2011 Annual Report

Saint Michael and All Angels EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Hymn 680 verses 1 - 2

2012 Annual Parish Meeting February 19, 2012 10:00 a.m.

Agenda Hymn 680. vs 1-2 Opening Prayer Call to Order – The Rector Report of the Nominating Committees

Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegates – Charles Sartain, Senior Warden

Saint Michael Foundation Trustees – Jeff Rice, President Election – Scott Wilson, Parliamentarian Treasurer’s Report – Van Sheets Stewardship Report – Nancy and Kyle Moore Wardens’ Reports

Senior Warden – Charles Sartain

Junior Warden – Paige Wilbur Rector’s Report – The Rev. Dr. Bob Dannals Election Results (if available) Questions and Responses Adjournment, Concluding Prayer and Doxology

Prologue from the Rector Dear People of Saint Michael and All Angels, Each year it is a joy and privilege to present to you at the Annual Parish Meeting an Annual Report of programs, ministries, outreach and statistics – a summary of how God has been working with us and through us during this past year.

There hardly goes by a day when something new and life-changing doesn’t happen at Saint Michael and All Angels. I am constantly surprised and amazed at the contributions of ministry that are literally offered by thousands of you. Person by person and generation by generation the pieces of our ministry make up the joyful puzzle that is our parish.

Contained in this booklet of 2011 annual reports are accounts of some of the ways in which this parish has attempted to respond to God’s call to be a worshipping, learning, serving and witnessing body of Christians.

Every service we hold, every program we start, every dollar we spend, every act we offer, every word we utter, has only one central purpose: to be followers of Christ, spreading God’s love.

On behalf of the Wardens, Vestry, clergy and staff, I want you to know how privileged we feel to serve among a congregation who seeks to be rooted in Christ, and eager to be a parish for everyone.

Please read these reports and ask God to show you how it is that you are to exercise your faith and work in and through this parish.

Robert S. Dannals Rector A Special Thanks to our Wardens, Vestry and Trustees.

We extend our deep gratitude to our retiring Vestry members: Tom Harbison, Mike Massad, Oleta Salyards, Charles Sartain and Sandra Snyder. A special word of thanks to our Senior Warden this past year, Charlie Sartain, our Junior Warden, Paige Wilbur, and our Treasurer, Van Sheets. We also thank those who will be on our Vestry in 2012-2013: Christine Ashmore, Tony Briggle, Cindy Carter, Cliff Miercort, Stephanie Pearson, Grady Schleier, Van Sheets, Nancy Skochdopole, Ron Staffieri, Tom Stewart, Stewart Thomas, Donnell Wiggins, Paige Wilbur, Scott Wilson and Sheryl Wylie.

We extend gratitude for those who are retiring as Trustees of the Saint Michael Foundation: Bill Barker, Scott Hancock, Chuck Hensley, Jeff Rice and Bob Thomas. And we thankfully acknowledge the work of our Vestry Clerk Blair Richert and our Chancellors: Robert Wilson, Dianna Bowen, Bart Showalter, Bob Wilbur, and Scott Wilson. We welcome to our up-coming Vestry our new Treasurer, Matt Waller.

Saint Michael and All Angels ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Rector’s Report Life and Mission and Ministry are getting better and better every year.

As I nearly complete my fifth year as your rector, I am honored and grateful to serve among such a dedicated, faithful and hard-working clergy team, staff, Wardens and Vestry. Our reports give you a glimpse, a word picture of our large, vigorous, generous, outreach-oriented congregation.

I see the state of our parish as precarious and powerful, getting better and better in every way since 2006, but still seeking a deepened and consistent commitment in participation and giving. I’ve used the term precarious before, and I use it here The Rev. Dr. Bob Dannals in its original meaning: “depending on the support and benefits of another.” In an individualistic and self-determined society, we rely more and more on the grace of God, not merely on our own efforts. But we are a powerful, connected place, because, as I see it, we are searching and yearning to be responsible to God and the larger world with the extraordinary network and resources we’ve been given.

And with those resources – people, finances, talent – we are getting better and better in every aspect of parish life since 2006, save one: the consistent engagement of a portion of our parish in our regular ministries, including financial giving. Let me portray the evidence.

Worship A major goal when I arrived in 2007 was the need to adjust our Sunday morning schedule and style of services to address several needs: to keep and enhance the extraordinary array of styles that had been inaugurated before I arrived and to improve the quality in several areas. I’m pleased to report that after five years all eight worship services on the weekend have a wonderful quality and spirit – each with their own styles, and we have increased participation of children, youth and adults in worship leadership, including youth acolytes, readers, and chalice bearers and in choir participation. Yes, even the adult choirs have recently been growing, a source of angst for some time. We continue to have as a goal that our preaching, choral music, including a children’s choir, and the timing and length of worship will get better and better.

Outreach A great core of our most significant work over the past five years is in outreach. Committing a full-time priest, The Rev. Dr. Kevin Huddleston, and raising up talented and dedicated stakeholders in every area of our work has made a huge difference in both our expanded volunteerism and the quality of our partnerships. When The Rev. Jemonde Taylor joined our team 30 months ago, we added further energy and pastoral presence to our flagship ministry at Jubilee Park. During these years we have increased mission trip work, daylong service projects and on-going weekby-week mission work in Dallas and beyond – in New Orleans, South Dakota, Bolivia, Honduras, Israel/Palestine.

During these years we have also increased our funding to outreach, including the expansive work of the Women of Saint Michael and the Women’s Exchange.

Pastoral and Congregational Care It won’t surprise you to know that important and expansive work in pastoral care has been accomplished since 2006.

We have totally transformed the manner and quality of care. Under the creative leadership of The Rev. Patty Willett, our caring “system” is remarkable in its personal touch, comprehensiveness and its training and deployment of laity.

Add to this the on-going work of Ann Mills and the Good Shepherd leaders and the ways we reach out during times of need, illness and death, warms many hearts – knowing that one person has cared for another person, that prayers have been offered for another, that the lonely and sick are visited, the bereaved are given companionship and the broken are given an experience of hope.

Children, Youth, and Adults The 2006 Strategic Plan included a clear goal that we enhance and increase our offerings and participation for all ages, with a decided focus on children, youth and their families. Following a magnificent building expansion, including a state-of-the-art youth center, we set about to call the very best staff available for these ages, and to increase our volunteers in all areas. I am pleased to report that from the youngest in our preschool and nursery through our adult formation we are providing high quality staff and ministries every week. With the arrival of The Rev. Greg Pickens and the anticipation of a new Preschool Director (we’ll extend a call this spring) we will have exactly the right people leading these vital areas.

Welcoming Ministries The plain fact about our Welcoming Ministry is that we are striking out of maintenance mode and we’re becoming more outwardly hospitable in every way. Of course the official approaches and manner, creatively guided by Tish Visinsky and Ann Mills, and supported by a fabulous team of lay volunteers, are excellent. Add to that the natural friendliness of our parishioners and, I believe, the inspiring worship, education, care and outreach, and our congregation is very attractive to seekers looking for an eclectic, diverse, mission-driven church. Let’s keep it up!

Engagement We have put this area as our highest priority! In the course of doing a self-study several years ago, we learned that while hundreds of our talented parishioners were exercising thousands of hours of ministry, another segment of our parish was and is dramatically underutilized and waiting on the sidelines. Thanks to Marta Holden and an emerging ‘blue-ribbon” corps of volunteers, increased participation and inclusion are receiving needed energy and interest. We hope you will participate in the several avenues of gift identification and ministry engagement.

Parish Life and Operations When anyone steps onto our property, looks into our financial books or experiences one of the many parish life events, including receptions, meals, and special occasions, what one knows is that our staff and volunteers are operating at a very high, trustworthy level. We have made major advancements in all of these areas during the past five years. And our operations, buildings and hospitality teams have great plans ahead. We are in the final stages of design and fund raising for a new columbarium, nave courtyard and stained-glass church access doors. Jay Grogan continues to work with the Decade Committee to plan for preschool expansion, future planning for “the block” and an enlargement of our community spaces in the parish house. We also expect that the columbarium project will meet another long range goal: enlarging the corpus of our Foundation. In addition to these exciting endeavors, we also await this spring our long-anticipated Way-Finding systems, including much improved exterior and interior signage.

Communication and Evangelism The comprehensive enrichment of our communication systems, both electronic and print, is palpable. Under the direction of Lowell Duncan, we have gone from a creative and hard working “cottage industry” five years ago, to some of the most innovative approaches in the Episcopal Church. All of these improvements help us reach out with the gospel message, connecting faith with life application on a daily basis. One of our primary goals is to expand our digital programming to touch people electronically with real people and real ministries.

Ministries Beyond the Parish In the nearly five years I have been in the Diocese of Dallas, I have witnessed an improved relationship between the Diocese and Saint Michael. Our Bishop and his staff have attempted to reach out in partnership with our parish.

We in turn have sought greater participation in/with Diocesan committees and commissions. This doesn’t mean we always agree with our Bishop or Diocesan leadership! In fact, at times, we’ve respectfully challenged particular views or measures, and, on a few occasions, have offered loyal opposition. We continue to be a full participating congregation, including our financial contribution, now nearly $600,000.

We have also maintained and enhanced our participation in the National Episcopal Church and related institutions and commissions. In addition to contributing a full apportionment to the national budget, some of our staff serve on national committees and seminary boards.

We have also improved considerably our relationship and partnership since 2006 with the Episcopal School of Dallas. In light of our decision several years ago that we will not be inaugurating a new parish- based lower school (we will concentrate on expanding our preschool), and with the news of ESD’s impending search for a new Headmaster, following Father Swann’s retirement, and the report that ESD would like to entertain an extended lease arrangement at our parish campus, we have begun a “win-win” conversation about a multi-year covenant.

Saint Michael’s has also reinvigorated a full participation in international connections with the Anglican Communion. We are active with the American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem, the Compass Rose Society, the project to rebuild Trinity Cathedral in Haiti, the National Cathedral repairs in Washington, Episcopal Relief and Development, the Episcopal Churches in Europe, and the American Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.

