2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORTS reports...come in. At the end of October pledges are ahead by $59,583 and...

2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORTS

SUDBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

251 Old Sudbury Road

Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776

(978) 443-4351/6785

Fax (978) 443-3052

Rev. Joel B. Guillemette

E-mail Addresses:

Pastor Joel B. Guillemette: [email protected]

Church Office: [email protected]

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE

Rev. Megan Stowe

CENTRAL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

mailto:[email protected]

Sudbury United Methodist Church

Our Vision...

SUMC is a community of people seeking to become faithful witnesses to God and Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit. This Church is an inclusive community providing worship, education, fellowship, and Christian outreach to the world.

Our Mission...

To achieve our vision, it is the mission of SUMC to faithfully seek, through prayer, Bible study, and corporate worship, guidance from God in Jesus Christ. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit we will:

Praise God through inspiring and diverse worship opportunities to serve the needs of a broad and expanding faith community.

Provide opportunities and encouragement for Spiritual Growth in the Christian Faith through worship, education, and music ministry programs.

Extend God's Grace to others by welcoming all people to a caring Christian community. We will care for the needs of the SUMC community, local community, nation and the world through individual outreach, Church sponsored programs, and the connectional outreach of the United Methodist Church.

Advocate for Social justice using the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church as guidelines to help discover and raise awareness of injustice wherever it may exist and seek to eliminate its causes.

Commit our time, talents, and resources to sustain and grow the ministry of our Church.


Church Conference

June 28, 2020

Agenda

1) Call to Order and Opening Prayer The Rev. Megan Stowe

2) Motion to Elect Recording Secretary (v)

3) Motion to Convene as a Church Conference (v)

4) Motion to Approve Minutes of December 5, 2019 Church Conference (v)

5.) Motion to Approve Minutes of May 18, 2020 Special Church Conference (v)

6) Leadership Reports:

a) Lay Leader Nancy Hammerton page 7

b) Pastor Pastor Joel Guillemette page 9

c) Membership Secretary Donna Canfield page 12

d) Board of Trustees Patrick Helsingius page 13

e) Permanent Endowment Committee Dan Maller page 17

* Motion #1 – re: Cavanaugh, Karian, and Youth Funds (v)

* Motion #2 – re: Larson, Sunny Hill, and Parmenter B Funds (v)

* Motion #3 – re: Article 2 Amendments (v)



f) Stewardship & Finance Committee George Gorman page 46

* Update re: FY2020 Budget (v)

g) Staff-Parish Relations Committee Sherry Stonebraker page 56

7) Report of Church Council Richard Morris page 58

8) Commission Reports

a) Christian Education Commission Caryl Walsh page 63

b) Health Ministries Commission Kay D’Orlando page 65

c) Membership & Community Life Commission Jamie Solak page

d) Outreach Commission Leslie Bell page 66

e) Social Justice Commission Jeff Lance page 69

f) Sunny Hill Committee Scott Simon page 71

g) Worship & Music Commission Alison Condon page 78

9) Program Staff Reports

a) Director of Youth & Children’s Ministries Zack Moser page 80

b) Adult Formation Director Pastor Hakyung Cho-Kim page 84

c) Music Director Kevin Murphy page 86

d) Choir Director Rob Hammerton page 91

10) Committee on Nominations and Lay Leadership Pastor Joel Guillemette page 93

• Election Church Council (v)

• Election of Commissions, Committees, Boards (v)

• Election of Nominating Committee (v)

11) Boy Scouts Troop 60 Kim Prendergast page 98

12) Closing Prayer Pastor Joel Guillemette

REVEREND Megan Stowe

District Superintendent

June 11, 2020

Rev. Joel Guillemette

Central Massachusetts District New England Conference

The United Methodist Church

53 Birchwood Drive

Holden, Massachusetts 01520-1937

(508) 853-1895

[email protected]

Sudbury United Methodist Church 251 Old Sudbury Road Sudbury,MA 01776

Re: Annual Church Conference

Dear Rev. Guillemette,

Stacey Russell Administrative Assistant

You are hereby authorized to hold your annual church conference for Sudbury United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 28, 2020, after worship at 11 :30am. I will preside at the church conference.

The purpose for this charge conference will be voting to accept the 2019-2020 reports including

the nominations slate, the revised 2020 budget, and the Permanent Endowment Committee's

amended charter. Only the business items in harmony with the above stated call may be transacted.

As is stated in The Book of Discipline, notice of time and place of the church conference shall be

given at least ten days in advance by two or more of the following: from the pulpit, in the weekly bulletin, in a local church publication, or by mail.

Please send a copy of the minutes for that meeting to the District Office for our records.

In grace and peace,

a ?1111--k.e Rev. Megan Stowe Central Massachusetts District Superintendent

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FALL CHURCH CONFERENCE

HOLY CONFERENCING IN OUR CHURCHES

December 5, 2019

ATTENDANCE: Judy Aufderhaar, Hakyung Cho-Kim, Kay D'Orlando, George Gorman, Joel

Guillemette, K. Diane Hammond, Patrick Helsingius, Melody Karian, Moira Lataille, Leon

Lataille, Steve Lubic, Lyn MacLean, John McKinney, Richard Morris, Susan Pauley, Sherry

Stonebraker, Megan Stowe, Anthony Vert, Caryl Walsh.

The Rev. Megan Stowe, our new Central Mass District Superintendent of the NECUMC,

presided over and shared in our call to God's justice in holy conferencing. In Micah 6:8 we are

called “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.”

ELECTION OF SECRETARY:

Caryl Walsh was nominated, seconded and approved as recording secretary for this meeting.

APPROVAL OF 2018 CHURCH CONFERENCE MINUTES:

The Charge Conference minutes of November 18, 2018 were approved after some discussion.

Our last Charge Conference, held June 30, 2019 should have been presented but there was

sufficient information in the distributed packet to have included all of the latest updates. Patrick

Helsingius made a motion to approve, seconded by Judy Aufderhaar. The approval was

unanimous.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT:

George Gorman, chair of Stewardship and Finance, reviewed the 2019 Operating Budget through

October. He stated that in the 2019 stewardship campaign, folks were asked how they would

pledge; weekly, monthly or annually? The budget was set up to reflect when revenue would

come in. At the end of October pledges are ahead by $59,583 and expenses are lower at -

$10,503. George is predicting a 15K deficit at the end of the year. Our general fund or operating

cash for paying bills stands at $31,527. Current designated liabilities are at $56,052. The surplus

of $26K from 2018 was used to balance the 2019 Operating Budget. Carter Memorial UMC did

SUMC's audit. There were no recommendations for improvement and the audit was approved. A

working 2020 Operating Budget will be approved in January or February.

Pave the Way...$510K in pledges receivable are due through the end of the Pledge Period at

12/31/2020 (next December). $100K of that total is expected by the end of December 2019. We

have remaining a $440K mortgage and a $150K debt to the Endowment Fund as of October 31,

2019. If all $510K in pledges are paid by 12/31/2020, we will end the Campaign with

approximately a $90K deficit in December 2020, all of which would be due to our Endowment,

and the MSB mortgage would be paid-off. However, one outstanding pledge of $297K, about

which collection is uncertain, and a few other doubtful accounts, if not paid by the end of the

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project, will leave an approximate $385K deficit at the end of December 2020, with $151K due

to our Endowment and $233K due to MSB. We will have about 21 years to pay off the MSB

mortgage, but our annual minimum payment is approximately $66K (which would pay the

mortgage off much more quickly than 21 years). However, an additional $66K in annual

Operating Budget expenses would need to be funded through each year’s annual Stewardship

campaign for approximately 4 years. If we find out that the $297K will not be paid, we will have

the year of 2020 to figure out what to do.

Sunny Hill completed its FYE 8/31/2019 (SH has a separate budget) with a surplus of $31K

resulting from being understaffed. This was the first year of a new cooperation between Sunny

Hill Commission and Stewardship & Finance Committee in jointly determining what to do with

any SH surplus. At the recommendation of the Sunny Hill Commission, Stewardship & Finance

approved that all SH staff be given a bonus to compensate for extra work incurred, totaling to

approximately $9.5K and representing just under 2% of compensation. George also noted that

there was no salary increase for the Sunny Hill staff for the fiscal year ending 8/31/2020. An

additional $2.5K was approved for the purchase of some new cabinets for SH classrooms.

Currently approximately $19.3K is budgeted for the church. We will see how the church's 2020

stewardship campaign comes in. If we don't need it for operations, perhaps it could go towards

upgrading our website or for roofing needs.

TRUSTEE REPORT:

The church has not received any bequests from wills. It has also not used any capital/principle

from investments/endowments for operating expenses this year nor has it sold a parsonage. If a

parsonage is sold, the money is set aside for replacement or used as payments for house rental by

the pastor. The church has a new phone system and in the near future one half of the roof will

need to be replaced.

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS REPORT:

SPRC Chair Sherry Stonebraker moved the adoption of a 2020 Pastoral Compensation package

of $87,874 with a housing/furnishing allowance of $5000 for Pastor Joel Guillemette. This was

approved unanimously. A furnishing allowance exclusion for Pastor Hakyung Cho-Kim of

$10,302 was also approved.

PASTOR'S REPORT:

Pastor Joel spoke recalled being part of a generation of clergy trained in marketing and problem

solving. His thinking has evolved. He hopes now to spend less time and energy thinking of the

church as a problem to be solved and more seeing the church as a mystery to be loved. Both

clergy and congregations, he added, are not “problems to be solved but mysteries to be loved.

Before we can be partners for God’s kind of justice, we must love God and each other as gifts of

grace and joyful mysteries.”

MEMBERSHIP REPORT AND REMEMBRANCE OF THE SAINTS:

Membership on December 5, 2019 is 555, up from a year ago by two. Members removed by

death were: Don Allardyce, John Antes, Derek Ball, Janet Daniel, Kay Mueller, David Parker

and Don Soorian.

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HOLY CONFERENCING MINISTRY QUESTION:

How have we loved, received or offered mercy this past year? Many shared examples of how our

church has offered justice, mercy and faithfulness within the church and in witness to the greater

community.

LAY LEADERSHIP/NOMINATIONS REPORT:

Normally this vote is deferred to a special church conference in June. However, Pastor Joel

brought the name of David Howland from the Nominating Committee to be an at large candidate

for the Trustees, until assuming a position at the end of the year. All approved.

LAY SERVANTS/LAY SPEAKERS/ CERTIFIED LAY MINISTERS REPORTS:

No existing or candidate lay servant, speaker or minister has submitted paperwork to Pastor Joel.

Our District Superintendent, Megan Stowe, spoke of a course being offered in January.

Expectations would involve some travel through the district. She expressed hope that someone at

the June conference would come forward and volunteer to be a part of the program.

CLERGY REPORTS:

Retired 94-year-old minister Richard Harding offered a written report, and praise was expressed

for his lifetime of social justice work. Pastor Hakyung Cho-Kim is in a ¼ time appointment, still

gauging “how I fit in.” She is offering spiritual direction through workshops, a new adult Bible

study at 8:30am Sunday mornings, Magic Years, and the training of lay facilitators.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Megan shared that with declining mission shares, the New England Conference will cut back in

several areas, including reducing last year's nine district superintendents to next year's seven.

Two parsonages will be sold. Her church responsibility will go from 61 churches to 85 next July.

Revenues from mission shares have been decreasing, necessitating a reduction in church

administration.

HOLY CONFERENCING MINISTRY/COMMUNION QUESTION:

How have we walked humbly with God this past year? Who has passed into glory? Participants

were asked to add their personal remembrances of saints and to offer their names, as we prayed

silently.

ADJOURNMENT:

After breaking bread and sharing the cup, we were encouraged to go forth in God's justice. The

meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:20pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Caryl Walsh

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Special Church Conference

May 18, 2020

The Rev. Megan Stowe, District Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District of the New

England Conference for the United Methodist Church, authorized a Special Church Conference

to approve the acceptance of the Payment Protection Program Loan (PPP Loan). She appointed

Pastor Joel Guillemette to preside at the Conference.

The Church Conference was called to order at 2:38 p.m. Due to the ongoing COVID-19

pandemic, the conference was held on ZOOM. Pastor Joel led us in a moment of silence and

prayer honoring the life of Pastor Dick Harding who passed away on May 16, 2020.

Attendance included: Judy Aufderhaar, Leslie Bell, Jim Bennett, Peggy Bennett, Bob Canfield,

Alison Condon, Kay D’Orlando, George Gorman, Joel Guillemette, Wendy Guillemette, Ann

Hamilton, Rob Hammerton, Nancy Hammerton, Shetal Kaye, Linda Lombardo, Steve Lubic,

Lyn MacLean, John McKinney, Richard Morris, Jeanne O’Reilly, Ernie Stonebraker, Sherry

Stonebraker and Caryl Walsh. Todj Gozdeck joined the meeting in progress.

A motion was made and supported to convene as a Special Church Conference to approve the

PPP Loan. George Gorman (Stewardship & Finance Committee Chair) reviewed a resolution to

that effect and supporting estimate of expenditures, which were distributed to the congregation

prior to the meeting via email and are attached to these minutes. The resolution was endorsed by

the Church Council at its meeting on May 12.

The application was submitted at three banks on behalf of Sunny Hill Preschool and Sudbury

United Methodist Church. Citizen’s Bank, utilized by Sunny Hill, was the first to approve the

loan application. George mentioned and thanked the individuals involved in securing the loan:

Mike Greb (SUMC Business Manager), Kathy Gilberto (Sunny Hill Bookkeeper), Ken

Mackenzie (SUMC Treasurer), Scott Simon (Sunny Hill Committee Chair), Chris Heberlig (S&F

Committee Member) and Heather Porder (Sunny Hill Director).

As outlined in the resolution, at least 75% of the loan of $173,200 must be used for payroll

expenses of Sunny Hill and Sudbury UMC personnel for the loan to be forgiven. Up to 25% can

be used for utilities and mortgage payments. The loan is meant to cover eight weeks of

expenses. The supporting estimate of expenditures during the eight weeks indicates that the total

payroll costs will likely exceed 99% of the loan amount.

Caryl Walsh asked if the loan would cover interest on the Pave the Way mortgage and George

said it would. He also indicated that approximately $15,000 of the unpaid overtime and deferred

salary payments noted in the table might be questioned and might be excluded from the loan, in

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which case about $8,000 would not be forgiven and would have to be returned to the Small

Business Administration along with about $41 in interest.

Joel opened the floor for discussion and comments. George indicated that Todj Gozdeck had

asked him prior to the meeting whether the loan would be helpful should the church experience a

budget shortfall due to decreased giving. George explained that to date, the church had not seen

a decrease in giving and was in fact ahead of revenue from previous years due to the generosity

of members. He further indicated that any surplus resulting from the loan could be held to cover

revenue shortfalls later in the year that might occur from a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Having come from the Church Council, the Stewardship and Finance Committee, and the Sunny

Hill Preschool Committee, Pastor Joel announced that a motion to approve the resolution and the

loan was properly before the conferees. By a show of hands, the motion was supported

unanimously.

George indicated that the application process for loan forgiveness is a separate process which

Sunny Hill and Sudbury UMC will have to undertake. A form from the Small Business

Association, needed to apply for loan forgiveness, had already been received. Church business

manager Mike Greb and Sunny Hill bookkeeper Kathy Gilberto were tracking expenditures.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:01 p.m.


Shetal Kaye,

Recording Secretary Pro Tempore

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REPORT OF THE LAY LEADER 2020

Who could have imagined the mid-year turn of events! Sept. through Feb. our church bustled

along, working to be God’s voice locally and in the world. Two activities stand out for me:

At each of three fall funerals, our congregation took care to be present to give their support

and love. As members of Christ’s church, we are learning to bring our love to every funeral,

whether or not we know the person well. We are all one body.

Your great response with pledges and promises to support Sudbury UMC was wonderful!

Through no fault on your part—simply, too many folks moving or dying during 2019—we

still could not balance the 2020 budget. For the first time while I’ve been Stewardship

Chair, we appealed and received additional help from those who could. Many thanks to

everyone!

And then there is the rest of the year! The hardiness of the Christmas Rose, this year’s

stewardship theme, became appropriate as the pandemic came upon us. We, too, bloomed in

winter, under the leadership of Pastor Joel and the faithful help of our staff:

➢ Pastor Joel led worship from the sanctuary, recording it with the help of the Cranson

family, Matt as videographer, Heather as liturgist and organist as Kevin and Rob

sheltered at home, and daughter Seraphina at Children’s Time. A three-person

committee—Mike Cooper, Susan Pauley, and Steve Lubic—recommended ways to

make it safe for outdoor worship this summer, as congregants begin to feel ready to

venture out.

➢ Four of our teens—Phoebe Gero, Chase Gozdeck, Robert Haarde, and Natalie Straub—

were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, a highlight of our year!

➢ Pastor Joel, Kevin and Rob, and Rev. Cho Kim are holding virtual mid-week Zoom

meetings so members can share challenges and fears and enjoy fellowship. Zack Moser

meets virtually with teens during the week and is keeping our young people connected

and close to God.

➢ Our staff works faithfully, many more hours than usual, always giving more than asked.

Pastor Joel has been continually busy coping with the unexpected, inventing new ways

to go forward, and connecting with the congregation. Rev. Cho-Kim continues

formation work. Zack continues his contact with each of our teens and provides Sunday

school materials for home use. Kevin and Rob offer new ways to connect (see Chronicle

for fun). Mike Greb cares for our financial needs, going way out of his way—literally—

to find a BOA branch still open, finally finding one in Leominster. Shetal makes

everything she does seem like there is no pandemic—no worries! And Joe is ever

vigilant in keeping our building sanitized and now works early Sunday morning to carry

outdoors what’s needed for worship.

➢ Church members and School staff have given many hours to ensure that Sunny Hill,

SUMC’s wholly owned business, is able to continue to exist. We have worked hard to

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strengthen the connection between Church and School, no more evident than in the

successful efforts by both working together to secure PPP funds for staff salaries. Please

see Sunny Hill’s and the Finance Commission’s reports.

Through this pandemic you, our congregation, have been faithful in reaching out to each other

and your neighbors, getting food and prescriptions and, most important, keeping in touch. Some

of you are volunteering in local food pantries. We know you are participating at home via live-

streamed worship with those who feel ready to be physically present. Surely God, who is present

with us everywhere, accepts our worship, hears our prayers and praise, and loves us for our

faithfulness. And, sometime, there will be coffee hour again!

It is my joy to serve such a faithful congregation. I do not take your respect lightly, but work on

your behalf to deserve it. May you stay safe and well!

Nancy Hammerton, Lay Leader

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Report of the Pastor to the Church Conference

June 28, 2020

What a difference a year makes! When we met on June 30, 2019, as a Church

Conference, my report suggested three areas of focus for the coming year – “Project Friendship,”

an intentional effort to create new friendships in our congregation between recent and younger

members and longtime senior members; “Sunny Hill Investment Plan,” reengaging our church’s

people-resources in Sudbury UMC’s first and oldest community outreach; and “UMC – Love It

or Leave It,” three churchwide conversations about our denomination’s stubborn heterosexism

and loving our the UMC enough to change it through active advocacy or leave it if all else fails.

Like the three-section picnic plates we heap with summer grub and goodies, that three-part focus

would have kept us satisfied for at least a year.

We made some progress. A midweek series of summer cookouts called “Food for

Thought” drew new friends to the picnic tables behind Davison Chapel. We met twice after

Sunday worship to confer about the so-called “Traditional Plan” voted by the General

Conference in 2019 and about the “Protocol” announced and endorsed by the Council of Bishops

in January 2020. And we reinforced the flagging Sunny Hill Committee with a young financial

leader, a retired educator, and at-large help from our church’s tenured leaders. But, by early

2020, COVID-19 was already spreading invisibly in New England – a game-changer that

became fully apparent and better appreciated in mid-March.

What a difference a year makes! When we met one year ago as a Church Conference, I

was making plans to attend the annual fireworks display in Worcester – a band concert and

picnic Wendy and I adore. During the leisure afforded by July and August, I was increasing my

visits to our church’s homebound friends not only in Sudbury, but also in Wayland,

Westborough, Concord, Acton, and Newton – another opportunity to indulge my appetite for

enjoyment. I was visiting newcomers to our church, answering their questions and urging them

to make themselves at home – always fun for me. And I was counseling with a couple whose

wedding in July 2020 has now been postponed.

In other words, the personal and pastoral parts of my life changed dramatically four

months ago. I won’t lie. Finding happiness since COVID-19 has been a lot harder for a fan of

live music and theater and for a pastor who gets a kick from the people parts of my job – visiting

the elderly, getting acquainted with newcomers, preaching in a roomful of smart and responsive

listeners, and celebrating Holy Communion, our Sunday dinner with Jesus. Yes, happiness is

harder now. But joy – finding deep satisfaction in doing what you know God wants you to do –

is still available and abundant.

Having the opportunity each Sunday to lead worship on Sudbury TV, not only for our

church’s members and friends, but also for our wider community, has been a fountain of joy.

Monday emails from near and far remind me that I get to be the bearer of God’s word in places

like Hawaii and Texas, North Carolina and Florida, New Hampshire and Maine. SUMC-Nation

is almost as widespread as Red Sox Nation! Thanks to Matt, Heather, and Seraphina Cranson –

and our friends at Sudbury TV – we are recording higher “attendance” each week than we were

when we were confined inside our four walls. After COVID-19 no longer constrains us, I

wonder how will we continue to reach out on the internet.

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Another new technology for me, necessitated by COVID-19, is Zoom. Bible studies I

used to lead in Davison Chapel have become video-conferences and telephone conference calls.

Routine commission meetings have also moved to Zoom – not to mention today’s Church

Conference. Again, I won’t lie. It’s not really my cup of tea. I miss being together. As a group

leader, it’s harder for me on Zoom to draw quiet participants into the conversation. When we’re

all in the same room, the sound of someone softly drawing a breath is all I need to know that she

or he is ready to speak. And body language is a lot easier to read when it’s not limited by a one-

inch box. But, for now, there is joy in doing what we know we must do – and also in

anticipating that this, too, shall end.

There have been no baptisms in 2020 – and, without the teens who professed their faith in

Christ on Pentecost, there would be no new members for our church either. Celebrating

Baptism, like coming to the Lord’s Table, has been sidelined by COVID-19. I won’t lie. I

hunger for the return of both. Our fast from the grace God gives us through the sacraments has

gone on long enough. By the time you read this report, I expect to be celebrating Holy

Communion again with our homebound members. As you know, I believe that allowing those

who are able to run to the Table ahead of the unwillingly absent would be wrong. We have been

fasting from Communion since mid-March. But, by taking reasonable steps to promote safety, I

believe we will soon be able to break the bread and taste the cup again.

Last December, we had a long conversation about an alpine plant – Hellebores Niger –

that blooms in climates too cold and adverse for most flowering evergreens. We pondered the

resilience of the Christmas Rose as we celebrated the stick-to-it-ness of Sudbury UMC’s

members and friends. The truth of that comparison has been demonstrated again and again since

the onslaught of COVID-19. Our church’s financial leaders report that giving to God through

our church has actually been stronger during this crisis than it is in more typical years. While we

celebrate Sudbury UMC’s resilience, however, we must remember to give credit where credit is

due. The faithfulness we are seeing in our church during these anxious times is God’s own life

being lived in the life of this congregation. To be the church now requires nothing less than the

grace of God pulsing in and around us.

Finally, let me say a few things about the future. While Sudbury UMC has been

participating for years in anti-racism training, and welcoming a diversity of preachers to our

pulpit, this year’s horrendous deaths of African Americans in the custody of law enforcement

seems to have precipitated a response that is wider and deeper than ever before. Now is the time

to build on the training of years past. Now is the time to follow the lead of the Social Justice

Commission and advocate together for racial justice in the communities we represent, in our

state, and in our nation. Let us ask the Lord to strengthen us, as Henry Emerson Fosdick so

memorably wrote, “for the facing of this hour” (UMH # 577).

