TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORT OF THE CLERK
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2
CHURCH COUNCIL
SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
ALL CHURCH MEETING
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
MODERATOR’S REPORT
5
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
5
PASTOR’S REPORT
6
PASTORAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
7
BOARD OF DEACONS
8
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
9
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
12
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
RAINBOW ROOM INFANT & CHILDCARE
BOARD OF MISSIONS
15
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
18
FROM THE CHOIR LOFT
18
DORCAS SOCIETY
20
COMMITTEE ON PEACE AND JUSTICE
21
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
23
2015 COMMITTEE AND BOARD NOMINATIONS
24
FIRST CHURCHES 2015 BUDGET
25
TREASURER’S REPORT
28…
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Council Annual Report 2013/2014
Submitted by Elaine Wert, Clerk (edited by Vanessa Keillor)
September 18, 2013
 Bequest from Trustees:
Hewy: $331,861
Norton: $35,000
Council asked to accept the money and contribute to the energy conversion fund
Seconded and approved.
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Bequest from Bea Fitz: $194 designated to a suitable memorial as well as bells and
chimes, anthems. Seconded and approved
Another community foundation of western ma -annual distribution
Initially directed to capital campaign. $1649.90 received. Seconded and approved
Total cost of furnace conversation -48,000. Need a room built around the furnace
Need to move the signs
New gutters have been installed, awaiting snow guards furnace is being installed
next week starting on Monday, 9/23.
Metras Electric out of Ludlow, MA have been hired to replace the lights/lanterns in
sanctuary. They came in this week and are scheduled to be done within a few weeks.
We plan to ask Jonathan Edwards meeting house Trust to reimburse us for the
gutters the snow guards and some of the lights.
Annual meeting preparation
Child care is available. Peg will coordinate coffee. Final budget numbers are
presented at meeting. Slate presented and approved at meeting.
Ask for all committees to approve their reports en mass General motion that allows
for the fact that some decisions were made without a quorum.
Tiffany window discussion
Peg has the loan payments out 10 years. Todd is working with Mark Teed to get
endowment numbers with different market scenarios Donna is getting insurance
info and price estimates for insuring the window Ned is providing the art dealer
information. Peg, Bill Ames, Marcia went to first Baptist church in Brattleboro.
November 20, 2013
 Motion approved: Move forward to use donated money to purchase chimes in honor
of deceased congregants.
 Motion approved: to apply $1000.00 from the John Emerson bequest to mortgage
principle.
 Motion approved: Denise Karuth has been approved by the Deacons to be the field
student/intern her at First Churches.
 The state of MA did raise minimum wage to $11.00/hr.
 New sign on Center St.
 Insurance Risk Affidavit: Overall it was a good report, only 2 or 3 recommendations.
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January 15, 2014
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Pastor Peter Ives will be preaching Sunday, February 23, 2014. It is to celebrate the
merger of the First Baptist Church of Northampton and The First Congregational
Church of Northampton, creating The First Churches of Northampton.
Pastor Ives will be at the church for the launch of his book about the five Meeting
Houses. The book will be for sale and a reception in Lyman Hall will follow.
March1, 2014- Super Saturday! The conference will be held in Ludlow, MA from
9am-5pm. Diana Butler-Bass will be the conference Keynote speaker.
March 2, 2014- Church-a-palooza/Worship-a-palooza. Diana Butler-Bass will be
preaching this Sunday. It will be a communion Sunday, with five churches
worshiping in the First Churches Sanctuary. Participating churches are, St. John’s
Episcopal, Westhampton Congregational, Christ Methodist, Edwards and First
Churches.
Motion approved and authorized: No more than $300.00 to go towards the
honorarium for the guest speaker.
Motion passed: To hold an all church meeting to discuss selling or keeping the
Tiffany window. It will be an all church special business meeting and three public
notices must be given; from the pulpit, the messenger, and bulletins/emails.
Motion approved: Apply $30,000.00 to the principle of the mortgage.
Motion passed: William McGhee is a new Trustee. It was stated that a person must
be nominated to a committee and voted on by council.
All church business meeting to vote on Tiffany window is set for February 2, 2014
$1720.00 was collected for typhoon relief in the Philippines, and $125.00 to David
Entin for 25 school bags for Haiti.
February 2, 2014
All Church Meeting on Tiffany Window (River of Life)
 Meeting was held after church in Lyman Hall. Donna O’Meally moderated.
 Speakers were limited to 90 seconds for comments.
 Donna talked about the “road travelled” to arrive at this vote. It started in
September with dialogues on the window.
 Sue was the timer for the speakers.
 Seven people spoke about the window.
 Motion to vote was passed. Paper was passed to each member with instructions to
write down either, #1, #2 or #3; #1 to sell the window, #2 to keep the window, #3
abstention.
 Donna, Sue and Elaine tallied the votes.
 Absentee ballots were accepted from members who could not be in attendance.
 Results were as follows: 54 votes in favor of selling the window, 7 votes to keep the
window and 5 abstentions. One vote was disqualified because no name was on the
envelope, nor was it an official ballot. IT was a 2/3 majority to sell the window.
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June 1, 2014
All Church Business Meeting
 The meeting was held in Lyman Hall after Worship.
 The new slate of committee members and council officers (incumbents and new)
were voted on and passed.
 The members were told what the duties were for some of the committees: Deacons
give support to the Pastor and organize communion, greeters and ushers. Trustees
control finances, investments, maintenance and repairs for the church. Each of these
aforementioned committees need more members.
 Sue talked about the upcoming budgets for 2014/2015. One was for the regular
budget and the other for the amended budget that included the Associate Pastor.
 Lively discussions were held regarding both budgets and the call for an Associate
Pastor.
 Common Ground, which Pastor Sarah started meets twice per month. The service
consists sharing preparing and serving a meal, worship/discussion and communion.
Some Common Ground attendees may not want to attend First Churches worship
services, but all are part of First Churches of Northampton; not a separate entity.
 Motion approved: Amended budget and call for Pastor Sarah to be First Churches’
Associate Pastor accepted.
 Results of the vote are 47 in favor, 1 not in favor and 1 abstention.
Personnel Committee Annual Report 2013/2014
Submitted by Merrilyn Holcomb
A member of the Personnel Committee along with Pastor Todd, and appropriate committee
chair met with individual staff for evaluations. We also participated in writing the Call
Agreement for Pastor Sarah. First Churches now has a dedicated and enthusiastic staff. We
are thankful to each and every one of them, for they contribute to the wellbeing of this
place.
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Moderator’s Annual Report 2013/2014
As moderator of First Churches of Northampton, it is my honor to bring you the annual
report for fiscal year 2013-2014. The church council met on each 3rd Wednesday of the
month with an open invitation to all members of the congregation. In Sept. 2013, First
Churches had completed the following: Increased staff income by 2%, hired an assistant
Christian Ed director, by amendment, Trustees had created an ‘Energy Conservation Fund’
and were estimating $1000 savings by switching from Oil to Gas and we were hoping new
staff in the kitchen would work to continue service during coffee hour. Can you believe how
far we’ve come??