Opportunities and Challenges This is the year of opportunity! It is time for hundreds more Saint Michaelites to increase their participation and giving. In so doing, faith and belonging increase and desire to give goes up. Following modest increases in financial giving after the financial crisis, our pledged amounts have plateaued. Stewardship results so far for 2012 are at last year’s levels. A broad middle section of our pledging households are renewing the same pledge for 3 or 4 or 5 years running. Others make quick, “round figure” decisions. I ask you: please look at your commitment. Consider our opportunity. If possible, adjust your pledge, and I suggest that this can be done cheerfully.

And I hope you can see beyond the numbers. Consider what we can do. We can have graceful impact. With God’s guidance we can exceed what’s expected of us. We can reach those parts of ourselves yet untouched by the Spirit of God. Thanksgiving I extend my heartfelt thanks to my wife, Valerie, to our talented and hard working clergy team and staff, and to a very talented group of Wardens and Vestry. And I offer my gratitude to each of you for your generous support and ministries.

All is not perfect here, of course. We are on a journey to greater faithfulness and mission. We are a redeemed, beloved community. We are followers of Christ, spreading God’s love. Thanks be to God!

Robert S. Dannals, Rector

Senior Warden’s Report I approach our annual meeting, aware that every institution has a “brand.” More than a catchy logo, it is the emotional feel and mental image that an organization invokes in those who come into contact with it. Think for a moment. What is Saint Michael’s “brand”? In some circles, it is “Saint Minks and All Cadillacs” – the big, rich, comfortable, country club-joining church in the Park Cities. It’s clever and has a ring of truth to it, to be sure.

But that adage does not reflect the true personality of our church. The accomplishments of our clergy, staff and parishioners I’ve been blessed to see up-close this past year make me appreciate that our church is about so much more than wealth and power.

Charles Sartain

What is our real brand? It is – or should be – the church that is generous beyond compare with the many resources it has been blessed with, the church that teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church that heals poverty and isolation, the church that serves its community in ways too numerous to count.

How do we do it? First, the tone is set by our tireless rector, Bob Dannals. His notion that we can be even stronger in service sets the direction for all of us. To name only a few examples of Saint Michael’s “brand” in action in 2011, our Easter and Christmas plates, Heart of Giving, and Mission and Outreach grants contributed $269,000 to local, national and international ministries. Our weekly tutoring at O. M. Roberts Elementary School and other work in the Jubilee neighborhood continues.

Funding of the addition to our columbarium, inspired by the vision and generosity of Tom and Maryann McConnell and led by Jay Grogan, is nearly complete and construction is expected to begin soon. This project will provide a lovely and peaceful final resting place for over 800 of our parishioners and add some $ 4 Million to the corpus of the Saint Michael Foundation.

Pastoral care, which includes among so many other ministries intercessory prayers, cancer support groups, faithand-grief luncheons, and Lay Eucharist Visitors, touched the lives of our parishioners over 500 times each month.

Our 195 Good Shepherds and 60 extended-care cooks served hundreds of parishioners in times of sickness, death, and other challenges. Our church delivered 1,000 grocery bags of food to North Dallas Shared Ministries.

Our parishioners went on nine mission trips, and funds provided by our church made $50,000 in microloans to hundreds of deserving entrepreneurs in Honduras.

In November The Rev. Greg Pickens answered our call to serve as Associate Priest for Children, Youth and Families.

Greg and his staff will continue to teach and nurture our young Christians. We baptized 80 children and three adults. We confirmed 113 youths and 30 adults and received seven adults. Our 20’s to 30’s ministry, expertly and enthusiastically facilitated by Father Jemonde Taylor, is growing.

And, we are planning for the future. The Giving Council project, led by J. Puckett, has been studying how to be more effective in our approach to stewardship, the Saint Michael Foundation, and capital campaigns. The Decade Committee, led by Jay Grogan, Bob Wilbur, and Chris Schupp, is expected to issue recommendations on when and how to put to work the 2.7 acres acquired in 2006.

I haven’t attempted to name everyone – or every program - who contributes to the true Saint Michael “brand.”

But do not forget them. Please linger a bit the next time you are reading the Archangel or the Sunday News, pay particular attention to the clergy, staff and parishioners who contribute so mightily to our ministries, and say a silent prayer of thanksgiving for their service to Christ and our community. Called by name or not, there is no group of clergy, staff and parishioners anywhere more able and willing to spread the good news of Jesus Christ than ours here at Saint Michael and All Angels. We are blessed.

—Charles Sartain, 2011 Senior Warden

2011 Vestry Officers: Charles Sartain, 2009-2012 Senior Warden Paige Wilbur, 2010-2013 Junior Warden Van Sheets 2010-2013 Treasurer Robert Wilson Chancellor Dianna Bowen Assistant Chancellor Bart Showalter Assistant Chancellor Bob Wilbur Assistant Chancellor Scott Wilson 2010-2013 Assistant Chancellor Blair Richert Clerk

Members: Tony Briggle

2010-2013

Cindy Carter

2010-2013

Tom Harbison

2009-2012

Michael Massad

2009-2012

Clifford Miercort

2011-2014

Stephanie Pearson

2011-2014

Oleta Salyards

2009-2012

Sandra Snyder

2009-2012

Ron Staffieri

2011-2014

Donell Wiggins

2011-2014

Sheryl Wylie

2011-2014

Elections Vestry Nominees 2012 Christine Ashmore In the nine years Christine Ashmore has been a member of the parish she has served in several capacities. She has been a member of the Finance Committee for more than two years, a Sunday School teacher for six years, and on the Columbarium Committee since 2009. She also serves on the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Advancement Committee of Parish Episcopal School.

Grady E. Schleier Among Grady Schleier’s many activities at Saint Michael, he has been very involved in our Mission and Outreach ministry. He has participated in five Honduras mission trips, serves on the Mission/Outreach Grants Committee, and co-chairs the new Microfinance Committee. Additionally, Grady is on the church’s Audit Committee, has taught confirmation class, and has served as an usher captain. He has been a member since 1988.

Nancy Skochdopole A member for more than 20 years, Nancy Skochdopole has served Saint Michael in many capacities. She and her husband, Jim, chaired the Stewardship Committee for two years, and she was chair of the Child Development Committee. She has been very active in the Women of Saint Michael, serving a term as its president and chair of its Gifts Committee. She has also been involved with the Good Shepherd and Extended Care Cook ministries.

Tom Stewart Tom Stewart currently serves as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee and last year was on the church’s Decade Committee. For two years he was on the Board of the Men of Saint Michael, and has been the class primary leader and tribal leader of the Disciples (Confirmation) Class on numerous occasions, as well as a Sunday School teacher. He has been a member for more than 20 years.

Stewart Thomas A Saint Michael member for more than 40 years, Stewart Thomas has served the church in numerous ways. He served on the Rector Search Committee in 2006, has been a Trustee of the Saint Michael Foundation, was the Vestry Clerk for four years, and filled an unexpired term on the Vestry in 1995. He also helped create the Disciples (Confirmation) Class and continues to work in that ministry, and is a Chalice Bearer, Acolyte, and Lay Reader.

Diocesan Convention Delegate Nominatees Biographies Marla Briggle - 1 • Convention delegate 2007 – 2010 • Member of Altar, Funeral, & Wedding Guild • Board of American Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe Robert Buchanan - 2 • Verger, Acolyte, Chalice Bearer • Mission Outreach Honduras Team • Chair Men of Saint Michael (2007) Ralph Cousins - 3 • Former Vestry member • Adult Education and Stewardship Committees • Acolyte and Chalice Bearer Jack Coleman - 4 • Convention delegate for 6 years • Director of Ushers 2004 – 2010 • Worship Committee and Liturgy Committee Blake Hull - 5 • Former Vestry member • Convention delegate for 5 years • Mission/Outreach, Pastoral Care, Adult Ed. Bill Johnson - 6 • Vestry member and two time Senior Warden • Former chairman, Stewardship Committee • Standing Committee of Diocese of Dallas James Kerr - 7 • Acolyte, Chalice Bearer, Lector • Capital Campaign Committee • Pastoral Care Committee Tom McConnell - 8 • Former Vestry member • Chairman, Columbarium Committee • Capital Campaign Committee John McFarland - 9 • Former Vestry member • Rector Search Committee • Chapel Restoration Committee Bill McIntyre - 10 • Former Vestry member • Former chair of Human Resources Committee • Diocese of Dallas Risk Management Committee

Kyle Moore - 11 • Convention delegate for 2010 • Stewardship Committee for 7 years • Children and Family Ministry volunteer Liz Oliphant - 12 • Acolyte, Chalice Bearer, Lector • Convention delegate 3 years • Diocese of Dallas Executive Council (6 years) Jim Riggert - 13 • Convention alternate for 4 years • Lector and Lay Eucharistic Minister • Diocese of Dallas Executive Council (4 years) Phil Ritter - 14 • Former Vestry, Senior Warden, 2009 • Convention Delegate, Delegation Chair, 2010 • Stewardship Committee Chris Schupp - 15 • Former Vestry • Properties Committee, Chairman • Youth Ministry Advisory Committee Chuck Stewart - 16 • Convention delegate for 7 years • Mission/Outreach Committee • Team leader: By Our Love Supper Club Paul Talbot - 17 • Saint Michael Choir – 23 years • Stewardship Committee • Sunday School and Disciples Class teacher Tim Thompson - 18 • Worship Committee • Men of Saint Michael Board • Acolyte and Master of Ceremonies Jim Wiley - 19 • Former Vestry, Junior Warden and Treasurer • Saint Michael Choir • Adult Formation & Stewardship Committees

Saint Michael Foundation Trustee Nominees The following parishioners have been nominated for election to six-year terms as members of the Saint Michael Foundation Board of Trustees: Missy Hahn Boone

Missy Hahn Boone is a longtime member of the Parish. She served on the Vestry where she was elected Junior Warden. In addition, Missy has been a member of the Finance Committee and served as Stewardship Chair. Most recently, she has been a member of the Decade Committee and the Saint Michael School Task Force. She has a keen understanding of the finances of the Parish and brings to the Foundation the knowledge of a 25-year career in the financial world.

William D. Felder

William D. Felder has been a member of Saint Michael for 40 years. He has served on the boards of the Episcopal School of Dallas and The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Foundation. Bill currently sits on the Finance Committee for Saint Michael, and has extensive experience in the financial services industry.

