ST. JOHN THE DIVINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH RUSKIN & SUN CITY CENTER

PROFILE PARISH

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PARISH PROFILE TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Worship 4

Music 5

Programs & Ministries 6

Clergy & Staff 7

Parish History 7

Lay Leadership 8

Parish Statistics 9

Parish Budget 10

Parish Financial Trends 11, 12

Community Demographics 13, 14

Buildings & Grounds 15, 16

Parish Survey Results 17-22

VISION STATEMENT ST. JOHN THE DIVINE

IS DEVOTED TO

Offering Meaningful Worship

Teaching the Gospel

Caring For Our Church Family Reaching Out To Our Neighbors In Need

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GROWING IN FAITH, FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

Lord, what would you do, through us, to fulfill your will for our church?

November, 2013

Hello,

Here’s a look at St. John the Divine by the numbers (at least a few of them)

50 yrs. That’s how old we are as a parish

40 + The number of our active programs and ministries

382 active parish households

3 Number of Sunday services

$480,000. Expected budget for 2014

85% of us are on Social Security

95% of us favor attracting younger families to the parish

That’s not the whole picture, of course, only a glimpse of a parish with a high

percentage of seniors who are strong in their faith and still forward-looking. Re-

sults of a recent parish survey and other reports elsewhere in this profile, reveal

more about our history and perspective.

St. John the Divine is a parish in transition, seeking a new Rector to succeed Fr.

Tracy Wilder, who, because of ill health, was forced to retire on June 1, 2013.

Candidates are being evaluated. Our objective is to call as Rector someone

who is an effective administrator, a skilled financial manager, a visionary who

can create and direct clear plans for the growth of the parish, a pastor who

can maintain our reputation as a welcoming and caring community, and

someone who is an inspiring spiritual leader. That’s all.

Prayerfully, The Vestry of St. John the Divine

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Rite I Eucharist begins at 8:00 a.m., followed at 9:00 a.m.

by a contemporary music Rite II Eucharist service, and a Rite II

Choir Eucharist at 11:00 a.m.

At St. John the Divine, there is emphasis on “the priesthood

of all believers” with encouragement of all in the body to share

gifts given them for ministry, both within the mutual fellowship of

that body and to the world outside.

Parishioners of all age groups serve as lectors, Eucharistic

ministers and acolytes. Thirty-two persons presently serve as Eu-

charistic ministers.

Altar Guild members prepare the altar for the Sunday

Eucharists and any weekday celebrations. Fresh flowers are ar-

ranged for the services and may be taken afterward to those in

the hospital or to the homebound.

Morning Prayer, combined with a service of healing is pro-

vided every Wednesday.

WORSHIP

Worship at the two campuses of St. John the Divine is . . .

nurturing through Word and Sacra-

ment, offering strength, hope, comfort

and peace, and sharing the precious

mystery of salvation.

guiding the parish in providing in-

depth and well-rounded Christian nur-

ture, helping them to explore their role

and identity in a Christian environment

and then focus on their own participa-

tion in servanthood.

inspiring and educating through ser-

mons and teaching, while encouraging,

with flexibility, tolerance and patience,

the sharing of ideas, allowing for per-

sonal and corporate introspection.

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MUSIC

We have three services each Sunday which are

equally important but decidedly different. I’ve ex-

perienced them all and find a separate strength in

each of them.

Our first service is a traditional service of Holy

Eucharist each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Here, God

speaks to us in that still, small voice.

Our contemporary service at 9:00 a.m. is about life

as it is today, and the music we offer is the music of

today. In this service, we become part of evangeli-

cal Christianity in our community and the world.

We have many small voices at this service. Pic-

tured left are members of the Redemption Band:

Alyson Barrett, Yoniece Miller, Troy Coman, Chuck

Wirick, Bill Rudy, trumpet, Jack Edison, trombone.

