Here is the text of our Annual Report for 2008, prepared for the Annual Meeting of the Trinity Parish, held on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009.
Some important things to remember about the Annual Meeting
1. Your attendance is very important to our parish community. There being only one Eucharist, we gather as the Lord’s family in this place united around the Lord’s Table and afterward we gather at the meeting table and food table.
2. No long reports will be read at the meeting. All reports are in this Tidings which is your Annual Meeting Handbook. You are asked to bring it to the meeting with you, having read the reports beforehand. Reports are presented “by title” only, but the chair will allow time for questions and constructive comments.
3. The (only) canonical function of the Annual Meeting is the election of officers but we take the opportunity of being together to share the past years accomplishments and thank those who have participated as we look on our goals and aspirations.
Many people - including “life long Episcopalians” — do not understand the canonical structure of the Annual Meeting. It is neither a “congregational meeting” as found in most protestant congregations, nor is it a working meeting. In the Episcopal Church, the Rector and the elected Lay-persons, each in his or her own sphere, are the decision-makers—not the Annual Meeting. You, the qualified voters of this parish, elect these people and they make decisions during their terms of office—wardens, vestry members, and delegates to Diocesan Convention and deputies to Convocation. It is precisely because of this structure that your preparation for and participation in the meeting is so important. And, although the Canons say nothing about it, we also make the meeting the opportunity to share the life and ministry—“the work”—that goes on at Trinity on the other 364 days of the year.
THE MISSION OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS: To live the faith of Jesus Christ in a Community of worship by loving one another, embracing all and celebrating our diversity, to nurture and strengthen our spiritual lives through Christian Education, Charity and Evangelism, to be a visible presence in serving Jesus Christ through active worship and ministries.
TRINITY CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING: January 11, 2009
"There shall be an annual meeting in every Parish, for the election of officers, prayers having been said immediately before said meeting, and due notice having been given."(Canon 49, Sec. l)
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE MEETING
CIRCULATION OF ROSTER (Please sign)
APPOINTMENTS: Persons to verify minutes (3 needed)
Election Tellers (3 needed)
Runners (2 needed)
Childcare (1 needed)
RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT 2008
After nearly ten years as Rector of Trinity Church, Matawan, circumstances related to health and family issues resulted in Rev. Mantell’s early retirement as of 12/31/2008. As a result, there is no formal Rector’s Report.
WARDEN/COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICITY ANNUAL REPORT 2008
PARISH DIRECTORY: Our major new project for 2008 has been the development of an updated parish directory, through the vendor Olan Mills, which specializes in portrait photography and directory publication for churches throughout the U.S. After several delays due to problems encountered by the vendor, the directory was finally scheduled to go to press shortly after Christmas.
Photo sessions were held at Trinity in February and photos were mailed to participating parishioners during the spring. At that point we were informed of a new production option by Olan Mills in which churches would be able to create their directories online and upload them to
Olan Mills for final page proofs and printing. In addition to providing greater control over the process, this option offered the advantage of an ongoing Internet edition of the directory which can be linked to the church web site and updated on a continuing basis. While this latter benefit will have lasting value, the process was subject to difficulties and delays which Olan Mills has attributed to the complications of implementing a new production model for a large number of client churches and a series of glitches in the customized software it commissioned for this purpose.
As was reported during my Sunday announcements during the summer, the family portrait disk was sent to us with a number of missing photos and missing or erroneous captions. To deal with this, I created page proofs of the photos on the Trinity web site so that parishioners
could alert me to errors and omissions. During this period, I also took additional photos of parish families who did not participate in the Olan Mills photo sessions.
The process of getting Olan Mills to track and find its own missing photos was a lengthy one and glitches in their new software caused further delay. However, shortly before Christmas, page proofs were delivered, checked and returned so that the directory could finally go to press.
Although this project took longer and involved more difficulty than anticipated, I believe that the end result will be worth the time spent. As a newspaper and Internet publishing professional, I am sympathetic to the new product difficulties Olan Mills encountered and I must credit their diligence in following up with me to resolve each problem.
