grace church

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LJ GRACE CHURCH of the Episcopal Diocese of New York

IGLESIA LA GRACIA ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2017 Staff The Reverend Dr. Judith Lee, Interim Pastor (Oct 2017 - Present) The Reverend Adolfo Moronta, Associate Priest The Reverend Martha Jane Dunphy, Deacon Peter Roberts, Director of Music of Grace Church Juan Carlos Abreu, Director of Music of La Gracia Donna Louis, Youth Ministry Coordinator Maria Campos, Secretary Mr. Taurino Juarez, Sexton

The Vestry Walter Simon, Senior Warden Class of 2017 Malik Bradford Elizabeth Carden Sunaganata Gadsden-McAllister

Joseph C. Gallo, Jr. Warden

Class of 2018 Irene Alves Amy Auld Owens Karen Odom Sorraya Sampson Elliot

Class of 2019 Jim Brown Marisol Ortega Charlotte Roberson

Annual Meeting Held January 28, 2018

Grace I La Gracia Episcopal Church Annual Meeting January 28, 2018 Agenda Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome!

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [Hebrews 11:1]

Call to Order and Opening Prayer Report of the Nominating Committee and Opening of the Polls Hymn and change of venue to the Parish Hall Hillary Fleming:

Treasurer's Report for 2017 Presentation of the 2018 Budget

Walter Simon

Senior Warden’s Reflection

The Rev. Judith Lee

Interim Pastor’s Report

The Rev. Adolfo Moronta Report on La Gracia Walter Simon

Recognitions and Thanks

Charlotte Roberson

Search Committee Report

Sorraya Sampson Elliot

Announcement of the Election

Closing Prayer

1

Annual Reports Table of Contents Page Number

Annual Meeting: January 28, 2018 Agenda Table of Contents Ballot for Elections 2018 Budget

1

2 3 4.5.6

The State of the Church: Overview Reflection of the Senior Warden Financial Report Report of the Interim Pastor Report of the Associate Priest La Gracia Statistical Report Buildings and Grounds Communications • The Angelus • Electronic Communications & Social Media Stewardship Worship Altar Guild Acolyte Ministry The Music Program Ushers Lectors

7 8.9 10

11 12 13

14

15 16 17

18 19 20 21

22

Christian Formation Sunday School, & Rite 13 Youth Programs & J2A Adult Education

23 23

24

Advocacy/Community Partnerships Talks to Teens (T2T) Caribbean Ministries Partnership with Lifting up Westchester Ecumenical Partnerships Partnership with El Hagar Advocacy Committee

25 26

27 28 29 30

Parish Life Pastoral Care The Welcoming Committee S.A.G.E. ECW Project Connect Book Club Walk in Grace Search Committee Flow Charts in English & Spanish 2

31 32

33 34

35 36 37 38.39

Report of Nomination Committee Ballot 2018 Candidates for the Vestry The Wardens: The wardens are running unopposed Senior Warden - Joseph C. Gallo (Full Term - 2 yrs.) Junior Warden -

Malik Bradford (Unexpired Term - 1 yr.)

The Vestry This is a contested election: Four (4) Positions Available • Three (3) Full Term positions (3 yrs.) • One (1) Unexpired two (2 tear term) position • The Candidates: ( There are six (6) candidates) Daisy Calderon Hillary A. Fleming Michael Heffner Sandy Gadsden- McAllister (Incumbent running for a second term) Eileen McClean Trisha McGuinness Write In Candidate:

----------------

3

I

GRACE CHURCH INCOME BUDG:..E :::..T ;;

_

2018 Line_ Item

...,

Piedge Income Grace Pledge Income LaGracia Loose Plate Offerinas GCCCRent/Utilities

2018 $

--'-+---

I

% Chg vs.

l

Prior Yr.

Prior Yr.

35,CJ-°o-O .

($25,000) $20,850 ($15,000) $0

2017

265,000 . 25,850 I 20.0 1 116,000

$

290,000 5,000 --

116 ,000

Parish Hall Rent

.ooo ,

10,000

$10,000

La Gracia Grant Fundraisers All Other Income

10,000 I 30,000

10,000 0 30,000

$0 $2.500 $0

489,350

496,000

I

-

Endowment Drawdowns (5%)

84,000

-

$

Church Qpera!i ons

1--- -

580.000

N/A

II

---'281!,_383

----1--1--

57,000l

------i--1----

21,300

-------'-+---

Rectory

Qffice

._,_ _

--=:]_

. Take t is _up to account for_t_h e_fundr aising ide_a s_(candle

s/Paypal/arnaz IJ_St11ieL Actuals include a Diocesan Grant, not necessarily repeating in 2018.