Jay Grogan

Jay Grogan is currently chair of the Decade Committee and serves on the Columbarium Construction Committee. While serving on the Vestry, Jay was elected Junior Warden. He has also served on the Finance Committee, The Ad Hoc Real Estate Committee for 8100 Lomo Alto and Fredericks Square, the Jubilee Gift Committee, and has been a Sunday School teacher. Jay has been a member of the Parish for 15 years.

Tricia Barnett Monfrey

Tricia Barnett Monfrey has been a member of Saint Michael for 16 years, during which she has served on the Prayer Ministry Team, as chair of Stewardship, and has been active with the Women of Saint Michael. In addition Tricia has been involved in the Good Shepherd ministry. Tricia has spent most of her career in development and is knowledgeable about foundations and fundraising.

Karen Kay Johnson Pardoe

Karen Kay Johnson Pardoe has been a member of the Parish for over 40 years. During that time, she has served on the Vestry, was a delegate to the Diocesan Convention for 15 years, and served three years on the Executive Council. She has served as Directress of the Altar Guild, President of the Women of Saint Michael, Chair of the Parish Party, and has been on the Stewardship Committee. Karen has traveled with Mission Outreach to Honduras and New Orleans.

Finances and Operations

Report on Saint Michael and All Angels Church Finances Our operating finances are sound, although our pledge revenue is not adequate to meet the full potential of our remarkable ministries, our outstanding clergy and staff, and the energy that our parishioners volunteer. The following key points are addressed in more detail below: • For 2011 our expenses exceeded revenue by $14,000, or three-tenths of one percent.

• The Vestry has approved a 2012 budget that projects a $76,000 deficit. We are confident enough members will reconsider their 2012 pledge decisions, so we do not actually have to cut people or programs to break even for the year.

• Our 2012 expense budget incorporates unfortunate spending cuts that we believe the congregation would choose to reinstate if pledge revenue were sufficient.

• We continue to support Outreach ministries financially at a high level.

• Our cash reserves are adequate to manage timing differences in revenue and expenses.

How We Budget Our Annual Operations We project annual revenue at the start of each year, and plan our expenses to achieve a balanced budget. It is challenging because our spending commitments cannot “turn on a dime,” and our largest revenue month is December (up to 20% of total contribution revenue), when it is too late to cut expenses for that year. This is why annual stewardship pledges are so critical – we commit to spending based on the contributions parishioners have pledged to make.

This means that in a sense the budget of Saint Michael and All Angels is determined not by the vestry, but by each of us when we decide how much to pledge.

2011 Results Our clergy and staff held operating expenses to $117,923 less than budgeted. Unfortunately, our revenue was $131,952 below budget, for a net operating deficit of $14,029. The largest portion of the shortfall represented a number of parishioners not completely fulfilling their pledges. This generally involved parishioners who are active in worship and the life of the parish, so we assume the underpayments relate to family financial circumstances and perhaps a few oversights.

Status of Our Giving Our participation rate is good. Each of us may define engagement differently – weekly worship, monthly worship, participation in mission trips, regular adult education attendance, and so forth – but the vast majority of parishioners who would call themselves engaged are involved financially through an annual pledge. (Our membership rolls include between two and three thousand people who have not attended in a long time and who may not attend again. The church exists to serve them as well as engaged parishioners who read this report, but we cannot assume that they will pledge.)

Our generosity is more of a question than our participation, if generosity is measured by the Biblical principles of giving in proportion to our income or financial resources. This is a question we can answer only as individuals.

Consider the following as an interesting analysis. In 2011, 867 pledges came from parishioners living in just four zip codes (75225, 75205, 75209 and 75230), and those pledges represented $3.1 million of our revenue. Based on IRS data on Adjusted Gross Income by zip code, and assuming our parishioners’ incomes matched the averages of their neighborhoods, if the same 867 pledges had represented proportional giving of 3% of income, the contributions from those pledgers would have totaled $7.7 million. We haven’t plowed through the IRS data for every zip code, but if we simply extrapolate, this suggests that if our 2011 pledgers had each given 3% of income, our pledge

revenue would have been $10.7 million instead of $4.3 million.

This is, of course, just an interesting intellectual exercise. What matters for each of us individually is dealing with the hold money can have on us, and to try personally to grow in generosity. The next step of budgeting for Saint Michael and All Angels is for each of us to look at our bank statements and our tax returns, and to pray for guidance about our giving. (Making this forceful statement to people who actually read the Annual Report may be “preaching to the choir.” The Vestry intends to renew the church’s commitment to discussing the role of generosity in our lives, in various settings in 2012.)

2012 Budget The Vestry and its Finance Committee have approved a slightly negative budget for 2012. If the church does not receive additional or increased pledges, the 2012 deficit is projected to be $76,000. This budgeted loss would be larger if not for some difficult choices: • Since clergy and staff compensation represents over two-thirds of annual operating expenses, we have found it necessary to budget no compensation increases. (We increased most salaries four years ago, in early 2008, and in early 2011 we modestly increased the salaries of fewer than half of our employees. Based on a study of our compensation in late 2010, our aggregate payroll currently is about $300,000 “below the market” for comparable responsibilities in comparable organizations.)

• We are deferring recruiting an additional priest for our pastoral care ministries, which had been a top Vestry priority.

• We have not budgeted to fund the main retirement benefit of our lay staff, which is a 5% 401(k) contribution, and we have imposed 5% compensation cuts on our clergy.

• We are budgeting only the most critical facilities maintenance, and deferring all maintenance that we can.

• We have made targeted program cuts in every ministry area. We have made “targeted cuts” for several years in a row, so our program budget is quite frugal.

A balanced budget for 2012 would require an $76,000 increase in pledge revenue. A healthy budget without the cuts summarized above would require an increase of about $400,000. These numbers are modest in relation to our individual capacity for generosity. Let us each pray for guidance about our own contributions.

How Much of Our Money Goes to Outreach?

Here is a simple summary: • Our largest contribution to Outreach is our time. If we accounted for clergy and staff compensation costs by where the time is spent, outreach would represent over $1,000,000 of our compensation costs.

• Our Mission and Outreach Committee directed grants totaling $145,000 from our operating accounts in 2011, and we have budgeted the same for 2012.

• Our investment in facilities and the expenditures to operate them enable meetings and events for many ministries almost every day of the year.

• We sent $7,000 directly to seminaries in 2011 and have budgeted the same amount for 2012, and every year we fund additional thousands of dollars in support for development of new clergy.

• We support the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Diocese of Dallas, which in turn support myriad outreach activities in the U.S. and abroad. As a member parish of the national church and the local diocese, we are assessed a certain amount based on our operating revenue and expenses. This is budgeted to total $656,279 in 2012.

Additional outreach gifts are collected and disbursed outside of our operating budget, but in most cases would not

be possible without the church’s operations: • Our plate collections on Easter, Christmas and when our bishops visit are not counted in our Plate Revenue, but instead directly fund missions. These gifts totaled $79,012 in 2011, outside of budgeted expenses.

• Our outreach ministries have a financial impact far beyond the amount spent from the church budget. To mention only one example, our 2009 long term loan to the Honduran organization, FUNED, has resulted in 853 microloans to Honduran villagers in the past two years.

• The Christmas Heart of Giving program is not part of our budget, and in 2011 it directly funded $52,206 in grants to hunger programs.

• The Women of Saint Michael and All Angels give tens of thousands of volunteer hours to operate a highly successful retail operation, the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange, and sponsor other fund raising activities, including the “Pass The Plate” Cookbook and the sale of silk scarves using designs from Saint Michael Chapel, and the biannual parish party, Rancho San Miguel. In 2011 the WOSM contributed $460,603 directly to 92 different outreach agencies and ministries.

• Finally, we parishioners give a staggering amount of time and money directly to outreach ministries. This is not reflected in the church budget, but much of it is made possible by the church’s annual expenses for programs, staff involvement, and facilities.

Long Term Financial Resources Thanks to prudent management in past years we have assets to support long term initiatives. These are not intended to cover short term operating expenses, but do provide a modest cushion against the seasonality of our revenue.

These include: • Over $990,000 in Restricted Funds designated to dozens of special purposes over the long term, for example, lecture series, liturgical supplies and youth missions.

• Cash reserves not designated to special purposes, which fluctuate seasonally since our revenue is highest around Christmas and lower in the summer. At their low point at the end of last summer, these exceeded $400,000.

This essential cushion is modest in relation to the size and complexity of our finances.

• A bank line of credit for $400,000, which is available if our cash reserves were insufficient to cover revenue and expense timing differences. This loan costs us nothing unless we draw on it, which we have not done in several years.

The assets of the Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation are completely separate from the church Balance Sheet, but represent important resources devoted to the church’s purposes. At the end of 2011 the Foundation had $2,222,000 in funds designated to various long term special purposes of the church. For example, one of the funds has facilitated clergy housing transitions when we have recruited new priests.

The Foundation also had $1,490,000 in undesignated funds at the end of 2011. The church can apply for grants from the income on this, to support special projects that would not otherwise be possible. For example, the Foundation provided $5,000 in 2011 to help fund the Parish Nurse program.

Foundation assets as an established policy do not fund activities that naturally are part of church annual operating expenses. The Foundation trustees ensure that all spending complies with the Foundation By-Laws and individual fund purposes. To ensure coordination with church finances, the Foundation president is an ex-officio member of the vestry and its finance committee, and the rector and church treasurer are ex-officio members of the Foundation board of trustees.

Capital Accounts In 2011 we paid down the mortgage on the land under our new north parking lot by $541,000, from pledge payments from the last capital campaign. This left a mortgage balance of $94,000 at December 31, 2011.

Our commercial office building on Lomo Alto has a mortgage, currently $3,270,000, which is being paid down by the building’s rental income. The church subsidiary that owns the building has cash reserves to cover maintenance surprises and other costs. The building was appraised at $4,000,000 in January 2010. We refinanced it in early 2010 to lock in a low fixed interest rate until 2017.

Financial Management Organization Saint Michael and All Angels has an excellent finance staff led by our Director of Accounting Rob Baber, and including Stewardship Coordinator Jenny Andrews, accountants Angelia Hunter and Marlene Moncada, and part time consultant Darla Sheeley. We have regular contact with other large U.S. churches, and are aware of none our size that are able to operate with such a lean financial staff.

