Annual Report 2012

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First PresAnnualReport2012

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Dear First Pres Family,

How do you describe a year like 2012? In the span of 12 months, this congregation embraced a new denomination, welcomed a new senior pastor, mourned losses and dealt with the most destructive natural disaster in the city’s history. It’s difficult to wrap your mind around all that transpired in 2012. Any one of those things would be a major event to deal with, but to have come through all those things in one year is incredible.

Despite all the challenges faced, 2012 was a year incredibly blessed by God. We were able to minister to the congregation, community and world in new ways. We celebrated the movement of God in this church and in this community, we welcomed new additions to the ministry here and we reached out to those suffering and in need in Colorado Springs. It is hard not to feel the blessing of God through this year of tremendous challenges and changes.

Doubtless we will continue to be part of a tremendous movement of God in 2013. Included in the following pages are a snapshot of the vision and mission of the different ministry areas at First Pres. But, more importantly, each of these descriptions provides you with a sense of the direction God is moving the ministry in 2013. We are excited to see where He leads in this New Year, and I hope you are, too!

This year we want to focus on worship. What does it look like to worship our God, how can we more fully worship Him and how do we continue to share our worship with the world? I hope you will join us in wrestling with these ideas as we move through this year.

I am grateful to worship with all of you each week and I look forward to seeing how He will move through each of us in 2013!

In Christ,

Graham Baird,Senior Pastor


Worship and Music Ministries

Worship is one of the most important parts of a living and active faith, and it is a central focus for First Pres. The worship team strives each

week to create a space that helps everyone who comes through the doors to connect with God in a real and authentic way. The vision for the worship team is to lead worship with hearts so tender that God will use them to glorify Himself; to be a visible representation of God’s faithfulness each week; and to encourage the congregation to fully engage in worship.

The challenge for the worship team each week is to find a way to connect with people of different ages and backgrounds through the many styles of worship offered. “While we know that worship is truly not about us, we believe the worship team plays an important role in pointing people toward His glory,” said worship leader Matt Holtzman. First Pres continues to provide a variety of worship services

each Sunday — including the traditional services at 8:20 and 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary, contemporary services at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall and 11:10 a.m. in the Sanctuary, and a contemplative service at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

During 2012 the worship team continued to build and refine each service to help bring attendees closer to God. That included adjusting to a new minister and further refining the services. The worship team also added new elements — including an experience feature that helps connect First Pres with opportunities to engage and worship outside of Sunday services — and special services — including the Kirkin O’ Th Tartan service which celebrated the Scottish roots of Presbyterianism.

Those efforts will continue in new ways in 2013 — a year in which Pastor Graham Baird has set the focus of the church on wor-ship. The goal of the worship team is to continue to develop services at First Pres in new and exciting ways and to bring fresh enhancements to the worship expe-rience, both in person and online through livestreaming. The worship team also strives to make the experience at First Pres meaningful to long-time attendees and safe and welcoming to those com-ing to the church for the first time. But, as always, the highlight remains seeing people connect to God each week. “The highlight of all our worship services is looking out and seeing our church ascribe the glory that is due to our God,” Matt said.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

Worship Ministries:Sanctuary Choir

Praise BandBrass Ensemble

Communion TeamUshers

Vivace RingersChildren’s ChoirsOrchestra Camp

Art CampHandbell Camp

To volunteer in these ministries, contact Marty Kelly - 884-6113

The worship staff at First Pres. Pictured from left, front row: Matt Holtzman, worship leader, Chris Sebby, director of music administration, Jan Weiser, worship media tech; back row: Ben Rose, A/V specialist, Mattea Norman, worship media tech, Jim DeJarnette, minister of music; missing: Jerilyn Dix, wedding coordinator


Missional Strategies“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.’”

