2015 Annual Report

Psalm 132:9 (NIV)

SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H 2015 Annual Report

Saint Michael and All Angels Parish Prayer

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, When we arrive safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when, with the abundance of things we possess, We have lost our thirst for the waters of life; Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity, And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas, where storms will show our mastery; Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes, And to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

2016 Annual Parish Meeting Agenda February 28, 2016 10:00 a.m.

Hymn 525, vs. 1 & 2 – The Church’s One Foundation Opening Prayer – The Very Rev. Doug Travis, Interim Rector Call to Order – Matthew Waller, Senior Warden Report of the Nominating Committee – Matthew Waller Vestry Nominees Diocesan Convention Delegate Nominees Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation Trustee Nominees Election – Charles Sartain, Parliamentarian and Chancellor Finance Report – Grady Schleier, Treasurer Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation Report – Rowland Robinson, President Rector Search and Transition Committee Report – Diana Newton, Co-chair Wardens’ Reports Junior Warden – Kathy Jenevein Senior Warden – Matthew Waller Adjournment and Doxology

2015 annual report

SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Senior Warden’s Report 70th anniversary as a parish on the Feast of Saint Michael last September. It was an extraordinary Feast Day celebration and both a fitting end to Bob’s ministry and a prayerful and expectant beginning as we welcomed Doug Travis as our Interim Rector.

2015 was an amazing year overflowing with change and full of challenge, hope, and optimism.

When Bob Dannals asked me to serve as your Senior Warden, I could have hardly imagined what God had in store for us at Saint Michael and All Angels.

2015 was a year of new beginnings – in our parish, in our diocese, and in our national church. We welcomed Hunter Ruffin as our Associate for Mission and Outreach, and celebrated his ordination to the Priesthood in July. Late in the year Bob Johnston became Associate for Evangelism, and Mary Lessmann and Rich Tower joined our weekend clergy staff. In April, Saint Michael hosted a “walk-about” for Diocesan Bishop candidates, and in May, George Sumner was elected as Bishop of Dallas and consecrated in November.

Our very own, James Diaz, led the Diocesan Choir at the consecration performing his composition, “Go Forth into the World in Peace.” We welcome Bishop Sumner and look forward to Saint Michael’s fruitful engagement and full Presiding Bishop Michael Curry participation with the Diocese

We had an amazing year of Christian love, service, and fellowship. Some highlights of the Matt Waller year include another successful Senior Warden parish party, a banner year of gifts given by the Women of Saint Michael throughout the Dallas area, co-sponsoring with the Catholic and Episcopal Dioceses of Dallas a symposium and rally to stop human trafficking/modern slavery, new programs and services at Jubilee Park, mission trips to Honduras, Cuba, and Bolivia, our Farmers Market, a successful season of Saint Michael Presents, the relocation of the Saint Michael Woman’s Exchange, and a beautiful renovation of our Parlor, just to name a few.

Overarching our innumerable activities was the news that our beloved Rector, Bob Dannals, would retire. I am very thankful to Van Sheets and Diana Newton for agreeing to chair the search for our next Rector, and I’m sure we all agree that they have assembled a top flight Rector Search and Transition Committee to identify the finest clergy-person available, and most importantly, to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to the person God has selected for Saint Michael. With the search underway, we focused on celebrating Bob and Valerie Dannals’ ministry with us and our

Bishop George Sumner at his consecration ceremony.

of Dallas. Finally, the Episcopal Church elected and installed Michael Curry as its 27th Presiding Bishop. I am encouraged by Bishop Curry’s inclusive leadership focusing us on Christ’s love and the Jesus Movement.

We continued to make progress on our campus Master Plan conducting a Request For Proposal to identify a partner to examine developing our land endowment on the northern portion of our property. We will proceed carefully, as faithful stewards of

Portrait of retiring Rector Bob Dannals unveiled at Feast of Saint Michael.

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at the right time for us. His gifts of preaching, teaching, and encouragement have kept the wind in our sails during this interim period.

Most importantly, I want to thank Kathy Jenevein for serving as our Junior Warden. She has been such a blessing to me and all of us, offering sage counsel, an ear to listen, and strong leadership. We are truly a team, and she has been an invaluable partner in 2015, this year of great excitement and change.

A rally to Stop Slavery Dallas preceded the symposium.

the assets God has entrusted to us, and develop options which will provide income to support the Mission and Ministry of Saint Michael’s. This potential development provides the opportunity to create more community between the church and the surrounding neighborhood. We will be sensitive to our neighbors concerns and take into account the findings of the city of Dallas’ Northwest Highway/Preston Center Taskforce.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlins addresses the anti-human trafficking symposium.

Finally, we have reprinted our Parish Prayer, “Disturb us, Lord,” in this annual report because it offers us apt advice as we seek a new Rector and prepare ourselves for new mission as Christians under her/his leadership. “Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,… Disturb us, Lord…when we have lost our thirst for the waters of life,… Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly.” In prayer and with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, let us individually, and as a community, prepare ourselves to be receptive to the leadership of a new Rector, to let go of what is comfortable and usual, and accept new ideas and ways that challenge us to “dare more boldly!”

I’ve learned what probably all Senior Wardens learn, but perhaps more so in this period of transition, that I have very little to do with what is most important at Saint Michael’s. I am truly amazed at everyone who supports our worship and allows us to express our love for God in community at the altar; our clergy, acolytes, altar guild, ushers, choir, lectors, and the entire support staff. I am so grateful for their ministry, and ask you to tell them that you, too, are thankful for their service.

I often hear that we yearn for growth, for renewal, for youth, but we must remember that growth requires change; renewal requires death and rebirth; and youth adores new ideas. In 2016, let us open ourselves to change, rebirth, and new ideas!

I express my thanks to our Bishop Pro Tem and Bishop Suffragan Paul Lambert, and to Canon Rene Somodevilla for their assistance and support of our rector search effort. I also thank our outgoing Vestry members, Kathy Jenevein, John Gorman, Sallie Plummer, and Randy Rekerdres; our Chancellor Charlie Sartain and all of the Associate Chancellors; and, Secretary Margaret Spellings for their work and support of our Vestry. Special thanks also for the leadership of Treasurer Grady Schleier, Stewart Thomas and Jay Grogan of our Campus Planning Committee, Building and Grounds Committee chair, Tom Stewart, Compensation Committee Chair, Sam Hocking, Giving Council Chair, Phil Ritter, and President of the Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation, Robin Robinson.

Yours, in Christ,

Matthew S. Waller Senior Warden

I must single out Doug Travis for my hearty thanks. We have been blessed with his Falstaffian presence. I am convinced that we were led to him by the Holy Spirit – he is the right man, 5

2015 – 2016 Vestry OFFICERS

Matthew Waller

Senior Warden

2013 – 2016

Kathy Jenevein

Junior Warden

2013 – 2016

Grady Schleier

Treasurer

Margaret Spellings

Clerk

Charles Sartain

Chancellor

2015 – 2018

MEMBERS

Peter Beck

2014 – 2017

Eric Connor

2015 – 2018

Mark Demler

2015 – 2018

John Gorman

2013 – 2016

Beth Hise

2014 – 2017

Kathy Kelley

2015 – 2018

Rachel Morgan

2014 – 2017

Sallie Plummer

2013 – 2016

Randy Rekerdres

2013 – 2016

Tom Rhodus

2014 – 2017

J. C. Snead

2015 – 2018

Kay Whelan

2014 - 2017

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Elections – Vestry Nominations 2016

Whitney Grogan

Whitney Grogan has been a member of Saint Michael and All Angels for 17 years and has served in many capacities. She is a past president of the Women of Saint Michael and served on its gifts committee. Additionally, she has been on the stewardship committee, chaired Mission and Outreach Sunday, and is a Good Shepherd for her neighborhood.

Elizabeth L. Selzer

Elizabeth L. Selzer’s family ties to the Episcopal Church go back to the turn of the 20th century when her great grandfather served on the Vestry of St. Peter’s in Brenham. Elizabeth first joined Saint Michael in 1997 and returned in 2012 after returning to Dallas. Currently, she is the program chair for the Women of Saint Michael and was the church’s liaison for National Night Out in Jubilee Park in 2014. She has served several years as a member of the stewardship committee and as a volunteer at the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange.

Arnold Spencer

A member of Saint Michael since 1966, Arnold Spencer has served the church in many areas. He has been an Assistant Chancellor since 2014 and an usher since 2009, currently serving as Captain of an usher team. He is a member of the Men of Saint Michael and the men’s weekly Bible Study. He previously served on the Mission and Outreach Committee..

Matthew Waller

Matt currently serves as the Senior Warden of Saint Michael and All Angels. Prior to his election to the Vestry he served as Treasurer and a member of the Finance Committee. He is a member of the Campus Planning Committee and he helped organize two Bible Study groups in the church, and has been active in Jubilee Park and at Saint Michael’s Farmers Market.

Chris Wiley

Chris was born into Saint Michael and All Angels 41 years ago, and was baptized, confirmed, and married in the church. He has been a member of the Saint Michael choir for more than 20 years. He has served on the Building and Grounds Committee and the Compensation Committee. He is a regular contributor to the Advent and Lent Meditations, and is a member of the Lector Corps.

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Diocese Convention Delegate Candidates THREE YEAR TERM

(expiring February, 2019) DELEGATES: Thalia (Liz) Oliphant

ALTERNATES: Susie Ryan (1)

• Acolyte, Chalice Bearer • Lector • Former Diocese Executive Council • Alternate-Delegate to General Convention

• Acolyte • Chalice Bearer • Stephen Minister

Sallie Plummer

• Verger & Acolyte Corps • Vestry (Church of Heavenly Rest – Abilene) • Convention Delegate (Diocese of Texas)

• Current Vestry member • Adult Formation Council • Hunger Initiative Chair (Backpack 4 Kids, Rosebud) • Acolyte Corps Darrel Rice

• Mission and Outreach co-chair • Jubilee Park and Community Center Board • Vestry Nominating Committee • Finance, Audit, Compensation Committees

Richard Frazar (2)

John Glass (3)

• Verger • Acolyte • Church Photographer

Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation Board of Trustees Candidates SIX YEAR TERM

(expiring February, 2022) Peggy Carr

• Former Junior Warden • Former Women of Saint Michael President Dare Gillette

• All Angels Society • Meals on Wheels Volunteer David Martin

• Former Senior Warden • Jubilee Park Steering Committee Tamara O’Connor

• Children & Family Ministry Volunteer • Rosebud and New Orleans Mission Trips Stewart Thomas

• Former Senior Warden • Master Plan and Campus Planning Committees 8

The Rector Search and Transition Committee members to candidates’ parishes. This is the mutual process of discernment where we work as a committee to identify whom God wants us to call, and the candidates work with us to see if they feel called to join Saint Michael.

“God already knows who our next Rector will be. The Rector Search and Transition Committee’s job is to find him or her.”

