2017 Annual Report
Year in Review This has been an exciting year in which great strides have been made to fulfill two important strategic and long-range initiatives to strengthen the foundation of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church for increased mission and ministry. Three years ago, at the retirement and departure of key program staff, the session’s Staff Design Team studied and developed an ideal staffing pattern for BMPC. With the arrival of two new pastors in 2017 - Mary Steege and Frank Pottorff - that staff design is complete. Grateful for the interim leadership of David Smith with our youth, and along with Rachel Pedersen and Rebecca Kirkpatrick, the addition of Mary and Frank fulfills our pastoral team with the most capable, experienced and talented pastoral colleagues I can imagine. In partnership with our stellar Music and Fine Arts leaders in Jeff Brillhart and Edward Landin, and a full Communications office with Elena Perri at the helm, we are celebrating a season of growth as we welcome new people, broaden our ministries of care and compassion, deepen our educational opportunities and prayerfully increase our sense of Christian discipleship. Secondly, as we look forward to the 150th anniversary of BMPC in 2023, a host of church leaders has committed time and talent to assess how our church campus best serves our congregational life. Trustees and Elders have worked together to prioritize a range of improvements and to imagine a renovated and revitalized facility that will strengthen our worship, Christian nurture and work. The early, preparatory phases of an initiative to realize this vision are underway, and we look forward to sharing the full scope of our plans in the coming months. In this spring season everywhere we look, we are mindful that healthy, living things grow. Sometimes growth can be seen as readily apparent, and sometimes growth is deeply inward and unseen. I can testify to experiencing both outward and inward growth as we increase our Christian witness in the world. I invite you to read this Annual Report and use it to find a new way to further commit your time and talent and resources to the love of God and neighbor through the mission of this great church.
Grace and Peace,
Agnes W. Norfleet Pastor
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Official Boards Session Bill McKee, Clerk Elder Class of 2018 Bill Black + Becky Brinks Bonnie Bay Callahan Gene Chang Karen Dunkman + Cara Guernsey (Y) Cameron McKendrick (Y) Krista Vaughan + Janet White + Elder Class of 2019 Rich Allman Brad Baturka + Bill McKee (Clerk) Lauren Meyer Cindy Pierce Eric Swanson + Cathy Whiteside
(Y) Indicates a youth serving a one-year term as Elder or Deacon.
Elder Class of 2020 Bill Adelhelm + Heewon Chang Peter Haldy + Morris Kay + Doug McCone Kathy Stevens Susie Valerio + Board of Deacons Jeff Swarr, Moderator Deacon Class of 2018 Bart Bastian Dave Hastings + Debbie Kay + Kate Lautenbach (Y) Sally Nelson Kirk Robinson (Y) Sherri Shields Jeff Swarr Nancy Taylor Flo Zeller +
Deacon Class of 2019 Patricia Danzon Bryan Hauptfuhrer+ Craig Johnson+ Laurie Koziol+ Jane Mackie+ Sheryl Parente Vicky Peetros Anne Schmid Holly Stafford+
Board of Trustees Brian Walsh, President
Deacon Class of 2020 Jean Bay Tim Bickhart + Marian Chitester + Tod Guernsey + Dave Heaton Anne Lee Steve McConnell Rob Mygatt Didi Rieger + Judy Sherry Susan Thorkelson
Trustee Class of 2019 Barbara Cobb Mark Dawejko + Kevin Duffy Peggy Hermann + Kevin Nicholson + Jean Reynolds
+ Indicates a person serving his/her second three-year term.
