The Reverend Dr. Lynn Stanton-Hoyle, Pastor Annual Report for 2008
The year 2008 was a year of changes, the details of which are contained in the reports of the Session Committee chairpersons and others who lead us through 2008. I will provide an over view here of the story of our ministry in 2008. After one year of outreach ministry the Clifton Senior Friends‟ Center was reluctantly closed by the Board with the departure of co-directors Rebecca Daniels-Burke and Liz Mirc and the transition to different programs of several program participants. The Senior Center Board of Directors and Nancy Scott, Session Elder for the Senior Center hosted a farewell reception to celebrate the ministry of the Center and to thank the departing directors and the faithful team of volunteers for their service. The decision to discontinue the Senior Center program was due to the inability to enroll sufficient participants to provide adequate revenue for the Center. The expansion of services at two nearby county senior centers and the opening of a private center to serve the same population served by our Center contributed to this difficulty as well as the significantly slower than expected approval of the Center‟s non-profit status. That delay hindered the ability of the Center to apply for grants and other sources of funding. None the less there was much to celebrate for the year of service provided by the Center. All those who were involved in the Center were touched in a very positive way and were grateful to have been part of this important program. Pastor Jen, our Associate Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries guided the second year of our mid-week BLAST program which included an adult class taught by Francine Maestri and Mary Cullings Wright (Simply Christian with N.T. Wright). It was another strong year of programs and activities for nurture and fellowship of our families and youth of all ages supported by the service of Youth Interns Rachel Dellinger, Rachel Woodward (winter/spring) and Amanda Embrey, Samantha Ference and Christina Mero (fall). Pastor Jen accompanied a group of our senior high youth to attend the Montreat Summer Youth Conference in North Carolina for the first time. In September Pastor Jen‟s hours increased to thirty hours per week. Consequently Pastor Jen was able to initiate a new fall weekday Bible study for church and preschool moms and a quarterly Sunday Children‟s Church program to enrich our children‟s understanding and participation in worship. The Session engaged the congregation during late spring and throughout the summer in a visioning process under the leadership of Elder for Visioning and Long Range Planning Stewart Cranston. Favorable mortgage rates in the spring provided the opportunity for the Session (through the efforts of Elders Francine Maestri and Donna Henry) to refinance the church‟s mortgages and to divide the smaller $400,000 loan into two mortgages. This allowed the Session to kick-off the Forward in Faith Campaign lead by Elders Nancy Scott, Donna and Bruce Henry and Francine Maestri and former Trustee Bruno Maestri. God provided for our financial needs through the generous giving of our members and friends to this campaign to retire the $400,000 loans and to raise $30,000 for local and international mission support as well as the 2009 Annual Budget.
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Our fifth seminary intern Gayle Schlenker provided important leadership for our spring adult education and Confirmation programs completing her service with us in June on Confirmation Sunday with a reception hosted by the Deacons to celebrate our confirmands and Gayle‟s ministry. Seminarian Lois Aroian joined CPC in the fall for a year long internship assuming leadership in Disciple and the OWLS and teaching a course on Reformed Theology in adult education. Retired minister Lewis Johnson served a third year as our Parish Associate. Pastor Lewis has shared his extensive Biblical knowledge and experience from over twenty years of missionary and legal work in Iran with great enthusiasm as he lead worship and the sacraments, preached, co-taught Disciple, classes on Islam, the Old Testament and African American spirituals and served as staff liaison for the Men‟s Breakfast. After eight and a half years of ministry as our church secretary, Jane King announced her retirement to devote more time to family and to teaching dance. CPC bid her a fond farewell during worship and afterward at a reception hosted by the Personnel Committee and Deacons on July 6. New church secretary Wema Howard joined our ministry in July. CPC also provided a ministry of comfort and hospitality at the funeral of Harold Hedges on March 16 and for the family of Billy Smith whose service was on July 29. Pastor Jen and I officiated at both services and the Deacons hosted the reception for the Hedges. The congregation surrounded Pastor Jen and her family with prayer, care, meals, and other support after the death of her father Thomas Dunfee on June 2. Our community hospitality ministry extended to the Clifton community as we hosted the Lion‟s Club annual pancake breakfast and a TIPS community meeting in our Fellowship Hall and as we participated in the annual spring homes tour, the Car Show, Clifton Day and the Candlelight Tour. In my own ministry at CPC preaching, pastoral care, teaching (Disciple, BLAST and adult ed.), and my responsibilities as head of staff and NCP‟s Transforming Congregations process provided tremendous opportunities for growth and new experiences. Pastor Jen and I co-lead our first church wide retreat at NCP‟s Meadowkirk Outdoor Ministry and Retreat Center in March. At the end of April and the beginning of May through a grant program of Columbia Theological Seminary I traveled with a group of fellow PCUSA pastors for retreat at the Iona religious community and travel in Scotland. I lead our annual summer mission trip to NAILS in Cumberland, MD at the end of June. I also provided pre-marital counseling for our former nursery attendant Meghan Daly and her fiancé Allen and Robert and Betty Ann (Stehling) Mayer whose weddings I also officiated at on May 17 and July 5. It was a personal blessing to observe the high school graduation in June of our son Eric who was nurtured in his faith and confirmed through the ministry of CPC. It continues to be a privilege to serve at CPC with such talented and energetic staff, church leaders and congregation. I look forward to where God will lead us in 2009!
