Immanuel UCC

The word that best suit’s the year 2010 would be “change”. The year started with Joan Evans, who retired after 13 years, which left a big void after her many years of leadership. Then we had a couple months of supply ministers before our interim minister, The Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis arrived. I think that most members realize the wonderful job done by the Spiritual Council and the church secretary to get us through this change.

Even though we had a lot of change, the giving by members has remained steady. In the past, when we had a changeover, our giving seemed to do down and then build back up. A big help to our budget has been our many fund raising events and the rent received for use of the fellowship hall and sanctuary.

One thing that has helped the Sunday service is the job Curtis White has done by being both choir director and organist. This could not have happened without the assistance of Lynne Breil as pianist.

I would like to thank the members of the council who have fulfilled their terms of service. They are: Chuck Hanson, Lou Jones, Joyce Wise and Jim Creighton, who consented on election to serve for one year. The council in 2010 was easy to work with and I think they did an excellent job. I look forward to working with the new council in 2011.

All church’s go through a period of adjustment after such a long period of service by a minister. Although Pastor Swallow Gillis is different than Pastor Evans, those who have attended worship services or had other occasions to meet with her, find that she is both caring and well versed in the functions of our church. I believe that we have the right person in Pastor Anne to guide us through these two years of change. I would be remiss if I did not recognize Bill Bair and the members of our Interim Search Committee for the excellent job they did during this entire process.

With the help of God and our many faithful church members, I believe 2011 will be a good year for Immanuel United Church of Christ.

1 Year To Serve                      2 Years To Serve
Connie Barnett                          Scott Dodson
Debi Book                                 Jock Luthy
Danny Luthy

3 Years To Serve (Three to be Elected)
Dennis Katulis
John Moore
C. R. Newman
Carole Segar

1 Year To Serve                            2 Years To Serve
Trudi Foxwell                                   Susie Creighton
Pam Nossick                                    Tammy Luthy
Leslie Tolley                                    Robin Moore
                                                       Lynn Malkus-Lyons

“Behold, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

For any congregation in the midst of an interim period, these words from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah are perceived as either good or bad news. When a particular church has been through difficult times, has struggled with their pastoral leadership, or experienced ongoing conflict among the membership, it is a relief to hear that God might be bringing about a “new thing” in its midst. Their life together as fellow worshippers and disciples may feel lost in a dry wilderness of directionless leadership, stultifying liturgies, dwindling membership, a crumbling facility or distracted focus on past programmatic glory days. The Biblical reminder that change is coming, that God’s river of new life and hope might come into their particular desert, is welcomed news and greeted with relief and anticipation in such congregations.

As your intentional interim pastor, I have found the situation to be a bit more complicated here at Immanuel United Church of Christ. There are certainly many positive events to celebrate in the over one hundred years of Immanuel’s life together as a congregation. In so many ways, ministries with your recently retired pastor, The Rev. Joan Evans, were vibrant, productive and Spirit led. Immanuel is far from being a wilderness or desert. Current lay leadership is strong, financial support for the church’s programs is steady, and your community outreach to those in need just keeps growing. The renewed choir under Curtis White’s direction, as well as Lynn Breil’s piano music, is bringing joyful variety and inspiration to our Sunday worship. Your six-year-old physical plant is well-maintained, the parsonage has recently been refurbished and the young children keep pouring down front for the weekly children’s message. Immanuel is far from being a “wilderness” or a “desert.” There is much to preserve and celebrate here at Immanuel.

As I search the Biblical narrative, I find reminders of who we are and who God is. I am comforted to know we are a beloved people, simply by being created by God. We are a forgiven and an ever-transforming people as disciples of Jesus Christ. God is a steadfast rock, our ever-present help in times of need, and the sustaining love which grounds our lives. And yet, throughout scripture God is also portrayed as One who is always out in front of us, reminding us of the “cloud by day and the fire by night” that led the ancient Israelites through the wilderness. God both comforts and challenges us. God is ever ready to “do a new thing,” and calls us to perceive it. The God of both the Old and New Testament appears to be One of both constancy and of change.

What might be the changes, the “new things,” that God is calling Immanuel to in the days ahead? Given some of the difficult history experienced with occasions of inappropriate pastoral leadership and conflict among members, there may be “new” ways that God is calling you to interact with one another. Might we learn new ways of talking about disagreements, and of acknowledging and resolving conflict more directly? How might apologies and forgiveness flow more freely among those who offended and those who have been hurt? We have been created in the image of a forgiving God. We can find healing and new hope as we move forward in repentance and forgiveness with one another.