Photo inserts: Annie Hunter, Katie Arp, Jean Brown

Our third service on Sun-

day is the Choir service

offering of music and

praise. We have pledged

in all we do not to be-

come a museum of our

religious heritage, but to

use that heritage to be-

come a beacon of hope

to point those in our com-

munity to the love of God

and Jesus Christ.

Charles Wirick Music Director

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PROGRAMS & MINISTRIES

St, John The Divine Episcopal Church offers many

enjoyable, rewarding opportunities for those who

are looking to worship and become active in

church programs and ministries. We have some-

thing for everyone.

To see what we mean, click on the link below . . . .

www.stjohndivine.com

. . . . click Ministries on the Menu Bar. A drop-

down menu will lead to individual pages with de-

tails of Programs and Ministries.

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Clergy

HISTORY

Charles Wirick Music Director

Jane Hollis Office Administrator

Sue Hicks Financials

Staff

http://www.stjohndivine.com/about-us-2/parish-history-2/

Fr. Lee Miller, has been an Episcopal priest for more

than 30 years. Prior to seminary and entering the Epis-

copal priesthood, Fr. Miller worked with the Billy Gra-

ham Evangelistic Association. In later years, he joined

with the National Episcopal Church in developing and

voicing radio/TV public service announcements. -

Previous congregations include parishes in Kentucky,

Ohio and Florida. Fr. Lee began serving at St John the

Divine in August, 2012.

For a pictorial history of St. John the Divine, Click on link below

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LAY LEADERSHIP

Ed Brown Sr. Warden

Debbie Carlisle Cher Cerebe

Connie Keister Mark Hunter

Melva Kittrell

Chuck Collins Bob Collins

Vestry To be eligible to serve on the Vestry, one must be an enrolled, confirmed adult communicant in good standing. Vestry members are expected to make a commitment of time and talents to the ministry of the Vestry, accomplished in part through meetings, weekend retreats, and specific individual assign-ments. The Vestry is responsible for an evaluation of parish programs; for the church building and grounds; for the securing and expenditure of funds necessary for these programs; and for aiding in communications within the parish.

Allie Maiocchi Carrie VanGelder Sharon VanLoan

Curt Arp Jr. Warden

Photo

Coming

Soon

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Parish Statistics—2013

PARISH STATICICS FOR 2013

1. Total Number of Active Member Households 383

2. Total Number of Baptized Persons 402

3. Total Number of Other Individuals who worship at St. John the Divine

204

(Winter residents & newly arrived year-round residents)

4. Holy Eucharist Services

a. Sunday Holy Communion 153

b. Weekday Morning Prayer 50

c. Private Communion to Sick & Shut-In 85

(may include anointing of the sick)

5. Other Sacraments & Services

a. Holy Baptism 0

b. Marriage 3

c. Burials 11

d. Confirmations 2

6. Total Attendance for 2013 at All Services 12627

(Including funerals and weddings 13634

7. Average Sunday Attendance for 52 Sundays 251

8. Attendance on Key Sundays

a. First Sunday in Lent 270

b. Easter Day 382

c. Pentecost Sunday 241

d. First Sunday in Advent 230

e. Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 288

f. Celebration Sunday February 10, 2013 209

9. Average Sunday Attendance by Service

a. 8:00 64

b. 9:00 69

c. 11:00 105

10.Average amount pledges per unit at St. John the Divine (2012)

1600.40

11.Average amount pledges per unit at St. John the Divine (2013)

1707.77

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2013

INCOME

Offerings and Pledges 387,278

Other Sources 23,640

TOTALS $410,918

EXPENSES

1 For ministering to the spiritual needs of God’s people 53,008

2 For ministering outside the parish 38,280

3 For maintaining our buildings and grounds 49,220

4 For operating our parish 104,692

5 For singing the praises of God 30,576

6 For deepening our knowledge of faith & fellowship 2,626

7 For paying down mortgage 109,641

TOTALS $388,043

Rector’s salary, housing, pension, health, dental and life insurance, social security, auto expense, pro-

fessional expenses. Assisting clergy salary and housing, Supply Priests, Pastoral care, Fellowship,

Newcomers, Compassionate Friends, Search expenses.

Diocesan apportionment, Rectors discretionary fund, outreach.

Housekeeping expenses, casual labor expenses to maintain, repair and improve our parish properties.

Administrative Assistant’s salary, utilities, property insurance, office expenses, administrative ex-

penses.

Organist/Choir Director’s salary, health and life insurance, professional expenses, supply organist,

music and worship materials, altar supplies.

Christian education expenses including materials for adult and children’s education programs.

Mortgage interest, principle and expenses

2013 Operating Ministry Program

Financial Report

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Financial Management Trends St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

Sun City Center / Ruskin Data compiled by Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida

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Financial Management Trends St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

Sun City Center / Ruskin Data compiled by Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida

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This ExecutiveInsite Report prepared for St John the Divine Episcopal Church is designed to “tell the demographic story” of the defined geographic study area. (3 mile radius from Sun City Center campus) ExecutiveInsite integrates narrative analysis with data tables and graphs. Playing on the report name, it includes 12 “Insites” into the study area’s story. It includes both demographic and beliefs and practices data. ExecutiveInsite is intended to give an overview analysis of the defined geographic study area. (5 year projection)

http://pr.dfms.org/study/StaticPDFs/8/8955-9694.pdf

THE EXECUTIVEINSITE REPORT

For report on community within three mile radius of Sun City Center campus, click on link below

For report on community within ten mile radius of Sun City Center campus, see data below and on following page

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Buildings and Grounds

Our church, until recently, had two campuses, six miles apart; one in Ruskin, the other in Sun City Center. The newer church building, on 1015 Del Webb Blvd. E. at the east side of Sun City Center was dedicated and consecrated by The Rt. Rev Dabney T. Smith on July 26, 2009. The original Ruskin church, built in 1964, located off SR 674 between I-75 and US Hwy 41, has been closed, and, as planned originally about six years ago, will be offered for sale.

The Sun City Center Campus

The newer campus building is located on 5 acres in the central east side of Sun City Center. This new building contains the nave/chancel for the 8:00 a.m. and 11:00.a.m. Sunday church services, the Wednesday Morning Prayer and Healing Services and other services and special events. A large parish hall with an excellent commercial kitchen facility. are well utilized for coffee hours and many dinners and events during the year. Office space, including the Min-isters office, is housed in this building as well. In addition, there are segregated office spaces for the choir, choir di-rector, sacristy, sexton and some storage. There is no room at this time for Sunday school, and children’s activities, so they are housed at the Ruskin campus along with the 9:00 am Sunday family service. A new Grace Memorial Garden has been added to the rear of the new church. This installa-tion should be completed by the end of 2013.

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The Ruskin Campus is approximately three acres in size. It is located along SR 674, the main east/west road between Sun City Center and Ruskin. There are three buildings and a small retention pond on the site. The church building (A) includes the Nave/Chancel, Nar-thex, Sacristy, (B) Parish hall, (warming) Kitchen and storage rooms. Under the same roof connected by a breeze way (C) are three interconnected meeting/class rooms with rest-rooms; a toddler class room with separate bathroom; and a storage/utility room. A second building, (D) at the other end of the main parking lot is a four car garage used for storage. The third building (E) on the property was at one time a seven room parish rectory with an attached garage. Over time it has been used as an adult day care, meet-

ing and class rooms and as a storage area. It is currently being used by the Lord’s Light House, led by Pastor Wil-liam Cruz, for a Hispanic and multi-cultural ministry serving migrant workers and others in need. In an area sheltered on two sides by the Sanctuary and the Parish hall is a Me-morial Garden (Cemetery) with over 100 cre-mains buried, some

with and some without urns. On Sun-day the church is used for one service at 9:00 a.m. fol-lowed by a coffee hour. At 11:15 a.m. Pastor Cruz con- ducts a nonde-

nominational Hispanic service with Sunday school and

collation. During the week we spon-sor five A.A. and two Al-Anon meetings. One

week at the end of January we hold a rummage sale with typically four days of set-up and a day and a half of sales. Currently the mechanicals of all the buildings are functioning with minor mainte-nance as required. The kitchen in the parish hall is food preparation only (no cooking).

A

B

C

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E

St. John the Divine’s tw

o campus system was ended on Feb. 9,

2014. The Ruskin property is being prepared for sale. The 9:00

a.m. service was moved to Sun City Center. The Memorial G

ar-

den cremains will also be removed to the SCC campus Grace

Memorial Garden. T

he Lord’s Lighthouse is in the process of re-

locating its worship service and mission.

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Parish survey

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ST JOHN THE DIVINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

PARISH SURVEY COMMITTEE SUMMARY REPORT

PARISH SURVEY October, 2013

The role of the Rector Survey Committee is to lead the process of determining who we are as a par-ish, identifying our strengths and challenges, sensing our calling, and discerning the qualities re-quired of our new Rector. This process relies heavily on gaining the parish’s perspectives on many issues through the completion of a Parish Survey. Following a concerted effort to encourage full participation, 174 members from our congregation an-swered this call and completed the anonymous Parish Survey either online or via hard copy. The following report presents the results of our survey. Though we have only reported the highest ranked responses throughout this summary report, we have thoroughly studied all members’ re-sponses and they will be given full consideration in choosing our new Rector. The Parish Survey Committee wishes to thank all those who participated in the completion of our Parish Survey. THIS REPORT IS BASED ON THE RESPONSES OF 174 MEMBERS OF OUR CONGREGATION AGES 16 AND HIGHER DEMOGRAPHICS: Mixed Demographics Q

-65

-20 year members

-9 months; 2% attend 1-3 months

tend the Healing Service when necessary -scheduled donations

-mail and internet; 18% have neither

Note: The demographics section also includes responses from questions 4 through 9.

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OVERVIEW OF LIFE AT ST JOHN THE DIVINE: 1) What first brought you to St. John The Divine (highest ranked responses represent % of total responders)

- Lifelong Episcopalian (cradle Episcopalian)

- Nearest Episcopal Church to their home

- Clergy 2) Why have you continued coming to St. John The Divine Episcopal Church? (highest ranked responses represent % of total responders)

- Style of Worship

- Lifelong Episcopalian

Ministries/ Activities/Special Events Questions (9-16) From a list of various aspects of the life of our Parish, what ministries/activities/special events have you attended, are involved in or have been involved in the last two years?

Ministries: (highest percentages of responses): Altar Guild; Cursillo; Outreach

Activities: (highest percentages of responses): Rummage Sale; Coffee Hour; Bazaar; Dinners/Events.

Needs to be Strengthened: (highest percentages of responses): Healing Service; Coffee Hour, Lay Eucharist

Add /Suggestions: (highest percentages of responses): Prayer Groups; Support Groups; Adult Self-Help Groups; cooking/Landscaping

Communications Questions (17-24) How effective is ST JOHN THE DIVNE at keeping you informed?

letins, and Revelations (monthly newsletter). Over half of the respondents felt the Website is some-what effective to effective.

financial condition or Vestry actions.. Suggestions centered on more complete information being made of the Vestry dis-cussions and actions as well as the budget. Accepting credit and debit cards..

63% satisfied with the Stewardship Process and would like to see it continue throughout the year Parish Inreach/Pastoral Care Questions ( 25-28) From a list what inreach/pastoral care programs you have attended, are involved in or have been involved in in the last two years?

Prayer Chain; 20% Healing Service Most Important: (highest percentages of responses) Lay Eucharistic; Choir, Men of SJD

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Needs to be Strengthened: (highest percentages of responses): Healing Service; Morning Prayer; Sunday School

Add/Suggestions: (highest percentages of responses): Homebound Helpers; increased visits of priest and members to shut-ins; Sunday School for Adults; Get Well cards; dinners during the week (like a Soup Kitchen); Meals on Wheels more than once a year Mission Outreach Questions (29-32) From a list what outreach programs are you currently or have been in-volved in the last two years?

opment Group (tied) so it’s not surprising that the three most important to the respondents are: Lord’s Lighthouse, Episcopal Relief and Development Fund and the Dominican Development Group.