I also want to thank my fellow parishioners at Trinity for their patience as well as their gracious assistance in identifying missing photos and caption errors.
WEB SITE: Although my term as a warden is ending this month, I will continue to maintain the Trinity web site at www.trinitymatawan.com and will make sure it remains a complete and timely source of information about church activities and events.
Currently, I am working on some design changes, including an update of the church photo to reflect the new exterior siding. I will also be appealing for assistance in renewing sponsor and patron support for Tidings Online in 2009.
PAID ADVERTISING. In 2008, funding sufficient to insure Trinity's presence in the Christmas and Easter service directories of the weekly newspapers covering our parish area (The Independent, which covers Matawan, and The Suburban and Transcript, associated Greater Media Newspapers covering Old Bridge and Marlboro) was included in the Evangelism budget. Accordingly, our Easter and Christmas service schedules have been advertised in those papers this year.
FREE MEDIA. As always, notices, briefs and press releases are sent to local media to insure Trinity's inclusion in local events calendars as well as generate higher visibility through occasional news coverage.
I want to thank all who have helped in these efforts, including our secretaries Rosalie Cichorz and Sonia Brakowski.
I also want to express my appreciation to the Trinity congregation and The Rev. Denise P. Mantell for granting me the privilege of serving as a vestry member and warden these past several years.
Fred Tuccillo
Warden
WARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – Building & Grounds and Administration
As I look back on my first year as Warden, there were many positive activities and accomplishments that took place. But overriding everything was the recent news that our beloved rector, Denise, will be retiring as of January 1, 2009. We are all familiar with the health challenges Denise has been dealing with. Our thoughts and prayers will certainly be with Denise and her family as she makes this transition.
I want to thank our deacon, Terry, the members of the Vestry and the entire congregation for their support and their prayers. We will never “replace” Denise, but we will certainly do everything we can to insure the search process will be successful in finding a new rector who meets the needs of Trinity.
Following is a brief summary of accomplishments in 2008
Building & Grounds
Last summer, volunteers cut back and cleaned up all the shrubbery around the rectory. A landscaper will do additional trim work in December 2008.
New siding for the entire church in June
Replaced small bathroom in parish hall in September
New windows and exterior doors for the rectory in October
New garage door for rectory in October
Power washed the exterior of rectory in November in preparation for sealing and staining it next Spring
The day after Thanksgiving, Roy Anderson and his son RC cleaned, waxed and buffed the floor in the parish hall. This was a major effort and they did a fantastic job. Thanks Roy and RC.
I also want to acknowledge and thank Pete Bellew and Bob Perry for all they do. Their time and talents are a gift and blessing for our community.
Church Office and Administration
We upgraded the phone system and switched carriers. The net result was a savings of $200-300 a year.
Renegotiated agreement with Sprague Oil that should save us $400-500 year
Switched vendors for Pest Services contract saving $400 a year
Matawan Children’s Center
The state requires all schools submit a special report to the EPA on environmental issues. In our case, two reports were necessary. The first report showed everything was OK with one exception. The ground the building was built on was used for agricultural purposes many years ago, so we had to have soil samples taken and tested for possible contaminants. The results were received in December and everything passed.
The lease agreement with the school was extended for another year with a 6% rent increase.
Miscellaneous
Back in 1984 the church received a donation of several thousand grave sites at Forest Green Park Cemetery in Morganville. With the exception of 300 graves, all the other sites are virtually unusable. In November, the Finance Committee and Vestry gave me authorization to move forward with a transaction that would have Forest Green Park buy back all but 25 plots. I hope to complete this transaction in early 2009, at which time we would receive $25,000 from Forest Green Park. If anyone is interested in getting more details on the history of this transaction, please feel free to see me.
Finally, 2009 will be a year of challenges and opportunity for all of us. I’m confident with everyone’s prayers and support we will continue to grow as a community of faith.