0%

2 54,500

T

_ -

7.800 Q7,00

__----11 4a Joo .

TOTAL EXPENSES

$

681,383

Profit (Deficit)

$

(108,033)

I$

I

-

$0

!

-1% -+---- --

$33,883

13% :

57 , 10 Q._

($100)

1-

0%

23,00QJ_

($1,700)

I

-7%

;--

0%

Ex

a_Qracia _

($1,200)

-9%

100_,.zo_o -+-

$14,10Q

1,4°'o'=:::_udse3% C.O.!:_salary

38,283

I

4

LI

_

_

j_for_s taf!:_ -

I

71% ·

. _ .

_

_ _

-=_-_-_-_-_- -

6%1 '

($44.933)

- -

-4 ,_. Moved Comm/Techto Office, Altar Guild t Church Ops.

I

(63.100)

--

., •

-r-

-_:-::_

--

($7,200)

$

--

-

I

I n cludes 3% C.O.L._salary adj for staff, incr in Diocesan Assessment, incr in maint. agreements and prop. msur. Includes Father Moronta. _

15,0001

I $

---

13,900

I

- -

7 _

H

$500

-

- - -- - - _

($6,650)

[ . .

--

- - - - - - ,-

0%

178,900

643,100

7

Expecting co inuation of TV/Film rentals.

0% ·

-1% - ($6,650) - - ---4 - - - .,..,.4----

I

84, 000

!$

179.400

La Gracia Other

-

573,350

Clergy Music ----

-9% As of 1/3/18, Grace's pledge total was $240K. There's an increase of S25K included here_, 417% As ot 1/3/18, La Gracia's pledge total was $23.SK . There's an increase of S2.3K included -43% LaGpl edaessiliitfrlgTromloo se to Pledge. 0% I -----------------1

I

TOTAL INCOME

-

Commentary

100%

-----------l--<·-

AL RECEIP

----------- - _

$ Chg vs.

---

-

j

---1·

_

- -_

!-

---

' I

Rationale for 2018 Income Projections - La Gracia is showing a huge increase in pledges. This means $$ will shift from loose plate to pledges. So loose plate is projected to be down. - The church is being rented out fairly often in the last 6 months for film/TV, so we expect this to continue into 2018. Therefore Parish Hall rentals are up. - We will need to fundraise in 2018, the choir may have a flower sale or sponsored coffee hour. Maybe we have a bake sale or dinner. We need to do something. - Fr. Adolfo's salary (50%) is included in the 2017 budget (in the Clergy line). That accounts for the bump in 2017 which we're holding flat in 2018. - Other (expenses) is down due to Project Connect not spending its budget and due to corrections to Stewardship Budget. - Salaries have a 3% C.O.L. adjustment built in as follows: M. Campos ($43,300 to $44,600) t,. $1,300. $36,258 $24,150 T. Juarez ($49,800 to $51,300) /J. $1,500.

I

Salaries & Benefits (all) Utilities, Repairs & Maintenance Insurance, Permits & Taxes Supplies & Equipment Diocesan Assessment All Other

$ $ $ $ $ $

424,273 113,602 61,100 22,000 36,258 24,150

$

681,383 657,233

Mortgage Value

$ 450,000.00

# of Payments (25 yrs)

300

Mortgage Rate Monthly Payment Annual Payment (12 months)

4.50% ($2,491.90) ($29,902.82)

• Salaries & Benefits (all)

• Utilities, Repairs & Maintenance

a Insurance, Permits & Taxes

• Supplies & Equipment

• Diocesan Assessment

• All Other

This will be covered by the Capital Account.

5

Grace Church

-

2018 Bu _ et

--

CHURCH

EXPENSES BUDGET DA S&B

Diocesan Assessment Salaries

S&B S&B S&B

Salary secon!!_clergy Deferred second clergy salary Overtime

--

-

S&B S&B S&B

-

OPERATIONS

-

-

TBD

CLERGY

-. $ - s ---51,300 67,000 25,000 -. -I

t

.•

!