The vestry appoints a Finance Committee to oversee and advise on church finances. The members in the past year have been Christine Ashmore, Rob Baber (Director of Accounting), Bob Dannals (Rector), Bill Felder, Todd Hart, Kathy Kelley, Randy Kob, Suzanne Lipscomb, Cliff Miercort (Vestry Liaison), Kyle and Nancy Moore (Stewardship Co-chairs), Charlie Sartain (Senior Warden), Alan Pierce, Jeff Rice (Saint Michael Foundation President), Van Sheets (Treasurer and Committee Chairman), Jim Smith, Jim Spellings, Ron Staffieri and Matt Waller.

The Finance Committee meets and reports to the vestry monthly, and its minutes are published on the church website.

Audits We received an unqualified (or “clean”) audit opinion for our 2010 financial statements, and the 2011 audit is scheduled to be performed this spring. The church Audit Committee reports to the vestry and is independent of the staff, the Treasurer and the Finance Committee. Its members in 2011 were Jay Lipscomb, Mike Massad (Chairman), Grady Schleier, Scott Wilson and Sheryl Wylie.

Conclusion We trust this conveys that Saint Michael’s clergy, staff and lay leaders are careful stewards of the church’s resources.

The church’s financial health is, however, in your hands. It depends on our personal and family decisions, when we decide how to use our material gifts from God. Respectfully submitted,

Van Sheets, Treasurer

2011 Revenue and Expense, and 2012 Budget

Operating Revenue: Payments on Current Year Pledges Late Payments on Prior Year Pledges Unpledged Contributions Cash in the Plate Other Revenue Reduction from Credit Card Fees Total Revenues Cash Outreach: Diocese and National Church Seminaries Mission & Outreach Grants Total Direct Outreach Net Operating Revenue:

2011 Actual

2012 Budget

4,311,685 224,681 291,415 89,370 86,643 (40,336) 4,963,458

4,311,000 225,000 285,000 100,000 68,000 (45,000) 4,944,000

672,660 6,750 145,000 824,410

656,000 7,000 145,000 808,000

4,139,048

4,136,000

Operating Expense: Ministries and Programs Compensation (salaries + all benefits) Other Ministry Area expenses Facilities & Administration Compensation Services, utilities, supplies, etc.

Total Operating Expense

2,597,601 385,174

2,598,000 395,000

1,111,407 1,365,115 5,459,297

1,096,000 1,392,000 5,481,000

Expense offsets ESD expense allocation Preschool tuition Net expenses after offsets

(579,730) (726,490) 4,153,077

(558,000) (711,000) 4,212,000

(14,029)

(76,000)

Net surplus/(deficit)

Note: These numbers are subject to adjustments, expected to be immaterial, pending final stewardship accounting and the independent audit of 2011 finances.

Stewardship 2011 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

Through God’s many blessings, we at Saint Michael and All Angels are called to work together, complementing each others vast gifts and abilities. Stewardship is our collective efforts to manage and exercise the gifts God has given to us. It is our combined efforts to care for and support God’s work in our church, our community and around the world.

Contrary to our annual giving campaign, stewardship is not a season. It is an exercise requiring our continuous focus and commitment. Just as God is committed to each of us every day, we must also stay committed to God. Stewardship requires acknowledging our role in God’s world and taking action. It is the ultimate thank you gift to God for his generosity and grace.

As part of our duty in stewardship at Saint Michael, we help to establish and maintain our annual budget. We participate in an annual pledge campaign to cover the costs of running the church on a day-to-day basis. Saint Michael and All Angel’s must manage to a balanced budget. By canon law, we will not over-spend the amount our parish pledges to support each year.

This year, our parish collectively pledged $4.4 million to support our annual church activities. Approximately 40% of our parishioners, or 1,200 families pledged financial support in the annual campaign. The average pledge per family is approximately $3,700. Of course, there are many that pledge significantly more and many others that fall below the average gift.

The Stewardship committee, vestry, clergy and staff would like to thank everyone that supports the annual campaign. In return, we pledge to be the very best stewards that we can be of the gifts you have entrusted to our care. These gifts will allow Saint Michael to reach out to others through worship, Christian education, pastoral care, mission and outreach, and hospitality. Without our collective gifts, none of this would be possible.

Working together, we will witness the power of Saint Michael and All Angels to make a difference in the world, in our community and in each of our lives. We praise God for you!

The Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation Mission The Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation of Dallas seeks and manages funds to enhance the ministries of the Church we love.

Purpose The purpose for the Foundation is to encourage and assist Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in its mission.

Organization The Foundation is a separately chartered, non-profit corporation exempt under the IRC Section 501(c)(3). It is governed by a 15-member board of trustees, five of whom are elected to new six-year terms by the parish at large every other year.

The trustees oversee a professionally managed perpetual fund which is invested prudently for capital growth and preservation. The Foundation is separate from Church finances but coordinated with the President of the Foundation serving ex-officio on the Vestry and the Finance Committee, and the Rector, Treasurer, and the Vestry Representative sitting ex-officio on the Board of the Foundation.

The Foundation does not distribute funds within its discretion for needs that are properly within the scope of the Church which are funded by Annual Stewardship. This is to prevent the Church from becoming dependent upon the Foundation for its normal operating needs and thereby weakening parishioner support of the Church with their annual stewardship gifts.

All Angels Society To encourage all parishioners to remember the Church in their wills, The Foundation established the All Angels Society. Membership in the All Angels Society signals a parishioner’s commitment to include Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church of Dallas in his or her estate planning. Members of the Parish are encouraged to include the Church that they love in their estate plans and become members of the All Angels Society.

Grants All gifts made to the Church from an estate are, as a matter of policy, deposited in the Endowment Account.

Additional gifts, made in memory or in honor of individuals on occasions or in support of a particular ministry or program, such as Clergy Housing, Music, Pastoral Care, Youth Ministry, Outreach/Mission, Columbarium and the Ratelle Speaker Series, can be made to the Saint Michael Foundation. The Foundation’s Current Gift Acceptance Policy is available online at the Church website.

Grants from The Foundation support the mission of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church of Dallas, and are consistent with the priorities established annually by the Rector and the Vestry. The grant application is available online. In accordance with The Foundation’s By-Laws, grants can be submitted at any time and are first approved by the Vestry prior to any commitment by The Foundation. During the current year, grants were awarded to create a Department of Lay Ministry Engagement, to fund a Parish Nurse Administrator for the growing Parish Nurse Program, to pay for improved signage on the church campus, to fund a speaker for the Ratelle Lecture Series, and to fund the renovation of men and ladies restrooms. Contributions are encouraged when individuals want to give beyond their annual operating support. These contributions may be made to the Foundation to the undesignated funds or to support one of the designated funds.

The Foundation Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balances December 31, 2011 STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES December 31, 2011 ASSETS Cash and Temporary Investments

$

Securities (At Market) Mutual Funds Marketable Securities

204,744 3,589,566 242,412

Total Assets

$

4,036,722

Fund Balances Undesignated--Corpus & Income Designated--Corpus & Income

$

1,657,663 2,379,059

Total Fund Balances

$

4,036,722

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES

REVENUE, EXPENSES, GRANTS AND CHANGE IN FUND BALANCES Fund Balance-Corpus Beginning Balance Contributions to Corpus Return of Grants Grants from Corpus Dividends, Interest, Royalties Realized Gain (Loss) On Securities Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Securities Corpus Before Transfers to Income Transfers to Income Ending Fund Balance-Corpus Fund Balance-Income Beginning Balance Income Transfer-Current Year Grants Paid Expenses Ending Fund Balance-Income

UNDESIGNATED $ 1,565,792 7,160 65,214 114,954 (195,233) 1,557,887 (62,247) $

1,495,640

DESIGNATED $ 1,898,521 476,594 45,000 (105,000) 85,413 140,900 (242,194) 2,299,234 (81,730)

$

$ 2,217,504

$

TOTAL 3,464,313 483,754 45,000 (105,000) 150,627 255,854 (437,427) 3,857,121 (143,977) 3,713,144

$

111,132 62,247 (11,356)

$

107,017 81,730 (12,303) (14,889)

$

218,149 143,977 (12,303) (26,245)

$

162,023

$

161,555

$

323,578

Parish Statistics Number of Services

Holy Eucharist: Saturdays/Sundays Weekdays Private

471 355 390

Daily Office: Sundays Weekdays

62 10

Marriages Burials Other

19 58 41

Baptisms - Adults Baptism - Children

3 80

Other Services:

Membership

Number of Families:

3,032

All Baptized Members as of December 31, 2010 Communicants as of December 31, 2010

7,205 5,081

Confirmed Adults Confirmed Children Receptions Transfers Communicants Reactivations Other Adds Total Additions: Transfers Out - Active Deaths - Active Inactivations Other Loses Total Loses: Communicants as of Decembers 31, 2011 All Baptized Members as of December 31, 2011

30 113 7 41 15 0 206 24 29 102 5 -160 5,127 7,180

Building and Grounds 2011 was another busy year for the Building and Grounds Committee chaired by Tom Stewart. Thanks to the Committee members, Tom Stewart, Bracken Reece and his team for their continued focus on regular maintenance and cost saving efforts for the future at Saint Michael.

Completed Projects: • Paige Wilbur

The bathrooms in the North Wing were renovated.

• An annual agreement for two additional classrooms was negotiated with the Episcopal School of Dallas that provided additional funds which were dedicated to Children and Family Ministry.

• Walk ways were added to the north parking lot for ease of crossing from the parking lot to the building without walking through the landscape. Rails and bollards are in the process of being installed to complete this project.

Less Visible Projects: • Replaced the 50 year old boiler in the North Wing that will help in our ongoing long-term energy savings.

• Signed a new contract for electrical usage for a term of 60 months which will save costs in the range of six figures during the life of the contract.

Ongoing Projects: • The Columbaria Committee headed by Bob Wilbur continued its work on the next phase of the columbarium.

This Committee has worked tirelessly on finishing the design phase and structuring a capital gift plan. Thanks to Jay Grogan and Bob Dannals for their efforts in securing legacy gifts from parishioners ultimately benefiting the Foundation so that financing could be obtained for the construction project. Thanks to the McConnells and the Pardoes for being leaders in the design and construction of the new columbarium.

• Work continued for the Signage Committee and Robin Robinson regarding the new “way finding” signage system. This system will provide better directions for parishioners and visitors on our campus. Funding has been secured and the signs are in the production phase.

