training in MusikGarten, a systematic approach for early childhood musical training in the church. The materials and information are being shared with Sheri Zimmerman.

In meetings with representatives of Christian Education we planned the learning time frame and chose Light of the World to be prepared in Sunday school and in Chapel Choir rehearsals. The performance took place in the 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. We examined over two dozen children’s Christmas musicals before offering this title. Bruce coordinated and managed the rehearsals and production with much volunteer help and expertise. The Pre-K and K singers under the direction of Sheri Zimmerman participated in this and other services.

Many of players in the Joyful Ringers attended, as a group, a performance of the Raleigh Ringers, regarded as the nation’s premier bell ensemble, in Annandale on September 9. Joyful Ringers have also prepared most of the repertoire for participation in a regional bell festival in Ocean City, MD in March 2007. The Radiant Ringers ministered in several services during the year under the direction of Karen Hammond.

FPC’s Instrumental Ensemble was reorganized under the co-direction of Bruce and Mark Schroeder to play for six or more services each year. The first rehearsal was Sunday evening, October 1, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. It has been a highly successful and appreciated group in the church’s ministry. The ensemble played three congregational hymns, prelude, offertory and postlude on October 29. It was the core of the musical advent services instrumental ensemble, An Advent Celebration: To Time from Eternity, on December 3. The Instrumental Ensemble accompanied worship on Christmas Eve at the 7:30 service.

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart is the resource from which we’ve drawn nine hymns – one for each month of the Chapel Choir 2006-2007 season. Each month Chapel Choir members (in grades 2-6) have an opportunity to memorize the first verse of each of these hymns and sing it for their director. When they’ve sung all nine hymns from memory, they will have earned their very own hymnal to be presented after our last worship experience together in spring 2007. Each month the “hymn of the month” will also be sung in our FPC worship services.

Plans were made for the start of a concept we call Choir 101. Beginning in January 2007, the early part of each weekly choir rehearsal for the Sanctuary Choir will be given to teaching vocal development, music reading and part singing. Those who are experienced will come alongside those who are learning in order that we can “grow up” the gifts in our midst. The music prepared during the 7:30-8:30 time will be accessible to the novice chorister or to those who may have been away from singing for a while. The selections will be offered in worship on just one or two Sundays per month. Rockin’ Ringers and the Teen Vocal Band will be a part of Choir 101.



Blessings,

Bruce Horner, Director of Music; Sallie Horner, Associate Director of Music

Youth Director

As 2006 ends, it brings a close to a year of change for Fairfax Presbyterian Church, for youth ministry, for me and for my sons, Joshua and Nicholas. Fairfax Presbyterian Church has been a place that has embraced my family and change.

For the first time, I am also able to embrace the cliché that nothing is constant except change and God’s steadfast love. Every now and then God stirs up the world, creating (or permitting) the kind of sweeping change that alters the fabric of history. The Protestant Reformation was one of those times. By every indication, so is our own. Everywhere we look, change is evident: in our families, our schools, our workplaces – even in our churches. Indeed, the whole world is caught in the grasp of massive, unavoidable change.

Changing for God’s purposes is a good thing. Thomas Aquinas is reported to have said, “If the primary aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.” The same goes for the church. If our goal is to preserve it, we will defensively protect it. If our goal is to reach out, to go somewhere and to do something, we will willingly risk it.

Risk is something that youth ministry can identify with. There is nothing like going on a road trip with 45 teenagers! Risky? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

We are all embarking on this journey together and my boys and I are so blessed to be here. May God continue to guide all of us!

The youth ministry report for 2006 is found in the comprehensive Christian Education report on page 3.

In His Grip,

Nancy Stevens

Board of Deacons

“The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.” This description of Deacons, as stated in the Book of Order (G-6.0401), beautifully depicts the 18 women and men who serve Fairfax Presbyterian Church in the office of Deacon. But, what, exactly, do our deacons do? According to the Book of Order, “It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress….They shall assume such other duties….as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.” (G-6.0402)

Specifically at FPC, our Deacons deliver flowers donated for our Sunday worship services to those who are hospitalized or sick, those who are grieving and those who are home-bound. Notes of concern and care are also written each week in response to prayer cards or needs within the congregation. Several times throughout the year communion is taken by our Deacons to those in nursing centers or hospitals and to those who are home-bound. Deacons also participate in worship as lectionary readers and as servers during the Lord’s Supper. Finally, Deacons are responsible for and respond to needs within their parishes. FPC is divided into nine geographical parishes, with two Deacons assigned to provide care for all members within their parish.

We are thankful for the dedicated and faithful service of the outgoing (2006) class of deacons: Fidelia Fugar, Sora Gross, Dave Richmond, Charlotte Sabatino Bill Staples, Mary Beth Wertime and youth deacon Will Hall. In addition, we are served by the 2007 class of deacons: Janet Butler, George Fesak, Janice Johnson, Jim Turner and Charles Uphaus and by the 2008 class: Linda Belger, Coleman Bevis Mary Ann Campbell, Anna Farrell, Tim Henderson and Violet Richardson. Their service has enriched and blessed us, and it continues to bear much fruit.

Marjorie Coward, Vice-Moderator, 2006

Michelle Fincher, Director of Small Group Ministries

Christian Education Ministry

This year brought the CE Ministry new faces and fresh ideas. Michelle Fincher was hired as the Small Group Director in March. She has been working closely with the committee, providing vision and leadership and equipping and evaluating effective programs for families and children. Nancy Stevens was unanimously approved and hired in April as the first full-time Youth Director for Fairfax Presbyterian Church. Two Storytime workers were approved and hired in March.

Children’s Ministry

Christian Education goals for our children:

To welcome and love each child as a unique child of God.

To provide relationships with caring adults who desire to teach and model the love of Christ to children.