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Reverend Jennifer Dunfee, Associate Pastor Annual Report for 2008 “Let your light so shine before all, that they will see your good works and glorify God.” -Matthew 5:16 Our theme for this year connects the bold witness of our faith in Jesus Christ with our work out in the world in his name. In all of our Christian Education programs we have focused on growing closer to Christ – letting his light shine more brightly in our hearts. Then we can share the light with others in our mission projects and in the places God has placed us in the world. Our youth ministry program continues to be a place where youth come for spiritual growth and fellowship, and where they bring their friends. We have friends at almost all of our events: serving at So Others Might Eat four times a year, the 30-hour famine, the Christmas party at SERVE, Crop-Walk, our ski-trips and high school retreats, our Mission week to NAILS in Cumberland, MD and regular weekly meetings. Our youth model evangelism and our theme to “know, love and serve God.” New this year we attended Montreat, the Presbyterian retreat center in NC for a youth conference week (also bringing a friend along on that trip). With the help of youth ministry interns Amanda Embrey and Samantha Ference, we started a new ministry for our college-aged youth and seniors in high school. We meet on Sunday nights to watch and discuss NOOMA videos that look at issues of faith and doubt. Middle School Madness and Club 56 continue to be places of fellowship and service. The Middle School students join the high schoolers for the 30 Hour famine, SERVE Christmas party, spaghetti dinner and Cropwalk. Eight of our 8th graders were confirmed in May after a 10-week confirmation class, regular meetings with their sponsors, and a confirmation lock-in. Club 56 focused on making bears for children in hospitals, putting together Health Kids through Church World Service, and the fleece blanket project for SERVE. I am grateful to all of the support of our youth advisors: for Jeanine Wrightson, Carol Palmer and Matt Brooks in the Senior Highs, Faith Angove with our middle-schoolers, and Nicole Smith, the Brauns and all the parents who help with Club 56. We involve youth and children in worship through the confirmation class, which sang as part of their service and wrote the liturgy for the day. The youth continue the tradition of preparing the service and delivering the message on youth Sunday. We also enjoy the gifts of our youth in dramas at Christmas and Easter and their help in programs for younger children. We are prayerfully considering ways to support families as they raise their children in faith and grow spiritually together. BLAST continued for a second year with thanksgiving to Rachel Dellinger and Francine Maestri for their teaching gifts. We offered a fall family festival in October along with our regular Easter family program. We created a new “Children‟s Chapel” program, a children‟s worship service four times a year where they learn about the congregational wide worship on a kid-level. We also began a Mom‟s bible study to support mothers in the congregation and reach out to the pre-school. Our Sunday School classes continue to be a mix of Akaloo, Talk Sheets, Thoughtful Christian Lessons, and bible studies on specific books; this fall we looked at
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the letters to the Corinthians. In the spring Samantha Ference led a class on “How to be a Christian in College” and Matt Brooks, Gayle Schlenker and I taught Confirmation. This fall we combined the middle and high school classes, leaving opportunities for break-out discussions for each age group. We continued to have two education opportunities for children during the 11:00 a.m. service, Junior Church and JC4Me. We are looking at our nursery care and for improved ways of communicating with families to serve the needs of the youngest in our church. I enjoyed working with Trish Robertson as our CE elder through August, and since have been leading the committee and handling CE responsibilities while we await a new chair. In addition to supporting the teachers and leading the CE committee, I have worked closely with growing the ministry of our youth ministry interns: Rachel Woodward and Rachel Dellinger in the spring, Amanda Embrey, Samantha Ference, and Christina Mero starting in November. I am grateful to them for their creativity and energy. I look forward to what our ministry teams will do to shine the light in 2009!