Another focus for the future: Let us we wary of the ways that “Social Distancing” can

become “Spiritual Distancing.” Those who are marching for “Black Lives Matter” remind us

that some things are too important to play it safe. Practicing our faith in-person – with due

diligence – builds the “connexion” (John Wesley’s word and spelling) that Christ calls us to

share. The New Testament word is koinonia – communion. Our witness for God’s shalom – for

justice and wholeness – will never be stronger than the fellowship we share with each other.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

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Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your pastor during these challenging times.

Please forgive my shortcomings. My technological abilities are not as strong as those of younger

pastors, but my love for the “Old, Old Story” never grows cold. Nor does my love for you and

the mission we share. God has given us a “Great Commission” and an equally great collection of

body-builders – Scripture, sacraments, prayer, fasting, acts of mercy and justice, and

conferencing. The more we avail ourselves of these gifts, the stronger the body of Christ will be

among the people called Methodist in Sudbury.


Pastor Joel Guillemette

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MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS FOR 2020

PROFESSING MEMBERSHIP June 30, 2019 557

BAPTIZED MEMBERS 1

Coralyn Doughty

MEMBERS RECEIVED BY PROFESSION OF FAITH 4

Phoebe Gero, Chase Gozdeck, Bobby Haarde, Natalie Straub

MEMBERS RECEIVED FROM OTHER UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES 0

MEMBERS RECEIVED AS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 0

MEMBERS RECEIVED FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS 0

MEMBERS REINSTATED 1

Janice Knight Labig

WITHDRAWN FROM PROFESSING MEMBERSHIP 0

TRANSFERRED TO OTHER UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES 1

Janice Knight Labig

TRANSFERRED TO CHURCHES IN OTHER DENOMINATIONS 1

Pat Thompson

REMOVED BY DEATH 2

Janet Daniel and Don Soorian

Constituents Whom We Lost: Dick Harding and Mary Conant

PROFESSING MEMBERSHIP June 28, 2020 558

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Trustees Annual Report: 2019 – 2020

The condition of all our properties is very good. Given the enhancements to the building during

the Pave the Way project the church heating system and electrical system are new or upgraded

and generally require relatively modest maintenance attention and expenses. Subsequently, the

Trustees improved the IT infrastructure with expanded WiFi, a new phone system, and upgraded

locking system and office computers. This last year we planned for near term projects and made

incremental improvements to the building and IT. There are three significant projects that are on

the horizon: major tree work, substantial new roofing, and connecting the standby generator to

supply the building backup power for essential items. WiFi coverage was improved and expan-

sion will continue to include the back of the sanctuary and all classrooms. While this was gener-

ally a quite manageable year in terms of maintenance and repair work to our main church facil-

ity, we did experience emergency expenditures in the Drum Lane parish house (P2).

The Trustee finances continue to be on sound footing as we fund near term capital expenses via

the Trustee Cash Account, and use our operational budget for general maintenance and day-to-

day expenses. The balance of the Cash Account as of end of May 2020 is approximately $74K

compared to $63K last year at the same time. While the Trustees have constrained spending on

all fronts due to COVID-19, there are a few larger projects that could eat into this balance which

is fine, as this is what these funds are intended for and SUMC is in good financial position to

take the necessary steps to ensure the long-term viability of the buildings. The funding for the

Trustee Cash Account continues to be the majority of the income from our steeple cell tower,

though it is not really clear and hard to estimate how long the cell tower arrangement will con-

tinue. The Trustee Cash Account continues to work very well for us and simplifies the task of

planning for future building and property needs.

Budget & Finances

While the Trustees make a concerted effort to stay within the operational budget, through July

2019 we were over budget by almost $9K. Phone, office, and gas expenses were all somewhat

higher than anticipated. By tightly controlling expenses and by moving appropriate capital ex-

penses to the Cash Account, the Trustees ended the 2019 year $1739 over the annual $124,116

budget. With the onset of COVID-19 the Trustees have constrained operating and capital ex-

penses to the essential. We also had an unseasonably mild winter and little snow, which trans-

lated to lower heating and snow removal costs. The result is that thru April the Trustees are ap-

proximately $10K under the 2020 annual $130,181 budget YTD.

Currently 87.5% of steeple cell tower lease payments feed the Trustee Cash Account. The lease

rate increases annually so the current monthly payment for Trustees has increased from $2404 to

$2476, or $29,712 annually. The account was used for a number of projects. We paid for new

door crash bars for the magnetic lock system as well as for the security glass in O’Reilly and

Page 13

Sanctuary entrance doors. We also paid for the relocation and installation of the mini split AC

system for Sunny Hill classroom 6. We also needed to replace a faulty fire alarm radio unit. The

largest expense was maintenance renovation that turned into emergency repair work in the P2

upstairs bathroom.

The parish building next to the church (P1) continues to be rented, providing income for the

church operational budget.

Potential projects that we are currently aware of that will require us using our Capital Account

funds include:

• Gas connection and electrical work for new generator

• Roofing for north side of Hawes Hall and front classroom area, as well as church office

area

• Major dead ash tree work along playground edge and property line

• Complete WiFi coverage in building and grounds

• Deck and railing work at P2

The roof project alone reflects about $35-38K of expense, though it can be split into two separate

projects if we wish. The most pressing job is to take down the dead ash trees.

Church Updates and Activities

WiFi coverage was improved during the year. We have one more step that should bring coverage

to the back of the Sanctuary and all of the Sunny Hill classrooms. It is likely that there will be

some coverage in the back of the building by the playground as well. Salt-less water softening

units were installed in the building. These provide coverage for all parts of the building except

for the kitchen and proximate bathrooms, although there is a filtering system specific to the dish

washer. A building wide system would have been prohibitively expensive due to the large pipes

in our central water pipe room as well as the need to build an expansion closet for a larger scale

system. The roof of the playground gazebo was removed to make the unit less top heavy and

structurally secure. One of the mini split systems in the O’Reilly room was relocated to Sunny

Hill classroom 6 under Hawes Hall. New plastic and steel picnic tables were acquired replace the

aging and deteriorating wood tables in the playground area. Preparations have been made to

move the heating unit under the cross in the Chapel to the side wall so that it is further away

from the piano. This work will be completed before heat is needed. A new fire alarm radio unit

and beam detector had to be acquired to replace failed units. Several computers were upgraded

with operating systems and some hardware components, a couple new monitors were purchased

as well as a new folding machine to replace an aging unit beyond reasonable maintenance costs.

The P1 lamppost was upgraded with a built-in timer. Rainbow flags were installed at the front

street sign and the front entrance columns. The large column flags were subsequently replaced

Page 14

by two smaller flags by O’Reilly and Chapel entrance. The Trustees hosted a cleanup day during

the fall that was well attended by the Scouts that use our building. The spring cleanup day was

by necessity cancelled due to COVID-19. The Trustees supported the church effort to show soli-

darity for domestic violence awareness by displaying purple lights in the cry room

Parsonage Updates

P1

• House continues to be rented with lease expiring on Aug. 15. We do not know yet if the

tenants are planning on extending. They have been able to make all their monthly pay-

ments during COVID-19 measures.

• Gutters were cleaned and guards adjusted

• Roof was pressure washed for to clear off moss

• Tenants have been provided contact information to resolve heat zone issues

P2

• Planting and tree work performed

• Subfloor fixed and re-tiled in 2nd floor bathroom subsequent to discovery of structural

integrity issues

• Plugged pipe in 1st floor bathroom fixed.

• Septic tank emptied

Near Term Projects

Roofing

Over the last several years we have been replacing older sections of roofing on our main

church building. Prior to the solar system installation we replaced the all the roofing under

the panels. Prior to that by a few years the entire Sanctuary roof was renewed. The chapel re-

ceived new roofing during the PTW project. We now have three areas of roof that should be

replaced relatively soon. The roof over the front Sunny Hill classrooms is likely in most

need. The adjacent north side of Hawes Hall is a second area at which point the integrity of

the joining rubber roof should also be confirmed. The third area that needs to be done is the

roof over the SUMC office space. All this work does not have to be done at the same time

though it makes sense to complete the first two areas at the same time. None of the work is

critical at this time though the age of the roof indicates we should be doing this work rela-

tively soon.

Page 15

Generator connection

The Trustees have discussed a permanent backup generator for some time. During the PTW

project a natural gas 3-phase generator was installed and partially connected to our building

system but not to gas. The purpose of the generator is to provide backup power for important

components such as sump pumps, heating system, locking system and fire panel. Currently

the generator is connected to part of the heating system, critical sump pumps, and septic sys-

tem pumps. Of these the sump pumps are the most important and we do have a portable gas

generator that provides this capability though it is quite cumbersome. The biggest hurdle to

complete this task is actually the gas connection. Due to the challenging basement structure it

is difficult and costly. The Trustees have discussed alternatives at length at have found a via-

ble alternative connecting to gas in the boiler room and running pipe externally. Electrical

work will also be needed to connect the necessary thermostats and pumps of the heating sys-

tem, and to add as many important components as the generator can handle.

Removal of dead trees

During the fall the Trustees became aware of a significant number of dead ash trees along the

property line along the playground area. One is very large and is in a location that will make

it difficult to do the work. There is also a large tree along the property line at P1 that should

be removed at the same time. The potential contractors will need to take a second look late

spring or summer to get a final count of trees to take down.

P2 deck and railings

The deck at P2 will be replaced with synthetic wood and reusing the existing wood base. The

railings also are deteriorated and will be replaced.

Trustee Annual Report submitted 5/28/2019

Patrick Helsingius

Trustees:

Patrick Helsingius, Chairman

Richard Noland, Vice Chairman

Lyn MacLean, Secretary

Diane Hammond

Laurie Emken

Jason Eaddy

Matt Cranson

Doug McNeilly

Anthony Vert

David Howland

Page 16

Report of The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee

June 12, 2020

Chair – Dan Maller

Members – Brad Stayton, Dave D’Orlando, Jane Ann Chrumka, Bob Canfield, John Condon, Tom

Peterson, and George Gorman (Endowment Treasurer)

Pastoral Liaison – Joel Guillemette

This is the 16th annual report of the Committee, which was established in May 2001. The Committee is

responsible for the Permanent Endowment of SUMC. The Endowment Fund’s fiscal year ends on

September 30, so the annual comments will be as of 9/30/2019, with some updates to 5/31/2020. The

Endowment Committee operates as a subsidiary of the Stewardship & Finance Committee.

The Fund is comprised of the General Endowment Fund and 18 Special Purpose Funds, all commingled

for investment. As of 5/31/2020, 98% of the Fund ($724,690) is “Permanently Restricted”, meaning that

those assets will exist in perpetuity, and will distribute up to 5% annually to support SUMC’s mission.

Properly managed, these assets will exist forever. They are part of our forebears’ & our legacy to SUMC.

2% of the Fund ($15,430) is “Unrestricted”, meaning that the principal & interest can be entirely spent for

their stated purpose.

Operating Results:

For the year ended 9/30/2019 and through 5/31/20, we continued our investment strategy with our

professional financial adviser, Nancy von Stackelberg, a former SUMC member and made regular

distributions from our General & Special Purpose Funds, to ensure that our assets are working for the

SUMC Congregation, Outreach & Sunny Hill.

During our fiscal year ended 9/30/2019, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) averaged an

approximate 4% annualized return. The Endowment had an annualized return of approximately 2% on the

investment portfolio for the FYE 9/30/19. The Endowment portfolio decreased $31,697, from $805,894

as of 9/30/18 to $774,197 as of 9/30/19 due to unrealized investment losses and distributions exceeding

contributions and income from the portfolio. For FYE 9/30/19, contributions totaled $17,038, investment

performance totaled -$12,566 (dividend & interest of $8,376; offset by a net unrealized loss $20,942) and

distributions totaled $35,447 (detail below). Investment expenses totaled approximately $2,300 for the

FYE 9/30/19 (.4%).

In the first quarter of calendar year 2020, the overall market decline as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic had a negative impact on the Endowment portfolio. For the three months ended March 31,

2020, the endowment portfolio decreased approximately 17% vs. 20% for the S&P 500 for the same

period. Through May 2020, the portfolio has largely recovered in conjunction with the broader market.

For the five months ending May 31, 2020, the endowment portfolio was down 6% vs. 5% for the S&P

500. As of May 31, 2020, the ending portfolio totaled $740,121.

Given the uncertainty in the markets with respect to the global COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical

concerns and social issues, it is likely that volatility will continue in 2020.

Please see the attached balance sheets as of 9/30/19 and 5/31/20 for detail of investments and Fund

balances. We did not make significant changes to our asset allocation or asset mix through FYE 9/30/19

but did initially move approximately $100,000 to a “ladder” of CDs, which is currently $71,000 as of

5/31/2020 and maturing between 6/26/20 and 12/27/22, reflecting a more conservative allocation stance.

Page 17

This move effectively puts 2-years’ worth of estimated future distributions in a cash equivalent

investment. In its April 2019 meeting, the Endowment Committee decided to change the equity/debt

allocation to be 50/50 vs. the previous 60/40 allocation. As of June 10, 2020, the portfolio allocation is

52.5% in equity mutual funds and ETFs and 47.5% in income investments, loans and cash, compared to

51% and 49%, respectively, at 9/30/19.

Contributions & Distributions for FYE 9/30/2019:

Contributions received from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019 of $14,314 to various Special Purpose Funds

are shown in the Statement of Operations. In May 2019, a new Special Purpose Fund, the Ron Smith

Memorial Fund was created and seeded by an anonymous donor with a generous contribution of $10,000

which was received in June 2019. The Operating Budget did not make any contributions in FYE 9/30/19

or since then.

Of the Annual Sustainable Distributions of $37,414 for FYE 9/30/2018, $35,447 was made between

October 2018 and January 2019, including:

• For SUMC’s Operating Budget: $27,534, including $17,540 from the General Fund (of which

$8,770 was allocated to the Outreach budget) and $9,994 from 7 Special Purpose Funds;

• For Outreach: In addition to the $8,770 from the General Fund, $1,140 has been distributed from

the McBride Scholarship Fund to the Greenwood Memorial Shalom After School Program.

• For Sunny Hill’s Operating Budget: $6,773 from the Scholarship & Professional Development

Funds.

$1,968 is undistributed but available to fund outreach-oriented building programs from the Dave

Hammond Fund. This amount is accumulated carried over to future years until needed for a project.

Contributions & Distributions from 10/31/2019 to 5/31/2020:

Contributions received from 10/1/2019 through 5/31/2020 of $4,568 to various Special Purpose Funds are

shown in the Statement of Operations.

Of the Annual Sustainable Distributions of $37,974 for FYE 9/30/2019, $35,696 was made between

October 2019 and January 2020, including:

• For SUMC’s Operating Budget: $27,464, including $17,488 from the General Fund (of which

$8,744 was allocated to the Outreach budget) and $9,976 from 7 Special Purpose Funds;

• For Outreach: In addition to the $8,744 from the General Fund, $1,218 has been distributed from

the McBride Scholarship Fund to the Greenwood Memorial Shalom After School Program.

• For Sunny Hill’s Operating Budget: $7,014 from the Scholarship & Professional Development

Funds.

$2,115 is undistributed but available to fund outreach-oriented building programs from the Dave

Hammond Fund. This amount is accumulated carried over to future years. The total available in the Dave

Hammond Fund that can be distributed is $5,912, representing 3 years of accumulated undistributed

amounts as of May 31, 2020.

$162 is available as the first distribution from the Ron Smith Fund, which was recently awarded.

Loans, as of September 30, 2019 and May 31, 2020:

The loan of $20,000 to BHC is a 5-year loan that pays 3% in interest per year and matures in 2021.

Page 18

As of 9/30/2019 and May 31, 2020, $150,637, (including accrued interest of $3,433) has been drawn

down on the loan to Pave-the-Way. This loan is subordinated to our Pave-the-Way mortgage loan with

Middlesex Savings Bank. Interest is accrued annually as of September. On May 8, 2017, the Endowment

Committee approved a maximum loan of $189,000 to temporarily cover the unfunded overage on the

“Pave the Way” campaign. The loan is a 4-year loan, that accrues interest at 2% maturing in June 2021

(the same rate that the Endowment would have received on 4-year loan with BHC).

Looking forward:

In terms of understanding how SUMC will enable our Endowment to support our mission, as of

5/31/2020, the Endowment assets are dedicated to the following causes:

• For SUMC’s Operating Budget: $350,658 (47%);

• For Outreach: $243,599 (33%);

• For Sunny Hill’s Operating Budget: $130,789 (18%);

• For SUMC's buildings: $15,075 (2%)

Conclusion

The Endowment’s year ended 9/30/2019 was highlighted by continued systematic investment and review

in accordance with the process built by the Committee over the past few years; annual sustainable

distributions to the Church’s & Sunny Hill’s operating budgets and to designated outreach causes to

ensure the most important programs are funded.

The Endowment Fund’s Balance Sheet as of 9/30/2019; the Statement of Operations for the year ended

9/30/2019; the Balance Sheet as of 5/31/2020 and the Statement of Operations for the 8 months ended

5/31/2020 are attached.


Dan Maller

Permanent Endowment Fund Committee Chair

Page 19

Sudbury United Methodist

Church

SUMC Permanent Endowment

Fund

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2019

Assets: Fund Balances:

TD Brokerage Account: General Endowment Fund 342,333$

Cash & Cash Equivalents: Special Purpose Funds:

Cash 195$ Operating Budget Funds:

FDIC Insured Deposit Account 102,911$ Parmenter Building Fund A 96,425$

Due from SUMC -$ Garfield Fund 57,178$

Total Cash & Cash Equivalents 103,107$ Harper Music Library Fund 11,688$

Fixed Income: Living Memorial Fund 10,949$

Pacific Western Bank CA CD

2.75% due 12/4/2019 38,032$ Walker Memorial Garden Fund 7,830$

SAFRA National Bank NY CD

2.75% 12/26/2019 15,029$ Miriam Perritt Library Fund 7,456$

Total CDs: 53,062$ Special Music Fund 6,618$

Mutual Funds: Sr. Hi Methodist Youth Fund 66$

DFA Social Core Equity 2 64,835$ Total Operating Budget Funds 198,210$

Buffalo Discovery Fund 58,583$ Outreach Funds:

DFA US Core Equity I 54,818$ David S. Hammond Fund 44,301$

Eaton Vance Floating Rate I 51,688$

McBride Greenwood Memorial

Scholarship Fund 24,973$

Harbor Capital Appreciation 42,987$ Ron Smith Memorial Fund 10,787$

Oakmark Global Select I 36,897$ Cheri Cavanaugh/Lily Karian Fund 291$

Primecap Odyssey Growth 34,638$ Total Outreach Funds 80,351$

DFA US Small Cap I 32,586$

Fidelity Contrafund 31,840$ Sunny Hill Pre-School Funds:

Fidelity Diversified International 20,849$ Sunny Hill Rollins Scholarship Fund $ 115,819

Franklin Templeton Global Total

return 8,547$

Sunny Hill Professional Development

Fund 22,365$

Total Mutual Funds 438,269$ Total Sunny Hill Pre-School Funds 138,184$

ETFs: SUMC Building Funds:

SSgA SPDR Doubleline Emerging

Markets 9,122$ Church Organ Fund 8,613$

Total ETFs: 9,122$ Chapel Organ Fund 6,506$

Total TD Brokerage Account: 603,559$ Parmenter Building B Fund (unrestricted) -$

Loans: Sunny Hill Facilities Fund -$

Loan to SUMC Pave-the-Way,

including accrued interest of $3,433 $ 150,637 Total Building Funds 15,118$

Loan to Boston Community Capital 20,000$ Total Special Purpose Funds 431,863$

Total Loans 170,637$

Total Assets 774,197$ Total Fund Balances 774,197$

Page 20

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Page 21


SUMC Permanent Endowment Fund

Balance Sheet

As of May 31, 2020

Assets: Fund Balances:

TD Brokerage Account: General Endowment Fund 323,900$

Cash & Cash Equivalents:

Cash 76$ Special Purpose Funds:

FDIC Insured Deposit Account 1,206$ Operating Budget Funds:

Total Cash & Cash Equivalents 1,281$ Parmenter Building Fund A (restricted) 90,815$

Garfield Fund 54,102$

Mutual Funds: Harper Music Library Fund 11,059$

Harbor Capital Appreciation 57,907$ Living Memorial Fund 11,939$

Walker Memorial Garden Fund 7,410$

Fidelity Contrafund 55,313$ Miriam Perritt Library Fund 7,056$

DFA US Core Equity I 52,848$ Special Music Fund 6,262$

Sr. Hi Methodist Youth Fund 66$

DFA US Small Cap I 27,837$ Total Operating Budget Funds 188,708$

Eaton Vance Floating Rate I 23,964$

Fidelity Diversified International 25,019$ Outreach Funds:

Buffalo Discovery Fund 38,696$ David S. Hammond Fund 44,894$

DFA Social Core Equity 2 32,365$

McBride Greenwood Memorial

Scholarship Fund 24,685$

Templeton Global Total Return 8,200$ Ron Smith Fund 11,780$

DFA One-Year Fixed Income 38,108$ Cheri Cavanaugh/Lily Karian Fund 290$

Harbor Large Cap Value 32,308$ Total Outreach Funds 81,649$

Allianze Convertible 14,175$

Vanguard Dividend Growth 46,342$ Sunny Hill Pre-School Funds:

Vanguard International Growth 25,228$ Sunny Hill Rollins Scholarship Fund $ 109,623

Total Mutual Funds 478,309$

Sunny Hill Professional Development

Fund 21,166$

Exchange Traded Funds: Total Sunny Pre-School Hill Funds: 130,789$

Aberdeen Precious Metals ETF 10,253$

SUMC Building Funds:

SSGA DoubleLine Emerging Markets Fixed

Income ETF 8,690$ Church Organ Fund 8,588$

Total Exchange Traded Funds 18,943$ Chapel Organ Fund 6,487$

Certificates of Deposit:

Parmenter Building B Fund

(unrestricted) -$

RBS Citizens NA CD 1.7% due 6/26/20 20,025$ Sunny Hill Facilities Fund -$

JP Morgan Chase Bank CD1.75% due 12/24/20 15,016$ Total Building Funds: 15,075$

Zions Bancorp CD 1.7% due 6/24/21 20,325$ Total Special Purpose Funds 416,221$

Morgan Stanley Pvt Bank CD 1.85% due

12/27/22 15,585$

Total Certificates of Deposit 70,951$

Total TD Brokerage Account: 569,484$

Loans:

Loan to SUMC Pave-the-Way, including

accrued interest of $3,433 $ 150,637

Loan to Blue Hill Capital 20,000$

Total Loans 170,637$

Total Assets 740,121$ Total Fund Balances 740,121$

Page 22

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Page 23

1


251 Old Sudbury Road,

Sudbury, MA 01776

978-443-7247

Motions Related to Changes to the SUMC Endowment Policy

June 28, 2020 Charge Conference

The proposed changes to the SUMC Endowment Policy are as follows:

That the following resolutions jointly presented by the Stewardship & Finance and EndowmentCommittees, and approved by the by Church Council, be adopted at the June 28, 2020 Church Conference:

First, That the following 2 Special-Purpose Funds, Cavanaugh/Lily Karian Memorial Fund ($290 at 5/31/2020) and Sr. HI Methodist Youth Fund ($66 at 5/31/2020, be removed from the SUMC Endowment and transferred to “Reserve Funds” on the SUMC Operating Account Balance Sheet. These two funds are very small and are “Unrestricted” (which means that their entire balances can be disbursed).

The Cavanaugh/Lily Karian Memorial Fund has as its purpose, the accumulation of funds to be raised “to assist Sudbury High School students to obtain psychiatric counseling on a needs basis as determined by the

Town’s Social Worker”. Funds of this nature are primarily raised by the SUMC Women’s Group and donated annually to Town Social Worker for the intended purpose.

As historically specified, the Endowment is permitted to disburse money from this Fund when the balance exceeds $1,000. However, annual fundraising does not usually exceed $1,000, and as a result the Fund has

not been used recently by the SUMC Women’s Group. The SUMC Women’s Group agrees with and supports this change.

In addition, due to the short time frame that money would be in the SUMC Endowment if this change is not made, the Endowment Committee believes that such donated funds should not be subjected to market risk

inherent to the nature of the Endowment’s investment policies.