This past year has brought a wave of activity both in front and behind the scenes here at
First Churches. There are 2, however, that I would like to focus on in my report.
In September 2013, the members began a journey of discussion and decision based on the
status of, our relationship with and responsibility to the sanctuary’s beautiful Tiffany
Window. We proved that the time and effort put forth with Margaret Keyser was money
well spent, as we discussed the dreams and possibilities as they were presented to us. I am
so very proud of the congregation’s process moving to a decision that was both difficult and
rewarding. I’m especially proud of the responses to the larger community when questions
about our responsibilities arose. This would not have been possible without the many
dialogues and discussion sessions we, as a group, invested in. I thank you for your trust and
your openness during that process. We are poised well to move forward and are stronger
because of the way in which we went about it.
At the end of June we were faced with the loss of our Christian Education Director and we
asked you again to be present for a process that would decide if we were to bring a new
type of ministry to First Churches in the form of an alternative Service. This would be a
spiritual meal and service held on a weekday evening. The leader was formerly Sr. pastor of
a nearby church. We asked you to decide if our church would invest in an opportunity that
would give us an associate pastor, who would fill the role of Director of Christian Education
and Outreach. The opportunity was one that presented itself for a short period of time and
we asked you to engage in a decision making process that was inclusive and respectful. Our
process was also a lesson in time management and the importance of following up and
making small groups available. I want to thank everyone for your insights and efforts.
Our new Director is welcomed by a newly re-furbished children’s area downstairs. This
summer many of you helped to make the rainbow room, class rooms and CE office not only
better, but enviable. Thank you Christian Ed team for your leadership. The area is truly
something to be proud of.
We SAVED money on building line items this year!! Thank you Energy Conservation Fund
and Trustees for researching, negotiating, ordering, getting the rebate on, etc. for the new
furnace. The heating source change and the LED lights are a giant step in the right direction
for our budget and for the environment. Many thanks as well to Vanessa and Ernie who
have made great strides in organization, communication, safety and cleanliness in our
beloved church building.
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You will recall, we restructured the loan last October. That action and the decisions we
made last year are beginning to show promise as we are going into the 2014-2015 fiscal
year in good financial shape.
I am proud of the work we have accomplished and excited about our future. Thanks to all of
you. We are well on our way to being the church God is calling us to be.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna M. O’Meally
Pastor’s Annual Report 2013-2014
Here is where we stood at last year’s Annual Meeting in September. We had to replace our
sexton and church administrator at the end of the summer. Ernie was learning his job and
we finally found Vanessa after going without a staff person for seven weeks. Our Christian
Education Director, Eric Frary, also announced his leaving right after Easter. The Trustees
were trying to overcome multiple venting problems to install a new high efficiency, natural
gas furnace before it snowed. Church Council had scheduled a series of dialog meetings to
discuss selling the River of Life Tiffany Window and we were all worried about conflict.
And on top of it, Jeanne had a terrible bicycle accident and could not do many routine
things on her own.
Today I am grateful for an excellent, mutually supportive staff who work hard and
innovate. The furnace technical problems were solved and we saved $7000 in heating costs
even in a very cold winter. The congregation rose to the occasion and made not just one
major decision about the future of the church, but two. We gained confidence in our ability
to listen and engage each other respectfully through our dialog to sell the Tiffany Window,
and when the opportunity came to call Rev. Sarah Buteux to a new position of Associate
Pastor, we made a major decision in just 40 days. We came to a strong consensus to sell the
Window by a very strong vote and to call Pastor Sarah by a vote of 47 to 1. (And Jeanne has
recovered well and I am grateful for all the meals and support the congregation offered at
this time last year.) What a difference a year can make!
Leading worship is at the core of my work. This year was marked by a number of special
services, especially several ecumenical joint services. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of
the merger between the Congregational and American Baptist Churches with Rev. Peter
Ives as our guest preacher. The following week we joined with six congregations on
Transfiguration Sunday with nationally renowned church historian Diana Butler Bass,
along with 500 people in worship, 80 children in Children’s Church and a mass choir of 75
singers! On Palm Sunday we joined St. John’s and Edwards Church for a Blessing of the
Palms in Pulaski Park. I was especially enriched by our growing partnership with Iglesia
Bautista Quechua Nueva Vida, and three joint events: the showing of the bilingual movie
“The Vigil” about immigration issues, a joint worship service and potluck for Pentecost
Sunday, and working on the Trust Act to support immigrant rights in Northampton,
culminating in a community meeting with Mayor Narcewicz and Police Chief Sienkewicz.
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I try to keep my community activities simple and focused. Last year I joined the board of
Friends of the Homeless, since working on housing and homeless issues has been a lifelong
passion. I also completed the Leadership Pioneer Valley Leadership program, a 12-hour a
month commitment that was worth every minute. I also participate in the Village Hill
Neighborhood Association. In the coming year I have been nominated to the Executive
Committee of the UCC Massachusetts Conference and will chair the Program Committee,
which will take about the same amount of time as Leadership Pioneer Valley did last year.
I expect a shift in my responsibilities in the coming year. My first two years have focused
internally on healing, building trust and working to increase our church “infrastructure,”
the necessary tools, processes, staff and systems to be effective at our mission. The
decisions we have made last year will push all of us in new directions that will focus us
more on outreach in our community. Calling Pastor Sarah is a recognition that we cannot
stay the same and hope to survive, but rather we are moving towards a thriving and
growing church. My goals for the coming year are to work towards a thriving educational
and spiritual growth ministry for all ages and to strengthen our means of outreach and
welcome, to have more doorways into the life of the church. We accomplished a
tremendous amount last year, and it builds a sense of confidence that we can make great
strides with our new hopes and challenges. I can’t wait to see where we are next
September!
Reverend Todd Weir
Pastoral Advisory Committee 2014 Annual Report
Submitted by Laura Judd
This year the committee continued to discuss items with Pastor Todd that were brought
forward by the congregation, and contributed historical context to assist with his
understanding the congregation’s input. We discussed what Pastor Todd had learned
during his first year in Northampton, including the wonderful fact that he can trust the
congregation to make positive, forward-thinking decisions. On the other hand, there is still
a lack of a driving, energized leadership team. The committee continued to discuss pastoral
evaluation tools and reviewed examples from other denominations, with the goal of
adapting one to fit our needs. This continues to be the main goal as we enter the next year.
Members: David Entin, Sandy Hoover, Laura Judd, Donna O’Meally, Sue Stone
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BOARD OF DEACONS REPORT 2013 - 2014
Overview
The role of the Board of Deacons is to assist the minister in promoting the spiritual welfare
of the church. Some of the ways in which we do this include:
1. Helping with the planning of worship services, including special services,
Communion services, Baptisms and services that formally welcome new members.
2. Providing for the comfort and support of those attending services through
a Deacon of the Month who recruits greeters and ushers.
3. Assisting the minister with visitation and outreach to those who are sick
and have other particular needs.