Future Projects: •The Building and Grounds Committee continues to explore ways to create additional gathering spaces for fellowship and to enhance the flow within our hallways. This includes enhancements to the entrance serving the new parking lot, the Lanai and possible hallway expansions. Thanks to Todd Howard on this effort.

•The Decade Committee headed by Jay Grogan, Chris Schupp, and Bob Wilbur were tasked with examining the current and future facility needs for the parish to enhance our parish community. This committee has conducted numerous interviews with parishioners, clergy and staff to obtain input and feedback. The Decade Committee plans to report their findings to the Vestry in the next several weeks.

—Paige Wilbur, Junior Warden

23

Administration The Administration staff of Saint Michael continues to support all of our church ministries. Manning the frontline are our wonderful receptionists. Sandra Cox joined us during 2011 and has added a bright face to Saint Michael. Bonita Frederick continues to keep us organized with all the weekend events and activities.

The accounting staff works on everything from processing contributions to paying the light bill and keeping all financials in line for the Saint Michael ministries and the Lomo Alto office building. This team is Rob Baber, Director of Accounting, Angelia Hunter and Marlene Moncada.

Our Information Technology area is headed by Tommy Thedford. He provides support for 68 workstations, several servers, switches, routers and bridges. It is an ongoing effort to keep our campus technology infrastructure running smoothly.

The church membership records are kept very organized by our registrar, Celise Stephenson. She logs all of the births, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, transfers, and deaths. She also keeps up with family address changes, family additions, email address changes, etc.

Kimberly Hughes, Parish Administrator, keeps track of all meetings and events on the campus calendar. She also supports all of our 60+ staff for human resources needs including administration of the 401k and employee insurance.

Kimberly also manages the property and liability insurance for the church campus including the Lomo Alto office building.

Saint Michael’s communications team is responsible for all print and digital publications including the church’s website, Facebook and Twitter postings, the weekly Sunday News, monthly Archangel newsletter, and the television screens throughout the church. The group initiated the livestreaming on the website of the Easter and Christmas worship services and the youth’s Nativity Pageant, which had viewers throughout the nation and from Great Britian, Italy, and Bosnia, and Canada. Communications also works with other ministries to produce pictures, posters, and other materials supporting their programs.

Our entire team will continue to work together to support all church ministries.

Ministry Reports

Worship Music Ministry The Music Ministry is pleased to report that 2011 was a fruitful year, both in terms of continuing the successes of programs instituted in previous years, and in terms of new changes in the year.

As to new changes, several enhancements were made to the music of the 9:00 church service (formerly 8:45), which were instituted in September. In particular, changes were made to the musical presentation of the communion hymns, which are led from the front of the church on piano, accompanied by flute or oboe. Additionally, the instruments are joined by a subset of the choir who leads the singing of these hymns.

Smaller changes were made to the other portions of the 9:00 service music to help keep the service time within 55 minutes.

The musical changes to the service have been very well received.

2011 also saw a significant growth to the adult choirs. From August through the year’s end, the choirs added eleven volunteers to its numbers. Also, the section leader staff team— consisting of university students and recent graduates—was largely new as of September and has been a particularly great asset to the choirs, both in their music making and their personal interaction with the choir community. The choirs sang consistently well in 2011 for the church’s feast days and special occasions: the Feast of Lights, Lenten Evensongs, Easter Day, Independence Day, Saint Michael and All Angels Day, All Saints Day, Advent Lessons and Carols, and Christmas Eve. Furthermore, the choir sang a choral Evensong at the Church of the Incarnation in January 2011, and received a return invitation to sing in 2012.

James Diaz composed a new choral work in 2011: a setting of the Agnus Dei was written to honor the ministry of The Reverend Amy Meaux, and was sung for the first time on her last Sunday at Saint Michael in April.

The Music Ministry would like to thank the many volunteers and staff who work consistently to bring beauty and inspiration through music to our Eucharists every weekend, as well as to the many festal services Saint Michael offers year after year for the parish, community, and wider Church.

—James Diaz, Director of Music

Altar Guild The duty of the Altar Guild is to prepare all things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist and any of the other sacraments and offices of the church. The preparations are done in such a manner so that any service may be conducted in decency, order and beauty for the worship of Almighty God and his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Altar Guild maintains and cares for vestments, altar cloths and adornments, linens, candles and prayer stations.

In the past year, the Altar Guild has prepared and served at over 850 weekday services, over 475 Sunday services, and 40 services during Christmas and Holy Week. Altar Guild members have served at every wedding, funeral, interment, and baptismal service, preparing for these services and ensuring that each family is supported on these occasions.

The Altar Guild has prepared and replenished more than 500 visiting communion kits so that the Lay Eucharistic Ministers may minister to those who are unable to attend worship.

The Altar Guild has ironed more than 4,000 linens during this year.

The Altar Guild has provided over 2,000 congregational candles for Christmas, Epiphany, and Holy Week, and replenished all Altar Candles and Pew Torches, over 400 Sanctus light candles and over 6,000 prayer station candles.

—GiGi Poglitsch, Directress

Acolyte Corps and Lector Corps More than 200 parishioners, ages 12 to 80, assist our clergy in celebrating the Holy Eucharist and other worship services throughout the year. From major feasts, weddings, and funerals to daily services the acolytes and chalice bearers served along side our priests at God’s Altar for a total of 1,406 services in 2011. If you are interested in joining the Acolyte Corps call Tony Briggle at 214-505-7422.

Additionally, 50 lay readers are responsible for delivering the Old and New Testament lessons, the Psalm and the Prayers of the People at the many worship services in the church, the Saint Michael and Bishop Moore Chapels, the Parish Hall, and the Theater. If you are interested in being a lector please call Dianne Boyd at 214-363-5471.

—Tony Briggle, Acolyte Master

Ushers The Usher Corps consists of approximately 115 men and women dedicated to making all people, parishioners and visitors, feel welcome, and to helping provide a high quality worship experience.

The ushers are typically the first and last people that visitors see at our church services. They bring a friendly spirit and warmth to our services, and are responsible for handing out programs, assisting people in finding a seat, managing the offerings, and for the orderly movement of people to and from communion.

The Usher Corps is organized into teams, six of which serve at the sanctuary Sunday services. Jim Spellings leads a special team for funerals; Tig Thompson leads the 7:00 a.m. Chapel services; and Pat Beeler leads the team for the Saturday and Sunday evening services. The men and women of our Usher Corps are personable, friendly, sensitive to the needs of others, and are extraordinarily goodlooking.

—Ed Ladd, Director

Adults Adult Formation The task for Adult Formation is to provide opportunities for education, fellowship, spiritual formation; for asking questions, discovering answers, growing in our relationships with each other and with God. The classes, retreats, seminars, workshops and lectures Saint Michael offers both out congregation and the wider community are designed to educate and challenge all people in their life-long Christian formation. During the year, the 20 members of the Adult Formation Council meet to plan, implement and evaluate the offerings to our parish and community.

In 2011, these events took place to aid the formation and transformation of our parish: • In the spring, congregants could choose from six Sunday classes: Family Living, Parents of Teens, the Rector’s Forum, Adult Bible Study, Contemporary Christianity, and 20.30 (Young Adults). Average attendance in the spring was 200.

• The summer adult Sunday offering continued the popular “Faith and Literature” series with an average of 100 attending each week.

• In the fall, adults could choose between six classes: The Rector’s Forum on biblical stories, World Religions, Parents of Teens, Family Living, 20.30 – Young Adults, and a new class “Pressure Points: Faith and Society” led by professors from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. The average Sunday attendance Fall 2011 was 266.

• Combined adult Sunday classes met on the Sunday after Easter. Dramatic actor Frank Runyeon presented “Hollywood vs. Faith” to 200 people

• The Reverend Dr. Bill Power taught two

Sundays on the Bible in the fall with average attendance of 375

• 15 weekday Bible and Book studies met in the spring and the fall.

• The Distinguished Lecture Series exposed the parish to three outstanding experts: Brian McLaren, author and commentator on contemporary Christianity; author of The Tenth Parallel Eliza Griswold; and The Honorable Senator John Danforth on “Faith and Politics.”

• Home Communions were offered during Lent and Advent.

• The Lent Retreat hosted 80 parishioners in hearing the Suprior of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist Monastery Brother Geoffrey Tristram • 60 people heard The Rev. Lisa Saunders for the Advent Retreat

—Shelly Vescovo, Director of Adult Formation

20s & 30s Ministry, A Ministry to Young Adults 20.30 Adult Ministry Group [20.30 AMG] is a ministry for people in their 20s and 30s. This group helps bring people to a deeper experience and knowledge of God through Jesus Christ by spiritual, educational, and social events. The 2011 topics for the Sunday school series were “Spiritual Aerobics” and “The Lord’s Prayer: Revisited.”

Spiritual Aerobics looked at spiritual practices such as centering prayer, pilgrimage, prayer beads, icons, and other techniques used to deepen an individual’s connection with God. The Lord’s Prayer series included a seminary professor leading a class discussion using the online videoconferencing program, Skype.

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor 20.30 AMG had several social events: Super Bowl One bowling event, Caribbean Mardi Gras celebration with Steel Drum Band, Meet and Meat II BBQ, Happy Hour at Blue Mesa, and the Christmas Social.

The group started monthly weeknight home Communion services, giving members the opportunity to worship within the workweek. The Evening Prayer and Communion service at White Rock Lake at sunset was a spiritually powerful experience.

AlterKnit continues as a strong ministry of prayer, study, and knitting. This group meets weekly, sharing a passion for knitting. The leader guides knitters in knitting and spiritual discussions based on books.

The evenings end with the worship service of Compline in the chapel.

I look forward to building this important Saint Michael ministry.

—The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Director of 20s and 30s Ministry

Children, Youth, and Families After joining the clergy staff last November as Associate for Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) I can write that your amazing kindness and patience has smoothed the transition for me and my family into this great parish. It is an honor to serve here.

Each of the CYF ministry areas has a complete report in the pages to come. Please spend time with those accounts; they show the experience, dedication, and innovation that the team members bring to Saint Michael and All Angels.

Strong families are important to this parish and it is through strong families that a robust faith is transmitted to our children and then reinforced. We offer opportunities to bring families closer together through fellowship, study, and mission. We have classes The Rev. Greg Pickens on Sundays that challenge and support parents. We also regularly host special gatherings where experts in relationships and sexuality provide insight into the complexities of raising children into young adulthood.