Needs to be Strengthened: (highest percentages of responses) Lord’s Lighthouse; Cornerstone Kids

Add (highest percentages of responses): project based activities; Family Activities Adult Education Questions (33-36) From a list what adult education programs are you currently or have been involved in the last two years?

Special Events Needs to be Strengthened: (highest percentages of responses) offer day and night classes; offer

novice and advanced classes; survey parishioners for topics; variety of Bible Study (historical, chronological, and archeological); more speakers

Add/Suggestions: more participation; eliminate lecture type classes; more discussions add: Chuck’s Bible Study; Bible Study for “Dummies”; clergy recommended reading list; Diocesan in-volvement

Youth and Children’s Education

Questions (37-44) There were a total of 58 responders to Youth questions and 55 respon-dents to Children Education questions. Too few responders to properly address these two

topics.

two years)

Suggestions: Youth: Rock Band; Youth Group on Sunday Mornings; Cub, Girl, Boy Scouts Children: music jams. Need more youth and children.

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Personal and Professional Qualities of a New Rector Question (45)

Rector Qualities as Recorded by the three services: All three services seem to be in agreement for: effectively administrate staff/parish and manage fi-nances, create and direct clear plans to grow the parish membership, foster a warm and welcoming parish community, and inspire as a spiritual leader. 8:00 and 11:00 services selected Give intellectually challenging sermons as their fifth quality choice where the 9:00 service selected Capable of handling two campuses as their fifth quality choice. This seems to show that there is a great deal of agreement regarding what the expectations for a new rector are even though we are split between two campuses. Moving Forward

Question (46)

ISSUES OF CONCERN TO YOU (various responses received - condensed to common themes):

1) Ruskin: a decision needs to be made about Ruskin; a need for “one church”; financial status;

2) Financial Condition: need to be more informed about finances; clearer and more frequent finan-cial reports

3) Services: too many changes; keep services to an hour; sing music that we know; a combined service more often

5) Adult Education: would like to see more discussions in classes rather than lectures; day and evening offerings; novice and advanced classes; more variety in Bible classes; more self-development (spiritual, faith, etc.)

6) Vestry/Administration: increased information exchange with congregation; make meeting min-utes visible at all times and current; keep us involved in decisions; revisit position of administrative assistant.

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7) Ministries/Events/Activities: as active as we are, we’d like to improve our Faith Forums, Cur-sillo, and Healing Service and continue to provide Pastoral Care and parish engagement

8) Search Process: why taking so long us so long to get started to search for a new rector?; what does this survey have to do with searching for a new rector?

9) Fellowship: be more friendly to new comers; “one church”; more dinners;

10) Diversity of congregation: concerned with demographics and our average age – need to at-tract new members especially 35-55 age group to keep a healthy balance and sustainable ministry;; improve opportunities for fellowship.

FINAL COMMENTS NOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE SURVEY (59 responses received - condensed to common themes):

1) Need a plan/vision for the future in order to make sound decisions now

2) We need a budget to meet the needs of the church community with full disclosure of our financial condition

4) There needs to be a concerted effort to attract and involve younger members with families and all new comers if we are to sustain; with an aging population we need to grow in numbers and youth.

5) One church plan for monthly/quarterly or other opportunity to bring both campuses to a combined Sunday worship

The results from the survey show that St John the Divine is a vibrant, faith community. As we reviewed the results from the survey, it was clear that the parishioners of St John the Divine have a strong loyalty to and a high expectation level of their parish. This parish is also at the cross-roads with a desire to be "one church."

Cher Cerebe Liz Hood Larry Kleven Parish Survey Committee

End — Parish Profile