To educate children in the stories and doctrines of Scripture, using age-appropriate lessons.

To offer opportunities for children to know and use their gifts and talents in the family of God.

To develop in children compassionate hearts for mission.

To model and teach Christian character and concern for others.

During 2006, we wanted to formalize our philosophy of partnering with parents to raise children who are lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. At Fairfax Presbyterian, we take seriously our baptismal vow to guide and nurture by word and deed, with love and prayer, those children who are part of our community of faith. We encourage children to know and follow Christ and to be a faithful member of Christ’s church. Our values are summarized in the word Faith:

F: Form children into followers of Christ.

A: Advocate family centered faith development.

I: Inspire the joy and passion of Christian discipleship.

T: Teach the Scripture, making it relevant to daily living.

H: Help families live and share God’s love with one another and the world.

Program Highlights for the year include:

Godly Play. Christy Fesak and Midge Coward gently lead the children in Godly Play I, with 20 children attending in grades Kindergarten through third grade. Carol Barrett leads the Godly Play II class of fourth to fifth graders, with ten children attending. New wooden story characters were carved by Gary Sowers creating Dorcas, Elijah and Elisha. He helped create the two painted and etched backdrops. There have been several greeters welcoming the children into the worship experience: Cathy Diaz, Elizabeth and Frances Bowen, Deb Berman and Mary Beth Wertime. The leaders continue to write scripts from the parables not found in the curriculum. This program is a meaningful and reverent experience for all children. They hear and experience the parables from the Bible through hands on activities using sand, water colors and wooden characters.

Sunday School. Each Sunday school class provided Hand-On Fun at Home flyers from the curriculum. This engaged the families with the experiential learning about God. The child protection policy was revamped using the Safe Sanctuaries information.

Scouting. Boy Scout Sunday was February 5. Girl Scout Sunday was March 12. Pastor Henry Brinton taught a God and Country program for four sessions in the spring. God and Me awards were given on June 18 to Spencer Rodman, Will Rodman, Sean Newman and Ryan Stallman. The God and Family awards were given to William Ashe, Kaitlyn Wender and Victoria Ugwu.

Vacation Bible School was coordinated by our interim staff, Susan Wisseman, in July 31to August 4 using the Fiesta Group curriculum. Eighty three children between ages four to ten learned about God’s love through games, art and stories. Interactive music was led during the opening and closing of each session by Music Directors Bruce and Sallie Horner. Pastor Henry closed the day with a fun mini-worship for the large group. An intergenerational ice cream social captured the essence of family and children seeking relationships together in Christ.

Communion Worship Night for ten first and second graders was successfully led by Pastor Carrie Yearick in January. The children engaged in spiritual centers and food highlighting the meaning of the Lord’s Table as a sacrament.

One Great Hour of Sharing was distributed to each child during Lent.

Family Seekers families participated in a Seder service led by Thom and Rachel Campbell.

Third Graders and their families were recognized at a Bible Workshop on October 15, when the engaging Hands On Bible was presented, highlighted with a lunch, cake and Biblical games.

An Advent Family workshop was held on December 3 for all young families. The families and children learned about the birth of Christ by experiencing various multi-sensory centers at which they created Advent candle wreaths, decorated star cookies, experienced the Wise Men spice table, and sang Christmas carols to the baby Jesus.

The Light of the World musical cast 40 to 50 children, combining original and familiar carols from around the world telling the Christmas story. The program was shared with the congregation as an invitation to “take the light” out into the world. We are thankful for the many volunteers directing and helping behind the scenes: Thom Campbell, Tina Britton, Charlene Griffiths, Lisa Bokovoy, Kathy Vaughn, Carolyn Gore-Ashe, Chris Dockins, Sheri Zimmerman, Elizabeth Bowen and many more folks.

We are increasing our teacher nurturing and support. Quarterly teacher meetings enhanced the community building of each teaching team. Food, laughter, library books, prayer and effective planning were the major components of the teacher gatherings. Special meditations using God’s word connected the group as a community of believers.

Youth Ministry

January-April was focused on confirmation, Youth Sunday and preparing for Survivor weekend and the summer mission trip. These efforts were led by Susan Wisseman as a part-time coordinator. Pastors Brinton and Yearick also provided support.

Nancy Stevens started on April 18 and the following report represents youth ministry from that point on.

The adults involved in the ministry focused on making sure that Fairfax Presbyterian Church has youth ministry, not just youth programs. Our emphasis focuses on being God-driven and not program driven. We spent many hours together at the end of the spring and in the summer, including a retreat, and discussed our relationships with God and how He would lead us in youth ministry. Out of our time together, we emerged with a mission statement which is derived from The Great Commandment and The Great Commission. It is out of this mission statement that we do what we do:

G.R.A.C.E.

G - Glorify God

R - Reach all

A - Accept all

C - Care for others

E - Equip youth for discipleship

The adults involved in youth ministry have been prayerful and intentional about putting together a holistic ministry, not just a program, to nurture each other and our youth while staying true to our mission statement. As a part of our youth ministry, we incorporated a four-part approach to our weekly youth program. The four parts include: Bible study, Dinner, Recreation and Worship (prayer and singing). This allows us to provide different experiences for us to share with each other on a weekly basis.

One of the most significant additions to the youth program has been small group Bible study on Sunday nights. It is a part of youth fellowship on Sunday evenings and reflects curriculum that is grade specific spiritually, emotionally and physically. There are two adult small group leaders per class and both adults commit to lead their group for the year.

Our dinner time at youth fellowship on Sunday nights incorporates a family style atmosphere. We have tablecloths, serve on real plates, and serve family style. We have a tremendous team of kitchen coordinators who organize the shopping, set-up, cooking and clean-up. We also have a rotation of “real meals” that have been very well received by all!