Therefore, it is proposed to move the Cavanaugh/Karian Fund to a “Reserve Fund” on the SUMC Operating Account Balance Sheet, and remove the $1,000 annual disbursement requirement, thereby allowing any money raised to be transferred to the Town Social Worker for its intended purpose more quickly.

Page 24

2

The Senior Methodist Youth Fund has as its purpose, the “support of youth activities”.

The Fund has not been used for many years and the Endowment Committee believes that the purpose of

the fund would be better served if the Fund were transferred to a “Reserve Fund” on the SUMC operating Account Balance Sheet.

In addition, due to the short time frame that money would be in this Fund if this change is not made, the

Endowment Committee believes that such donated funds should not be subjected to market risk inherent to the nature of the Endowment’s investment policies.

Therefore, it is proposed to move the Senior Methodist Youth Fund to a “Reserve Fund” on the SUMC Operating Account, as a more appropriate way to account for any funds donated to support SUMC Youth

activities.

Second, to merge three existing unrestricted Special-Purpose Funds: the Wade Larson Fund, Sunny Hill Facilities Fund and Parmenter B (Unrestricted) Fund, and to rename the combined Special-Purpose Fund the “Unrestricted Facilities Fund”, since all 3 funds have generally the same purpose. At this time, none of these

Funds has any money in them

• The Wade Larson Fund was created by through a generous gift to SUMC from Mr. & Mrs. Wade

Larson in December 2013 with a contribution of $100,000. At the time of the establishment of the

Fund, it was the wish of the Larsons that the principal and income from this Fund be spent as needed

for major repairs & improvements to SUMC property and facilities, as recommended by the SUMC

Trustees. The entire fund was spent in accordance with the Larson’s intention before and during the

PTW Building Project.

• The Sunny Hill SUMC Facilities Fund was created by the Sunny Hill Committee in January 2014 with

an initial contribution of $80,000. It was the wish of the Sunny Hill Committee, at the time of creation

of this Fund, that the principal and income from this Fund be spent as needed for major repairs to

SUMC property and facilities. As originally designed, “the Sunny Hill Committee was responsible for

making a recommendation as to the use of this Fund, based on a majority vote (with quorum

present) of the Sunny Hill Committee, with input from the Stewardship & Finance Committee. The

Trustees and Church Council will thereafter oversee the expenditures from this Fund”. All of the

funds were expended as part of the PTW Building Project, in accordance with the provisions of the

Fund.

• The Parmenter B (Unrestricted) Fund was created by the Endowment to serve as a fund for pledge

contributions from a capital campaign prior to the PTW Project. It has been unused since that

previous building project was completed.

Therefore, it is proposed to merge these 3 Funds so that SUMC has a single unrestricted Special-Purpose

Fund related to SUMC facilities.. The Unrestricted Facilities Fund will have as its purpose “for receiving any

significant unrestricted gifts that are designated for major repairs & improvements to SUMC property and

facilities, and/or to serve as an investment repository for any other SUMC funds, such as, but not limited to,

annual surplus funds that might be saved for future capital needs”. Disbursements from the Unrestricted

Facilities Fund will be determined by joint approval of the Trustees and the Stewardship & Finance

Committee.

Page 25

3

This new “Unrestricted Facilities Fund” differs from the Parmenter Fund, in that the Parmenter Fund is

“restricted”. The Parmenter Fund makes an annual sustainable distribution to the SUMC Operating Budget,

not to exceed 5% of the 3-year average balance in the Fund. This annual distribution helps to fund the

annual Trustee’s budget. The Trustees and the Sunny Hill Committee supports the merger of these Funds

into a single Fund, as indicated.

Third, to clarify, by amending Article Two, paragraph B, to state that “in rare circumstances, exceptions to the 9-year and 6-year term Guidelines may be made upon recommendation of the SUMC Nominating Committee”.

In 2015, Article Two (“Administration”), Paragraph B was amended to limit members of the Endowment

Committee to a maximum of 9 consecutive years as a member and a maximum of 6 consecutive years as

Committee Chair. This previous amendment was adopted to promote “refreshment” of SUMC Committees

that comes from turnover of both membership & Chair leadership in order to bring new ideas to

Committees and Commissions; to allow SUMC members to become involved in a greater diversity of

Committees and Commissions; and to prevent Committees and Commissions from becoming “siloed” or

appear to be ‘exclusive clubs’. However, in adopting a similar guideline for all Committees and Commissions,

the Nominating Committee also specified that in certain infrequent circumstances that the Nominating

Committee would make exceptions to the 9-year and 6-year guidelines for Committees and Commissions.

Therefore, it is proposed that this amendment to Article Two be adopted to align the Endowment Committee Policy with the guidelines adopted for all SUMC Committees and Commissions by the Nominating Committee.

Fourth, to clarify, by amending Article Four (“Investments”), paragraph B, to state that “… (iii) cash and cash

equivalents; (iv) certificates of deposit; (v) loans to BlueHub Capital…” are allowed under the Endowment’s

investments; and by amending Article Four, paragraph D to state that “Within the framework of permissible

investments types enumerated in Article Four, paragraph B above…cash equivalents, Certificates of Deposit and loans…” are allowed under the Endowment’s investments.

The SUMC Endowment Committee, in 2019, decided to invest in series or “Ladder” of Bank Certificate of Deposits, (“CDs”), as a conservative, defensive investment strategy, under the investment allocation to “fixed-income investments” permissible under Article Four, Paragraph D. The purpose of specifically stating “ certificates of deposit” is to clarify that these types of conservative investments are permissible, as distinct from investments in “registered investment companies” (I.e., mutual funds”) that invest in fixed income securities or certificates of deposit.

SUMC has had an investment, in the form of a term loan to Blue Hub Capital since before the Endowment

was formally created in 2001. The Endowment Committee renews this term investments every few years. It

is part of the “socially responsible” component of the portfolio. Blue Hub Capital is a non-for-profit company

that finances socially responsible housing and other construction projects. When the Endowment was

created, this investment became part of the Endowment.

However, Article Four, paragraph B has not specifically stated that loans of this nature are permissible.

Adding this clarification corrects that vagueness in the Endowment policy.

Therefore, it is proposed that these amendments to Article Four be adopted to more clearly state certain

types of investments that are permissible by the Endowment.

Fifth, to clarify, by amending Article Five (“General Endowment Fund Spending Policy”), in several places to clarify that (1) the Endowment Committee has the authority to determine, from time to time, the % that is

Page 26

4

applied to the 3-year average of the market value of the portfolio in order to determines the annual

sustainable distributions; (2) to specify how new Special-Purpose Funds will gradually approach the

maximum distribution % over a 5-year period.

Article Five specifies that “As of each valuation date, the market value of the total portfolio (including the annual yield) for the preceding three (3) years shall be averaged. This three-year average is then multiplied

by five percent (5%) to determine the total maximum distribution from the General Endowment Fund for the Church year”.

As currently written, it is not entirely clear that the Endowment Committee has the power to change the

allocation %, although it is clear that the amount calculated pursuant to the 5% computation is to be considered a “maximum distribution”, meaning that the Endowment Committee could distribute less than the amount calculated pursuant to the 5% distribution. By changing Article Five to state that “…this three-year average is then multiplied by an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) to determine…”, it will be clear that the Endowment Committee can use an amount lower than 5% in its annual distribution calculation

methodology.

The Endowment Committee has discused lowering the 5% amount due to the persistent low interest rate

environment since 2009, which is now also likely to continue due to the COVID-19 crisis and it impact on the economy and interest rates. The maximum % distribution rate is important, as the Endowment is designed to not distribute more than it can earn, including the effects of inflation, over the long-term. Making it

clearer that the Endowment Committee can set a distribution rate lower than 5% will help to ensure the long-term viability of the Endowment to exist in perpetuity, i.e., not to exhaust its principal.

Article Five currently specifies a policy to begin making annual sustainable distributions when the

Endowment was created in 2001. The Endowment Policy does not, however, specify a policy for beginning to make annual sustainable distributions when a new Special-Purpose Fund is created. Historically, the

Endowment Committee has followed the spirit of the 2001 guidance in Article Five when new Restricted

Special-Purpose Funds, such as the Sunny Hill Scholarship, Sunny Hill Professional Development and the Ron

Smith Memorial Funds were created. Approving this change will make the Endowment policy clearer on how new restricted Special-Purpose Funds are to begin making annual sustainable contributions.

Therefore, it is proposed that these clarifications for Article Five be adopted to more clearly state how

certain annual sustainable distributions may be calculated.

Page 27

PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND POLICY

OF THE


ADOPTED MAY 1, 2001

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2001

Amended August 15, 2006 (Article Four, B, (iii))

Amended November 30, 2014 (Article Five); Exhibit B

Amended August 20, 2015 (Article Two, Paragraph B)

Amended June 28, 2020 (to align investment types in Article Four B and Four D); further

amend Article Two, Paragraph B to allow for Nominating Committee exceptions; amend

Article Five with respect to changes to the “distribution % rate”; and update Exhibit B to

2020)

And including:

Exhibit A: “Sustainable Income from an Investment Portfolio”

Exhibit B: List of Special Purpose Funds on May 1. 2001, [updated 2020]

Exhibit C: “Founding Donations to the General Endowment Fund”

Exhibit D: Resolution of the March 17, 1992 Charge Conference regarding use of

sustainable income of the General Endowment Fund to provide Stephen Ministry training

ARTICLE ONE

THE PURPOSE:

The Permanent Endowment Fund of Sudbury United Methodist Church, Sudbury,

Massachusetts, is established for the purpose of providing members and friends the opportunity

to make charitable gifts to Sudbury United Methodist Church to assist the Church in

accomplishing its mission as adopted from time to time. The current mission of Sudbury United

Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, by (1) deepening the connection of each

adult, youth and child with Jesus Christ; (2) offering the strength, unity and nourishment of

Christ through our quality of connectedness in Christian community; (3) reaching out to the

world beyond our walls to spread God’s word through service and witness.

The Permanent Endowment Fund shall consist of the General Endowment Fund and

Special-Purpose Funds. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the principal of all

gifts to the General Endowment Fund shall be restricted and the sustainable income (as described

Page 28

of 7

in a separate document “Sustainable Income from an Investment Portfolio” attached as Exhibit

A) only shall be used for the purposes specified by the Charge Conference. The principal of

each Special-Purpose Fund may or may not be restricted, and each such fund shall have its own

spending policy. Where principal of a Special-Purpose Fund is restricted, income shall be

determined on a sustainable-income basis, unless otherwise specified by the donor. A list of

each of the initial Special-Purpose Funds, the purpose of the fund, the spending policy and the

group responsible for administering the fund is attached as Exhibit B.

ARTICLE TWO

ADMINISTRATION:

A. The Permanent Endowment Fund shall be administered by The Permanent

Endowment Fund Committee. The power, duty and authority of the Trustees to

receive, administer, and invest bequests, trusts, and trust funds is hereby delegated to

the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee.

B. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall consist of no fewer than five

persons nor more than nine persons, all of whom shall be members of The Sudbury

United Methodist Church and of legal age as determined by law. It is recommended

that members include at least one member of the Board of Trustees and one member

of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. The memberships shall be divided into

three classes, one of which shall be elected each year for a three-year term. To begin

the process of rotation when such a process has not been in place, in the first year

one class shall be selected for one year, one class for two years, and one class for

three years. Members of the Committee may be re-nominated for a maximum of 2

terms for a total of 9 years of service. No one person shall serve as Chair for more

than 2 successive 3 year3-year terms, for a maximum total of 6 years. In rare

circumstances, exceptions to the 9-year and 6-year term guidelines may be made

upon the recommendation of the SUMC Nominating Committee. When vacancies

occur during the year, nominees shall be elected by the Church Council.

C. The records of the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be audited each calendar year

in accordance with the procedures prescribed in The Book of Discipline of the United

Methodist Church, and an annual audit report shall be made to the Annual Charge

Conference.

D. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall be accountable to the Charge

Conference for the proper application of the principal and income of the General

Endowment Fund and the Special-Purpose Funds and shall provide a report at the

Annual Charge Conference and more frequently as requested by the Charge

Conference or Church Council.

Page 29

of 7

E. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall act as the legal representative of

the Charge Conference, and all decisions and actions shall be in accordance with the

vote of the Charge Conference.

F. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall be responsible for establishing

and administering a planned-giving campaign on a continuous basis to inform the

congregation about the Permanent Endowment Fund and to encourage gifts to the

Permanent Endowment Fund.

ARTICLE THREE

RECEIPT OF GIFTS:

A. Types of Gifts: Gifts of an enduring nature may be given to the Church directly or as

bequests, in such forms as wills, charitable remainder trusts, life income agreements,

assignment of life insurance, transfers of property (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate,

personal property), memorial gifts, or through other governing documents. Gifts

may be in the form of unrestricted or restricted gifts or endowments.

B. Acceptance of Gifts: The Charge Conference in consultation with the Permanent

Endowment Fund Committee shall have the responsibility for the acceptance or

rejection of all gifts. Gifts which are unwieldy to manage or not in keeping with the

Christian mission of the Church will be carefully reviewed and may be declined

accordingly.

C. Properties transferred to the Church will generally be sold promptly and the proceeds

invested by the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee.

ARTICLE FOUR

INVESTMENT OF ENDOWMENT FUNDS:

A. The Permanent Endowment Fund’s investment objectives are:

1. Preservation of principal for the effective maintenance of purchasing power;

2. Regular income at a reasonable rate;

3. Growth of income and principal over and above that necessary to offset rises in

the cost of living (inflation);

4. Investment of assets in funds, which make a positive contribution toward the

realization of the goals, outlined in the Social Principles of the United Methodist

Church.

B. The assets of the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be invested (i) in one or more

funds administered by the United Methodist Foundation of New England or its

Page 30

of 7

successors representing the Annual Conference or area to which this Church

belongs, (ii) in registered investment companies, and/or (iii) cash and cash

equivalents; (iv), certificates of deposit; (iv) loans to BlueHub Capital; (viv) capital

loans to finance capital expenditures of the Church as approved by Church Council

per Article 5, below. When additions are made to the Permanent Endowment Fund,

the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall determine how the additions shall

be allocated among the funds, and the Committee may change the allocation from

time to time.

C. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall keep appropriate permanent

records of the identity of donors of bequests, if available, and donors of special gifts

and a record of any person for whom a gift is made.

D. To achieve its investment objective, the General Endowment and Special-Purpose

Funds will be managed in a manner consistent with prudent investing for such funds.

The goal for portfolio mixture in a normal investment environment will be about a

70/30 ratio of equity to fixed income investments. Further, the General Endowment

Fund shall be managed in accordance with the General Laws of Massachusetts,

Chapter 180A. The Special-Purpose Funds may be separately invested as required

by the respective donors.

Approximately 50 to 70% of the General Endowment and Special-Purpose Funds

may be allocated to equities and 50 to 30% to fixed-income investments. It is

recognized that the equity portion of the pool entails the assumption of greater

market volatility and risk.

Within the framework of permissible investment types enumerated in Article Four,

paragraph B above, Tthe General Endowment Fund and Special-Purpose Funds will

be diversified by asset class (equities, bonds, and cash equivalents; Certificates of

Deposit, and loans) to have reasonable assurance that no single investment will have

a disproportionate impact on the total fund.

The investment performance of the Permanent Endowment Fund will be measured

and compared to various market indices and competing investment vehicles at least

annually by the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee.

In meeting its objectives, the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be conducted in

accordance with the following guidelines:

1. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee shall have full discretionary

authority in the selection and retention of investments, subject to law and this

Policy.

2. The General Endowment Fund and Special-Purpose Funds may not be pledged as

collateral for loans made by the Church without approval of two-thirds of those in

attendance at a Charge Conference at which a quorum is present and voting,

Page 31

of 7

which shall be at least two weeks following a discussion of the proposed

transaction at the Church Council.

ARTICLE FIVE

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND SPENDING POLICY:

The spending policy of the General Endowment Fund is based on the assumption that

annual spending over the long term will average an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of

the market value of the General Endowment Fund for the previous three (3) years.

• Annually: Spending from the General Endowment Fund shall be on a total-return

basis (sustainable income as described in Exhibit A). As of each valuation date, the

market value of the total portfolio (including the annual yield) for the preceding three

(3) years shall be averaged. This three-year average is then multiplied by an amount

not to exceed five percent (5%) to determine the total maximum distribution from the

General Endowment Fund for the Church year. The valuation date shall be

September 30 of each Church year.

• Long-Term: Capital expenditures requiring financing from the General Endowment

Fund will require a two-thirds vote of those in attendance at a Charge Conference at

which a quorum is present and voting, which shall be at least two weeks following a

discussion of the proposed transaction at the Church Council.

• Emergency: The Church Council is granted the authority to spend up to seven

percent (7%) of the total value of the General Endowment Fund each Church year for

emergencies of the Church that require immediate response. Such extra expenditures

shall be reported to the next Annual Charge Conference.

• 50% of Tthe General Endowment Fund’s distributes 50% of its 5% annual Sustainable

Investing distribution is allocated to the each to SUMC Outreach budget and the remainder to

the and the Operating Budget in general.

• Notwithstanding the foregoing, the percentage multiplier in determining sustainable

income shall not exceed three percent (3%) for 2001 and 2002, four percent

(4%) for 2003 and 2004, and five percent (5%) for 2005 and thereafter.

• For newly established Funds the percentage multiplier in determining sustainable

income shall be 3% for years 1 and 2; not in excess of 4% for years 3 and 4, and not

in excess of 5% year 5 and thereafter. Furthermore, if initial contributions made to a

Special Purpose Fund are not in the Endowment for a full 12 months, the foregoing %

for year 1 may be adjusted downward by the Committee.

• The Endowment Committee shall be responsible for determining changes to the

distribution % rate with the understanding that changes in the distribution % rate

Page 32

of 7

should be rare and infrequent and when made, should be expected to continue into the

future for at least several years before another change is made. In no event may the

distribution rate be changed to exceed 5%.

ARTICLE SIX

LIMITATION ON USE OF PRINCIPAL:

If the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts permit expenditure of the principal of

the Permanent Endowment Fund and in certain circumstances, then in addition to any approval

for such action required by state law, approval must be obtained from the Charge Conference by

a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a meeting duly called for such purpose at

which a quorum is present and voting, which shall be at least two weeks following a discussion

of the proposed transaction at the Church Council.

ARTICLE SEVEN

GIFTS TO THE FUND:

A. Having in mind that overly detailed restrictions on purposes may be impractical to

administer, prospective donors shall be encouraged to add their gifts to the

unrestricted General Endowment Fund permitting use of the sustainable income for

broadly defined programs of the Church.

B. Accounts for special purposes (the “Special-Purpose Funds”) may be established by

the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee with the consent of the Charge

Conference. Funds accepted into these Special-Purpose Funds shall be used for the

purposes specified by the donors and may involve the spending of principal.

The Charge Conference may from time to time specify a minimum amount that may

be allocated to establish any Special-Purpose Fund, which does not authorize

expenditures from principal.

ARTICLE EIGHT

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY:

No member or former member of the Sudbury United Methodist Church shall be held

personally liable by reason of any action taken, suffered or omitted in good faith in connection

with the administration of this Policy or the investment of the Permanent Endowment Fund.

Page 33

of 7

ARTICLE NINE

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR DISSOLUTION OF SUDBURY UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH:

If at any time Sudbury United Methodist Church is lawfully merged or consolidated with

any other Church, all the provisions hereof in respect to the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be

deemed to have been made on behalf of the merged or consolidated Church, which shall be

obligated to administer the same in all respects and in accordance with the terms thereto. If

Sudbury United Methodist Church should ever be dissolved without any lawful successor

thereof, the Permanent Endowment Fund, including both principal and income, shall become the

responsibility of the trustees of the annual conference having jurisdiction over Sudbury United

Methodist Church pursuant to The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

ARTICLE TEN

AMENDMENTS:

The provisions of Articles One and Five shall constitute a contract between Sudbury

United Methodist Church and the respective donors. Any amendment of Articles One and Five

shall apply only to gifts made after the effective date of the amendment.

Subject to the foregoing, this Policy may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the

members present and voting at a Charge Conference duly called for such purpose at which a

quorum is present and voting, which shall be at least two weeks following a discussion of the

proposed transaction at the Church Council.

.

All proposed amendments must conform to The Book of Discipline of the United

Methodist Church current at the time adopted.

sumc/charter

Page 34

EXHIBIT A

Sustainable Income from an Investment Portfolio 1

Trustees are increasingly being forced to consider what is meant when a donor specifies in his will or trust that "the income (or incorne only) shall be paid to the beneficiary." This phrase, or others with similar effect, is perhaps one of the most commonly expressed \Vi shes of donors.2 During the last fifty years, the patterns of trustee portfolio investments have changed, and trustees have been required to be more attentive to the remaindermari. interest (i.e., the ultimate owner/user of the �apital after the income beneficiary has passed on.) This note offers a few observations that may be useful to various trustees and directors of non-profit organizations who must wrestle with this issue.

In earlier times, the provision concerning inco.me never seemed to cause much of a problem. The principal was usually i�v_ested in bonds, and the interest was paid to the beneficiary. When inflation was low, the.pres:ervation of principal was never much of an issue. When inflatio'n was a consideration, the donor would often provide that some portion of the "income" was to be re-invested, with the balance paid to the income beneficiary. ·

. More recently, trustees and the courts have increasingly recognized the prudence of investing the principal in a balanced portfolio of diversified investment vehicles. Simultaneously, trustees have turned to the concept of managing a portfolio on a "total return" basis, which accounts for interest and dividends (previously thought of as "income") and for appreciation (both realized and unrealized.) These changes have resulted in some real soul-searching for thoughtful trustees, as they seek to sort out just what was/is meant by donors who specify 'that the income (or income only) shall be paid to the beneficiary."

The problem is that "income", if defined to mean only the more traditional interest and dividends, could be woefully inadequate, and probably not what the donor intended, if most of the principal were to be invested in grov.ih stocks paying low or zero dividends. On the other hand, if the full principal were to be invested in bonds and all the interest distributed as income to the income beneficiary, the principal would inevitably be wasted away over the long term by the certain, erosionary action of inflation. This too is probably not what the original donor had in mind when he/she specified that "income (or income only) shall be paid to the beneficiary."

1 G. Neil Harp::r, revised February, 1999.

: The earliest notation of this kind that I have in my personal records comes from a slate tablet in a small church i.i1 the Cotswol_d area of Engl:ind, dated nbout 1500. 1l1e memorial, given by :i. well-to-do townsman; provided 100 pounds sterling, to be invested in "gilts" (English government bonds), the income from which 1:.·�s to be used to support the widows in the town.

Page 35

To address this dilemma, many institutions and trustees are beginning to distribute what might be called "sustainable income''. to the income beneficiary. The thinking seems to be that what a donor has in mind when he/she specifies "income (or income only) ... " is that the donor wants the income beneficiary to enjoy a long-terin, sustainable income stream (perhaps growing to keep up with inflation). A further presumption is that the donor further wants the principal. to be protected against loss (including loss due to inflation) for eventual distributiorJuse by the remainderman.

As more and more trustees accept this policy of distributing a sustainable income, the problem becomes that of determining a level of sustainable income distribution that will allow the principal to be protected against loss over the long term. Fortunately, the history of investment returns can help_ with thi� determination.

The long-term total return from dom·estic �o-mmon stocks in the U.S., for the 72 year period from 1929 through 1997, ry�s beenJ 1.0% per year.3 The corresponding return forintermediate-term government bonds has been 5.3% per year. Inflation over this period has been 3 .1 % per year. If we assume a portfolio comprised of 60% stocks and 40% bonds, then the weighted long-term expected return will be 8. 7% per year (11.0% X .6 + 5.3% X .4}. This 8�7% is a theoretical return. ·rn the real world there are costs associated with managing all portfolios (management advisory fees, commission costs, and bid/asked spreads). Such costs might be as low as ¼%fora passively or self-managed account with little trading. Or the cost could exceed 2% for aggressive accounts with active trading. Assuming a intermediate cost level of 1 %, the theoretical return 9f 8. 7% is reduced to 7.7%. From this 7.7% return, we must set aside 3.1% for re-investment to protect the principal against long-term inflation. This leaves a sustainable income ·of 4.6% that can safely be distributed to income beneficiaries. One can argue that this final number of 4.6% might be adjusted slightly upward or downward, depending upon asset mix, how much is kept in cash, and more recent returns in the market. But the

. inescapable conclusion is that something like 4½ % to 5% per year4 is the right level for sustainable distribution, if one is to maintain a high-quality, diversified portfolio to protect the principal against inflation, ·market loss, and volatility.

