St. Paul’s United

Methodist Church

3334 Breton Road, S.E.

Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Phone: (616) 949-0880

Email:

grstpaulsumc@gmail.com

Website: www.grstpaulsumc.org

The Messenger May 2017

OTW NEWS

Hurting World

The Hurting World offering for May will be the John Wesley Hospital

Boat, bringing much-needed medical care to isolated villagers who

otherwise count on the service of just one doctor for 29,000 people.

The boat travels the Amazon River through the rainforest of Brazil.

Gordon Greathouse, the United Methodist missionary, says the care

would be impossible without the John Wesley boat which takes two

medical teams into the jungle each month from January through Au-

gust. Each trip costs $10,000. The boat services 26 villages near

Manaus, Brazil. Your gift to John Wesley Hospital Boat will help keep

care coming to isolated villages of the Amazon. Please pray for these

people and give generously to this project.

It seems like school was just beginning and here we are at

the end of the year already. One of our favorite projects is

giving every child at Hamilton their very own book to take

home for the summer. We will be selling the books Sunday,

May 7th and 14th in the library, before and after worship.

The books are $2.00 each and we encourage you to take a

minute to write a note inside the front cover. It can be as

simple as "Have a great summer!” or “Your friends from St.

Paul's UMC".

Page 2 The Messenger

Rev. Karin Orr, a retired United Meth-

odist pastor, will lead a short term bible

study on Monday evenings starting

Monday, May 8 at 7:00 PM The study

will focus on learning how to read the

Bible while working through Paul's let-

ter to the Galatians. All are welcome!

Please sign up at the welcome desk.

Save Your Spare Change!

Empty out your piggy bank

and look under the sofa cush-

ions! Keep a jar on your

kitchen counter and save your

spare change for a special

Mother’s Day collection. St.

Paul’s will be collecting funds

for feminine hygiene prod-

ucts, which will be donated to

the Grand Rapids YWCA to

care for women in need.

Ways to support The Pantry at John Knox Presbyterian Church: Participate in the 40th Annual HUNGER WALK on Sunday, May 7th. The walk begins at 2:30pm at Park Church (10 E. Park Place), and the 3.2 mile route weaves through East Town Grand Rapids. This is a kid and pet friendly walk, and our youth group is participating! You can register online or talk to Pam White for more information. Come to Chick-fil-A Grand Rapids South for a Spirit Night on Monday, May 15. Visit the Chick-fil-A location at 1545 Edgeknoll Dr. SE (near at M6 and Kalamazoo Ave.) dur-ing breakfast from 6:30-10:30am or dinner from 4-7pm, show your 'ticket,' and 10% of your order will be donated to The Pantry! Tickets will be available at the Over the Wall table on Sunday mornings.

Page 3

During my time at our little church one of the defining qualities I have appreciated most about St. Paul’s UMC is our commitment to service. Whether it’s mentoring students and families at Hamilton ECC, offering the use of our facilities for recovery groups, helping to feed the hungry in our commu-nity, engaging in youth missions work, or hosting events where children can learn about the amazing love of God, you, the people of St. Paul’s, have consistently demonstrated a desire to meet needs with love in the city of Grand Rapids.

This summer, I’d like to invite you to continue that service to your community in a unique way. From June 22-24 we’ll be engaged in a Mini Mission Trip and I’d like you to join us.

‘What is a Mini Mission Trip?’ you may be asking. The Mini Mission Trip is a three-day service ad-venture right here in Grand Rapids. Together we will serve the needs of people through local minis-tries and non-profit organizations. We will share life with the elderly at Brookcrest Retirement Com-munity, we will help provide food to the hungry at the John Knox Community Food Panty, and we will show care and compassion toward some feline friends at Crash’s Landing, a local cat rescue. This is an event open to everyone and it’s absolutely free.

‘What will it be like?’ Think of the Mini Mission Trip like a service day camp. We will come together in the morning to share breakfast and devotions, head out to serve as we’re able through the morn-ing and early afternoon, return to share dinner and a time of worship, and then depart for home, ready to do it all again tomorrow. The days will run from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

‘What if I can’t make all three days? What if I can only make it for part of a day?’ That is abso-lutely fine! We want you there as much as you’re able to commit.

‘What if I can’t make it?’ That’s quite all right. I still love you anyway. You can still help out by pro-viding snacks or part of a meal. And regardless of whether or not you’re able to join us, I invite you all to pray for those participating as well as for those who will be ministered to.

Join us as we serve our community with a common goal: to bring the hope and love of Jesus to

those who need it the most.

For more info, contact Bill Cummings williamcummings@outlook.com

Sunday, May 7 | Hunger Walk 2017 @ Wyoming Park UMC from 12:30pm-4:00pm. Bring a non-perishable food item and/or pledges to donate, and wear your tennis shoes to participate in a 5K walk

to eradicate hunger in the Grand Rapids area. Lunch provided. Bring $ for ice cream.

Sunday, May 21 | Donuts & Dragons

@ The Gamers Wharf from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Come on out to our final community game night of the school year with lots of fun games, tasty food, and awesome

prizes! Bring your friends.

Sunday, May 28 | That Thing We Do on Sundays @ Wyoming Park UMC from 5:00pm-7:00pm. We will be eating, playing, laugh-ing, sharing life, and learning more about what it means to be branded by God.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7:15am—AA

9:30am—W.B Study

12pm—AA

6:30pm—F.A.

7pm—Stephen Ministry

2 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

7pm—SPRC

7pm—Trustees

3 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

5:45pm—Praise T.

7:30—Choir

4 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

6:30pm— W.B. Study

5 7:15am—AA

9:00am— Brunch Bunch

12pm—AA

6 7:15am—AA

9:00am—Baby Shower for Beth.

7 7:15am—AA

9:30am—Worship

10:45am—Sunday School

8 7:15am—AA

9:30am—W.B Study

12pm—AA

6:30pm—F.A.

9 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

10 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

1pm—Needlecraft

5:45pm—Praise T.

6:45pm—Handbell

7:30—Choir

11 7:15am—AA

10am—Caregivers

12pm—AA

6pm—John Knox

6:30pm— W.B Study

12 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

13 7:15am—AA

14 7:15am—AA

9:30am—Worship

10:45am—Sunday School

Mother’s Day

15 7:15am—AA

9:30am—W.B Study

12pm—AA

6:30pm—F.A. Newsletter Articles Due

16 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

2pm—Clark Bible

17 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

5:45pm—Praise T.

6:45pm—Handbell

7:30pm—Choir

18 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

6:30pm W.B Study

19 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

20 7:15am—AA

21 7:15am—AA

9:30am—Worship

10:45am—Sunday School

22 7:15am—AA

9:30am—W.B Study

12pm—AA

6:30pm—F.A.

23 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

7pm—Charge Confer-ence

24 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

5:45pm—Praise T.

25 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

6:30pm—W.B Study

26 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

27 7:15am—AA

28 7:15am—AA

9:30am—Worship

10:45am—Sunday School

O.H.W. offering

29 7:15am—AA

9:30am—W.B Study

12pm—AA

6:30pm—F.A.

Memorial Day

30 7:15am—AA

12pm—AA

31 7:15am— AA

12pm—AA

5:45pm—Praise T.

THIS AND THAT

Brunch Bunch will meet on Friday,

May 5, at 9am. All women are wel-

come! If you have questions please con-

tact Peg Edvenson @ 455-8167 or ped-

venson@gmail.com.

Spring Cleaning

COME ONE, COME ALL!!!!

WHO? All able-bodied men, women and children.

WHAT? Annual Spring Clean-UP

WHERE? St. Paul's UMC

WHEN? Saturday, May 27th, at 9:00AM-12:00PM

WHY? To beautify the grounds around our church and clean the kitchen!!

Coffee and donuts

at 8:30AM

WHITECAPS GAME!!

Join your friends for a Night at the Whitecaps on Saturday, June 10!

The game starts at 7pm and there will be fireworks at night. Tickets

are $12.00. Please sign up at the welcome desk. If you have any

questions contact Peg Edvenson at pedvenson@gmail.com

COFFEE!!

The coffee sign-up sheet is very lonely! We all

enjoy the fellowship after church so we need

help with snacks and coffee. If you don't know

how to fix the coffee, we will teach you. Find a

friend and do it together!! It's easier and fun!!

Church Nursery An update for all about one major transition that has occurred since Mosaic Church dissolved. St. Paul's has hired a nursery attendant, Kim Niblock, to provide child care from 9am-12noon on Sunday mornings. Per our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, we need to have two adults in the nursery at all times. Please understand that this is primarily a gesture of hospitality towards children and families who are visit-ing our church but also a legal obligation of every United Method-ist Church. While Kim will handle most of the diaper changes, lifting, etc. we must have an extra set of hands each week (no matter how many children are present). There will be a sign up sheet on the Wel-come Desk and OTW desk this week. We can all take a turn...many hands make light work!

Page 6 The Messenger

Paragraph 213 Update– Worksheet #4

As we were responding to the following questions, St. Paul’s leaders had an in depth conversation about how our core values,

mission, and vision needs to drive everything that we do as a church. But because we lack clarity in this area, we do not have

goals, objectives, or standards by which to measure the effectiveness of our budget, ministries, programs, and staff. We are

aware that this must be addressed if we want to survive and thrive.

What is your giving per attendee for the past three years?

Do you get more than 15% of your general fund income through fundraisers?

St. Paul’s UMC participates in the Great Lakes SCRIP and Paper Gator fundraising programs. We typically receive

$500 per year in income from these two fundraisers combined, which does not equal 15% of our general fund income.

What is your intentional stewardship process or annual campaign? How close has actual giving met expecta-

tions?

For the last five years, Pastor Erin has led a 4-6 week stewardship campaign in September or October. She has placed

intentional focus on stewardship as “giving of our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness”. There have also been

regular opportunities for members to share their testimony (in regards to stewardship experiences or practices) each

quarter.

In 2016, Church Council passed a deficit budget. Our anticipated budget was $199,400 and our actual expenses

equaled $203,167. We took in $208,477 therefore our income actually (miraculously!) exceeded monies needed to meet

expenses.

What percentage of your budget is supported by your top 5-10 givers? What is the average age of these top

givers?

We have 8 families that contribute $5,000/year or more. Their giving comprises 35% of our total budget. The average

age of these top givers is 65.

What is the current years’ budget?: $206,843.00

Is the church able to meet its current budget?

Based on the anticipated income, no; Church Council passed a deficit budget this year of approx. $15,000. How-

ever, we are able to make up the difference by spending down the general fund (and if absolutely necessary, tap-

ping in to reserve funds).

We have the following “reserve funds”:

Ryckman Endowment: $206,374.49 undesignated

Endowment Fund: $71,286.99 undesignated

Memorial Fund: $9,985 undesignated

Mission Endowment Income: $2,337.36 Missions

Treasurer’s Discretionary Fund: $17,943.68 undesignated

Capital Repairs and Improvements: $28,988.36 Trustees

TOTAL $336,915.88

Does the church anticipate being able to meet its budget for the next 2-5 years?

Yes, but we expect the aforementioned pattern to continue as the size of our congregation decreases.

What anticipated major expenses will affect your financial health?

The Trustees expect to tackle three major building maintenance projects in the next five years: replacement of the

boiler, partial roof replacement, and tree removal.

Ministry share payment history

St.Paul’s is proud to have paid 100% of our apportionments/ ministry shares on time, each and every year. This is a top

priority for our congregation and Finance Committee.

2014 Average attendance: 106 Average giving: $36 per attendee

2015 Average attendance: 97 Average giving: $39 per attendee

2016 Average attendance: 88 Average giving: $36 per attendee

Page 7

Pastoral and Staff Financial Compensation

Salary plus benefits for pastor and staff:

Pastor Erin’s salary for 2017 was set by the St. Paul’s Annual Charge Conference at $42,477 based on her

years of service and ordination status. When you include health insurance and pension savings, her TOTAL

package approx.. $60,000.

What percentage of the total budget is pastoral and staff compensation? 61.5%

Estimated pastoral salary range the church can afford and still pay ministry shares or apportionments

and care for other expenses?

St. Paul’s receives a financial benefit from having a pastor at the beginning of her ministry career that also

happens to be married to another UMC clergy person. With this blessed reality comes certain savings (ie: two

churches share the burden of health care insurance and housing). Looking to the future, if we discontinue us-

ing endowment funds to cover our expenses, we will not be in a position to afford a pastor with a total salary

package that exceeds $60,000.

Estimated total staffing compensation the church can support and continue to pay ministry shares or appor-

tionments and care for other expenses? Approx. $30,000-$40,000/year for our lay staff. $60,000 for clergy total

compensation package. $100,000 total.

Indebtedness

For how much is the church indebted to an outside lender? Is the church in good standing? What ar-

rangements have been made to retire the debt?

We have a mortgage with the UM Foundation of Michigan in the amount of $80,100. We are in good standing and have

a 10 year amortization plan. There is no lien on any other assets.

Is the church borrowing from its Memorial Funds, endowment principle, or any other designated funds to

meet operating expenses? If so, please explain. No.

Is the church in debt to the annual conference for past pastoral benefits? No.