We continued Sunday school at the Sunday 10 a.m. hour and have renamed it B & B, which stands for Breakfast and Bible. A continental breakfast is provided. Junior Highs studied Backstage Pass to the Bible and Senior Highs were offered a leadership class or a study of Corinthians.

Another significant addition to youth ministry has been Youth Council. Youth council was formed from the leadership class, which was offered on Sunday mornings and is evolving on a weekly basis. This is an opportunity for us to stand behind our belief that the youth are the present of the church, not merely its future. This council is a vital part of the overall ministry of Fairfax Presbyterian Church.

The following bullet points list events, mission projects, worship opportunities and retreats that reflect many hours of prayer and preparation by many youth ministry team members. It serves only as a list of happenings which allow us to form relationships with each other and the youth of our church while we are serving Christ.

Survivor Weekend at Sky Meadows.

Confirmation class of ten confirmed in June.

Mission trip to Canandaigua Springs in June.

Participated in both FPC food drives in 2006.

Served in Canandaigua, NY with Group Work Camps for a week in July.

Adult youth ministry team retreat at Meadowkirk in July.

Mercy Me Christian concert in August.

Encounter Worship incorporating youth leadership in September.

Junior and Senior High Sunday school kickoff in September.

Weekly youth fellowship kickoff with trip to Hershey Park in September.

Junior High lock-in in October.

David Crowder Band Christian concert in October.

Senior High mission trip to DC in November.

Youth Specialties Youthworker Convention in December.

Youth Council established in December.

Below is a list of the adults involved in youth ministry in 2006. They are our G.Y.F.T. (Grace Youth Fellowship Team) of G.R.A.C.E.

SMALL GROUP            LEADERS

Grades 6/7                        Tim Henderson & Julie Moskowitz

Grade 8                                          Dave Newman & Nora Thapa

Grade 9                                          Midge Coward & Colin McKenzie

Grade 10                           Amanda Miller & Sal Sparacino

Grade 11/12                      Doug Dunbar & Nancy Stevens

All Grades                        Harris Squires

B & B

Junior High                       Deb Berman, Julie Moskowitz, Dave Newman &Robin Thurman

Senior High                       Amanda Miller & Nancy Stevens

Special Events (survivor, mission trips, etc.)

Doug Jones, Daryl Salmons, John Measell, Ginger Smith, Susan Wisseman, Nancy Thompson, Tony Kitzmiller, Tjip Walker, Abbey Giordano, Nicola Kerlin.

Adult Christian Education

The Adult Education program is organized by the Adult Christian Education (ACE) team. This team meets quarterly to review the current term’s classes and formulate the offerings for the next term. This year’s offerings have included a variety of classes led or facilitated by members including classes on evolution, the books God's Politics by Jim Wallis and Balancing Acts by Henry Brinton, selections from thoughtfulchristian.com, Parenting Your Teenager, Rob Bell’s Nooma series, and an Advent study.

To help the development of our program offerings, we surveyed the congregation for their interests in May 2006. Out of 76 returned surveys, we discovered the following:

Strong preference for discussion classes and then lecture classes.

Desired topics in order of interest were Bible, current issues, social concerns, prayer/spiritual growth, relationships, family relations, mission and environmental concerns.

Strong preference for a regular teacher or rotating teachers, also for church staff leadership. There was some interest for non-FPC leaders and only a third wanted to have class members leading.

Overwhelming majority expressed a preference for classes during the Sunday 10 a.m. hour. Very few were willing to meet outside this time.

Class duration was preferred from 3 to 6 weeks, some wanting longer classes and a smaller percentage wanting single Sunday topics.

A 2-to-1 ratio favoring flexible or drop-in classes versus a stable and consistent group

Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool

Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool (FPP) was blessed during the year 2006. We successfully made our budget for our 2005-06 school year. We sadly said goodbye to our Director of nearly six years, Martha Ringenbach, but gladly welcomed our new Director, Linda Glick. Ms. Glick previously taught at our preschool in the 1980s and 1990s. During the 2006-07 school term, FPP has 10 staff members. Our staff consists of our new Director and two new teachers for our Pre-K class and one of our three day 3-year-old classes.

We maintained our National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. FPP is very proud of this special distinction, and we know it the result of hard work and dedication from FPP staff, the FPP committee and FPP families, and the support of FPC staff.

In January 2006, FPP began registering students for its 48th year as a preschool. We reduced our class sizes for the 2006-07 school year to meet the Commonwealth of Virginia’s revised licensing requirements. Our student capacity using the new ratios is 68 students. We are fully enrolled for the 2006-07 school year.

We conducted a highly successful consignment sale project in March 2006. Our consignment sale sold over $6000 worth of gently used children’s items. What was not sold was donated to FPC’s FISH closet, Main Street Child Development Center, and Yesterday’s Rose. Our consignment sale earned $2000 for the preschool. Our preschool families reached out to our community in other ways, too. We donated money collected during Halloween to UNICEF. We supported our community by creating a mission tree during Advent. FPP families donated numerous children’s mittens, hats, and scarves to a local clothing closet. We hosted a very successful community event for children and their families, Breakfast With Santa. More than 100 children and adults attended this event and donated several large boxes of new toys for the Toys for Tots drive by the US Marine Corps.

The preschool administration and staff are working hard to finish the 2006-07 school year within budget. Current projections indicate that it is possible to remain within its budget this year. FPP has also received needed support from FPC. During 2006, FPC supported our preschool by supplying paper products (i.e., paper towels, napkins, and cups). FPC Trustee’s also funded the purchase of a playground quality 4-seater seesaw for the playground.

Family Seekers

Family Seekers continued to meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month, organized by Sheri Zimmerman. We continued the format of family worship and dinner, followed by games for the kids and a study for the adults. Family worship time was creatively organized by Thom and Rachel Campbell, with a definite highlight being a Seder service during Passover.