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Lewis M. Johnson, Parish Associate Annual Report for 2008 I joined the staff of the Clifton Presbyterian Church in June of 2006 as a parish associate at the invitation of Pastor Lynn Stanton-Hoyle and the Session of the Church. The contract and my relationship with this congregation were approved by National Capital Presbytery. It has been a blessing to me to share in the work of ministry here with the other members of the staff who serve with creative Christian initiative and communicate their faith and spiritual devotion with love and grace. I have been privileged to preach, pray, assist in worship and teach. My teaching duties have been with a Disciple Class that meets on Tuesday mornings and with Lynn on Sunday mornings. I have also participated in the Men‟s Breakfast Meeting on the third Saturday of the month. As I look ahead, I anticipate working to prepare non-member couples seeking to be married at this Church. For me it is stimulating and exciting to be a part of your life and witness. You are a congregation rich in talent and Christian devotion. I expect to learn and grow with you. Respectfully submitted,
Lewis M. Johnson
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Lois Aroian, Seminary Intern Annual Report for 2008 Being part of ministry at Clifton Presbyterian Church since September 2008 has been a real joy. I have appreciated the leadership of Pastor Lynn and the collegial support of Pastor Jen, Pastor Lewis, and Wema Howard, in our staff meetings and activities as I prepare to enter the ministry. I have welcomed all opportunities to participate in worship, especially the opportunities to preach twice. The course that I taught on Reformed Theology this fall gave us a chance to explore our heritage and our beliefs as Presbyterians. Co-leading the Disciple class has opened to me a new area of ministry, as I had not previously encountered this series, and introduced me to a wonderful group of church members. Participants in the OWLS group, for which I serve as staff liaison, enjoyed several programs this fall, highlighted by the Christmas sing-along. Thanks to Betty Alphin, Marilyn Hedges, and Betty Petersen for their leadership. Finally, I thank the congregation for its warm reception to me and my mother this year. Cheers from Lois Aroian
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Clerk of the Session Annual Report for 2008 Just a year ago, the sanctuary was rededicated on a cold, wintery day. The inclement weather prevented some from attending and almost prevented some who attended from getting home. Just as the unanticipated challenge of the inclement weather presented itself and was overcome, Clifton Presbyterian Church faced unanticipated challenges in 2008 and is overcoming them. In my last Annual Report, I noted that the completion of the building project highlighted two inseparable issues: the vision of the future of Clifton Presbyterian now made possible by the expanded and modernized facilities and the financial responsibilities arising from the project. The questions were: How does the Congregation envision Clifton Presbyterian Church during the next decade? How will the Congregation meet the additional financial obligation created by the permanent financing? The entwined issues of the new facilities and finances were reflected in many ways. The Senior Friends Center was one. After great planning and with much anticipation, the Senior Friends Center opened. However, participation was less than required in order for its successful continuation and the Center was closed. During its operation it successfully provided assistance to seniors and their caretakers and companions. It was an early effort to answer the question of the vision of our future and, although undertaken before the Visioning Project, it embodied many of the principles and values articulated in the visioning process. It also reflected the challenges of finances. The Visioning Project was an in-depth examination of our foundations, views and visions through many meetings over months ably moderated by Stewart Cranston. The Congregation widely participated. The diverse voices, many hopes and, until then, unspoken dreams of our members were heard, expressed and shared. The participants wrote the vision statement, rewrote it and wrote it again and again. The last vision statement was adopted by the Session and forms the foundation for the Session‟s continued decisions and guidance of the Church‟s activities. The Church is also actively participating in the National Capital Presbytery‟s Transforming Congregations project. These efforts, and others, are enabling the Church to understand its heritage and its direction for the next decade – indeed, the next generation – and to proceed in unity in Christ while respecting the diversity within our own small church. Financially, the initial challenge to balance the budget made great headway. The mortgage was refinanced. The Forward in Faith capital campaign resulted in the retirement of one $150,000 note and pledges substantially sufficient to retire the second $150,000 note. Unfortunately, the severe economic problems that became evident in the fall – problems affecting the nation and the world – manifested themselves during the 2008 Stewardship Campaign. It had been hoped that the 2009 budget would be a balanced budget and there would be appropriate increases as the Church moved forward with its vision in the newly renovated and expanded facilities. Instead, the anticipated pledge level was not attained. Although the average pledge increased as hoped and expected, the number of pledges fell unexpectedly from about 85 to 65, a dramatic drop. The Church will meet this unanticipated challenge. The staff graciously offered to freeze 7