.

4,504 4,617

I

S&B Benefits after employee 5% AO Capital Improvements Mortgage IPT Insurance

25,723

.

. .

.

.

46,000

-

URMi

61,000 : 600 . 12,000 11,581 i

!

T

AO AO AO AO

Discretionary Fund Hospitality Dues and Subscri e!!_on s Ministrv Prc>_grams

1,400

-

Permits

3,000

-

IPT

---

S&E Leased Eq _l!lent URM Computer Maintenance AO : Website Hosting & Dev

---

--

-

--

. AO Postage

.

S&B Guest Speakers/Preachers URM Org.an Maintenance S&B Professional fees Continuing Ed Misc Transp Allowance Property Taxes

s&B

- -

--

----

AO

Travel & Meetings

-·

Total Bud jlleted Spending

.

I

$

-

.

-

500

1,500

.

. --

.

5,000

.

.

. . -

-

•I

9,400

I

-

LaGracia Music

--!--

.

_.----..

.

+s--·-

. . .

-

-i

.

. .-

----

>--

.

--

.

. .

-

I

I

.

..

.

-

- 1

. -

.

7,000 I 3,000 .

.

500

.

23,000

-

.

..

•

-j

.

.I '

·s

$ 57,000

2,800

21,300

. . .

--

·I

-1

-

700+-

•I

$ 1 2,100

S 11 4,800

I

I

Is

-t-

-

-

.

-

. . . .

--

2,500

$

-

-

$

48,000 67,000 12,000 12,000 15,602 15,000 1,200 2,SOQ_ 346 9,854 3,000 500

], 000

.

2,80Q_ 7,000

-

3,000 3,000

-

l ,OOQ_ 18}40

-

.

-

-

2,500

-

--

.

• I

>-

-

-

.

-.

--

. .

- j

.

-.

- -

$

.

500

-

-+

-

. --- .

-

.i-

-- '

85,394

-

.

----

-+--

. >---•

2,000

. -II - ·---

26,108 19,431 2,000

-- -.

-

..

.

-

-

2,500-

-

.

..

-

. .. . .

-I

.

-

-

.

- 1

-

--

12,000

-

500

. C

- I

3,000 4,000 28,000 1,500 450 7,200 10 ,100

·-

12,000

- -s

681,383

. -

·L

500

-

--

I

-

I

I

-

I

I

-

I

I i

I -

-

.

-

- -_ - -I -

. $179,400

. . . .

.

- I

.

.

----.-

:I-

.

-

6,000

.

5,000 -

-T ,_ '

-

.

.

25,000

.

-I

-:i-- [_ _ - -. .

.

_·I s ,_

.I

-

TOTAL 36,258 190,900

.

• I

-

--

2018

GUILD

--- --

-

-

3,000 1,000

.

.-.

2,000

1,021. 4,000

500

_--' -p,-

$

.. -

. . . .

-7

-

.

9,000

-.-

-- -

.

. . .

450 7,200

. . .

--

. . .

4,000

-

-

-

.

-

15

800 :_

--

.

3,568 4,

.

-. ----- . 346 2,454 6,000

-

1, 500

246,100 2017 Budget , 8 000· Diocesan Assessment 11,000 1 Insurance & Utilities 9,000 Salary and Benefits 6,000 Utilities 5,000 Audit Ex()ense 3,000 Comm & Tech 1,400 Sat Min istry Prag

.-

-

. .

18,740

3,000

-

.

- .---.383

--

.

-.-

-

. . . . .

-

-

Guest Organist/Soloists

S&B AO S&B IPT

. . -

3,ooq_...

. --

2,000

, 1 200

---.. --

-

..

.

.

-

-. $ ---- -

..

.

f--

j WELCOMING

STEWARDSHIP

- $

44,600

..

-

. .

--

RECTORY

. _L_

. ..

.

-

-

OFFICE

. . .

-

.

I

AO Advertising AO ... Printin _ AO Publications

.. . .

-

8,000

.-

.

. -

.

.

Supplies

..

-

2_, _400

S&E

-

2,520

4

- -

.

-

ALTAR

GRACIA

-· s-

28,000

2,240 .

8, 280 2,000

.