While retaining a core community, we have not been successful at reaching the new families of the church. As is imaginable, schedule conflicts are ever present. Knowing that Family Seekers was valuable in the faith formation of many families in the church, we are looking to refocus and reformulate to help strengthen the families with children.

Glebe Guild

During the year of 2006 the Glebe provided an inviting approach to the Church grounds through the spring and summer. Except for July, a minimum amount of watering was needed. The upkeep of the Glebe grounds was not up to the past years standard of quality in some of the plot areas. There is the need for more volunteer gardeners to help out during the summer period.

Special organized activities during the year included:

A spring planning luncheon on March 19 at the home of Marty and George Whipple.

A spring clean-up work day on April 8.

A spring annual flower planting day on May 13.

A fall picnic on August 19 at the home of Fred and Marian Lokay.

The fall clean up work day scheduled for October 28th was rained out.

The Glebe Guild is most thankful to Tom Larson for taking care of the fish pond through out the year and for the help of Jeff Hodes in special horticultural work.

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 designated Glebe Fund. The fund is maintained through gift contributions and interest received from investments. The Glebe fund is currently used to purchase annual flowers, obtain arborist services, buy replacement trees and other miscellaneous work. It is likely that in the not too distant 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. 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 who 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; Marian Lokay, Sundial Semicircle; Doug Dunbar, Hawthorne Corner; Bob Wright, Lower Terrace Bed; David Watson, Beech Tree Corner; Margie Ralston, Magnolia Semicircle; Lou Major, 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, including these coordinators are: Ginger Avery & Brian Watt, Mel Barb, Janet Butler, Vivian Cannon, Bob Dickson, Carol Drago, Doug Dunbar, Julia Heim, Sandy Henderson, Jeff Hodes, Dixie Hopple, Jan Johnson, Toyoko Kepler, Patsie Libby, Fred Lokay, Carolyn Major, Serena Mercer, Jan & Bill Parrott, Jean St. Clair, Imogen Saunders, Sarah & Charles Speer, Joyce, Shyla and Kevin Strickler Jack Thompson, David Watson, George Whipple, and 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 also the Preschool children, staff and parents. It is common to see nearby workers taking a noon time break by having lunch at 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

Member Connections Ministry

The Member Connections Ministry changed its name this year to more accurately reflect its service to FPC members to help them connect to our numerous small groups. Our ministry’s objective is to connect members and guests to one another and to God and to nurture a supportive church community. To accomplish this objective we have numerous teams and groups organized into three areas: Outreach, Connecting and Nurturing.

The 2006 Member Connections Ministry included Esther Bevis, Mary Ann Campbell, Sora Gross, Al Henderson, Sandy Henderson, Joyce King-Strickler, Frances Larsen, Tom Larsen, Fred Lokay, Marian Lokay, Carol Drago, Carolyn Major and Lou Major. Megan Lyons and Lee Phillips were co-chairs.

Outreach

Bread Team Outreach: This ministry, under the leadership of Esther Bevis and assisted by Mary Ann Campbell, baked and delivered bread to the homes of approximately 80 first-time FPC visitors. This number reflects a 33% increase in deliveries when compared to 2005. This program offers a means of personally welcoming new visitors who live within our geographical church area. In addition to a small loaf of home-baked bread, the Bread Ministry Ambassadors deliver a gift bag containing a welcome note, a current Octagon and numerous pamphlets describing our various church programs.

The Welcome Information Team is led by Tom Larsen. Tom warmly welcomes both visitors and church members in the narthex and is available to answer questions and give directions.

New Members Classes: Each year the Member Connections Ministry supports new member classes and receptions and assigns session ministries to speak to each class. There were 36 new members this year, and 10 youth joined the church through the Confirmation Class. Sandy Henderson, Marty Whipple and Frances Larsen headed our new member and confirmand receptions.

Purly Gators: The Purly Gators, a small group ministry, completed its second year! We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. We made 12 prayer shawls and gave away seven to people in our congregation. The sewing group made lovely cloth bags to hold the shawls. We also started a new project of making baby and children's sweaters and caps for Janet Broadhead to take with her to South Africa to be given to children of women with AIDs. We sent Janet with her bags filled with love from our knitters! We welcome anyone who is a seasoned stitcher or someone who wants to learn to knit or crochet. We have a new member who joined us this fall and has successfully knitted a scarf and hat and is on her second project.

Outreach Cards: Lou Major helped design cards which were mailed to church members and people in neighboring areas. A total of over 10,000 cards were sent to invite people to our Easter and Christmas services. Member and visitor feedback to the mailings has been very positive.

Publicity: Fred Lokay has publicized regular church programs and special events in local newspapers and online. In addition a bold and informative ad is placed in the Verizon Yellow Pages. New members have noted that FPC’s ads have drawn them to our church.

Pictorial Directory: Member Connections Ministry completed and delivered the FPC Pictorial Directory in early 2006. Fred and Marian Lokay did an outstanding job of layout and assembling the directory. Kathy Uphaus provided up-to-date information for members’ names and addresses. Thanks to Cheryl Richardson and the numerous volunteers who scheduled appointments, made reminder calls, and registered members for their photographs.

Web Team: The Web Team updates the web site, www.fairfaxpresby.com, with the latest information on church activities. See separate Web Team report.

Connecting

Presbyterian Women: The women of the church work each year in mission, special events with speakers, monthly circle of devotions, and an annual Christmas dinner. A special thanks to Carolyn Major who served as Moderator of this organization which is vital to the life of our church. (See separate PW report.)