God’s “new thing” may manifest in the presence and gifts of new comers. How do we better invite, welcome and integrate them into our life together? Beloved traditions certainly do not need changing when they continue to equip and empower the membership for ministry. But communicating the power and joy you experience in these traditions will need some new forms, new phrasing and new vehicles to reach the spiritually hungry outside our doors.

In addition to my pastoral duties as your interim pastor, my intent has been to stay focused on the interim tasks of reviewing our history, becoming clear about Immanuel’s identity and vision, engaging and strengthening lay leadership and connections with the wider United Church of Christ.

I am grateful to the Interim Team, including Bill Bair, Patsy Creighton, Susan Collins, Debbie Robbins, Roger Segar and Joyce Wise, for their help in guiding these interim tasks.

I smile as I conclude this Annual Report, as a song from my Girl Scout days has begun to echo through my mind: Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other’s gold. There is much that is old and good, like precious gold, to be retained at Immanuel Church. I believe our gracious Creator is also doing a “new thing” in our midst. Like precious silver, these are the people, ideas, reconciliations, visions and new ministries that are springing forth among and around us, ready to be perceived and embraced. Thanks be to God!

Each month a report such as this is shared with the Church Council. January 31 and February 4 services were cancelled due to snow.

52 services of worship planned, 2 canceled by snow, 13 led by the Rev. Joan Evans. Service on April 18 - led by The Rev. Dr. John Deckenback (Pastor’s Evans retirement), April 25 - The Rev. Richard Leavitt; May 2 - Jean Haddaway, May 9 - The Rev. Dr. John Deckenback; May 16 & 23- The Rev. Katharine Rice; May 30 - George Barnett; June 6 - The Rev. Richard Leavitt; June 13 - The Rev. Glen Rodgers; June 20 - The Rev. Robert Gessert; June27 - The Rev. Glen Rodgers; July 4 - George Barnett; July 11 - The Rev. Richard Leavitt; July 18 - Bill Malkus - July 25 - The Rev. Glen Rodgers; August 1 - The Rev. Glen Rodgers; August 8 and 15 - The Rev. Katharine Rice. The Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis conductedher first service at IUCC on August 22. August 29 - The Rev. Glen Rodgers.
5		deaths occurred (3 were members). I have given pastoral support and caring to these families.
0		sessions for confirmation - we have no children of confirmation age.
4		infants were baptized - we celebrated 4 births.
264		families/individuals were given assistance with utilities, rent, fuel, food gifts, and Christmas cheer, plus 36 turkeys were distributed, plus
120		SHARE packages of food were provided through the Salvation Army.

New Members 1-03-10 1-03-10 1-03-10 3-03-10 4-07-10 4-07-10 4-07-10	Donald Creighton Donna Campbell Rev. Dr. Phyllis Gillie Jaffe Janice Haller Claude Robinson Newman (CR) Julia Newman Dennis, Suzanne, Stephen & Joshua Katulis
Births 5-29-10 7-07-10 7-21-10 8-23-10	Giselle Grace Burton, daughter of Jen & Brian Burton Luke Lewis Cherry, son of Alison & Jeff Cherry Grandson of Daniel & Tammy Luthy and Great-grandson of Mailyn Luthy Kent William Giese, son of Michael & Danielle Giese Phoebe Reese Elzey, daughter of Melissa & Dennis Elzey
Weddings 5-01-10	Erica Jones and Brian Poe
Baptism 3-07-10 4-11-10 4-11-10 4-11-10	Jack Haddaway Dodson, son of John & Becky Dodson Natalee Malkus Lyons, daughter of Lee & Lynn Lyons Aaron Michael Collins, son of Kenny & Susan Collins Shayla Alexis Collins, daughter of Kenny & Susan Collins
Deaths 2-13-10 3-23-10 4-05-10 7-11-10 11-24-10 *Member	E. Kenneth Moore Esther M. Hurley, mother of Marilyn Luthy, funeral 3/29 Esther B. Clay, mother of Diana Jackson, funeral 4/9 James Stanley Sims, Jr. - husband of Nancy Eloise Shenton Eberspacher 172 reported total membership as of 12-31-10

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK

Throughout the year we ask for help in the office assembling papers for the newsletter, the annual report and other various letters and reports. I want to thank Helen Krom,Helen Malkus and Jean Haddaway for their support and assistance in completing these tasks - Janice Haller

We express our heartfelt appreciation to those retiring from Church Council for the fine service they have given. Philip Jackson is finishing his first term as President of the council/congregation and was elected to serve a second 1-year term at the November congregational meeting.

Completing their 3-year terms on the council are: Chuck Hanson, Lou Jones and Joyce Wise.. Also, leaving the council is Jim Creighton who completed his one year term. Thanks to those who serve on Christian Education Board. Well done to our good and faithful servants!