If one adopts this concept of sustainable income based on the value of the underlying principal, cine quickly observes that the income is subject to annual volatility. To smooth our this volatility and make the income distribution more predictable, many institutions are basing their sustainable income distribution policy on a moving average over several years, often three, of the valuation of the underlying portfolio. Using valuations from a national United Methodist trust fund as a numerical example, Figure l indicates how the sustainable-income available for annual distribution is calculated.

l Stocb. Bonds BiU� ru1ci T11f]acio11, 1998 Ye:irbook, Ibbotson and Associates, Chicago, p 33.

" lt is interesting to note th:it the U.S. tax code requires that income equal to a ,:,inimum of 5¾ of the principal bahnce be distributed annu:illy from private charitable foundacions. This requirement presumably is to arnid excessive accumulation of principal th;i,t would favor unfairly the r::m:und::m,111 int::rest

Page 36

Based on the foregoing discussion and illustrative example, it appears that the sustainable income policy suggested herein ofTcrs the following adv;rntagcs:

1. The concept of sustainable income provides a dependable level of income forthe income beneficiary. Further, the income, in a long-term generally risingmarket environment, tends to rise, thereby helping the income beneficiarykeep up with inflation in real purchasing power.

2. Introduction of a multi-year moving average reduces the volatility of theincome distributed to the income beneficiary over that which he/she wouldreceive if the computations were made on the bas1s of the evaluation at theend of a single year.

3. The interests of the remaindermen are protected by retention of enough of thetotal return to allow grovlth of principal to keep up with iru1ation.

. , .

In conclusion, when directives for di_sJribution· of "income (or income oniy)" arc involved, trustees and directors might beweU-advised to adopt a policy for distribution of "income" that is based on a long-term sustainable income concept similar to that described herein.

\

Page 37

Figure 1 Calculation of Sustainable Income, Based on a 3 Year Moving Average

Year Market Value 3 Year Moving Sustainable Income

Average Value for Distrib�tion @5%

1991 973 ,196

, . .

· · 1992 1, 013 , 21_� - ·. - -

,•

1993 1,119, 235 1, 035 , 215 51, 760

1994 926,455 1, 019 , 635 50, 981

.

.

1995 1,111,250 1, 052,3 13 52, 615

\

1996 1,204,747 1, 080 , 817 54, 040

1997 1,400,000 1, 238 , 665 61,933

Page 38

EX

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Page 39

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Page 40

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Page 41

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Page 43

C:\Users\George Home\Documents\PERSONAL\A - SUMC\SUMC 2019\SUMC 2019 Endowment\SUMC 2015 Endowment - Permanent

File\EXHIBITC.doc

EXHIBIT C

PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND

OF THE


FOUNDING DONATIONS TO THE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND

1. Marsha and John Slayton made the first donation about 1980.

2. Hilda Ogilvie made a testamentary donation about 1990.

Page 44

C:\Users\George Home\Documents\PERSONAL\A - SUMC\SUMC 2019\SUMC 2019 Endowment\SUMC 2015 Endowment -

Permanent File\SUMC 2020 Charge Conference 6-2020\Exibit D.doc

EXHIBIT D

WHEREAS, the Charge Conference recognizes and endorses the March

17, 1992 vote of the Administrative Board to fund from the Hilda M.

Ogilve bequest SUMC’s enrollment in the Stephen Ministry program, and

to provide up to $2,000 per annum for Stephen Ministry Leadership

training from interest accruing from that bequest.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY

RESOLVED: That up to $2,000 per annum of the sustainable income of

the General Endowment Fund be used to provide Stephen

Ministry Leadership training.

Page 45

REPORT OF THE STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMITTEE

Membership

George Gorman, Chair; Chris Heberlig (Audit Coordinator); Adam Haywood (until 4-2020) (Sunny Hill Liaison & Sunny Hill Chair); Joanne Beldiman (Secretary); Will Iberg (liaison to Outreach Committee) & Brad Conant; Jeannie O’Reilly (Shared Stewardship cost project). Also, members of S&F by virtue of their respective positions are: Ken McKenzie, Treasurer; Jim Bennett, Financial Secretary (pledges); Joel Guillemette, Pastor; Nancy Hammerton, Lay Leader; Richard Morris, Council Chair; Sherry Stonebraker, SPRC Chair; Laurie Emken, representative of Trustees; Mike Greb, Business Manager.

Summary: 2019:

S&F feels that we have achieved our “Big Picture Stewardship” goal of the past 5 years: taking a comprehensive view of SUMC’s finances and identifying and breaking down “financial silos” that had grown up over the years. A challenge for the future is not to let financial silos grow again. S&F members are grateful for the cooperation of many people from several Commissions in this effort.

• We ended 2019 with a deficit of -$7,200, $14,700 better than our budgeted deficit of -$21,800, due to SPRC beingbelow budget by $18,000; Outreach being below budget by $2,000, net of Pledges being below budget by $3,000.This deficit was “funded” by using the surplus of $26,700 from 2018.

• Pledge Revenue: Although 2019 pledges remained relatively flat at $536,200), we only collected $530,500 (covers75% of expenses). So, at the end of 2019, our pledge revenue was the same as it was for each of 2018 and 2017

• Other major revenue sources are:

• Sunny Hill contributed $71,000 (covering 10% of expenses) in Shared Stewardship, which was “level-funded” ascompared with 2018, after a 22% increase in 2018 from 2017. We now have an established process with SunnyHill for (1) an annual change in Shared Stewardship to be made commensurate with changes in Sunny Hillsalaries in the spring and (2) this changed payment to start in September each year.

• P1 Rental contributes $37,200 (covering 5% of expenses) and remains unchanged for 2020-21.

• The Endowment contributed $27,500 (covering 4% of expenses), a $2,400 (9.6%) increase due to marketperformance, over $25,100 in 2018.

• Our cell tower lease contributed $32,800, a 1.5% increase over 2018. 12.5% of this revenue ($4,100, covering0.6% of expenses) goes to the Operating Budget and 87.5% ($28,700) is deposited into the “Trustees CapitalFund”, which does not cover operating expenses, but is reserved for unanticipated long-term Capital needs. At12/31/2019, the Trustees Capital Fund had a balance of $67,800 ($65,800 at 12/31/18), most of which has beenearmarked by Trustees for capital projects not included in the Operating Budget.

• $5,000 in Facility Use Fees (covering 0.7% of expenses), compared to $2,685 in 2018, despite not havinganything budgeted.

• Staff received a 2.2% salary increase in 2019, similar to previous years, but salaries as a whole declined by $11,000due to 2018 including catch-up adjustments for 2017 savings plan contribution errors fixed in 2018.

• “Unbudgeted” revenue & expense: SUMC is an extremely generous congregation. We collected & gave away anadditional $55,000 to Outreach; Sunny Hill gave $31,000 in Scholarships; World and US Mission Shares were$41,000; our Outreach budget was $32,000. Result: SUMC “gave away” 20% ($160,000) of all 2019 revenue collectedto causes outside of SUMC. (2018: 18%; $144,000; 2017: 21%; $178,000 (included Domenica hurricane relief); 2016:18%; 2015: 18%.)

• The Operating Budget did not contribute anything to the Parmenter Fund in 2019.

• Bottom line, looking at the 12/31/2019 balance sheet, the important numbers for our members to focus on are: (1)our “cash cushion” for paying SUMC’s on-going operating expenses is $69,200 (down from $76,900 in 2018)(comprised of $47,100 in the General Fund & $22,100 in the Miscellaneous Reserve Fund); and (2) $67,800 (2018:$65,800; 2017: $63,700) on hand for large unanticipated maintenance/capital expenses (Trustee Capital Fund). Theremaining $21,900 (2018: $24,480) is “reserved” for specific future needs.

• Our 12/31/2019 General Fund balance was $47,100, a decline from $54,800 at 12/31/18, much greater than$28,200 at 12/31/17, but still below $69,800 at 12/31/16. It’s not likely we add to this in 2020 & 2021.

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2

Summary: 2020 through May 31, 2020:

• We had a successful 2020 Stewardship campaign. Pledges of $536,200 decreased slightly compared to 2019, butwere above 2019 actual pledges received.

• The downward trend of pledge revenue reversed in 2018-20. Pledge revenue for the past 7 years has been: 2014:$607,000; 2015: $581,500; 2016: $534,000; 2017: $525,000; 2018: $525,100; 2019 $530,500; $534,400 (pledged).

• Sunny Hill maintained its contribution to SUMC at $71,000 through its FYE 8/31/2020. The Sunny Hill Committee hasproven to be an invaluable asset to SUMC and partner to the S&F Committee in managing the combined financialoperations of both the SUMC’s Operating Budget ($740,000 for CYE 12/31/20) and the Sunny Hill budget ($648,000for FYE 8/31/20). Sunny Hill is still in need of a Treasurer.

• S&F funded each Commission’s 2020 budget at essentially the same level as 2019 actual expenses.

• Mission Shares: During 2019, S&F analyzed Mission Shares and found that over the past 10 years, the averageannual increase in Mission Shares was 4.05%, almost 4 times as large as the average annual increase of all otherSUMC expenses, excluding Mission Shares, which was 1.04%. Put simply, over the past 10 years, Mission Shares hasincreased at a rate 293% greater than all of SUMC’s other expenses. As a result, we have had to decrease the SUMCOutreach budget over the same 10-year period by an average annual decrease rate of 4.75% to balance the SUMCBudget. If Mission Shares had increased at the same average annual growth rate as all of SUMC’s other expenses forthe past 10 years, our 2020 Mission Shares bill would have been $74,000, not $99,300. Based on this analysis, andwith concern about retaining some extra reserves until the financial impact of COVID-19 becomes clearer, ChurchCouncil approved the S&F proposed budget that reduced Mission Shares to $50,000 (9.8% of pledges), with themaximum possible Mission Shares budget of $74,000 (14.3% of pledges) for 2020.

• In April 2020, we approved a budget with a “Temporary Surplus” of $21,400 (see: “Responding to COVID-19”).

Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis: Nothing could have completely prepared SUMC for the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including its financial impacts. Below is a summary of where we stand in that regard:

• Operating Budget: The 2020 Operating Budget has held up fairly well, with pledge revenue coming in via mail.

Initially, we only paid “critical expenses” (salaries, utilities & Food Pantry donations) and stopped paying Mission

Shares, in order to preserve cash. We are now paying all expenses and will resume paying Mission Shares in July.

SUMC has paid $24,825 in Mission Shares through 5/31 (based on the initial apportionment of $99,300), so we are

effectively paid up through July, based on the $50,000 amount in the 2020 budget. We did not need to take

advantage of any of several “financial relief” programs offered by the Conference. This action on our part benefitted

the Conference or other Churches.

• Sunny Hill: S&F worked with Scott Simon, to decide that we would continue to pay the SH teachers to April 4th,

when school closure was initially mandated, and again when the closure was extended indefinitely. After the

extension to May 4th, Sunny Hill reduced tuition to 50%, and began distance learning, in order to continue to provide

education services and pay the 19 Sunny Hill staff. However, 50% of the Sunny Hill parents did not embrace the 50%

tuition plan and we were forced to terminate the teachers in late April. We had “contracts” with our teachers

requiring a 30-day termination notice, at a 30-day cost of about $48,000, meaning that each week that we delayed

the termination decision cost SUMC $12,000. None of our employees are covered under Unemployment Insurance,

so it was a difficult decision to make.

• Payroll Protection Program Loan (“PPP Loan”) through the SBA (Small Business Administration): Between

Wednesday, 4/8 & Friday, 4/10, we filed applications for a PPP Loan with 3 banks and were eventually approved by

Citizens Bank. The loan is for $173,200, BUT… the Loan will be forgiven and become a grant that does not need to be

repaid: if, & to the extent, we use proceeds as required to obtain “forgiveness”, which is our plan and intention. So,

we rescinded the teacher termination notices and paid the teachers through the end of the school year.

• PTW: We accelerated the “re-amortization” of our PTW loan in April. Re-amortizing in the first half of 2020 instead

of Jan 2021 reduced the monthly payments from $5,500 to $2,278 and will provide an additional 48 months, until

Page 47

3

2024, to seek additional funding to pay down the PTW shortfall. We will only pay the new minimum monthly

amount going forward, indefinitely. Longer term, this action will likely cost us more in interest, but we believed it

was the best course of action to provide time to develop a longer-term plan to repay the PTW deficit.

The Bottom line on the 2020 Operating Budget: The most significant change in our 2020 Operating Budget is the

reduction in Mission Shares, producing a 2020 budget with a $21,400 surplus. This surplus is a “Temporary Contingency

Reserve” to provide SUMC with additional cushion to deal with: $16,200 included in pledges for which we do not have

pledge cards, COVID-19 and GC2020 vote issues affecting 2020 pledges &/or expenses. As a result, we estimate having

$63,000 in Contingency Reserves to help us through the crisis. S&F has committed up to 50% of that to assist Sunny Hill.

To the extent we do not use the 2020 Temporary Contingency Reserve of $21,400 for its intended purposes, and/or we

receive more pledges or have less expenses, we could increase Mission Shares to a maximum of $74,000 for 2020,

subject to another S&F and Council vote.

Our Building Project: Pave the Way

2020 is the 5th and final year of collecting Pave-the-Way pledges. Key financial milestones have been:

• Through May 2020, we have collected $2,570,000, since the beginning of the project for Pave-the-Way

• The total costs of the project have been $2,898,000.

• As of May 31, 2005, we owe $380,000 to Middlesex Savings Bank at 4.25% compound interest for a 5-yaer ARM thatwill reset for the next 5 years in August 2021; and $151,000 to the SUMC Endowment at 2% simple interest rate thatwill reset in May 2021. The Endowment loan is subordinated to the Middlesex Savings Bank loan.

• We estimate collecting $72,000 in remaining pledges in 2020. We expect to write-off unpaid pledges of $336,400 ifnot collected by 12/31/2020. If you are behind on paying your PTW pledge and would like to notify SUMC of yourintent to pay over a longer, maybe additional 5-year period, please let us know.

• In 2017, the Church Conference authorized the Endowment to make a loan of up to $189,000 to PTW at 2% simpleinterest rate (pegged it to the interest rate that the Endowment receives from a loan to Blue Hub Capital, whichfinances socially responsible building projects). Borrowing from the Endowment reduces our overall interest costs.As of May, 2020, PTW has drawn down $144,250 and owes the Endowment $150,637, including accrued interest.

• As of May 2019, the projected PTW shortfall is $504,000 including projected interest costs of $115,000 if we repayall debt by 2030. Resolution of how to pay this will have implications for our future Operating Budgets.

Looking to the Future – 2020 & beyond:

Consistent with 2019, in 2020 and 2021, SUMC needs to focus on (1) increasing membership; (2) increasing pledges from younger members and (3) increasing facility use fees. Since it generally takes three new family members to replace one senior, long-standing family that we lose, the death, “retire & move” trend of senior member who have been significant pledgers and the loss of newer members due to career mobility opportunities, will continue to be a challenge. We have had a steady inflow of new members and increased Sunday School attendance. But, we also live in much more mobile society in which people move around for their careers…SUMC has to always be extending a warm, heartfelt welcome to new members who move to our area, to replace those who move away, even before they die or reach the “retire & move” phase of life. Just as our forebearers built, and moved to, our current building location in the late 1950s/early 1960s in anticipation of the demographic shift of Sudbury becoming a bedroom community for Boston, we need to react to, and embrace, the demographic shifts to a more mobile, dual career working couple, many-faceted, diversely oriented community in Sudbury and the surrounding area.

The finances of Pave-the-Way and Sunny Hill have been kept entirely separate from the Operating Budget and have not had any impact on decisions that we have had to make to balance the Operating Budget.

Increased coordination between S&F and Sunny Hill should serve SUMC and Sunny Hill well. In a normal year, if Sunny Hill can generate a modest surplus for the benefit of SUMC annually, while also continuing to be the premier pre-school

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4

in the Sudbury area, this will help SUMC enormously. However, COVID-19 could result in SUMC receiving less Shared Stewardship from Sunny Hill in 2020 & 2021, and in SUMC having to “support” Sunny Hill for the short-term, 2020-21. In 2020-2021, the S&F and Sunny Hill Committee will work on agreeing on a “vision” for what SUMC and Sunny Hill expect from their relationship with each other. It’s surprising how many current members and Sunny Hill families do not know that SUMC owns and runs Sunny Hill…many think it’s an independnet entity to whom we “rent” space.

Key stakeholders of SUMC’s future success include all members, Commissions & Committees. The Committees & Commissions that oversee stewardship of the majority of SUMC’s financial assets include S&F; SPRC; Trustees; Endowment; Sunny Hill and Outreach, all working together at the direction of the Church Council. We are all working together to ensure the financial health of SUMC, while we also execute on SUMC’s mission to serve our congregation members and the local and world community through our outreach efforts.

Financial Statements & 2020 Budget

Attached are:

• Operating Budget Surplus/Deficit Report through May 2020 (with the 2020 Operating Budget for SUMC);

• Operating Budget Balance Sheet as of 5/31/2020;

• PTW Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2020 and the PTW Statement of Revenue & Expense from inception to May 31,2020;

• Operating Budget Surplus/Deficit Report for the year ended 12/31/19;

• Operating Budget Balance Sheet as of 12/31/2019.

• PTW Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 and the PTW Statement of Revenue & Expense from inception toDecember 31, 2019;


George Gorman, Chair, S&F Committee June 11, 2020

Page 49


December, 2019

Surplus/Deficit Analysis

Rev. date 01/14/20

Includes $12,835 rec'd in 2020 2019 Adjusted

Dec. Actual Final Budget Variance

REVENUE:

Donation Revenue:

Pledges 530,514$ 536,200$ (5,686)$

Plate 3,082$ 4,500$ (1,418)$

Prior Year Pledges Rec'd in 2019 7,545$ 7,845$ (300)$

Special Holidays 5,098$ 6,500$ (1,402)$

Facility Use Fees 5,045$ -$ 5,045$

Special Event Contributions -$ -$ -$

Other Income 436$ -$ 436$

Total Donated Revenue: 551,720$ 555,045$ (3,325)$

Shared Stewardship:

Sunny Hill 64,333$ 64,333$ -$

Boy Scouts 1,200$ 1,200$ -$

AlAnon 450$ 150$ 300$

AA 170$ 15$ 155$

Endowment Distribution 27,534$ 27,534$ -$

Total Shared Stewardship: 93,687$ 93,232$ 455$

Capital Revenue

Cell- Tower Revenue 32,782$ 32,782$ -$

P1 - Rental Revenue 37,200$ 37,200$ -$

Other Capital Revenue - stonewall claim 219$ -$ 219$

Total Capital Revenue 70,201$ 69,982$ 219$

Other Revenue:

Endowment distributions to "Others" -$ -$ -$

Interest & Dividends 471$ 200$ 271$

Total Other Revenue: 471$ 200$ 271$

TOTAL REVENUE: 716,079$ 718,459$ (2,380)$

EXPENSES:

Church Ministry & Programs:

Staff Parish (Includes all Payroll) 411,155$ 422,233$ (11,078)$

Church Growth 8,195$ 9,114$ (919)$

Youth Program 2,758$ 3,877$ (1,119)$

Education 1,975$ 3,000$ (1,025)$

Worship & Music 3,155$ 3,380$ (225)$

Membership Expenses 2,436$ 6,000$ (3,564)$

Total Church Ministry & Programs: 429,674$ 447,604$ (17,930)$

Outreach:

Mission Shares 97,289$ 97,289$ -$

Outreach 31,607$ 32,064$ (457)$

Health Ministry 489$ 1,000$ (511)$

Social Justice 372$ 750$ (378)$

Distribution from Endowment to "Others" -$ -$ -$

Total Outreach: 129,757$ 131,103$ (1,346)$

Buildings:

Trustee Expenses 125,855$ 124,116$ 1,739$

Capital Fund Holding 29,067$ 28,848$ 219$

Total Buildings: 154,922$ 152,964$ 1,958$

Savings for our Future:

Contribution to Parmenter Fund -$ -$ -$

Total Savings: -$ -$ -$

Church Administration:

General Administration 8,570$ 8,100$ 470$

Stewardship & Finance 309$ 500$ (191)$

Total Church Administration: 8,879$ 8,600$ 279$

TOTAL EXPENSES: 723,232$ 740,271$ (17,039)$

2019 SURPLUS/DEFICIT: (7,153)$ (21,812)$ 14,659$

Non Operating Budget/Member Directed

Contributions:

Receipts 54,982$ -$ 54,982$

Disbursed/Accrued 54,982$ -$ 54,982$

Page 50

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Page 51

Issue date: 01/07/2020 .