Trustee Class of 2018 Martin Bond + Louise Hill Yardly Jenkins Lisa Kimbro Mark Stafford Brian Walsh +
Trustee Class of 2020 Tim Chitester Eric Johnson Jon Liggett + Steve Ryan Mary Wachterhauser Kent Walker
Pastoral Staff Agnes W. Norfleet, Pastor Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Associate Pastor for Adult Education & Mission Rachel Pedersen, Associate Pastor for Children & Family Ministry Franklyn C. Pottorff, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life & Stewardship David B. Smith, Interim Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry Mary Steege, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care & Senior Adults Page 4
Membership Report Membership as of 12/31/16.........................................................................2,375 Received by Certificate of Transfer................................................................17 Received, 17 & under.......................................................................................... 24 Received, 18 & over............................................................................................. 23 Deaths..................................................................................................................... 36 Removed from Active Roll.................................................................................79 Transferred to Other Churches..........................................................................5 Active Membership as of 12/31/17............................................................2,319 Adult Baptisms........................................................................................................1 Infant Baptisms.....................................................................................................33 Marriages..................................................................................................................8
BMPC Introduces New Logo
This is an exciting time in the life of this church! We have a new team of pastors, a growing program, a renewed emphasis on evangelism and member engagement, and a broadening intergenerational commitment for mission. In 2017 we updated our church logo as a visual reminder that a new day is dawning for BMPC. In consultation with the BMPC communications committee and pastoral staff, the decision was made to have a more contemporary logo designed. In addition, each ministry area now has a specific color scheme that has been incorporated into printed materials and e-newsletters. Inspired by our soaring and majestic gothic architecture, the three arches illustrate not only the physical features of our campus, but also point to the Triune God who calls us to a life of worship and service. The new BMPC logo was “officially� introduced during the 2017 Rally Day and has been incorporated into our website and printed materials. Page 5
Children & Family Ministry
A year moves quickly in Children’s Ministry! Children who were crawling are now running and jumping; children who were sounding out words are now reading with confidence; and children who once needed help are now volunteering. How do we keep up with this constant growth? In 2017, over 150 volunteers helped support more than 200 children as they grew in faith, fellowship, and service. Our work is divided between our weekly ministries and special programs. During every week of the year and at every requested event, dedicated nursery staff welcome our youngest members, creating a foundational experience within the church one that is safe, accepting, and loving.
For forty-six weeks a year, our Sunday School students and teachers dig deep into God’s word and practice discipleship together. The church grows as a new generation connects and finds its place in God’s story. During the school year, programs like Morning Out and Wednesdays Together continue to build community and faith. Special mission-related experiences like Doing Good Together and Missionpalooza give children hands-on opportunities to live out Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors. At Vacation Bible Camp in 2017, both church members and members of our community explored Christ’s parables through art. Our oldest volunteer was turning 87 while our youngest participant was almost six months old! Family worship services like Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday create a unique sacred space where children lead and teach us the Gospel. In the coming year, we know there will be growth; that is the nature of working with children! We can imagine who each child is becoming; at the same time we are thankful to be present and to learn with each child where he or she is today. On Christmas Eve, an angel explained it this way to a four-year-old portraying a sheep in the tableau: “This year you are a sheep, and you will show the church that even sheep came to worship Jesus. In a few years you can be an angel and learn to tell the good news, but this year we really need you to be a sheep, because without the sheep, the story is not complete.” Page 6
Youth Ministry Over the past year, the youth ministry at BMPC has undergone an extensive “renovation.” Every aspect of our program has been reviewed. Strengths have been emphasized and growing edges have been smoothed. We are just beginning to see the ways these “big picture” changes are trickling down into the real-life experiences for BMPC youth. In addition to regular services and gatherings, our ministry area hosts more than 30 special events each year. Our trip to “Faith on the Field” at Eastern University is particularly significant as we consider the ground-level impact of our evolving vision for life together. While the event itself was well-planned by Eastern University faculty and staff, the youth-led discussion that followed was truly profound. Both of the Philadelphia Eagles players who came to share their faith hurried off the stage as the main event drew to a close. Our next stop was Chili’s restaurant in Wayne. While munching on nachos and cheese curds, our young folks explored challenging questions of life and faith: How does our understanding of Baptism impact the way we view mission? Can we learn from other Christian denominations even as we celebrate our Presbyterian identity? Is it possible to affirm our Reformed belief that salvation is offered through Christ alone, while also celebrating God’s presence in other faith traditions? This snapshot of our ministry area is a reminder that the Eucharistic blessing echoes wherever bread is broken, cup is shared, and life is lived by a group of inquisitive disciples. Behind the goofy games, camp songs and event calendars that characterize our ministry area lies the real work to which the whole church has been called. With expectant hope, we will continue to dream big as we connect, engage and equip youth to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Music & Fine Arts 2017 saw a dizzying array of music and art events in the Music and Fine Arts Program. BMPC welcomed back its first organ scholar, Nathan Laube, a young man who has risen to the ranks of the top three or four organists in the world.
The Sanctuary Choir enjoyed the privilege of singing under the direction of two leading conductors in America - André Thomas (Florida State University) and Anton Armstrong (St. Olaf Choir). We also celebrated the next generation of musicians with concerts by international prize-winning organists Joshua Stafford and Dexter Kennedy, as well as performances by harpsichord students from Temple University. Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat and Part One of The Christmas Oratorio filled our Sanctuary with musical inspiration. A 2020 choir and congregation tour to Israel and Jordan was approved, a committee recruited, and signups begun. Art shows included works from our mission partner, The Studio at Beacon, African Art of the George Purvis Collection at Harcum College, stunning photographs of our newly restored Tiffany windows, works of BMPC members Maria Schneider and Mary French, photo exhibition of BMPC Mission Trips of 2017, and Melissa Steffy’s “Bach’s Compositions in Color.” What this list cannot begin to describe is the breathtaking level of commitment to BMPC that is exhibited by our singers who range in age from 5 to 92, or our artists, council members and other volunteers. The 69 members of the Sanctuary Choir alone contribute more than 10,500 volunteer hours a year! All that we do in the arts is born out of a belief that the gifts we have been given must be nurtured and re-dedicated to the glory of God, with the hope that in so doing, we may inspire God’s people. Soli deo Gloria.
