The Annual Report of Christ Church

To download the report in PDF form, click here.

The Christ Church Annual Meeting

February 7, 2010

11:15 A.M.

Agenda and Reports

314^th Annual Parish Meeting

of Christ Church

February 7, 2010

 11:15am

Christ Church

AGENDA

1.  Opening Prayer (said in unison)

Gracious God, we are thankful for your presence in the world and we are mindful that you are present through us.  May we face the cares of this world in ways that give life to your truth in our communion with each other.  May we serve as faithful stewards of the future of Christ Church as well as of its history.  May we use the beauty to which we are heirs to sustain the spiritual lives of the parish.  May we raise our children in the universal message of love brought to us by your son Jesus Christ.  May we open our doors to inquiring minds eager to cross boundaries of belief and condition to discover your intentions for our civil society. These things we pray in your holy name. Amen.

2.            Report of the Nominating Committee and Election for Vestry, Diocesan Convention and Deanery

3.            Report of the Accounting Warden and Presentation of the Budget for 2010

4.     Special Report: Access 2010 Construction Update

5.     Special Report: Ministry Season

6.     Report of the Rector’s Warden

7.     Report of the Rector

8.      Discussion

9.     Adjournment

THE RECTOR’S REPORT

I am always humbled by reading the annual report, composed of the many reports from active and dynamic ministries at Christ Church.  I am so grateful that so many parishioners give of themselves so that Christ Church can give its self away to the world.

Reflecting on the year that has passed, and considering the year that is before us, I can reliably say that Christ Church is in an important period of transition. 

Last June, John Binsfeld, after 45 years of faithful and dedicated service, retired as Christ Church’s Organist and Choirmaster.  We are grateful that Diane Meredith Belcher has so ably and warmly led our worship and music in the interim period as we search for a new Director of Music.  Susan Richardson and I have reviewed 55 stellar applications for the position, and are working to call a Director of Music to begin next September.

Four years ago, the Vestry adopted a strategy of intentional growth for the congregation of Christ Church that, using additional revenues from our modest endowment, allowed for two full-time clergy assistants to work with me to increase the programs and membership of Christ Church.  The financial realities of 2008 and 2009 required our Vestry to reduce the endowment revenues by $100,000, requiring us to cut most programs and reduce the staff by one clergy member.  Sadly and regrettably, the Rev. Carol Anthony, our Vicar for Parish Life, left our staff and parish community this past July.

Our parish rallied in 2009 to ensure that more cuts were not needed.  More people pledged to our operating budget than ever before in the history of Christ Church, and we met our revenue budget of $480,000 in 2009, and ended the year with a balanced budget.  Our community proved that they were true stewards of Christ Church; while many had to reduce their pledges because of financial hardship, others increased their giving.

As we gather this Sunday, we are still seeking some $55,000 in pledges for 2010 to ensure that we can keep our existing programs, and call our next Director of Music to a full-time position.  Prudently, the Vestry has passed a provisional budget allowing us until mid-May to secure additional pledges and giving without having to reduce our plans for our programs and worship.

Christ Church has endured major construction projects for the last five years. Last June, a major capital construction project began on the North Garden and Neighborhood House, dubbed Access 2010.  The project not only brings long-needed fire protection and safety to Neighborhood House, it is installing an elevator, accessible bathrooms and a street level entrance through a new atrium that will make the building truly open and usable by parishioners, visitors and community.  The walkways of the North Garden are being rebuilt to create an accessible path from the church to the Neighborhood House, which will also make the North Garden more open and accessible to the community.  The great challenge before us is now to make Neighborhood House serve the community as it was originally designed to do, as well as better serve our congregation.  As the Vestry has secured a $2 million loan to complete this construction, Neighborhood House must begin to generate significant revenue as it is used by the community and parish alike.

We have come through a challenging year, and the year ahead will be no less challenging.  At next year’s annual meeting, I pray that I can report:

·       Christ Church called a full-time Director of Music, who is working with our choir of professionals and parish volunteers, beginning new programs for children and youth, and working toward a new Service to expand our worship experience and invite new members into our congregation;

·       Neighborhood House is open again, and now safe and accessible for community and parish, and fully occupied, serving the neighborhood and community;

·       Christ Church met its financial challenges and responsibilities, securing the necessary pledges and revenues to balance the 2010 budget without reducing program.

·       Christ Church continues to be a growing congregation, welcoming all, serving the city around us.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Timothy Browning Safford

Nineteenth Rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia

THE REPORT OF THE RECTOR’S WARDEN

When Tim Safford asked me last year whether I would consider being his Rector’s Warden in 2009, I considered it a great privilege to accept the offer of being his choice as Warden.   I have enjoyed my time on the Vestry of Christ Church immensely, and being Rector’s Warden would afford a new opportunity to serve this community.  I said to myself, “What a great job to have!” 

As Tim proceeded to explain the warden’s position and importance, the structure of governance in an Episcopal parish came clearer for me —even though we as members of the Vestry all hear it annually when new wardens are put in place for the ensuing year. The Accounting Warden (the historic title at Christ Church) is actually the “people’s warden”, and Ken Frantz was elected on your behalf by the Vestry to represent your interests as a parish congregation this past year.  A rector then gets to choose among the Vestry members his or her own Rector’s Warden, sometimes called a “senior warden”, who holds the rector’s feet to the fire on behalf of the Vestry to follow all rules, and holds the Vestry accountable to the Rector, and importantly maintains continuity and holds the authority of the rector in a rector’s absence due to circumstances which would keep a rector from his/her duties (retirement, death, illness, sabbatical, etc). 