their salaries at the 2008 level. The Congregation gave generously to the Forward in Faith Campaign which reduces the debt service and relieves some pressure on the budget. These actions, together with other judicious adjustments to the budget, will result in a 2009 budget that is smaller than the 2008 budget without jeopardizing core values or programs. We were blessed that we were able to renovate the Sanctuary and modernize and expand the Church facilities during the boom years. They provide the physical ability to continue into the Twenty-first Century and to pass on to the next generation our heritage and faith that reach back to the Nineteenth Century. We met challenges. Challenges remain. Unanticipated challenges will arise. But, the life of the church continues. As has been the case for more than a century, we welcomed new members. We celebrated weddings and baptisms. We mourned at funerals. It is this life in faith, this heritage, that we struggled with in 2008 and sought to preserve and continue. Much was accomplished. Much remains.
Respectfully submitted, Robert G. Mayer Clerk of Session
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Buildings & Grounds Annual Report for 2008 This year David Wright completed his three year term as B&G Chairman on the Session. David‟s leadership, hard work, mentoring, and sense of humor were greatly appreciated. Our new building continues to facilitate the CPC ministry in many new ways. A lesson learned from this year has been that with more buildings and more systems to potentially require maintenance, B&G costs have risen. Additionally, income from fees for building use have not been as high as anticipated. However, for the 2008 budget, B&G came in under the forecasted budget. We continued our cleaning services contract with Qui Nguyen and our lawn service contract with W.D. Giampa Lawn and Landscape. Mark Reimers continued to generously spend many hours serving as a volunteer Sexton. Marla Hembree continued to manage and test our water quality. Many thanks are also deserved for the landscaping committee which continued to take care of our landscaping requirements. Lastly, several Eagle projects by Boy Scout Troop 1104 and others resulted in the back patio, meditation garden, and picnic area being successfully completed. The manse lease was renewed with Mr. and Mrs. Romero until June 30, 2009. Both CPC and the Romero family continue to benefit from this arrangement. The Romero family has expressed a strong desire to continue leasing from CPC, while raising their children. Several significant repairs were made to the manse this year. Given the age of the manse, the strategy is to attempt to have rental income generally equal manse maintenance costs. B&G tasks continued to be a group effort with several in congregation lending much expertise and manpower. Mark Sykes B&G Committee Chairman
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Communications Committee Annual Report for 2008 The communications committee has been focused this year on reaching out to both the CPC community and the surrounding areas. As part of this effort we have continued our advertising in the Connection Newspaper, The Fairfax County Times Spring & Fall Guides to Fairfax that reaches 165,000 households and The Northern Virginia Bridal Planner advertising the capabilities that we have to offer for weddings. In addition we sent mailers out to 2,000 households during the year to advertise our upcoming events and our many offerings. The first mailer was sent in August to align with the start of Sunday school. The second mailer was sent out in November to align with the start of Advent. Each mailer was targeted at a certain area within Fairfax and Prince William Counties. I would like to thank Ginny Keen, C.C. Bartholomew, Alice Buckley and Hope McCaw for their support of this initiative. In addition the committee wanted to thank Kathi Bowlin of Graphics Answers Inc. who donated her time and talents for the graphic design of the mailers and provided the printing at cost. The committee also worked through a plan to install new directional street signs throughout the area. Most of the existing signs were faded or had been removed over the years. The committee mapped locations for the installation of 13 new signs. Phil Squair led the initiative to design and order the signs. We received them just before Christmas and are working on plans to get them installed. I would like to thank Peggy Cranston for her continued work in updating the signs at the entrance to Richards Lane and at the main entrance to the church. This year we also began publishing “What‟s Goin‟ On!” brought to you by The Clifton Presbyterian News Service with Phil Squair as the chief editor. This is CPCs quarterly newsletter. We appreciate all the CPC members who have contributed articles to the newsletter over the past year. We look forward to hearing your suggestions on what you want to see in upcoming editions. Marge Fare contributes her time and talent as a webmaster to the constant updating of our website. This year she added a form to the website for submission of prayer requests. Our website is full of information about past and upcoming events at CPC. It also includes links to other websites that may be of interest to our members. If you have not visited the website recently I recommend you go see the most recent updates. Our website is www.cliftonpc.org. The Committee published the two editions of the Church Photo Directory this year. Our next photo session is planned for May. If your photo is not in the directory yet watch for photo day announcements. The next edition will come out in June. Special thanks to Wema Howard for her work in helping to bring the directory together and the many other things she does to support our committee.