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Mission A recurring theme of mission highlights for our congregation in 2017 is the way that our past relationships and practices allow us to respond thoughtfully and boldly to our call to work for justice and peace in the world today. Here are two great examples. In February 2017, five members of our church, along with the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, traveled to Lebanon and Syria to visit with Presbyterian leaders, with those facilitating the educational programs being run by Lebanese Presbyterian Churches for Syrian refugee children, and with congregations in Syria bearing the burden and ministry of caring for thousands of Syrians who have been internally displaced within Syria. This trip was a follow up to a grant given to the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon to support the work they are doing in the face of the largest refugee crisis in modern history. It was through our historic partnerships in Lebanon and our strong relationship with Presbyterian World Mission that we were able to support this important work financially as well as work faithfully with our partners in the area to enjoy such a meaningful visit with them. In April 2017, our church was privileged to host Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago, Ill., for a public lecture that was attended by more than 600 people from the Philadelphia area. Because of BMPC’s long-standing relationship with the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, we were able to partner with them to organize such a large and important community event. Patel brought a strong and insightful message of interfaith dialogue, community building, and compassion for one another, especially in light of growing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism on the local level. In addition to the importance of Patel’s message, we had the opportunity to extend gracious hospitality to the larger interfaith community, drawing upon BMPC’s long tradition of being a place that is open to public dialogue on matters of faith, culture and society.
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Adult Education Adult Education at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church seeks balance when it comes to supporting the spiritual, intellectual and communal lives of adults in our congregation. Every class or group provides the ability for those with little background in Christian traditions or scripture to feel welcome to ask questions and engage and challenge those who have spent significant time in study and exploration. Every class or group nurtures foundational community connections, recognizing that we grow in faith in the context of community and through relationships with one another, while also creating an environment of welcome and a place for creating new relationships. Finally, every class or group finds a balance between the ways that study feeds our spiritual growth as individuals as well as compels us to be disciples of Christ sent out into the world. 2017 provided the opportunity for several valuable Adult Education events; an ongoing class that especially represents many of these values is our Bible for Beginners and Theology for Beginners class. Once a month a group of engaged adults meet to discuss and reflect on the essentials of our faith and traditions. In this space, no question is off limits, and no assumptions are too sacred to be unchallenged. It is also a space where participants may share the experiences and beliefs that influenced their own faith journeys. Just because the class focuses on the basics doesn’t mean we don’t also look at some nuanced and contemporary ways to read scripture or follow our Presbyterian traditions. Each topic connects both to the ways in which we live and express our beliefs through the life and worship of our congregation and how they impact the work our congregation does in the community and the world.
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Caring Ministries I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. - John 13:34 In the past year, the various ministries of compassionate care at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church have come together under one umbrella - Caring Ministries. This ministry area includes the work of the Deacons, the Middleton Center, our parish nurse and our parish social worker, and is resourced by Mary Steege, the Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Senior Adults. How good it is, the psalmist says, when we come together in unity! We have enjoyed coming together and creating a more integrated network of care within the congregation. We have enjoyed sharing a common sense of mission. We are enjoying the prospect of growing in both spiritual understanding and in our service together. The Deacons continue to focus on providing pastoral care to members, including flower deliveries, home communions, assistance with communion in worship, and riding the Rosemont Bus. New this year, the Helping Hands ministry functions under Deacon leadership as Deacons and other members of the congregation greet the retirement community vans before and after worship. Deacons also serve as ushers and hosts for memorial services and receptions at our church. In 2017, Carol Cherry and Renee Malnak-Giansiracusa have joined our staff as parish nurse and social worker, respectively. Among other initiatives, they are on campus the third Sunday of each month to meet members and answer questions. The Middleton Center continues to provide low-fee counseling and other services, including spiritual direction, support groups and forums on parenting. The Caring Ministries sponsored a forum on grief, building on the award-winning documentary Voices of Grief, which was attended by members of the community as well as our congregation. Plans are in the works for a symposium this fall that will address issues surrounding memory loss.