Later, in my describing what a Rector’s Warden is to an acquaintance, the response was “Wow, you’re his second”.  For those unfamiliar with the rules and titles of old fashioned duels, a “second” is a trusted choice by the dueler to make arrangements, check the field of honor for the duel, negotiate with the opponent’s second, carry and check weapons, and assure that all rules of engagement are being followed.   And at least in the 17^th century, the second also got the unenviable opportunity to stand up and take a shot if the “first” became incapacitated (ergo: got shot or ran away!). Fortunately, as time progressed from the 17^th century, a second’s principal responsibilities were to keep check on the rules, help where necessary, and to seek reconciliation between the firsts before conflict could begin. 

Within a few days of last year’s annual meeting, I was able to begin my service as Tim’s “second” by buying us both coffee, carrying his laptop, and holding the door of the Neighborhood House open for him to enter first (laughing).  Only after following him through the door that day did the enormity of the challenges facing Christ Church in 2009 embrace me.  Not only did we face an uncertain economic climate and an annual budget once again built as much on faith of the stewardship of our parish as on real dollars, almost immediately, our organist – and my oldest and dearest friend – John Binsfeld, decided to retire and separate from this place.  Following that announcement, the vestry determined, after much prayerful consideration, to proceed with the capital improvements to Neighborhood House and the necessary borrowing of two million dollars to accomplish the work – the first parish indebtedness in 50 years and the first on this building in nearly a century – and frankly not nearly enough money to complete the entire improvement project.  Within the reigning dust clouds of early summer, and the moving of our archives to temporary quarters at Lutheran Seminary in Germantown, came the news that Carol Anthony would be leaving her position as Vicar for Parish Life at Christ Church.  Daily struggles continued with reaction to the dust and dirt and noise of construction, and only anxiously were duplicate signatures applied to draughts against our construction credit line.

As Rector’s Warden, I have also had the privilege of serving ex officio on all committees. By choice – or demand – I attend a LOT of committee meetings, certainly as many as I can.  No matter how draining committee meetings can be, each of those meetings in turn has directly approached the issues and challenges which face us as a parish.

And then, on the evening of the first Friday in September I received a telephone call --- fortunately erroneous – from the Superintendent of Independence Park that one of her Protection Rangers had reported that the steeple of Christ Church was on fire------------  so with my trousers at half mast and with only one shoe on, I raced down the expressway at high speed into town and sprinted – as much as a 60 year old can sprint with one shoe on while pulling up his trousers - from my parking spot on Race Street to the church to the amusement of First Friday jugglers, street musicians, and general crowds, to find that the steeple sprinkler system had misfired and spewed thousands of gallons of water into the street.   What also greeted me that evening at Christ Church were Tim Safford and staff members Will Ware, John Hopkins, and Ann McLaughlin --- and everything under control--- anxiously under control, but absolutely under control none-the-less.   Walking back to my car through the First Friday revelry, I thought about how much less anxious I was feeling about the various challenges facing our parish – curious, it should have been more anxious that evening, especially that night with fire trucks, water, alarms ringing, doors broken, half dressed, and my being the amusement for those busking in Second Street rather than the other way ‘round.?

Thinking of Tim and the dedicated staff managing the fire department and alarms took me to thoughts of all those committee meetings and folks like Andrew Phillips pointing directly to an architect or builder on our construction project and asking “WHY?” or “How Much?”, and all the others of those on the staff and in the congregation who give of their time and selves to make things happen at Christ Church.   You will hear or read many committee reports today, including from the Incorporation Ministries Committee about their ideas for a Ministry Season and the surprising number of people already participating in the many ministries of this place.   You will also hear of new and continuing challenges for this parish, including the search for a new Director of Music, new worship opportunities, continued construction, and new programs such as the successful Altar in the World which Tim and Susan and we led last fall.  We also face the challenge of a budget once again built on faith in the stewardship of our parish family. 

Today we also add three new persons to the Vestry of Christ Church and thank retiring Vestry Members Ken Frantz, and Tom Keagy for their time and talent.  In addition, we thank Paul Yaros whose term expires today, but who had to leave the Vestry a year early, and we thank Jude Hetrick who filled in for the balance of Paul’s term.  Each of these people continues to work for the parish in his or her own special way.  They and we will meet all of the challenges in this place by our participation and financial support of Christ Church.  We will all be Tim’s and each others’ “seconds” helping as we can and working to avoid conflict in the process.   

Tim, thank you for having asked me to be your Rector’s Warden for this past year.  I was right --- it is a great job!

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce Gill

ACCOUNTING WARDEN’S REPORT

Finance Committee Members: Ken Frantz, Chair; Nancy Allen; Harvey Bartle; Walker Brown; Frances Dalton; Tom Keagy; Kathryn Palski; Tim Safford; Tom Suddath; Dick Waldo

We entered 2009 in a challenging economic climate. Many of us found our savings depleted with the stock market crash. Our friends and family lost jobs, or our jobs were in question.  During this instability, the Vestry remained committed to reducing the draw on our endowment.  We respectfully worked to maintain our budget, while costs to operate the church and its grounds increased.

The congregation responded to our general condition with generosity that can only be explained as courageous and faithful. While some pledgers were not able to meet their projections, others responded to support their church family in need in unprecedented ways.  The clergy and staff responded with a diligence and vigilance that illustrate an enviable commitment to Christ Church beyond words. Working through personnel reductions and some of the most stressful property conditions we can imagine, the clergy and staff managed costs to make the most of the financial resources available. As I express my appreciation here, I ask you to express your appreciation to each of them.  We ended 2009 with our revenue and expenses in balance and on budget.

At the beginning of 2009, we made several changes to our financial and administrative systems and processes. While these changes will have long-term benefits, they further taxed the clergy and staff as they worked to form new relationships and to learn new ways to complete tasks they’ve performed well for years.

We contracted a financial and administrative service provider who supports several churches in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, rather than filling the Business Manager position with a full-time employee. We changed our financial management system to gain better functionality, speed, and stability. We changed auditors, reducing the annual cost of this service and gaining a new, independent view into current operations and past audits.  And, we changed our accounting method from the accrual system to a modified cash system to present a clearer picture of our revenue and expenses.