Ed Brakowski
Jr. Warden
DEACON’S ANNUAL REPORT 2008
MINISTRY AND ACTIVITY OF Deacon Terry Suruda, 2008:
The deacon is called to be the doorway between the church and the world.
The deacon is to bring into the church the world’s needs for us to pray for and address, and to bring “us” out the door into the world with the gospel, open hands and hearts.
Everything listed below as deacon’s ministry is ours. You do with me everything I do. You do for me what is more than I can do. It is you who go. I send.
No deacon can minister alone. It is all about us being the good news together,
to all in need- poor, sick, hungry, dying, suffering, needing.
Because you are willing to meet those needs, I can be a deacon.
Here is some of what we have done together in the past year.
DEACON IN THE LITURGY:
Liturgical assistance at Sunday Eucharist, funerals
Preaching
Pastoral visits to sick and home-bound parishioners, hospital visits
Prayer circles
Assist and support acolyte and chalice administrator training and development
OUTREACH AND SUPPORT MINISTRY:
Assist and help train new Eucharistic ministers, continue support of experienced ministers, recruit new ones.
Assist and support in adult education
Support nursing home and hospital visitors
Organize and encourage food donations to St. Mark’s
Organize and support ongoing ministry of “Meatloaf Monday” at St. Mark’s.
Approach individual parish members with requests and suggestions for their help in various ministries.
Support prayer shawl ministry.
Support of Seamens’ Institute, trip with youth to deliver hats and scarves,
collection and delivery of coats and calendars
Advent project in support of the Millenium Development Goals, gifts through ERD, advocacy through letters and phone calls
MINISTRY WITH OUR KIDS:
Easter baskets and visits
Involve kids in Seamens’ ministry and MDG ministry
Support and assist in youth liturgies
DIOCESAN MINISTRY:
Oasis Program: “OASIS” is an outreach ministry to gays/lesbians, providing special liturgies at various church locations, and working with parishes in the diocese to become “welcoming parishes”, where all are welcome to a safe, comfortable parish home.
With Deacon Cy Deavours, in collaboration with the bishop, I provide leadership to a task force which is establishing this ministry in our diocese.
FINANCE ANNUAL REPORT 2008 (See print version of report for spreadsheets.)
The Vestry managed to meet the fixed expenses and Outreach plans of the congregation and make major renovations to our church buildings despite a serious 16% ($20,000) reduction from the budgeted level of pledge income.
Trinity has been faced with two serious challenges in recent years.
The cost of heating and cooling two buildings is skyrocketing.
The exterior of the church and Rectory has been deteriorating - contributing to the first challenge, and possible affecting our ability to bring in prospective new members.
In 2008, Trinity continued to pay Reverend Mantells’ salary during her period of disability. The Episcopal Church Disability Plan reimbursed Trinity for some of that salary. The Vestry immediately reinvested those reimbursements into several minor and two major renovation projects whose effect would be to offset those inevitable increases to heating and cooling costs.
The church building was insulated and resided at a cost of 22,850
The Rectory windows, front, side and garage doors were replaced at a cost of $10,500
The Rectory was power washed and rotten shingles/siding was replaced.
The Rectory dishwasher, garbage disposal and kitchen faucets were repaired.
The Parish Hall bathroom was gutted and replaced.
Broken church doors and locks were replaced.
Electrical improvements were made for Fire Code compliance
Trinity also met its’ planned Outreach commitments for the year. Our Fair Share and our Millennium Development Goal pledges have been paid in full.
2009:
The budget was planned and approved prior to the announcement of the retirement of Reverend Mantell. Because we cannot know how long our search for a new Rector will take, and because we will incur the costs of a Supply priest, the budget contains a full year of Clergy expenses.
The pledges budgeted for 2009 are reduced from 2008, based on the actual reduced level of pledges we have received over the past 12 months.
The budget does not contain the anticipated income that would result if the proposed sale of the Cemetery plots (see Warden’s report) is successfully concluded.
Our Fair Share pledge of $10,000 for 2009 is in wonderful contrast to our $5,600 contribution of just 5 years ago.