Men’s Breakfast: Al Henderson continued to provide leadership to this group of men of all ages. A hardy breakfast is provided each month by cooks Tom Larsen, Mike Watson and Charlie Brown with additional helpers. Dave Ralston has been faithful leading the clean-up team. Good food, fellowship, devotion, and a thought-provoking menu of speakers bring men together on the first Saturday of each month. This year’s events included Henry Brinton speaking about his new book Balancing Acts; Bob Coon discussing Avian Bird Flu; a discussion of the Dulles Metro Rail extension to Ashburn; a tour of the Merrifield Post Office; and a tour of the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.

Movie Nights: Mary Ann Campbell organized and provided food for two Movie Night events during 2006. In May, The Station Agent was shown over two Friday nights, with dinner served prior to each viewing. Those participating found the movie to be highly thought-provoking as the various themes were explored under the facilitation of Henry Brinton. In October, An Inconvenient Truth was shown in a single sitting. Included in the evening was an extensive dessert buffet. This viewing was part of a nation-wide environmental awareness effort organized by Interfaith Power and Light, an interdenominational group seeking to inform the public of critical issues relating to our global environment. Approximately 60 people attended this event. Following the movie and under the guidance of Henry Brinton, the audience participated in a highly stimulating discussion of the issues.

Book Club: Throughout 2006 this group met the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the church parlor to discuss diverse works of fiction and non-fiction. Although open to anyone who wishes to attend a particular session, the regular members are Esther Bevis, Frances Bowen, Nancy Brauer, Mary Ann Campbell, Sora Gross, Nancy Kay, Margie Ralston and Kathy Uphaus. Reading choices are based on nominations from members, with the nominating member leading the respective book discussion. A love for reading and a keen desire to explore the many aspects of what they read are the foundations upon which this group convenes each month. The books read during 2006 were Vanity Fair (William Makepeace Thackeray), Look At Me (Anita Brookner), Zen In The Art Of Archery (Eugen Herrigel), Birds Without Wings (Louis de Bernieres), House On Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros), Cat’s Eye (Margaret Atwood), The Language Instinct (Steven Pinkner), To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) and Housekeeping (Marilynne Robinson).

Writer’s Group: The Writing Group at Fairfax Presbyterian Church began several years ago in answer to the desire of a small group who wanted to share their stories and listen to others. It is an informal group that meets at the convenience of the members, usually about six times a year. There are no “auditions” necessary to become a member! Church members and others are invited and encouraged to join, to write, to critique, to listen, to encourage, to laugh and to nibble pie and cookies. The group also planned and led a worship service about stories of faith and a mid-morning matters session to encourage members of the congregation to write and share their faith stories. One of our goals is to compile a book of FPC member faith stories for distribution within our church. For 2007, we are excited and inspired to provide the congregation more opportunities to write and share their stories, both to grow in faith and fellowship. Please watch the Octagon and the bulletin to find out when the group will meet at the church, and please plan to come and share your musings (works, projects, memories, figments of your imagination, etc.).

Operation First Response: This nonprofit organization helps military service members endure financial and emotional hardships after being wounded. They arrive at combat support hospitals in Iraq and Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany with only what they are wearing, and it is often weeks before their personal belongings catch up to them. Our FPC group has packed over 500 hygiene bags, which are included in backpacks sent to each wounded. FPC members generously donated hygiene items. The need for these items is ongoing. A special thanks to “packers” Val Bruton, Carol Drago, Dixie Hopple, Cathy Kerby, Frances Larsen, Kristin Larsen, Marian Lokay, Carolyn Major, Nancy Partridge, Clara Richcreek and Lynne Thompson.

Time and Talent Stewardship: Member Connections Ministry revived the FPC time and talent program this past year with an updated stewardship card that was presented to the congregation in October at the culmination of a four part sermon series by Henry Brinton and Michelle Fincher. Over 200 pledge cards were collected and FPC Ministries spent the next two months following up with each individual to connect their interests and talents to ongoing FPC activities.

Nurturing

Deacons: Our thanks to Midge Coward who has served as moderator of this ministry which is vital in helping us nurture a supportive church community. Mary Ann Campbell served as the Deacon representative on the Member Connections Ministry. Mary Ann provided an integral link in identifying needs, concerns, and joys in the congregation. (See separate Deacon report.)

Health Ministry: Member Connections Ministry began the process this year of initiating a Health Ministry to serve the various needs of our congregation. A Flu Clinic was sponsored at FPC in October and over 90 flu shots were delivered.

Bear Ministry: This year MCM was pleased to begin this new ministry, which provides comfort and support to people in crisis through the gift of a stuffed bear. If someone is experiencing a loss or is depressed you can give them a bear. The bears are placed on the pews and each bear has a tag on it with the following message: “This special bear has worshipped with us at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. It has heard our scriptures, prayers, songs and sermons. Our congregation has loved it, and now it comes to you with our blessings. It brings prayers of love, peace and joy to you today and always. ‘Love bears all things.’ (1 Corinthians 13).” Many people have been comforted by these adorable bears. Please consider donating new bears to this worthwhile ministry.

Megan Lyons and Lee Phillips

Mission Outreach Ministry

25:40

During 2006, 25:40 began to focus most of its energy and financial support in the Hamburg rural area. The financial support goes to The Keiskamma Trust, which supports the health ministry started by Dr. Carol Baker-Hoffmeyr. In addition, The Trust is an umbrella organization that supports social, cultural and economic development projects, not only in Hamburg, but also in neighboring villages. During 2006 25:40 provided funds to help open a new women and children’s health center in that region.

FPC donated $1,500 from its mission fund in 2006. In addition, in January funds given in support of Henry’s December 2005 marathon were sent in the amount of over $4400.

As important as monetary support is the personal involvement of church members through the giving of their time and talents. The Sewing Committee once again sent clothing to the Hamburg area and seven members of the congregation participated in the September Walk for the Children. Through this effort we raised several thousand dollars. Others have worked on literature or fund raising efforts for this ministry.