-- The Rev. Michael Harmuth to the Committee in our first Eucharist together

As the RSTC undertakes the steps outlined above, the parish has two vitally important jobs. One is to pray for the committee’s work, the parish in transition, and our future Rector who is not yet known to us, but is known to God. Please visit the prayer station in Bishop Moore Chapel as often as you can!

Last May the Vestry called a committee of 12 parishioners with diverse life and church experience in an effort to Diana Newton represent the whole congregation Co-chair in mutual discernment with Rector candidates – for us to listen to God’s voice regarding our next Rector, and for him or her to listen to God’s call to join us. Since that moment, the congregation has prayed for the transition and our future Rector on a daily basis. The Rector Search and Transition Committee (RSTC) has held over 20 listening sessions, read through over 1,000 responses to the Parish Survey, and engaged Van Sheets in prayer, worship, Bible study, Co-chair a retreat led by former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, and many, many meetings together.

The second is more difficult. We need to prepare ourselves for the change that we have said we want to accomplish together with our next Rector. We wrote in our survey responses and in our profile that we want to be newly inspired and engaged in Christ, that we want better ministry for youth, young adults and young families, and that we want to remain the big tent we pride ourselves on being. New growth will uproot old growth, by definition, and this may be painful for each of us in different ways. As parishioners, we need to be willing to embrace the new and in some cases let go of the old, as we move forward towards becoming the dynamic, Jesus-centered parish we hope to be.

Thank you all for your prayers, patience and trust as we undertake this important job for our parish.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• Why does it need to be confidential?

Confidentiality protects the relationship that each candidate has with his or her current parish.

• When do we expect to call a Rector?

We hope to call the 8th Rector in 2016.

• How many prospects have become candidates so far?

A LOT, and they are all amazing.

• How diverse are the candidates?

Our pool is quite diverse in every aspect: age, gender, ethnicity, family situation, church experience, and preordination careers.

• What is the quality of the candidates?

The pool is truly extraordinary, which is why the process takes time.

As we listened to the parish last summer and fall, we also solicited names of potential candidates to be the 8th Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels, and were blessed with well over 100 names from parishioners and friends. We then formally posted the position with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Transition Ministry, and published our Parish Profile. Since then, we have reached out to recommended candidates while researching them and listening to their sermons online, and heard from other priests who were impressed by our Parish Profile.

Rector Search and Transition Committee Diana Newton – co-chair Van Sheets – co-chair Members Allison Bovard Ben Leal Joseph Cahoon Christine Paddock Margaret Cervin Bob Penn Richard D’Antoni Jeff Rice Lee Hobson Tricia Stewart Kathy Jenevein (ex-officio, Junior Warden) Matt Waller (ex-officio, Senior Warden)

To formally enter into discernment with us, candidates have to submit written materials consisting of their church resume and written answers to 16 essay questions that provide a sense of them and their approach to ministry. Once we receive all of those written materials, we will begin the process of getting to know them better through telephone and Skype interviews, as well as visits by the candidates to Dallas, and by RSTC 9

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finances & operations

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Saint Michael and All Angels – Church Finances HIGHLIGHTS

STATUS OF OUR FINANCIAL GIVING

Our finances are sound and our cash reserves are adequate. In 2015, we effectively achieved breakeven operations with a small surplus of $3,070 achieved partially by drawing on certain reserves. (See 2015 Financial Results). Unfortunately, our 2016 Stewardship campaign ended five consecutive years of increasing annual pledging.

Grady Schleier With a decrease in 2016 Treasurer Stewardship, ministry expenses in the coming year will be constrained. (See 2016 Financial Budget)

As of February 1, I can report that the total pledges for 2016 were $5,060,000, a 2.7% decrease from $5,200,000 in 2015.

The average pledge for 2016 is $4,273, a 6.7 % increase over the average pledge in 2015 of $4,003. The number of pledges decreased 6.1% from 1,256 in 2015 to 1,179 in 2016. As treasurer, I am often asked what is the average pledge required to meet the needs of our ministry areas without program cuts and with support for growth. My answer is an average pledge of $5,000. As a point of reference, the average pledge at other large Episcopal parishes comparable to Saint Michael range between $5,000 and $8,000.

We are grateful to every person who pledges to Saint Michael at every giving level. This year I am particularly thankful for the increased pledges responding to a request from our Senior Warden in late January. The meaningful response has kept the bulk of our ministry areas on track for their continuing wonderful efforts. In a world of non-profits that ask for our support frequently and in such sophisticated ways, I feel it is so important to prayerfully consider where the church ranks in our giving priorities. I can assure you that the need is great, and we are careful and efficient stewards of your gifts. Personally, I think of Saint Michael as my second home with lots of brothers and sisters. My pledge check is the favorite I write every year.

2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Our financial results for 2015 were adequate, but barely so.

Our operating revenue came in at $5,756,848 which was $313,152 under budget. This lack of budgeted revenue was principally due to lower than expected payment of pledges. The offsetting news is that the clergy and staff completed the year with expenses well below budget by $315,222, thus ending the year effectively at breakeven. A transfer of $65,000 from our capital maintenance fund was required in order to maintain this year at a breakeven. This transfer partially offset the cost of the west parking lot water line failure, an elevator upgrade, parlor upgrade, and grease trap repair/replacement, all of which reduced our capital maintenance fund to approximately $130,000, a seriously inadequate balance.

AUDITS

We received an unqualified (or “clean”) audit opinion for our 2014 financial statements, and the 2015 audit will 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 2015 were Jay Lipscomb (Chairman), Kay Whelan, Eric Conner, Randy Rekerdres and Darrel Rice.

2016 FINANCIAL BUDGET

The Vestry and its Finance Committee have approved the 2016 budget based on pledges at the conclusion of the Stewardship Campaign of $5,060,000 compared to $5,200,000 the prior year. This results in projected 2016 revenues of $5,834,000 versus $6,070,000 in budgeted revenues and $5,756,848 in actual revenues, for 2015. Each ministry area was asked to adjust their budget request in line with this budgeted revenue amount. The operations budget request effectively removed multiple capital repairs identified in a facilities audit undertaken in 2015. Unfortunately, every year unexpected significant repairs or maintenance issues tend to arise. If they occur in 2016 we will, by necessity, need to rely upon the capital maintenance fund mentioned above.

CONCLUSION

We trust this conveys that the clergy, staff, and lay leaders at Saint Michael and All Angels are careful stewards of the church’s resources. The church’s financial health is, however, in your hands as you decide how to use the material gifts you receive from God.

Respectfully submitted, Grady Schleier, Treasurer

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2015 Revenue and Expenses, 2016 Budget

2015 Budget

Actual

Current Year Pledges Prior Year Pledges Unpledged Plate Other Credit Card Fees Total Revenues

$5,389,000 130,000 330,000 100,000 156,000 (35,000) $6,070,000

$5,115,855 166,037 275,109 84,807 153,970 (38,930) $5,756,848

$685,000 7,000 160,000 $852,000

$684,960 7,000 160,000 $851,960

$702,000 7,000 145,000 $854,000

$5,218,000

$4,904,888

$4,980,000

Diocese and National Church Seminaries Mission and Outreach Total Outreach

Net Operating Revenue

2016 Budget $5,125,000 200,000 300,000 90,000 159,000 (40,000) $5,834,000

Operating Expenses Ministries Compensation & Benefits $3,485,000 $3,372,893 Other 610,000 653,477 Facilities & Administration Compensation & Benefits 1,530,000 1,459,258 Services, Utilities, Supplies 1,408,000 1,333,725 Total Operating Expenses $7,033,000 $6,819,353

1,450,000 1,269,000 $7,192,000

Expense Offsets ESD Expense Allocation $(635,000) $(645,891) Preschool Tuition (1,181,000) (1,271,644) Net Expenses After Offsets $5,217,000 $4,901,818

$(586,000)) (1,627,000) $4,979,000

Net Surplus/(Deficit)

$1,000

$3,070

$3,521,000 952,000

$1,000

Stewardship 2015 As members of Saint Michael and All Angels, we are called by God to work together. We are called to tithe and all members of Saint Michael are asked to work towards a meaningful pledge.

It is the ultimate answering of God’s call in appreciation for the generosity and grace we receive. Stewardship is our collective effort to manage and exercise the financial gifts that God has given to us.

As part of our stewardship duty, 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 Angels must manage to a balanced budget. Our financial commitment provides spiritual growth, vision, and strength enabling us to collectively fulfill our Christian mission.

Giving is a continual exercise requiring focus and commitment.

We began in the spring of 2015 meeting with the Rector, Vestry, and parish leaders to plan the 2016 Stewardship campaign. To assist in the Stewardship effort, a gathering of a large, diverse Stewardship Committee was held in the early summer to help organize the campaign. For the first time, a Stewardship Leadership Council was formed to lead the 90+ member committee, provide strategic direction, and assist in the overall campaign. Members included: Eric Conner, Jiggs Foster, Elizabeth Gambrell, Stacey and Ken Malcolmson, Kelly Reddell, Phil Ritter, and Sheryl Wylie. Special appreciation goes to Mary Kardell, and the entire 2016 Committee, whose guidance, advice, and attention to detail drove the campaign.

Parishioners told their stories as part of the stewardship campaign.

Confirmation Class and their families and included a visit from World Hunger Relief Farm of Waco, which brought a goat and Veggie Truck illustrating how Stewardship impacts all aspects of our church. There were three call-a-thons to reach out to members to pledge. Committee volunteers staffed information tables and answered parishioners’ questions on six Sunday mornings. More than 3,000 postcards were mailed in early November, as well as personal “thank you” notes from the Stewardship Committee and Vestry.

Our parish collectively pledged more than $5.06 million to support our church ministries in 2016. Approximately 45% of our parishioners, or 1,179 families, made pledges, which was a 6.1% decrease over last year. 37 new families pledged and the average pledge increased to $4,273. Children pledged by using special coin collection cards. 100% of Saint Michael member families with children in The Saint Michael Episcopal School and the Mother’s Day Out program pledged.

The Leadership Council established key goals for the year which included increasing the level of participation and increasing the “touch points” with every member of the Parish.

A Mid-Year Financial review was held by the church Treasurer, Grady Schleier, which generated discussion on financial planning/giving and some early 2016 pledges. Six gatherings for fellowship and giving discussions were held with different ministry groups with more than 250 attending. The Leadership Council also reached out to the 90+ member committee to engage them with contacting all 110+ ministry groups with the 2016 Stewardship message. A special Youth Stewardship Sunday was held that included a presentation to the Disciples’

The Stewardship Committee, vestry, clergy and staff thanks everyone that supported the annual campaign. In return, we pledge to be the very best stewards of the gifts you have entrusted to our care. These gifts will allow Saint Michael 14

2015 Parish Statistics to reach out to our members, our community, and beyond

Holy Eucharist: Saturdays/Sundays through worship, Christian education, pastoral care, mission Weekdays and outreach, and hospitality. Without our collective gifts, Private none of this would be possible.