As we end 2009, the processes are largely in place and operating efficiently

Following the sentiment expressed in a number of parish forums, the Vestry committed $2,000,000 as a congregation to the Neighborhood House Vertical Access project. This commitment is in the form of a construction line of credit which can be converted into a long-term loan following the completion of the current construction phase. We also began a budgeting process that takes into account projected annual costs and revenue at least three years into the future. This approach will reduce the likelihood that we make commitments in the current year without better understanding future constraints and obligations.  These obligations may be in the form of retiring the debt on the Neighborhood House loan and the cost of operating Neighborhood House with its new elevator, well functioning restrooms, and space for exhibits and meetings.

As we enter 2010, our budget again presents many opportunities to demonstrate our faith. We have worked to develop a budget that shows a commitment to church programs and outreach, that supports a new Music Director, explores new forms of worship, and starts to manage and make available wonderful new spaces in Neighborhood House. This budget makes a number of assumptions regarding the support that will come from pledges and other gifts and our ability to manage expenses. The Vestry voted to support an ambitious plan that encourages growth both in spiritual development and the size of the congregation. At the same time, we’ve built in check points that will keep us from running a deficit if we learn that we’re unable to sustain giving at the 2009 level.

As I complete my term on Vestry and as Accounting Warden, I am filled with appreciation for the Vestry Members with whom I’ve served and the civility and conviction with which we’ve worked through complex matters. I also appreciate the work of the many committees and ministries that make Christ Church a nurturing, supportive and dynamic community. I encourage everyone who passes through our doors to give our time, talents, and treasures and open ourselves to receive the many blessings available in return.

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Frantz, Accounting Warden

Financial Statements are at the end of this report.

ACOLYTE REPORT

Acolytes play an important role in our worship, assisting clergy and helping bring focus and movement to worship. This year our seasoned teen acolytes continued to strengthen and lead, functioning as Team Leaders for each service, while we introduced and trained a new group of younger acolytes, with several of our younger ones from last year moving to new levels of responsibility.  Acolytes, as well as their parents, have done an excellent job of carrying out this visible ministry with dedication and reliability.  We welcome new members. If you are interested in becoming an acolyte, helping as a coordinator or as a parent helper, contact me.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Susan Richardson

ALTAR FLOWER GUILD REPORT

We, the members of the Altar Flower Guild, would like to express our gratitude to the members of the congregation who so generously contribute Memorial Flowers throughout the year and for the Christmas and Easter celebrations.  Without you we would not be able to arrange the Altar Flowers each week and decorate the church at special times: a privilege and a joy for each of us.  Bruce Gill, Goerge Niedermayer and Zach Falone once again gave us invaluable help at Christmas, and we would like to thank Joanna Horn, a former Altar Guild member, for the holly she shared with Christ Church.  On February 13, Sandy Karger will give us an Altar Flower Arranging Workshop followed by good fellowship at a luncheon.  One new member, Judy Hartl, was welcomed to our incredibly reliable ranks this year.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Bodine, Chair; Jen Miller, Sandy Karger, Helen Niedermayer, Angela Sabol, Jane Frantz, Kären Kaiser Falone, Enny Cramer, Tobi Walker, Carol Hauptfuhrer, Julia Bergmann, Jan Stephano, Alice Dommert, Judy Hartl, Cecilia Wagner.

ALTAR GUILD

Almighty God, grant that we may handle holy things with reverence……these are words in the framed prayer in the sacristy.  And in reality this is the work of the Altar Guild, gently caring for our beautiful altar vessels and fair linens and faithfully preparing the altar for Services.  We consult with the clergy and are guided by the church year’s sequence of liturgical colors.  These are displayed in the white, red, green, violet and blue of the pulpit fall and Bible markers, and in Advent the blue altar superfrontal as well. 

Altar Guild members work as a team, covering for each other when necessary and specifically volunteering during times of busy service schedules.  Long time members are Don Bentley, Julia Bergmann (Chairperson on maternity leave), Eleanor Bravo, Eugene Frohlich, Eleanor Hall, Marcy Hasbrouck, Jenny Miller, Jill Rawnsley and volunteers Mike Giansiracusa and Bill Myers.  Sadly, we lost member Jayne Pettit, who died this year.  Gratefully we welcome Jean Bodine, Janet Christman, Charles Frohlich and Pat Walder as new members of our Altar Guild ministry

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Bedell, Acting Chairperson

AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD

Building on the success of the two previous years of the fall program Disciples of Christ in Community, the Christ Church fall program for 2009 used the format that had proven so fruitful of meeting from 6:30-8 p.m., with time beforehand for brown-bag dinner and fellowship.  We had a presentation by one of the clergy from 6:30-7, followed by intentional journey with small groups from 7-8 p.m.  This year, rather than using the DOCC material, we used the recent publication An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor, the chapters of which focused on different spiritual practices found in everyday life and supported the weekly format.  The material was especially conducive to reflecting on the presence of the spiritual in our daily, physical lives, in a way that took us easily from Taylor’s descriptions into the specifics of our own lives, and into our shared life as a community.  As before, we were blessed with trained, sensitive facilitators and a high level of committed participation from parishioners.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Susan Richardson

ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

The 2010 Annual Giving Campaign Committee (AGCC) began its work in June of 2009 with a focus on “ inviting our parishioners to share in the building of Christ Church's future”  The AGCC was also asked “to address the the decrease in the average pledge amount experienced in 2009.”  The membership of the AGCC included Vestry members and representatives from the parish with the Rector’s Warden and Christ Church Administrative Staff serving as ex-officio members.

With a financial goal of $408,000 set by the Finance Committee, the AGCC began by developing a Stewardship Campaign around the theme of "Looking towards the Future: A Community of Stewards". This theme reflects a future that includes a new music director and an accessible, safe and usable Neighborhood House.