4. Meeting with and serving as mentors to new members, welcoming visitors,
doing outreach to prospective members, and maintaining contact with all
members.
Important details of 2013-2014 Deacon activities:
1. The Deacons worked closely with the minister.
 The Deacons provided feedback and support to Rev. Weir.
2. The Deacons helped plan worship services and special events
 Served Communion on the first Sunday of each month (except July and August).
 Assisted in one Baptism.
 Changed the time of our service to the afternoon on the day of the Hot Chocolate
Run and included a pot luck and hanging of the greens.
 Assisted in hosting the ecumenical Next Awakening Service, bringing together
five local churches and hundreds of worshipers.
 Assisted in planning the 25th anniversary celebration of the joining of two
congregations to create First Churches.
 Planned and participated in the Maundy Thursday service.
 Assisted in hosting Liza Knapp’s Ecclesiastical Council.
 Coordinated and assisted in the planning of summer worship services held in the
sanctuary.
3. The Deacons provided for the comfort and support of those attending services
 Recruited and served as greeters and ushers.
 After trying a new Usher Team system, returned to our old system recruiting by
the Deacon of the Month.
 Provided outreach to new attendees.
4. The Deacons assisted the minister with visitation and outreach
 Mailed cards, telephoned, provided transportation, assisted with errands and
chores for members and friends who were ill, terminally ill and facing other
challenges.
 Delivered Sunday Sanctuary flowers to shut-ins, people who were ill at home or
in the hospital, people recently bereaved, and others.
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5. The Deacons welcomed and maintained contact with church members and
prospective members, involving people in the life of the Church.
 Mentored and welcomed 6 new members: Gabe Kushin, Elaine Wert, Stacey
Martin, Heidi Rademacher, Jenna Sellers and Patti Richmond.
 Continued the practice of recruiting other congregation members and friends, in
addition to Deacons, to present the weekly Scripture readings.
Summary
The Board of Deacons is an enthusiastic, active group. Our focus this year was evaluating
our faithfulness to our duties while continuing to maintain a spiritually nurturing
environment for all members. We meet monthly (first Wednesday of the month, except for
summer). We also work cooperatively with the other Church Boards and Committees.
Many thanks to outgoing Deacons Todd Emrick, Priscilla Pike, Marge Magner, Ginny Wahl
and Manny Pintado for their dedicated service as Deacons. We dearly miss Sue Massey.
Respectfully submitted,
Pauline Bassett (Chairperson) for the 2013-2014 Board of Deacons
Denise Karuth
Peggy Anderson
Marge Magner Manny Pintado
Pauline Bassett Ginny Wahl
Priscilla Pike
Marilyn Giles
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
The Board of Trustees is collectively responsible for the management of the church
finances, long range financial planning, cash flow planning and other fiscal matters of the
church as they arise. To facilitate this, two standing sub-committees; Finance, which meets
monthly, and Investment, which meets quarterly, report to the Board. The Board also
annually appoints a Budget Committee and a Stewardship Committee.
Trustees is responsible for the stewardship of this historic building. The Board is
constantly maintaining a balance of preventative maintenance and daily maintenance while
being open and welcoming to the Northampton community and the organizations who ask to
use our space. This balance is also tempered by the Church’s very real financial limitations
and abiding within the terms of the MHC’s preservation restriction.
Over the past 11 years, the Jonathan Edwards Meetinghouse Foundation has been
supportive in sharing the cost of the building’s maintenance: this past fiscal year
reimbursing the cost for installation of snow guards at the lower Center St. entrance,
replacing and upgrading the lights in the hanging lanterns in the sanctuary, and the repair
of damaged slate under the snow guards on the sanctuary roof.
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Room usage is one aspect of income that plays a major role in the church’s operating
budget; here again a fine balance is needed to be available to the community and still
protect and secure the building. The Church Administrator and Sexton actively work with
Trustees and the Minister to maintain this balance. Guidelines and rental contracts for
building usage were updated to reflect more responsibility on the part of the renters and to
establish clearer consistency and criteria for room usage. First Churches and the Hotel
Northampton have established a collaborative relationship regarding the scheduling of
weddings.
This year the Board welcomed two new staff members: Vanessa Keillor as Church
Administrator and Ernie Bousques as Sexton.
Over the course of the fiscal year Trustees has:
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Contracted with SteepleJack’s to replace downspouts and gutters on the chapel roof,
to install snow guards on the chapel roof, to repair damaged slates under the snow
guards on the sanctuary roof.
Contracted with Richard’s to install two gas furnaces to replace oil burner.
Contracted with Seigel Godfrey Signs to have the Center Street sign moved,
refurbished and reinstalled.
Met with Fred Shea of Stained Glass Resources to get an update on the costs of
restoration of the Tiffany window.
Honored the loan contract with Historic Deerfield.
Continued to honor a Memorandum of Agreement with Cathedral in the Night.
Contracted to have LED bulbs installed in the center lanterns in the Sanctuary.
Approved the purchase of a new copy machine for the office.
Renewed the Church’s participation in BID contingent upon agreement that BID
events do not impinge upon church events. Pastor Weir agreed to be the Church’s
contact person.
Organized the Budget and Stewardship Committees
Worked with the Insurance Board to address the Insurance Board’s fire safety
recommendations as a follow-up to a loss control survey conducted in November
2013. As a result, additional smoke detectors, fire extinguishers/signage and exit
signs were purchased and installed.
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Trustees continue to be challenged with the folding in of the Capital Campaign financials
into the operating budget. The monthly loan payments anticipated in the 2014 budget,
create a deficit of $52,493. In April 2013 the congregation approved a motion for the
potential endowment drawdown for end of the fiscal year payments for FY 2013 and FY
2014; with a cap on the amount of the drawdown to be equal to the mortgage payment
owed. The 2013 fiscal end of the year endowment draw down to offset the deficit due to the
mortgage payments was $28,275.
The Investment Committee meets quarterly and reports to Trustees. The Church’s portfolio
continues to be strong and steady in its growth.
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At the June, 2014 meeting the value of the Consolidated Endowment (UCC & ABC)
was at $2,198,210.00 with a projected annual income of $78,728.00.
The Swain Educational Fund, which is invested in a Freedom Fixed Income Strategy
Allocation to ensure that it will continue to generate income for scholarships, is held
in the Churches’ endowment as a Baptist portfolio. In June, the value of the Fund
was at $138,012.00, with an expected annual income of $4000. A committee of 4
(Trustees/Bd. of Ed./At-Large/Pastor) administers the fund.
The ABC Extension Investment was redeemed for $11,000 and deposited in ABC
endowment account #1.
As of January, 2014, Giselle Dudley had fulfilled the payment of the court appointed
restitution money to the Church, the Pastor’s Fund and the Charles White Fund.