In addition to family-centered activities, the CYF team offers a full array of learning opportunities for children and youth. From infant to 5 years of age, our Early Childhood Ministry (ECM) programming provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a safe and loving environment.

The Saint Michael Preschool builds on the strengths of our Mother’s Day Out program to prepare children for kindergarten.

In December, our long-time Director of ECM, Carol Herrman Core, departed. The Preschool Board chaired by Tracy Helms immediately formed a search team to begin evaluating candidates for our next leader. During this time of transition our Assistant Director Barb Wynn has done a wonderful job of keeping the program and teaching corps together and focused on the children in our charge.

On Sundays, we have a variety of opportunities for children from 3 years to 5th grade that allow for age appropriate experiences of God. Beginning with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Sunday school, children begin to put together a foundational understanding of God in their life and the world.

By the time 4th and 5th grade comes along, our programming shifts to engage the questions about God and peer pressure that inevitably come with this age group. We also believe this is the perfect time to begin small group work, age appropriate Bible studies, and serving others through domestic mission trips.

6th grade through High School is when our Youth Ministry Team takes over. At saint Michael, we address the realities of living in a multi-cultural/ multi-faith society with a mix of small and large group events, Bible studies, domestic/foreign missions, and programming that will allow our youth to possess a life-giving and life-sustaining faith that is appropriately expressed in a society where being a Christian is not the norm. Our Youth Ministry spend a significant amount of time crafting experiences of the living God that model

the love, forgiveness, humor, and life-purpose that a follower of Jesus needs to engage the challenges of moving toward adulthood.

You are invited to experience all that we have to offer children, youth, and families here at Saint Michael. Whether or not you have children in your house, please come to any of our events or meetings, we would love to have you visit and speak with us.

Saint Michael and All Angels – we are a community of faith, followers of Christ – spreading God’s love.

—Greg Pickens, Associate for Children, Youth, and Families

Children and Family Ministry This year has been one of planning, growth, transition and celebration. New staff configurations, coupled with strong parishioner support, have created renewed leadership and vision. A few highlights are: Christian Formation (Midweek) • Wednesday afternoons have become a place for learning and exploration thanks to experiences such as Kids Kreate (sacred art class for children) as well as Lego My Bible (Bible adventure class) • Bible studies for tweens, women and couples were a source of inspiration, exploration, challenge and community.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd had two weekday atria open during the 2010-2011 school year.

Christian Formation (Sunday Morning) • Two Sunday morning education options were offered for Age 3 to Grade 3 children – 1.) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and 2.) SPARK. SPARK - There was been a great deal of excitement around “meeting” a new Bible person each week in this engaging, easy to use curriculum. (10-14 classes) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd continued to be a wonderful way to reveal the Scripture through the Montessori Method of learning. Four atria continue to be open on a Sunday morning with the hope of expanding during the 2012 year.

• Brothers and Sisters of Christ (Grade 4) journeyed through Scripture from creation to ascension and beyond as they discovered what it means to be brothers or sisters in the family of God. • The fifth grade class began a new Journey on “The Road to Rome.”

Worship • Joy, Discover, and Celebration Masses all continued to be services that invite children into the center of our worship community.

• Instructed Eucharists provided a place where families could draw closer to the table and know more about the significance of the Eucharist.

• Pajama Prayers (Wednesdays during Advent and Lent) offered a new way to share our Biblical story and experience age-appropriate Compline services.

The Edge • The Edge parenting created wonderful opportunities for 4th and 5th grade parents to come together for learning and discussion on topics specific to parenting this age group.

• The second 5th grade “He, She, We, and God”retreat on faith and sexuality was a great success and doubled its size in just one year.

• The Edge youth group nights expanded to twice a month filled with games, laughter, devotions and food as they talked about important topics in their lives, such as friends, family, values, and reaching out.

• A group of Edgers and parents participated in the first mission trip to the Hunger Relief Farm in Waco. It proved to be a very valuable immersion experience that focused on using resources in just and sustainable ways.

Nativity Pageant • The children and youth of Saint Michael shared a dramatic retelling of the coming of the Christ Child through song and story in the main sanctuary.

• Both presentations of the pageant were webcasted in real-time. The web viewership reached 80 screens as grandparents and loved ones across the country shared in the experience.

• The parish hall was packed for a delicious potluck lunch and fellowship time.

Vacation Bible School • The parish journeyed to “Egypt” for a week of music, worship, storytelling, drama, crafts, games and more.

• The outreach ingathering of the week created a huge pyramid of food for North Dallas Shared Ministries.

Family Fellowship • The Parish Hall was packed with families for the Advent Family Fair. Families dined on food from Blue Mesa restaurant, posed in the Bethlehem photo booth, created Holy Family tote bags with their footprints, and even met a few Advent “ friends” like John the Baptist, Santa Lucia, and Saint Nicholas.

• Families searched the entire campus for clues during the Church Scavenger Hunt.

• The parking lot was filled with ghostly creatures, lovely princesses and dozens of superheroes during the second annual Trunk or Treat Sunday.

• Movie afternoons brought families together to beat the summer heat and enjoy some time together.

Family Outreach • The Jubilee Park neighborhood was the focus of a mission and outreach partnership for children and families this year through gatherings such as Taste of Jubilee, Edge Spring Break snack bags, and other child focused connections.

• North Dallas Shared Ministries was the focus of the fall gathering.

Families were invited to deliver food items, stock the shelves and hear more about how they can continue to be the heart and hands of God in our community.

Faith in the Home Enrichment • Coke Family Weekend created wonderful moments for families to gather around music, worship, education, food, and faith-building. The guest speakers for the weekend were The Rev. Mark Bozzuti- Jones, Fran McKendree, and Jenifer Gamber.

Children and Family Ministry Continued: • Advent and Lenten resource packets were created by the Children, Youth and Family staff to provide study, discussion, support and information for the liturgical seasons. Each family on the active mailing list received a packet.

Staff Transitions • The Rev. Amy Meaux accepted a call to be the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Danville, KY (April 2011).

• Gabrielle Ott joined the staff as the part-time Coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (June 2011).

• Sarah Freeman, Tween Minister, moved to North Carolina to pursue a calling to teach history in the public school system (June 2011).

• The Rev. Greg Pickens joined the ministry team as the Priest Associate for Children, Youth and Families (November 2011).

• Suzi Finan joined the staff as the Tween Minister (December 2011).

Communication • The “CFM@SMAA” facebook group continued to grow and created a place to view photos, hear about events and stay in touch with the parish community.

• Presence of the parish-wide facebook page expanded.

• Mailchimp and Constant Contact eblasts helped to keep families informed between editions of the parish newsletter, The Archangel.

• Increase in the use of posters and other large visuals to communication events and opportunities.

• Bulletin boards were also used as a center for children and family event photo sharing.

Growing Edges of Ministry for the Coming Year • Cultivate small group fellowship and study • Resource development for family faith building • Increase communication • Expand midweek and “other than Sunday morning” gathering times • Foster key leaders and faith-formers within the parish family —Emily Given, Director

Youth Ministry 2011 was a year of follow through on many programs and relational ministries that were started following the staff transition of 2010. Youth Ministry is highly volunteer driven under the leadership of Andy Sahl, Director of Youth Ministry, Melissa Lopez, Youth Minister, and Tami Leal, Administrative Assistant for Youth Ministry.

The core of youth ministry is relationships. It is through relationships with caring adults and peers that young people experience discipleship. Many of the highlights below include programs that are in place to foster relationships where young people grow in faith.

2011 Highlights • The first Winter Retreat “Seriously Ridiculous” was launched over M. L. King weekend with great success.

The retreat included young people in grades 6-12, with high school kids receiving training and having an opportunity to practice leadership.

• 113 sixth grade students were confirmed after spending a year in learning, practicing faith together, and attending a retreat at Sky Ranch.

• Youth Ministry staff and students had numerous leadership roles in Vacation Bible School.

• Mission Trip attendance increased 50%, with young people traveling to three locations; San Antonio (sixth and seventh graders), New Orleans (eighth and ninth graders), and Tela, Honduras (tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders).

• High school Sunday school was redeveloped with a new curriculum and format. Young people are engaged with music, a short topical talk, and then meet in affinity based small groups to process the lesson.

• EYC, a high school youth group experience, was restarted on Wednesday parallel with the LiveWire junior high Bible study. Wednesday nights continue to be a large, safe, joyful community experience for young people in grades 6-12.

• The young people that attend the Wednesday night Bible studies (LiveWire and EYC) joined the young people in the Jubilee youth program four times in 2011 for a shared Bible study experience. The relationships between the two groups are beginning to gel.

• Special events in 2011 included trips to Six Flags, a lock-in at Group Dynamix, Broomball, Jumpstreet, Laser Quest, a David Crowder Concert, a Progressive Dinner, and the Reindeer Race. Attendance is up generally across the special events hosted by youth ministry.

• An informal “Lunch Crew” time was established for young people, youth staff, and youth volunteers to meet for lunch after worship on Sundays.

• A number of new communication systems were put into place for families with youth aged children, including a weekly email digest and streamlined online registration for events.

• High school small groups continue to meet and be an important time of community and learning for the young people who participate.

• The youth band that began in 2010 continues to meet and rehearse on Wednesday nights. Droo DAnna leads this ministry and leads music in the Youth Center on Sunday mornings.

• Junior high (7th and 8th grade) Sunday school continues to thrive with the dynamic curriculum adopted last year and is anchored by phenomenal group of adult table leaders.

We are thankful for the many incredibly gifted volunteers that spend a great deal of time sharing life with the young people of Saint Michael. Besides the program pieces highlighted above, volunteers and staff spend time visiting schools and school activities, meeting for conversations over coffee (or ice cream), and visiting young people in the hospital or experiencing grief.

As our staff has stabilized with year two of Andy’s presence and the arrival of The Rev. Greg Pickens, our young people have responded to the stability with a greater sense of openness both relationally and in terms of participation. There are many stories of transformation and joy that result in time together in small groups, Wednesday nights, Sunday mornings, and the many other times we are together.