By mid-July a campaign was agreed upon - and a comprehensive plan with a detailed time-line was in place.  Key points in the plan included:

1)    Expanding the pledging base.  For example, the committee would strive to increase the number of pledging units another 15% over the strong number of new pledges in 2009.

2)    Communicate to the parish often and in various ways—articles in Sunday leaflets and Beacon, individual testimonials, calling and visiting parishioners--about the meaning of stewardship, what pledging really means, and the goals and challenges of the campaign.

3)    Develop and launch a Stewardship Page on the Christ Church Webpage to include Pledge Information and parishioners insights into what Stewardship at Christ Church means to them.

The pledging campaign was kicked off in early September with the completion of a beautiful pledge card design (thank you, Henry Vega!), Vestry and AGCC members making contact with folks on their calling lists, and celebrating Ministry Sunday on September 15^th.  Distribution of pledge cards began on September 20^th and continued weekly until Stewardship Sunday on November 15^th.  Vestry and AGCC members were available after services to discuss Stewardship with parishioners. Pledge cards that had not been picked up after that date were mailed or distributed to individual parishioners by Vestry members, clergy and AGCC members.  Efforts continued through November and December to follow up with parishioners who had not yet returned pledge cards.  Increasingly the effects of the economic down-turn in the country affected the campaign.  

2010 Pledge Summary as of February 3, 2010

167 individuals and families had pledged $344,287 compared to 190 who had pledged $371,722 this time last year

17 pledges are new or returned, amounting to $13,990 compared to 41 amounting to $29,175 this time last year

Renewals show a 1% increase compared to a 5% decrease this time last year. Average giving unit is $2,061. Average giving unit last year was $1,956

64 pledgers from last year have yet to pledge this year totaling $65,473 compared to 26 pledgers who had yet to pledge this time last year totaling $25,168

Considering the spirit of the congregation as a whole and numerous stories of individual sacrifices that so many parishioners have already made, the AGCC remains optimistic that even in such difficult financial times, parishioners at Christ Church will continue to step forward with either a new pledge or increasing their 2010 pledge to help us make our campaign goal.

The 2010 Annual Giving Campaign Committee is deeply grateful to the entire Christ Church family for supporting all of the efforts thus far of this campaign.  We know it hasn’t been a perfect process and we have had a number of unexpected challenges, but once again, as has been the case over and over again in our 314 year history, the can-do spirit and sacrifices of everyone associated with our congregation continue to give us hope that “the dreams of the church will surely come true.”  

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne Christman, Chair; Members: Meredith Auten, Gordon Leggett, Frank McBride, Alyssa Rickels, Henry Vega, Richard Waldo; Ex-Officio: Bruce Gill, Cecilia Wagner

THE BRIDGE

The year 2009 saw the 20s-40s ministry, a multi-pronged program now known as the Bridge, grow to a new level, attracting new members who greatly valued the experience of both coming into a traditional church and seeing their own demographic included in its intergenerational makeup.  During winter and spring, the group continued to meet monthly for catered meals; the Spirituality Group began to regularly coincide with the dinners so that the group could combine socializing, eating and drinking, and discussion of theological and personal topics, such that of our spirituality and our bodies (spring) and study of money and faith (fall).  In late spring 09 and through fall, the Bridge meetings moved to lunchtime rather than dinner, making it easier for people to attend both church and Bridge on the same day.  The Bridge has also continued regular monthly outreach meals to the homeless at the shelter at Old First Reformed church, drawing in other Christ Church parishioners and coordinated by Bridge members Anne and Joey McAteer and Nick DiPatri and Jean Lutes, who head up a program of excellent food, bought locally and prepared fresh.  Fall 2009 saw our third round of Bridge participation in the small-group spirituality program, based on the prior years of DOCC but using the book An Altar in the World as a basis for presentations and discussion, as supported by the three-year Trinity Wall Street first received in 2007.  The monthly Sunday evening worship continued in the Great Hall in winter and spring, preceded by a time for prayer or meditation, but was suspended for fall to help focus attention and participation in the whole parish’s discernment this year of our future in worship and music, as we seek a new Director of Music.  Partly in conjunction with the Bridge emergent ministry and the Calvin Institute grant received for 2009-2010, we hosted a very successful diocesan-wide conference in December, featuring the Rev. Stephanie Spellers and musician Ed Broms, on “Tradition Remixed: Translating Anglican Worship Traditions into the 21^st Century Church.”

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Susan Richardson

CALVIN INSTITUTE GRANT FOR THE RENEWAL OF WORSHIP

For the year 2009-2010, Christ Church has received a grant to expand its development of a range of Anglican musical and liturgical resources in worship.  The Worship Renewal grant was awarded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), Grand Rapids, Michigan.  "After the Revolutionary War," the grant proposals says, "when the first emergent Episcopalians were determined to worship in a uniquely American way, though still in harmony with their Anglican forebears, they presented this revolutionary idea in the front of their new Prayer Book: 'It is a most invaluable part of that blessed "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," that in his worship different forms and usages may without offence be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire.' Further, the forms of worship 'may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended, or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most convenient for the edification of the people, "according to the various exigency of times and occasions."'  Written in Christ Church Philadelphia in 1789, those words allowed the worship of the Episcopal Church to rise from the ashes of the Church of England. That spirit is still alive today at Christ Church, as new forms of creative and transforming worship and praise develop for a new generation of seekers are beginning to emerge in this very old, yet still revolutionary, place."
 