John 20:21

Missional Strategies at First Pres encompasses a wide range of ministries, lay leaders and programs as it seeks to further the Gospel in

three distinct areas. Under the banner of Missional Strategies comes work done to spread the Gospel far and wide through Global Missions, to impact Colorado Springs through Local Missions and to enrich the Spiritual lives of those within our con-

gregation through Adult Ministries. It’s a broad mission that continues to focus on helping people put their faith into action.

The prevailing thought for the Mis-sional Strategies team remains thinking of the way God relates to the world, and incorporating that into the way First Pres ministers to the world. The team uses a simple formula: “God is a missionary God; God has a mission for the world; God has a church for His mission.” That formula has aided in the formation of the mission statement for Missional Strategies — which is “to equip the church to join God in transforming the world.” The goal is to help people live an integrated life — creating disciples who love, serve and bless the world around them, whether through mission outreach, neighborhood outreach, in schools, at home or at work.

In 2012, the focus was cultivating an idea of what it means to live a missional life. That includes a focus on practices, experiences and Spiritual growth that help people live out the mission of the church. That desire was reflected in all the 2012 outreach efforts — including Journey to the Cross in the spring, a

focus on neighborhoods during the summer, the outreach to those affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire and the tie-in to the idea of Investing in the King-dom, which was highlighted during First Pres’ stew-ardship campaign. Everyone participates in mission — whether through small things like donating food on collection Sundays for ESM, serving as a witness in the workplace, walking alongside teen moms or sharing their faith with people halfway across the world.

The goal moving forward is to continue to help people think, act and live missionally. That includes developing leaders, making disciples and bringing various ministry teams together to share, encourage one another and increase ministry effectiveness. The Missional Strategies team remains focused on reflec-tion and mobilization — encouraging the church to grow, learn and act on their faith.

Adult Programs:Men’s MinistriesWomen’s MinistriesMOPSAdult Sunday CommunitiesCollege & Young AdultCafé 225Local Missions:21 partner organizations in Colorado SpringsGlobal Missions:19 ministries and mission organizationsPartnerships in Cuba, Egypt, Mongolia and IndiaTo volunteer in these ministries, contact Lydia VanDyk - 884-6233

Pictured from left, front row: Ina Meyer, assoc. ministry development, Susan Buenger, global missions, Mary Frieg, new members, Michelle Swanson, local missions; middle row: Sandy Tafoya, events, Amy Erickson, intern, Rhea Patton, spiritual development; back row: Amber Odvody, associate pastor for missional communi-ties, Jennifer Holz, associate pastor adult ministries, Lydia Van Dyk, assoc. ministry development, Katie Dayton, associate pastor missional strategies; missing: Jourdan Foran, interim associate college ministries


In late January, the Missional Strategies group continued its long-term care of the Waldo Canyon Fire survivors with another outreach gathering. In early February, the focus on Justice Issues com-menced with a special workshop and message from Jim Martin on the Just Church. Moving forward, there will be a continued focus on cultivating strong partnerships — both locally and around the globe — helping everyone to live an integrated life. Missional Strategies continues to partner with 21 organiza-tions meeting needs in Colorado Springs. First Pres partners with 19 ministries and mission organiza-tions around the globe, including ministries in Cuba, Egypt, Mongolia and India — while considering

new partnerships in Latin America. And First Pres continues to offer programs, groups and discipleship opportunities to build a more tight knit community at First Pres inspired by the belief that mission fuels worship, and worship fuels God’s mission lived out by His people.

“It is in the very being of God that the basis for the missionary enterprise is found. God is a sending God, with a desire to see humankind and creation reconciled, redeemed and healed. The missional church, then, is a sent church. It is a going church, a movement of God through his people, sent to bring healing to a broken world.” — Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost, The Shaping of Things to Come

Family Ministries“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

First Pres has placed a great deal of emphasis on what it takes to help its youngest members of the congre-gation develop a faith that carries them through their

whole lives. A lot of inspiration for the family ministries program has come from the Sticky Faith movement.