URM URM

I

15,796

-

Utilities Telephone Maintenance agreements Reoairs

--

l s

L

-

LA

MUSIC . EDUCATION I

I

I

I

CHRISTIAN

36,258$

$

5,000

roll Taxes /FICA Pension Annuity

I

6

I

_,_

-

-

- >--- --·

,

Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community All are welcome! Annual Report: January 28, 2018 Reflection of the Senior Warden After ten continuous years on the Vestry, four as your senior warden. I feel honored that parishioners have had faith in my ability to serve this faith community. As I leave, I have varied emotions. Any position on the vestry requires hard work, but the Wardens bear a special responsibility for decisions made by the Vestry. So, I look forward to relinquishing those responsibilities. However, I will miss working with Vestry members. At times, we had to make hard decisions and yet, we always worked to respect the views of each person. During the twenty-two years I worked on and off the Vestry, I had the pleasure to see this community grow and change. Each transition required some difficult choices. I look forward to even more change. This is required since change is a major component for growth and prosperity. I am gratified to see that younger parishioners are becoming increasingly more involved and assuming more leadership positions. In addition, I have the utmost confidence in the individuals on the current vestry and those individuals seeking to join the vestry. My prayer as I leave as Senior Warden is that the vestry will work diligently and collaboratively to prepare to call a new rector. I also urge parishioners to provide support and assistance to these dedicated individuals. True, we have many challenges ahead. However, I have no doubt, that with faith in God, a shared purpose, a new rector guiding us and the support of the Grace/LaGracia family, we will continue to evolve and grow. God Bless this wonderful Faith Community. Walter Simon

7

GRACE CHURCH BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 2017 Dec 31, 17 ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings 1074-07 · M & T BANK/ Operating/ 3448

2,687.12

1071-MT · M & T savings acct/ 6652

2,299.27

1072 · Bldg & Maint Savings {8191}

46,334.79

1073-07 · M & T Rectors Acct / 3455

399.36

1081· M & T / Caribbean Ministries

4,361.08

1082 • M & T Savings/ Caribbean Mini

2,640.90 58,722.52

Total Checking/Savings Other Current Assets

250,300.06

Diocese · Diocese lnvstement Total Other Current Assets

250,300.06

Total Current Assets

309,022.58

Fixed Assets 1500-00 · Land

108,402.00

1510-00 · Buildings

434,426.00 -275,042.00

1511-00 · A/D - Buildings 1520-00 · Building Improvements

3,072,414.29 -1,133,372.00

1521-00 · A/D - Building Improvements

404,865.77

1580-00 · Furniture and Fixtures 1581-00 · A/D - Furniture & Fixtures

-

Total Fixed Assets

-404,868.00 2,206,826.06

Other Assets 18700 · El Hagar Ministries

840.00

18300 · Other Investments

987,738.16

Total Other Assets

988,578.16

TOTAL ASSETS

3,504,426.80

8

GRACE CHURCH BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 2017 Dec 31, 17

LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Current Liabilities Accounts Payable