YOUR 2016 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Don Baty John Bergner Julie Borus Bill Borus Victoria Brown Stuart Brown Gwendolyn Chestnut Bobby Chestnut Jean Coleman George Coleman Judy Conner Eric Conner Mason Custard Allen Custard Francie Moody Dahlberg Kevin Dahlberg Tiffany Davis Brad Davis Steve Fellows Jiggs Foster Todd Foster Kathryn Francis Jimmy Francis Elizabeth Gambrell Eric Gambrell Carol Goglia Mark Goglia Ann Gough Greg Gough Whitney Grogan Jay Grogan Jane Hancock Scott Hancock Gloria Hocking Sam Hocking Ben Kardell Mary Kardell Steve Kardell Elizabeth Keogh Mike Keogh Gayle Kesinger Marcia King Melinda Knowles Mark Knowles Ruthie Lightbourn Walt Lightbourn

Stacey Malcolmson Ken Malcolmson Kathy Maxwell Roger Maxwell Kimberly McCabe Matt McCabe Linda McFarland John McFarland Patrick McGee Melissa McRoberts Andy McRoberts Susan McSherry Dean McSherry Kyle Moore Mary Newton Pauline Newton Rosser Newton Pressley Peters Jamey Peters Patricia Plettner Kelly Reddell Alisa Richardson Ryan Richardson Phil Ritter Catherine Rowsey Fred Rowsey Jack Rubarth Erica Sartain Charlie Sartain Grady Schleier Kristen Scott Jim Scott Chuck Stewart Byrd Teague Carolyn Tilley Caroline Trotman Doug Trotman Jourdy Wallace Bryson Wallace Matt Waller Katie Webb Lindsay Wheeler Sutton Wheeler Sheryl Wylie Phil Wylie

455 365 186

Daily Office: Sundays Weekdays

46 7

Other Services: Marriages Burials Other

11 69 59

Baptisms-Adults Baptisms-Children

Number of Families

All Baptized Members as of December 31, 2014

Communicants as of December 31, 2014

Confirmed Adults Confirmed Children Receptions Transferred Communicants Reactivations Other Adds

Total Additions

Transfers Out-Active Deaths-Active Inactivations Other Losses

Total Losses

Communicants as of December 31, 2015

All Baptized Members as of December 31, 2015

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2 59 2,858

6,821 4,935 27 67 5 28 25 0 152 39 37 198 3 277 4,810 6,581

The Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation are encouraged to include the church that they love in their estate plans and become members of the All Angels Society.

The Foundation’s Current Gift Acceptance Policy is available online at the church website.

MISSION AND PURPOSE

The mission of the Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation of Dallas is to solicit, manage, and steward funds to enhance the ministries of the church we love. By encouraging and assisting Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church with philanthropic initiatives, it enhances and supports its mission.

Rowland K. Robinson President, Saint Michael and All Angels Foundation

GRANTS

Grants from the Foundation support the mission of the parish, and are consistent with priorities established annually by the Rector and the Vestry. During 2015, approximately $236,687 in grants were approved to support the operations of the Farmers Market, artistic updates to the stained glass doors in the main church, funding part of the Rector Search and Transition Committee expenses, and the purchase of new church management software.

ORGANIZATION

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

Grant requests can be submitted at any time and are first approved by the Church Finance Committee and the Vestry prior to any commitment by The Foundation. A grant application form is available online.

The trustees oversee professionally managed funds which are invested prudently for capital growth and preservation. The Foundation assets are separate from church assets but very closely coordinated and aligned in spirit. The President of the Foundation serves as ex-officio participant on the Vestry and the Finance Committee, and the Rector, Treasurer, and a Vestry Representative serve in ex-officio capacities on the Board of the Foundation.

SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH OPERATING BUDGET

Historically, the Foundation has minimized grants from its funds for needs that are properly within the scope of the church operating budget. This policy was intended to prevent the church from becoming dependent upon the Foundation for its normal operating needs. While the policy will not change for all existing funds, the Foundation has agreed with the Vestry to create a new Operations Endowment fund that will generate income to be used specifically to support the operating budget of the church, so long as such support does not exceed 20% of operating revenue. This new fund is intended to provide a giving opportunity for those who wish to donate funds that will contribute to the operating budget in perpetuity.

DONATIONS TO THE FOUNDATION

Contributions to the Foundation are encouraged when individuals want to give beyond their annual operating support. These contributions may be made to the Foundation in support of unrestricted, temporarily restricted, or permanently restricted funds representing such areas as Operations Endowment, Clergy Housing, Music, Pastoral Care, Youth Ministry, Mission/Outreach, Columbarium, and the Distinguished Lecture Series. Traditionally, gifts made to the church from an estate are transferred to the Foundation thus allowing the donor to continue to support the parish in perpetuity.

Rowland K. Robinson President

ALL ANGELS SOCIETY

The Foundation established the All Angels Society to encourage all parishioners to designate the church in their wills.

Membership in the All Angels Society signals a parishioner’s commitment to include Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in his or her estate planning. All members of the parish 16

The Foundation Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances - 2015 December 31, 2015 ASSETS Cash and Temporary Investments

$

Securities (At Market) Mutual Funds Marketable Securities

1,110,069 4,708,802 252,873 4,961,675

$

6,071,744

Fund Balances Undesignated–Corpus & Income Designated–Corpus & Income

$

1,963,220 4,108,524

Total Fund Balances

$

6,071,744

Total Assets 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 from Income Expenses

UNDESIGNATED 1,946,398 $ 2,194 73,977 26,148 (147,537) 1,901,180 (76,702) $

1,824,478

DESIGNATED $ 3,320,068 966,159 62,475 (294,188) 118,598 39,598 (251,450) 3,961,260 (136,743) $ 3,824,517

$

$

TOTAL 5,266,466 968,353 62,475 (294,188) 192,575 65,746 (398,987) 5,862,440 (213,445) 5,648,995

$

144,403 76,702 (70,000) (12,363)

$

215,954 136,743 (47,499) (21,191)

$

360,357 213,445 (117,499) (33,554)

Ending Fund Balance-Income

$

138,742

$

284,007

$

422,749

Total Fund Balance

$

1,963,220

$ 4,108,524

$

6,071,744

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Junior Warden’s Report – Building and Grounds Unfortunately, we experienced several major system failures as our campus infrastructure continues to show its age. The grease trap and connecting pipes serving the Parish Hall kitchen collapsed requiring major reconfiguration, and a large water main broke undermining a huge section of the west parking lot. Don Martin and staff worked around the clock with contractors to restore water to the building, patch old pipes, and replace the concrete.

2015 was another busy year for parishioners and staff involved in keeping our building and our grounds in good shape.

Many projects were completed including: • Replacing shade-damaged grass along Douglas and Colgate with beautiful groundcover.

• Installing new, attractive

signage at our north entrance

for the Saint Michael Episcopal Kathy Jenevein School and the church, Junior Warden providing a more welcoming and helpful entry from our largest parking area.

• Completing a new athletic field between our Lomo Alto office building and the north playground, including installation of a new bridge from the parking area, all funded by the general contractor who leased the property last summer.

• Redecorating and upgrading the Parlor with new and easily adjustable furniture to accommodate many diversified uses and to give the space a cleanup and a lift!

• Installing several stained glass panels in the new doors on the south side of the main church to more fully realize Bart Forbes’ beautiful design.

As your Junior Warden, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to watch so many parishioners give their time and talent to keeping our building and the grounds surrounding it in sound shape and aesthetically beautiful. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for its hard work.

Members include its chair, Tom Stewart, and members Todd Howard, Ryan Martin, Dr. Tom McConnell , John McFarland, Blair Oden, Bill Pardoe, Bob Patton, the Rev. Greg Pickens, Ellis Skinner, John Stull, Marvin Thedford, Chris Wiley, and Jim Dauterman. And, we continue to be blessed with an outstanding facilities staff including Don Martin, Facilities Director, Juan Reyna and, of course, Leon Farmer. Thank you for your hard work!

And, a special thanks to the wonderful people who greet and cheerfully direct our visitors to Saint Michael, especially Sandra Cox, Bonita Frederick, and Kelley Salewsky whose cheerful hospitality sets the tone for all!

With the completion of the Facilities Audit, the Building and Grounds Committee prioritized the list of urgent repairs and maintenance, and the staff, under the leadership of Greg Pickens, has begun implementing and budgeting much needed capital improvements and preventative maintenance.

A comprehensive audit was also performed on our existing stained glass windows in the main church, giving us a plan to repair and do necessary maintenance to keep these stunning windows from more damage and leaking.

Gratefully,

Kathy Jenevein Junior Warden

We are currently in the process of installing a new backup generator outside the building that will power the sump pumps (among other essential systems) to prevent flooding during a rainstorm/power outage.

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Operations just two. Surprise number one came upon us in 2014. What started out as a simple plumbing issue with the Parish Hall Kitchen turned into a full blown engineering project. Under the watchful eye of our Facilities Director, the Jr. Warden, and the Building & Grounds Committee the necessary resources were focused on the solution. The second surprise had to do with an aging water main under our west parking lot. Several years ago, the same pipe ruptured and since then Operations has always had an eye on it. When it did finally break last year, it was like a scene from the Bible. The only thing missing was Noah’s Ark! Again, the various teams tasked with the care of our campus came together and developed a solution. What this does highlight is the absolute need for all of us to tend to our Pledges to our parish. We have a large campus and it requires ready cash to keep it in the condition we all desire.

2015 was a year of great joy and equally great challenges for the Operations Ministry.

I am so pleased to report that our Farmers Market is still strong. Each year it brings new faces to our campus and so confirms our mission to be a light to The Rev. Greg Pickens our neighborhood. Of course, none of Associate for Operations this would have been possible without and Pastoral Care our Director, Meg Carstens. With her leadership, the Farmers Market Committee was focused on developing new vendors, focusing on outreach, and assured a well run ministry. We will miss Ms. Carstens’ leadership going forward. She has resigned pending a move out of state. If you have not had a chance to come out to the Farmers Market, I encourage you to do so – you will not be disappointed.

There were also some remarkably fun projects completed during the year. The east and south lawns have been reworked to include Asian Jasmine in the ground cover. The west parking lot now has six new trees that will provide shade in the coming years. We also have a new athletic field on the north side of our property. Both have been well received and are being used.

The year was full of activity for the Facilities staff also. We said goodbye to Felix Mendoza and hello to Juan Reyna and Roger Castaneda. Roger is an operations person with many years of experience in a broad range of areas. He fits our “Customer Service Team” perfectly because of his willingness to help. Juan is our staff engineer at Saint Michael and is tasked with the hands-on work of keeping the systems that provide for our comfort and safety running smoothly. When you see a Facilities person you have not met, please introduce yourself. These men and woman (so far only one) love this parish.