During the 2014 fiscal year, 8 monetary gifts to the church were received:
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$1,649.90 –annual distribution from the Paul and Doris Davis Charitable
Endowment Fund (designated to Capital Campaign)
$1000.00 – Additional bequest of John E. Emerson (designated to Capital Campaign)
$5000.00 – Donation (designated as a Special Gift to Church)
$194.00 – Bequest of Bea Fitts (designated to be used to purchase music for the
bells and chimes)
$35,000 – Bequest of Jane Norton (designated to Energy Conversion Fund)
$31,861 – Bequest of Phyllis Hewey (designated to Energy Conversion Fund)
$5000 – Gift from JEMC (designated to the Capital Campaign)
$2000 – Donation (designated to the Capital Campaign)
In January, 2014 Council approved the Trustees’ motion that the $30,000 balance left in the
Energy Conversion Fund be applied to the principal of the Church’s loan at United Bank.
With that and the application of all the above Capital Campaign gifts, the outstanding
balance of the principal was reduced to $701,391.00 as of June 2014.
Thank you to all who have served on or assisted the Board of Trustees in so many ways
during this fiscal year. Trustees has truly had a full and productive year.
Peg Whitham, Chair
Mari-Jon Adams-Pullan, Bill Ames, Ned Judd, Marcia Kennick, Margie Riddle, Leslie SkantzHodgson, Wendy Williams, Bill McGhee
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2013-2014 Annual Report - Christian Education
Submitted by: Ann Rasmussen, CE Chair 2013-2014
Addressed in this report will be:
1. Rainbow Room, which offers loving childcare for infants through age 5 (pre-K) children
during Worship services and other select church meetings & events, and
2. Sunday School (Children's Church) - a program of activities & instruction based in the
progressive Christian faith for children ages 5(K) through grade seven. Children's Church is
offered during Sunday Worship services and select church events, and offsite field trips and
mission activities
This report will not specifically address:
1. Confirmation Classes - During the program year, Pastor Todd and Christian Education
Eric Frary conducted Confirmation classes with 4 members of our church community, and
2. Adult Education Programs - During the program year, there were several CE programs
conducted for adult members of the church community, including discussion groups led by
Pastor Todd on Sundays before Worship, and house church discussion groups led by
members of the congregation
During the summer of 2013 before the program year began, CE Board was meeting &
planning. With assistance from our church Sexton and volunteers, we continued to chip
away at the remaining renovation items in the basement, now that the new flooring and
energy-efficient lighting in the Sunday School Room and office were complete. We
conducted a search for CE Assistant & subsequently hired Lisa Rizzo. CE also hosted an
open-to-all Children's summer picnic in August at the home of CE Board member Becky
Lockwood.
We began the 2014-2014 CE program year with the team of staff members Eric Frary,
Christian Education Director; Lisa Rizzo, Christian Education Assistant (began 9/22/13);
Bernadette Marian, Rainbow Room Lead Caregiver; and Kimberly Parente, Rainbow Room
Caregiver. Christian Education Board members included Ann Rasmussen (Chair), Lora
Wondolowski, Janet Dahlberg, Judy Sherman and Becky Lockwood.
Special Mention: We were fortunate to have Janet Dahlberg's time and talents as CE Board
member during the first few months of our program year, and were very sad to see her
transition off the Board for health reasons. We remain grateful to Janet for her spirit,
wisdom and commitment to the enrichment of our children.
Christian Education programs were conducted in accordance with our Safe Church Policies
which, among other requirements, mandate that two adult instructors be present in each
children's classroom. Annual CORI checks are also required for all adult staff and
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volunteers who participate with Christian Education programs. The transition to an online
CORI screening process made it much easier to enable adult volunteers in the Sunday
School and substitute caregivers in the Rainbow Room - although some difficulty in staffing
for both volunteers and paid (Rainbow Room) substitutes remained a consistent issue
during the program year.
We started the program year on Gathering Sunday, September 9, 2013 by hosting a
Children's Breakfast in Lyman Hall 9am for parents & their children to learn about the
program, tour the rooms and enroll. The Children's Church utilized "Whole People of God" a new curriculum for us, which follows the liturgical calendar to facilitate parity between
adult Worship and children's programming, and family discussion during the week. Our
children's programs typically included between 2-6 children in the Rainbow Room, and
between 8 - 14 children in Sunday School each week. The size of both groups was mainly
dependent on family arrangements (custody / living schedule) and organized youth sports
schedules.
During the program year, children's programs featured the following activities:
- As their Fall mission project, the children led a warm clothing drive for people in our local
community who could use an extra layer. A Donations box was placed in the narthex and
members of the congregation were invited to participate. Clothing was donated to the Cot
Shelter in Northampton.
- The children hosted a crafts table during the Annual Fair in November and made catnip
toys which were then donated to Dakin Animal shelter.
- The Rainbow Room began to integrate Christian themes in their Childcare time, using age
appropriate stories, games and drawing /coloring activities. Rainbow Room children also
collected non-perishable food items with a new dedicated donations basket near the
entrance to their room.
- The CE Director conducted Fall and Winter Volunteer Training Sessions for interested
parent & adult volunteers to assist with children's classes... which remained a challenge for
us during the year.
- In both October '13 & February '14, CE Board hosted "Intergenerational Game Night" in
Lyman Hall - where children, families and adults joined together for an evening of board &
table games, and an informal pot-luck dinner - these were well received & lots of fun,
although only a few outside the CE community attended.
- During the Advent & Christmas season, the children, with instruction from Eric & Lisa,
wrote their own Children's Christmas Pageant which was presented to the congregation
during Worship in December. They also assisted with the annual hanging of the greens
decorations for the Sanctuary.
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- in April, CE hosted a Spring field trip to Heifer Farm in Rutland MA where we toured the
facility and learned about Heifer International's important work to end hunger and
poverty, & empower farmers throughout the world.
- On Sunday May 4th, CE hosted the 2nd Annual "Graduation / End of Season
Breakfast" before worship, to celebrate Graduations from pre-school to post-graduate
among our church community members and to reflect on the season of CE programs and
honor those who participate in our classes, activities &events.
- Children's Sunday was June 15th, 2014 and the children wrote, directed and participated
in that day's Worship service. The Rainbow Room and Children's Church also
hosted Coffee Hour in the children's rooms after services that Sunday, to show off the work
completed and to offer rooms tours - including the newly acquired third room between the
CE office and room 3 / Sunday School room (formerly occupied by SRO).
The Dot Swain Memorial Education Fund
We are incredibly blessed to have received this bequest from church member Dorothy
Swain, which established a new account in the Church’s endowment portfolio, for which
Dot directed interest earned to be used to benefit children's programs at First Churches. A
sub-committee was created to oversee and administer the usage of these funds, in
cooperation with the Pastor, CE Board and Director. Members are Sue Stone (At Large),
Marcia Kennick (Trustees), Angie Montalvo-Greene (Christ. Ed.), and the Pastor. This
group established guidelines and a process for submitting funding requests. We will
honor Dot Swain’s wonderful legacy to First Churches as these funds are used to enhance
the spiritual development of our children through programming, resources, and
educational opportunities. Among the expenditures during the 2013-2014 program year
were new much-needed children's tables and chairs for the Sunday School room.