"This grant has given us a great opportunity to go deeper in exploring what Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, calls 'the mixed economy' of worship styles within one parish that may be the church's true future," adds the Rev. Susan Richardson, project director.  "As part of the grant, Christ Church will be able to sponsor a workshop for both the parish and the diocese on Anglican liturgical and musical resources."  During fall of 2009, the grant enabled us to have a Parish Forum on the discernment of our worship, and a workshop December 6 for those from the parish and the diocese, entitled “Tradition Remixed: Translating Anglican Worship Traditions into the 21^st Century Church,” led by the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, from the Crossing at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston, and Ed Broms, the Director of Music at the cathedral.  It has also continued to support our discernment in our search for a new Director of Music and funded a new electronic piano for the church.

The Worship Renewal Grants Program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment's major areas of concern are community development, education, and religion.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Susan Richardson

CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILY

Children, Youth, and Family Committee/Network

The main purpose of the Children, Youth, and Family Committee is to help lead and support, along with clergy and staff, the Christian formation of children, youth, and households in the parish. In 2009, we continued to see significant growth in the programs and in the number of children and families who participated in the nursery, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium I (ages 4-6) and Atrium II (ages 7-10), Children’s Music (for Atrium 1 and optionally for Atrium 2), Youth Group (ages 11-17), and programs for parents, including the Faith and Family series and Parents’ Night Out.  The committee itself is moving into its next stage as the basis for a Children, Youth and Family Network that will allow more parents to become involved in event planning and leadership.

The highlights of the committee’s work last year include:

Children

•  Marzena Gulessarian, our children’s music teacher, continued to develop and deepen the children’s involvement in liturgical music. Children sang a prelude at the Children and Youth Sabbath and a lullaby during the pageant of the Christmas Eve Family Eucharist

•  Leza Kramarenko’s expansion of her own teaching into the Atrium 2 program, and her very effective work in advancing and managing the childcare staff; the naming of Ally Morehead as Assistant Nursery Coordinator

•  continuing recognition of the Rev. Susan Richardson as an Episcopal Church Foundation transformational ministry fellow for 2009, for her work and the work of the staff and congregation to welcome and support children and teens with learning differences and their families; continued education for Susan in learning about and connecting with organizations serving families with special needs

•  continued support, training, and visibility of acolytes ranging in age from 7 to 17

Youth

•  building on a regular youth group initially begun in Fall 06, the expansion of the youth program to regular weekly meetings at 10:10 using the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. 

•  hiring Chris Alvarez as Youth Coordinator, leading Sunday mornings programs assisted by, first, Alice Hershey, and then by Lexie Adorno

•  planning our youth confirmation class

Parents

•  continuation of the Parents’ Night Out program with successful participation by both newer families and longer-time members

•  expanding the Faith and Family series, allowing for small-group discussion for parents and caregivers

 Families

•  continuing outreach opportunities for families, including children, at St. Barnabas Mission; Valentine’s Day party in February

•  continued development of Children and Youth Sabbath in October

•  support and integration into parish events of the needs of families whose children have learning differences

•  updating the Families page to the Christ Church website and on Facebook, and the continued distribution of publicity cards for the Families at Christ Church programs, to become more accessible to visitors and seekers

•  having the first Christ Church Family Retreat, at Camp Dark Waters, in October, which was highly successful in planning, participation, and fellowship

Many thanks to the ongoing participation of all of the families and committee members.

Respectfully submitted,

Ayo Gansallo and the Rev. Susan Richardson

DEANERY DELEGATE REPORT

What is the Southwark Deanery?  Our Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania includes the area of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties and encompasses over 150 parishes.  In order to assure broad participation by both laypersons and clergy in the governance and work of the Diocese, the parishes are grouped geographically into 11 deaneries.  Each parish in a deanery elects delegates, who join with their clergy in attending deanery meetings to discuss issues that are specific to the particular deanery.  In addition, the deanery is the forum for matters carried forward from the previous annual Diocesan Convention as well as those to come before the next convention.  Each deanery elects one of its clergy to serve as Dean, and also elects representatives to serve on Diocesan Council, which is the body that assists the Episcopal Authority (Bishop or Standing Committee) in oversight of diocesan programs between conventions.  Given this structure, it is logical that each parish is encouraged to select the same persons to represent the congregation as its deanery delegates and to share with their clergy and designated vestryperson(s) as deputies to Diocesan Convention.

Christ Church is one of 15 congregations that make up the Southwark Deanery.  The Very Reverend Joy Segal, Rector of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) is the present elected Dean of Southwark Deanery.   Your elected deanery respresentatives for 2009 were Paul Yaros and Wayne Christman. 

A brief description of recent Southwark Deanery discussions include the 2009 Pennsylvania Diocesan Convention resolutions: R-4 Resolution Establishing Diocesan Anglican Covenant Committee, R-5 Companion Diocese Relationship with the Diocese of Guatemala, R-6 Resolution for the Formation of the Diocesan Mission Planning Commission, R-7 Resolution to Recommit to the Creation of an Anti-Racist Diocese, R-8 Youth Voice.  Details regarding these resolutions and other convention business can be found on the diocesan website at http://www.diopa.org/office/convention/2009/info.

These are difficult times for our church, diocese and nation.  It is a privilege to represent the members of Christ Church, Philadelphia in the Deanery and at Convention.  Any Christ Church members that are interested in knowing more about the Southwark Deanery or the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania are encouraged to speak with either Paul or Wayne.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Yaros and Wayne Christman
Deanery Representatives 2009 

EUCHARISTIC VISITOR MINISTRY

The Eucharistic Visitor Ministry at Christ Church offers pastoral care that complements the work of the clergy by once a month taking the Eucharist to parishioners unable to attend one of the primary Sunday services.  Over the past year, three Eucharistic Visitor teams served three different recipients a total of twenty-two times.  Persons interested in participating in this ministry or who know someone who would benefit from the services of this ministry are encouraged to contact the Reverend Susan Richardson.  

Respectfully submitted,

Kay and Tom Keagy, co-chairs

THE GARDEN COMMITTEE

Committee Co-Chairs: Jean Bodine, George Niedermayer and Paul Pickering

The garden committee is responsible for the management of the plantings that surround the main church and in particular the garden north of the church.  The group generally meets for two hours on the second Saturday of each month from April through November.