—Andy Sahl, Director

Early Childhood Ministry The Early Childhood Ministry (ECM) focuses on families with children ages to 0-5 years. This year, our Ministry supported over 300 families and, nearly 225 children visited our hall each week! Our Ministry offers a weekday school with a Mother’s Day Out and Preschool, child care for worship services, church-wide events, and meetings, during the day and evening. In addition, we are a state licensed child care facility. We are responsible for the daily child care needs of staff children from 7 different ministry areas within Saint Michael. We offer summer camps and many annual events including the much anticipated Barnyard Bash held each spring, an Easter Egg Hunt, Drop & Dine for parents to enjoy a night out, and a Fall Family Picnic. Below are highlights from 2011: • 180 children attended Mother’s Day Out and Preschool classes each week • Our Faculty attended a state-wide conference in Arlington as part of their annual Continuing Education • Our young children participated in two outreach programs: o Spring – families shared a meal and fellowship with Jubilee residents at the first annual parish-wide event: “Taste of Jubilee” o Fall - families collected, delivered, and stocked food shelves for North Dallas Shared Ministries, learning the importance of caring for our neighbors • We hosted a FUN “Boots and BBQ” social event for school families • As has become tradition, the Preschoolers sang to the residents of C.C. Young Assisted Living Center twice during the year. In addition, they were also invited to sing for the PrimeTimers during their December gathering • Our Mom-to-Mom group offered fellowship opportunities with speakers presenting topics such as “Keeping Kids Safe in a Virtual World”, “Feeding Busy Families” and advice from a Moms’ Panel, as well as the ever popular December “Drop & Shop” • We welcomed 55 newborns into the Parish by delivering warm meals and cradle roll packets to their families As we reflect on 2011, it is easy to see we are truly “blessed with the joy and care of children” and, we look forward to making memories together in 2012 as we share faith, love and fellowship with you.

—Barb Wynn, Assistant Director

Caring and Sharing Pastoral Care There is a strong possibility that during this past year, lay volunteers of Pastoral Care Ministries, have responded to you or someone close to you. The mission of Pastoral Care is to build the kingdom of God by responding in love to those in need. There are currently 23 different lay ministries that reach out to those in our parish who are in need. In 2011 over 400 parishioners reached out to 6,681 people at Saint Michael and All Angels by Visiting, Caring, Praying, and Serving.

Visiting Friends in Christ: Under the leadership of Kay Whelan, 30 Friends in Christ made 392 visits and contacts. This increased number of volunteer visitors is attributed, in The Rev. Patty Willett part, to our special emphasis on involving families to be visitors to our Friends, who are in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, or are homebound. The involvement of families with children and grandchildren has proven to brighten the spirits of both the visitors and the care receivers. In the annual Easter Flower delivery last spring, Friends in Christ visitors took flowers from the altar to 52 parishioners who were homebound and could not attend services on Easter Sunday.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Led by Gwendolyn Chestnut, 38 Lay Eucharistic Visitors have been trained and licensed to take communion to parishioners in the hospital, at home or in assisted living facilities. 1,043 parishioners have been visited by an LEV in 2011. Monthly visits have doubled since the previous year. Our lay volunteers have increased in numbers with the addition of young families who include their children in this service to the church.

Caring The Card Ministry led by Lou Ann Campbell, sends cards and notes to provide comfort and support, and to share in life’s celebrations. In 2011, 527 cards were sent to parishioners who celebrated a birthday, had a new baby, were recovering from illness or surgery or a hospital stay, or had lost someone close to them.

The Care Giver Support Group, led by Sandra Klingeman, Drew Stull, and Liz Wheelan, provides a place for those caring for ailing loved ones to confidentially share their challenges. We have welcomed 291 attendees during the past year and 14 new members were added, indicating that more parishioners are becoming aware of this ministry.

Special programs sponsored by the group during the year focused on “Reducing Caregiver Stress.�

The Grief Ministry is best known for the Faith and Grief Luncheons held on the first Wednesday of each month. Lay volunteers, led by Annette Lentz, facilitate small group discussions, followed by a clergyled devotion, and a presentation by a person who personally experienced the loss of a loved one. In 2011, 307 people were served at the luncheons. During the past year, participants came from as many as 88 congregations in Dallas.

A very important element of the Grief Ministry at Saint Michael is the Grief Series, a six-week seminar entitled, The Morning After: Finding a New Normal. 30 people were served at our Grief Series. In addition to providing a way to cope with grief, attendees have formed new friendships that extend beyond the walls of the church.

The Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, confidential ministry which provides care to individuals facing life challenges or difficulties. A Stephen Minister is a trained individual who can walk beside someone who needs help facing a loss in their life by providing encouragement, resources and prayerful concern. Each Stephen Minister has more than 50 hours of in-depth study and training.

In December, Saint Michael commissioned 4 new Stephen Leaders and 8 new Stephen Ministers, bringing to 31 the number serving or available to serve our parish community. Approximately 328 touches were made during 2011 by Stephen Ministers.

Touch Base Phone Ministry provides a personal phone call made by volunteer Lewis Duncan. Lewis calls to provide comfort or share in life’s celebrations.

228 phone calls were made in 2011. Many calls were made to families who had lost a loved one or who are homebound.

Christian Yoga: Volunteer Annette Lentz, leads this free class every Monday night. The class is designed to help individuals gain increased strength and flexibility, to seek spiritual centering and have fun.

467 people attended yoga classes in 2011.

Praying In 2011 a new Prayer Ministry was formed at the church. Centering Prayer groups practice a method of being silent before God. Parishioners meet voluntarily to meditate and pray weekly. The centering allows those who engage in this form of prayer to be filled with the gift of peace.

The Community of Saint Benedict is an intentional praying community living by a rule of life based on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Each participant leads or is actively involved in at least one of the Pastoral Care ministries at Saint Michael.

The Daily Intercessory Prayer Ministry offers prayers from requests that come to them via the Prayer Ministry Request Line, on-line prayer requests, or the Connect Cards from the Sunday Services. 53 volunteers participate in this confidential prayer ministry through daily prayer. 1,456 people were prayed for in 2011.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry knitted over 195 prayer shawls and scarves for those in need during 2011. This ministry, led by Byrd Teague, gathers weekly to knit and for fellowship. A second knitting group Alterknit meets at night. Led by Sarah Mundy, this nighttime group is open to those who cannot attend during the day and contributes to the supply of shawls.

Sunday Service Prayer Teams pray with those in need, as an extension of the Eucharist each Sunday at all services.

Prayer team members include young families, mature couples, and single adults. The prayer ministry is always open to new members and meets for a book study and dinner once a month. In 2011, the group prayed with 444 parishioners and has conducted special training sessions to qualify team members to participate in this ministry.

Serving The Parish Nurse Program grew last year by adding 5 new Registered Nurses and 6 Parish Nurse volunteers who serve parishioners by making hospital visits, making home evaluations, and providing basic health screening and information about health issues. The volunteers, in addition to being Registered Nurses, have gone through additional training to serve in our parish’s program. On the third Sunday of the month, they are available to take blood pressures and to provide counseling concerning health and wellness topics. Our Parish Nurses also follow-up with parishioners recently released from the hospital or who are known to have on-going health issues. In 2011 our Parish Nurses made 302 touches with Saint Michael parishioners.

Blood Drives: Terry Demler coordinated our Blood Drives which were sponsored by our Parish Nurses. We continued our partnership with the American Red Cross in 2011. The October, 2011 Blood Drive yielded 37 collected units and 43 donors signed in. Since 2009, we have held five Blood Drives with the American Red Cross and helped a total of 501 people in need of platelets, plasma and red blood cells.

The Women’s Cancer Support Group has served the women of Saint Michael’s for 14 years. Attendance for 2011 was 277. These women meet in the parlor, every Monday at 1:30 to offer each other support, encouragement, laughter and tears in a confidential and non-judgmental setting.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my Administrative Assistant, Katherine Bowen, who keeps me straight and always with a smile, to Kay Whelan, who collected all the numbers during the past year for this report and who will, in 2012, take on lay leadership of Pastoral Care, to Marillyn Seeberger, who gives so much of her time to communicate the needs, events, and stories that abound in Pastoral Care, and to all the volunteers who so willingly and lovingly give of their time and talent to minister to the needs of this growing congregation. Thank you all!

—The Rev. Patty Willett, Associate for Pastoral Care

Congregational Care Congregational Care fosters community by encouraging members of the parish to befriend and care for one another.

In 2011, hundreds of volunteers carried out their ministries of compassion, care, hospitality, and fellowship.

Working closely with the volunteer leaders of each program is Ann Mills, Director of Congregational Care.

Congregational Care is comprised of Pastoral Care which serves the needs of the parish through the efforts of the: o o o

Good Shepherd Ministry Extended Care Cooks Funeral Reception Guild

Volunteers of the GOOD SHEPHERD MINISTRY respond to needs within their own neighborhood. This neighbor helping neighbor ministry is the oldest and largest program within the Pastoral Care area. With its strong lay leadership, it remains one of the hallmarks of our parish’s desire to build community. Co-Chairs Carol Price and Kristin Kline did a wonderful job leading this ministry and they passed the torch on to Judy Cole in October. Regional Shepherds Judy Cole, Kristin Kline, Becky Mills, Maria Ward, Peggy Wood, Anne Leary, Marianne McConnell, Cora Mason, Carol Price, Christy Crenshaw and Kathleen Bywaters were responsible for guiding 195 shepherds representing 101 neighborhoods.

Extended Care Cooks offer their ministry of presence and caring by

delivering a homemade meal once a week to those in need. Last year 60 volunteers (30 teams) delivered over 153 meals. Gay Rekerdres, chairs this ministry.

Every bereaved family holding a service at our church is offered the thoughtful presence and kindness of the Funeral Reception Guild. In 2011, 36 receptions were held for which 45 volunteers baked homemade goods while three volunteers worked before the funerals to beautifully prepare for the receptions. Susie Yeckel, Claire Jones and Gayle Kesinger continue to do an outstanding job leading this quiet ministry.

—Ann Mills, Director of Congregational Care

Mission and Outreach Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty. BCP p. 238 We, at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, have been blessed with an abundance of resources. We have tried to be faithful stewards of this bounty.

Part of that faithfulness is found in the numbers that represent the many hearts and lives we have touched in the name of Christ this past year.