Belarus Ministry

During 2006 the Fairfax Presbyterian Church Mission Outreach Ministry continued its support of the following missions in Belarus:

The Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minsk. The congregation of this church continues to grow and prosper. They are grateful for our support and advise that we are always in their prayers.

The Belarus Orphanage, which we help financially, is grateful for our assistance, which enables them to do things they would be unable to do without our help.

Children of Chernobyl. FPC did not host any children in 2006 due to lack of interest. One family hosted a child through the Annandale Methodist Church. It is hoped that this worthwhile program will garner

some new supporters in the future.

Christmas in April (Rebuilding Together)

In 2006, Rebuilding Together day was April 29. In Fairfax and Arlington Counties and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, the Rebuilding Together program is operated by RPJ Housing. Through this organization, approximately 2,200 volunteers repaired about 70 homes owned by low-income homeowners who are seniors, persons with disabilities or have children, as well as non-profit shelters/group homes.

This year, our project involved working for a family that included an elderly woman, Mrs. Murphy, and her adult invalid son, Shane. This family has quite a story. Mrs. Murphy, an Irish immigrant, had worked in various administrative roles at the White House for five different administrations. Shane was a musician and male model in his younger days. However, as life went on, Shane was involved in a serious auto accident, subjecting him to numerous surgeries and rendering him unable to work. As time went on, Mrs. Murphy became seriously ill, unable to work, and barely able to walk, subjecting her to movement with a walker and wheelchair. Due to her illness, she confined herself to her house, not traveling outside on her own will for nearly five years. Mrs. Murphy owned a motorized wheelchair, but since her house had stairs in front and back, she was unable to leave the house of her own accord.

Through RPJ, FPC was asked to build a wheelchair ramp so that Mrs. Murphy could once again exit the house and enjoy the sunshine and outdoors she much adored. Through the expert advice of several of our contractor volunteers and the sweat and energy of our team, our volunteers cleared the ground and built the ramp. This ramp, about 30 lineal feet in all, including a landing, was basically a deck. Work began at 8 a.m. and ended under the lights at nearly 11p.m. What a task!

But that is only part of the story. With our team of 30 workers, we cleaned the house, painted five rooms, installed a garbage disposal in the kitchen, repaired a leaking pipe in the basement, repaired a dryer that was dysfunctional for over three years, cleaned the yard, painted exterior fascia and windows and repaired a rotten sill plate in the back room. A high point of the day came when several of our volunteers discovered a patio at the rear of the house as they were clearing overgrown weeds. We cleared the patio was of all debris. Now that Mrs. Murphy had a ramp, she could use her motorized wheelchair and she could once again enjoy her yard and sunshine.

Every year Rebuilding Together projects are focused on helping the lives of our neighbors with stories like the Murphy’s. This is God’s work in local mission. Thank God for Fairfax Presbyterian Church and our cadre of volunteers that make this happen. We are making a difference!

Rebuilding Together Day in 2007 is April 28. Mark your calendars and consider participating. Skilled craftsman or not, all of us have abilities and talents that can be used for this mission program. See you in April for a Christmas celebration!

Thank you FPC volunteers!

Sal Sparacino

FISH (For Immediate and Sympathetic Help)

Fairfax FISH is a local ecumenical ministry of 18 area churches which serves the poor, the elderly and those who face financial crises or emergencies in the Fairfax City and surrounding area which threaten to make them homeless. FISH (For Immediate and Sympathetic Help) responds to requests for life’s necessities: food, clothing, transportation to and from medical or social service appointments and financial assistance for delinquent rent, mortgage, utility bills and prescriptions. Requests for assistance are passed on to us by the Office of Coordinated Services Planning, which is part of the Fairfax County Department of Human Services. These county workers screen the clients referred to FISH to verify information and to determine whether they qualify for assistance by FISH. Clients are eligible for one-time assistance from FISH per year. FISH raises money for their budget solely by donations from individuals, member churches and grants for which for FISH has applied. We have no paid staff; it is an all volunteer organization. Our entire budget goes to our clients, with the exception of required expenses of paying an auditor once a year, insurance and supplies, which come to less than 3% of our budget. Due to increased giving, we have been able to raise the allowances we give per case in each of the categories noted.

This year, Fairfax FISH was able to financially help over 560 adults and 598 children. Over 120 families were adopted through the Adopt a Family for the Holidays program. FPC helped over 15 of these families with adoptions through the women’s circles, youth groups, individuals, families and a Girl Scout troop. These “adopted” families received food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas and gifts at Christmas.

Fairfax FISH’s Clothing Closet is thriving. About 40 families each month make use of our clothing closet, which is located at FPC. No referrals are needed to get clothing from this closet. Its hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday mornings and the first Saturday of each month from 9:30 am to 12 noon. The closet accepts in-season donations of clothing as space allows. They also accept sheets and towels. The closet is almost always in need of men’s outer wear and other clothing for men.

Our FPC FISH food pantry has been generously filled two times a year by gifts from the FPC congregation during our food drives and other donations during the year. The pantry has seen heavy use and occasional requests are made during the year for donations of specific items, to which the congregation has generously responded.

Special thanks go out to the many FISH volunteers for their dedication and faithfulness to the program. This year Fairfax FISH volunteers gave over 7,383 hours of service and logged over 5,571 miles in the performance of their duties. Our FPC duty days remain Monday, Tuesday and Friday every fifth week from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. We are always in need of drivers (for delivering food and transporting clients to appointments) and captains (who receive phone calls at home from county social workers) who serve a four hour shift every fifth week. FPC’s current volunteers are Lois Bingham, Elaine Creigh, Cherie Gordon, Jan Johnson, Carolyn Klein, Marylove Klein, Mac Mercer, Kathleen Meyer, Doris Naeher, Dave Ralston, Cheryl Richardson, Tad Thompson, Marty Whipple, Otto Will and Bob Wright.