There is always much more to write in an overview like this because our campus is such a joy to work with. But none of this would be possible without your financial support and the support of our church leaders and committees.

We also have had some surprises with our buildings. It is a truth that our buildings are aging well but need ever increasing amounts of care. We saw this in several ways but I will highlight

May God bless you this year.

Greg Pickens

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ADMINISTRATION

The Administration staff of Saint Michael supports all of our church ministries. We have two wonderful receptionists Sandra Cox and Bonita Frederick. They continue to keep happy faces and a positive first impression for us with all the events and activities on our campus.

Our accounting team is headed up by Rob Baber, Director of Accounting. He has excellent assistance from Angelia Hunter and Jenny Andrews. Cheryl Kaschak joined the team in 2015 and together they work on everything from processing all contributions to paying all of the campus invoices and keeping all financials in line for the Saint Michael ministries and the Lomo Alto office building.

Scott Lawrence, our new, Information Technology Coordinator was hired in 2015 and 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.

Ever wonder about all the family address changes, family additions, email address changes, etc.? These church membership records are kept very organized by our registrar, Celise Stephenson. She also logs all of the births, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, transfers in and outs, and deaths.

Kimberly Hughes Robinson, Parish Administrator, keeps track of all meetings and events on the campus calendar. She supports our 60+ staff members for human resource needs including administration of the 403b and employee insurance.

She also manages all three columbaria areas on our campus.

Our entire team works with each ministry area on a daily basis to ensure all administrative needs are met for parishioners, employees, and our expansive campus.

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ministry reports

Worship In the fall of 2015 the Music Ministry entered into a new partnership with the Prayer Ministry in a series of noontime prayer services. “Noonday Prayers with music by James Diaz” launched in October and was offered again in December. Two additional programs are planned for 2016.

MUSIC MINISTRY

I am pleased to report that 2015 was a highly productive year for the Music Ministry, both with its continuing programs and new partnerships.

James Diaz Music Director

The Adult Choirs had a particularly ambitious fall of 2015, offering music for a festal service every two to three weeks: The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, which highlighted the 70th anniversary of the parish and honored the ministry of Bob and Valerie Dannals; The Order of St. John service of investiture; All Saints Day; the consecration of The Rt. Rev. George Sumner; The Festival Service of Advent Lessons and Carols; and Christmas services.

Every weekend the Music Ministry provides a diverse musical expression for its seven services with music. Our parish is blessed to have a talented team of volunteer and staff musicians who offer music to our very youngest through oldest, from traditional styles to contemporary, and from the most quiet and contemplative to the most outwardly joyous. To all who have made music, and all who have enjoyed: please accept my heartfelt thanks!

Respectfully submitted, James Diaz Director of Music

In late October Saint Michael hosted the Priory in the USA of the Order of St. John for its annual meeting, marking the first occasion the gathering was held in the southwest United States. The weekend included an investiture service Hyeon Jeong Assistant Music Director that prominently featured music offered

by Saint Michael’s choirs with orchestra.

This service (as well as the entire weekend) was very successful and provided our parish and its music program excellent visibility. Members of the Order who attended commented on the extraordinarily high level of music our choirs offered. Those in attendance visited from sixteen states and three countries.

The consecration of the Rt. Rev. George Sumner took place on November 14 and included a diocesan choir of five parishes.

Of all of the participating choirs, Saint Michael had the largest choir presence. The service music included the anthem “Go Forth into the World in Peace” composed by James Diaz.

Saint Michael choir led by James Diaz

The Saint Michael Presents community concert series continues to enjoy excellent attendance and draw a large body of visitors from outside of the parish. The series hosted the internationally acclaimed men’s vocal ensemble Cantus in February, and Southern Methodist University’s concert choirs in November.

I am particularly grateful to Carolyn and Wyatt Rousseau for serving as Co-Chairs of the concert committee during the 2015-16 season.

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ACOLYTE, CHALICE BEARER, AND LECTOR CORPS

More than 200 parishioners, ranging in age from 12 to 80, assist the clergy in celebrating Holy Eucharist and other worship services. From major feasts, weddings, and funerals to daily services, the acolytes and chalice bearers served alongside Saint Michael’s priests at God’s Altar for nearly 1,200 services in 2015.

Additionally, some 50 lay readers are responsible for delivering the Old and New Testament lessons, the Psalms, and Prayers of the People at the many worship services in the Church, Saint Michael Chapel, Bishop Moore Chapel, Parish Hall, and the Theater.

Tony Briggle Acolyte & Chalice Bearer Director

The blessing of the Altar Guild Directresses banner.

ALTAR GUILD

The Saint Michael Altar Guild has approximately 100 devoted ladies who are responsible for assisting the clergy and serving the parish community by maintaining the Altars, Sacristies, vestments, linens, vessels, candles, torches, silver/brass, flowers, and supplies for every worship service. It is the Altar Guild’s responsibility to ensure everything is in place so worship can be conducted with order and beauty.

The Altar Guild prepares and serves at regularly scheduled weekday services, Sundays, worship during Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter; and at every wedding, funeral inurnment, and baptism.

Additional Altar Guild responsibilities include: • washing and ironing about 4,000 linens; • providing 2,000 congregational candles; • filling and maintaining oil candles and glass chimneys; • stocking the Sacristy with wafers, wine, and other necessities; • repairing or replacing items necessary for worship services; • maintaining inventories; • ensuring the appropriate furnishings are set for services ; and, • preparing the church for special services and events according to the liturgical calendar.

The Saint Michael Acolyte Corps is one of the largest in the Episcopal Church.

USHERS

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

The Altar Guild is dedicated to the enhancement of the total worship experience. A special bond of love and friendship exists among this multi-generational group, working together in the preparation of the Lord’s Table.

Our ushers are typically the first people that visitors see at our worship services, providing a friendly, welcoming spirit, and a warm greeting. Ushers hand out programs, assist people in finding seats, manage the offerings, and direct the orderly movement of people to and from communion.

Angela Howell, Directress Saint Michael and All Angels Altar Guild 23

Six usher teams serve at worship services in the Church, the Saint Michael Chapel, and the Theater. A special team, led by Bill Johnson, is specially trained for funerals. A team led by Tig Thompson staffs the 7:00 a.m. service in Bishop Moore Chapel, Jim Browne leads the Saturday evening worship team, and Ann James is in charge of the ushers at Sunday evening services in the Saint Michael Chapel.

Ed Ladd Usher Corps Director

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Christian Formation School, parents, children, and adults alike would often ask us what was going on from Sunday to Sunday. In prioritizing Sunday School and seeking a regular format, we have seen some wonderful results. Attendance is up roughly 300% in our Sunday School programs. The Fellowship Class for 30’s and 40’s as well as an outstanding Forum Speakers Series kept adults engaged. A special thanks to Walt Humann for twisting arms of many of our special speakers for the Forum. The return of the Rev. Bill Power also boosted attendance.

Scientists tell us that one of the few constants in the universe is change. 2015 was clearly such a year for our formation ministries at Saint Michael and All Angels, more than any of us anticipated or expected.

We witnessed the departure of both of our Youth Directors, Andy Sahl and Carolina Armstrong. Brooke Pearce, the administrator for youth ministry, chose to return to school. Elise Davis who worked with our baptism and young mom ministries followed her husband to Athens, Georgia. Abby Escobedo, the longtime Assistant for Adult Formation and Parish Life, sought a job closer to her home and children after commuting almost an hour each way every day for a decade.

The Rev. William S. Murray IV Vicar

We also chose to reorganize our Homecoming event this year. Instead of one event in mid-September, we planned a Blessing of the Backpacks and Welcome Back to School Sunday on August 23, for families returning to a fall rhythm.

Sunday School started the next weekend. We then shifted our September “Homecoming” celebration to September 27 to celebrate the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. Of course, the latter ended up being a celebration for the ministry of Bob and Valerie Dannals as well as a recognition of our 70th anniversary. Both were enormous successes.

As a church, we chose to hire Ministry Architects to help us evaluate and rebuild our youth program. We all want a quick fix but recognized that this would be a process. We are about ten months into a 24 month process and are starting to see the results of slow, systemic change. Resumes are coming in for some top quality candidates and the Search Team, led by Pressley Peters, is doing some amazing work. J.C. Snead is leading the Renovation Team in the process of growing the many support processes our program needs to flourish in the years ahead. I am incredibly grateful to both of them and the many volunteers on those committees and to any of you who have come to our open forums.

In looking back, I think we would all say that this has been a year of enormous transition. I am proud of the work that we have accomplished as a team. I ask that you read and review the reports that Shelly Vescovo and Emily Given have compiled for you. We have a talented, generous, and caring team who seek to serve Christ in all that they do, teach, and say. I pray that you seek to celebrate their many successes of 2015 with me.

Blessings Bill Murray

One of our focuses as a team this year was to create a standard for Sunday mornings at Saint Michael. In the past, we had so many guest speakers and special events that pre-empted Sunday

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

• The Distinguished Lecture Series format moved to Sunday mornings in a combined adult class so that more people could attend.

A second session with the speaker was offered over a lunch presentation.

• The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, spoke on Br. David Vryhof of the Society “A Different Way of Being a of St. John the Evagelist led the Christian” and “A Dangerous Lent Retreat.

Dream of Hope” (Bp. Curry was elected Presiding Bishop in June) • Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt spoke on “Agreeing to Disagree: How Jews and Christians Understand Scripture” and “Different Readings, Both Correct: The Prodigal Son in Christian and Jewish Context”.

• Home Communions were offered during Lent and Advent.

• The Lent Retreat hosted 100 parishioners in hearing Brother David Vryhoff From the Society of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, MA. • The Advent Retreat hosted author and spiritual leader Robert Benson.

• Lenten and Advent Meditations, written by staff and parishioners, were published in hard copy and offered online.

ADULT FORMATION

The particular 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 our Shelly Vescovo Adult Formation 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.

Adult formation classes and study groups encourage lively discussion.

In 2015, these events took place to aid the formation and transformation of our parish: • In the spring, congregants could choose from 4 Sunday classes: The Rector’s Forum, Adult Bible Study, Family Foundations, and the Inquirers’ Series. We celebrated the teaching ministry of Kevin Huddleston, Irwin Sentilles and Victor Furnish as they retired from leading the Adult Bible Class. The Rector’s Forum highlighted both Bob Dannals and Bill Murray until Fr. Dannals retirement.

• 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 3 classes: The Forum which hosted city leaders talking about the intersection of their vocation and their faith; a NEW class for those in their 30-40s called Fellowship, led primarily by Bill Murray; Adult Bible Study with the theme “The Children of Abraham” featuring Dr. Robert Hunt on Islam, Dr. Howard Cohen on Judaism, and Dr. Bill Power on Christianity.

Saint Michael Prime Timers and P.T. Cruisers visit the Klyde Warren Park near the downtown Arts District.

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• The Singles N’ Saints hosted several events during the year including sailing, a Lent and Advent Home Communion (and Christmas Party), and a night at the movies.