BALANCE SHEET

As of 12/31/19

ASSETS:

Cash - BOA 24$

Cash - MSB Business Money Fund 55,715$

Cash - MSB Checking 15,325$

Subtotal: Cash 71,064$

Pledge Receivables:

2015 5,000$

2016 54$

2017 96,865$

2018 106,001$

2019 160,415$

2020 48,739$

PTW Plus 8,400$

Total Pledges Receivable: 425,474$

Less: Reserve for Doubtful Pledges (314,400)$

Net Pledges Receivable 111,074$

Total Assets: 182,138$

LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

Current Deficit (365,638)$

Endowment Loan Payable 150,637$

Mortgage Payable 397,139$

Total Liabilities & Equity: 182,138$

STATEMENT OF REVENUE & EXPENSES *Note: Computation of Current Deficit & Total Project Deficit:

REVENUE: From Inception in 2015 thru 11/310/19 Total Pledge Amount: 2,461,089$

Pledges Received to Date: 2,097,810$ Add: PTW Plus Pledges to date: 72,883$

One Time PTW Gifts 118,145$ Add: Current Total - One Time Gifts: 118,145$

Interest Income 1,463$ Add: Endowment Contributions: 145,452$

Contribution to PTW from Endowment Fund: 98,000$ Add: Trustee Funds for front doors 10,000$

Trustee Funds for Front Doors 10,000$ Add: Current Total - Interest/Gains: 1,464$

Endowment - General & Hammond 10,235$ Add: Grants - Sudbury Foundation & NEAC 30,000$

Endowment General - Chapel Walls 37,180$ Add: ADA Door Operator - from Operating 500$

Endowment - Larson Facilities 37$ Less: Final GC Schedule of Values: (2,656,331)$

Grant Received - Sudbury Foundation 25,000$ Less: Current Total of Non GC Expenses: (234,440)$

Grant Received - NEAC 5,000$ Current Deficit, before interest payments (51,238)$

Endowment Loan 144,250$ Less: Reserve for Doubtful Pledges: (314,400)$

Donated ADA Door Funds - From Operating 500$ Adjusted Current Deficit , before future interest payments: (365,638)$ Gain/(Loss) on Sale of Stocks 9$ Less: Future Interest to be paid (75,000)$

Total Cash Receipts: 2,547,629$ Total Projected Deficit (440,638)$

EXPENSES:

Parking Lot Testing & Design 3,200$

Architectural Costs 10,400$

Wetlands Delineation 2,230$

Permits 28,550$

Piano Relocation 575$

Tree Transplanting 440$

Loan Closing & Legal Costs: 18,377$

New Electric Pole Costs 28,534$

Town Water Service Fee 4,950$

60" Kitchen Work Table 2,029$

2nd electrical feed - dishwasher 800$

Cross for New Cupola 1,375$

Mortgage - Interest Expense 100,323$

Endowment - Interest Expense 6,387$

Chapel/Narthex Light Fixtures 15,590$

Pledges Written-Off 10,680$

Contractor Expenses To Date: - Final 2,656,331$

Total Expenses: 2,890,771$

Cash Receipts, less expenses paid: (343,142)$


Accrued Interest Expense - Endowment 6,387$ REVENUE LESS EXPENSES: 60,384$

RECONCILIATION TO CASH ON HAND:

REVENUE LESS EXPENSES: 60,384$

Plus: Contract Retainage to date -$

Plus: Non-Cash Expenses/Write-offs 10,680$

Cash on Hand 71,064$

Page 52


May 2020

Surplus/Deficit Analysis

Issue date 6/3/20

May YTD 2020 Budget

May Actual May Budget Variance 3/1/2020*

REVENUE:

Donation Revenue: non pledges $16,200

Pledges 228,812$ 205,982$ 22,830$ 519,385$ <- Pledges $503,185

Plate 744$ 1,301$ (557)$ 3,000$

Prior Year Pledges Rec'd in 2020 10,775$ 8,775$ 2,000$ 17,775$

Special Holidays -$ 2,000$ (2,000)$ 6,000$

Facility Use Fees -$ -$ -$ -$

Special Event Contributions -$ -$ -$ -$

Other Income 492$ -$ 492$ -$

Total Donated Revenue: 240,823$ 218,058$ 22,765$ 546,160$

Shared Stewardship:

Sunny Hill 29,583$ 29,583$ -$ 71,000$

Boy Scouts -$ -$ -$ 1,200$

AlAnon -$ -$ -$ 150$

AA 60$ 15$ 45$ 15$

Endowment Distribution 27,464$ 27,464$ -$ 27,464$

Total Shared Stewardship: 57,107$ 57,062$ 45$ 99,829$

Capital Revenue

Cell- Tower Revenue 14,069$ 14,069$ -$ 33,765$

P1 - Rental Revenue 12,400$ 15,500$ (3,100)$ 37,200$

Other Capital Revenue -$ -$ -$ -$

Total Capital Revenue 26,469$ 29,569$ (3,100)$ 70,965$

Other Revenue:

Endowment distributions to "Others" 8,232$ 8,232$ -$ 8,232$

Interest & Dividends 73$ 83$ (10)$ 200$

Total Other Revenue: 8,305$ 8,315$ (10)$ 8,432$

TOTAL REVENUE: 332,704$ 313,004$ 19,700$ 725,386$

EXPENSES:

Church Ministry & Programs:

Staff Parish (Includes all Payroll) 170,029$ 174,510$ (4,481)$ 421,038$

Church Growth 1,128$ 3,792$ (2,664)$ 9,100$

Youth Program 210$ 1,625$ (1,415)$ 3,900$

Education 1,066$ 625$ 441$ 1,500$

Worship & Music 2,063$ 1,417$ 646$ 3,400$

Membership Expenses 683$ 1,250$ (567)$ 3,000$

Total Church Ministry & Programs: 175,179$ 183,219$ (8,040)$ 441,938$

Outreach:

Mission Shares 24,822$ 24,822$ -$ 50,000$

Outreach 11,883$ 11,883$ -$ 32,300$

Health Ministry 300$ -$ 300$ 2,100$

Social Justice -$ -$ -$ 750$

Distribution from Endowment to "Others" 8,232$ 8,232$ -$ 8,232$

Total Outreach: 45,237$ 44,937$ 300$ 93,382$

Buildings:

Trustee Expenses 58,485$ 69,307$ (10,822)$ 130,181$

Capital Fund Holding 12,381$ 12,381$ -$ 29,713$

Total Buildings: 70,866$ 81,688$ (10,822)$ 159,894$

Savings for our Future:

Contribution to Parmenter Fund -$ -$ -$ -$

Total Savings: -$ -$ -$ -$

Church Administration:

General Administration 2,700$ 3,571$ (871)$ 8,570$

Stewardship & Finance 111$ 82$ 29$ 200$

Total Church Administration: 2,811$ 3,653$ (842)$ 8,770$

TOTAL EXPENSES: 294,093$ 313,497$ (19,404)$ 703,984$

2019 SURPLUS/DEFICIT: 38,611$ (493)$ 39,104$ 21,402$

Non Operating Budget/Member Directed

Contributions:

Receipts -$ 18,329$ (18,329)$ -$

Disbursed/Accrued -$ 18,329$ (18,329)$ -$

* The S&F Committee may reconsider items in this budget, and make revised recommendations, at any time during 2020, as circumstances warrant due to the COVID-19 situationPage 53

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Page 54

Issue Date: 6/3/20 .

BALANCE SHEET

As of 05/31/20

ASSETS:

Cash - BOA 24$

Cash - MSB Business Money Fund 57,427$

Cash - MSB Checking 12,002$

Subtotal: Cash 69,453$

Pledge Receivables:

2015 5,000$

2016 54$

2017 96,865$

2018 106,001$

2019 158,833$

2020 34,638$

PTW PlUS 7,400$

Total Pledges Receivable: 408,791$

Less: Reserve for Doubtful Pledges (336,400)$

net Pledges Receivable: 72,391$

Total Assets: 141,844$

LIABILITIES & EQUITY:

Current Deficit (388,623)$

Endowment Loan Payable 150,637$


Total Liabilities & Equity: 141,844$

STATEMENT OF REVENUE & EXPENSES *Note: Computation of Current Defecit & Total Project Defecit:

REVENUE: From Inception in 2015 thru 05/31/20 Total Pledge Amount: 2,461,089$

Pledges Received to Date: 2,114,593$ Add: PTW PlUS Pledges to date: 72,883$

One Time PTW Gifts 124,010$ Add: Current Total - One Time Gifts: 124,010$

Interest Income 1,527$ Add: Endowment Contributions: 145,452$

Contribution to PTW from Endowment Fund: 98,000$ Add: Trustee Funds for front doors 10,000$

Trustee Funds for Front Doors 10,000$ Add: Current Total - Interest/Gains: 1,628$

Endowment - General & Hammond 10,235$ Add: Grants - Sudbury Foundation & NEAC 30,000$

Endowment General - Chapel Walls 37,180$ Add: ADA Door Operator - from Perating 500$

Endowment - Larson Facilities 37$ Less: Final GC Schedule of Values: (2,656,331)$

Grant Received - Sudbury Foundation 25,000$ Less: Current Total of Non GC Expenses: (241,454)$

Grant Received - NEAC 5,000$ Current Defecit, before interest payments (52,223)$

Endowment Loan 144,250$ Less: Reserve for Doubtful Pledges: (336,400)$

Donated ADA Door Funds - From Operating 500$ Adjusted Current Deficit , before future interest payments: (388,623)$ Gain/(Loss) on Sale of Stocks 9$ Less: Future Interest to be paid (115,000)$

Total Cash Receipts: 2,570,341$ Total Projected Defecit (503,623)$

EXPENSES:

Parking Lot Testing & Design 3,200$

Architectural Costs 10,400$

Wetlands Delineation 2,230$

Permits 28,550$

Piano Relocation 575$

Tree Transplanting 440$

Loan Closing & Legal Costs: 18,377$

New Electric Pole Costs 28,534$

Town Water Service Fee 4,950$

60" Kitchen Work Table 2,029$

2nd electrical feed - dishwasher 800$

Cross for New Cupola 1,375$

Mortgage - Interest Expense 107,337$

Endowment - Interest Expense 6,387$

Chapel/Narthex Light Fixtures 15,590$

Pledges Written-Off 10,680$

Contractor Expenses To Date: - Final 2,656,331$

Total Expenses: 2,897,785$

Cash Receipts, less expenses paid: (327,444)$


Accrued Interst Expense - Endowment 6,387$


RECONCILIATION TO CASH ON HAND:


Plus: Contract Retainage to date -$

Plus: Non-Cash Expenses/Write-offs 10,680$

Cash on Hand 69,453$

Page 55

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE

ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

What a challenging year this has turned out to be. SPRC began in the fall with a full,

experienced staff. SPRC followed the outline for the year that has been established in the past.

SPRC set its budget for the year. SPRC met with the new District Superintendent. Then Covid-

19 hit. In spite of missed meetings and meetings on Zoom, SPRC has been doing what needs to

be done.

Our full, experienced staff includes our pastor, Rev. Joel Guillemette, our Administrative

Assistant, Shetal Kaye, our Business Manager, Michael Greb, our Director of Youth and

Children Education, Zachary Moser, our Adult Formation and Magic Years Coordinator, The

Rev. Dr. Hakyung Cho-Kim, our Director of Music/Organist, Kevin Murphy, our Adult Choir

Director, Rob Hammerton, our Sexton, Joe Picorelli, and our Assistant Sexton, Brad Wood.

Each member of SPRC works with a specific staff member as a liaison, meeting at least once a

month with that staff member, being involved in staff reviews, and available to help when

necessary.

As a committee SPRC has specific areas to work on throughout the year. In the fall, the

parsonage was inspected by SPRC and the trustees. Some work needed to be done, and it was

done in a timely manner. The budget was worked through and approved by SPRC, Finance and

Stewardship and Church Council. At the Annual Fall Charge Conference, the motion for the

salary of $87,874 for the Senior Pastor for calendar year 2020 was presented, seconded, and

approved. Before the Charge Conference, SPRC had the pleasure of meeting with our new

District Superintendent, the Rev. Meagan Stowe, and talking about SUMC.

During Advent, as a part of the church community, SPRC hosted, along with the Social Justice

Commission, one of the Advent Soup Suppers. Also during Advent, SPRC gave the church

community the opportunity to thank the staff. There was no meeting in January.

February was back to work. Job descriptions were reviewed and updated. SPRC again

participated in the church community by hosting the last Lenten Dinner before Covid-19

restrictions. Zoom became our means of communication for our April meeting. SPRC voted to

establish a committee for putting together procedures for reopening of our worship service to the

congregation. Susan Pauley, Michael Cooper, and Steve Lubic were presented to SPRC as the

committee. All agreed. There was also a discussion of how to thank the Cransons for all that

they have done during this pandemic. A family portrait was suggested. Also, questions came up

about Staff Appreciation Month. Obviously, there would be no Staff Appreciation Luncheon in

May. It was decided to give each staff member a gift card in a unique package. Also, an article

was put in the Chronicle, asking the congregation to send notes of appreciation and thanks to our

staff.

By the time of our May meeting, staff evaluations were mostly done. Thanks to the monetary

generosity of our congregation, and the Federal PPP plan, all staff, including Sunny Hill, will be

able to be paid their full salaries. Due to the extra demands associated with Covid-19, Pastor

Page 56

http://sudbury-umc.org/about-sumc/our-team/director-of-adult%20formation/

http://sudbury-umc.org/about-sumc/our-team/director-of-adult%20formation/

Joel is ready for a vacation. He will be taking time during the summer. Thanks to our very

gifted congregation, there are those who can fill in for our pastor.

Fall will bring new challenges to SPRC, our staff, and church community as we move back into

our building. Will the staff continue to work from home? Will our church building even be

open for worship and church meetings? Will Zoom and YouTube be our modes of

communication? Our Business Manager will be retiring in December. Who will replace him?

Thank you to the members of SPRC - Cassandra Allwell, Judy Aufderhaar, Greg Bockweg, Don

Glencross, Todj Gozdeck, Eric Herstine, Steve Lubic, and Scott Pickens for all of the work that

they have done this year. They have kept in touch with our staff throughout the year, attended

meetings, made soup, and supported our pastor. It has been a pleasure to work with my fellow

members.


Sherryl Stonebraker

Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee

Page 57

Church Council Chairperson 2019–2020 Annual Report

The SUMC Church Council consists of the Church’s pastor, lay leaders, Commission

chairpersons, persons in other leadership roles in the congregation, and several Members at

Large, including the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Recording Secretary. The Council is

responsible for envisioning, planning, implementing and evaluating the Church’s ministry and

mission.

This wide-ranging responsibility requires the attention of the Council in three primary areas of

endeavor:

• Promotion and support of the mission of the United Methodist Church to “make disciples

of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

• Encouragement, oversight and coordination of the work of the groups and Commissions

established in the congregation.

• Evaluation and continuous improvement of the various aspects of the Church’s ministry.

The activities of the Council during the past year have encompassed all three of these areas.

2019/2020 Goals and Objectives

At the outset of the new program year, Council Chairperson Richard Morris asked the Council

members, and especially the Commission Chairs, to work towards a common set of goals and

objectives that had been established for the Council and the Commissions to pursue to the extent

possible in the course of their work:

1. Developing friendships with new members:

a. Enhancing hospitality to newcomers

b. Assimilation of new members

c. Creating a more inclusive, diverse, tolerant and accepting congregation

d. Balancing service and learning with fellowship and social opportunities

2. Involvement of members in programmatic support of Sunny Hill

3. Responding to GC2019 and its aftermath

4. Other ongoing goals and objectives (such as inspiring worship)

5. Maintaining a Christian witness in the community

During the Council’s September, October and November meetings, the Commission Chairs

described how their programs and activities for the year would support these goals.

2020 General Conference

In February of 2019, the 2019 Special General Conference of the UMC unexpectedly adopted

the Traditional Plan that increased rather than eliminated the harmful treatment of LGBTQI

Page 58

members and clergy. This sudden reversal of expectations generated an immediate and ongoing

expanded level of activity at all levels of the UMC to formulate new proposals and plans for

presentation to Annual Conferences and the 2020 General Conference in May of 2020 to

overcome the restrictions and penalties of the Traditional Plan and create a fully-inclusive

church.

During each of its first four meetings of the year, the Council devoted time to becoming aware of

the developments and events in the national and global church that could affect the outcome of

GC2020 and the future of the UMC.

Initially the Council planned to conduct a series of four congregational meetings to discuss

possible disaffiliation from the UMC. However, when the legality of the “Gracious Exit” feature

of the Traditional Plan was questioned and its fate uncertain, the Council agreed to carry out

congregational meetings as informational sessions for interested members of the congregation.

The first of these meetings was held on October 20, with 37 people attending, including District

Superintendent Megan Stowe. Pastor Joel provided some historically-informed interpretations of

biblical texts mistakenly read as blanket condemnations of same sex relationships, and Richard

Morris described some of the various plans proposed for consideration at the General

Conference. The DS later commented to Pastor Joel about the interest, candor and honesty of the

SUMC folks in attendance.

A second congregational meeting was held on January 26. At that meeting, Pastor Joel reported

on the development of the plans to be presented in May to the General Conference. Richard

Morris described the work of the Open Spirit Task Force, a group formed by the New England

Annual Conference to recommend “whether and how United Methodists of New England might

align with, create, or form a new church body in the Methodist tradition (independently or in

collaboration with others).” Richard was appointed to the Task Force by the NEAC.

On March 18, the Commission on the General Conference postponed the May 2020 General

Conference to a date to be determined in 2021 (recently announced as Aug 29 - Sept 7) because

of the rapid spread of the coronavirus nationally as well as globally. During the preceding weeks,

a “Protocol of Reconciliation through Grace and Separation,” which would split the

denomination into separate churches, garnered substantial support from conservatives, moderates

and progressives in the UMC. However, with the General Conference postponed for more than a

year, the urgency of developing a feasible and acceptable resolution of the conflict declined, and

the focus of the moderates and progressives shifted to protecting LGBTQI clergy and clergy who

conduct same-sex weddings from charges and trials.

The coronavirus also forced the postponement of the New England Annual Conference Session

from June 11-13 to a one-day virtual meeting on October 17, 2020. A separate session for clergy

took place on June 13 and a session for laity is scheduled for September 26.

Website, Facebook and Media Management

Following the discontinuation of the Communication Coordinator staff position in mid-2017, the

SUMC website has suffered from a lack of the ongoing oversight and renewal necessary to

maintain its currency and vitality. At the request of SPRC, the Council assumed that

Page 59

responsibility, and in November Eric and Ty Herstine began to research vendors of website

services. Shortly thereafter, Christie White, who has excelled in managing the SUMC Facebook

account, volunteered to lead an effort to renew and update the website. A task force consisting of

Alison Condon, Kay D’Orlando, Scott Simon and Richard Morris as well as Office

Administrator Shetal Kaye began to work with Christie in January. SquareSpace, which is used

by Sunny Hill for its website, was chosen to host the SUMC website because of its reasonable

cost and ease of use. Commission chairs were asked to discuss website needs, ideas and

requirements with their Commissions.

Christie reported to the Council in February that a draft site was up and running with placeholder

pages awaiting content to be provided by Commissions and other entities. Keeping the site

timely and up-to-date will require photographers, updated permission forms for children and

youth photographs, and two persons to upload content on a regular basis. Christie prepared

Website Support Job Descriptions for these tasks, which were distributed to Council members in

March. However, with the onslaught of the coronavirus in April, work on the website slowed.

Meanwhile, Christie reported that the SUMC Facebook page has been a useful vehicle for

communicating and sharing among its users. New followers join the page, and it has continued to

generate lots of likes, shares and comments.

Communication within the church and outreach to the local community during the coronavirus

shutdown has also been achieved with the virtual worship services posted on the SudburyTV

web site and the live streaming via the SudburyTV account on YouTube. Of the 13 worship

services that have been livestreamed and/or recorded and posted on those websites between

March 15 and June 7, one (Easter) has been viewed 303 times, three have been viewed between

209 and 240 times, four between 190 and 199 times and five 180 or fewer times.

Stewardship and Finance Support

The Council encouraged and supported the efforts of the Stewardship & Finance Committee to

create a sound footing for the church’s annual operating budget. In addition to its monthly

reviews and comments on the status of the operating and Pave the Way budgets, these efforts

included support of the Stewardship Campaign, review and approval of the Sunny Hill budget,

approval of a re-amortization of the Pave the Way mortgage loan to reduce the monthly

payments and provide additional time to raise capital to pay off the loan rather than transfer it to

the church operating budget, and endorsement of a resolution for presentation to the May 18

Special Church Conference called to approve the acceptance of the Payroll Protection Program

(PPP) loan.

The Council also considered and approved the 2020 Operating Budget proposed by the

Stewardship & Finance Committee. At the Council’s March meeting, S&F Chair George

Gorman presented a ten-year historical analysis of SUMC expenses showing that Mission Shares

paid to the NE Annual Conference had increased at an annual rate of about three times the rate of

increase of other church expenses. He also noted that the $99,288 Mission Shares request for

2020 represented about 19% of 2020 pledges and 14% of the church’s total projected income,

and that payment of 100% of Mission Shares would substantially defund the church’s Outreach

budget. The Council confirmed its long-held belief that an effective local outreach program is

Page 60

critical to the vibrancy and vitality of the local church. After substantial discussion, the Council

agreed to approve a budget to be presented by S&F in April that included about $32,500 for

Outreach and a Mission Shares payment of about $70,000.

The budget presented by S&F at the April 14 Council meeting proposed a Mission Shares

payment of $50,000, an Outreach budget of $32,500 and a projected surplus of $21,400. The

surplus is viewed as a reserve in case the projected revenues do not materialize as a consequence

of the financial and economic effects of the coronavirus shutdown. The proposed budget, which

was prepared before the potential benefits of a PPP loan were taken into account, was approved

by the Council, with the understanding that strong revenues and a favorable outlook later in the

year would allow a reconsideration of the need to maintain the projected surplus or reserve.

Letter to Bishop Devadhar Requesting Moratorium on LGBTQ Charges and Trials

The Social Justice Commission asked the Council to endorse a letter to Bishop Devadhar

requesting that he issue a pastoral letter to the New England Annual Conference calling for a

moratorium on all complaints, charges and trials of LGBTQ clergy and clergy performing same-

sex weddings. The letter was originally drafted and taken to the Social Justice Commission by

Christy White. Social Justice Member Betsy Field presented the proposed letter to the Council.

The Council discussed the request and after minor edits approved sending the letter, to be signed

by the Church Council and Social Justice Chairs. The final review, delivery and presentation of

the letter to Bishop Devadhar was delegated to Social Justice Chair Jeff Lance, Christie, Pastor

Joel and Council Chair Richard Morris. By the time the final edits were complete and the letter

was printed and signed by Jeff and Richard, the coronavirus shutdown was in effect, and the

Council agreed to mail the letter and request a Zoom meeting to discuss the letter with the

Bishop.

The meeting was arranged for May 14 and joined by District Superintendent Megan Stowe. Each

of the four SUMC representatives raised questions and offered support for the letter’s request.

Bishop Devadhar listened and responded thoughtfully and sincerely, sharing his strong support

for LGBTQ concerns. He recalled that he was one of only eight active bishops who, at the 2016

General Conference, signed “A Pastoral Response to A Love Letter to Our Church from LGBTQI

Religious Leaders” in support of the leaders’ ministry. He also stated his intention to avoid any

charges and trials via the “just resolution” approach, which he has done successfully in the past.

In a letter of response after the meeting, Bishop Devadhar confirmed his unwavering passion for

the inclusive church and the removal of restrictive language in the Book of Discipline, and he

regretted the harm the church has caused the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. However,

citing legislation that will go before the General Conference in 2021, he believes it best not to

make public statements at this time.

Other Activities

In accordance with its responsibilities, the Council also took the following actions during the

past year:

• Approved mid-year nominations of congregants to open positions on Commissions

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• Reviewed and supported the new Sunday Morning Program initiated by the Education

Commission

• Approved the Pastor’s salary for 2020 as recommended by SPRC for final approval by the

November Church Conference per the UMC Book of Discipline

• Approved appropriate compensation increases of other staff salaries and wages

• Supported Central MA District activities, including District Resource Day and the

Installation Service of incoming District Superintendent Megan Stowe, through the

participation of Council members in those activities

• Approved changes to the Endowment Charter recommended by the Endowment Committee

for presentation to the June 28 Church Conference

• Supported and coordinated where appropriate the programs and activities of Commissions

and other groups

• Discussed and recommended appropriate SUMC responses to the coronavirus in anticipation

of the closing of church buildings

• Continued the effort to encourage and support the incorporation of new members of the

congregation into the fellowship, formation, and outreach of the church

• Continued to support the relationship with Greenwood Memorial UMC

Special thanks go to Council Members for their faithful participation and support during the

year, to Shetal Kaye for preparing meeting materials and documentation, to Joe Picorelli for

setting up the meeting space, and to Zack Moser for enabling the conduct of our meetings on the

Zoom platform after the church building was closed because of the coronavirus.


Richard Morris

Church Council Chairperson

Page 62

2019-2020 Christian Education Commission Annual Report

In June of last year Zack Moser was appointed Youth and Children's Ministries Director, adding

the children's ed officially to his youth responsibilities. Our Commission had been planning

along with Zack and Cho-Kim, a big move for SUMC to begin in the fall. Traditional Sunday

School was re-envisioned. We would move to the earlier hour of 8:40am-9:20am Sunday

mornings to rejuvenate education from pre school through middle school. Church attendance for

families was sporadic so one theme a month was instituted. Preparation would be simplified for

those teaching. Children's Church would continue to meet, after the Children's Story during the

worship service, but only through second grade for music, praise and prayer.

What was behind this planning? For many years now, it was increasingly difficult to engage

teachers/helpers in the children’s educational program during worship. The one service was the

focal point for most members and its timing would not change. Traditional SS included music,

lovingly provided by Kevin Murphy and 2-3 other choir members at the beginning and a return

to church for Communion when scheduled. Lessons might be abbreviated or lengthened due to

church special happenings or stewardship moments. Class time was thus inconsistent and

sometimes challenging for those volunteers pressed into a, perhaps for some, uncomfortable role.

If we moved into the earlier, pre worship time, other opportunities became apparent. First, there

was consistency of time. Second, we would have a wider volunteer base, many of whom, would

be willing to engage in the children's educational program, since they would not have to lose out

on worship at 9:30am. Third, this new schedule opened up a possibility for a different adult

study/discussion, designed to focus on a brief scriptural passage, praying for discernment and

sharing thoughts. Hopefully, it might appeal to parents bringing their children to the early class,

who currently may not have a lot of time to nourish their own spiritual needs and to other adults

for whom a longer week night study is difficult to maintain.

The commission knew that this earlier time may not be welcomed by parents. Not all looked

forward to the earlier time but felt overall that we had to do something to shake up the status quo.

An email in opposition to the early start was received, detailing why it was felt it was not a good

idea: 8:30 was too early; overall time span from 8:30 – 10:45 was too long for little ones; third

graders are too young to sit through sermons; would kids lose out if they only go to Children's

church. We realized that we had not done enough to explain the motive for the move. Zack sent

out a letter to parents with explanations and an invitation to attend a November 1 forum. The

forum was poorly attended by parents.

It was decided from this gathering to make some changes moving forward: more scriptural

emphasis would be included in Children's Church program; children remaining in worship would

have available bags containing activity books and quiet toys; there would be a Children's Church

insert in the bulletin; the education director would no longer be the primary leader but would

spend the first two Sundays on, supplemented with one Sunday volunteer in the third week and

no class scheduled on the fourth week. This was necessary to ensure our Director can attend

worship. Perhaps, even more telling, studies have shown that being in church is more impactful

than SS for children.

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The combined holiday season of Thanksgiving through the Christmas pageant is traditionally

very busy. Back to some normalcy in January, our commission could see that the numbers of

children attending the earlier education program, was declining. The adult Bible study held at the

same time was holding a consistent core of folks who faithfully valued their gathering.

The decision was made to concentrate on relating to those children who came at the earlier

hours, at least through the end of the program year. We would begin to emphasize communal

gatherings, planning breakfasts, monthly and quarterly events ending with a big playful bash at

the Eaddys in June. The focus is really to have church members share themselves, strengthening

church relationships not only with others but in their own individual spiritual nourishment.

Deliberate hospitality events would be the key moving forward.

Cho-Kim's Magic Years program for seniors averaged 30 participants monthly. Our fall evening

Bible study delved into the Book of John facilitated by a number of volunteers. In January and

February, adventurous souls immersed themselves in the Book of Revelation, facilitated by

Pastor Joel. Not to be stopped by the Corona Virus, in June we began a study of the Book of

Acts. Special kudos to John McKinney for setting this up and for so much of his expertise

providing Zoom for various studies and meetings.

A pandemic has curtailed much of what was being planned by our Education Commission. We

will continue to meet via Zoom throughout the summer reassessing our grand experiment this

past program year. We are especially appreciative of Zack's efforts continuously providing

resource materials for our children at home.

Please hold in your prayers the Education Commission members who have strived mightily to

think outside the box, to come up with creative new ways to give spiritual direction to our

children. We invite all of SUMC to prayerfully consider how we best, as a congregation, may

assimilate the messages of Jesus to all in this community.

Blessings!

Caryl Walsh, chair

Christian Education Commission members:

Alice Chi John McKinney

Jenny Eaddy Caryl Walsh

Jennifer Helgeson Scott Christensen

Gwen McNeilly Vivien Stringfellow

Zack Moser

Youth/Children's Ministries Director

The Rev. Dr. Hakyung Cho-Kim

Adult Formation Director

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Sudbury United Methodist Church Health Ministries Commission

2019-2020 Annual Report

We continued the tradition of our mission statement: “Using Jesus’ ministry as a model and

following in the tradition of John Wesley, the Health Ministries Commission (HMC) of SUMC

promotes the spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being of the individual, the congregation

and the community”. During the 2019-2020 church year our theme was “Healthy

Conversations.” We continued the Cancer and Caregiver Support Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry,

co-hosted a CPR/defibrillator training with Sunny Hill, hosted an Advent supper and had our

second line-dance party.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, events taking place from mid-March onward were cancelled.

These included a movie night and presentation by Jack Beal about experiences on the Camino de

Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, a Lenten supper and our annual Health Ministry Sunday

where Ted Crass (United Methodist Foundation of NE) was to be our guest speaker.

HMC agreed oversee together with Worship and Music Commission the distribution of the Ron

Smith Memorial Fund scholarship, as it can be used for cancer support.

The Cancer and Caregiver Support Group will continue when possible with facilitators Sophia

Harrell, Steve Lubic, Laurie Emken and Kay D’Orlando. It is held the 3rd Wednesday of every

month from 6 to 7:30 pm in the O’Reilly Room.

HMC used $450 of the $600 budget for the CPR training and Line Dance Party.

Submitted by: Kay D’Orlando

Members: Mary Lou Abbott, Linda Cooper Kay D’Orlando (chair), Ann Hamilton, Sophia

Harrell and Eileen Stramaglia.

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OUTREACH COMMISSION

ANNUAL REPORT- Program Year 2019/2020

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for

many.” Mark 10:45

As the service arm of SUMC, the Outreach Commission has sought to exemplify Christ’s

compassionate care for those in need by feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, attending the

prisoner, and caring for the poor. It has been a humbling experience for this Chairperson to

witness the outpouring of love by so many to improve the lives of our less fortunate sisters and

brothers. To see God’s love for us reflected by so many through the selfless giving of their time

and resources is a tremendous blessing.

It has been our continued to desire to provide opportunities for service for the entire SUMC

community to not only expand our capacity to serve, but to give everyone a chance to be blessed

by being a blessing. We have tried to communicate effectively the who, what, where, and when

of the various service projects to facilitate engagement by all interested parties with articles in

the Chronicle, announcements during the Worship service and postings around the church. Our

weekly “Outreach Celebration” announcements have hopefully inspired the community by

detailing the specifics on each project, and expressing how our faith community is changing lives

through financial and time donations. The Outreach Commission is grateful for the support

demonstrated by the congregation and enjoys celebrating what has been accomplished.

PROJECTS:

Fresh Start - Linda Horton who has been a committed volunteer, introduced us to this furniture

bank dedicated to restoring “hope, dignity, and stability in the community by recycling donated

furniture and home goods”. A “Housewares Drive” held at SUMC in October yielded

approximately $1,000 worth of goods which we delivered to a happy volunteer crew at their

Hudson facility. An additional $1,000 was given in December to support their Operations.

Prison Outreach –We again used St. Valentine’s Sunday (February 16th) to focus on our sisters

and brothers who are or were incarcerated. Louie Diaz was sidelined by an injury less than 24

hours before the service in which he was scheduled to speak, so Kim Yeasir of Thrive

Communities, an organization that provides support for people reentering the community from

jail or prison, stepped up to deliver a powerful witness. We were reminded of the need to attend

to this marginalized part of our society as well as becoming uncomfortably aware of the

devastating effects that drug and alcohol addiction are having on our society.

Dominica – Communication has a remained a significant challenge as Matt and Heather

Cranston have attempted to connect and understand needs. The Coronavirus Pandemic

suspended discussion of travel at this time.

Muffins for Missions – The congregation has been tremendously supportive of this initiative,

run by our expert bakers John Iberg, Bob Cooke, and Brad Wood. We have been able to support

initiatives such as the Salkehatchie Youth Mission Trip, Dominica, Concord Prison Outreach,

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various Food Pantries, and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. These special muffins times have not

only raised significant funds to support God’s work through us, but provide an opportunity to

educate the community on the various organizations we support.

Belinda Forbes – Our relationship with this powerful missionary in Nicaragua has been a

source of inspiration of what it means to serve God’s people. On October 27, 2019 we enjoyed a

presentation by Belinda on the people she serves and the power that compels her to continue her

important work.

Food Pantries – Our congregation continues to generously fill the shopping basket which goes

directly to feeding the hungry in our own communities. In addition, various members of SUMC

have volunteered their time at the local pantries to assist those experiencing food insecurity. We

provided $3,600 in financial support in 2019 and again in 2020 when the Coronavirus Pandemic

economic impact increased demand at the Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, Parmenter (Wayland),

Hudson, and Marlborough pantries.

Christmas Wreaths - Bob Cooke has continued to lead this tradition dating back to the late

1970’s when wreaths were purchased from the United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem,

ME. We are so grateful to Bob for the generous donation of his time and effort to both beautify

the homes of our congregants, and supplement Outreach’s budget!

Homesuites Inn (Waltham) - This past Halloween and Christmas, SUMC continued its ten-year

long tradition of hosting parties for the residents of The Homesuites Inn led by Master Party

Organizer Jeannette D’Alessandro. These families who have no place to call their own and who

face enormous challenges, including many with physical handicaps, were chatting and smiling as

they interacted with our SUMC youth and adults. Both parties provided very special moments

for folks who might otherwise have faced a rather stark holiday and we are so grateful for all

who showed up to extend God’s love to all of them!

Hagar's Sisters - We continue our support of this Christian non-profit ministry that helps women

who have experienced the life- shattering effect of domestic violence in their lives.

Advent Conspiracy – Brad Stayton reached out to the community to offer our presence to the

homeless, the elderly and those in poor health. We sang carols to shut-ins at the Deaconess and

Sudbury Pines, hosted Christmas parties at the Home Suites (Waltham) and Pathways

(Framingham) Family Shelters, fed the hungry at Open Table and hosted a Christmas party at

Musketahquid Affordable Housing. After singing away at one of Open Table’s Tuesday night

supper, the Caroling Flash Mob again showed up again at Sudbury Farms – joined by shoppers

and others who just love singing Christmas carols and seasonal, popular tunes. For so many

years now, Brad Stayton has dedicated himself to keeping everyone’s focus on the “Real

Meaning of Christmas” - that is, WORSHIP FULLY, SPEND LESS, GIVE MORE and

LOVE ALL.

Habitat for Humanity – Chris Straub continues to lead our church’s participation to build and

improve places to call home for struggling families. There have been opportunities to donate

time on worksites and Outreach funded $2,000 toward these builds.

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Pine Street Inn – John Iberg has set up volunteer days in the central kitchen which has been a

wonderful way to participate in feeding the hungry while enjoying some time with our sisters

and brothers from Greenwood Memorial. The fun-loving staff from Pine Street Inn help to make

this service opportunity a real delight! SUMC and Greenwood worked side by side in the

kitchen on June 1st and September 14th, and Zack Moser led the Youth on a service morning on

August 3rd. The Coronavirus Pandemic has suspended volunteer opportunities for now, but we

hope to resume hands-on service when restrictions are eased and, in the meantime, know that our

financial support ($1,000 in 2019) is making a difference.

Pathways - We continue on-going celebration events with this Framingham shelter for Women

and their children. Our participation in SUMC Outreach-sponsored parties brings real meaning to

getting “out of the Church”.

Peanut Butter Tree – Led again by Karen Monteiro, this wonderful endeavor ensured that

children and teens in financially-challenged homes received lovingly procured gifts at Christmas

when they would likely have otherwise received nothing to help celebrate the birth of Jesus. This

message of love, the assurance that people care, that God loves us, as demonstrated by the

generosity of so many in our congregation was yet another reminder of how blessed we are to be

members of this community of faith! The value of this service, while immeasurable from a

spiritual perspective, is estimated to be around $6,000.

FINANCIALS:

We took steps to improve our accountability by ensuring that we had Form 990s on file for all

organizations to which we donate.

We are also trying to capture and record all ancillary donations, particularly the significant funds

raised by the many “Muffins for Missions” Sundays, by providing a recording sheet for the

counters with the recipients’ information and the amount received.

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget: $32,064

Spent through December 31, 2019: $31,607.36

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget: $32,300

Respectfully submitted:

Leslie Bell, Outreach Commission Chairperson

June 5, 2020

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Report of the Social Justice Commission

Sept 2019 – Jun 2020 participating members:

Betsey Field, Jackie Kessler, Jeff Lance (Chair), Moira Lataille, Tricia O’Reilly, Jen

Roberts, Grace Yannakakis.

• Supported Church Council’s vote to display three rainbow ‘pride’ flags at SUMC

• Worked with Outreach Commission and SJC budgets to secure funding for Metrowest

Immigrant Solidarity Network, the Methodist Federation of Social Action, OUT

Metrowest, Reconciling Ministries Network, Boston Share and Mothers Demand Action.

• Organized a book discussion using the book, “How To Be An Anti Racist”, by Ibram X.

Kendi after church on February 2nd and February 9th in conjunction with Black History

Month. Videos were presented, followed by a facilitated discussion.

• Posted articles in the Chronicle regarding the book discussion and to solicit attendees to

the two MLK breakfasts (Natick and Boston).

• Sponsored an SUMC Work Team for four people from the church to participate in the

Build-a-Bed project (sponsored by “A Bed for Every Child”) on December 7, 2019, in

Lynn, MA. This was the second year we sponsored this event.

• Hosted an Advent soup supper in December

• All SCJ members were provided with and asked to review the 2020 UMC Social

Principles.

• Supported The Safe Communities Act ( H.3573 , S.1401), an act to protect civil rights in

Massachusetts. SJC held a letter writing campaign for the congregation. 66 people each

signed three copies of our letter supporting the proposed Safe Communities Act which

would end the requirement that police officers across Massachusetts act as deputized ICE

agents. The letter signing campaign was held during coffee hour. The signed letters

were sent to Senator James B. Eldridge, Senator Michael J. Barrett and Representative

Carmine L. Gentile.

• SJC provided information on the work of the Open Spirit Task Force which is focused on

considering whether the New England Conference should break ties with the United

Methodist Church as a result of the ongoing struggle over LGBTQ rights.

• Sponsored Brandale Randolph, our guest speaker on Martin Luther King Sunday,

followed by a well-attended talk-back in Davison Chapel. Brandale is the gentleman that

started the high-tech bicycle factory in Framingham (now in Hopkinton) who employs

formally incarcerated men and women.

• The church hosted antiracist training for the New England Conference. Several SJC

members attended.

• Initiated plans to draft and send a letter to Bishop Devadhar, requesting his support to a

moratorium on (1) all complaints, charges and trials of LGBTQ clergy and (2) on

complaints against clergy performing same-sex weddings. The letter was approved by the

SUMC Council and sent to the Bishop on April 14, 2020. This led to a ‘Zoom’ meeting

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https://www.bing.com/search?q=ibram+x.+kendi&filters=ufn%3a%22ibram+x.+kendi%22+sid%3a%224d043264-555f-05b3-b8f0-4ae375635334%22&FORM=SNAPST

https://www.bing.com/search?q=ibram+x.+kendi&filters=ufn%3a%22ibram+x.+kendi%22+sid%3a%224d043264-555f-05b3-b8f0-4ae375635334%22&FORM=SNAPST

with the Bishop and Rev. Megan Stowe. A follow-up letter was received from the

Bishop on May 20, 2020.

• Moira provided information for the Chronicle about the Community Interfaith

Discussions at the Islamic Center of Boston (located in Wayland).

• SJC members discussed the books they were reading. They included, “Dear Church”,

“Inspired” and “Unafraid”. The latter is the focus book of the current Bible Study group.

• In lieu of the recent murders of Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and

related protests, current and former members of SJC (and family member) carried signs

in support of Racial Justice in front of the church during the May 31st outdoor service for

the Confirmands. SJC also provided the “Black Lives Matter” sign seen in the service

video. Response from passersby was extremely positive.

• SJC worked on and arrived at a consensus for a 4’ X 8’ banner showing our support for

Racial Justice. The banner is on order, funded by SJC budget, and will soon be posted on

SUMC property along Rt. 27.

May we all learn and grow from the tragedies and injustices that played out before us in the news

this past 10 weeks.

Faithfully submitted,

Jeff Lance, SJC Chairperson

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Sunny Hill Preschool of the Sudbury United Methodist Church

June 2020 Annual Report

Sunny Hill By-the-Numbers

108Children Enrolled

during the 2019-20

School Year

18 Employees

(3 administrators and

15 teachers)

$71,000 +

$19,500 Sunny Hill’s

contribution to the

SUMC operating

budget this year ¹

$4,600Projected surplus at

end of current Sunny

Hill fiscal year

(August 2020) ²

6 Active committee

members overseeing

the school

$30,000Scholarships and

discounts provided to

Sunny Hill families

¹SUMC’s fiscal year runs Jan 1 to Dec 31 while Sunny Hill’s fiscal year runs Sep 1 to Aug 31. Sunny Hill

realized a total surplus of $31,100 for the 2018-19 school year, of which $9,300 was used to give a 2% bonus

to staff, who had not received a salary increase for 2019, and $2,300 was used to purchase new cabinets for

classrooms and picnic tables for the playground. The remaining $19,500 was transferred to SUMC, which has

kept it in Reserves.

²Forecasted budget does not factor in impact of COVID-19 school closure of CARES Act PPP loan; will be

revised after June.

Summary

This school year has been an amazing journey for everyone involved with Sunny Hill – a true

“tale of two halves”. We started the school year with almost all of our teachers returning from

the previous year, except for Angie Knightly who retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year

(but who continued as a substitute teacher this year). Our administrative staff also remained the

same with Heather Porder entering her third year as our full-time Director and Kathy Palmer

beginning her second year as our part-time Assistant Director. Kathy Gilberto continued as our

ever efficient and professional part-time business office manager and bookkeeper. And we

began the year with 108 children enrolled, just slightly lower than last year.

We also began the year with a talented and dedicated group of SUMC volunteers who worked

tirelessly to ensure our preschool continued to be the best that we could offer. Our Committee

members for this past year: Scott Simon (Chairperson), Adam Haywood (Treasurer, Stewardship

& Finance Liaison), Sandi Iberg (Facilities, Trustees Liaison), Meg Fotakis (Marketing/PR), and

Nan Okarma. During the course of the year, however, the Haywood family decided to move

south and Adam resigned his position in March. Fortunately, George Gorman stepped in and has

volunteered countless hours as our Acting Treasurer. In addition, Nan Okarma and Meg Fotakis

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decided to resign their positions for various reasons and we then welcomed Marcia Bradley

(HR/Personnel), Chris Kenyon and Kristen Straub to the Committee. I am grateful for their

professionalism, dedication and the countless hours they give of their time.

Not long after school began in September, our first challenge presented itself in the form of a

mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE. Out of an abundance of

caution we ceased all outdoor play and learning activity at the school. As the fall wore on, we

eventually returned to outdoor activity under very controlled conditions which included family

waivers for teachers to apply appropriate insect repellant to children.

Later in the fall we welcomed new additions to the playground – a new toy car play structure that

replaced the old wood car, which children loved, and new picnic tables. Our playground was

subsequently inspected, and after a few minor issues were addressed, we received a glowing

report. Kudos to Joe and our Trustees for their support!

Come winter we moved the final pieces of our enrollment process online and are proud to say

that Sunny Hill is now 100% digital and online. (Except where the State requires paper.) The

administrative team have gone above and beyond to bring Sunny Hill fully into the 21st century.

The spring brought all of us the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sudbury

Public Schools closed at the end of the day on Thursday March 12, and so did Sunny Hill. We

all hoped this closure would be a short-lived affair. However, as it became clear the closure

would extend beyond what anyone was prepared for, the Sunny Hill Committee and

administrative and teaching staff quickly came together and implemented a distance learning

program for our Sunny Hill families. This herculean effort included creating an online Google

Classroom, procuring Zoom accounts and several laptops for teachers and staff, and modifying

our curriculum and learning for a virtual environment. I am very proud of the professionalism

and dedication exhibited by our Sunny Hill team! Lesson plans were prepared, videos were

created, and useful links to other content were all added to our Google Classroom on a daily

basis. The staff came together weekly on a Zoom call to share key learnings and to support each

other. Teachers held weekly virtual Zoom classrooms with children, sent personalized emails to

families, and did their very best to support our Sunny Hill families throughout this challenging

time.

The result was that for many families, the experience proved beneficial. But for some, distance

learning was a challenge. We acknowledged the fact that there is really no substitute for the

classroom with our play-based learning curriculum. Should we ever be required to shift to a

distance learning mode again, we have many lessons-learned that we can apply.

We wrapped up the school year on June 9th and organized curb-side pickups for families to

retrieve belongings left behind when we closed in March. And even though Massachusetts has

been moving steadily through our phased reopening, we decided to not run our usual three weeks

of Summers at Sunny Hill and refunded all families.

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Throughout the closure, we asked Sunny Hill families to continue to pay their monthly tuition,

but at a 50% discount. Slightly over half of our families were willing and/or able to pay, but we

quickly realized that we would exhaust our financial reserves and would need to lay our staff off.

We had “contracts” with our teachers requiring a 30-day termination notice, at a 30-day cost of

about $48,000, meaning that each week that we delayed the termination decision cost Sunny Hill

$12,000. None of our employees are covered under Unemployment Insurance, so it was an

extremely difficult decision to make. Working closely with Stewardship & Finance, SUMC

applied (to 3 banks) for a CARES Act Payroll Protection Program forgivable loan. Citizens

Bank came through for us. We received the loan proceeds of $173,200 on Tuesday April 28 and

rescinded the teacher termination notices. S&F allocated $100,000 to Sunny Hill which was

used to continue to pay Sunny Hill staff for the remainder of the school year and allocated

$73,200 to SUMC for similar uses. Later this summer SUMC will submit the application to

Citizens Bank and the SBA to have nearly 100% of the loan forgiven.

Over the next two months much work will need to be done to adjust our program to meet the

new State requirements when we reopen in September. In addition to many of the precautions

you would expect, we will also need to reduce the number of children in each class. We expect

this to greatly impact our overall enrollment and expenses for next year, as well as potentially

impact the tuition we will need to charge. We eagerly look forward to the fall when once again

the halls and classrooms of Sunny Hill will be filled with the sounds of children learning!

Highlights of Our Operations

• Our teachers and administrative staff completed the every-two-year process of relicensing

Sunny Hill with the Department of Early Education and Childcare (DEEC). However,

many requirements have recently changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and we

will be working throughout the summer to adjust accordingly.

• In addition to moving our annual enrollment process to be completely online, we also

made content and cometic upgrades to the www.sunnyhillpreschool.org website.

• In a major upgrade to our payment policy, at the request of many Sunny Hill families, we

now have the ability to process tuition payments via a credit or debit card. Sunny Hill

enrolled with Square.com and successfully integrated their online payment portal with

our website.

• Enrollment for next year is currently at 89 children. We expect this number to decrease

based upon a host of factors. Some families are facing significant financial hardship.

Others are likely not going to be ready to send their children back to school. And we will

also need to address the new State requirements for maximum class size. All of which

will impact enrollment for the fall.

• We continue to maintain a consistent professional teaching staff. These professional and

caring teachers truly make the difference, as we have heard time and time again from

parents. Their commitment to high-quality education, their ability to create a warm and

nurturing environment that allows children at Sunny Hill to experience the joy of

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http://www.sunnyhillpreschool.org/

discovery through play (with an emphasis on social and emotional development) set our

program apart.

• We make learning and development a priority for our staff and continue to provide 15

hours of in-house professional development for them each year. Many of our teachers

also chose additional professional development hours beyond what we offer. In order to

meet Massachusetts DEEC licensing regulations, each of our staff need to participate in

15-20 hours per year depending on the hours in which they work.

Highlights of our Financials (Year ending 8/31/2019)

• For our fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 we had a surplus of $31,100. This was much

better than the planned surplus of $3,400 and was due to revenue being 2.25% higher

than planned and expenses being 2% lower than expected, mainly driven by staff

stepping in and filling the gap for some teachers who were out due to illness over the

course of the year, rather than hiring substitutes.

• Approximately 38% ($11,600) of the 2019 surplus was used to give a 2% bonus to staff,

who had not received a salary increase for 2019, in recognition of their efforts to lower

the cost of substitute teachers during the year and to pay for new picnic tables and

furniture in classrooms. The remaining 62% ($19,500) was contributed to SUMC, which

has kept it in Reserves. This was in addition to the budgeted $71,000 that Sunny Hill

contributed for Shared Stewardship in fiscal year 2019.

Highlights of our Financials (Year ending 8/31/2020)

• For this fiscal year, which ends on August 31, 2020, we approved a budget that projected

a surplus of $4,600. We held all staff compensation flat for the 2020-21 school year. We

had planned to work with Stewardship & Finance to evaluate how to provide staff with

compensation adjustments at the end of the fiscal year, providing the Sunny Hill program

achieved its financial targets.

• However, the 2020 budget has been totally upset by COVID-19 and we are now

anticipating a loss for this year. The 2020 loss will be partially mitigated by the Payroll

Protection Program funds, assuming that we are able to have our loan forgiven. Even

with the forgiven PPP Loan proceeds, non-payment of the 50% tuition has severely

depleted Sunny Hill’s reserves. SUMC has committed $30,000 of the SUMC reserves to

backstop Sunny Hill, should it be required. We will not be able to project the final

financial picture for this fiscal year until after June 30th.

Looking Forward - Highlights of our Financials (Year ending 8/31/2021)

• Due to the level of uncertainty with respect to next school year, the Committee decided to

change to the process of hiring teachers for the school year. Rather than offering a

binding contract to teachers, we have given our staff letters of employment that fall in

line with the States “at will” employment regulations. This was done in order to provide

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both Sunny Hill and our teachers with flexibility to make changes in the fall, once our

enrollment and programs are finalized.