It is a blessing to be a part of an organization that works to make a difference in our area.

Respectfully submitted,

Serena Mercer, FPC FISH Representative

Homeless Concerns Committee

The mission of the Homeless Concerns Committee is to assist and support homeless families and individuals as they make transitions from shelters to publicly-supported housing. The committee works with Project Homes, a Fairfax County program that selects clients who can benefit from a period of mentoring as they become stabilized in their new environment. Self-sufficiency is the objective. Interfaith Housing Ministries (IHM) is a consortium of churches performing the same function. Fairfax Presbyterian is an active participant and contributor in that group.

In 2006 the committee dealt with four clients families comprising 14 people. The numbers were down this year due chiefly to structural difficulties with the program at the County level. The new year should see an improvement. At the same time, the committee has been confronted with mentoring versus care-giving situations. The normal level of mentoring activity involves spot help as client personal and financial needs become evident. On the other hand, some of the newer cases require much more in-depth attention when it becomes apparent clients are not capable of managing for themselves. This is a resource issue we are struggling with.

During the past year Ginger Avery, Laurel Barry, Lois Bingham, Cherie Gordon, Cathy Kerby, Lou & Carolyn Major, Liane Measell, John & Pat Scudi and Jamie Van Hook have contributed to the work of the committee. However, membership began to slip toward the end of the year, and new recruits are welcome. Call Bill Golightly at 703-591-9363 (jeancgo@aol.com).

Homeless Hypothermia

While FPC is to be involved in Fairfax County’s Hypothermia Hosting for two consecutive winter seasons, our hosting did not actually occur in calendar 2006, because FPC’s hosting week was in December of 2005 for the 2005-06 winter season and will be in March of 2007 for the 2006-07 winter season.

In December 2005, about three dozen members of the FPC congregation participated in hosting an average of 51 homeless persons each night for a week. In early 2006 the church received a $2,500 grant from the Presbytery for use in its next hosting effort. That funding will be used in March of 2007.

During the 2006 planning for the 2006-07 winter season, and in the face of difficulty in finding enough hosting venues for 17 consecutive weeks, FPC agreed to host the program for a two-week stretch, with dates set for Sunday, March 19, through Saturday, March 31. Planning and recruiting for that effort is now underway.

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 reductions 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 Fairfax City on the first and third Mondays of each month. The hot meals are prepared by one group of volunteers and a second group distributes the meals to the individuals housed in the motels. FPC prepares and distributes an average of 2,400 hot meals each year. FPC and Our Daily Bread distribute bags of groceries and diapers to needy families in Fairfax County twice a year – usually in March and October. A minimum of two bags are delivered to each family unit. FPC conducts two Food Drives and the membership of FPC has always responded very generously. FPC volunteers prepare and deliver groceries and diapers to approximately 80 family units each year. All excess items from each Food Drive are given to the FPC FISH Pantry for their emergency needs.

The FPC Hunger Program has been successful due to the generous gifts of time, talent and energy from the following volunteers: Allie & Lauren Armellino, Meg & Ken Ashley, Jay & Will Ashe, Ginger Avery & Brian Watt, Max Banzinger, Kathleen Berger, Frances Bowen, Anthony Cronin, Christine Beauchene, Ashley, Deborah & Jared Berman, Deborah Berman, Mark Bokovoy, Chris Brinkley, Val Burton, Catie Carlton, Michelle Coon, Cyndy Dailey, Andrew & Jonathan Dugan, Doug Dunbar, Esther Elstun Mary Fesak, Emily Fincher, Virginia & Jack Foster, Will Hall, Jack Henderson, Brian Hess, Tyler & Doug Jones, Wellington Kwaki, Charlene Griffiths, Lauren Jones, Toyoko Kepler, Megan Lyons, Megan Mahaffey, Megan, Shannon & Colin McKenzie, Kayla & Tyler Measell, Danielle & Julia Moskowitz, Vasantha Mba, Tracy Moss, Margaret & Dan Murphy, Sarah & David Newman, Ibem & Ndidi Obasi, Deborah & Charles O’Connell, Amy Pacholski, Bill Parrott, Alex, Chuck, Chris & Stefan Parrott, Mitch Phillips, Leo & Charity Schenk, Margaret & Dave Ralston, Violet & John Richardson, Diana & Gary Sowers, Lynne & Bob Thompson, Amanda & Matt Sparacino, Kathy Squires, Nancy, Josh & Nicho Stevens, Kelly Seibold, Mark, Stephen & Tim Schroeder, Danci Sparks, Chantal Sterger, Maribel, Polly & Stephanie Street, Angela Stallman, Shyla & Kevin Strickler, Monica Thapa, Catelyn, Corinne & Cameron Thurman, Glen Vaughn, Eliot & Hannah Walker, Tim Schroeder, Tory Waltrip, Ian Ward, Mika Williams, Mira Williams, Amy & Sarah Wisseman, and many others who may have been overlooked inadvertently.

The recipients of your gifts were truly appreciative and they send their thanks to FPC and everyone.

Submitted by Bob Coon

Jail and AfterCare Ministry

As 2006 draws to a close the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center/Pre-Release Center has no Chaplain to oversee ministry to the inmates. Chaplain to Women Lettie Watkins left in January for a similar position in Contra Costa County, California. Senior Chaplain John Montgomery left the employment of Good News Jail and Prison Ministry on November 30. While staff and volunteers await the arrival of Chaplain Bill Whitmore from New York, in late January 2007, the vacancy in leadership is not impeding the work of current jail ministry volunteers in any major way. Upon the Senior Chaplain's departure the Coordinator of Chaplaincy Services was given interim responsibilities by the Office of the Sheriff.