Sticky Faith is based on research conducted by fol-lowing 6,000 young people to see why half of them left the faith between the end of high school and the first two years in college. The study reveals that making faith stick requires an investment in the lives of the younger generation. Nate Stratman, Director of Family Ministries for First Pres, said he’s working to incorpo-rate Sticky Faith ideas in the ministry model to a larger degree in 2013.

“We are trying to empower families to know how to tell their own faith stories,” he said.

Stratman’s working to adapt the mission statement used in Student Ministries — “To meet students

where they are and help them know, live and love like Jesus” — in all aspects of family ministry. With such a diverse range of ages, issues and programs, that requires an intense investment in each indivdual and awareness of where they are in their faith journey.

A Sticky Faith team has spent the last year sharing stories, ideas and ministry goals to create a break-through plan. All this work has helped to highlight three strategic areas of focus for the Family Ministries team. First is a focus on transi-tions — including not just the transitions between grades but those stages in life that people travel through.

The second key area of focus is on providing inter-generational ministry

Family Ministries:Nursery Program

Mom’s Morning OutKidQuest

First Pres PreschoolGet Set Preschool

Route 56I-78

High School MinistriesCreation StationThe ConnectionSummer Camps

Rise and ShineGrilled Cheese

To volunteer in these ministries, contact Angie Powell - 884-6220


opportunities. This isn’t just about getting people of different generations together, but creating situations that allow them to integrate and pour into each oth-er’s lives. It’s about creating a web of adults who are pouring into the lives of young people, Stratman said.

The final key area of focus is on partnering with families. The goal is for those involved in family min-istries programs not just to focus on the individual

youth members involved, but to incorporate a whole family model. The focus is on creating oportunities for families to worship and minister together.

During 2012, the children’s ministries team — led by Children’s Ministries Director Danny Shaw — considered the ways staff and volunteers can better host families by examining the ideas and principles suggested by the Walt Disney Company in the book “Be Our Guest.” This puts the focus on considering the needs and concerns of all who come through our doors as we attempt to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ — both to youth participants and parents.

Another example of that was the special seminar offered in November focusing on parents of students with disabilities. The goal was to offer not only ben-eficial information, but to minister to those families who face unique challenges.

The goal is to create cohesion throughout the Family Ministries program — which carries young people from the nursery through children’s minis-tries, student ministries and college ministries. It’s about a long-term investment in these young lives, building them up in a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and pairing that with adults willing to invest in their lives.

Stratman said the goal moving forward is to con-tinue to create ministry opportunities that provide places for all members of the family to connect, be involved and grow in their faith. That is part of how Family Ministries can meet everyone where they are and help them to fully grow and realize their faith.

The staff of family ministries at First Pres. Pictured from left, front row: Sarah Powers, teacher aide First Pres Preschool, Jennifer Hoppe, teacher aide Get Set, Angie Powell, associate ministry development, Valerie Trujillo, nursery supervisor, Amme Campbell, nursery care giver, Lisa Gonzales, teacher aide First Pres Preschool, Jackie Schowengerdt, teacher aide First Pres Preschool; second row: Cathy Colbrunn, teacher First Pres Preschool, Kathy Dobyns, children’s ministries associate, Lee Ann Soulvie, children’s ministries music associate, Beth Morrison, nursery manager, Joy Farmer, teacher First Pres Preschool; third row: Helen Hazelton, Get Set associate, Delma Cliett, Get Set director, Danny Shaw, children’s ministries director, Darcie Nagle, teacher aide First Pres Preschool, Barb Dwors, teacher First Pres Preschool; fourth row: Priscilla Wittrock, administrative assistant, Kim Green, teacher First Pres Preschool, Laura Bradley, First Pres Preschool director; fifth row: Nate Stratman, director of family ministries, Scott Boss, high school ministries, Collin Grant, 5th and 6th grade ministries, Katie Harris, middle school ministries