• The Prime Timers continue to minister to the senior members of our congregation with monthly lunches and field trips.

• Families gathered to learn more about the sacrament of Eucharist during Communion Class.

Christian Formation (Sunday Morning) Sunday morning continued to grow in exciting ways that expanded knowledge and fostered connections.

• NEW – Holy Moly for preschool through grade 2 was our classroom-based educational offering that featured video storytelling, interactive responses, and activities to engage in the wonder of God’s people. These classes, led by parent volunteers, have been very well received. This was being offered in place of the Whirl large group gathering from the previous year. This group is guided by Ellen Talley.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children in which adults and children share their faith life together. They met in specially prepared rooms called atria where the children use simple, beautiful materials to meditate on the scriptures, liturgy, and sacraments. It is based upon the educational principles of Maria Montessori. We had 4 atria available on Sunday mornings, two for 4-6 year olds and two for 6-9 year olds.

Shelly Vescovo Director of Adult Formation

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Emily Given Children and Family Ministry

This year has been one of expanding the reach of ministry, examining ongoing goals, and setting a course for the next chapter. Gifted and joyful staff, coupled with parishioner participation and support has created many different expressions of ministry and an expanded sense of community. A few highlights are:

Christian Formation (Midweek) • Wednesday afternoons continued to be a place for learning and exploration thanks to experiences like Faith Lab (science focused Bible study). The fourth and fifth grade Edge Ministry started the year off with a study of the book of James (with the girls) as well as FunScience (with the boys). The Edge also kicked off a new cooking and worship evening called Dinner Church. Small groups were a source of inspiration, exploration, challenge, and connection. Groups include MOMS Bible Study, Women of the Spirit, and Sip ‘n’Doodle.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd continued to partner with Saint Michael Episcopal School for weekday enrichment through the end of the 2014- Faith Lab combined science and Bible stories.

2015 school year.

• Lenten Artist’s Workshop – Families enjoyed an open art workspace each Wednesday evening during Lent. Media included woodblock printing, canvas painting, wire art, collage icons, watercolor and even painting with our feet!

Artists of all ages entered into visual reflections on the season in the most remarkable ways. The culmination of the series was the Holy Week art show in the parlor.

The children’s choir performed at Christmas Eve Joy Mass.

• Children’s Choir – Ashley Westgate worked this year to help form young worship leaders through music, worship participation, and study of scripture introduced in their music.

• The Bridge group was formed to give third graders a special place on Sunday mornings as well as a few social gatherings throughout the year. This group was led by adult volunteers.

The teaching material used was called CONNECT. • Edge Sunday Series - Fourth and fifth grade students met in the Edge Room for a large group experience, based on an interactive and conversational model. This hour had 27

elements of music, scripture, popular culture reflections, and large and small group activities. The Edge series was led by adult volunteers.

• MOMS Bible Study marked its second full year of exploration of the most popular stories told to children, yet looking at them with our adult eyes.

• MOMS Escape Club created learning and social opportunities for moms on a monthly basis.

• The Easter Egg Hunt was the perfect combination of fun and fellowship.

The Edge The Edge ministry grew and evolved in meaningful ways.

A wonderful sense of participation emerged through the implementation of new faith formation initiatives. A few highlights were The Edge lock-in, mission trip to World Hunger Relief Farm, sending over 700 Christmas cards to military troops around the world as well as filling spring break snack packs for our Jubilee Park friends.

Instructed Eucharist introduced Communion close up and personal.

Worship • Joy, Discover, and Celebration Masses continued to be services which invite children and families into the center of our worshiping community.

• Pajama Prayers (Wednesdays during Advent) offered another way to share our Biblical story and experience a condensed version of Compline. (Plus a yummy bedtime snack!)

• Good Friday for Families created a place for families to come close to the Holy Week story in ways that were engaging and age appropriate through hands-on prayer, confession, and storytelling.

Early Childhood Ministry: to/with/for families with children preschool and younger • Baptismal Guild/Baptismal Support was offered to each person being baptized. A welcoming presence to baptismal families was provided by personal contact, presence at baptismal preparation classes, coordination of parish baptismal gifts, and assistance in linking the family into other parts of the life of the parish.

The Nativity Pageant featured more than 120 parish children and youth.

Nativity Pageant • Over 120 of the children and youth shared a dramatic retelling of the coming of the Christ child through song and story in the main sanctuary on the last Sunday morning of Advent.

• The pageant was webcast in real-time and open to the public.

The web viewership by friends and loved ones reached far and wide.

• Families gathered for a lively lunch in the youth center after the presentation of the pageant.

The Easter competitive.

Egg

Hunt

Vacation Bible School • The parish climbed to great heights with Everest. It was a week of music, worship, storytelling, drama, crafts, games and more.

• The outreach effort was focused on hygiene bags for The Gathering.

• Jr. VBS continued to be a huge success. Over 70 toddlers

was

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Family Outreach • More than 200 bags of food were delivered by our families to North Dallas Shared Ministries in July and November.

This was the first year we made two trips.

Faith in the Home Enrichment • RADVENT’s Instagram style texts and eblasts delivered a daily image to inspire hope and anticipation to people within the parish as well as those who are connected via social media.

• Lent sounded a little different this year with our Lenten CD “Room For Something New”.

• Advent in a Box was a huge hit with families. The box of resources was the perfect way to journey through the season of Advent together.

Growing Edges of Ministry for the Coming Year • Cultivate more small group community and study • Expand resource development for family and individual faith building • Reach out to families on the fringe • Help to support and reenergize participating members • Expand midweek and “other than Sunday morning” gathering times • Build on the meaningful ways for families to participate in mission and outreach • Foster key leaders and faith-formers within the parish family • Build up ministry involvement and leadership

World Hunger Relief introduced The Edge to third-world conditions

and preschoolers filled the halls with laughter, learning, and music.

• The Edge worked on their own outreach during the week.

They were thrilled to create, fill, and install four Little Libraries around the Jubilee Park neighborhood.

Family Fellowship • The Feast of Lights Epiphany celebration was a delightful blend of worship, food, and a deep sense of community. The large Mardi Gras-style magi puppets and s‘mores stations created a family friendly feel.

• Family breakfasts were a big hit. Everyone enjoyed spending time once a month in the parish hall.

• During holidays and school vacations, families gathered for “Family Sunday School” to explore and engage in study and community.

• Movie and pool nights were a fun way to stay connected during the summer months.

Submitted by: Emily Given, Director On behalf of: Erika Bower, Children’s Minister Ellen Talley, Early Childhood Coordinator Jill Delabano, Program Administrator Gabrielle Ott, Catechesis Coordinator Bill Murray, Vicar

YOUTH MINISTRY

The year 2015 has been one of reflection, rededication, restructuring for the Youth program at Saint Michael All Angels, which has resulted in greater momentum engagement by our young people, adult leaders, and entire parish.

and and and the

Highlights of the year include: • Ministry Architects, a nationally recognized consulting group, was retained to evaluate Saint Michael’s youth program. In

The fall opening of school was led by the blessing of backpacks.

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Youth programs are moving forward at a rapid pace. In addition to the regular Wednesday evening and Sunday morning programs, both the high school and middle school groups will: March 2, serve dinner at the Austin Street Shelter for the homeless April 1 - 3, the annual Youth Retreat will be held at Camp All Saints June 5 - 12, the High School Mission Trip will be to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba June 26 - 30, the Middle School Mission Trip will be to Corpus Christi.

March, it conducted extensive interviews with the youth, church staff, and a broad spectrum of parishioners. In December, the consultants led a three-day retreat involving adults, staff, and volunteer leaders to create a vision, establish goals, and set a timetable by which to measure achievements for the program • Two adult committees were created to facilitate the revitalization of the Youth Program.

The Youth Ministry Renovation Team: J. C. Snead, chair; Leslie Agouridis, Julie Borus, Ann Gough, Charlotte Huthnance, Carl Moore, Kyle Moore, John McFarland, Jr. and Carol Vig. The Youth Ministry Search Team: Pressley Peters, chair; Dee Dockery, Claire Hagenbuch, Hays Haney, and Mike Tanner.

• In 2016 a Director and Assistant Director of Youth Ministries will join the staff to plan and implement the program, build youth participation, and encourage greater involvement by adult volunteers from throughout the parish • The Rev. Oliver Butler was named Associate for Youth and Young Adults, giving direct clergy leadership to the program.

Fr. Butler previously served as Chaplain at the Episcopal School of Dallas. He and the Vicar, the Rev. Bill Murray, are leading the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning programs until the new Director and Assistant Director are hired.

SAINT MICHAEL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

We would like to share and celebrate the following milestones from the 2015-16 school year.

Administrative • Saint Michael Episcopal School welcomed 141 families with 190 students into our school this year. We Katie Riley Director, Saint Michael currently are at about 50% parishioner Preschool families and 50% non-parishioner families.

• We feel fortunate to have been able to create a position for an Extended Care Coordinator who works with both the school and church. Jacynda Griego, former teacher with us, was hired into this position and has made great strides in expanding the offerings and streamlining the childcare needs of all of our families. She is also enhancing the summer program opportunities for all.

• Our annual school auction party, held October 23rd at the Anatole, raised almost $80,000 for the school! With parishioners Gina Horton and Melissa Pekar at the helm, their team worked for months to host a fabulous night to benefit our school. The “Night in Old Havana” brought many of our families together for fellowship and fundraising.

• By the time the waitlist closed on January 8, 2016, we had 110 children on the list.

• Our Saint Michael Episcopal School website development is under way and is expected to launch in spring 2016.

• The leadership team at Saint Michael Episcopal School attended the biennial conference for the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools in Sugar Land in November.

The youth participated in a beach clean-up project on its July mission trip to Oregon.

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• Our annual Christmas program was streamed live for this first time, allowing almost 70 family members to view from afar.

Academic • This year at Saint Michael Episcopal School we have worked on fully implementing the Everyday Math program in the 3s, 4s and 5s classes. Everyday Math has a heavy emphasis on exploring math concepts through manipulatives. Each class has been given the curriculum and manipulatives to fully implement the program.

• We have implemented a cohesive language arts program in the preschool that builds concepts from year to year.

The language arts program is based on Texas’ pre-k and kindergarten standards.

• We have built a successful author study program as well as a large guided reading library for students ready to jump into the early stages of reading.

• At the beginning of the year all of the teachers were trained in the Handwriting Without Tears program. All 3s, 4s and 5s classrooms have materials needed to start and continue the program from year to year.

• We are piloting a writers workshop program in the 4s class. If successful, we will implement this in the 3s at a very beginner level and build from there. So far, the pilot classroom has had great success.