We thank the congregation, who heard our plea to give consistently through out the year. We struggled to meet our payroll and other financial commitments on time this summer, but our Treasurer, Rosemary Atterbury, made sure our bills were paid.
Carol O’Brien
Finance
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ANNUAL REPORT 2008
The new year started with a new Epiphany pageant directed by Lisa Alston. It was a hit! It was a lot of fun for the Sunday school children; they look forward to it every year.
At Easter, they dyed eggs and made baskets to bring to the sick or shut-ins of our parish.
One of the highlights of our year was when Bishop George came to us in the spring to confirm many of the youth of our church. They had worked so hard for that honor. The younger children participated by making a banner welcoming The Bishop back to Trinity.
Another highlight was when Chelsea Alston gave her first sermon. I hope we hear more from her.
Over the summer the children participated in a program where they designed the covers of the bulletin. Each week a different drawing was chosen and the “artist” received a one dollar fee and a prize.
In August, Artie Meigh organized a trip to see the Lakewood BlueClaws. A good time was had by all.
In the fall, pumpkins were carved (under the supervision of Lisa and Mike), a food drive was started by the Senior Youth Group, and the younger children collected money to buy a duck from the ERD Gifts for Life catalogue. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to buy a lot more than a duck. The Senior Youth Group also put together over 40 jars of soup kits to be delivered to the Matawan Food Pantry.
In December, while the adults are greening the church the Jr. Youth Group string popcorn and cranberries to feed the birds during the cold winter months.
The children of our parish are very fortunate to have the direction of our wonderful teachers and chapel leaders. They serve with enthusiasm, dedication and love. They organize parties, egg hunts, and bake cupcakes and brownies by the dozen. My sincere thanks to Beth, Lisa, Alecia, Artie, Dominick, Margaret and Lynn.
It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the support and guidance from Denise and Terry. They are an endless source of ideas and information. They have also made my first year serving on the vestry a very enjoyable one. My thoughts and prayers will always be with them both.
Robin Martino
BUILDING & GROUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Electrical- Installed new exit signs and emergency lights.
Repaired garbage disposal [RECTORY] replaced electrical panel in the rectory garage, replaced batteries in emergency lights, and installed new light in vestry Hall bath room, also installed new overhead light out side vestry hall.
Plumbing- replaced two toilets, repaired six toilets, replaced faucet in the kitchen in rectory, repaired furnace in the rectory, repaired pipes under sink in church kitchen. Replace gas hose to the stove [church kitchen] remodeled bathroom in parish hall.
Building- rectory- replaced and capped windows, also replaced garage doors, front door and slider. Repaired gutters, soffit and re-sided the peak of roof all four sides, replaced cedar shakes and repaired trim, power washed, removed large bushes and trimmed branches around church and rectory.
Maintenance- paint, clean gutters, replaced light bulbs, change washers [toilets, sinks] clean windows, wash and wax floors and do other minor repairs.
Pete Bellew
PARISH LIFE ANNUAL REPORT 2008
2008 Events included the Epiphany Party hosted by the Zahrays, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, the Agape Supper, Bishop Visitation, Summer Picnic, Spaghetti Dinner and Greening of the Church. Thanks to all who helped in making all of the events a success. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Looking forward to 2009.
Lisa Perry
STEWARDSHIP ANNUAL REPORT - FISCAL 2008
The annual drive for stewardship pledges to cover the operating expenses of Trinity Episcopal at Matawan for fiscal 2008 was launched on October 20, 2007 in a letter to the general congregation. Ed Brakowski, Artie Talbot and I addressed the church members in support of the program.
The letter also contained a pledge card. At year’s end we received 65 pledge cards with firm commitments for a total of $100,000. Based on this response and last year’s (2007) results, the budget was set at $130,000. During January and February 2008 we received an additional 25 pledge cards for a final total of $125,000.