Caring Ministries“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

What is the purpose of the church? There are many, but one of the roles of the corporate body is to lift one another up, to help each

other carry their burdens and to help keep the focus on God and His provision in our lives. That is one of the primary functions served by the Caring Min-


The staff of Caring Ministries. Pictured from left, front row: Angie Foreman, admin-istrative assistant; middle row: Kim Kuck, congregational support, Nancy Maffet, director of Caring Ministries, Rev. Jim Smith, associate pastor Caring Ministries; back row: Rev. John Goodale, associate pastor Caring Ministries

istries, which seeks to come alongside those in the congregation, city and world who are struggling. For years, First Pres has been at the forefront of helping people who are hurting find comfort, strength and peace in the love of Jesus Christ.

Care at First Pres happens in a variety of ways as members within the communities in the church practice being Christ to each other through prayer, celebrations, visits at homes and hospitals and in many other ways. First Pres offers a variety of work-shops and support groups to help target specific areas of need in the greater Colorado Springs community. Additionally, the Stephen Ministry trains those among the congregation to be the hands and feet of Christ to those in need in the congregation and the city.

“We want people in our congregation to feel Christ’s love,” said Rev. John Goodale. “We want them to know that their needs are on somebody’s radar; that they get a touch in a time of crisis or difficulty.”

This happens in a variety of ways. Ministers make weekly hospital visits and keep in touch with members in need, but it’s not just staff that helps create that connection but the lay ministers as well. Deacons are given individuals from the congregation to be in touch with, members of the

Stephen Ministries program are available for long-term connections with those in crisis and this year Caring Ministries launched a Pastoral Care Team to provide followup care and support to members once they leave the hospital. That’s how Caring Ministries has been able to empower members to be min-isters and to help add a personal touch and connection for everyone who is a part of the larger body of First Pres.

Goodale notes that, throughout his seven years as a part of this ministry, the move to having more people be a part of the ministry is the biggest change he’s noticed. The expanded duties and role of the Deacons has led to many remaining involved in personal, long-term connections with fellow members long after their term ends. The Stephen Minister program, too, creates long-term, member-to-member connections that help foster a family atmosphere at First Pres.

One hope is to continue to expand this model, offering an opportunity for everyone to use their unique gifts to minister to other members of the church. In addition to the teams already in place, Goodale said the plan is to continue to expand by creating a health care team of nurses available to offer their gifts to those in need and a counseling team to help address broader issues with periodic seminars. There is no end to the number of ministries that can begin and flourish thanks to the rich collection of passions and talents within the body at First Pres.

“If I had a vision for where I’m hoping we’ll go, it would be to expand on the ministries and model we already have,” he said. “This is another way of show-ing that the people in the church are invested in and care for members of the church.”

Allowing each member to have a ministry role ideally suited to their gifts and talents is the long-term goal in Caring Ministries.

Caring Ministries Programs

Stephen Ministers

Hospital Visits

Primetime

Support Groups

Grief Workshop

Divorce Recovery Workshop

Help for the Holiday Blues

Inn at Garden Plaza worship

Deacon’s fund

Health Hope & Healing

To volunteer in these ministries, contact Angie Forman - 884-6145


Support Ministries“Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127:1

It takes a great deal of work to help a church like First Pres function smoothly, achieve its ministry goals and meet the needs of all that walk through

its doors. It’s easy to recognize the hard work of those who present a face on the ministry Sunday mornings, throughout the week or when the ministry flows outside the walls of First Pres, but countless hours are spent by those working behind the scenes.

Some of this work includes the administrative staff that helps coordinate efforts and handle all the questions and details it takes to function smoothly. That includes the finance office, which helps process donated funds, equip the ministries toward their work and helps First Pres steward the resources pro-vided by God. Among the support ministries is the hospitality team, which provides a variety of services that help First Pres feel like home. Also included is the communication and graphics team, which helps design flyers, publish information and get that infor-mation to the people who need to hear the message. And that includes the facilities team, which puts in countless thankless hours ensuring that the facilities are clean, prepared and ready to host the many min-istries that occur throughout the week.