Spiritual • We have continued our weekly chapel service for our Pre-K students. Bill Murray is telling interactive stories from the Bible to help them learn the teachings of Jesus. Children have been involved in the processional in carrying the cross, banner and flag which their parents love to see firsthand as visitors in our service • We held our second Family Thanksgiving Service in November and invited all families to attend. The Pre-K students process to Sanctuary was filled with Chapel. families as Father Bill led us in a service to begin the holiday season. Our children processed in with their Stewardship coin cards and placed them at the altar. Children also brought in over 800 canned goods to help serve North Dallas Shared Ministries.

• Three Saint Michael Pre-K parishioner children participated in the processional at Consecration of Bishop George Sumner in November. Finn Erwin, Elliott Christian and Leo Horton proudly carried a Saint Michael banner with big smiles and made us all very proud.

Parents capture photos on the first day of school

Enrichments • For children that choose to extend their day, we offer seven different enrichment opportunities. These activities include Mr. Donavan, Spanish, Reading with a Twist, Funtastic Fitness, Soccer Palz and Dancing Stars.

• Saint Michael will once again host six fun and adventurous weeks of summer camp beginning in June 2016.

Small classes means individual instruction 31

Caring & Sharing Caring The Card Ministry administered by Pat Moore, Jan Moncrief, David Henderson, and Stephanie Ritter, sends cards and notes to provide comfort, support, and to share in life’s celebrations.

In 2015, 483 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.

PASTORAL CARE

To build the kingdom of God by responding in love to those in need – this is the mission of Pastoral Care. The Pastoral Care Ministries continue to be a strong asset to our community with a total of 11,400 occurrences of Visiting, Caring, Praying, and Serving.

The Rev. Lisa Flores Associate for Pastoral Care

Each Pastoral Care chair reports monthly to the Lay Leader of Pastoral Care regarding their preceding month’s activity. The chairs of Lay Eucharistic Visiting, Congregational Care, the Priest for Pastoral Care, the Assistant for Pastoral Care, a Vestry Liaison, and the Lay Leader for Pastoral Care meet monthly to review the pastoral needs of the parishioners and to follow up by responding in love to those in need.

There are currently 21 different lay ministries that reach out to those in our parish who are in need. Each of those chairs of the Pastoral Care Ministries meet twice a year to review the status of each ministry and to insure that all Pastoral Care Ministries are working together to respond to those members in need.

Pat Moore and the card ministry touches more than 60 parishioners every month.

The Care Giver Support Group, led by Sandra Klingeman and Liz Wheelan, provides a place for those caring for ailing loved ones to confidentially share their challenges. We have welcomed 177 attendees during the past year. They continue to reach out to the parish by planning events featuring guest speakers who serve as a resource for caregivers.

Visiting Friends in Christ: This ministry has had a transition year and we are continuing to seek the best way to support it. We currently have 12 Friends in Christ who made 148 visits and contacts.

In the annual Easter Flower delivery last spring, Friends in Christ and Lay Eucharistic Visitors took Easter Flowers from the altar to 45 parishioners who were homebound and could not attend services on Easter Sunday.

The Grief Ministry is best known for the Faith and Grief Luncheons held on the second Thursday of each month. The mission of the Faith and Grief ministry is to provide ongoing comfort to persons who have experienced the death of a loved one. The luncheons begin and end with a clergy-led liturgy, a presentation by someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, and small group discussions led by lay volunteers. In 2015, 208 people attended the luncheons.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Chair Ruthie Garrett has over 25 Lay Eucharistic Visitors who have been trained and licensed to take communion to parishioners in the hospital, at home or in assisted living facilities. The Ministry continues to support those who are unable to come to church on their own. This past year, LEVs offered services to a total of 541 people, which include parishioners and their families or companions.

Hospital Visitations: When the parish is notified of a hospitalization or surgery, Pastoral Care tracks that information and informs the clergy so that visits can be made. In 2015, the clergy made over 322 visits to area hospitals for our parishioners.

Stephen Ministers receive more than 50 hours of training to provide service to those needing help.

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September to honor all of our knitters. They knitted 173 prayer shawls for those in need during 2015. This ministry, led by Byrd Teague, gathers weekly to knit and for fellowship.

The ministry also offered an Advent Liturgy of Remembrance followed by a reception in December. The liturgy was enhanced by special music and the opportunity to remember loved ones through the lighting of candles and special blessings. Approximately 70 individuals, from many different congregations, attended the service.

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. Saint Michael has 10 Stephen Leaders and 12 Stephen Ministers, available to serve our parish community.

Approximately 294 touches were made during 2015 by Stephen Ministers.

The Prayer Shawl ministry celebrated completion of its 2,000th shawl in September.

Touch Base Phone Ministry provides a personal phone call made by volunteers Barbara Henley and Katy Davis. Barbara and Katy call to provide comfort or share in life’s celebrations.

177 phone calls were made in 2015. Many calls were made to families who had lost a loved one or who are homebound.

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 is lead by Dana Juett and Joan Faubion. In 2015, the teams prayed with 586 parishioners and conducted special training sessions to qualify team members to participate in this ministry.

Christian Yoga: Instructor 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. 458 people attended yoga classes in 2015.

Daily Parish Prayer Rota: At the 7:00 a.m. weekday Eucharist and the 8:30 a.m. Saturday Eucharist, a portion of the parish family is prayed for during the Prayers of the People. In 2015, 2,791 households were prayed for by name. Next time you get your postcard reminder that your prayer day is coming up, add it to your calendar and join us!

Praying Centering Prayer led by Mary Ann Webster meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Clergy Conference Room. Those who meet together are seeking to practice centering prayer as a part of learning to live a more contemplative life. They spend 30 minutes in silence and share afterwards about their experience and readings that are helpful to a deeper understanding of this form of prayer. All are welcome. In 2015, 194 people participated in this spiritual practice.

Serving Extended Care Cooks, the Funeral Reception Guild, and Good Shepherds, are three lay ministries that serve members of Saint Michael in the most practical, loving, and hospitable ways.

The Daily Intercessory Prayer Ministry offers prayers from requests that come to them via on line prayer requests, the Connect Cards from the Sunday Services, or through a phone call to the church. 68 volunteers participate in this confidential prayer ministry through daily prayer. 980 people were prayed for in 2015.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry hit a milestone in 2015 with the 2,000 prayer shawl being knitted. We had a wonderful celebration in

A station in the Bishop Moore Chapel invites prayers for the Rector Search effort.

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hosted a new event “Lifeline Dallas.” It was a night of prayer and meditation looking specifically at the 11th Step. Look for more opportunities this year! This ministry, along with our Alcoholics Anonymous group reached out to over 384 people in 2015 and is coordinated by Melanie McGill.

I am grateful to Ann Mills, the Good Shepherds, the Extended Care Cooks and the Funeral Reception Guild for the superb ministry they do by reaching out to any parishioner who is in need. In 2015, The Good Shepherds made over 1,700 caring touches to parishioners and their families. See Ann Mills report under Congregational Care

I said this last year and will continue to say it until everyone in our community knows it… I am so very proud of the selfless giving that many in our parish exhibit on a daily basis. Pastoral Care is that quiet, behind the scenes ministry that isn’t flashy or glamorous, but vital to the health and well-being of the community. So many people are touched by the ministry and I know that we will continue to provide that love and support each and every day. If you are a volunteer, thank you for giving so willingly and lovingly of your time and talent to minister to the needs of this congregation. If you are not a volunteer, please consider becoming a part of one of our ministries, it will not only impact the life of another, but yours as well!

The Parish Nurse Program serves parishioners by making hospital visits, making home evaluations, and providing basic health screening and information about health issues. Our Parish Nurses also follow-up with parishioners recently released from the hospital or who are known to have on-going 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. In 2015 our Parish Nurses made 186 touches with Saint Michael parishioners.

It goes without saying how much I appreciate the work of the Pastoral Care team that has been created here at Saint Michael.

We are a great team and I am honored to work with each of you. Katherine Bowen – Administrative Assistant for Pastoral Care, Terry Demler – Lay Leader of Pastoral Care, Marillyn Seeberger – Pastoral Care Communicator, each of you do so much behind the scenes to support all of us in our ministries, I can’t thank you enough!

Our Parish Nurses also coordinate the Blood Drives and the goal is to hold two a year. We partner with the American Red Cross and our February drive collected 28 units of blood and the October drive collected 25 units of blood.

The Rev. Lisa Flores Musser Associate for Pastoral Care

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

“And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Cancer Support group has been meeting for nearly 20 years.

…and that is what we do in Congregational Care. We invite others to join us as we welcome them into our flock, we reach out when others are in need, we care for them as they struggle Ann Mills Director, and comfort them in their loss, simply Congregational Care because once, we were strangers and we found welcome, and in our need, in our struggles, and in our loss, we have been loved and cared for.

In 2015, hundreds of volunteers joined in these ministries of compassion, care, hospitality, and friendship by reaching out to others. Won’t you please join us in “loving thy neighbor as

The Women’s Cancer Support Group has served the women of Saint Michael’s for 19 years. Attendance for 2015 was 462.

These women meet in the Parlor, every Monday at 1:45 to offer each other support, encouragement, laughter and tears in a confidential and non-judgmental setting. This group is led by Sue Patton and Charlie Stobaugh.

Recovery Advocates are dedicated to enhancing the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of those who experience substance abuse or other additions. This group hosts trainings and special event speakers throughout the year. In 2015, we 34

thoughtful presence and kindness of the Funeral Reception Guild. In 2015 our 45 volunteers baked homemade goods while other volunteers worked before the funerals to beautifully prepare for the receptions. Susie Yeckel, Claire Jones, Dru Francis, Gayle Kesinger, Kay Hyland, Marillyn Seeberger, and Cora McClure continue to do an outstanding job in leading this quiet ministry.

thyself ” by acting as a Good Shepherd in your neighborhood, preparing meals as an Extended Care Cook or baking cookies for the funerals and memorial receptions hosted by the Funeral Guild. We promise that you will find the heart and soul of Saint Michael if you do!

Ann Mills Director, Congregational Care

MISSION & OUTREACH:

Regional Shephards at Good Shepherd’s annual meeting.

The Good Shepherd Ministry responds to needs within their own neighborhood. This neighbor-helping-neighbor ministry is the oldest and largest program within the Pastoral Care area. Judy Cole once again did an amazing job of leading this ministry in 2015. Regional Shepherds Joanne Hardaway, Nita Scholtz, Judy Cole, Anne Leary, Cora Mason, Mary Massengale, Shannon Callewart and Kathleen Bywaters were responsible for overseeing the Shepherds representing 101 different neighborhoods.

Hunter Ruffin Director, Mission and Outreach

Mission and Outreach at Saint Michael and All Angels seeks to provide transformative outreach, balancing justice and mercy built on the continuum of activities from relief, through rehabilitation, to development. We provide relief, rehabilitation, and development ministries – from Meals on Wheels to mission trips to microenterprise, and for parishioners opportunities to further develop their faith.

In 2014, a task force studied concepts built around “toxic charity” and “when helping hurts” to develop a long-term strategy to focus and enhance the church’s outreach programs.