92,545.67

2000-00 · Accounts Payable Credit Cards

166.10

CCCard · M & T Credit Card Other Current Liabilities

923.06

403-MC · Maria Campos 403-B 2400 • Diocese Loan

9,231.43

2005-00 · Accrued Expenses

-3,723.00

2290-00 · Accrued SUTA

-1,012.57 80.00

403-AM · Fr Adolfo Moranta 403-B Total Other Current Liabilities

5,498.92

Total Current Liabilities

98,210.69

Total Liabilities

98,210.69

Equity

653,224.01

Retained Earnings

2,826,065.49

3040-00 · Fund Balance /Surplus Net Income

-73,073.39

Total Equity

3,406,216.11

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

3,504,426.80

9

Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Interim Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Judith Lee Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievements, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) Since arriving in mid-November, I have been getting to know you by attending meetings, making pastoral calls, and preparing liturgies. I appreciate the gracious and efficient ways in which you have welcomed me, and together we have set priorities for my ministry with you in the coming year: 1. I will focus on the standard tasks of every interim period (reviewing the By Laws, job descriptions, committee structures, organizational operations, updating records and reviewing the ways we use our space 2. Pastoral care - I look forward regularly visiting members who are homebound or in long-term care as part of my weekly schedule. 3. Education - I will work closely with the Youth Ministry Coordinator and I will explore ways to broaden opportunities for adult education. 4. Communication - I will work with your communication committee, Vestry, and committee chairs to enhance communication (within the congregation and with the public, using a variety of media and platforms, and developing new practices). 5. Worship - Working closely with Fr. Adolfo we will begin a weekend service on the first Saturday of each month beginning in February, and we will continue our current worship schedule. We will continue to bring our Spanish- speaking and English-speaking congregations together while preserving and enhancing your distinctive styles of worship. Where we hope to be in December 2018: 1. A thriving congregation that includes both new members and people who have returned after a period of absence, guided by clear lines of communication and a shared vision of the future, expressed in diverse ways. 2. Repairs completed at both the church and the rectory 3. Financial stability through careful management, increased financial commitment by members of the congregation, building stewardship education, and new income streams What resources we will need to get there: A renewed commitment to build a community together - to reconnect, to share, and take an active role in the ministries of Grace Church. I hope that each person will try out a new ministry this year.

10

Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Associate Priest: The Rev. Adolfo Moronta Where we are now (December 2017): business of 2017).

(Achievements, challenges, and unfinished

I feel blessed for having been called to work at Grace/La Gracia, thank you for opening your hearts to me and my ministry. As I look back on this year, there have been many moments that have marked me as a priest .I have felt welcomed and I have found a good response from our parishioners. I recall having conversations with many of you here at the church and sharing with some of you in your homes. I just want to say thank you, people of Grace, for the opportunity. In this year I have been involved in the life of the parish through many of its ministries, through Eucharistic celebrations, preaching, funerals, pastoral care, meetings, special activities, and the connections made with many of you. During my first months I collaborated with the Family Services, I also attended the Sage Group meetings where I got to know the oldest members of this congregation and their version of the history of this parish. In our Soup Kitchen I found a fertile ground to extend my ministry through my daily interactions with the people that come there every day. I have been able to talk, counsel, and help many of its attendees whom some are now members of the Latino Ministry (La Gracia). We all remember Fidel the gentleman I met in our Soup kitchen, who helped me reaffirm the reason why I became a priest. I will forever remember the activity to which I was invited at the end of his programs where he compared his journey to a fishing rod, a house under construction and a baby; he expressed (without knowing that I was there) what each of these things signified in his journey: "The fishing rod is Father Adolfo who is taking me out of the hole where I was, the house under construction is my life at the moment, and the baby is the re-birth that is happening within me." After I heard his words, I thought this is the kind of ministry that I was ordained to be a part of. The work with Fidel was also done in combination with many of you who helped Fidel by motivating him and by helping financially when I took him back to his home country, Mexico. Last year during Ash Wednesday I did the "Ashes To Go" in different locations of White Plains where I not only imposed the ashes but also had a chance to pray and to invite the people to our Parish. The month Rev. Richard was away for vacation, I presided all the services of the church an opportunity that got me even closer to our parishioners. When the time came for Father Richard to retire I provided some continuity until we got our Interim Pastor. Right now, I am also taking an active part in the organization of the Saturday services where I will be preaching on its opening day. At this moment, I am in the second year of my three year contract. I am looking forward to work with the new rector and I also feel blessed that we also have had many positive results from the Latino Ministry such as increased attendance, increased stewardship and involvement in the life of Grace/La Gracia. In all, it is the blessing of the Lord towards this church that allows Grace/ La Gracia to get to where we are today. Goals for 2018 1) Continue to be a bridge between the English and the Latino ministries of this church. 2) Continue to work closely with the Interim and the new Rector (when selected). 3) Keep contributing to the spiritual growth of the congregation. What resources we will need to get there: the overall support of the vestry, the members of the parish community and the Diocese.