Youth Programs
This report would be remiss without a mention of our programs for children between
grades 8 - 12. Confirmation Classes were offered to 4 teens within our church community,
by Pastor Todd and Eric Frary. However, we were not able to create a consistent Youth
Group program for this age group, mainly because of a lower number of children of the
appropriate age, and lack of consistent interest. This is an area we hope will be able to
develop more fully in future seasons, to create a bridge between Confirmation and
adulthood, and offer teenagers in our church community the benefit of positive peer group
relationships and spiritually-based activities.
Board Partners/ Volunteers
We were fortunate to have Angie Montalvo-Greene begin to work alongside our group of
Board members on an informal basis midway-through the program year. Angie provided
much assistance, energy and creativity to our discussions and activities. We also could not
have accomplished what we did without the tireless efforts of countless other painting &
renovation volunteers, parents who offered support and commitment both at church and
behind the scenes and the dedicated staff at First Churches - thank you to all!
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CE Director Search
In the spring of 2014, Eric Frary made the decision to resign his Christian Education
Director position due to having secured a new full time teaching position. We appreciate
the time he spent with us, and will always be grateful for the energy and vitality he brought
to our program, and the gentle spirit he showed our children during his tenure.
In Conclusion
The program year ended with a search for a new Christian Education Director and a
shortened but still significant list of renovation & cleaning tasks, to bring our children's
rooms into a new program year, and with the refreshed vitality to match a new team of CE
Education staff, a new slate of Board members and a continued focus on spirituality and
growth within our children's programs. As I transition off the CE Board, I feel very blessed
to have had the chance to work alongside so many wonderful people, towards the
development and nurturing of our children. Thank you to everyone who made that work
such a labor of love and hope!
Gratefully,
Ann Rasmussen
Annual Report of the Board of Missions
July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014
Members: Merrilyn Holcomb, Denise Karuth, Carol Murphy, Isabel Ortega, Barbara Parsons,
Dana Pasquale, Sandie Pirrello, Lisa Thwing
The Board of Missions was very busy this year with Mission projects, both locally and
internationally. We contributed to our two denominations to support their good works
and also contributed to emergency needs, particularly Typhoon Haiyan. A brief review of
our activities include:
December 2013
The Board joined with the congregation to provide gifts to the
mothers and children who were residents at Safe Passage. Safe
Passage is a residence and resource center for women and children
maintaining lives free from domestic violence. The congregation was
generous with their gifts, which were gratefully received.
January 2014
The Board contributed money and assembled school kits for a school
in Haiti.
February 2014
The Board contributed monies from both denominations, which was
combined with monies raised at the church fair, to purchase a cow
from the Heifer Project.
March-April 2014 The Board collected suitcases, duffle bags, clothing, and health items
for the Suitcase Project, which benefits children in transition to foster
care.
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April 2013
The Board of Missions spearheaded the Greater Northampton Crop
Walk and raised more than $3000. $2457.63 was raised by walkers
from First Churches. A portion of the money raised will benefit the
Hampshire Interfaith Help Fund. The majority of the funds collected
will assist Church World Services in its efforts to provide nutrition,
clean water, and emergency preparedness.
Ongoing
Food collection for the Northampton Survival Center
Volunteers for Cot Shelter Meals
Volunteers and funding for Cathedral in the Night
The Board of Missions also generously supports both our denominations, the American
Baptist Church (ABC) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). In addition to yearly offerings
from the congregation, the Board of Missions contributes to the following offerings:
Our Churches Wider Mission (UCC) – Supports United Church of Christ mission across the
country and around the globe.
Neighbors in Need (ABC and UCC) – Supports ministries of justice and compassion
throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
One Great Hour of Sharing (ABC and UCC) – Supports partners in more than 70 countries
with ministries that fund development projects, feed the victims of famine, provide services
to displaced people, and respond to natural disasters.
The Christmas Fund (UCC) and Retired Ministers and Missionaries (ABC) – Provides
financial aid to retired and active ministers and missionaries and their surviving spouses
and children who face overwhelming financial demands.
America for Christ (ABC) – Supports evangelism training, church renewal, discipleship
resources, volunteer disaster response plus initiatives that fight poverty.
UCC Mission Benevolences:
Our Churches Wider Mission
Oonagh Doherty (S. American chicken project)
CONASPEH
Partners in Health
One Great Hour of Sharing
Neighbors in Need
Polus Foundation: Walking United
Stavros (Home Sweet Home Project)
Fellowship Committee
Cathedral in the Night
Friends of Hampshire County/Homeless Individuals, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
$5500
$200
$600
$300
$500
$200
$200
$500
$200
$200
$300
$300
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Safe Passage
Heifer Project
Northampton Survival Center
Christmas Fund
Help Fund
Heifer Cow Project
Haiti School Kits
$200
$200
$200
$500
$200
$47
$80
Sincerely,
Sandra Pirrello, Chair
ABC Missions Disbursements
According to Baptist Records for 2013/2014
America for Christ
$150.00
Decisional Training
$100.00
Cathedral in the Night
$150.00
Cot Shelter
$150.00
Food Bank of Western MA
$150.00
The Northampton Survival Center
$150.00
Safe Passage
$100.00
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB)
$100.00
CONESPEH
$300.00
Habitat for Humanity
$200.00
Pastor’s Family Fund
$100.00
National Priorities
$100.00
Oonagh Doreghty for Guatemala
$200.00
Total
$1950.00
Submitted by Dana Pasquale, Barbara Parsons and Carol Murphy
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Memorial Committee - 2014 Annual Report
Memorial gifts are being received now for 2 long-time members of the First Baptist Church
who moved away several years ago. Elizabeth "Betty" Reed died at age 90 at her home in
Durham, North Carolina, on July 8. Doris Edwards Blevins, 85, died at her home in Elizabeth
City, North Carolina on July 21. We remember them warmly. Betty's memorial service was
at First Churches on August 30. Doris's was at the Corinth Baptist Church in Elizabeth City.
A memorial service for Eloise Heath Beynon was held at First Churches on May 29, 2014.
Memorial gifts have been received. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in the
1990's before moving to Florida where she died in the Spring.
Bass and treble chimes were purchased for the Bell Choir in December, 2013, with
memorial funds given in memory of B.J. Addis, Beatrice Fitts, Katherine Mecum, and
Elizabeth Rice.
A bronze plaque commemorating the merger of the First Church of Christ and the First
Baptist Church on June 15, 1988, was given with memorial funds of Robert Ames, Gib
Fullerton, Nat Hurley, and Helen Martinez. The plaque was installed in the Narthex and was
dedicated during a special service on February 23, 2014, celebrating the past 25 years
together as The First Churches.
Carol Murphy for the Memorial Committee
(Ted Addis, Carol Murphy, and Barbara Parsons)
FROM THE CHOIR LOFT
The year has gone by quickly, and it is once again time to look back upon the past twelve
months. It continues to be a special pleasure for me to work with the talented and
dedicated people who make up our choirs! And I also want everyone to know how grateful
I am to be part of such a warm, supportive, music-loving congregation! You all make it a joy
to be in church each Sunday!