We want to maintain the “Why” we do outreach, but also ensure that we work to build-up those we serve, enabling them to become self-sustaining and maintain their dignity.

• The Good Shepherd Ministry enabled parishioners throughout the church to know that Saint Michael cares about them.

• The Good Shepherd Ministry provided nearly 200 Shepherds with an opportunity to get to know and feel connected to the parishioners in their neighborhood.

• The Good Shepherd Ministry took a huge load off of the Clergy who would not be able to meet the needs of all those who are served by this Ministry.

Giving by Saint Michael Outreach in 2015: • Easter Plate Offerings of $28,974 was donated to help with hunger needs locally, nationally, and internationally.

• The Mission and Outreach Grants Committee awarded 15 grants, totaling $160,000 in financial support to external and internal outreach ministry partners.

• Christmas Plate Offerings of $42,625 was given to support North Texas Food Bank, Episcopal Relief & Development Disaster Relief Fund, and the refugee ministry at St. Paul’s within the Walls, Rome, Italy.

• Heart of Giving donations during the holiday season raised $21,080 to support Saint Michael and All Angels outreach ministries.

• Backpack 4 Kids in September raised $28,026 for this outreach program.

The Extended Care Cooks offer their ministry of presence and caring by delivering a home cooked meal once a week to those in need. Last year over 50 volunteers participated in this ministry by delivering over 140 meals to our parishioners. Gay Rekerdres does a splendid job as chair of this ministry.

The Funeral Reception Guild. Every bereaved family holding a funeral or memorial service at Saint Michael is offered the 35

Genesis Cooks: On nine first Mondays during 2015, a group of parishioners prepared and delivered meals for women and children at Genesis Women’s Shelter.

North Dallas Shared Ministries: North Dallas Shared Ministries provides emergency assistance to people in need with over 60,000 client visits during the year.

In addition to 3 parish food drive months each year, volunteers provided job counseling, and helped with the clothes closet, food pantry, and other areas of assistance.

Food 4 Kids / Backpacks 4 Kids: Giving by parishioners in September insured that more than 7,000 backpacks of weekend food was provided to the children at O. M. Roberts Elementary School. This program provides elementary children at risk for hunger a backpack on Friday afternoon stocked with nourishing food to help carry them through the weekend.

Preparing dinner for the homeless at the Austin Street shelter.

Food Ministries – feeding the hungry: Austin Street Shelter: Each month Saint Michael buys and prepares food for 325 to 375 homeless people at Austin Street Shelter. On the First Tuesday of each month, 12 to 15 parishioners cook and prepare a full-course homemade meat loaf dinner. On the first Wednesday, the food is delivered to the shelter and later that day, another 15 to 20 help serve the dinner. In the fall of 2015, Saint Michael and All Angels began offering Evening Prayer in the Austin Street Chapel. The prayer service had an average attendance of 20 people per month and included lay volunteers as readers, officiant, and prayer companions.

The Rosebud Hunger Initiative: As a result of our Rosebud mission work, the Hunger Initiative provides dinner and homework assistance daily to about 50 children of the Black Pipe community in South Dakota. In 2015, Rosebud Headstart children received a weekend food pack to enrich their nutritional intake. In addition, scarves and hats knitted by the prayer shawl ministry were given to the parish in Rosebud for children and families in need of winter clothing.

Meals on Wheels: In 2015, 185 volunteers drove 14 routes and delivered 20,000 meals. A large majority of the drivers are members of SaintMichael and All Angels with the remainder being friends or relatives.

Jubilee Park: Through Saint Michael’s seven member Connection Team, 400 parishioners contributed countless hours of time, energy and money to the wide array of opportunities at Jubilee Park.

In 2015, these opportunities include helping: • Children in after school programming • Jubilee’s summer camp programs • Installing Lending Libraries throughout the neighborhood • O.M. Roberts’ reading program • Back to After-School Bash • National Night Out • Annual La Posada re-enactment • Thanksgiving and Christmas Senior Luncheons • I Believe in Angels And various other Jubilee events, programming and task force leadership

By Our Love: On the third Monday of each month, volunteers serve nutritious meals to about 50 people with AIDS who live in housing provided by AIDS Services of Dallas.

The Gathering: During 2015, six Sunday meals were served by 70 adult & youth volunteers to approximately 600 homeless persons. St. Mary’s Guild supplied desserts. Saint Michael clergy celebrated multiple times at the services for this church for the homeless in downtown Dallas.

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Holidays for our friends in Jubilee Park: I Believe in Angels: This once a year ministry provides toys and gifts for children, teens, and the elderly in the Jubilee Park neighborhood.

For Christmas 2015, over 100 volunteers contributed toys to 253 children and 150 Senior Gift Bags over flowing with toiletry and household items.

I will forever remember the beautifully simple celebration for the Feast of Saint Michael, which was held in Casa San Miguel. After the service, there was a birthday party for one of the little boys, new to the casa. As he stood at the table with a birthday cake for him, and everyone singing Feliz Cumpleanos, he began to cry. Never before had he experienced a celebration for his life. He had never had a birthday cake. This is the family of Amistad, embracing their new member with God’s love. Moments later, I saw this sweet child, still crying, in the arms of Father Ruffin, where he found comfort. It did not take long for the tears to be replaced by a wide smile – gracias a “Padre Loco.” And, again, a new relationship formed with love, kindness, and trust.

Gift wrapping at I Believe in Angels.

The “work” of Amistad has moved me deeply. In the faces of the children, the Mamas, the helpers, the counselors and the administrators, I saw the face of Christ – every day. The Holy Spirit is alive and well! It is impossible not to be moved to your core, by the love which flows among the children and the providers so gracefully. They love and share with us so freely.

I traveled there thinking I was on a mission trip for them. I returned having been ministered to by them. I am committed to returning to Bolivia, and nurturing these relationships.

Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon at Jubilee: The Thanksgiving luncheon occurred on November 20, with 74 volunteers, delivering and helping prepare traditional Thanksgiving food, providing decorations, and helping serve 150 senior citizens at Jubilee Park.

Christmas Senior Luncheon at Jubilee: Over 43 parishioners bought and served turkeys, mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, rolls cranberry sauce, and various pies for the Christmas luncheon on December 18.

Over 100 seniors from the Jubilee Park neighborhood attended the luncheon and received gift bags from I Believe in Angels filled with household items and toiletries.

Honduras: In February 2015, 13 missionaries returned to Tela, Honduras for 7 days, partnering with Espiritu Santo, the Episcopal Church and Day School. Our group worked with local parishioners and senior class members to provide over 350 children with fluoride treatments, toothpaste and toothbrushes, fitted and distributed over 200 pair of eye glasses; served over 300 school lunches; and shared Bible stories through music, crafts, and laughter with more than 450 students ages 3 through 12, in 5 communities. Partnering with the church, we helped provide new roofing and updated air conditioning for the sanctuary and contributed funds toward the expansion of a classroom. The barrio community of Citronella was a new venue this year for Christian Education and construction. Upon our arrival to the barrio we were greeted by gracious and enthusiastic residents who worked alongside us to construct a raised outdoor stage where children perform, play, and sing. And with the help of our new friends, new window screens were installed around the entire elementary school. Smiles are the universal language in Tela. It was a joyful and remarkable experience for all.

Mission Trips in 2015: Amistad:

By Kelly Reddell, Mission and Outreach Leadership Team Prior to September 2015, I had never traveled to South America. So how did Amistad pull me to Bolivia? I was searching for a mission that invested in developing longterm relationships, and, it was very important to me that the relationships include children. This defines Amistad, where the traditional model of an orphanage has been transformed into 8 stand-alone “casitas”. A family-type environment is established for the 6-8 children who live in each casita with their “Mama;” these children grow up together in the same casita until they become older teens, and transition to a youth house.

In this environment, they learn to develop relationships as a real family grounded in trust, stability, support, and consistent love. Moreover, unlike other area orphanages, the siblings at Amistad are not separated. Preserving and nurturing these relationships is a priority at Amistad.

Honduras Threads: During the week of June 28-July 3, 2015, nine volunteers experienced a spiritual journey of broadening, deepening, 37

opinion, make decisions, and have a voice. They radiate with pride, knowing that they can do beautiful work with their art and their hands. They have the dignity of working and earning money in their own communities to better the lives of their families and to educate their children.

and widening the way we understand and express God’s love in Christ. The time was spent teaching, learning, working, singing, praying, and having fun in a small Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz Arriba with over thirty women, eight of their teenage children, and fifteen of their preschool children.

In addition, the missioners were transformed by sharing our faith and friendship with this marvelous community of Honduran women and their families who have demonstrated enormous capacity that continues to inspire us to build upon it. One missioner described it beautifully: “This embroidery cooperative has been life changing for them and for me ...They are my heroes, keeping a positive attitude in the face of extreme poverty and adversity, maintaining a sense of pride in creating such beautiful embroidery pieces, and improving their business skills by learning the computer and cost accounting. I love being a part of this effort to support the women and watch them grow as they discover the best part of themselves.”

Honduras Threads trains the women in sewing techniques.

Each day began with a morning devotional, and then instruction began in computer skills and sewing skills. Computer teaching focused on improving basic skills, computer maintenance, using Excel to calculate the cost of production for each Honduras Threads project and to keep accurate inventories of projects completed, and using Skype to communicate with us in the U.S. Each woman and teenager typed his or her personal story in order to improve writing skills.

Honduras Threads trains the women in sewing techniques.

In 2014 the women earned certificates for proper use and maintenance of their sewing machines and refinement of basic sewing skills (Level 1). This year, they learned more advanced skills (Level 2), working on a special commission to create clergy stoles for Church of the Incarnation. Certificates were awarded after successful demonstration of skills. At the end of each exhausting day, the mission team met to discuss the day’s challenges and accomplishments and celebrate Compline.

Cuba: In October 2015, seven missioners departed Dallas for Cuba and to be greeted by friends from the parish of San Bernabe in Sancti Spiritus. In the week that the missioners were in Cuba, we worked alongside members of the local parish to repaint the walls inside and outside the new church, purchased with the help of Saint Michael and All Angels. In addition to the continued renovation of the building, Saint Michael and All Angels helped San Bernabe purchase new kitchen appliances, hosted a party for neighborhood children and families, and were enriched through the worship of our friends in Cuba.

The new parish building in Sancti Spiritus is to be formally consecrated by the Bishop of Cuba in June 2016.

The highlight of the week was when certificates were awarded in a “graduation” ceremony, celebrated by all on the final day.

However, the most important and meaningful “story” related to this mission trip is one of transformation. Small mission teams from Saint Michael have been going to Honduras to work with these women for the past six years. During that time the women have been transformed. They have grown up in a culture where many women think they have no value because they are uneducated, and that they are only useful to cook, clean, and have babies. We bear witness to the transformation.