11

Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/ Committee: La Gracia Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievements, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) I have been a year in Grace/ La Gracia. It has been a wonderful journey and a privilege to be in a Parish that has so much to offer and to be working with people from different backgrounds, cultures and ways of worshipping the Lord. The Latino Ministry (La Gracia) has been blessed by the Lord in many ways. As a starting, I re-organized the committee of lay leaders that works together with me and divided them into small sub-committees: 1) Directive Committee, 2) Activities, 3) Worship (Acolytes, Altar Guild, Readers, Prayer, 4) Ushers, 5) Sunday School, 6) Youth and 7) Fellowship. Attendance has increased to an average of 140 that can go up to 200. Prayer group meetings have been successful and they have an average attendance of 40 every Wednesday. Our Sunday School has an average attendance of 35. Ongoing, we have baptisms, quinceaneras, and workshops for acolytes. Last year, we had a major three day retreat with upwards of 140 parishioners participating. Stewardship Campaign has been flourishing with a total of $27,000 in pledges and growing since we are continuing to work in order to reach our goal of $30,000. Throughout 2017 we had many successful celebrations such as Catalina, Copacabana, Guadalupe, the Posadas and recently the Three Kings. These celebrations have attracted more members and they have enriched our spiritual lives. La Gracia was also blessed with the approval of the grant submitted to the Diocese which will help fund our Sunday music ministry. Goals for 2018 1) We want to continue to increase our Spanish-speaking membership. But, we do not want just greater numbers; we want our parishioners to be more fully invested in our faith community regardless of language and heritage. 2) Provide training in ministries that include both Spanish- and English speaking members: Altar Guild, Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, and Lectors so we can be aligned according to the life of Grace/ La Gracia. 3) Strengthen the youth group. 4) Continue to hold special worship services that are also community gatherings (such as the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Posadas and our weekly Prayer Groups In the homes of our parishioners. 5) Have a major retreat during the summer time. 6) Continue to integrate and motivate La Gracia's members in all the major activities and ministries of Grace/La Gracia. What resources we will need to get there: 1) The commitment of the attendees of this ministry and the overall support of the Parish 2) Provide activities that fulfill the spiritual life this congregation 3) Funding

12

2017 Statistics Register of Services - 2017 Sunday Holy Eucharists: 142 Weekday Holy Eucharists: 92 Private Administrations of Holy Communion: 125

Sunday Attendance Total: 12,726 Average Sunday Attendance: 242 Record of Baptisms in 2017: Johan Arroyo Miguel Bautista Candelas Jadiel Juarez Jacob Juarez Katherine Osario Susan Osario Edwin Peralta Manuel Mauricio Tejada Monique Kerry-Ann Reynolds Jahir Vadin Natasha Avery Brown Blake Olivia Perez Raul Fallas Obiora Leon Nnameka Ferik Record of First Communions in 2017 Monica Zacarias Stephanie Zacarias Carlos Zacarias Valery Juarez Edwin Peralta Henry A. Chalco Lyndsay Arroyo Gabriela Marie Madera Camiel Marie Madera Record of Marriages in 2017 Aleksey Michailovich Vodyanitskiy & Matthew Uriel Reid Funerals Held at Grace Church in 2017 Louise McKelvey Hosapple February 8, 2017 Stephen Gyetko February 26, 2017 Eugene S. Barker April 24, 2017 Sandra Renee Boyd May 1, 2017 Charlie William Bevier May 23, 2107 Lorraine Yvonne Nicholas Reid August 23, 2107 John F. Noone October 7, 2017

13

Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: Building & Grounds Chair: Walter Simon Members: Bill Biles, John Soso

Co-Chair: Nate Hogan

Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) Buildings and Grounds Committee worked with an architect, engineers and obtained plans and drawings to repair the elevator shaft in the parish hall. We received project bids and submitted applications for financing. The total capital cost for the project is $340,000. In addition, we are obtaining quotes for an estimated $100,000 in capital improvements at the rectory. Total project capital budget is estimated at $425,000.

Where we hope to be in December 2018: 1. Achieve funding for our $425,000 capital budget. 2. Return the elevator to service. 3. Complete a major part of the rectory repairs.

What resources we will need to get there: Funding from the Property Support Committee of the Diocese and/or the Bedell Foundation and /or from a mortgage on the rectory and/or a capital campaign.