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By the Numbers Church Balance Sheet ASSETS
Total Cash and Equivalents Total Fixed Assets Other Assets Investments K Hoyler Beneficial Interest Notes Receivable Total Other Assets TOTAL ASSETS
DEC. 31, 2017
DEC. 31, 2016
1,401,611 29,588,244
1,443,091 29,588,244
3,901,987 4,626,645 128,682 4,030,669 39,647,169
1,388,502 4,167,434 67,520 1,456,022 36,654,792
14,207 20,754 3,181,508 (1,523,548) 0 282,534 933,784 774,649 177,701 3,861,590
7,278 21,329 526,887 (1,538,850) 65,380 320,012 906,220 841,650 148,572 1,298,479
1,465,000 1,821 1,466,821 5,328,411
1,465,000 2,186 1,467,186 2,765,664
28,156,144 4,626,645 1,565,549 (29,580) 34,318,758 39,647,169
28,156,144 4,167,434 1,612,100 (46,551) 33,889,127 36,654,792
LIABILITIES & EQUITY Current Liabilities Accrued Expenses Custodial Accounts Capital Campaign Reserve Forward in Faith Reserve Due to Foundation Note to Foundation Temporarily Restricted Unrestricted Reserves Weekday School Reserves Total Current Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Line of Credit - BMT Amortization Total Long-Term Liabilities Total Liabilities Equity Plant K Hoyler Perpetual Trust Unrestricted Net Assets Net Income Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Stewardship Report - Looking Ahead Our 2018 Stewardship campaign “Gather Us In” resulted in 635 pledges totaling $2,335,870. Page 12
* The financial statements have been audited by Baker Tilly LLC, and are available to any member of the church upon request.
Church Income Statement
2017 BUDGET
REVENUES
PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS Congregational Giving & Plate Cash Current Year Pledges Prior Year Pledges Total Pledges and Contributions SPECIAL INCOME Special Donations & Grants Charitable Trust Donation Foundation Income Allocation Total Special Income OTHER INCOME Total REVENUES
EXPENDITURES
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE Mortgage Interest and Principal Other Administrative Expenses Total Administrative Expense OFFICE AND TECH EXPENSE PROPERTY EXPENSE Maintenance & Utilities Deferred Maintenance Total Property Expense MISSION Presbytery Allocation Church School Mission Giving Environmental Justice Outreach Council Peacemaking Senior Adult Benevolence Tutoring Program Worldwide Ministries Total Mission COUNCILS Adult Education Children & Family Ministry Childcare Personnel Congregational Life & Membership Deacons & Congregational Care Fine Arts Program Senior Adult Council Session Stewardship Worship Committee Young Adult Ministry Youth Ministry Total Councils Total EXPENDITURES NET CASH from Operating Budget Use of previous year's surplus* NET CASH * Surplus used for Refugee Crisis support, Technology, Forward in Faith Campaign, new Patio
2017 ACTUAL
2016 ACTUAL
125,000 2,511,000 10,000 2,646,000
144,925 2,414,020 11,922 2,570,868
116,090 2,412,163 28,205 2,556,458
25,000 250,000 1,355,000 1,630,000 5,800 4,281,800
36,030 250,000 1,355,000 1,641,030 17,680 4,229,578
65,229 250,000 1,293,489 1,608,718 12,866 4,178,042
2,310,700
2,259,623
2,056,253
57,000 146,500 203,500 227,850
56,923 146,507 203,430 216,996
56,910 98,946 155,856 194,922
663,600 125,000 788,600
627,566 125,000 752,566
578,687 125,000 703,687
68,500 800 6,260 225,000 5,000 32,350 18,500 113,300 469,710
64,363 747 6,230 225,000 5,000 31,956 11,834 113,300 458,429
68,330 0 0 219,450 0 32,704 5,311 109,990 435,785
12,200 38,000 36,000 33,500 9,500 111,920 4,400 7,500 5,000 3,000 5,000 37,000 303,020 4,303,380 (21,580)
9,145 32,325 29,645 33,186 5,243 110,438 2,775 7,333 1,294 2,822 2,467 33,917 270,591 4,161,636 67,942 (135,000) (67,057)
11,409 27,325 31,262 27,089 1,003 98,075 690 7,308 1,663 3,319 4,902 36,187 250,232 3,799,735 378,307 (460,000) (81,693)
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BMPC Foundation Balance Sheet (December 31, 2017)
FUND BALANCES
Church Operations: Unrestricted Endowment Permanent Endowment Isabel Sherrerd Memorial J. Mahlon Buck Jr. and Elia D. Buck Fund Christian Education and Congregational Life: Catherine C Miller Lola M. Tryon Memorial Joseph and Ethel VanderVeer Middleton Church School Fund Care of the Congregation Whiteman Peacemaking Miller Memorial David & Ruth Watermulder Theologian-in-Residence Community Forums