The (almost) final results for 2008 are as follows:
Weekly & Monthly Offerings $113,152
Seasonal Offerings $2,434
Fair Share $4,062
Building Fund $1,877
Memorial Fund $836
Other Offerings (Flowers, MDG, etc.) $8,680
Grand Total $131,041
It became clear during the summer months that the budgeted amounts would not be met. The reduction was caused in large measure by the downturn in the economy and partly by the decision of some members to relocate.
Throughout the year, the total number of contributing families (entities) was 120. This represented an average giving of $1092 per family. We gained 10 new contributing members and we lost 25 loyal members of our family.
The Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church at Matawan thanks all of you for your generous support. May God continue to bless us all so that we can continue His work.
Erold W. Hinds
Stewardship
FUNDRAISING ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Comedy Night
Our fourth annual Comedy Night/Dinner/ Basket raffle took place in November at Sterling Gardens. We had 170 in attendance. The food was great, the comedian very entertaining and the basket raffle had over 100 beautifully packaged items this year. We made more money than last year just over $6,000. I hoped you enjoyed the evening and thanks to everyone who made the night the success that it was. Big thank you to the ladies of Trinity, which week after week put baskets together every one commented on how spectacular they looked.
Cookie Walk
Our annual Cookie Walk took place on December 6th. This year we had 15 vendors and we actually ran out of cookies by 11:30 AM.
The while elephant table was a favorite and so was our cookie room. Returning for the second time was our Trinity café where you could sit and rest and look through the vendors’ catalogs.
Big, big thank you to everyone who baked help set up, clean up and everything in between. We made around $2,200
Quilt Raffle
Our quilt raffle was once again a hit with 3 prizes – a queen size quilt, quilted purse and wallet and table runner. The winning tickets were pulled on December 21st. Trinity netted approximately $1,447.00 . Thanks to the quilting group they did a beautiful job. Also I would like to thank everyone who sold tickets, bought tickets, we appreciate you and a special thank you to Sonia Brakowski for her overseeing this entire fundraiser from start to finish.
Our final number for funding raising for the year after expenses is not available but hope to update everyone at our annual meeting what the number was.
Also I cannot leave out the biggest thank you to Sonia and Rosalie, both ladies working in our Church office are the back bone of our fundraising efforts and we greatly appreciate your efforts on all projects that you help with. God bless you both.
Thanks to all for your support, God bless you for your good work and looking forward to successful 2009. A special thanks to Denise for all her love and support these past 10 years on all our fundraising efforts – you will be missed but never forgotten.
Faithfully,
Meredith Twyman
Fundraising
PASTORAL CARE 2008
I was fortunate to get the opportunity to try to fill in some very big shoes in this ministry. Unfortunately, it was due to the fact that Cathy Goldsmith had to hand over the baton because of family matters.
I will continue next year in recruiting and scheduling our TEMs (Trinity Eucharistic Ministers). The TEMs, your fellow parishioners, bring Holy Communion, following the Eucharist on Sunday morning, to the sick and shut-in(s) of Trinity Parish as well as patients in our local nursing homes and hospitals. Our TEMs are dedicated and not only do they administer communion to those who wish it, but also give the spiritual support and offer companionship to those in need.
My sincere thanks to all of them for their dedication and my blessings to you…. Joyce Bellew, Sonia Brakowski, Susan George, Gail Kavanagh, Betty Moran and Artie Talbot.
My special thanks to Terry and Denise for their support.
I am now in the process, with Terry’s help, in “resurrecting” the “Spirit Limo”. This is for those who can no longer attend Trinity services or medical appointments. Several parishioners have given of themselves in the past and will continue doing so. Trinity is blessed with so many caring people.
I encourage members of this parish to join us in these wonderful missions. The rewards are unimaginable. If anyone is interested, please contact Deacon Terry Suruda or me.
Peace+
Karen Holder
LEISURE TIMERS ANNUAL REPORT 2008
The Leisure Timers is a club that has been active over thirty years. The purpose of this organization is to provide social interaction and information of interest, furnished through speakers and the Office on Aging.
Our meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month. We meet at the Matawan Community Center which is located at 201 Broad Street in Matawan.
Membership is open to anyone sixty years of age or older.