As part of the Access 2010 Project, Christ Church consulted Landscape Architect Wells/Appel to create a master plan for the North Garden in the summer of 2009, creating a new pathway to the new entryway of Neighborhood House.  This project is due for completion in May of 2010.

INCORPORATION MINISTRIES

Preachers like the word incorporation because it means “in the body”.   When we incorporate a person into the body of Christ Church, we are bringing them into the body of Christ.  So, this ministry is not just about newcomers, but all of us.   We all need incorporation.. This is not one group, already incorporated or those who are on the outside.  Rather it is a group of people working to make the church incorporating to all, including themselves.  It is about creating a culture of incorporation, in which there are no insiders or outsiders.  Tim Safford

The Incorporation Ministries Committee has been meeting for the past 18 months to first discern the meaning of “incorporation” and to then determine how to best  develop ways that our church family can experience a greater sense of connection and involvement in  the opportunities for ministry that are available for everyone. 

The following will outline our mission and some of the initiatives that the committee has focused on during the past year. 

The Mission:

Attract new parishioners.

Welcome first-time visitors.

Deepen the congregation’s experience.

Reconnect with no-current members.

Initiatives:

Blue Pew Cards

The cards were revised and to be more user friendly and to obtain information that will be useful as we extend a welcome and attempt to connect those attending CC to areas of ministry or service that suits their needs and interests.  

The cards are reviewed and each completed card is receiving personal follow-up. 

Hospitality

We have worked with the existing Hospitality Committee, implementing some changes in the coffee hour following the 11am service.   With the goal of showcasing our various ministries and at the same time offering opportunities for recruitment, the food and “welcome” at the coffee hours have been provided by participants of our various ministries: Ushers, Altar/Flower Guilds, Gardeners, Youth, and Sandwich Makers. 

There has been an attempt to stress the importance of “welcome” and each group has been encouraged to assume the role of hosts and hostesses greeting  all who attend the coffee hours and as we do so we have found the following words inspirational and helpful as we redefined the meaning of hospitality.     

When to the eyes of an observer, the gap between guest and host becomes indistinguishable, true hospitality has arrived.  Mostly, it is an effort of each party delighting in the significance and profound humanity of the other.  In the world of true hospitality, the needs and hopes of a guest receive an embrace that supersedes the preferences and preoccupations of the host.

                                   Peter W. Marty – The Hospitality Imperative

Zip Code Project

While the physical center of the Christ Church community is located at 2^nd Street just above  Market, the community itself- its people – can be found all over the Greater Philadelphia region.  For the last several months, we have been thinking through how we can better connect members of Christ Church to each other where they live.   Using the Church directory as a starting point, we have broken out members by zip code and have sent an open-ended survey to two “pilot” groups (19147 and 19130, both in Philadelphia) to gauge their interest in meeting others who live close to them… Such gatherings could be of a social nature but we are also interested in determining the extent of which community members in close proximity to each other would be interested in being part of a support network for each other (i.e. emergency babysitting services, visits during or helps with illness or injury, etc.)  Our next step will be to experiment with organizing a small gathering in one of the pilot areas, to take place sometime in the spring of 2010.  Also, using the information from the open-ended survey and what we learn from an attempt to organize an actual gathering, we will generate a much more targeted and specific survey using an on-line survey creator to send out to the entire community to get a more complete picture of the amount of interest there is in utilizing this resource.  

Ushers

Several members of the committee met with the Ushers in mid June 2009.  

We reviewed the committees’ newly defined mission and we had a productive discussion focusing on ways that the ushers could assist us by offering true “hospitality” to our members and visitors, to all who enter our doors on Sunday mornings.   The ushers are often the first people to greet those attending and they have the opportunity to assist all with worship by being mindful of any special needs as well as providing assistance that can contribute to their worship experience.  

Ministry Season

The objective of Ministry Season is to launch a series of “calls to ministry” during the 2010 Lenten season which will invite and inspire parishioners to participate more fully in the life of Christ Church.  The goal will be to ask parishioners to participate in at least one program or ministry in addition to attending services. 

The season will have both a pragmatic and spiritual goal. The committee hopes that ministry season will help to increase the number of volunteers at Christ Church during a financially difficult time. More importantly, it should help to deepen parishioners’ connections to each other and their experiences within the Church.  

During the Lent everyone will be invited to participate in a ministry of their choosing.  Announcements and details will be communicated via the Beacon, email, during Sunday service announcements and personal contact.   

If you are interested in the work of Incorporation Ministries please contact us.  

Respectively submitted,

Sandy Karger, Chair

Joan Bedell, Ken Frantz, Bruce Gill,  Kevin Kerchner,  Charlie Moleski, Dan Pohlig, Alyssa Rickels, Emma Staton and  Cecilia Wagner.  

LGBT FELLOWSHIP

As a welcoming church, Christ Church is blessed to have gay and lesbian parishioners involved in every aspect of our life together.  The Gay & Lesbian Fellowship provides a way for folks to meet others who share a similar journey.  We have spent time together sharing Sunday lunch or dinner; supporting and participating in Equality Forum in Philadelphia and its service of worship held at Christ Church; flipping pancakes at the Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration; buying gifts for families and seniors in the Advent Angel Tree Project; teaming up in the Scavenger Hunt to support Project HOME; and serving dinner at the local homeless shelter.  We usher, ring the bells, sing in the choir, serve at communion, read lessons, volunteer in the gift shop, and share our gifts and talents throughout our faith community.  By claiming the witness of LGBT persons in our midst, Christ Church, Philadelphia offers a genuine expression of freedom and welcome to the greater community of the possibilities of a living faith in the body of Christ.