Church Operations Christian Education and Congregational Life
Mission Building Fine Arts Legacy Gifts
ASSETS (Market Value) Fixed Income Securities Mutual Funds Note to Church Mission Investments Total Equities Domestic Stock International Stock Total Pledged Account: Mutual Funds TOTAL ASSETS
8,162,854 282,534 755,121 9,200,509 17,307,586 11,486,939 28,794,525 3,908,048 41,903,082
Mission: Christian Mission Outreach Elsie and Blair Daniels Eugene C. Bay Fund Richard Shaull Fund Skip Hollingshead Fund Catastrophic Relief Fund Ruth Anchors Estate Otto Haas Charitable Trust Tutoring Fund Debbie Craig Camp Scholarship Fund Judith Ehrman Fund Building: Ada Howard Donaghy Building Endowment Building Preservation Shepherd & Sheep Statuary Repair & Maintenance Fine Arts: Chapel Organ Fund Sherrerd/Fine Arts for Children Richard W. Ledwith McFarland Music Phoebe Haas Organ Fund Silver Anniversary Fund William Dick Music Fine Arts for Children and Youth Haas Charitable Trust for Senior Choir Legacy Gifts: Middleton Pastoral Care & Counseling Foerderer Memorial Harris Care Management Fund TOTAL FUND BALANCES
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8,748,539 1,462,204 20,039 4,520,781 9,200 31,972 39,724 78,993 220,491 13,856 310,882 73,568 254,072 140,991 326,828 2,564,594 1,511,740 34,337 16,730 424,464 253,101 146,759 176,747 35,944 331,498 2,025,295 352,484 795,549 5,946
47,072 37,524 138,010 444,659 85,631 171,323 919,422 311,871 2,030,241 2,528,855 9,494,694 766,450 41,903,082
Special Gifts In 2017, our church was blessed by many generous donations, and we are grateful for each gift received. Most of these applied to our annual Stewardship Campaign, although some were allocated to more specific uses. Some of these special gifts are highlighted below.
Special Gifts to Ministries of the Church, totaling $2,303,000: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Comcast Corporation, for the Operating Budget The Connelly Foundation, for the Capital Campaign The D&CN Trust, for the Operating Budget The Hamilton Family Foundation, for the Tutoring Program The Katharine Hoyler Charitable Trust, for the Operating Budget The Otto Haas Charitable Trust, for the Capital Campaign The PA Lumberman’s Mutual Matching Gift, for the Operating Budget The Philadelphia Foundation, for the Operating Budget The Estate of Edith A. Powell, for the Children’s Library The Robinson Foundation, for the Tutoring Program Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Matching Gift, for the Operating Budget The William Penn Foundation Matching Gifts Program, for the Capital Campaign The William Penn Foundation Special Gifts Program, for the Operating Budget Gifts in honor of John and Joy MacMurray, for the Operating Budget Gifts in honor of Paul and Kat MacMurray, for the Operating Budget Gifts in honor of John Martin, for the Operating Budget Gifts in memory of Ann Buchanan, for Fine Arts and the Children’s Ministry Gifts in memory of Jerene Fiechter, for Hunger Gift in memory of Robert Merin, for Fine Arts Gifts in memory of James Weese, for the Middleton Center
Special Gifts to the BMPC Foundation, totaling $586,000: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Estate of Elaine McGill The Estate of Jane Polk The Estate of Eugene Swift The Estate of Jeanne Symes The Estate of Virginia Tobin The Estate of May Toren, for the Building Preservation Fund Gifts in honor of Gene Bay, for the Bay Fund Gifts in memory of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Affleck; Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Bastow; Walter B. Bastow, Jr. Gifts in memory of Mary Lou Forester Barry Gifts in memory of Sally Camp Gifts in memory of Carter and Ruth Fergusson Gifts in memory of Jerene Fiechter Gifts in memory of Alan Lawley Gifts in memory of Margaret McKeel Gifts in memory of Kay Miller Gifts in memory of Nancy Rainey Gifts in memory of Patricia Ross Gifts in memory of Virginia Tobin Gifts in memory of Jeffrey Tucker Gifts in memory of William Wilson The George & Grace Andressohn Fund The J. Margaret Ada Mutch Trust, for the Building Preservation Fund
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Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church | 625 Montgomery Avenue | Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 | 610.525.2821