The members of our choirs offer many hours of service to the church each week. The
singers rehearse for an hour and a half each Friday night and for another forty-five minutes
on Sunday mornings. The ringers put in over an hour on Sundays after church when we are
preparing for a service and also are here by 8:30 a.m. on the mornings when they will be
playing. Both groups are always willing to add extra rehearsals whenever necessary.
We hope to welcome new members to the choir this year, but some of our singers have
been raising their voices in song for between 50 to 65+ years!! That would be Barbara,
Betty, Ruthie and Jeff—amazing!! I am thankful for everyone who sings with us—whatever
their length of service! Each of you adds something special to the whole!
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We also have several Bell Choir members who have been with us since the beginning of our
bell ringing history (some time in the early 90’s), so those years are starting to add up as
well!!
This has been another busy year for us. In addition to singing at the services each Sunday,
we prepared special music for Christmas Eve, for the celebration of our 25th anniversary as
a combined church in February, for Maundy Thursday and for Easter Sunday. We were
among the groups who caroled in support of Friends of the Homeless in December, and we
also offered a Christmas Vesper service at Rockridge Retirement Center.
We also shared the wonderful experience of singing with choirs from five other
congregations—Edwards Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Methodist Church,
Haydenville Congregational Church, and the Westhampton Congregational Church—at a
worship service held in our sanctuary on March 2nd. We all had a great time, and we look
forward to a repeat performance!
In the spring we once again joined the Williamsburg Congregational Church Choir, under
the direction of Gretchen Burdick, to present Franz Joseph Haydn’s Missa Brevis Sancti
Joannis de Deo, or the “Little Organ Solo Mass.” We sang at First Churches on April 27th and
were in Williamsburg on May 11th. We were accompanied on both occasions by Abigail
Adams on violin, Cindy Naughton on flute, and Ann Weery on cello. We have lost track of
the number of years that our choirs have sung together, but we look forward to doing it
again next year!!
Once again, there have been many people who have joined us throughout the year to
enhance our musical offerings. We have enjoyed the talents of Cindy Naughton on flute;
Heather Williams who provided summer music for us on the piano and organ; Steven
Williams violinist; Betty Christian, Barbara Parsons, and Joanne and Janice Graves,
vocalists; Chris Haynes, pianist; Barbara Parsons, Anne McKinnon and Donna O’Meally,
vocalists; Sue and Andrew Stone, and Heather and Steven Williams; vocalists; Ted Addis,
soloist; and Denise Karuth, soloist. It has been a great pleasure to work with all of you. Bill
Czelusniak and Duane Nyman have continued to provide excellent care for our organ and
pianos. My apologies to anyone whose name I may have omitted.
We introduced Music at the Meetinghouse in June with a concert by Abby Adams on violin.
This was Abby’s high school graduation recital. There were approximately 100 people in
attendance. Our next concert will be on October 18th when Gretchen Burdick, Sue Dunbar
and Cindy Naughton present Two Flutes and 88 Keys.
It was announced this fall that our magnificent Skinner organ will be showcased during the
convention of the Organ Historical Society which will meet in Springfield in the summer of
2015. There will also be photographs of the organ featured in the OHS 2015 full color
calendar. Bill Czelusniak is the current president of the OHS.
19 | P a g e
The organ is in need of some crucial repairs—which are simply the result of age. Czelusniak
et Dugal is preparing an estimate of the work which needs to be done. I will present this to
the Trustees for approval when it is complete.
I visit Janet Dahlberg regularly and know that she would want to be remembered to all of
you. She is a light in my life—just as she has always been!
I offer this with special thanks to Todd, Sarah, Vanessa and Ernie for all that they do to
make working at this church such a pleasure—and to everyone in the congregation for
your continuing support and good will!
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Pasquale
Minister of Music
Dorcas Society Annual Report 2013/2014
The Dorcas Society of First Churches has been serving the needs of our community continuously for
205 years! The community and its needs have evolved over that period of time, and the women of
Dorcas have evolved along with it. We are always on the lookout for the most effective way to help
where we can.
Who is Dorcas? Read Acts 9:36. She was one of the first Christian women to do all she could to help
those in need. We use her name to honor her work, and we dedicate our work to the needs of our
community.
Two hundred five years ago, before the use of sewing machines and “ready to wear” clothing for
sale, the women of Dorcas met together to sew clothing and linens for families in need. The church
was small so they met in each other’s homes to sew and would have dinner together afterward.
With the invention of the sewing machine, a Remington Treadle was donated to the group. This
made the group more productive.
Then after the Civil War, the Dorcas Society began to branch out a bit. They served the Freedmen in
the south, some Midwestern Native American groups, and immigrants. Then they included world
missions and scholarships. Help was given to the Red Cross in World War II.
Our focus now is on our own community. We have provided camper-ships to teens and adults for a
summer camp experience. Most recently we have worked to improve the sound system in the
Sanctuary. We would like to continue helping with the sound system, but always have an eye
toward what is needed most.
To fund these projects, we could put together bake sales, tag sales, raffles, or a walk-for-the-cause,
but we find the best use of our time is to keep you informed of our service, and with this fundraising letter.
20 | P a g e
The women of Dorcas meet for lunch at a restaurant once a month for camaraderie and to choose
how to best contribute to the work of the church. All women of the church can be part of the Dorcas
society. We would love to have you join us. Please contact Marti Catuogno (413) 586-3586, Betty
McKown (413) 584-4505, or Denise Karuth (413) 586-1852 for more information.
Sincerely,
Marti Catuogno
Betty McKown
Denise Karuth, Co-Coordinators
FIRST CHURCHES PEACE AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT, 2013-2014
“Mayor says ‘si’ to order protecting immigrants.” With this headline in the Hampshire
Gazette, the First Churches Peace and Justice Committee achieved a major goal of the 20132014 church year. On December 2, 2013, Committee members met with the Ecuadorian
church that worships in our chapel and heard their fears of deportation and concerns about
treatment by the police. The Committee responded to these concerns by adopting as a
priority for the year passage of a local Trust Ordinance. Working with Just Communities
and Iglesia Bautista Quechua Nueva Vida the Committee attended meetings, supported
lobbying efforts, and contacted local elected officials. The result was the Mayor’s public
pledge at a meeting in First Churches on August 22 to issue an executive order
accomplishing the goals of the trust ordinance. This action will markedly improve the
confidence and comfort of our immigrant neighbors.
Other important actions and accomplishments for the past year included:
1. Several members participated in an anti-war demonstrations protesting
involvement in the war in Syria.
2. The Committee organized and recruited facilitators to lead four House Churches
during a five-week period in the fall. Forty participants read and discussed Marcus
Borg’s book, Strictly Christian.
3. Wrote letter to Governor and state legislators supporting state divestment from
fossil fuels.
4. Several members of the Committee viewed the Robert Reich film “Inequality for all”
and put a brief article on the subject in the church newsletter.
5. Attended and supported the “Voices from Inside” presentations at First Churches,
featuring readings by former female prisoners.
6. Collected 189 signatures on ballot petitions for raising the state minimum wage and
establishing mandatory sick leave for all employees.
7. Attended “Unspeakable” about decisions to go to war at the Friends meeting; John
Norton read several readings in the presentation.
21 | P a g e
8. Continued to support the weekly Tuesday noon vigil in First Churches Sanctuary
against drone warfare and other forms of violence. Met with Amherst group also
conducting similar vigil.
9. Sharon Moulton wrote an article on socially responsible investing for the church to
consider.
10. Sponsored in Lyman Hall a March 17 event, “Journey through Conflict: What’s on the
Other Side” with the Veteran’s Education Project.
11. Heard concerns about how US intervention in Guatemala harmed indigenous people
and referred Oonagh to the Missions Committee for financial help for the
Guatemalan people. The Committee also discussed our educational role, such as
sponsoring a Second Hour program on the topic.
12. Met in March with our state legislators to support the Safe Driving Act that would
allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers’ licenses and insurance.
13. Supported Lenten carbon fast efforts for the fourth year in a row.
14. Attended the readings for famous women’s writing at First Churches on March 8,
including one by Rev. Lisa Thwing.
15. Co-sponsored “The Unlearning of the Language of Violence: Killing from Inside:
Moral Injury and Just War” with the Veteran’s Education Project at Forbes Library
on April 24.
16. Participate in April 15 downtown protest against Supreme Court decision striking
down campaign finance reform.
17. Join Western Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Organization.
18. Join Jobs not Jails statewide rally on Boston Common April 26.
19. Supported First Churches hosting 10th anniversary celebration of Progressive
Democrats of America.
20. Voted support for bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act.
21. Signed on to a letter protesting attack on indigenous peoples’ march in Guatemala
demonstrating against mining on their land.
22. Co-sponsored June 4 panel in Lyman Hall on Donald Perry’s experiences with postincarceration issues. The panel featured criminal justice experts and a retired local
judge.
23. Supported Phenom’s efforts to east college student debt and provide more
resources for public higher education in Massachusetts
24. Helped put on June 8 Pentecostal worship and pot-luck dinner at First Churches
with Quechua church
25. Voted to sign on to oppose Presidential delay in announcement against deportations
except for criminal offenses.
26. Participate in Western MA Jobs for Justice rally in Springfield for low-wage workers.
David Entin retired as committee chair after serving in this capacity for six years since
the Committee’s creation by First Churches. Sharon Moulton was selected as new chair.
22 | P a g e
Administrative Assistant Annual Report
Submitted by Vanessa Keillor
I wish to highlight the revenue raised by such events and describe the role of the
Administrator in scheduling a busy building with a rich history of community involvement.
Currently, there are ten different 12-step groups, five different church services, two yoga
groups, a food pantry, a homeless resource group and a dance class that make up the bulk
of our weekly renters. This amounts to about $18,000 per year.
Fiscal Year 2013-2014 was my first year as Administrative Assistant. Between July 1, 2013
and June 30, 2014, First Churches hosted 11 weddings. This equals about $8800.00 for the
church. To put this into perspective, this is the same number of weddings for FY 20122013. But so far for FY 2014-2015 the church has ten scheduled weddings. This is largely
through run-off from the Hotel Northampton. Moving forward, the Administrative Assistant
will be actively promoting the church as a wedding and event venue to boost revenue for
the church. First Churches is more than capable of accommodating 2 weddings per month,
to the tune of $24,000 annually.
Over the last year, the church has also played host to many special community events, such
as the Progressive Democrats of America’s 10th anniversary, the Markham/Nathan annual
fundraising party, the Vagina Monologues and the MA Association of Marriage and Family
Therapist annual conference to name a few. The church also holds its usual spots as two of
the main first night stages. The income from just these events is close to $2500. We lost a
large event which would have added another $1200 to the room use income, but the group
has returned again for this fiscal year. Such events puts First Churches in the limelight as a
large, affordable venue for community events, as well as helps support the daily operations.
For FY 2015, the church is poised to host a Krishna Das concert through Karuna Yoga, and
the Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association’s (NOFA) Soil and Nutrition Conference. It is
wonderful to work with groups who align with the church’s mission, and who benefit the
wider community. I will keep working to build the room rental income without
jeopardizing the church’s mission.
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FIRST CHURCHES OF NORTHAMPTON, ABC & UCC
Boards and Committees for July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015, Bold indicates persons elected at the
Annual Meeting held June 1, 2014, Bold italic indicates persons re-elected elected at the Annual
Meeting held June 1, 2014, Bold* indicates persons who volunteered to serve who have not yet
joined the church
Moderator: Donna O’Meally
Clerk: Elaine Wert
Treasurer: Kathy Felton
Assistant Treasurers: Bill Ames & Mari-Jon Adams-Pullan
Financial Secretaries: ABC Congregation: Sue Stone UCC Congregation: Peg Whitham.
Council Members at Large: Bill Ames, Carolyn Benson
Deacons: Peggy Anderson, Pauline Bassett, Marilyn Giles, Denise Karuth, Gabe Kushin,
Stacey Martin, Elaine Wert, ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________,
_______________. (twelve members)
Trustees: Manuel Eduardo, Marcia Kennick, Ned Judd, Bill McGhee, Leslie SkanzHodgson, Margie Riddle, Gregory Wilson, Kathy Felton (ex officio). (no less than five and
the treasurer)
Christian Education: Janice Francis, Gabe Kushin, Angie Montalvo-Greene,
Judy Sherman, Lisa Thwing, Marion Van Arsdell, ______________. (seven members)
Missions: Oonagh Doherty*, Joanne Graves, Denise Karuth, Carol Murphy, Isabel Ortega,
Barbara Parsons, Dana Pasquale. (six members) (*not yet a member of the church)
Personnel: Bill Ames, Marti Catuogno, Sandy Hoover, Merrilyn Holcomb, ___________. (five)
Nominating: Carolyn Benson, Sandy Hoover, Denise Karuth, Priscilla Pike, __________. (five)
Pastoral Advisory: Sandy Hoover, Donna O’Meally, David Entin, Laura Judd, Sue Stone.
Memorial: Ted Addis, Carol Murphy, Barbara Parsons. (no more than four)
Investment: Mari-Jon Adams-Pullan, Bill Ames, Kathy Felton, Marcia Kennick,
Susan Stone, Merle Taylor, Peg Whitham.
Peace and Justice: Bill Ames, Manuel Eduardo, David Entin, Joanne Graves,
Sharon Moulton, Isabel Ortega, Marion Van Arsdell, Harriet Wilson.
UCC Hampshire Association: Denise Karuth, Yohah Ralph.
ABC Pioneer Valley Association: Carol Murphy, Judy Sherman.
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UCC Massachusetts Conference: Denise Karuth, Yohah Ralph.
Also, Church Growth Task Force: Merrilyn Holcomb, Ann McKinnon, Ann Rasmussen,
Patti Richmond, Ginny Wahl
The First Churches ASKING BUDGET
FY2015
INCOME
Givers of Record/Pledges
UCC
ABC OPERATING
ABC MISSIONS
Prior Year pledges paid
Prepaid Pledges
NEW SUPPLEMENTAL
PLEDGE/OFFERING
Offerings
Special Event Fundraising
Church Fair
Other Fundraising Events
Investment Income
Bank Interest & Dividneds
Endowment Draw Allowance
Room Use
Miscellaneous
Flowers
Grocery Cards(net income)
Miscellaneous
Special Gifts
Energy Conservation Fund
JEMH Gift
Subtotal Operating
Pledged
Special Gifts
Subtotal Capital
TOTAL
BUDGET 2014
AMENDED TO ADD
ASSOCIATE
MINISTER ASKING
BUDGET 2015
124,250
100,000
13,000
750
500
10,000
$171,300
$115,000
$15,000
$800
$500
$10,000
$30,000
6,820
6,000
6,000
$6,820
$5,500
$5,500
93,352
13,352
80,000
40,000
14,200
1,200
2,500
500
$93,352
$13,352
$80,000
$40,000
$13,950
$1,200
$2,250
$500
10,000
284,622
$10,000
330,922
8,000
$6,000
8,000
292,622
6,000
336,922
25 | P a g e
EXPENSES
Salaries and Related Costs:
Senior Ministers Compensation
(Todd's)
Associate Minister's
Compensation
Administrative Secretary
Minister of Music
Sexton
Christian Ed Director
Christian Ed Assistant
Rainbow Rm & Childcare
Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
Minister Pension
Health Insurance
Workers Comp Insurance
Payroll Service
71,248
$72,673
$72,000
23,460
17,850
14,325
17,850
1,200
2,040
6,500
9,975
20,000
2,000
1,200
$25,000
$18,207
$14,612
Subtotal Salaries and Benefits:
187,648
$245,706
Operations:
Worship Listing
Christian Education
Fellowship
Flowers (Purchased)
Miscellaneous
Music
Office Supplies & Equip.
Postage
700
1,000
250
200
500
900
4,700
500
$750
$1,000
$250
$200
$2,500
$1,000
$4,700
$500
Subtotal Operations
8,750
$10,900
1,500
18,000
3,525
15,000
$2,000
$19,000
$3,000
$22,000
5,000
4,000
20,000
2,200
1,700
$6,200
$16,000
$0
$2,500
$3,000
Building & Property
Musical Instrument Care
Property & Liability Ins.
Snow/Lawn Maint.
Repairs and Maintenance
Utilities:
Electricity
Heating - Gas
Heating - Oil
Telephone/Cell phone allowance
Water and Sewer& STORMWATER
$1,200
$2,040
$6,500
$10,175
$20,000
$2,000
$1,300
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Subtotal Building & Property
70,925
$73,700
UCC Association Dues
UCC Missions
ABC Missions
ABC TABCOM
Subtotal Missions
2,700
11,500
4,200
1,000
19,400
$2,700
$11,500
$4,200
$1,000
$19,400
SUBTOTAL OPERATING
286,723
$349,706
52,000
$52,000
SUBTOTAL CAPITAL
52,000
$52,000
TOTAL OPER & CAPITAL
338,723
$401,706
Income Less Expenses:
-46,101
($64,784)
Mortgage Payments
Note: Energy Conservation Special Gift
removed from budget for clarity.
27 | P a g e
The First Churches: Treasurer's Report
2014 FINANCIAL REPORT
Budgeted Income
BUDGET
2014
YTD
TOTAL
VARIANCE
124,250
113,703
92%
UCC
100,000
88,160
88%
ABC OPERATING
13,000
14,271
110%
ABC MISSIONS
750
74
10%
Prior Year pledges paid
500
1,199
240%
Prepaid Pledges
10,000
10,000
100%
Offerings
Special Event Fundraising
Church Fair
Other Fundraising Events
Investment Income
Bank Interest & Dividneds
McCoy (70% Mission, 30 % Operating
Endowment Draw Allowance
Room Use
Miscellaneous
Flowers
Grocery Cards(net income)
Miscellaneous
Special Gifts
Energy Converstion Fund
JEMH Gifts
6,820
6,000
6,000
0
93,352
13,352
8,307
6,169
6,169
122%
103%
103%
104%
65%
Subtotal Operating
351,483
97,231
8,632
8,599
80,000
37,490
91,094
922
2,350
610
5,527
74,140
7,545
353,994
8,000
9,650
121%
Subtotal Capital
8,000
9,650
121%
TOTAL INCOME
359,483
363,644
101%
Salaries and Related Costs:
Ministers Compensation
71,248
71,248
100%
Administrative Secretary
Minister of Music
Sexton
23,460
17,850
14,325
20,995
18,881
14,553
89%
106%
102%
Givers of Record/Pledges
Gifts to Capital Campaign
80,000
40,000
81,061
1,200
2,500
500
66,861
10,000
100%
94%
112%
77%
94%
122%
111%
75%
101%
Budgeted Expenses
28 | P a g e
Christian Ed Director
17,850
17,425
98%
Christian Ed Assistant
Rainbow Room & Child Care
Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
Minister Pension
Health Insurance
Workers Comp Insurance
Payroll Service
1,200
2,040
6,500
9,975
20,000
2,000
1,200
1,324
2,813
5,791
9,975
16,883
620
1,173
110%
138%
89%
100%
84%
31%
98%
Subtotal Salaries and Benefits:
187,648
181,680
97%
Operations:
Worship Listing
Christian Education
Fellowship
Flowers (Purchased)
Miscellaneous
Music
700
1,000
250
200
500
900
759
416
0
1,153
2,268
1,821
108%
42%
0%
577%
454%
202%
4,700
500
2,959
288
63%
58%
Subtotal Operations
8,750
9,664
110%
Building & Property
Musical Instrument Care
Property & Liability Ins.
Snow/Lawn Maint.
Repairs and Maintenance
1,500
18,000
3,525
25,000
3,365
18,382
1,030
15,903
224%
102%
29%
64%
Energy Conversion Fund Expend
66,861
44,150
66%
Utilities:
Electricity
Heating - Gas +allocation for oil
Heating - Oil
Telephone
Water and Sewer
5,000
24,000
0
2,200
1,700
5,264
17,109
0
2,595
1,302
105%
71%
Subtotal Building & Property
147,786
109,100
74%
UCC Association Dues
UCC Missions
ABC Missions
ABC TABCOM
Subtotal Missions
2,700
11,500
4,200
1,000
19,400
1,784
12,817
5,384
500
20,486
66%
111%
128%
50%
106%
SUBTOTAL OPERATING
363,584
320,930
88%
Office Supplies & Equip.
Postage
118%
77%
29 | P a g e
52,000
0
51,673
TOTAL EXP OPER & CAPITAL
415,584
412,252
Income Less Expenses:
(56,101)
($48,608)
Mortgage payments
Payment of Principle
Endowment June 2013
Endowment June 2014
Mortgage
99%
39,650
99%
2,157,614
2,110,252
701,391
30 | P a g e