The ministry, however, did not grow during 2006. Few if any new religious volunteers received security training and seasoned volunteers received no ongoing communication, direct assistance or encouragement from the Chaplain. While inmates were blessed with Christmas Eve worship, they did not enjoy traditional gift bag distribution or caroling led by members of the FPC sanctuary choir. Each person, however, did receive two stamped Christmas/holiday cards and two stamped envelopes containing paper for letter-writing. Throughout the year inmates have appreciated the gifts of greeting cards and stamps from members and friends of FPC and the on-site presence of three dedicated Christian volunteers from FPC.

FPC volunteers continue to serve principally female inmates through mentoring and counseling, leading Bible study, responding to request forms, transporting the religious book cart, delivering Bibles and greeting cards and praying with the inmates. These volunteers enjoy the gracious assistance of a dedicated facility staff, both sworn and civilian. They are available to staff for counsel and prayer and are blessed to be called upon when a need arises.

FPC's volunteers are Lois Bingham, Dottie Cousineau and Eleanor Duffield. Through their commitment during 2006 more than 50 women received counseling or enjoyed a long-term mentoring relationship and 120 participated in Thursday afternoon Bible study. Many stamped greeting cards, which afford many inmates an opportunity to be in contact with their families, were delivered, along with requested Bibles which the inmates may take with them when they leave. Inmates may also request rosaries, Korans and Tanakhs. A compassionate listening ear and ready references to pertinent Scripture passages that both comfort and confront are essential skills for a volunteer in jail ministry.

FPC volunteers have contributed approximately 800 hours of direct service and $2700 in Christian books and materials, Bibles and postage stamps. Good News Jail and Prison Ministry receives an annual $1000 gift from FPC.

Lamb Center

FPC continued to support the efforts of the Lamb Center, a daytime support center for homeless residents of the area, in 2006 both through the church budget and monthly contributions.

The center had an eventful year in 2006. In March it closed briefly while a crisis of overcrowding was addressed. The center had become crowded with homeless persons who were spending all day there because it also served as the drop-off and pick-up location for the Hypothermia Hosting program. That matter was resolved by relocating the Hypothermia pick-up location, and the Lamb Center reopened.

In December, the Fairfax City Council agreed to buy and then resell property in Merrifield so the Lamb Center could re-locate to that badly-needed, larger space. Those plans fell through in early January of 2007.

Joe Cardassi and Ken Bingham agreed to represent the church to the Lamb Center’s advisory board, which meets quarterly. They will succeed the late Ken Klein in representing FPC. Ken Bingham and Bob Wright continued their volunteer service to the center with regular work schedules.

Main Street Child Development Center

Main Street Child Development Center in Fairfax City has been serving the child care needs of the working poor for over 37 years. It is a licensed, accredited early learning center for 72 children ages 2 to 6. In addition to offering a curriculum and program designed to help each child succeed in elementary school, Main Street assists their families with parenting and literacy classes and in screening children for physical and behavioral problems that could interfere with their progress

Currently co-located in the former Green Acres Elementary School with the Fairfax Seniors and several Fairfax City Recreation Department programs, the Center is concerned about its future because the City has not been able to offer a long term lease. Another concern this school year has been a cut in funding for child care assistance. The state supplemented the cut this year, but the Center worries that the assistance program will suffer again unless it is widely understood that the families receiving the assistance are working, tax-paying citizens who need child care so that they can continue to work. Members of Fairfax Presbyterian Church have been advocates for the Main Street Center throughout the years, reminding their supervisors, delegates and senators of the value of quality, appropriate early childhood education for poor children.

Several members of FPC serve on the Board of Directors of the Center and the FPC Presbyterian Women provide cupcakes for the children’s birthdays. Additionally, the FPC Sewing Group does sewing projects for the teachers and children and several Circles have provided money and supplies for the classrooms.

Nancy Partridge

Midlife Men on a Mission

On November 4, 2006, FPC’s Midlife Men on a Mission trip began their third trip to Honduras in what has become an annual event. While there, we worked at Mauricio Erazo’s Youth for Christ camp in La Entrada, delivered desperately needed medical supplies to Lisa Armstrong’s mountain clinic and helped Pastor Guy Henry construct the science building at the Plan Escalon School.

In addition to our planned work, we answered the call as we heard it. We purchased cement for the mason who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with us at the camp so that he and his congregation could complete their church building. We helped our friend of three visits, Henry the Welder, complete the floor at his home. Through our work and evening fellowship we strengthened our already close ties with our friends in Honduras and with each other.

New midlifers Daryl Salmons, Charles Speer, Charles Uphaus and Dave Wender, and two future midlifers, Sam Brinton and Ian Ward, joined veteran midlifers Phil Beauchene, Ken Bingham, Henry Brinton, Jeff Cator, Bill Freeborne, Lann Malesky, Kevin Strickler, Dave Thalman, John Trax, Brad Ward, Andy Wescoat and Scott Zimmerman on this year’s trip. We returned to the United States on November 12, 2006 (Andy returned to London), ready to plan our next trip to Honduras.

Lann Malesky

Prison Ministry/Angel Tree Project

This is the 8th year of our participation in Angel Tree Ministry. The mission of Prison Fellowship is to exhort, assist and equip the church in its ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and their families, and in its advancement of biblical standards of justice. We sponsored 16 families with 38 children whose parents are incarcerated somewhere in the United States. Most of our families reside in the Manassas area. The caregivers are predominantly grandparents or single parents and are delighted that the incarcerated parent is reaching out to his or her children. Planning begins in October when the children's names are received and the arduous task of contacting the careg

2006 Annual Report Fairfax Presbyterian Church

2006 Annual Report
Fairfax Presbyterian Church