Respectfully submitted, 

Ken Oakes and the Revs. Susan Richardson and Tim Safford

LIFE AT CHRIST CHURCH CLASSES

This class for newcomers meets three times a year and continues to be a helpful and exciting way for people from every place on the journey of faith to come together over a meal and hear about the history, faith, and practice of Christianity, the Episcopal Church, and the larger Anglican Communion. It is also an important way for people to learn about Christ Church, the clergy who serve here, and how to find their way to participating in one of the many ministries this community offers to the larger community of Philadelphia. If you are interested in learning more about the next Life at Christ Church class, please contact Cecilia Wagner at cwagner@christchurchphila.org, or 215.922.1695, ext. 21.

MUSIC MINISTRIES

In June 2009, John Binsfeld, Christ Church’s Organist and Choirmaster of 45 years, retired.  The position was advertised internationally in the Fall and 55 applications were received for consideration.  Diane Meredith Belcher was hired as our Interim Organist and Choirmaster and continues to provide musical leadership during this year of transition. 

Christ Church Choir

In 2009, a professional octet with volunteers from the parish continued to support the 11AM liturgy with a quartet at the 9AM Service in the Winter/Spring changing to a Cantor for the Fall months.

The Bell Guild

Core to our weekly worship experience is the ringing of our historic bells to both prepare us for worship as well as celebrate the endings of each Service; and, to this end Paul Yaros keeps the organization of calendar for our entire group of ringers through the year, and we thank them all for their service: Eugene Frohlich, Nava Hall, Sally Hardy, Lynn Karoly, Cynthia Palmer, Paul Yaros

First Friday Concert Series

Fifteen years of successful monthly concerts were marked by the final three events in spring 2009, thanks to the marvelous expertise of David Yang and his Poor Richard’s String Quartet. Thanks to the generosity of a small group of parish members and friends who financially supported each event. Endless thanks to Nat & Sue Wright, Don Bentley, Cecilia Wagner, and the patrons, Caral and Len Parris, Ken Hall, The Frantz Family, Patricia Hagge, Joel Mynders, Marcy and Allen Hasbrouck, Joe and Judith Hetrick, Bob Rogers, Craig Murray and Paul Yaros.

OUTREACH, PEACE, AND JUSTICE

Members of the congregation play key roles in developing and implementing mission and ministry beyond the walls of Christ Church.  Serving the homeless with St. Mary’s Sandwiches or a meal at Old First Reform Winter Shelter, providing holiday gifts for families and seniors through the Advent Angel Tree, sharing a holiday celebration with the women and children of St. Barnabas Mission, supporting the work of Episcopal Community Services, collecting food for local food pantries, and supporting the ministry of Episcopal Relief and Development Fair Trade coffee/tea are a reflection of the depth and breadth of God’s call and response from this faith community in the world.

Respectfully submitted,

Cecilia Wagner

PLANNED GIVING COMMITTEE

Planned giving is the term describing gifts that are planned during our earthly lives and realized by the church when we enter our eternal lives, generally through bequests in wills and naming the church as an insurance beneficiary.

The Planned Giving Committee continues to work to establish the Mary Andrews Legacy Society.

The society will gather periodically through the year to:

•       discuss plans for ensuring the future financial wellbeing of the church 

•       witness the importance of planning to the participants

•       celebrate the planners whose gifts have been realized as they enter their eternal lives

The society is named for Mrs. Mary Andrews because she left the first known bequest to Christ Church. One of the Christ Church’s earliest members, she was born in 1683, and lived a long life for her time. She is buried at the back of the center aisle of the church by the pew she shared with Benjamin Franklin and his wife.

When she died in 1761, she left instructions in her will that part of her estate be used to construct a pulpit for Christ Church and for the annual purchase and distribution of bread to the poor.  Her gifts have endured for nearly 250 years. The pulpit is still in use today. The funds for the bread helped establish an endowment that has continued since that time and currently supports outreach programs, aid, and services to individuals and families in need.

Participate in the society by letting us know that you have included Christ Church in your will or other estate plans.

Committee members are Walker Brown, Gordon Leggett, Frank McBride and Tom Suddath. Let us know if you’re interested in working with us.

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Frantz, chair

THE CHRIST CHURCH PRESERVATION TRUST

Founded in July, 1965, the Christ Church Preservation Trust’s mission is the maintenance and preservation of the historic Christ Church buildings and burial ground.  In addition, the trust manages the tourism program for Christ Church.  The trust has a separate 501(c)(3) tax status which allows it to raise money for preservation in the community.  It has a separate board of directors, of which 50% or more are not members of Christ Church.

There were several projects initiated or completed by the Trust in 2009:

• Capital Projects – completion of the preservation project on the church; initiation of ACCESS 2010 on Neighborhood House
• Archives and Artifacts - moving the archives to temporary storage
• Interpretation – 285,000 visitors; development of a DVD telling the history of slavery in Philadelphia

Capital Projects

The capital campaign continued in 2009, raising an additional $800,000 in new campaign gifts, despite the economic recession.  Overall, the campaign has raised $6.7 million toward the goal of $10 million.  Of these contributions, $3 million has come from the parishioners of Christ Church.

During the year, fire sprinkler systems were installed in the church, providing protection for the first time in the 314-year history of the church.  Invisible to the eyes of parishioners, this system is one of the most important preservation projects ever undertaken on the church.  Together with the exterior work completed in 2008 and the installation of new electrical systems, this preservation project cost $3.4 Million.  Work on Neighborhood House commenced in June 2009, with the completion of ACCESS 2010 scheduled for May 2010.