Marge Cleary
President
OUTREACH ANNUAL REPORT 2008
1) April - May Out Reach Project: With the generosity of our congregation we were able to send a valued $485.00 in school supplies to our Companion Diocese in El Salvador which was greatly needed and appreciated.
2) Spring - Summer Out Reach Project: We asked if anyone was having a Garage Sale during those seasons to donate 10% of their profits to our outreach. Unfortunately at that time no money was collected. Maybe better luck next year.
3) Crop Walk: In September we asked for participants and sponsors for the Crop Walk held on October 19. We had 3 walkers from Trinity and through the generosity of the sponsors we collected $500.00 as well as rice, beans, and peanut butter.
4) The Giving Tree: We collected many hats, scarves. gloves and mittens in December. The items were given to Lunch Break in Red Bank. This organization feeds and clothes many of the poor in Red Bank.
5) Gift Giving Project: Once again 25 gifts and gift cards were collected and given to CPC Behavioral Healthcare Facility here in our neighborhood. Also 10 gifts and gift cards were given to Woman's Center 801 which help women and children in crisis.
The projection for 2009 is again to do more for the poor in our community, as well as help our next Companion Diocese.
Linda Kallahan
ALTAR GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2008
The Altar Guild is an important ministry for Trinity Church and its members continue to be dedicated and hard-working.
We continue our duties each week as we prepare the sanctuary for services on Sundays throughout various church seasons. We meet regularly to prepare for the upcoming seasons and upkeep of the brass and hangings. It’s a real learning experience and one which helps each of us play a role in the ministry of the church.
We encourage any member of the parish who is interested in serving on the Altar Guild to contact either Alvina or Joan our Altar Guild directors.
The Altar Guild 2008: Alvina Johnson, Joan Sheldon, Ann Condon, Cathy Goldsmith, Rema Sherwood, Karen Holder, Sandy Johnson, Kathy Lesniak
COLUMBARIUM REPORT 2008
This year one niche was purchased. Our ending balance for the year 2008 is $9,059.00.
7 (seven) spaces are left for purchase at a cost of $400.00 each.
Section 1, #3 d is an empty pre-purchased niche owned by Meredith Twyman.
Spaces left in Section 1: 5-d
Spaces left in Section 2: 10c-d
Spaces left in Section 3: 15a-b-c-d
As more and more people choose cremation rather than burial, the need for a new section of the Columbarium becomes apparent. The rector, wardens and vestry gave their approval for a new section to be ordered for the Columbarium. Armento, who made the previous Columbarium sections for us, and has all the specs on file, will send us shop drawings and a proposal for us to sign authorizing the work to be done. It will also show us what work we need to do to prepare the space for the new section of the Columbarium, we just need someone to volunteer to do this prior to ordering the new section.
The cost as of 2008, for section #4 with twenty niches and containers, along with nameplates would be $3,930.00. If payment is made in full they offer a 3% discount. Freight charges and installation are our responsibility. There is more than enough money in the Columbarium account to pay for the new section with funds left over. When we order they will inform us of the date of delivery so we can prepare the space for the new section, currently they have a 90-120 day delivery time frame. Also, two other people were authorized to sign checks for the Columbarium account, myself and Fred Tuccillo. Denise Mantell is the other authorized signer.
Submitted by Sonia Brakowski
DISCRETIONARY FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Through the generosity of Trinity’s Parishioners & donations through the year, we have been able to help many people who have appealed to us:
Money given to help with the payment of rents
Helped with security deposits to enable persons to obtain an apartment
Money for Parish families who were in dire need.
Opening balance January 1, 2008 - $488.90.
Check book balance December 31, 2008 -$216.90.
Rosalie Cichorz
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 2008
The Youth Group continued its tradition of service in 2008. Members of the group could be found helping clean the church and assisting with the setup of the Cookie Walk. We also assisted the community in general, going to Seaman's Institute to drop off much needed coats to creating soup kits for the hungry of the area. The Souper Bowl of Hunger, which the group ran, raised over $1,000 for local food pantries in the area.