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I would like to thank Peggy Cranston for her continued work in updating the signs at the entrance to Richards Lane and at the main sidewalk. Thank you to all the members of the committee for their contributions and dedication. Submitted by Elder Newell McCaw Chair of the Communications Committee
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Mission Committee Annual Report for 2008 LOCAL MISSION WFCM $4500 was given in annual support plus a year end gift of $175, along with groceries, clothing, etc. Also we provided Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to 13 families in need, backpacks for school, volunteers in both the food pantry, thrift store and office and Lana Staples provided transportation for several people to and from doctor‟s appointments. Interfaith Housing Ministry (IHM) $1250 was given in annual support for families with housing needs as well as continued assistance in other ways to families through Mary Ann Fields. Prison Fellowship Ministries/Angel Tree We sent one child to summer camp and provided Christmas gifts to 15 local and long distance children in VA on behalf of their incarcerated parents. Funds were also sent to AT Ministries to help with long distance kids who did not have church sponsors. Also assistance for housing and Boy Scout ski trip was given to our local Angel Tree family as well bringing PFM/AT annual support to $1360. Boy Scout Troop 1104 CPC has sponsored this troop for many years as an outreach to the youth in our community. Union Theological Seminary We gave $500 to support their pastoral and Christian educator programs. Virginia Emergency Foster Care (VEFC) $200 was given this year to help children in need of their services across the state. The Lamb Center CPC provided toiletries and one hot meal a month to approximately 75 patrons in need of this type of assistance every day. Costs for meal prep are largely absorbed by those loyal CPC people who cook and deliver the food each month and we assisted with $283. So Others Might Eat (SOME) On „Souper Bowl‟ Sunday the youth collected $704 for this DC charity. Also $596 was given as 40% of our Pentecost Offering for a total of $1300. This is an all time record! Work Camp Staff Support Adult Advisors for Youth Retreat $375. Presbyterian Children’s Home A gift of $354 was sent this year for this home for orphans in VA.
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Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter We gave $1326 to this new shelter on #29 in Fairfax. The women‟s group has joined us in focusing on supporting this well run facility who‟s main focus is getting families in permanent homes. Cumberland Mission Trip We sent approximately 30 people to Cumberland MD for a week in June which cost $4617. Miscellaneous Special Requests We received several requests this year from those in need in our area and gave a total of $2115 in assistance. This figure includes $35 requested for Crop Walk supplies.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION World Vision Our youth participated in the 30 Hr Famine and raised $238 for hunger relief. PCEA/Kibwezi/Nairobi CPC gave $7693 for pastoral assistance, school fees, student scholarships, staff development, food and preschool meals. This total includes Alternative Gifts from Christmas ‟07. Tumaini Orphan Care We raised $2202 through our budget and loose change gifts. PCEA/Elburgon/NCP CPC provided $1000 for the Nursing Home and Counseling Center and emergency assistance. Water Development We sent Waterlines $1000. This includes Alternative Gifts from Christmas ‟07. Heifer International and the budget. $1990 was given to support this global effort through Alt. Gifts
Church World Service Through a special offering in Oct we raised $475 for a water pump and training. Puentes de Cristo, Reynosa, Mexico CPC sent $1650 in annual support. Medical Benevolence Foundation This year we began supporting this mission that provides overseas medical aid to people in underdeveloped nations. $500 was sent. Other $100 was given to JD Dellinger in support of his Australian Teen Missions trip.