Archives and Artifacts

ACCESS 2010 will double the size of the existing Christ Church archives, which will allow us to catalog and preserve the 20^th century records.  During the year of construction on Neighborhood House, the archives were sent for temporary storage to the Lutheran Theological Seminary archives, and the artifacts sent to Harriton House.  In addition, the Trust had professional conservators treat the second volume of the Vestry minutes (1761-1784), and the 1763 Psalm Book written by Francis Hopkinson and printed by John Dunlop, thanks to grants from an anonymous donor and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.  A portrait of “Alice of Dunks Ferry”, Christ Church’s longest-tenured parishioner (1695-1802) was created by Philadelphia artist Al Gury and donated to the church.  The 1695 William and Mary Coat of Arms returned after a four-year exhibition loan to the Smithsonian Institution.

Tourism

There were 258,000 visitors (173,000 at the church and 85,000 at the burial ground), a slight decrease from 2008.   However, income from tourism ($389,400) increased slightly from the prior year.   New tourism programs in 2009 included the creation of a DVD of Sarah’s Story:  Slavery in Philadelphia that was filmed at WHYY.  In addition, a teacher’s study guide is being developed to accompany the video.   Philadelphia City Council recognized the drama with an official commendation.  Bruce Feiler, author of America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story, gave a talk at the church in October.  The burial ground celebrated its 290^th anniversary on October 14.  Twelve markers were repaired by conservationists.

The staff of the Trust includes:

            John Hopkins – Coordinator of the Burial Ground     

            Anne McLaughlin – Director of Tourism

            Neil Ronk – Historian and Head Guide

             Jessica Schane – Capital Campaign Coordinator

            Carol Smith – Archival Consultant

            Donald Smith – Executive Director

            Many part-time volunteer and paid guides

Under the able guidance of the Board of Directors (James Timberlake, Chair, Charles Landreth, Vice Chair and Treasurer and Andrew Topping, Secretary), the Trust is working closely with the Vestry and parishioners to maintain and preserve the historic Christ Church buildings and Burial Ground.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald U. Smith, Executive Director of the Trust

Financial Statements are at the end of this report.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

Committee Chair: Andrew Phillips; Members: Bruce Gill, Marcy Hasbrouck, Charlie Moleski, George Niedermayer, David O’Connell, Tim Safford, Don Smith, Jeanne Stuardi, Paul Yaros

The property committee is responsible for maintaining and improving the Church properties. These include the Church, the North Garden, Neighborhood House, Washburn House, the Burial Ground, the Rectory and the Parking Lots. They amount to over 100,000 square feet of space and several acres of property distributed across a dozen Philadelphia blocks.

Except for the Rectory, all are heavily used by the congregation, outreach efforts, community groups, service organizations, theatrical and musical troupes, lunchtime visitors, guests and tourists exploring the City of Philadelphia’s national treasures. The newest of these structures dates from the 1930’s and in their lifespan they have seen few renovations.

In the year 2009 we completed major work and also began the enormous effort to improve our Neighborhood House facility. Once completed, this building will be transformed into a place accessible and open to all for decades ahead. Work includes:

-       The North Stair of the Neighborhood House was completely rebuilt in anticipation of it being our primary vertical circulation, along with the elevator, once the new entrance is built.

-       Working with our architects, Voith and Mactavish Architects, construction has begun on the next phase in the planned comprehensive renovations to Neighborhood House. This includes a new entrance atrium linking Washburn and Neighborhood house and a completely accessible route from the North Garden into Neighborhood House with elevator access to all floors.

-       A master plan for the North Garden has been prepared by the Landscape Architect, Wells/Appel which incorporates direct access from the North Garden to the new Neighborhood House entrance.

In addition to this work, the committee has overseen ongoing repairs, maintenance and modest improvements to the Church, the Rectory and the Burial Ground. A key part of this effort has been the institution of Parish Work Days, approximately once every other month, when we join to clean the church and grounds. On these days, when the Church takes care of its buildings, a lively community gives the treasure of their time and offers a form of stewardship which saves Christ Church thousands of dollars otherwise paid to vendors.

All of this work is performed in close collaboration with the Christ Church Preservation Trust, the Replacement Reserve Fund Committee and the Christ Church staff. Our sincere thanks to them for all of their support.     

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Phillips

SCAVENGER HUNT IN OLD CITY

In October 2009, Christ Church sponsored a scavenger hunt, assembled by the professional company cityHUNT, to benefit our partner in fighting homelessness in Philadelphia, Project HOME.  Some 527 people were living on the streets in the city, according to last fall's census, compared with 334 people during the same period five years ago. The count also showed as many as 25 percent more people than last year sleeping on streets, in overnight shelters, in the airport, and in train stations. The shelter system's 2,879 entry-level beds have been full, with approximately 2,800 homeless children still not served by the city's system. Project H.O.M.E. remains one of Philadelphia's key organizations in helping people who struggle with homelessness and coordinating resources within the city.  Yet many large donors, also hit by the recession, have told Project H.O.M.E. to expect smaller donations this year, and government funding may also well be cut. Using clues and digital cameras provided by cityHunt, intergenerational teams gathered to look at Old City and our neighbors there in a whole new way and raised more than $1,000 for Project HOME.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Susan Richardson

VESTRY NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Committee Chair:  Ken Frantz.   Members:  Tom Keagy, Bruce Gill, Enny Cramer, Paul Yaros.

Christ Church is fortunate in having so many talented people who are faithful in worship and who participate fully in the life of the church.  The work of the church could not continue without the expertise and time commitment of the many individuals, committees and work groups who make Christ Church the vibrant, forward thinking and inclusive worship community it is today.  This year, more than a dozen excellent candidates were considered for nomination.  The Committee continued the practice from previous years of seeking to maintain a vestry which is balanced in gender, age, worship Service preference, area of residence and interests and abilities.

The Nominating Committee proposes the following people:

Vestry Four Year Term

Dan Pohlig

Greg Staton

Janice Woodcock

Delegates to the Southwark Deanery

Wayne Christman

Paul Yaros

Delegates to Diocesan Convention 2010

Wayne Christman

Alyssa Rickels

Paul Yaros

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Frantz

CHRIST CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORTS