381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457...2021/01/31 · 381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457. Church...
Transcript of 381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457...2021/01/31 · 381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457. Church...
381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 2
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY
ANNUAL MEETING
January 31, 2021
AGENDA
Opening Prayer
Call to Order
Adoption of Roll of Voting Members and Determination of a Quorum
Minutes from 2019 Annual Meeting
Parish Register with Prayers
Reports from Officers, Committees, and Ministries
A. Clergy
B. Wardens
C. Others
Old Business
New Business
Budget for 2021 (approved by the Vestry at the January 2021 meeting)
Recognition of outgoing Vestry members
Nominations and Elections (See Nominations on last page of this Report)
Other Business
Blessing and Adjournment
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 3
Voting List for Annual Meeting – January 2020
Members of the Parish entitled to vote at any Parish meeting are those adult communicants [age 16 years or
older] who, for at least six months prior to that meeting have been faithful attendants at the services of the
Church in the Parish, unless for good cause prevented, faithful contributors to its support, and faithful in
working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God; these facts to be determined in each case
by the Vestry in accordance with the provisions of these Canons. (Canon I, Section 5 of the Constitution and
Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.)
The Vestry of each Parish shall from time to time, and always within one month preceding the annual parish
meeting, revise the roll of members of the Parish and of those entitled to vote at Parish meetings, in accordance
with the provisions of these Canons, and such roll shall be presented by the Vestry to the annual Parish meeting,
and when adopted by said meeting shall
be the roll of that meeting. (Canon I, Section 7B.)
Kathryn Adams
Kris Bachanalal
Francine Bailey
William Ball
Marilyn Bengtson
Andre Bishop
Andrew Bishop
Delaney Bishop
Devon Bishop
Barbara Brainerd
Patrick Broun
Shane Buckheit
Eileen Buckheit
Steve Buckheit
Christina Burlette
Marie Burlette
Rachael Burlette
Randy Burlette
Ronald Burlette
Nicholas Cannata
Phyllis Cavender
Julia Claude
Susan Colby
Edward Coolidge
James Dawson
Marissa DiStefano
Lois Dragone
Michael Dragone
Nancy Duchardt
Rachael Duckworth
Stephanie Duckworth
Cynthia Ellis
Alexandria Ellis
John Elmore
Patricia Elmore
Cindy Elmore
Mary Eurich
Samuel Eurich
Pam Ferguson
Maureen Fleet
Danisha Flores
Lucas Flores
Emily Gerhard
Thomas Goddard
Gina Gonzalez
Jorell Gonzalez
Will Gonzalez
Linda Groeper
Janice Grover
Adeeb Haddad
Tracey Hallstead
Elise Hallstead-
Williams
Eva Hallstead-
Williams
Lori Harris
Louis Harris
Marion Harris
Enid Healey
Joan Hedrick
Betty Horne
Steven Horst
Ruth Hubbard
Joyce Hurlburt
Jill Irwin
Jon Irwin
Monique Ives
Norm Jacob
Betsey Kensel
Raymond Kensel
Joy Kielb
Gregory Klaus
Kerline Klaus
Emma Levesque
Michael Levesque
Patricia Levesque
Carl Loges
Gary Lord
Patricia Lord
Jean Maynard
John McMillan
Judith McMillan
Krystle McMillan
Andrew Milliken
Emily Milliken
Regina Morgan
Scott Morgan
Anthony Omicioli
Susan Omicioli
Catherine Parks
Ashley Pierce
Hector Pinero
Sandy Pinero
Carol Powell
Thomas Powell
Diane Reid
Ronald Reid
Eric Rennie
Stacey Rich
Jean Samolyk
Margaret Scarrozzo
Elisa Schroth
Jon Schroth
Sharon Sheedy
Angelo Silvestro
Lynn Silvestro
Susan Spaeth
Arthur Taylor
Claire Taylor
Julia Taylor
Graham Taylor
Phyllis Tobits
Richard Vann
Mary Beth Van Siclen
Peter Van Siclen
Sandra Wade
Patrick Walsh
Taylor Walsh
John Ward
Larry Ward
Laura Wardner
Karen Warren
Taylor Warren
William Wasch
Veronika Webb
Elizabeth Wiese
Frederick Wiese, Jr.
Dortha Willetts
Jonathan Willetts
(rev. 1/20/21)
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 5
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 The Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown CT
Page
Minutes of the Annual Meeting for 2019 – February 9, 2020 …………………………...6
Parish Register …………………………………………………………………………...8
Priest in Charge Report ………………………………………………………….…..…...8
Warden’s Reports …. . . .……………………………………………………………......11
Building & Grounds Report ………………………………….…………………………13
Parish Group Reports
Acolytes……………………………….......................………………............….14
Altar Guild……………………...................…………………………....……… 14
Altar Memorial Flower Committee……...............………………………...........15
Christian Education - Children’s Ed./Sunday School/Youth ..........….…..........15
Convalescent Home Ministry…………………………..............…………….....16
Covenant Groups ……………………………………………………………….16
Episcopal Church Women………………………..............………………......…17
Hospitality ...........................................................................................................18
House of Many Talents ......................................................................................18
Lay Readers and Chalicers……..............……………………………………….19
Music Ministry......................................................................…..……….…….…19
Outreach………………………..............………………………………………...20
Parish Administrator …………………………………………………………....21
Social Services ………………………………………………………………....22
Brother Thomas …………………………………………………………….….22
Ushers .................................................................................................................23
Annual Meeting 2020
2021 Nominations…………….............………………………………….……...24
Treasurer's Report …………………………………………………………………..….25
2020 Year End Summary and 2021 Budget
2020 Balance Sheet
Endowment Report
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 6
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, 2020
PRESENT: Steven Horst, Pam Ferguson, Jean Maynard, Stacey Rich, Enid Healey, Taylor
Walsh, Ashley Pierce, Hector Pinero, Andre Bishop, Susan Colby, Deacon Pat Jackson, Marie
Burlette, Ty Warren, Mary Anne Osborn, Mary Barnett
OPENING PRAYER: An opening prayer was given by Mary Barnett and Mary Anne Osborn.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 11:20 AM
ADOPTION OF ROLL OF VOTING MEMBERS AND DETERMINATIONS OF A
QUORUM See page three of 2019 Annual Report. A motion was made by Ashley Pierce and
seconded by Ron Burlette to accept the adoption of the roll of voting members. Motion carried.
Clerk verified that there is a quorum. A motion made by Dortha Willetts and seconded that there
was a quorum. The motion was passed.
2019 ANNUAL MEETING AND 2018 MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Lori
Harris and seconded by Jonathan Willets to accept the Minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting. The
motion was passed.
PARISH REGISTER AND PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED The Parish
Register was reviewed and Deacon Pat offered a prayer for all who have died over the past year.
REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, COMITTEES AND MINISTRIES
A. CLERGY: Clergy reports were reviewed (see page 8 of the 2019 Annual Report). Mary
Anne Osborn reported that there was a lot of transition during the past few years. It was
reported that Mike Fazio, Organist and Deacon Pat will be leaving CHT. Taylor Walsh
was thanked for her many years of service on the Vestry. A special thanks was given to
Valerie Hall for her dedicated years of service. Pam Ferguson was also thanked for her
work as the treasurer. Deacon Pat was thanked for her many years of service as an
amazing Deacon at CHT. Mary Barnett reported that she is very excited about being at
CHT (see page 10 of the 2019 Annual Report). Mary reported that her Ordination will be
held on March 25, 2020 at 7:00 PM at CHT. Deacon Pat provided her report and stated
that she has been at CHT for many years and has made a number of very important and
meaningful connections over the years. Deacon Pat asked that people consider becoming
Eucharistic visitors which is very much needed in the congregation of CHT.
B. WARDENS: Senior Warden Taylor Walsh reported on the transition process (see her full
report on page 11 of the 2019 Annual Report). She reported that ECCT views CHT very
highly and holds up the congregation. Steven Horst provided his report (see page 12 of
the 2019 Annual Report) and welcomed Mary Barnett and Mary Anne Osborn to CHT.
He also thanked Dana Campbell for her five years of service as well as Deacon Pat for
her many years of service.
C. OTHERS: Pam Ferguson provided her Treasurer’s report (see her full report on page 35
of the 2019 Annual Report). Net increase of the endowment was reported as almost
$76,000.00. It was a very good year financially. Allison Lindsay was thanked for filling
in for Peter for the choir. The music program at CHT was recognized and thanked for
their service. Taylor Warren said that the Praise Band participated in many inter-church
projects and they had a great year. It was noted that they have been adding original songs
and are working with Jazz Standards to do their own arrangements and they may do a
Christmas album. Ashley Pierce reported on the safe church trainings that are being held
around the state and noted that this training is essential for anyone working with youth in
the church, as well as working with sick and elders. Other reports reviewed. A motion
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 7
was made by Hector Pinero and seconded by Lois Dragone to adopt the written reports
and the verbal Praise Band Report as given by Taylor Warren. Motion accepted.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing reported.
NEW BUSINESS
D. BUDGET FOR 2020 (It was noted that the budget was approved by the Vestry at the
January, 2020 meeting). See budget report on the final pages of the 2019 Annual Report.
Pledges up by $7,000.00 this year compared to last year. Percentage increases for staff
reviewed. Pam Ferguson, Eric Rennie, Hector Pinero, Andy Milliken, Taylor Walsh,
Mary Barnett and Mary Anne Osborn were thanked for their work on the Finance
Committee.
E. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING VESTRY MEMBERS: Enid Healey was thanked for
her service on the Vestry. Ty Warren and Hector Pinero were thanked for their service on
the Vestry.
F. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS FOR 2020 REVIEWED (SEE NOMINATIONS
ON PAGES 33 & 34 OF THE 2019 ANNUAL REPORT). The Class of 2023 (page 34 of
the 2019 Annual Report) reviewed. Wardens voted in are Andrew Milliken and Steve
Horst. Nominations are closed. Motion made to ask Clerk to cast one vote for slate for
unanimous vote. Eric Rennie and Andre Bishop made motion for unanimous vote and all
were approved. Treasurer voted is Pam Ferguson. Clerk voted is Stacey Rich. It was
noted that two Vestry Members coming back are Hector Pinero and Ty Warren for a
three-year term. By-laws will be revised. A motion made by the clerk to cast one vote
for all approvals of nominations. Lori Harris and Jon Irwin made a motion for
convention delegates who will be Andy Milliken and Taylor Walsh. Motion approved.
Questions/Answers/Discussion Shower project: No report as it is not in process at this time.
Exploring doing it elsewhere and perhaps funds will go elsewhere. Dortha Willetts asked a
question about the driveway drain by the corner of the church. It was noted that the drain is
supposed to be like that. Dortha also asked about more communication between churches for
more community discussions about problems in the local area. Mary Barnett is working on
coordinating area churches to work together.
A motion was made by Ty Warren and Joan Hedrick to adjourn meeting and all approved and
motion was passed.
A prayer at the end of the Annual Meeting was provided by Mary Barnett and the meeting was
adjourned at 12:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Rich, Clerk
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 8
Church of the Holy Trinity
2020 Parish Register
Baptisms Confirmations New Members Marriages Deaths
Katherine
Alexandra
Dawson
JT Alexander
Dawson
James Douglas
Dawson
William Ball
James Dawson
Katherine Dawson
JT Dawson
Jon Schroth
Elisa Schroth
Clayton Schroth
Asher Schroth
Giancarlo Cefalu
&
Kimberley Russo
Roger Bailey
James Horne
Winnie Knapp
James A. Post
Audreanna Sage
Phoenix Roberts
Anne Ross
William Walter
Wilcox
Total Baptisms:
3
Total
Confirmations
Total:
Adults: 4
Children: 4
Total
Marriages: 1
Total
Deaths: 7
PRIEST IN CHARGE
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2020
Dear Friends in Christ, Jan 2021
Hindsight is 2020 and 2020 is now in hindsight. We are glad to see it go. But the grief
we have experienced or put off experiencing in order to get through some difficult days may
shake us hard in the year to come. Could we as a country have better prevented these losses? Did
we ignore our neighbors or let our own despair go untreated? Did we develop bad habits that
will hamper us going forward? Will we blame each other or ourselves in ways that are corrosive
instead of enlightening? Have we asked what we have done or left undone and asked for
forgiveness?
And going forward: What do we love? Where does it hurt? What do we long for? This is
a year to wrestle with these questions as we come back together and chart our course for the
future. Who are we called to be? This is an opportunity to become more deeply connected and
vulnerable to each other especially in the aftermath of a time of great division. Because our
divisions will not destroy us if we stand for something else. Saying we follow Jesus does not
seem clear enough anymore. Those words can be twisted to mean so many different things. So
what do you stand on? What will we stand on going forward? What can we stand on with both
feet without equivocation? This is the way to strengthen our connections to our church and our
church’s connection to the world, both of which have been forcefully challenged in this past
year. So, who are we called to be? What is essential to you? To us as CHT? And most
importantly perhaps, why do we believe that we ARE essential?
I wonder if our faith in the 21st year of the 21st century could be expressed as a way that
follows the example and the tradition of Jesus by pursuing truth and love through hope. A hope
that doesn’t give up. A hope that doesn’t die. This is a definition that matters to me; because of
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 9
the persistence of that hope, because of the insistence on that love and also because of the
dangerous, life-giving power of that word truth. All year I’ve been wrestling with the meaning of
this one word. How to preach it and be clear what I stand for and what I stand against without
shunning anyone. One approach is to back off: to say that truth, like beauty, is in the eye of the
beholder. It is relative and therefore un-preachable. But this does not seem adequate to our
moment in history or to our savior or the Gospel, although truth be told, there are words in the
Bible that can be twisted any which way. This week however I read that describing the world as
post-truth is conceding that the world is pre-fascism. If we truly believe that truth is beyond our
reach, we will become ever more susceptible to provisional answers thrust upon us by the most
authoritarian or attractive or compelling salesman. Or we will become rigid traditionalists intent
on returning to a past that is not repeatable. But we have a better method for pursuing truth, don’t
we? It’s a path and a practice that pursues truth and love through hope. This is the good news. In
fact it has always been the good news. The only always forever good news.
I believe with my whole heart that the future of the church depends on the depth of the
questions we wrestle with and are willing, however tentatively, to articulate to each other. When
we share our hearts and minds with vulnerability and mutual respect, we will grow closer and
stronger as one body of many parts and many charisms. And we will prevail. And we will
become more able to articulate and live into what we decide our faith really means and witness
to it in the public square.
So, what words would you use to translate your faith into words for not-yet-Christian
seekers looking for meaning and commitment in the post pandemic world? And perhaps more
important, how might you translate it into simple words for your own use? For me, in 2021, it is
actively pursuing truth and love through hope. And witnessing to this with my life. Please help
me God.
Mary+
Now ...because hindsight IS indeed 2020, I’d like to share with you my letter from the
annual report last year. I thought it was so good I had to share it again. (LOL...we Christians are
never supposed to say we actually think we did something well. Let’s get over that. This year has
been so hard, let’s learn to acknowledge when something is good, especially in ourselves, before
we lose that opportunity forever.) The most uncanny thing about the letter though is that it is still
so relevant, even in these unprecedented Covid times, times that were beyond our wildest dreams
a year ago. It still holds. Please skim it, see if you agree with my assessment and I’ll meet you
again at the bottom of the page.
Dear Friends in Christ, Jan 2020
I have been here 4 months and it feels simultaneously new and strange, and almost like
home. While this may seem to make no sense (!), it is a lot like much of my life in God and with
God: both familiar and mysterious; close, intimate, and intractably odd. This, I think, is a good
thing. It lets me know the relationship is real and alive and open to surprises. After all, stuff that
makes perfect sense gets boring after a while. Believing we are all connected to an invisible
reality of transcendent love, now that never gets old.
Loving the people here at CHT was a no brainer for me. (I mean, just LOOK at you!)
But I have also been so pleasantly surprised by your openness, both to each other and to me and
Mary Anne. There is a foundation of good will and trust here that is rare in any organization. So,
cherish it and each other and we can only grow deeper and stronger together.
So, it continues. I am finally learning what my 35 keys are for and where to look to find
new batteries (ask Valerie) and where the light switch in the flower sanctuary is (ask Valerie). I
am deeply grateful to Mary Anne for showing me all the liturgical ropes and for making sure
(even at the last minute) that my stole is the right color. And for much, much more. Thank you,
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 10
Mary Anne. And Pam is good, not only with numbers but with giving out laughs and chocolate,
so all is well in the back office.
When I look toward the future, my hope is that we will find ourselves drawing closer
together by finding ways to share our faith in more personal ways. Can we articulate why we are
precious to each other and what the church means to us and to Middletown? This desire fuels
my work both to get to know you and to witness to you in my preaching, but it also inspires my
work to reach out to other clergy and non-profits in town. I believe the church is shaped in part
by how we see the church. Therefore the church can be as wide and deep and resilient as we say
it is; or rather as we are willing to stand up and testify to, by our words and our actions.
Who do we want to be? Who do you want to be? How can we support and challenge
each other?
Here are some of my questions:
Could church be nurturing as well as prophetic? Could church be fun as well as
challenging? Can we find renewed strength and confidence by being more vulnerable with each
other?
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
And share them.
Mary+
SO BACK TO THE FUTURE 2021
Isn’t it strange to think of ourselves meeting in the chapel a year ago, silly with laughter,
as I remember it, when I thoughtlessly and indecorously flung my leg over the back of a chair to
join in the panel, no idea yet of what this year would hold and with no clue of what we would be
called on to survive?
Not knowing yet that we would indeed struggle and yes, survive but also suffer great
losses and have to give up much of what was dear to us, much that we at the time took for
granted. Now, we’d like nothing better than wake up and discover this year was all a bad dream,
to have our friends back and to just be back in church and yet our losses are real, we need to
grieve them and these times continue to call us to reevaluate our priorities and strengthen our
commitment to care for each other. How have we done? How will we go forward?
I wish I had found a way to reach out to every single one of you to see how you are doing
and am deeply grateful for the advent of covenant groups that allowed us to reach out to each
other. You can still join or start one. I am grateful to my many partners in ministry: to Luke, our
summer intern for getting us rolling with digital worship, to Ted, our minister for Spirituality, to
Marie, head of our safety committee, my wonderful wardens and vestry, and to Reverend Mo
and the people of St John’s for joining their talents with ours in worship. But mostly I am
grateful to you for trusting in me as I learn to lead this wonderful parish.
There are so many questions. When the dust clears and the vaccine is out, what will we
see? Will some groups of people be left out? Will vaccine distribution be fair? Will we even care
as long as we get our own? These are tough questions if we are honest with ourselves. Survival
instincts can bring out the worst in us, in me anyway, but when I acknowledge my anxiety and
fear, I find reserves of empathy underneath. And that’s when I know who I am again and feel
reconnected to the world and to Christ.
And what about the smaller life-sized questions? Will more of us continue to work from
home? Retire early? Will small businesses come back or will Middletown’s downtown be
permanently changed? How might we respond? Rumor is it that more clergy are retiring. What
does that mean for the wider church in CT where there is already a clergy shortage?
And parish-sized questions: How does it feel having a Christ-centered ballet company
housed in our building? Does it fit our mission? Collectively we have received 3 grants this year:
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 11
one for $13,000 for a part-time sexton, $2,000 for upgrades to streaming equipment and we are
applying for another grant towards roof repairs. Ekklesia is applying for a grant for a portable
outdoor stage that we could use for performances and worship. We have kept pledging up (thank
you thank you thank you) and given generously to causes in the community. So we can rest
assured that even in the midst of feeling largely powerless, we have made a tangible difference.
So...again... who DO we want to be as CHT: as this particular Episcopal Christian
organization in this very particular location? Who are we called to be in 2021 as we return to the
world on a Main Street that will surely be changed? What are our gifts as yet under-developed
that the world needs now?
I dearly hope our covenant groups are nurturing your faith as they are mine so that we
will have the inner resources to be more deeply engaged with these questions and ultimately
become prophetic leaders in this congregation and in CT. That’s who I think we are called to be:
a vibrant center of faith and action on Main Street in Middletown.
In Lent, we will continue our after-church book study of the Universal Christ and
contemplative prayer. Led by Revs. Mary and Ted. (Feb 7, Feb 21, Feb 28, Mar 7,
Mar 14, Mar 21)
Lent it Go! We will be sending you ashes in the mail! We will have a joint zoom service
with St John’s with distribution of ashes on Feb 17, Ash Wednesday.
We look forward to a celebratory service in our cars in partnership with Trinity Portland
and ST. John’s.
We look forward to resuming outdoor worship when that is viable and will continue to
monitor when we can safely return inside.
It is my hope that you will find one of the topics we open up for discussion today
(Spirituality and Pastoral care, Social and Racial Justice and community engagement, CHT and
the Arts worthy of your time and talent. Help lead us by raising your voice.
In truth, in love, in hope, in Christ,
Mary+
Warden’s Report
There is no need to tell anyone that 2020 was a uniquely difficult year. We started out with the
greatest of hopes – Mary Barnett as our (at that time not-yet-ordained) pastor and Mary Anne
Osborn as her mentor. But within months – indeed, just before Mary’s scheduled festal
ordination – it all fell prey to the COVID restrictions. Many of us joyously watched Mary’s
ordination online, yet it was not quite the same, and the suspension of in-person services was
difficult for us all.
This forced us to see what new mercies the Lord might provide – and online resources like Zoom
and Facebook Live provided resources for many to participate in worship. Indeed, people came
who would not have come to our in-person services – though the opposite is also true: there are
many for whom online worship is either unattractive or impossible.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 12
In the summer, we offered outdoor services – which also opened our worship onto Main Street.
Sometimes this invited people in. Sometimes it resulted in disturbances from the street noise or
hecklers. In the summer, we also held noonday prayer services on Thursdays, in cooperation
with some of the African American churches in Middletown and Streetfire. These were
powerful occasions, not only for showing Christian inter-racial unity, but also for proclaiming
the Gospel to all who passed.
In the late fall, we hoped to resume services in the building, and had one such service. Sadly,
this was just at the point that COVID numbers were spiking, and the Diocese strongly dissuaded
us from holding services in person. For both the wardens and Mary, it has been a very hard
decision to not hold Communion services, which we believe to be one of the centers of our
spiritual life.
Going forward, we very much look forward to having services in person as soon as the State and
the Diocese give approval. We realize this will be a gradual process, and hope to make online
broadcasts of our services a permanent part of our ministry. We have received grants towards
making this possible – it is difficult as there is very limited WiFi within the church – but very
much hope that, sometime in 2021, we will broadcast our in-church services for those unable to
attend in person.
In Advent we had three new programs: a book discussion after service, Compline services in the
evening during Christmastide, and Covenant Groups of small numbers of people who would
meet at least monthly (at least initially online) to share their faith. For over twenty years, the
desire to form ongoing small groups has been one of our central stated goals, but we have been
slow in doing it. Our present situation seems to have given us the impetus we needed, and we
hope it will prosper. (If you wish to be part of a monthly online Covenant Group, please contact
the Church Office.)
Initially during the pandemic restrictions, we closed the building to all outside groups as well.
We reopened to Ekklesia’s program in summer and to 12-step and other groups in autumn. Only
Lighthouse Church and Pigs in Space are currently meeting in the building.
In previous years, we have hosted a warming/overflow center for the homeless during the winter.
This year, our partner, Columbus House, in conjunction with the City of Middletown, informed
us that they had found more suitable options, such as housing people at motels in Middletown
and Meriden. When people came looking for our accommodations, Ekklesia graciously reached
out to the city and the Community Health Center to provide transportation to these.
Miraculously, our pledges have almost fully come in for the year, and with reduced expenses we
have ended up in the black. We have also benefitted from the federal government’s loans to
underwrite salary expenses during the initial months of the pandemic. Due to these blessings, we
are in sound financial shape.
All in all, it has been a difficult, yet blessed year. We have survived – indeed exceeded last
year’s financial expectations. We have surely not succeeded in keeping everyone included, but
we have reached out and brought new people in. We have begun a wonderful partnership with
our dance company, Ekklesia. We have begun to use our front lawn as a way to engage
Middletown. But we eagerly await a safe return to worship in the building.
Steven Horst, Warden
Andrew Milliken, Warden
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 13
Building & Grounds Committee Report
Andre Bishop again fixed the sagging floor in the ladies bathroom.
Andre Bishop and Andy Milliken fixed drafty windows on the second floor.
Ash Pierce held a grounds clean-up day in June, which included new plantings around the front
sign.
The B&G committee also worked with the Safety Committee to set up the church for the new
safety protocols, which included installing touchless dispensers and faucets, installing new locks,
reorganizing the pews in the Sanctuary and cleaning areas of the church, such as the Narthex.
Andy Milliken coordinated the repair of the roof above the office area.
The committee also helped in welcoming Ekklesia by clearing out the 2nd floor and helping
move Sunday School to the Anne Ross Community Room and nursery by the 1st floor office
area. A few pieces of furniture were stored or repurposed, but the surplus was either donated or
discarded.
In November, a small gas leak was discovered in the kitchen area so the stove has been
disconnected. In 2021, the plan is to conduct a deep cleaning of the kitchen area as well as repair
the leaky connection to restore the kitchen to a useable state.
Ty Warren laid out the plans for streaming services and obtained a grant to purchase hardware.
Ty has been working to finalize plans and plans to complete installation in 2021 to enable live-
streaming of services once we’re back in the building.
In 2021, the plan is to hire an electrician to install the permanent light fixtures that we tested out
in 2019 and early 2020. The electrician can also help with the wiring for the streaming hardware.
There are a few other issues that were identified in 2020 that will be tended to in 2021. They
include the sticking crash bar and painting of several spaces, including the office area.
Respectfully submitted,
The Building and Grounds Committee
Andre Bishop, Andrew Milliken, Hector Pinero, Ron Burlette, Jon Irwin, Ashley Pierce
Assisted by Valerie Hall, Parish Administrator
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 14
Acolyte Report
The Church of The Holy Trinity continues to be blessed with a wonderful group of acolytes who
assist with the worship services on Sundays and in special services throughout the year.
Although we are a small group that covers a broad age range, we serve willingly to assist in our
parish’s worship life. We carry crosses, torches, and the Gospel book in processions,
serve at the altar during the Eucharist, and receive the gifts during the Offertory. All our acolytes are
all to be commended for their dedicated service to God and His church.
As of March 2020, our acolytes were: Shane Buckheit, Ron Burlette, Julie-Ann Claude, Patrick
Dolan, Pam Ferguson, Jorell Gonzalez, Arabella Ives, Carl Loges, Cristian Pinero, Hector
Pinero, Diane Reid & R. T. Warren.
Acolyte support during services is currently on hold until sometime after we return to in-person
worship. We look forward to the opportunity to serve again.
It has been a blessing to work with the many acolytes who continue to be a part of this ministry
as well as our new additions. Thanks to all of you for your very special service to our church.
Respectfully submitted,
Hector Pinero
Altar Guild Report
Our Purpose
The Altar Guild is a wonderful group of very dedicated people who work diligently behind the
scenes to make sure that everything is in place for Sunday worship, Baptisms, Weddings,
Funerals, and midweek services at Holy Trinity.
Our Part in God’s Mission The Altar Guild tends to the linens and vessels used to celebrate Holy Communion, keeps the
candles burning, places the appropriate linens and hangings for each season of the year and sets-
up and cleans-up the altar for every service.
With the help of the congregation and the Flower Ministry, the Altar Guild decorates the
Sanctuary appropriately for special seasons and celebrations.
The Altar Guild assists in making everyone feel welcome at Holy Trinity and assuring the beauty
and order of our Sanctuary as a House of Prayer for all. We look forward to when we are able to
get back to work for indoor services in 2021.
Current members are Lois Dragone, Judy McMillan, Emily Milliken, Pamela Ferguson and
Stacey Rich.
Join Us: Contact Stacey Rich at [email protected] or 860-681-2810.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 15
Altar Memorial Flower Committee
Our committee is still only Pam Ferguson and myself. We order our weekly flowers from Uncle
Bob’s Florist and get our Easter Lilies and Christmas Poinsettias from Country Flower Farms.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not been doing any altar flowers since March 2020.
Part of the Easter donations were sent to St. Vincent de Paul instead of purchasing Lilies.
We did decorate the altar area with the Christmas Poinsettias so Rev. Mary could do a virtual
video for the Christmas Eve service. All of the plants were then distributed to many of our
parishioners.
We desperately need a few new members to help us, especially at Easter and Christmas time, to
help with decorating and watering. It is not a big job nor does it take a lot of time.
Anyone wishing to have flowers in memory of a loved one should call me or Valerie. All checks
should be made out and sent to the Church of the Holy Trinity with a notation indicating what
the check is for. Any other questions about weddings and/or funerals should also be directed to
me or Valerie. It is a pleasure to decorate the Lord’s House, but more helpers would be a
blessing.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth K. Wiese
Children and Youth at Holy Trinity
Christian Education
For the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Kerline Vassell-Klaus and Taylor Duckworth were
our teachers. Julia Claude, Cynthia Ellis, Andy Milliken, and Sandy Pinero served as assistant
teachers. Sandy Pinero served as the Sunday School Coordinator.
Total enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year was 16 students. Average daily attendance was
between 4 and 10.
The 2020-2021 Sunday School year started a little later than usual, it started in October. Sunday
School has been meeting weekly on Zoom before the church service. We regularly have about 10
participants, about half are students and half are Sunday School teachers and helping adults. The
teachers for the 2020-2021 school year are Kerline Vassell-Klaus, Taylor Duckworth, Peter Van
Siclen, and Elisa Schroth. Julia Claude, Cynthia Ellis, and Sandy Pinero are serving as assistant
teachers.
A huge thank you to all of the teachers and assistant teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Pinero
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 16
Youth Group
The youth group regularly welcomed 8 teens to meet every other week, with 2-3 adult
volunteers. Many thanks to Steph and Kerline for helping out this season! To welcome as many
young people at CHT as possible, we expanded the age range of the group to include young
people aged 13 and up. The teens were able to meet in person in our youth room for January-
March. In February, they hosted a Pancake Brunch after church to raise money for an anticipated
trip to NYC in May, which was unfortunately cancelled. Due to Covid-19, we moved to Google
Hangouts starting in late March, continuing to meet virtually every other week. We hosted a
virtual movie night, game nights, and team building activities. Once the weather warmed up in
the spring, safe outdoor activities included tie dye, hiking, chalking, painting and group games
like frisbee and croquet. Our Tag Sale was also cancelled due to Covid-19. It was a tough year
for being apart, and Christmas 2020 saw a return to virtual meetings. We hope to resume in-
person meetings once the Church has decided to return to in-person services.
Faithfully,
Ash Pierce
Convalescent Home Ministry
Until last March, a lay team from Holy Trinity had been conducting monthly Morning Prayer
services at Middlesex Health Care Center on the second Sunday of each month. The services were
suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to our faithful crew of regulars: Marilyn
Bengtson, Marion Harris, Eric Rennie, and Susan Spaeth,with back up from Steve Horst.
- Eric Rennie
Covenant Groups
In November of 2020 an idea was formed to create small “Covenant” groups as a way for people
to connect with each other. This was not limited to just our congregation, but could include
friends, neighbors, co-workers, other family members, etc.
Please contact Mary or the church office if you would like to form or join a group. The church
now has a ZOOM Pro account which can be used to host.
Across the congregation, we are asking that you join a group of 6-10 people that will meet
monthly to dwell in a word (whether biblical or spiritual or topical…or share a piece of music)
and listen to each other. Each person will take a turn sharing material. Followed by reflection
and conversation and a closing prayer or poem. 40 minutes. You are free to include a friend or
family member from outside the congregation or outside the church altogether as long as they
make a commitment to meet monthly. This is for you and for all of us. - Mary
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 17
These are the groups which were formed and their members:
Every other week on Friday at 4 p.m.
Mary Barnett - Sean Donadio, Erin Flynn, Trudi Hill, Carol Lyons
Second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m.
Marie Burlette - Cynthia Ellis, Joyce Hurlburt, Judy McMillan, Stacey Rich, Margaret
Scarrozzo, Kerline Vassell, Veronika Webb
Last Monday of the month at 7:20 p.m.
Ted Coolidge – Bill Ball, Valerie Hall, Joan Hedrick, Diane Reid, Jon & Elisa Schroth,
Maryellen Shuckerow, Peter Van Siclen
Tuesday at 8 p.m. (Once a month – no set week within the month yet)
Steve Horst - Kathy Adams, Tracy Hallstead, Jonathan Luysterborghs, Maryellen Shuckerow
First and Third Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Jean Maynard - Julia Claude, Betty Horne, Pat Jackson, Sandy Pinero
Last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Andy Milliken - Ron Burlette, Pam Ferguson, Preston Maynard, Hector Pinero, Eric Rennie
Every Third Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Taylor Walsh - Andre Bishop, James Dawson, Stephanie Duckworth, Cynthia Ellis, Jorell
Gonzalez, Judy McMillan, Ashley Pierce, Pat Walsh, John Ward, Larry Ward
Episcopal Church Women Report
I wish we could say we had a busy year in 2020 but as you know, COVID put a sudden stop to
that. Thankfully most of you keep in touch through Facebook, etc. and the rest of us by
telephone. The light is at the end of the tunnel and with God’s help and our determination, all
will get through this.
Our events for the coming year for ECW will probably be limited. We are going to work and
sponsor what we can and be safe and by the year 2022 should be back to normal?
Our events included the following:
1. Feb-March – Envelope Appeal. A letter is sent to all parishioners explaining our
outreach goals and asking for a donation. We have always had a good response. We
raised $1900 for 2020.
2. May Ascension Day Shut-In Service – cancelled due to COVID. We will miss 2021 as
well.
3. June - Cruise Night– sponsored by Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. Cancelled due to
COVID. 2021 is undetermined.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 18
4. June Parish Picnic at Smith Park off Country Club Road – Cancelled due to COVID.
2021 undetermined.
5. June 80 & Over Celebration– Cancelled due to COVID. 2021 undetermined
6. September Town Wide Tag Sale – 2020 would have been our 9th year sponsoring the
event. Cancelled due to COVID. Hopefully 2021 we can do it again if all are vaccinated
by then. This is a good fund raiser both for ECW and the kids to raise funds for Outreach
and field trips. We need someone to come forward and take it over.
7. December Annual Holiday Fair – Always the first Saturday of December. Cancelled
due to COVID. Again, we will be determining if the fair can be held for 2021. More info
to come. Let’s hope this can be pulled off. During the year you can keep active by doing
or making projects to be put into the fair. If not 2021 then surely 2022 we will be back.
8. Cheer Ministry - Marion Harris has taken this task under her wing for years. She sends
out Cheer cards 3 times a year – Christmas, Easter, and early fall. Thank you Marion. It
means so much to everyone!
9. Shawl Ministry continues. Anyone in need of a prayer shawl see someone in the House
of Talents or Rev. Mary. Those making the shawls are Liz Wiese, Ruth Hubbard, and
Sharon Sheedy. We are always in need of people to participate.
Officers for 2020 ECW
President – Sharon Sheedy
Vice President – Taylor Duckworth
Secretary – Marie Burlette
Treasurer – Pam Ferguson
Hospitality
Nothing to report.
The House of Many Talents
This organization, founded by Anne Ross, has gathered together for over 50+ years. This year of
course was different due to COVID. So we continued our work at home, working on the ABC
Wall Charts for kids. The last month or two, three of us have been meeting again on Thursday
mornings (socially distanced, masked, etc.). The orders for the ABC’s has slacked off but we still
have the occasional order. Working from home have been Marilyn Bengtson, Ruth Hubbard,
Kay Sonstrom, Phyllis Tobits, and Margaret Scarrozzo. Liz Wiese, Lois Dragone and Sharon
Sheedy meet at the church from 10 am – 1 pm on Thursdays to complete and fill orders.
We had a terrible loss this year. Anne Ross died from COVID at Wadsworth Glen. She was 106
years old. This year was the 1st year we were unable to have a birthday brunch for Anne. Lois
and I were able to visit for 15 minutes with her outside at Wadsworth Glen, masked and
distanced. Not quite the same as a party. But we all enjoyed the visit. Stories were told,
memories re-hashed and a few laughs. Anne will be missed by all of us that knew and loved her
and her enthusiasm for life. She is at peace with the angels.
Over the years, the ABC charts have been sent to customers all over the world. We must be
doing something right! We hope to have the support of parishioners as we do from everywhere
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 19
else. Another thought, if you could post one of our advertisements on your work bulletin board
that would get us additional exposure. Please order one at church or call the church office at 860-
347-2591.
The cost of the ABC chart is $40.00. We offer it in several colors (15) and can send the chart
anywhere for you for the cost of the item and postage.
Think of us when needing a baby gift. We sold 20 charts in 2020.
We received notice that Kay Sonstrom, another beloved member of the House of Talents, passed
away on January 19th, 2021. Kay was 97 years old and did work from home for us. Kay was a
nurse and a no-nonsense kind of person, with a great sense of humor and full of life. She still
went bowling well into her 80’s. She will be missed.
The House of Talents, in the Anne Ross Community Room, has a LENDING LIBRARY with a
variety of authors. It has been there for 4-5 years now and it seems only we know about it.
Anytime Monday-Friday from 9 am-2 pm please stop in and take home what you would like to
read. When done, either keep the book, bring it back, or give it away. No one keeps track of who
has what. You can bring in additional books to share. It’s always changing and is there for your
convenience if the regular library is too hard to get to. The room is open on Sundays too, when
we are in the building.
- Sharon Sheedy
Lay Readers and Chalicers
Nothing to report.
Music Ministry
At the beginning of 2020 we were lucky enough to have Allison Lindsay leading the choir again.
She filled in for me, while I was living in New Zealand. During Lent Allison, Steve Horst, Ty
Warren and Ron Burlette used chant and drums for the Great Litany. By Easter I received an
email of the sheet music to Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, so that we could sing at home, since
services could no longer be in person.
Over the past year we have learned many new ways to make music at Church of the Holy
Trinity. Learning to live in a world coping with the pandemic forced us to find ways to sing
God’s praises: sometimes singing through a N95 mask, and often separately through the magic
of technology. We were blessed with many creative services outside, where the lack of an organ
and choir challenged us to get creative. The praise band rose to the occasion, and played many
services outside. Some services had a folk or bluegrass feel, some veered towards jazz. There
were beautiful meditations composed by Ty Warren to put us in a centered place for worship.
The carillon was able to be used for the postlude while people sat on their picnic blankets on the
lawn. At the end of the summer the praise band had an “open rehearsal” outside on the lawn, and
performed an evening of uplifting songs, both sacred and secular.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 20
If the lawn services were a place of experimentation and musical variety, we have been blessed
with the comfort and tradition of choral music through virtual services. We partnered with St.
John’s North Guilford, and The Rev. Mo Lederman has been putting together digital services
digitally throughout the fall and winter. Her work with the combined St John’s and Church of the
Holy Trinity choir has been phenomenal. She has helped us all feel more comfortable with
recording our voices at home, and ensuring that everything gets put together so that it sounds
great, and we can all sing along with the hymns at home.
When Anne Ross passed away we were sad that we were all not able to be there to celebrate her
life in person, as she had asked the praise band to do. She had been a longtime supporter of the
group, and had even requested certain songs for her funeral. We were able to come together
through editing, and recorded a few songs to play at her burial. We look forward to the day that
we will be able to play at a memorial service in person.
Although we long for a time when we can be together, we will continue to adapt and make music
online in the next year. We have already begun having Thursday “Make Music Together” events
on Zoom where parishioners can come together and play and sing songs that have been bringing
them joy during a time of social isolation. We have even had three members of Trinity Church,
Darfield, New Zealand join us for these events. I hope that these singalongs continue to grow and
act, as Eric Rennie called them, “balm for the soul in these times.”
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Van Siclen
Outreach Committee Annual Report – 2020
Financial Outreach
The Outreach Committee decided to keep our donations local this year due to the increased need
in Middletown for food, meals, support for battered women, mental health services, support for
school classroom programs and other social services.
Because of COVID-19, our bi-yearly meetings were held on line to discuss the suggested and
Vestry approved donations to the following groups:
April 2020: St. Vincent de Paul – Food Pantry $1,000.00
June 2020: First Congregational Church – Sunday Lunches 500.00
June 2020: New Horizons (shelter for battered women) 500.00
June 2020: St. Vincent de Paul – Food Pantry 1,000.00
September 2020: St. Vincent de Paul – Food Pantry 1,000.00
November 2020: Stop & Shop – Thanksgiving Pies 213.00
November 2020: The Connection – Middletown Mental Health Services 750.00
November 2020: Donors Choose – Mdtn School System Class Projects 999.93
November 2020: First Congregational Church – Sunday Lunches 750.00
November 2020: Gilead Community Service – Mdtn Mental Health Support 750.00
November 2020: New Horizons (shelter for battered women) 500.00
December 2020: St. Vincent de Paul – Food Pantry 750.00
$8,712.00
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 21
The April donation was from our Easter Flower donations since we did not purchase lilies or
have Easter service in the church this year.
Projects
The Salvation Army has an online gift giving program for Christmas this year which several of
our parishioners participated in. After March first this year, The Clothing Closet was closed. We
have no information at this time as to its future.
The Warming Center
Due to the COVID-19, local churches could not house any clients this year. The city of
Middletown made other arrangements for them.
Outreach continues to be at the heart of this parish, and we have probably forgotten to include
something in this report. May God continue to give us the strength, the resources, and the
compassion for these ministries.
Liz Wiese, Chair, Pam Ferguson, Marie Burlette, Sharon Sheedy, Veronika Webb,
Taylor Walsh, Suzanne Scibilia
Parish Administrator
The State of CT was shut down on March 24, 2020 due to COVID. From that point I worked at
home on my personal laptop. Thanks to Mary Anne Osborn who ordered me a stand up desk,
cordless keyboard and an anti-fatigue mat so I did not have to sit on my hard kitchen chair. I
called in to the church office to get phone messages every hour and had regular phone meetings
with Mary and Mary Anne. I also periodically went down to the church during the week just to
grab what I needed.
At some point I began coming back in to the office when more was understood about the virus,
keeping socially distanced and wearing a mask at all times. There was still plenty of work to do,
even without printing the bulletins. People still come to the door, call on the phone, and vendors
drop off supplies and there are always the endless stream of building issues to deal with. We did
quite a few extra group mailings then in previous years.