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GENERAL MISSION CPC gave $7825 to the National Capital Presbytery which includes $500 for WheelerWaddell missionaries; $1125 Mission Challenge; and $1000 for New Church Development. Special offerings include Christmas Joy Gift ‟07 $2916; One Great Hour of Sharing $1596; and Pentecost Offering $893 . We also had the unfortunate privilege of reaching out to many suffering from natural disasters in the US, China, Haiti, and elsewhere. Through PC (USA) Disaster Assistance we sent funds totaling $3374.
SUMMARY Total Mission Spending from Budgeted Funds: $24,000 Total Mission Spending from Designated Funds: $27,807* $51,807
TOTAL Giving:
*This figure is much lower in „08 due to the fact that our Mission Trip was local and cost significantly less than our Mexico trip last year. Taking this into account, designated giving in most areas still increased. Mission spending represents 10.1% of our overall CPC expenditure of $512K ($468K operating and $44K designated). This calculation does not include $189K given to the Forward In Faith campaign. $11,745 raised for mission from the Forward In Faith campaign is not included as it will be disbursed in early 2009. Thanks be to God for all He entrusts us with and prayers for your continued faithful support in 2009. Submitted by Joanne Woodward Chair, Mission Committee
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Personnel Committee Annual Report for 2008 For the Personnel Committee, 2008 closed with each of us reflecting on how blessed CPC is to have such an outstanding ministry staff. During times of discussion and decision making, our hearts have been touched to realize the treasure CPC has in its gifted and dedicated staff team. But of course personnel matters don‟t operate on autopilot. Last spring the Committee was excited to learn that our Music Director Ellen Thatcher, chose to delay her departure from CPC until 2009, a big relief, also providing another year of Ellen‟s gifted service. In June, our beloved Church Secretary of many years, Jane King, departed CPC to tackle new challenges. With sadness we said goodbye to Jane, but welcomed our terrific new Church Secretary, Wema Howard. We are grateful for the wisdom and contributions of Parish Associate Pastor Lewis Johnson in his role in assisting with Adult Sunday School, worship services and other needs when called upon. Associate Pastor for Youth Jennifer Dunfee is invigorating CPC family ministries with new opportunities for children, youth and families as well as carrying on her important role with worship and other ministries. We are so thankful for Pastor Lynn Stanton-Hoyle as Head of Staff who provides leadership, direction and spiritual maturity to CPC staff and all of us in the CPC family. Our Seminary Intern Lois Aroian and Youth Interns Rachel Dellinger, Rachael Woodward (spring) Samantha Ference, Amanda Embrey and Christina Mero (fall) served important roles within CPC. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for the Interns to apply their faith through service. And finally, we are always grateful for Kim Meisl who manages our nursery during services enabling others to join in worship knowing their children are being safely cared for. The Personnel Committee is preparing for a number of new challenges in 2009, not the least of which will be to locate a new Music Director! A significant concern is that it appears CPC will be unable to provide raises of any kind to staff in 2009 due to reduced pledges and budget limitations. This includes any modest cost of living raise. We are seeking to grow the Personnel Committee. If you like to encourage others, believe in prayerful support and want to be part of a wonderful group of caring believers then the Personnel Committee would love to have you join us. We feel CPC is blessed, to have Christ‟s light shining among the CPC family and are grateful to have wonderful staff helping us to see that light. For this we are continually thankful to God. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Personnel Committee, Lynne Coyle, Maureen Landry, Donna Henry and Fred Rankin, by Bill Lesser, Chair.