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: The Angelus Chair/Editor: Mary Baker Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) The Angelus is a quarterly publication of Grace Church/La Gracia. Its mission is to inform its readers about the ongoing life of the parish. In words and pictures, it hopes to encourage more active participation in its activities and to inspire a deeper commitment to our Lord and to each other. In recent years, The Angelus has been greatly expanded and efforts have been made to offer more bi-lingual articles. In an effort to ensure meaningful communication within the parish, the current edition can be found on the church website as well as being sent out via e-mail to the entire congregation at the time of publication. It is also published in printed black and white form and available at church services. Beautiful color copies are printed and delivered to our shut-ins. Where we hope to be in December 2018: Our goal is to continue to inform and inspire the congregation with a diverse collection of articles and reflections, and photographs. We will continue to include articles in both English and Spanish. What resources we will need to get there: Members of the congregation are always invited to submit articles for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: Communications/Technology Chair: Michael Heffner Members: Mary Baker Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) The Committee published 4 editions of the Angelus in 2017 (one for each season). Maria Campos has followed the pattern of printing copies in color for the pastoral care committee and BNV copies for general distribution. The Committee continued the practice of recording the weekly sermons, publishing them on the website and having them sent out to parishioners. Family service videos were also taken and made available on a password protected basis (also on the website). The Committee maintained the Grace/La Gracia website (www.gracewhiteplains.org) for content, schedules and links to related organizations (Lifting Up Westchester, Downtown Music, Episcopal Diocese of New York, etc). The Committee maintained the screens in the parish hall and parlor and welcomed the addition of a third screen in the library (thank you Nate Hogan). All have been equipped with Amazon Fire Sticks and have the capacity to display photo slideshows, play music and video, and access the web. Grace Church has an active Amazon Prime account that allows us to aggregate content and access resources. The Committee is pleased to have been able to use our technology for events featuring the works of John Carter and Maya Daughtry and create displays for the memorial service for Lorraine Reid and the children's family service. Active photographic aggregation of various content for Grace/La Gracia continues to be a fulfilling duty of the Committee. Where we hope to be in December 2018: Streaming of services to the 3 screens (live). Update of the e-mail communication process. Update of the website/Re-establishment of an online donation feature What resources we will need to get there: A budget of -$3,000.00 - and interested volunteers.

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: Stewardship Committee Chair: Charlotte Roberson

Co-Chair: Cynthia Sangurima

Members: Ella Fitzgerald, Jim Brown

Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) Our commitment goal was $300,000. The members of Grace/La Gracia pledged $290,361. The following is a breakdown of money actually received from various sources: Pledged Offering Unpledged/Gifts

$282,820.00 $ 67,580.00

Total for 2017

$350,400.00

There were many changes at Grace Church/La Gracia during 2017. These changes affected the amount pledged and given. Our challenge has been is to create an environment in which we work together as a "family" giving attention, time, talent and treasure to do God's work. Our unfinished business is collecting the remainder of the money pledged for 2017.

Where we hope to be in December 2018: 1. An increased understanding of why pledging is so important. 2. Increasing our pledges by 10% 3. Increasing donations from outside sources (website, fund raisers, one time gift, grants, and gifts from other organizations). What resources we will need to get there: The Vestry needs to give quarterly workshops to keep the parishioners of Grace/La Gracia aware of the financial status of the church. We also need to contact businesses and organizations in White Plains and elsewhere that donate or make grants to religious organizations.

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: Altar Guild Chair: Sharon Werth

Co-Chair: Brinda Bradley

Members: Melanie Jackson-Walters, Dana Walters, Shirley Spencer, Jo-Ann B. Boylan, Cynthia Cole, Audrey Taylor, Sandy Gadsden-McAllister, Ruth Theodore Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) Achievements: • Adopted creative ways to trim cost • Begun a working relationship in Altar Guild with La Gracia • Improved teamwork between clergy and various service members. Challenges: • Further develop the above mentioned Unfinished Business: • Woodwork repair, vestments clean and repair, replace torches and repair their holders in sanctuary Where we hope to be in December 2018: 1. Working team from La Gracia able to independently provide basic set up and clean-up from Liturgies and functions held in church. 2. Recruit new Altar Guild members for Grace/La Gracia 3. Foster spiritual and individual support for Grace/La Gracia Altar Guild What resources we will need to get there: • Leadership, Clergy, Vestry, Altar Guild Directress and team to work together and focus on this need and creative responses to these needs. • If Taurino can make or repair items needed and Brinda can continue to for instance wash and iron cloths as well as explore cheaper options for products and flowers we can limit cost.