Plans were begun in late 2020 to redo my office, which is long overdue. A new desk and
standing desk was ordered for the office at the end of the year but I don’t expect delivery until
several months into 2021. Getting that huge old desk out of there will be a challenge! Painting
and re-carpeting are also in the works (as well as carpeting for the copy room and finance office).
It’s going to be a big job and James Thomas, our sexton and security guy who works for
Ekklesia, is going to be helping along with some of the building committee members.
The Trinity Trumpet has fallen by the wayside due to the pandemic. With Eric putting out the
weekly eNews which has all the information people need to know, it has seemed redundant.
Brother Thomas and I collaborated on a few newsletters which I sent out via snail mail to those
who do not get the eNews or go online, and plan to keep that up. If you are not on the eNews list
and do not receive anything via mail from the church, please contact the church office at 860-
347-2591 or via email at [email protected].
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 22
Announcements for the weekly eNews should be to the office no later than Wednesday morning.
If you come into the office, please remember to make sure that doors are securely shut and
locked before you leave the building. The office hours continue to be Monday through Friday,
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Valerie Hall
Parish Administrator
Social Services Report
Carl Loges was continuing to meet in person with clients throughout 2020, until the numbers
began to go up with COVID and then he began working from home.
Jane Nichols has been working from home since March of 2020.
Report from Brother Thomas
In spite of the unprecedented delays this year, I managed to continue with most of my
Benedictine responsibilities. This involved praying the Daily Prayer Book Offices, including
some spiritual reading and meditation. My thanks to St. Benedict who included in the Rule that
there is be “nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.”
Most of the time I tried to keep in touch by phone with a number of parishioners and others not
connected with Holy Trinity or any religious group. Unfortunately I had to curtail this during the
Christmas season because of requirements and help with our home business, the Sundial
Gardens.
Since I was not at liberty to visit anyone in person, I chose to make and deliver soup or various
desserts, especially for Anne Ross on her birthday before she died and for a dear bed-ridden
friend and parishioner Ann Coward.
Many thanks to Valerie Hall who graciously continued to edit our parish newsletter, The Trinity
Trumpet, even though we published and designed very few this year.
My prayers have always included Holy Trinity, especially those who have kept in touch with me
one way or another. This includes my friends at St. James Church, Higganum, who recently
bestowed on me their “honorary member” status!
Pax Christi,
Br. Thomas Anthony Goddard OSB
“That in all things God may be glorified.” —St. Benedict
Peace,
Brother Thomas
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 23
Usher Annual Report
We currently have a strong group of 12 ushers that usually cover the services on Sundays as well
as any holiday services and funerals. Given the temporary cancellation of in-person services we
have not been very active in 2020, but we have covered any in-person services that occurred.
The group is made up of Andre Bishop, Randy Burlette, Ron Burlette, Julia Claude, Lori Harris,
Jill Irwin, Jon Irwin, Andy Milliken, Emily Milliken, Hector Pinero, Jean Samolyk, and John
Ward. When we get back to regular services we plan to continue to have regular involvement
from younger members of our community. It would be great to have additional volunteers from
the Parish help out with this ministry going forward. Please contact Andy Milliken
([email protected]) if you are interested.
Submitted by Andy Milliken
Outgoing 2019 Vestry Members
Julia Claude, Susan Colby, and Ashley Pierce
Thank you for serving!
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 24
Nominations for 2021
Wardens: Andrew Milliken (Six terms – exp. 2020)
Steve Horst (Six terms – exp. 2024)
Treasurer: Pam Ferguson (annual)
Clerk: Stacey Rich (annual)
Vestry:
Class of 2022 Marie Burlette (2022)
Jean Maynard (2022)
Andre Bishop (2022)
Class of 2023 Hector Pinero (2023)
Stacey Rich (2023)
Taylor Warren (2023)
Class of 2024 Jon Irwin (2024)
Taylor Walsh (2024)
TBD (2024)
ECCT Convention Delegates:
Steven Horst
Andrew Milliken
ECCT Convention Alternates:
TBD
TBD
Officers to be elected are in bold face.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 25
2020 Treasurer’s Report
I am happy to report that although we had budgeted for a deficit in 2020, Church of The Holy
Trinity ended the year with an operating net income of $13,121! This happened even though
total income was $26,259 under budget, because our total expenses were $43,583 under budget.
These figures do not include the Payroll Protection Program loan because we have not yet
received forgiveness from the SBA.
Income: Items of significance are:
Pledge income was $174,155. This is 95.4% of what was actually pledged. We also
received 95.8% of what was in the budget for Non-Pledged Income. Considering what an
unusual year 2020 was, this demonstrates amazing support for our church.
We received $62,950 from our various Legacies and Bequests. This is $184 more than
was budgeted.
Our parish fundraising efforts raised a net of $3,537. This is $9,363 less than was in the
budget. This was due to Covid-19 restrictions that prevented us from having our usual
events such as the Holiday Fair, the Town Wide tag sale, the Cruise Night hot dog sale, a
Praise band concert, and the Youth Group tag sale.
We received $18,460 in donations for building use; $4,300 less than budgeted. This is
mainly due to the weekly groups being unable to meet in the building.
Expenses: Accounts which differed significantly from what we had budgeted are as follows:
Salaries and Benefits were $20,483 under budget. Please see the Year End Summary
financial report for details.
Outreach Initiatives were $990 over budget. Thanks to our significantly reduced
expenses for 2020 we were able to use our full outreach budget.
Building Repairs and Maintenance was $179 over budget. However Building Supplies
and Equipment were $4,378 over budget. This is because we had to purchase items such
as hands-free faucets, hands-free paper towel dispensers, hands-free hand sanitizer
dispensers and many other items that would allow us to reopen the church.
Utilities were $3,060 under budget for the year.
Audit: Our 2019 financial records were reviewed by Blum Shapiro using the Agreed
Upon Procedures required by the ECCT. We submitted our records electronically to the
auditor rather than having the auditor come to the building. No significant findings were
noted by the auditor and the report was made to the ECCT in a timely manner.
2021 Budget: The budget for 2021 was prepared by the Finance Committee and then submitted
to the Vestry. The vestry approved the budget at their meeting on January 19, 2021.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Ferguson,
Treasurer
** Financial Reports are in separate PDF file.
Church of the Holy Trinity – Annual Report 2020 Page 26