The Rev. Dr. Kevin Huddleston The Easter Plate Offering was $34,000+ The Heart Of The Giving raised $50,000+ The Christmas Plate raised $40,000+ Backpack For Kids contributed $21,000 The Grants Committee distributed $145,000 We renewed our $50,000 loan for Mirco Finance with FUNED in Honduras The estimated contribution to I Believe In Angels in merchandise and gifts was $10,000+ I Believe In Angels served: • 117 families from Jubilee with 331 children • 90 seniors • 421 total recipients • 230 families from SMAA provided gifts • 28 volunteers for Friday set up • 75 volunteers for Saturday shopping and wrapping • 284 rolls of toilet tissue for the seniors • 90 major items for seniors like pillows, blankets, robes and towel sets • 1,000 /- items for children on shopping day

Mission Activities Three Mission Trips to New Orleans Two Mission Trips to Rosebud Reservation Three Mission Trips to Honduras One Mission Trip for Honduras Threads Serving over 3,000 people at Austin Street Shelter (500 at a time) Serving over 5,000 people at The Bridge (900 at a time) Contributing more than 1000 bags of groceries to North Dallas Shared Ministries All of this is to say that we have made a difference in people’s lives, not only those we served, but also in those who served. We have been faithful stewards!

—The Rev. Dr. Kevin Huddleston, Director of Mission and Outreach

Missioner I serve three geographic ministry areas as missioner (missionary and evangelist): Saint Michael and All Angels, Jubilee Park and Community Center, and St. Philip’s School and Community Center. I lead worship, preach, provide pastoral care, and teach at Saint Michael. I am also director of Young Adult Ministries.

I serve as chaplain to the Jubilee Park and Community Center, a 62-block, 1,700 family neighborhood in Fair Park. It is a sacramental ministry of mission and evangelism since I utilize the Church’s sacraments for evangelism. I provide pastoral care and home visits, lead house blessings and home communion services as well as give sacramental blessings to The Rev. Jemonde Taylor Jubilee residents.

This was a year of deeper community building. Jubilee families gathered in March for Via Crucis to carry a twelve-foot wooden cross made from recycled neighborhood material. Crowds increased as we walked the Stations of the Cross. Residents stepped from their porches to join us, saying, “I want to carry Jesus’ cross in front of my home.” The “Taste of Jubilee” April picnic gave residents and Saint Michael members the opportunity to know each other better. The Saint Michael middle school ministry, LiveWire, and the Jubilee Teen Program held four joint worship services and Bible study events. The Day of Champions football camp lasted three days, combining academic enrichment

with football training. It was a collaboration between Jubilee Park, the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, and the Dallas Justice Revival. Through a Saint Michael parishioner’s generosity, twenty Jubilee teens participated in a mission trip to New Orleans for a second year. Jubilee worked directly with Trinity Church, New Orleans to give the teens the opportunity to paint houses, do landscaping, worship, and tour New Orleans. On Jubilee Sunday at Saint Michael in December, teenagers preached about their summer mission trip experiences, and sang, and offered liturgical dance during worship.

The following are some Jubilee Park programs organized through Saint Michael.

• Via Dolorosa: 14 Argentine Stations of the Cross in Jubilee Park (March) • Taste of Jubilee Picnic (April) • LiveWire (6th-8th Graders) Worship/Bible Study with Jubilee Teens (February, March, September, October)

• Day of Champions Football and Academic Camp (June) • Jubilee Teens New Orleans Mission Trip (August) • Bilingual Blessing of the Animals (October) • Jubilee Sunday at Saint Michael (December) o

Two Jubilee teens gave reflections on summer mission trip

o

Roes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir liturgical dance

• Las Posadas (December) o

Re-enactment of Mary and Joseph being turned away for lodging

o

200 residents processed singing through the neighborhood with candles

As chaplain for St. Philip’s School and Community Center, I lead morning chapel services and do pastoral care and counseling. I organized the second annual Feast of St. Philip on October 11. This was a weeklong concentration on evangelism based on the story of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian in Acts 8. The worship service used liturgical umbrellas and crosses from Ethiopia. The week featured an Ethiopian traditional meal, coffee ceremony, and students sharing opportunities for evangelism.

I am grateful for the Lilly Foundation, which partially is responsible for my being at Saint Michael. Young ordained ministers from Wilshire Baptist, Saint Michael and All Angels, Preston Hollow Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, and First Methodist Churches make up the Dallas Lilly Foundation Resident Ministry Program. Each participant receives funding to support ministry in each congregation. I consider it an honor to serve Saint Michael and All Angels and the people of Dallas as missioner.

—The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Missioner

Fellowship Engagement In October, I began the newly created position as the Director of Lay Ministry Engagement. The challenge is to inspire, motivate and expand our circle of parishioners who are actively engaged in the church.

I serve as a catalyst for this effort by partnering with staff, clergy and most importantly our lay leaders, to build an equipping culture, implement the very best practices to assist parishioners in discovering their unique gifts so they may offer them to the Lord, and support them in their service.

Some of the initiatives we have been working on are: to craft a seamless system for new members to become fully integrated into our church, develop clear ministry job descriptions with the time, gifts, and skill requirements needed, and to offer an online Ministry Discovery Exercise that will give a quick assessment of which ministries each person is best suited for and easy access to get involved!

Look for a lot more in 2012 as we begin to celebrate who we are and challenge ourselves to become a place where everyone will understand their identity in Christ, have a deep sense of God’s purpose and know that there is a place for them at Saint Michael and All Angels. —Marta Holden

Parish Life Events Marta Holden and her committee kicked off 2011 by transforming our Parish Hall for the annual Feast of Lights in January. It was a lovely evening that began with a beautiful service and ended with a feast fit for a king. The Lenten season started off with Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper complete with hot pancakes flipped by the Men of Saint Michael. The Wednesday evening Lenten suppers were cooked and served by various ministries within the church, while speakers challenged us to examine our lives and hearts. Everyone enjoyed the Maundy Thursday lamb stew, and after the meaningful Easter Vigil service a lovely reception was held.

A delicious church-wide brunch was hosted by the Parish Life Events committee in March to honor our lay volunteers as we Celebrated Saint Michael. In April we headed to Jubilee for an old-fashioned pot luck picnic complete with fried chicken, tamales and sweets galore.

Over 400 parishioners and Jubilee Park residents spent a hot spring afternoon enjoying games, good food and fellowship.

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Three summer receptions transformed the garden cloister into an oasis of fun! Ice cream sundaes over Memorial weekend, an apple pie contest for the Fourth of July and The Big Chill over Labor Day weekend gave us time to enjoy a few relaxed summer Sundays together.

Saint Michael and All Angels kicked off the fall season in August with Round Up! Over 750 of us moseyed on over to the Episcopal School of Dallas’ Upper School Campus for worship, fellowship and a delicious BBQ lunch. Nearly 1,200 people from throughout the community attended the Arts District Chorale’s concert at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, and a glorious candlelit reception was held in the garden cloister following this special event.

In October the Blessing of the Animals was held in the garden cloister. Donations were collected for a local SPCA animal shelter and Saint Francis collar medallions were passed out to all of our four legged friends.

In November, we paused to say thank you to our brave veterans. The church was adorned for Christmas during a family style Greening of the Church with over 100 guests. Father Jemonde Taylor on his trumpet and his friend Jeff Carson on piano kicked off our Home for the Holidays reception that was enjoyed by many families and friends between the afternoon services held on Christmas Eve. We look forward to many special occasions with you in 2012!

—Tish Visinsky, Director of Parish Life Events

Welcome Ministry The Welcome Ministry kicked off with a September brunch for those most involved in hospitality here at Saint Michael. The gathering included our Sunday Greeters, Ushers, Tour Leaders, Welcome Packet Deliverers, Newcomer Lunches and Newcomers Weekend Coordinators and Mentors. We presently have 15 Steering Committee members, led by Sherry Wilson, and over 100 volunteers who strive to make all who enter our doors feel welcome. The Steering Committee meets periodically over lunch, coordinated by Lynn Hood, and the meetings kick off with inspirational devotions by Karen Wiley.

Our warm, helpful and growing team of Sunday Greeters has extended a personal welcome to all those who come through our many doors, both guests and parishioners, and have helped us understand more clearly what it is to welcome all into our church. Seventy-five (75) volunteers, coordinated by Susan Thomas, rotate through the vestibules of our worship spaces to welcome and assist in any way they can. They also greet the thousands of people who attend church at Christmas and Easter to encourage them to hear the Christian story and invite them to become a part of our church family.

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Newcomers’ Luncheons were held in the spring and fall. Over 75 newcomers and visitors joined the Rector for a delicious meal coordinated by Andie Anderson.

Newcomers’ Weekend, continues to be a wonderful way for those who are visiting, transferring, or interested in joining to learn about the Episcopal Church and Saint Michael and to meet others who are seeking to serve Christ in their church, this city and the world. It is also preparation for being confirmed in the Episcopal Church. The fabulous Newcomers’ Weekend Team, chaired by Cherri Oakley, was comprised of Margretta and Jose Aviles, Lynn Hood, Lea Courington and Andie Anderson. In the Spring, 19 were confirmed, 3 received, and 2 reaffirmed. In the Fall, 10 were confirmed, 4 received and 1 reaffirmed. Patti Flowers and Carol Price, Mentor Coordinators, did a wonderful job of matching each of our new confirmands with one of our parishioners.

Transfers to our church were given a special welcome by Valerie Dannals and Nancy Wilbur serving in our ministry of Welcome to Transfers. Peggy Wood continues to coordinate the Welcome Packet Team which was focused this year on determining the best way to welcome visitors. Celise Stephenson does a great job processing the blue Connect Cards from the weekend services and compiling the responses from the parish into a report we use to reply to all visitors and those interested in transferring their membership to Saint Michael.

We are grateful for the many volunteers who make our church a more welcoming place to come, serve, and worship.

—Ann Mills and Tish Visinsky, Welcome Ministry

Clergy The Reverend Dr. Robert S. Dannals, Rector The Reverend Patty Willett, Associate for Pastoral Care The Reverend Dr. Kevin D. Huddleston, Associate for Mission and Outreach The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Missioner The Reverend Greg Pickens, Assocaite for Children, Youth and Families The Reverend Michael Harmuth, Sunday Assistant The Venerable Jim Webb, Deacon The Reverend Neal Hern, Clergy Assistant for Pastoral Care The Reverend Pamela Theodore, Sunday Assistant

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 8011 Douglas Dallas, Texas 75225 www.saintmichael.org