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committee: Acolytes Chair: Lauren Reid Members [see below] Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) The purpose of the Grace Church Acolyte is to aid and assist the clergy and congregation in prayer, praise and worship. This ministry is open to all youth of Grace Church starting around age 7, as well as adults of all ages. Our acolytes serve at both the 8:00 and 10:00 Sunday services, as well as various holiday services throughout the year, and their presence is an integral part of the service. Currently the acolyte corps consists of 39 active members, 28 youth and 12 adults. This past year we were blessed to have Aadi Kumar join us as a youth acolyte, and Malik Bradford chose to join his children Aaron and Eve, and serve with us as well. We are so grateful for their willingness to volunteer. This year, Brianna Parkinson ad Henry Roach went off to college. We wish them both the very best, and we hope they know they always have a home with us. Shirley Spencer also made the choice to retire from altar service, but she has on more than one occasion been willing to step in and help out. Christopher and Ashley Elliott continue to be willing to return to the altar should we ever be in need. This year, Lauren Reid and Andrea Spencer attended Lay Eucharistic Minister Training. Adults

Brinda Bradley Malik Bradford Rudye Breach Oscar Bunche Jean Chambers Melanie Jackson Sandy McAllister Allison Munsch Lauren Reid Ray Williams Andrea Spencer Shirley Spencer

Youth

Jordan Acevedo Aaron Bradford Eve Bradford Sam Brown Spencer Carden Maya Daughtry Shane Daughtry Aadi Kumar Priya Kumar Rohan Kumar James Heffner Ke nd a l Mangum Waverly Mangum Cameron Owens Cassius Owens

At Large

Kaylee Owens Anna Kristina O'Hanlon Vika O'Hanlon Brianna Parkinson Gabrielle Parkinson Harrison Richards Ivana Richards Lawson Roach Henry Roach M1·rna Sanchez

Ashley Elliott Christopher Elliott Uriel Reid

Dana Walters Eric Woodberry Aaron Woodberry

Where we hope to be (December 2018) Grace church will host the diocesan Eucharistic Minister Training on April 21st. We will also have an acolyte lunch and training session in the spring as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter. We look forward to another year of participating in our many services and to serving our Lord at the altar of Grace/ La Gracia. What resources we need to get there: a new position.

We welcome anyone who wants to join our ranks, or learn

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Grace /La Gracia Episcopal Church Grace Church is a diverse congregation committed to a common life sustained by worship. We bear witness to God's love in Christ through our life together and our Service to the wider community. All are welcome! Annual Report: January 2018 Ministry/Committees: Youth Christian Education: Sunday School, Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood (J2Al Chair: Donna Louis Members/Teachers: Linda Gallo, Lyndsey Wall (Lambs); Leigh Burton, Andrea LacourciereMacLeish (Primary); Michael Heffner (Intermediate); Donna Louis, George O'Hanlon (Rite 13); Lauren Reid, Rudye Breach, Ashley Elliott (J2A); Greta Leslie, Cynthia Sangurima Brown (Assistants) Students: Congregants Pre-K (ages 4) to Grade 12 Where we are now (December 2017): (Achievement, challenges, and unfinished business of 2017) Our program is based on a holistic teaching approach comprised of faith instruction, involvement in the life of the church (acolytes, choir members, ushers, and lay readers), service to the community and fellowship. We accomplish this through individual classroom experiences and whole group activities. When present at church, our youth are engaged and comfortable as members of the congregation. Our greatest challenge is inconsistent attendance by the children which hinders continuity of lessons and affects the morale of teachers. Societal factors of competing outside activities, i.e. sports, interfere with family commitment to our Youth Christian Education program. Where we hope to be in December 2018: Growth to sustain the Youth Christian Education is a major goal for 2018. This includes recruitment of additional teachers, assistants, and families with young children. Another goal is improving consistent communication with families, youth members, vestry and staff. The use of social media, texting and emails will be explored to aid in this goal. A third goal is finding ways to make our program more supportive and exciting to our youth with openness to more unconventional activities, incorporating the use of technology in lessons, buddy systems between older and younger children, and mentoring by adult parishioners for confirmation preparedness. Lastly, we plan on introducing the children to stewardship with their own envelopes and having donations raised for an outreach program designated by the children. What resources we will need to get there: Social media, direct marketing materials and person-to-person contact are needed to attract new families. Wi-Fi extender to get a signal into second-floor classrooms and monitors are needed to incorporate technology into our program. Maintaining dedicated meeting spaces that are free from storage, especially the floor space of the parlor for J2A, which tends to be used as a storage location by many inside and outside groups. 23