• A preliminary budget for next school year was established based upon an assumed

enrollment of 89 children (this number is highly likely to change) and no compensation

increases for all staff. And unfortunately, we were not able to offer one of our current

teachers’ employment. We will revise and finalize our budget later this summer. Due to

the use of reserves in fiscal 2020, Sunny Hill’s ability to operate at a loss for fiscal 2021

will be limited. The financial impact of lower enrollment, lower density classes and

higher operating costs (cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment), may

necessitate other adjustments, such as decreases in Shared Stewardship paid to SUMC

and salary expense; solicitation of donations and/or increased tuition.

Sunny Hill Statement of Operations

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Worship and Music Commission Annual Report 2020

Worship has looked a little different in the last few months! Who ever thought we’d be watching

the worship team on our computers or TV at home or seated outside on the playground many feet

apart with musical interludes instead of singing our beloved hymns? Regardless of where and

how we worship, we worship together. This connectionalism despite distance is part of our

Methodist roots!

We are extremely grateful to our worship leaders, especially Joel and the Cranson Family, during

this time when our building has been closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Their

contributions during worship and the support of Matt and Sudbury TV has been a lifeline

keeping us together during this time apart.

In addition to our worship team, is wonderful to have an abundance of faithful participants that

carry out the work of the church behind the scenes in supporting roles when we are in the

sanctuary and can be together. Some of these roles have been paused in the last few month and

others continue to be done in modified formats: Acolytes, communion stewards, flower

arrangers, musical support, liturgists, and ushers.

Acolytes: Coordinated by Wendy Guillemette

Prior to the pandemic during in person services in the sanctuary, young acolytes were

included during the Sunday Service. Children adorned robes and processed down the aisle to

light the candles at the beginning of the service and helped by carrying the Christ candle and

the Gospel. Wendy held training sessions for the kids and explained the importance of their

role in the service. We hope to be including children in the service again as soon as it is safe

to do so as we have some upcoming 3rdgraders!

Communion Stewards: Coordinated by Shetal Kaye

Prior to the pandemic during in person services in the sanctuary, the communion stewards

prepared the elements and set the communion table on the first Sunday of the month and as

many other times as possible. We use gluten free bread and grape juice for communion to

make the table available to all. We patiently wait to be able to celebrate communion together

again soon.

Flower Committee:

Flowers may be dedicated or in honor of special individuals or occasions and continue to

be provided during our streamed/recorded services during the pandemic. A dedicated flower

team member takes preferences into consideration and whole heartedly makes a beautiful

arrangement for the Sunday altar. The committee is also responsible for the special orders of

flowers for Christmas and Easter, decorating the sanctuary during holidays, maintaining the

urns by the sanctuary door, and the Advent wreath.

Liturgists: Coordinated by Susan Pauley

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The liturgists provide the welcome to the service, set the tone for worship, lead the Call

to Worship, read the first passage from the Bible, and sometimes offer a prayer. Heather

Cranson served as liturgist for many weeks when we needed to move to prerecorded and

streamed services in order to minimize number of people involved with services. We are

grateful for her presence in this role when so many other things were uncertain.

Musical Groups:

The commission supports the many musical groups at SUMC: The Choir, Gospel Group,

Lenten Choir, String Ensemble, Wesley Winds, A capella singers, Men’s Group, Chimes,

and a plethora of instrumentalists. We are grateful to the leadership of Kevin Murphy and

Rob Hammerton in the rich and abundant musical vision they provide in accordance with

Pastor Joel. Connexions concerts continue to occur 4 times per year on Sunday afternoons.

Our commission provides support by providing refreshments afterward, coordinated by Deb

McPhee.

Ushers: Coordinated by Bill Hoke

The ushers have been flexible in their roles this year. Now that services are allowed to

have an in-person congregation, the ushers have adapted their practices to be done from a

physical distance according to the instruction of our Re-opening Task Force. Ushers

continue to arrive early to prepare the worship space, greet worshipers with bulletins set out,

and clean up after the service. We hope that they will be able to resume collecting the

offering and guiding worshipers to the communion table as soon as it is safe to do so.

A new task the Commission has taken on beginning this year is disbursing the funds from the

Ron Smith Fund. A process was developed jointly with the Health Commission as the funds are

to be used to support people touched by cancer or students pursing musical endeavors. The first

award is to be distributed this year in June. As per the process, the Chair of Worship and Music,

the Chair of Health Ministries, and Pastor Joel decided to whom the funds were awarded. This

year’s award recipient is Cecelia Murphy. Cecelia is a graduating senior who is planning to

attend UMass Amherst in the fall as a dual major in Music Performance and Biochemistry and

Molecular Biology. Cecelia frequently shares her music with us during services and holidays by

playing her oboe and violin.

This commission has the pleasure being of service so that our SUMC community can worship

together, even if we are apart.


Alison Condon

Worship and Music Commission Members:

Bill Hoke, Deb McPhee, Melody Karian, Wendy Guillemette, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Alison

Condon (chair), George Hamilton, Rebecca Emken, Shetal Kaye (Church Administrator), Kevin

Murphy (Music Director/Organist), and Rob Hammerton (Choir Director).

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Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries

Annual Report

We Are the Church:

We are the Church has been the theme of our youth program since September of 2017. The idea

and goal of this theme is for the young members of our congregation not to think of themselves

as the church of tomorrow, but the church of right now; to take ownership of their faith and

embrace leadership roles in the church and in the world. This spiritual formation is accomplished

via the development of what we call holy habits – worship, prayer, Bible study, service, and

community.

Certainly, the pandemic of 2020 has had an enormous impact on the youth program. Multiple

retreats and events were cancelled. This serves as a painful reminder of all the things that we did

over the summer of 2019 – planting a pollinator garden at the Assabet River Wildlife Refuge,

day trips to Six Flags and the beach, volunteering at the Pine Street Inn, a “lock-out” (it’s like a

lock-in, but outside in tents), a carwash fundraiser, a slip-and-slide party, and of course, our

second mission trip to South Carolina for Salkehatchie. We were also forced to cancel events

with other youth groups – a Methodist youth retreat at Rolling Ridge and an interdenominational

youth rally with other churches in Sudbury.

To speak more on the impact of Salkehatchie’s cancellation, COVID-19 also cancelled

fundraisers and preparation, activities which served not only to pay for the mission and discuss

logistics but also to bring the youth and families together as we got ready for the trip and to

provide fellowship opportunities for the congregation (for example, 2019’s pasta dinner and

silent auction was a great event for everyone, and the Easter Pancake Breakfast was something

the youth wanted to do again even if we did it for free and not as a fundraiser).

So as of June 2020, the things that dominate the mind are the things that we haven’t gotten and

won’t get to do, but we must not let that distract us from the things that we have done in the last

year. Sunday night youth attendance is up, we re-started the middle school Sunday school class,

we had multiple outreach projects (including Salkehatchie, which was amazing, which is why its

absence is felt so strongly), and we are a charter member of the brand new, multi-church,

interdenominational ministry called the Sudbury Youth Ministry Collective, or SYMC, which

was alluded to above.

Therefore, since we have acknowledged the setbacks regarding COVID-19, let us remember to

celebrate all that we have done in the last twelve months.

Sunday Night Youth Fellowship:

*Pre-COVID…

On Sunday nights, our high school youth meet from 5:30-6:30pm. Our middle school youth

arrive at 6:30pm for dinner, which is from 6:30-7:00pm. Middle school youth fellowship is then

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from 7:00-8:00pm. Dinner is provided each week by volunteers from the church, and is an

important part of Sunday nights. It gets parents and other adults in our congregation directly

involved in the youth program, and dinners are perfect vehicles to foster fellowship.

Sunday night meetings look different every week and can include games, team-building

activities, videos, discussion, scriptural study, etc. The most typical outline looks something like

this: We play some sort of game or activity. When we finish, the youth are asked to creatively

relate that activity to challenges that we face in trying to live our lives in accordance with our

Christian faith. Sometimes the leaders then share the lesson they had in minds.

Attendance on Sunday nights is up; especially in the middle school group, where an influx of

new and dedicated six-graders has brought much life into our program. Not only are the new

youth coming every week, but their presence has inspired greater participation from our older

middle school students. We would love to have our high school numbers improve, but if we

think in terms of consistency, we have a great core group who will be joined next semester by

quite a few committed new ninth graders. This is certainly looking up. Through most the 2019-

20 program year, Sunday night youth fellowship attendance (when including both middle and

high school) ranged from 8-20 on any given Sunday night, but was usually between 12-15 (the

lower numbers often occurring over holidays or long weekends.

The major goal of the Youth Council over last year was to establish more consistent attendance

rather than trying to increase numbers, and that was achieved. We now hope to maintain this

while also reaching out more effectively to the high school students in our congregation and

community. Conversations with leaders and youth about how to achieve this are ongoing.

*Since COVID-19…

We have maintained the same commitment via Zoom meetings on Sunday nights (and, since the

Era of Social Distance began, on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well). Average attendance for

high school has actually improved during this time! Sunday nights are now designated for

fellowship and devotion while Wednesdays and Thursdays have been “game nights.” Sunday

School has also been moved to Friday until we can meet in person again.

Of course, Sunday night attendance is not the only way nor the best way to measure a program’s

success/impact. Outside of Sunday night meetings, there has been a lot of activity from many

youth in our congregation. Their contributions in other areas have been exemplary. Here are a

few examples: helping to teach children’s Sunday School classes, taking roles in worship

(ushers, musicians, stewardship sharing, Communion servers, acolytes, etc.), participation in

outreach projects, representation in various commissions, and contributions to special events.

Sunday Mornings:

Statistically speaking, regular attendance in worship on Sunday mornings (rather than regular

attendance on Sunday evenings at youth group) is the greatest indicator of whether or not a teen

will continue in the faith after leaving for college/work after graduation. Therefore, we stress the

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importance of attending and leading worship. As indicated above, our youth have been very

active in the worship life of this congregation.

One major highlight was Youth Sunday, which was held on February 2. It was the third annual

Youth Sunday, and we hope to continue that tradition. During worship that morning, the youth of

SUMC led all aspects of worship.

Weekly post-worship Bible study sessions for high school will continue as soon as it can be done

safely. These sessions were pretty consistently attended by 2-4 students.

Four high school youth became professing members of Sudbury UMC on Pentecost in 2020.

These youth and met weekly with adult mentors after worship, and monthly in classes led by

Pastor Joel and Zack (the first two in person and the last two via Zoom). There are plans for an

interfaith experience and outreach project for this group once we can resume in-person

gatherings.

Outreach and Mission:

Last summer, we sent thirteen youth and two adults to Salkehatchie, a mission camp serving

rural South Carolina (and we had planned to send another fourteen youth and three adults back

this summer). There, they worked on houses in dire disrepair whose homeowners have neither

the means nor ability to make the repairs themselves. These missions have had a profound

impact on our youth, and we will absolutely continue this tradition next summer.

There were a number of different outreach activities during the school year. We baked bread and

donated it to the Sudbury Food Pantry as part of a program called “Spread the Bread;” we served

at a meal-packaging event at MCC, we made hygiene kits for UMCOR, and we were active at all

Advent Conspiracy activities during December.

We hope to continue to add outreach opportunities in 2021 as we seek to grow in our identity as

the hands and feet of Christ. If any SUMC member would like to share an outreach opportunity

with our youth, please let a staff member of SUMC know.

Fellowship Activities:

The most traditional event of our calendar is our annual weekend retreat at Camp Berea in New

Hampshire (an event called “Deep Freeze”). Berea is a great experience for all our youth and

adult leaders because we spend a full weekend removed from the pressure and stress of our day-

to-day lives and have a chance to be still in the presence of God (and by “be still,” we mean be

very very active in worship and recreational activities while also taking time to reflect; it’s truly

amazing how much they manage to fit into less than 48 hours).

We had hoped to build on a very significant event from 2019, a youth retreat with other

Methodist Churches in our district. The good news is that the retreat went so well in 2019 that

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we are not discouraged by the pandemic and will hold another one ASAP with Wesley UMC in

Worcester, First UMC in Milford, and any other Methodist Church that we can bring on board.

The Sudbury Youth Ministry Collective (SYMC) was mentioned above. We had a great Sunday

night fellowship event in January, a multi-church food packaging event in March, and had

planned to follow those up with a youth rally at the end of May. Although that event was

cancelled, we have had one successful youth event virtually (the theme was “Be the Light”) and

we have a second one planned for the end of July (the theme will be “Cry Out for Justice”).

Other fellowship activities included leading games for children at Trunk or Treat, holding our

third annual “Turkey Bowl” after Thanksgiving (it’s now officially a tradition), hosting a

Parents’ Night Out, holding a “Chopped”-style cookoff, and having a lock-in/Christmas party.

Adult Leaders:

A major focus of youth ministry is always the recruitment of adult volunteers to serve as youth

leaders, chaperones, dinner providers, and mentors. We are extremely grateful for those who

already serve in these capacities and for the members of our Youth Council who plan the

schedule and scope of youth ministry at Sudbury UMC. However, the saying is true that “it takes

a village to raise a child,” so we call on the members of this church to fulfill their baptismal

promises to walk with these young people and help raise them in the faith (provided, of course,

that you can pass a background check and adhere to a Safe Sanctuaries Policy).

Conclusion:

There is a lot to be excited about regarding youth ministry at Sudbury United Methodist Church.

There is also a lot to improve upon. The youth and adults look forward to the challenges,

opportunities, and potential of this program. We do believe that the youth are the Church of

today, and so our theme moving forward will continue to be…

We Are the Church.

Submitted by Zack Moser

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Director of Adult Formation (September 2019- June 2020)

1. Magic Year’s Presentations

Sep. 12, 2019 Sally Purington Hild is the Executive Director of the Sudbury Historical Society

that has been working toward the restoration and renovation for six years at the

Loring Parsonage located in the town’s historic center. Eventually, the

Parsonage will become the Sudbury Historic Center and home to its collections.

It will house a museum, a visitor’s center, a community meeting room, and

offices. Sally will discuss the history of the building, the complexity of the

renovation project now underway, and future activities planned by the Historical

Society.

Oct. 10, 2019 Reverend Lillian Warner, a retired United Methodist minister and a former

Chaplain at the Deaconess Center at the Newbury Court in Concord, MA.

Since 2008 she has been sharing her love for God and for the elders. Although

she has recently stepped back from her role as a resident chaplain, she continues

to work on being a voice for the elder population by saying,

“We elders still have a mission, a purpose, a reason for being even in our 80tys,

90tys, and 100dred.”

Nov. 14, 2019 There will be a panel discussion on “How to Slow the Overheating of the

Planet.” The panel members are Bob Cooke, John Iberg, Steve Lubic and Eric

Lind. All have a background in science and understand the causes of a rapidly

warming planet earth. They will share their own ideas on how to reduce CO2

emissions and global warming, a.k.a. climate change, so that our grandchildren

will have a livable future.

Dec. 12, 2019 We will gather for “Singing Christmas Music with Sherry Stonebraker. She

will share the history of some of our favorite Christmas Carols, and singing as

many carols as possible. Sherry is a very gifted musician who has served as

Director of Music and Organist for 34 years. Bring your singing voice and a

healthy appetite. Also, we will sign Christmas cards for our shut-ins.

Jan. 9, 2020 Lamia Mrabet, known as “the Queen of Spices,” will come to introduce our

retirees with spice mixes from Morocco, Spain, France, Egypt, and Turkey. She

grinds and mixes all of her spices will introduce the fifteen different spice

mixes. Also, we will taste her native Moroccan food for us to enjoy.

Feb. 13, 2020 Brenda Pelly, R.N. will lead a discussion on aging and dementia. Brenda

worked in hospitals, and long-term skilled settings for 18 years, before she

joined the Garden at Newbury Court in 2012. Brenda will give us an overview

of the symptoms and causes of dementia as well as discuss risk factors which

can contribute memory issues. This event is open to the public.

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Following Events were cancelled due to the Pandemic:

Mar. 12, 2020 Cancelled

Apr. 9, 2020 Cancelled

May 14, 2020 Cancelled

June 11, 2020 Cancelled

I would like to thank many cheerful volunteers who made these events possible. We are looking

forward meeting again on near future.

2. Sunday Morning Adult Group

On the first Sunday of September 2019, the church offered Sunday morning Bible Study Group

using the Group Lectio Process. It begins 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM for the young parents of children

who attend the children’s Sunday school before the Sunday worship. The class begins with the

praying the Psalms according to the Lectionary schedule. Each class assigned facilitator who

leads the process.

We are continuing the gathering during the summer. We are focusing following goals: To

develop leadership of facilitation; to share friendship and fellowship; to focus on formation

beyond information. We hope the study may deepen our faith in the God who is the Creator,

Redeemer, and Sustainer. The group may develop into shared outreaching ministries.

3. Ministry of Spiritual Direction

On September 27 (all day Saturday) the church offered Spiritual Direction workshop. The late

Henri Nouwen wrote: “Spiritual direction means to listen to the other without fear and to

discover the intimate, divine connections within your own stormy life history. It means to help

others discover that their questions are human questions, their search is a human search, and their

restlessness is part of the restlessness of the human heart—your own included.” Spiritual

director means to offer your own faith experience and to make your doubts and hopes, failures

and success, loneliness and woundedness, available to others as a context in which others can

struggle with their own humanness and spiritual quest for meaning together. We need to train

more people to be available to others as a source of growth to help awaken the seeker to receive

God’s light as a gift.

4. Other miscellaneous activities

I joined the members of Outreach Commission to sing Christmas Carols to the Newbury Court

residents.

I delivered meals to our members in the Newbury Court after the Magic Year’s events.

I took prayer requests from the worship service to our Thursday Bible Study group to pray for

Intercessory prayers

With gratitude and thankful heart, respectfully submitted,

Hakyung Cho-Kim

Director of Adult Formation

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Report from the Music Director program year 2019-2020

Sanctuary Choir

V. Rob Hammerton's report. I am so grateful for the enormous commitment the Sanctuary Choir

shows to the church every year. Despite our challenges of declining numbers and a changing

landscape, the core choir group shows up week after week to prepare choral music for praise.

SUMC leaves the building

The Men's Group visited our neighbors at Musketahquid Village before Christmas. It was a

cheerful moment that stands out for me in a busy season! Our thanks to the men for taking time

in a hectic moment to share their fellowship with those who cannot get out.

Sudbury Interfaith Thanksgiving

We had a sizeable choir for the Interfaith celebration this year. Debra Morris-Bennett, the 1st

Parish music director, suggested we put together a shared event in spring 2020. Little did we

know what awaited us in the New Year, but I continue to be hopeful that we can stage a

coordinated event someday.

Advent Cantata Sunday

Cantata Sunday took place December 15, 2019. SUMC's Sanctuary Choir and instrumentalists

presented the “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by Ralph Vaughn Williams. This service stands

out as one of the most beautiful in our program year; our soloists, choir and players did a lovely

job of this early work of Vaughn Williams. The composer's study of English carols made for a

colorful but not too difficult score that made for a meaningful service.

Blue Christmas

We hosted this service this year; it took place on December 18 at 7:30pm in the sanctuary. I am

never sure whether low attendance for this service is a good sign or not, since it would be a

happier reality if there were indeed fewer people grieving around us. I, for one, do not believe

that to be the case. I suspect the old bugbears of the busy holiday season and work and family

commitments are interfering with this service's viability, despite the thoughtful preparation that

Pastor Joel and the Sudbury clergy bring to it.

Christmas Pageant

This past Christmas Pageant on the last Sunday of Advent was another outstanding service. The

kids did a great job and they learned a lot. It was particularly nice to see younger ones moving

into positions of leadership as the years go by. Kristin Murphy is a first rate director for this

service, she deserves thanks from everyone for the high level of preparation and organization

that ensured the Pageant's success.

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Christmas Eve 6PM

SUMC opened Christmas Eve this past year with a beautiful Moravian Love Feast. I thought the

band was particularly good this past year. I would like to take a little time before next Advent to

“standardize” our “band book” for this service. This book is close to complete, but a few small

errors crept in; probably evident only to the musicians, though, as the community seemed to

enjoy this unusual Christmas offering.

Christmas Eve 8PM

The strings and the choir augmented this service, as is our custom. Leslie Bell sang “O Holy

Night” with the choir, and the service provided a beautiful close to the church's celebration of

Jesus' birth.

Ash Wednesday

The choir sang for our Ash Wednesday service this past February 26th at 7:30pm.

Lenten Wednesdays

Rob and I supported Pastor Joel's post Lenten Supper gatherings musically. We were only able to

have two Wednesday gatherings before the pandemic closing.

Palm Sunday

With the church sanctuary closed during the pandemic except for the Sunday broadcast team,

Rob and I supported Holy Week from home with electronic means. I maintained the information

about Holy Week offerings at the church web site; for Palm Sunday I located a recording of my

favorite Palm Sunday postlude and posted it for the community.

Tenebrae Lessons

Tenebrae lessons were cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

Maundy Thursday

Pastor Joel encouraged SUMC to observe Maundy Thursday by holding home observances. To

that end, Pastor Joel provided a choice of brief liturgies online for people to consider. I posted

the materials to the SUMC web site.

Good Friday

Youth director Zack Moser encouraged SUMC families to observe Good Friday by participating

in a video created from various families' submissions. Ciaran Murphy and I recorded Lenten

music that was used in the opening and closing of the video.

Easter Sunday 08:00

The first service of Easter was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

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Easter Sunday 09:30

Easter service was broadcast from the sanctuary this year. Heather Josselyn-Cranson played the

organ beautifully for this broadcast.

Easter Sunday 11:15

The last service of Easter was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

Appreciation dinner

We are unable to hold the end of program year recognition dinner for SUMC musicians because

of social distancing. The worship and music commission has a plan to thank our musicians

electronically, and I have helped them with that plan by collating and supplying contact

information for all our musicians.

GROUPS

A cappella

The A Cappella group continued its success this past year. We met in the fall and the winter and

sang for 5 Wednesday evenings. We averaged an attendance of 7 voices during all three seasons;

our numbers included young and old singers, skilled and unskilled singers, veteran and

inexperienced singers. We offered rehearsal on Wednesdays at 7pm after a pot luck half hour

that was markedly well attended and contributed significantly to the fellowship of our group. We

were very disappointed to have our spring session cancelled due to the pandemic; we look

forward to gathering this group again soon.

Brass Choir

The Terrace Brass had a rockier time than other years in trying to set up and play on the front

terrace this past Christmas Eve. Rachel Freedman was helpful in filling me in on what could be

done next Christmas to improve. We will most likely have to apply a more structured approach

next program year – a sign up with rehearsal.

Connexions Artists & Concerts

The October Connexions Concert was very strong. We had a good audience, which is often the

case when we can sign up groups (Bell Chimes, Men's Group.) We raised approximately $280

for UMCOR. The January concert was even more successful; we raised $300 for UMCOR.

Thanks, as always, to the commission for their wonderful help. Our final two Connexions

programs were postponed due to the pandemic. I have been collecting performances from

various people who had signed up to play in March and May to create a movie in place of the

concerts.

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Gospel Group

The Group continued to work with reduced numbers this year, but we did prepare for and

participate in several services, especially Christmas Eve.

Men's Group

The Men's Group met Sundays at Coffee Hour through the year. We participated in a

Connexions Concert, Christmas Eve services, and church services through the year.

Organ

The organ continues to serve the church as a fundamental musical presence. The Andover Organ

Company serviced the Stuart twice during the year, as is the custom. During the fall visit they

removed a trumpet reed pipe that had cracked and repaired it in the Andover shop. The pipe was

returned several weeks later.

Pianos

The pianos received their tunings on schedule this year. I must thank Heather Josselyn-Cranson

for watching the humidifier of the sanctuary grand while I was not able to join the broadcast

team after April 1.

SUMC Strings

Our string players joined the Homecoming, Thanksgiving Sunday and Christmas eve 8pm

services this past year. We have maintained our custom of including bowed and plucked string

instruments on these days; we therefore usually have a mixed group of violins, cello and guitars

when we gather.