The women of Honduras Threads show confidence, give their 38

Fellowship haven’t thought about their faith in a long time. A dynamic team of 6 parishioners, led by Sandra Hughes, helps coordinate the weekly dinners and act as greeters and hosts for the series.

During 2015 we confirmed, received or reaffirmed twenty six adults.

WELCOME MINISTRY

The Welcome Ministry is led by 10 Steering Committee members, chaired by Sherry Wilson, and over 100 volunteers who strive to make all who enter the doors of Saint Michael feel welcome. The Steering Committee meets quarterly over lunch, which is coordinated by Lynn Hood, and the meeting begins with an inspirational devotion by Karen Wiley.

Patti Flowers and Adele Broughton, Mentor Coordinators, did a wonderful job of matching each of our new confirmands with parishioners prior to the two 2015 confirmations. The Mentors spend a few weeks with our new members during Inquirers’ getting to know them, stand with them during confirmation, and continue to stay in touch over the next several months to help the newcomers transition into becoming engaged members of our parish.

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. Seventy-five (75) volunteers, coordinated by Jessica Clements, 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 come and hear the Christian story and invite them to become a part of our church family.

Those who transfer to our church continue to be given a special welcome by our Transfers team. Christi Morrow and her volunteers solicited beautiful angels created by Saint Michael artists, ranging in age from 4 to 92 years old, to grace the covers of special greeting cards. A set of these “angel cards” is lovingly packaged along with the bios of the artists and sent to those who transfer their membership to our church during the year.

During the fall of 2015 we hosted Coffee with the Clergy in the Parlor every Sunday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Clergy were available to visit and have a cup of coffee with parishioners. Often members of the Vestry and the Rector Search and Transition team were also available to answer questions. This effort was graciously led

by Susan and Tommy Thomas.

We are grateful for the many volunteers who make Saint Michael a warmer and welcoming place to come, serve, and worship.

The Inquirers’ Series is a seven-week series held from 6:308:00 p.m. in the Coke Activities Room on Wednesday nights each fall and spring. Led by the Reverend Bill Murray and the Reverend Greg Pickens, our Inquirers’ class is for all seekers – newcomers, long-time churchgoers, skeptics, or those who

Ann Mills and Tish Visinsky Welcome Ministry Coordinators

Bishop Lambert confirmed adults and nearly 80 youth at the April confirmation 39

PARISH LIFE EVENTS

Tish Visinsky Director, Parish Life Events

2015 began in the most glorious way possible with an elaborate Feast of Lights reception. Hundreds of parishioners attended the Twelfth Night Epiphany service, and then they followed the three Magi to the candle-lit Garden Cloister for the annual Burning of the Greens and a dinner feast fit for a king including s’mores roasted over the fire pits.

The Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, complete with a live jazz band, Mardi Gras beads, authentic New Orleans style gumbo, and hot pancakes flipped by the Men of Saint Michael, is a multi-generational dinner that is loved by all ages.

The Wednesday evening Lenten Suppers continued Feast of Lights burning of the greens to be held before the Evensong services. Parishioners enjoyed simple soup suppers this year, and as always the meals were graciously served by volunteers from various ministries within the church. The meaningful Easter Vigil service and reception rounded out our Lenten offerings for 2015.

Blessing of the Animals brings out many breeds.

engaged over the break. A Pentecost reception, pie for the Fourth of July, a southern picnic to celebrate the ordination of The Rev. Hunter Ruffin (our new Associate for Mission & Outreach), and popcorn for Back to School were devoured as we spent several relaxed summer Sundays together.

Fall was a flurry of events back-to-back in 2015. Saint Michael and All Angels bid farewell to our Rector, The Rev. Bob Dannals and his wife Valerie at the Feast of Saint Michael service on September 27. To celebrate our 70th anniversary that day, we honored the parishioners who have been members for 7 decades with a special gift during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Everyone was invited to the Garden Cloister for a glorious reception.

The always popular Blessing of the Animals was held on Sunday, October 4th and many of our furry friends were

The festivities didn’t end when school came to a close in the Spring, we hosted summer receptions to keep our parishioners

Saint Michael’s veterans were honored at the Veterans’ Day worship service and reception.

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blessed by our clergy and given St. Francis medallions for their pet collars.

WOMEN OF SAINT MICHAEL

On All Saints Sunday, we hosted our first All Church Breakfast in the Parish Hall with over 200 parishioners joining us for pancakes, eggs, bacon and biscuits. We look forward to continuing this fellowship breakfast in 2016.

We paused to say thank you to our brave veterans on Sunday, November 8th. The annual Veterans Day Service and Reception continues to grow and this year we moved the service to the church. This evening provides us with an opportunity to spend time with some of our heroes which this year included over 100 veterans, their families, and friends. We had a delicious dinner in the Garden Cloister along with live patriotic and military music provided by the 22 person Heritage Brass Band, many of whom are Veterans themselves. We sent thousands of Christmas cards signed with holiday messages, prayers and thanks from our parishioners to troops who are currently deployed in the Middle East.

Margaret Cervin WOSM President

The Women of Saint Michael is comprised of all the women who are members of our parish and wish to become involved. Our purpose is to “be the extension of Christ’s Kingdom by uniting the women of the parish in a program of worship, study, service, fellowship, and leading them into the service for the Church, in the parish, the community, the diocese, the nation, and the world.”

This year, our theme, Learning, Fellowship, Service, and Joy, echoes the prayer for the search of Saint Michael’s next rector: “You call our church to be a beacon of learning, fellowship, service, and joy, and we pray for a leader to be a part of that life.”

During this time of transition, the Women of Saint Michael feels called to fully engage in our parish and community. To that end, highlights of our year include: • The Saint Michael’s Woman’s Exchange, with its more than 150 volunteers, raised $300,000 for community outreach, and held book signings for several authors.

• The Exchange also celebrated the opening of its new and even more beautiful store after several months in a temporary location. The Exchange looks forward to many more successful years to come at the Highland Park Village.

• The members of the Gifts Committee will research and carefully review grant requests and award support to Dallas area and other non-profit agencies, with a total of $400,000.

• In June 2015, AIDS Services of Dallas honored the Women of Saint Michael for its continued commitment to the nonprofit organization.

• The Fall and Winter Speakers Series was a tremendous success and followed the outline of expanding concentric circles of Christmas and Easter offerings – this time, within the parish (Katie Riley of The Saint Michael Episcopal School), Dallas (a discussion of historic neighborhoods of Dallas led by Saint Michael parishioner, historian, and preservationist, Jann Mackey), and the Texas region (a difficult and frank discussion of child sex trafficking; and an interesting discussion led by a Dallas Regional Chamber executive about the amazing resources the Dallas region has to offer).

• To honor Saint Michael’s November commitment to North Dallas Shared Ministries, attendees at the November luncheon made a generous collection and donation in cash

Our Home for the Holidays Christmas Eve Open House reception was attended by the masses of parishioners and their families & friends. Guests popped by the Parlor for some cranberry punch, cookies and savory snacks before or after their favorite worship service.

A huge thank you to the hundreds of Parish Life Events volunteers who shared their time and talents with this ministry.

Thanks to you, the events at Saint Michael in 2015 were an incredible success!

Tish Visinsky Director of Parish Life Events

The Women of Saint Michael past presidents at the Spring Luncheon.

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As members of the Women of Saint Michael, we continue to pursue Learning, Fellowship, Service, and Joy in all that we do.

Margaret Cervin President 2015-2016

FARMERS MARKET

The Saint Michael’s Farmers Market closed for the season on August 29th, marking its fourth successful season of bringing great local food to our parish and the community. Every Saturday beginning April 4th, anywhere from 20 to 28 vendors set up in the north parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to Noon to sell their products, the majority of which are grown or produced within 150 miles of Dallas.

The new Women of Saint Michael’s Women’s Exchange store in Highland Park Village

and food to NDSM. The donation was unexpected and greatly appreciated by NDSM. • The Women of Saint Michael coordinated the United Thank Offering, a ministry of the national Episcopal church, for Saint Michael and All Angels.

• The Women of Saint Michael hosted a festive Mardi Gras party to celebrate the friendship and fellowship of Saint Michael parishoners. Dancing to a New Orleans band continued late into the night.

• The Women of Saint Michael will wrap up a wonderful year with the annual spring luncheon featuring a former parishioner who is nationally recognized as an inspired change agent in the world of imagination, creativity, and innovation in business and is currently writing a book for young women on the secrets to being extraordinary.

The market featured several local farmers selling seasonal fruits and vegetables, most notably tomatoes, peaches, watermelons, squash, and berries. There were also local ranchers with grassfed beef, pork, sausage and eggs. Shoppers were able to get coffee and breakfast tacos or croissants while picking up fresh steamed tamales and other prepared foods. Kids and adults stayed cool with gourmet popsicles while enjoying music from the Discovery Mass Band. Some energetic souls even took advantage of the free workouts offered by Crossfit Odyssey.

The spring started off with several rainy weekends, but the market averaged 400 shoppers per week, reaching 7,500 people

Few efforts in the history of Dallas can match the positive change created by the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange. For more than fifty years, many dedicated women have donated their time and talents to the Exchange. The profits from the Exchange, combined with the bi-annual Parish Party, the Mardi Gras party, and generous donations from Tom Thumb’s Good Neighbor program, have enabled the Women of Saint Michael to give almost $9 million to non-profit charities since 1958. This rich tradition continues.

Few organizations in the history of Saint Michael and All Angels can match the energy, enthusiasm, and passion of the Women of Saint Michael and its members, for whom we are all grateful.

Italian desserts are a big hit at the Farmers Market.

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over the course of the season. While many of these shoppers were parishioners, a large number were also non-church members who appreciated a chance to talk to and buy from local farmers and merchants. They were greeted by a dedicated group of friendly volunteers at the welcome booth, where they found weekly recipes and devotions, as well as information about church activities. Shoppers also contributed to our very successful drive for the Shoe Bank and other local organizations.

The market dates for 2016 will be April 16 to September 17, and we’re working on lots of ideas for improving and expanding its offerings. A full list of this season’s vendors, along with information about how to reach them can be found at: www.saintmichaelsmarket.com.

The farmers market attracted workers from nearby construction projects.

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Clergy of Saint Michael and All Angels The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Dannals Rector (retired September 27, 2015)

The Rev. Oliver Butler Associate for Youth and Young Adults

The Very Rev. Dr. Douglas Travis Interim Rector

The Rev. Bob Johnston Associate for Evangelism

The Rev. William S. Murray IV Vicar

The Rev. Michael Harmuth Sunday Associate

The Rev. Lisa Flores Musser Associate for Pastoral Care

The Rev. Rich Towers Sunday Associate

The Rev. Greg Pickens Associate for Operations and Pastoral Care

The Rev. Mary Lessmann Sunday Associate

The Rev. Hunter Ruffin Associate for Mission and Outreach

Photography generously provided by Ray Hand, John Scott Glass, Smokey Goodrich, and Pat Flautt.

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