Building condition and expenses

Does the church have a parsonage? Is it occupied? Does it meet conference parsonage standards?

Rev. Erin Fitzgerald and her family live in our parsonage, which is a beautiful home located at 3509 Bromley Drive

SE., Grand Rapids MI 49508. It meets most parsonage standards.

Is the church in need of major capital improvements? Does the church have the finances to make these

improvements?

Trustees have a created a capital improvements “wish list” which includes but is not limited to: New boiler control sys-

tem, Partial roof repair, Tree removal, Remodel male/female restrooms, New carpeting in basement, New ceiling tiles,

Fresh paint in the Christian Education wing, LED lighting upgrades, Keyless entry upgrade for main entrance, Com-

puter upgrade for office staff.. We have a fund to cover some of the capital repairs and improvements (approx..

$28,000) but we may need to consider launching a “capital campaign” to help cover the cost of these projects. We recog-

nize that the congregation may not be motivated to give to a capitol campaign, however, with the large sum of money

we have saved in reserves.

Is the church currently able to meet weather related capital needs? Yes. We use a vendor for lawn mainte-

nance and snow removal.

Is the church handicap accessible? Yes.

What is your church’s parking capacity? 148 (including 14 handicap spaces).

Name Position Church member Paid?

Alexis Acosta Office Admin.

(12 hours/week)

No

Yes

Georgene Greene Choir director/organist Yes Yes

Fran Hesley Praise Team director/accompanist Yes Yes

Bill Cummings

resignation pending

Youth pastor No Yes

Kim Niblock Nursery attendant No Yes

Scott Nowack Custodian No Yes

Roni McNeil Outreach director Yes No

The MESSENGER St. Paul’s UMC

3334 Breton RD.,SE,

Grand Rapids, MI 49512-2798

Nonprofit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Grand Rapids, MI

Permit No. 142

Electronic Service Requested

St. Paul’s Church Council Summary —April 25, 2017

Worship – 1) Worship Comm. recommends that as of the Sunday Sept. 10, Sunday morning worship start at

10 am and Sunday School start at 11:15 am. Further discussion and vote will be tabled to the June meeting.

Erin Fitzgerald gave 3 points for council to think about: a) We will never please everyone. b) We must distin-

guish between the purpose of worship vs. personal preferences. c) This is being delayed to Sept. out of respect

for Mosaic’s loss. Staff Comments – Pastor Erin Fitzgerald: 1) Erin’s April/May sermon series will focus on

the mission of United Methodist Women. Local children’s author, Glenys Nellist will be at St. Paul’s on April

30. Valerie Celestine Mossman will be with us on May 7 to talk about HAPI, Haitian Artisans for Peace Inter-

national. 2) Rev. Karin Orr is leading a Bible study on how to read the Bible & Galatians beginning Mon. May 8

at 7 pm. 3)Erin will be at continuing education on May 4-6. She will be certified as a Love and Logic instructor.

Over the Wall – 1) The Scholastic Book sale to give a book to all 358 of Hamilton’s students will be May 7 and

14 in the Library. Books are $2 each. 2) On Fri., May 26, we will be placing flags by veteran’s graves at Chapel

Hill Cemetery. More details to follow. Missions – 1) The Hurting World offerings for April, May and June are

Oklahoma Native American Children’s Fund, John Wesley Medical Boat, and Justice for Our Neighbors, re-

spectively. SPRC—1) Mosaic was providing our nursery attendant as a part of their covenant with us, so we

must now provide our own nursery staff. SPRC recommends hiring a nursery attendant for 4-8 hrs./wk. at $9 /

hr. with Finance Committee’s support. Approved by council. We will have one paid nursery attendant, but need

a second volunteer to meet Safe Sanctuary Guidelines. Members will need to sign up for this. Finance – 1)

Distributed 2016 year-end financial reports. A suggestion was made to itemize who is responsible for categories

on the report. Trustees –1) Spring Clean-up will be Sat., May 27 at 9 am, with coffee and doughnuts at 8:30.

The kitchen will also be cleaned this year. 2)Several present asked that the outdoor light, which is always on,

be repaired so we aren’t wasting electricity. Paragraph 213 Process – Worksheet #4, an audit of finances,

building and staff, will be distributed this week. Our next step will be to complete Worksheet #5 with Rev. Gary

Step and the District Superintendent where we evaluate our ministry. This will be done at an all-church charge

conference on Tues., May 23 at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The next Church Council meeting will be Tuesday,

June 27 at 7 pm.