The Youth Group also took time to learn more about our faith heritage. Besides assisting at the Children's Good Friday liturgy, the group also gained a deeper understanding of the symbols of the church and the events that led up to the crucifixion of our Lord. Additionally, the group looked at some mass media offerings and were able to put a spiritual basis around them, understanding that Christ is all around us.
We also managed to have some fun, carving pumpkins along the way and learning about some of the more spiritual traditions of Halloween.
A great amount of thanks needs to be given to Lisa Alston and Artie Meigh, as well as Deacon Terry. Without their help and support, the group would never be able to do their good works year after year.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Gow
MUSIC MINISTRY ANNUAL REPORT 2008
It has been an honor and a blessing to assume the directorship of music for Trinity this year. 2008 has a transition year in several regards, all in what I hope is in the name of building upon Trinity’s love of fine sacred music making. After a period of becoming familiar with the church and its traditions, I decided to give the choir a well deserved summer rest to recuperate from nearly two years of continuous hard work. Their return in September saw a renewed energy and dedication, culminating at the end of the year in a successful Ceremony of Lessons and Carols, which I hope to develop and grow as an annual tradition. In the coming year I plan to ask for more volunteers not only to fill the ranks of the adult choir, but also to reinstate the children’s choir for and the handbell ensemble for special services. As we face the coming months with prayerful uncertainty, let us all work together to ensure that music remains a vital and stabilizing part of Trinity’s worship life.
Yours in Christ,
George Cullinan
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) ANNUAL REPORT 2008
No activity for 2008
NOMINATING COMMITTEE 2008
THE WARDENS AND VESTRY, with the Rector, comprise the governing body of Trinity Episcopal Church. They are responsible for the general operations, finances and all legal matters relating to the church. They set policy and implement and support the programs of the church, including Outreach, Christian Education, Stewardship, etc. Elected members are expected to attend all Vestry meetings, which are scheduled monthly except during the summer.
Elections will be held at the annual meeting on January 11, 2009,for the following offices:
Warden – Two year term - One to be elected
The two wardens are the principal liaison between the parish and the rector They assist and support the rector and hear the concerns of the people.
Members of the Vestry – Three year terms – Three to be elected
The nine Members of the Vestry, along with the wardens and the rector, are the governing body of Trinity Church. They are responsible for the general operations, finances, and all legal matters relating to the church. They set policy, and implement and support the programs of the church (Outreach, Christian Education, Stewardship, etc.) Elected Vestrypersons will be expected to attend all Vestry meetings (one per month, except in summer.) The three open positions are Outreach, Fund Raising and Pastoral Care.
Delegates to Diocesan Convention – One year term – Three to be elected
One alternate
Delegates to Convention are Trinity’s voting lay representatives at the annual Diocesan Convention held on a Friday and Saturday in February. Elected delegates will be expected to attend both the Friday and Saturday sessions and, depending on the location, will have a Friday overnight stay. Work at convention includes electing members of various Diocesan committees, voting on policy and other business that comes before the convention.
Pre convention hearings (see below).
Delegates to Monmouth Convocation – One year term – Six to be elected
The Monmouth Convocation, one of eight convocations in the Diocese, is a group of about twenty-five parishes in Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. Meetings of the convocation are typically on a Sunday afternoon two or three times a year.
All are invited to the pre-convention hearings. The hearings offer a time for deputies to ask questions and discuss the issues. Representation will be present from the Finance and Budget, Resolutions, Constitution and Canons, and Board of Missions Committees. Four hearings will be offered from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in February 2009:
February 3 – St. James' Church, Long Branch
February 5 – Grace Church, Haddonfield
February 9 – Church of the Holy Spirit, Tuckerton
February 11 – St. John's Church, Somerville
PARISH STATISTICS 2008
BIRTHS
Lyla Ann Gunn
Rachel Emma Boardwick
BAPTISMS
Lyla Ann Gunn
Rachel Emma Boardwick
DEATHS
William DeGroat
Alice Karlquist
Denis Boyd