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Clifton Presbyterian Church Preschool Annual Report for 2008 The Clifton Presbyterian Preschool is a ministry of the Clifton Presbyterian Church to the church and the community. The Preschool provides three course offerings for children aged three through five including a two morning per week three year old program (2 classes ), a three morning per week four year old program (2 classes), and a five afternoon per week five year old program (1 class). An extended care program is also offered Monday through Friday afternoons for three and four year olds. Approximately 88 students are currently enrolled between the five classes. Throughout the school year children participate in activities in classrooms equipped with age appropriate materials, playtime on the outdoor playground, enrichment activities such as music, tumbling, a guest storyteller, and special guest visits from the fire department, police department, and a dentist. The school year also includes field trips, tea parties, Christmas music performances by each class, an end of year music performance by each class, and an end of year picnic. The Preschool uses two Sunday School rooms during the week for the preschool classes. The church and preschool also share the church office, entrance areas, the fellowship hall for special activities, and restrooms. The Preschool follows the Fairfax County Public School schedule. In addition, two weeks of summer camp are offered. The Preschool operates under an annual budget of $213, 775 and employs seven very experienced and talented staff including one educational director/teacher, one administrative director, and five teachers. The Preschool supports the church with a monthly building use fee, shared office expenses such as supplies and the copier, and cleaning fees. The preschool budget includes a scholarship fund for needy families and a mission fund providing the annual salary of one Kibwezi teacher. Other mission opportunities for preschool families include Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and an angel tree for Christmas presents for needy children. The Preschool Committee consists of Marcia Stedman, Educational Director and Teacher, Gretchen Reamy, Administrative Director, and Clifton Presbyterian Church members, Diane Reimers, Trisha Robertson, Bret Fields, and Rene Law. Submitted by Elder Rene Law Chair, Preschool Committee
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Stewardship Committee Annual Report for 2008 The 2008 stewardship campaign resulted in 83 pledges. Total income from these pledges was $368,695. In June, 2008, the Stewardship committee under the leadership of Francine Maestri and Bruce Henry, launched the Forward in Faith campaign. The goal of this campaign was to raise $330,000 over a two year period, $300,000 to reduce our mortgage debt, and $30,000 to support two mission projects. As of December, 2008 a total of $299,930 had been pledged. The 2009 Stewardship campaign was opened in October, 2008. To date, 63 pledges totaling $333,750 have been received. The pledges breakdown is as follows: New pledges Increased pledges Decreased pledges No change 3 31 6 23
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Worship Committee Annual Report for 2008 In 2008 Elder Alan Yates rotated off of Session and turned over his duties to Elder Bill Watts. It was a successful year for Worship with excellent services throughout the year and special well-attended services for Easter and Christmas. Music remains a priority and was highlighted with yet another, but last year, with Ellen Thacher as both organist and Choir Director. A search committee for her replacement is in place and will begin meetings in January 2009 with an objective to hire the new organist and choir director in time for the Fall program. The hand bells received a refurbishment in time for the Christmas Eve services. The organ received somewhat different attention as a lightning strike from a thunderstorm caused damage, but repair costs were covered by insurance. The Committee continues to focus on special music offerings to supplement the music program offered by Ellen and the Choir. Thankfully, the Choir remains strong and offers quality music that contributes to worship experience that the congregation enjoys. Alan Yates continued his devotion to the upgrade of the sound system within the Sanctuary and a workable and enjoyable solution is now in place. Pastor Lynn‟s sermon schedule throughout the year was supplemented with the assistance of Pastor Jen, Pastoral Assistant Lewis, and Seminary Intern, Lois Aroian.
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Clifton Senior Friends Center Annual Report for 2008 Due to a lack of new members, the Clifton Senior Friends Center closed in February, 2008. Residual funds were donated to the Church.
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Fellowship and Outreach Committee Annual Report for 2008 Clifton‟s Lion‟s Club Pancake Breakfast April 20th OWL‟s BookClub Three Cup‟s of Tea Thunderstruck The American Homefront Seder Dinner
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Board of Deacons Annual Report for 2008 The 2008 Board of Deacons consists of nine members: Ann Pearson, Heidi Olson, John Howell, Karen Willis, Kathy Lesser, Jane Braun, Tricia Hedrick, Mary Ann Fields and chair Judy Shaw. Ongoing Deacon responsibilities include: Keeping in touch with members and other regular church attendees in their Congregational Care Groups, Sending cards on the occasion of births, illness, bereavement etc. and providing meals as needed on these occasions, Delivery of flowers after Sunday worship to members as needed, Organizing and staffing receptions for special occasions and memorial services, and Assisting Session Committees as requested. In addition, this fall the Deacons took on a new responsibility to act as hostess/host to greet members and newcomers during Cup of Fellowship each Sunday and to assist with cleanup afterwards. The Deacons rotate the responsibility weekly. Special activities in 2008: Held a special “Meet Your Deacon” Cup of Fellowship on Sunday Sept. 28 after both services to introduce ourselves to those members on our Congregational Care Lists. Held a reception in the Fellowship Hall after the memorial service for Hal Hedges, Coordinated congregational care and meals in July for Pastor Jen following the death of her father. Assisted in putting on the farewell receptions for Jane King and Gayle Sclencker and the Stewardship breakfasts and luncheon. Yours in Christ, Judith Shaw
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