Wesley Winds

The Wesley Winds continued to join us on some first Sundays of the month to play the hymnody

of the day. The Winds were central to the Love Feast on Christmas Eve, when they played

virtually the entire service and did an exceptionally fine job.

OTHERS

Choir Guild

Once again, I would like the thank the Choir Guild for filing our music and tending to the robe,

hymnbook and folder needs of the Sanctuary Choir. I look forward to the day when we will be

able to gather the choir again and create a bit of chaos for the Guild to set right!

Sunday School music

We joined the Sunday School most Sundays this past year to share a song or two related to the

curriculum. When the School time shifted midyear, we continued to visit Children's Church. We

had a few opportunities to share some of our singing with the church in Sunday service. I would

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specifically like to thank Kristin Murphy, Diane Hammond and Ann Hamilton for their

commitment to bringing this music to the kids.

Chimes

The Bell Chimers joined the October Connexions concert and a small group of ringers played in

our Advent Cantata. Sherry Stonebraker, their director, had a knee operation in January that

required recuperation up until the church went into pandemic mode; so we look forward to

hearing the chimes again once the community can gather safely.

Youth

A couple of the SUMC youth joined the Interfaith youth group at the Thanksgiving service. It

was a pretty good sized group and they sang well. The SUMC youth also had some significant

musical responsibilities on Youth Sunday. We loved having them join the choir and rock the

Godspell tunes.

ALIA

Audio Team

Christie White, as usual, has been a wonderful help with capturing Sunday morning audio. I

deeply appreciate her willingness to cover this responsibility.

Closing thought about the pandemic

I will close this year's report with an observation about our present situation in the global

pandemic. It is a major frustration for Rob and for me that this pandemic is perfectly designed to

stop the activities for which we are trained, choral singing and instrumental playing. We have

made efforts, like the other members and commissions of SUMC, to convert our core missions to

virtual means, primarily Zoom and Google Meet sessions. These are, however, very poor

substitutes for our actual charges of leading groups of musicians at SUMC in praise. It is

fascinating to me to see how our musicians still join our informal chat sessions; the same

fellowship that enriches our pre-pandemic lives always needs feeding. But we miss singing, we

miss playing. We pray to God for relief from COVID-19 so that we can return to the worship

practices that we really should be leading.

Respectfully submitted,Kevin Murphy

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From the Sanctuary Choir Director

I'm pleased to offer an overview of my nineteenth year leading Sudbury UMC's Sanctuary Choir.

Clearly, this program year has occurred in two parts: pre- and mid-COVID-19. I've looked back

at my notes and discovered that through early March, there were lots of good musical works

being done, by stalwart members of the SUMC community. And since early March, we've

worked to adapt and imagine and invent musical activity at SUMC for the future … yes,

forcibly; but it's been worth looking ahead.

Pre-COVID-19, our average choir attendance had declined noticeably recently (an All-Star

Team's worth of fine choir folks have moved away from eastern and central Massachusetts in the

last eight years). We came to grips with this reality in the fall, and began to imagine adjustments

to our music program offerings that might address the interests, needs and availabilities of our

current church membership. Little did we know...!

Among the worship services and events that the choir supported with their gifts and presence:

Opening Day on the front terrace … singing seventeen strong at the Friday-rush-hour memorial

service for our late alto-section stalwart, Janet Daniel … Sunday-morning singing of wildly

divergent styles (the music of Franz Joseph Haydn, Michael W. Smith, Lloyd Pfautsch, Steve

Winwood, and the great African-American spiritual tradition) … assisting musically with the

Sudbury Interfaith Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service (our singers made up nearly one-third of

the massed choir) … and in Advent, 6pm and 8pm Christmas Eve services; Flash-Mob- and

other Caroling events.

Our Advent Cantata was, for the first time, a single (one-movement) piece of music: “Fantasia

on Christmas Carols” by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Not the flashiest or

brassiest work, but one which utilized a number of familiar melodies to create a lovely, quiet

musical presence. Our hardworking singers and a small group of instrumentalists, including

members of our Choirchimes ringing ensemble, made this a singularly memorable experience.

For the second year, we observed National A Cappella Sunday (on the first Sunday of Lent, as

designated by the Center for Congregational Song); we drew on what we'd learned from last

year's instrument-less day to create a unique and effective communal singing experience.

And then COVID-19 arrived.

Our understanding of COVID-19's means of transmission told us bluntly that mass singing was

dangerous – meaning, not merely choral singing in close quarters (by people who have practice

in using lots of air!), but any congregational singing. For Methodists, who have a history of

strong singing, this is an immensely challenging reality. For this particular congregation, the

virus's effect on wind-instrument use has represented a further disappointment.

In last year's annual report, I quoted a small green philosopher's sage advice: “always in motion

is the future”. We had no idea that the future would move in this direction – even temporarily, as

we hope for development of viral treatments and vaccines – but we have worked constantly since

March to create new strategies to keep our congregation's musically-oriented members “fed”.

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Much of that has needed to be online, throughout the spring; as we learn more about COVID-19

and as new medical-treatment developments emerge, we look forward to finding new ways to

bring musical offerings to God together, live and in-person, in a safe way.

Equally, we have kept (and will continue to keep) the fellowship aspect of SUMC's musical

community in the forefront of our minds. Our singers and players are missing the experience of

just being together – singing, playing, laughing, and taking care of each other. We've created

and maintained online videoconferencing opportunities to get together virtually – it's not the

same, but it's something – and we have kept in contact with our musical members who are in

assisted-living and other situations that keep them from us, thanks to physical and sometimes

technological restrictions.

Additionally, since mid-April, I have been producing a weekly series of short “Choir Director

Check-In” videos, aimed at keeping in contact with our musicians and our larger congregation,

and encouraging everyone to keep in touch with church staff members and each other. My

closing tag line was drawn from a conversation we had with Pastor Joel: “keep the faith – stay

connected”, because “keeping the church together is the big thing.” When we're physically

separate, we find ourselves needing to make an extra effort to stay connected; so this series,

posted weekly on SUMC's Facebook page, is one more way that I can try to promote that.

As always: our musicians' musical achievements, their musical support of SUMC's liturgical and

programmatic initiatives, and our planning for the musical future of SUMC, are all made

completely enjoyable for me by this amazing nineteen-year collaboration with music director and

organist Kevin Murphy. Year twenty begins in a few months, and while we certainly didn't

imagine that it would look like this, I am enthusiastic about it – and thankful that SUMC

continues to support sacred music in these very uncertain times. Onward and upward! And

wash your hands and wear your mask.

Faithfully submitted,

Rob Hammerton

Page 92


SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Programmatic and Administrative Ministry Teams for 2020/2021

THE CHURCH COUNCIL (numbered positions are members of the Church Council.

The Council meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.)

1. Council Chairperson: Richard Morris (8)

2. Lay Leader: Nancy Hammerton (9)

3. Associate Lay Leader: ( )

4. Recording Secretary: Betsey Field (1)

5. Pastor: Joel Guillemette (15)

6. Lay Member of Annual Conference: Heather Joselyn Cranson (4)

7. Finance Committee Chairperson: George Gorman (7)

The Stewardship and Finance Committee (meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.;

includes the Lay Leader, the council chairperson, the SPRC chairperson or representative, Board

of Trustees president or representative, the financial secretaries, and the treasurer.)

2021 Will Iberg Dean Jacobus Joanna Beldiman

2022 Jeanne O’Reilly Jen Gero

2023 George Gorman Chris Heberlig Brad Conant

8. Financial Secretary: Jim Bennett (30)

Assistant Financial Secretary: ( )

9. Treasurer: Ken MacKenzie (3)

Business Manager: Mike Greb (7)

10. President, Board of Trustees (elected by the members of the board in July)

(meets monthly on the first Monday at 7:00 p.m.)

2021 Anthony Vert Laurie Emken

2022 Doug McNeilly Matt Cranson

2023 David Howland Jason Eaddy

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Nominating Committee Report, page two

Chairperson, Permanent Endowment Committee: Dan Maller (5)

Permanent Endowment Fund Committee (meets four times annually on a weekday morning at 8:00

am. Includes the pastor, representatives from Trustees and Council, and the following members:)

2021 Brad Stayton David D’Orlando Dan Maller

2022 Bob Canfield John Condon

2023 George Gorman Jane Anne Chrumka Jeff Barker

11. Chairperson, Staff Parish Relations Committee: Don Glencross (1)

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 7:30 pm; includes a

lay leader, the pastor, and the following members:)

2021 Heather Josselyn Cranson Todj Gozdeck Cassandra Allwell

2022 Steve Lubic Judy Aufderhaar Jackie Kessler

2023 Don Glencross Scott Pickens Greg Bockweg

At Large for Human Services:

12.Chairperson, Christian Education Commission: Caryl Walsh (4)

The Christian Education Commission (meets monthly on the First Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. or as

called by the chairperson; includes the Dir. of Youth Ministries and Dir. of Adult Formation.)

2021 Gwen McNeilly Scott Christensen

2022 Jenny Eaddy John McKinney

2023 Caryl Walsh Trey Burns Jennifer Helgeson

Director of Children and Youth Ministries Zack Moser (4)

Director of Adult Formation Pastor Hakyung Cho-Kim (2)

13. Chairperson, Church Growth Commission: ( )

The Church Growth Commission (meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.)

2021 Cheryl Cooke

2022 Jim Empfield Bob Haarde

2023 Cindy Simon Sherry Stonebraker Kristy Gulezian

Attendance Secretary Laura Yanchenko (5)

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Nominating Committee Report, page three

14. Chairperson, Outreach Commission: Leslie Bell (3)

The Outreach Commission (meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:30 pm)

2021 Christy Kirk Gavin Monteiro Karen Monteiro

2022 Jen Rockwell

2023 Leslie Bell Chris Straub

15. Chairperson, Membership & Community Life Commission: Jamie Solak (2)

The Membership Commission (meets monthly on the first Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.)

2021 Carolyn Colby David D’Orlando Kristin Murphy

2022 Jamie Solak Lynn Cunningham Marge Glencross

2023 Wendy Pease Lyn MacLean Meg Fotakis

Caring Network Coordinator(s) Sophia Harrell and Karen Lubic

Membership Secretary Donna Canfield (5)

16. Chairperson, Worship & Music Commission: Alison Condon (5)

The Worship and Music Commission (meets monthly on first Tuesday at 7:30 pm)

2021 Wendy Guillemette Jennifer O’Sullivan Alison Condon

2022 George Hamilton Tom Gero

2023 Bill Hoke Deb McPhee Melody Karian

Church Administrator: Shetal Kaye (11)

Music Director/Organist: Kevin Murphy (19)

Choir Director: Rob Hammerton (19)

17. Chairperson, Health Ministries Commission: Kay D’Orlando (4)

The Health Ministries Commission (meets monthly on first Tuesday at 7:30 pm)

2021 Sophia Harrell Eileen Stramaglia

2022 Mary Lou Abbott Linda Cooper Ann Hamilton

2023 Kay D’Orlando

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Nominating Committee Report, page four

18. Chairperson, Social Justice Commission: Grace Yannakakis (1)

The Social Justice Commission (meets monthly as called by the chairperson)

2021 Jen Christensen

2022 Howard Quin Laurie Eliason Grace Yannakakis

2023 Max Stayton Jeff Lance Kim Prendergast

19. Chairperson, Sunny Hill Preschool Committee: Scott Simon (3)

(includes Sunny Hill’s director and Sudbury UMC’s pastor.)

2021 Scott Simon Star Herstine

2022 Marcia Bradley Sandy Iberg

2023 Kristen Straub

At Large for Marketing Vikki Jacobson

Sunny Hill Treasurer Jack Sinnigen

Church Council: Members at Large:

20.

21. Lyn MacLean

22. Maxwell Stayton

The Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development (meets as called, particularly in the

spring; includes the pastor, who chairs, the Lay Leader, and the following members.)

2021 Wendy Guillemette Anthony Vert

2022 Karen Lubic

2023


George Gorman

Judy Aufderhaar

Karen Lubic

Anthony Vert

Wendy Guillemette

Nancy Hammerton – Lay Leader

Pastor Joel Guillemette – Chairperson

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Nominating Committee Report, page five

Teams Recruited by Committees and Commissions:

Named by Health Ministries Commission

Stephen Ministries Leadership Team: Richard Smith, John Fraize, and Joel Guillemette

Membership and Community Life

Caring Networks Coordinators: Sophia Harrell and Karen Lubic

Coffee Hour Coordinator: Kathie Stayton

Stewardship and Finance Commission

Counting Teams: Hilda Chow and Bill Johnson, Bob and Donna Canfield, George Hamilton and Karen

Silva, Susan Pauley and Janet Paulsen, Leon and Moira Lataille, Bob and Lynn Stroud, Tim and Leslie

McBrayer, Jen Rockwell and Judy Aufderhaar.

Worship and Music Commission

Choir Guild: Donna Canfield, Nancy Hammerton, Shetal Kaye, Susan Pauley, Sherry Stonebraker

Flower Committee Chairperson:

Kristen Straub Yuh-Rong Tsay Jen Gero

Mary Lou Abbott Jason Weeks Iva Brown

Joanne Phillips Heather Rodiger Lynn Cunningham

Kerry Healy

Liturgist Coordinator: Susan Pauley

Ushers Chairperson: Bill Hoke

Team 1 Team 3

Laura Yanchenko Bill Hoke

Lynn MacLean

Judy Aufderhaar Bill Johnson

Robert Emken Steve Lubic

Ernie Stonebraker Jennifer O’Sullivan

Team 2 Team 4

Dean Horman Oscar Harrell

John Condon Richard Smith

Scott Christensen Jason Weeks

Jeff Barker Jeff Lance

Ciaran Murphy Anthony Vert

Communion Stewards: Shetal Kaye – coordinator, Jody Avery and Sherry Stonebraker

Page 97

Annual Report to the Sudbury United Methodist Church

Sudbury Scouting

Sudbury United Methodist Church is the Charter Organization for three of the scouting groups in

our community:

• Scouts BSA Troop 65 (Females 11-17)

• Scouts BSA Troop 60 (Males 11-17)

• Cub Scout Pack 60 (K-5 scouts)

In Fall 2019, SUMC began serving as a second host site for the Post Road District’s monthly

Eagle Scout Boards of Review, providing a comfortable and convenient location for our BSA

Scouts earning this highest rank to complete this final step in their scouting journey. Scouts

from all four BSA Troops in Sudbury as well as BSA Troops from Wayland, Framingham,

Maynard, and other nearby communities will take their celebratory Eagle Scout photos at

SUMC.

In recognition of SUMC’s role in supporting our three Chartered scouting units and the wider

scouting community, the Post Road District is honoring SUMC at the Charter Organization

of the Year for 2020. This award will be formally given later in 2020 and we will share the

celebration with the SUMC Congregation at that time.

The precautions that were necessary to protect our scouts and our communities from the Eastern

Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in the Fall of 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 have

had significant impacts on the activities of each of the scouting units. Nevertheless, both BSA

Troops and the Cub scouts have found ways to engage in scouting activities, demonstrating

perseverance, resilience, and continuing to promote the ideals of scouting.

Scouts BSA Troop 65

Troop 65 had a terrific inaugural year. With 27 active scouts, the Troop is one of the most active

female BSA Troops in the Mayflower Council and the state.

Activities & Monthly Outings: The Troop holds weekly meetings on Thursday evenings, where

the girls have been hard at work learning the Scout Oath, Law, and Patrol Method. Scouts have

been earning merit badges, achieving rank advancements, and earning their Totin’ Chip

demonstrating pocket knife safety and Cyber Chip to demonstrate online safety. Since the stay-

home order for COVID-19 began, the troop has transitioned to online troop meetings, continuing

their merit badge and rank advancement work.

Troop 65 scouts participated in Summer Camp at the Mayflower Council’s Camp Resolute

during the Summer of 2019. Two of the older scouts will also attend the Trail to Eagle Camp at

Camp Resolute, working toward the Eagle Scout rank that is now available to girls.

During the 2019-2020 year, Troop 65 Scouts enjoyed a variety of weekend outings, including

several hiking trips, camping trips, white water rafting, dog sledding, and a joint trip with Troop

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60 to the Ramblewild Aerial Park. While Spring 2020 trips were cancelled because of COVID-

19, the scouts of Troop 65 held a Virtual campout in May, pitching tents in their backyards,

cooking, building fires, and connecting via Zoom. The Virtual Campout was featured on CBS

Boston.

The Troop maintains an active Facebook Page with photos of the outings, meetings, and Courts

of Honor.

Community Service: Community Service have been a cornerstone of Troop 65 activities, with

the Troop participating with the other Sudbury BSA Troops to volunteer for Bowling with

Special Needs students and serving meals at the Pearl Street Café Soup Kitchen. Troop 65 were

enthusiastic participants in the SUMC Fall cleanup and raked leaves for other Sudbury residents,

as well.

The Post Road District recognized Troop 65 with several awards:

• William D. Boyce Awards for leaders integral to founding a new unit: George Cooley, Scott

Fisher, Kim Prendergast

• District Sparkplug awards for outstanding leadership:

o George Cooley, Scoutmaster

o Marielle Delnomdedieu, Assistant Scoutmaster

Current Troop 65 Leadership:

Senior Patrol Leader: Savannah Butler

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Alexia Hultin

Scoutmaster: George Cooley

Committee Chairperson: Kim Prendergast

Financials: Troop 65 income came from scout dues and donations from parents and from the

other Scout Troops in Sudbury. The Troop’s Cash Balance is $5,873 as of May 31, 2020 with net

revenue of $4,332 over the year, primarily from the Troop’s participation in the annual town

wide BSA Christmas Tree sales program. Troop 65 is currently conducting a Car Magnet

fundraiser to provide some additional funds. Scouts pay annual dues and cover the cost of

outings. Scholarships are available to assure that all scouts are able to participate in activities.

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https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/06/05/sudbury-scout-troop-65-hosts-virtual-camping-trip-during-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0pB8PNdSzWkY8te7y5k7zNP4WCO0EdluAwi-uBLmwt0FIWs2uFdJjmIAw

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/06/05/sudbury-scout-troop-65-hosts-virtual-camping-trip-during-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0pB8PNdSzWkY8te7y5k7zNP4WCO0EdluAwi-uBLmwt0FIWs2uFdJjmIAw

http://www.facebook.com/sudburytroop65

Scouts BSA Troop 60

Troop 60 is one of three male Scout BSA Troops in Sudbury. Active at SUMC for many years,

the Troop continues to meet on Tuesday nights to work on merit badges; Science, Technology,

Engineering & Math (STEM) projects; Scout Skills; patrol-building games; and trip planning.

The Troop currently has 20 scouts; four of our Troop 60 Scouts graduated from High School in

June 2020.

Activities and Monthly Outings: The Troop goes on outings each month during the school year

and our trips are known to be a particularly exciting part of the Boy Scouts’ experience. This

year’s trips included a variety of activities, including the annual September camping and boating

trip on Belle Island in Wellington State Park, NH, camping, hiking, skiing, and a joint trip to the

Ramblewild Aerial Park with Troop 65.

Since the stay-home order for COVID-19 began, Troop 60 scouts have been participating in

virtual meetings, completing their merit badge and rank advancement work.

During summer of 2019, the Troop participated in a week of Boy Scout Summer Camp at the

Griswold Scout Reservation in Gilmanton Iron Works, NH as well as spending a week paddling

the Allagash River in Northern Maine. BSA Summer camps have been cancelled for Summer

2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the Griswold Scout Camp that Troop 60 attends

will be offering some online activities for scouts.

Troop 60 had planned to send a crew to the BSA High Adventure Base at the Philmont Scout

Ranch in New Mexico during summer 2020. However, Philmont trips have been cancelled due

to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an unfortunate development for many scouts who had also

signed up for the 2018 Philmont Scout Rank trek that was cancelled due to the wildfires in New

Mexico.

Community Service Projects:

Troop 60 scouts continue to lead the Sudbury Park & Recreation Department’s Inclusive

Programming through the Tuesday night Bowling Program. Troop 60 scouts are paired with

special needs boys from the Sudbury community as they bowl together at the Acton

Bowladrome. Troop 60 also organizes volunteer participation to support the Pearl Street Café,

taking scouts to volunteer to serve meals at the café on Wednesday nights several times per year.

Eagle Scouts: Nationally, just four out of one hundred scouts will achieve the rank of Eagle

Scout. Troop 60, like the other scout troops in Sudbury, see a much higher percentage of scouts

achieving this rank. We are proud of our Eagle Scouts and know that they will go on to

contributions to the community.

Three Troop 60 scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout this year, including Anthony Vuolo,

Griffin Williams, and Will Hardwick.

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Leadership Recognition:

The Post Road District recognized Tony Vuolo as Committee Chair of the Year for 2019-2020.

Tony served as the Troop 60 Committee Chair for 4 years. He has transitioned of this position

this year as his son graduates from high school. James Mabli assumed the role of Committee

Chair.

Financials. The Troop remains in strong financial position with a cash balance of $13,169 as of

May 31, 2020. Income comes from scout dues and fundraising through the annual Christmas

Tree sales. Scouts pay annual dues and cover the cost of most outings. Scholarships are

available to assure that all scouts are able to participate in activities.

Current Troop 60 Leadership:

Senior Patrol Leader: Dylan Glin

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Ben Rippy

Scoutmaster: Mike Brown

Committee Chairperson: James Mabli

Cub Scout Pack 60

These past 12 months have been a challenge on multiple levels for Pack 60. The Pack had a

transition in leadership – Dan Maier retired from Pack Leader and George Mullin stepped down

as Assistant Pack Leader. Ananda Chakravarty and Louie Cannistraro took over as co-leaders of

the Pack. Louie will continue as the Pack Leader for the coming year and the group is seeking an

assistant Scout Pack Leader to replace Ananda as his son ages out of Cub Scouts.

Pack 60 had a Scout recruitment event in the Fall and currently have 46 Scouts on the roster.

Pack activities for the year included a bottle rocket event in late August to welcome new

members to the pack. Once EEE forced events inside, the Pack 60 scouts held some indoor

events, learning new yo-yo tricks and hearing a very positive and uplifting message during the

Ooch Experience at the Goodnow Library. The Scouts also learned much about business and

selling acumen as they sold popcorn for several weekends around town and even at SUMC! For

an entertaining and spooky Halloween meeting, we had Jojo the Magician entertain the Pack

with fun tricks.

In January, Pack 60 hosted the annual Pinewood Derby—the Scouts crafted their cars and raced

them. The competition was fierce and the Scouts had fun.

Other activities this year included a movie night in February at the Maynard Fine Arts Theater, a

winter hike in February to Tippling Rock, and the Cub Scouts were fortunate that the last in-

person meeting on March 2nd featured an FBI Agent giving a presentation about how the FBI

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works and he talked about some of his cases. He also provided what would turn out to be a very

critical training—how to stay safe online!

Since the Stay-at-home order, various dens have been gathering online to learn how to cook on a

campfire, learn, fire safety, as well as learning First Aid from an emergency room doctor. The

Scouts stayed active designing and participating in an obstacle course. Dens have been meeting

on-line to do some badge work and to see their friends.

The most important event of the spring, the Blue and Gold Dinner, will be modified and will

occur on-line to celebrate the five years our Arrow of Light (5th grade) Scouts have contributed

to Pack 60. Twelve scouts will be aging out of Pack 60 this year.

Community Service

Pack 60 participated in community service activities, including helping with the SUMC Fall

clean-up. As a holiday tradition, Pack 60 scouts collect gift cards and treats to put together care

packages for our soldiers overseas. AF Lt. Papp and Army Major Cacciatore joined a Pack 60

meeting and the Scouts peppered them with questions about serving in the military. Their

answers were fantastic, and the kids learned a lot about life in the service.

On behalf of Troops 65 & 60 and Pack 60, we thank SUMC for the continued support of Cub

Scouts and Scouts BSA!

Finally, it has been my pleasure to serve as the Charter Organization Representative for these

BSA units for the past 5 years. I am transitioning this role to Cassandra Allwell as I move into

the position of Committee Chair for Troop 65.


Kim Prendergast, Charter Organization Representative, BSA Troop 65, BSA Troop 60, and Cub

Scout Pack 60

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2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORTS reports...come in. At the end of October pledges are ahead by $59,583 and...

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