In 2013, that work will continue. In addition to the support offered by staff, many of these ministry areas provide a number of opportunities for lay leadership and volunteers, helping the congregation be an active part of the ministry at First Pres.

Support services staff at First Pres. Pictured from left, front row: Judy Anderson, recep-tionist, Audrey Grand, administrative assistant, Steve Aragon, kitchen services, Jessica Stafford, chef; second row: Sue Hayward, administrative assistant, Kathy Achenbach, controller, Michelle Adams-Fooshee, associate of ministry giving, John Jennings, network administrator; third row: Joe Zeman, human resources and payroll coordinator, Rose Marie Lyda, executive assistant to senior minister and executive director, Alison Murray, executive director; fourth row: Dave Phillips, mission advancement, Josh Staton, director of building services

The custodial staff at First Pres. Picture from left, front row: Tracy Richardson, custodian, Jon Dyke, custodian, Andrea Robinson, custodian, Ryan Crutchfield, night lead; middle row: Chris Warren, custodian, Shawn Evans, custodian, Jesse Wells, custodian; back row: Josh Staton, director of building services, Taylor Ragland, maintenance technician

The Communications Department staff. Pictured from left, front row: Beryl Glass, graphic designer, Caren Clarke, mail room, Dale McClure, archives; back row: Matthew Fox, manager of communications, Russell Schurbon, communications production, Trish Bibler, graphics specialist


“Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”

Psalm 127:12012 ACTUAL

2013 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS

COMMUNITY LIFE $743,307 STUDENTS $455,828 CHILDREN $792,671 ADULTS $420,538 MISSIONS $1,571,457 WORSHIP $2,159,200

COMMUNITY LIFE $509,997 STUDENTS $508,168 CHILDREN $886,748 ADULTS $388,803 MISSIONS $1,601,269 WORSHIP $2,173,241

8%8%

15%

7%

26%

36%

12%

7%

13%

7%

26%

35%

FINANCES

First Presbyterian Church Statement of Financial PositionDecember 31, 2012

Assets $ 25,939,762

Liabilities $ 131,756 Net Assets $ 25,808,005 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 25,939,762

Statement of Activities 2013 Budget 2012 Actual Variance

Contribution Income $6,141,226 100% $6,243,200 100% $ (101,974) -1.66%Expenses $5,991,226 98% $6,028,442 100% $ (37,216) -.62Board Designated Capital Reserve $150,000 3% — 0% $150,000 100%

Change in Net Assets — — $214,758 — $214,758 —


MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

MEMBERS RECEIVED IN 2012 - 190

CONFESSION RESTORED REAFFIRMATION TRANSFER IN OF FAITH - 55 16 OF FAITH - 73 MEMBERSHIP - 46

TOTAL LOSSES - 300 REMOVED FROM TRANSFERRED DEATHS ROLL - 204 OUT - 36 60

0 – 25 26 – 45 46 – 55

65+

56 – 64

10%

17%

17%

41%

14%

0-25 yrs 366

26-45 yrs 617

46-55 yrs 534

56-64 yrs 637

65+ yrs 1511

Unknown 39

TOTAL MEMBERS: 3,704AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 2,427


FOUNDATION

First Presbyterian Church FoundationStatement of Financial Postition • December 31, 2012

Cash $24,897

Investments $1,266,504

Donated Land $748,448

Total Assets $2,039,849

Liabilities $0

Net Assets $2,039,849

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $2,039,849

First Presbyterian Church FoundationStatement of Activities • December 31, 2012

Contributions $25,620 22%

Gain/Loss on Investments $92,807 78%

Total $118,427 100%

Grant Payouts $ (33,135) -28%

Administrative Expenses $ (3,000) -3%

Change in Net Assets $82,292 69%


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Documents

Annual Report 2012