St. Paul 2016-2017 Annual Report

ST. PAUL IS

St. Paul Church is a multi-generational congregation of loving and imperfect people. As a congregation, we desire to engage our minds along the journey of faith. We seek to celebrate faith as a gift of God, a gift that transforms our hearts to share God’s heart. Ultimately, we commit our hearts and minds in steadfast and faithful hands-on service.

This past Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 9, 2017) the congregation at St. Paul was reminded of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As we sat in the pews, we were transported back thousands of years ago. We heard about how Jesus rode into the town on a donkey as scores of people waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna” at his presence. Then, we heard about what was happening in the background. While a joyous celebration roared in the front of the town, an avaricious plot proceeded, just footsteps away.

Jesus stormed into a Jerusalem temple and saw that it was dominated by men motivated by an obsession with money and greed. Jesus promptly turned over tables and said, “my house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

He ran these individuals out of the temple and ushered in the blind and the lame.

In January 2017, then Senior Pastor Rev. Gary Gibson issued a challenge to St. Paul Church -- to say yes. Specifically, he challenged all of us to say yes to doing things a little differently instead of giving in and saying “well, that’s just how it’s always been.”

This challenge is rooted in the example Jesus set for us thousands of years ago.

Time after time, Jesus said “Yes, I will do a new thing here” in response to a culture that wanted him to leave well enough alone. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he could have stayed with the celebrators. He could have stopped where he was safe and loved, but he literally went further.

He observed the money lenders that were manipulating a house of worship and the people who attended it. Staring corruption in the face, Jesus spoke up, acted out, and made a better place for his followers.

In 2017 St. Paul responded to Rev. Gary Gibson’s challenge, and Jesus’ example, and said yes.

St. Paul said yes to raising enough money to build a home for a mother and her young son who fled oppression. St. Paul said yes to welcoming a Syrian family to Louisville as they began putting the pieces of the life back together in America. St. Paul said yes to expanding minds by engaging in the study of Christian discipleship. St. Paul has been open to the places where God called individuals to action and has not turned a blind eye.

In this 2016-2017 annual report, you will see the many ways in which St. Paul members said yes during this past program year. We invite you to celebrate the ways God has moved through us in order to share God’s grace. Our prayer is that when you get to the last page, you will remember that the opportunities to say yes will continue to exist. God continues to challenge us to action.

WORSHIP & MUSIC Worship includes glorious, sacred music, but worship is more than a song. Worship includes the proclamation of God’s word, but worship is more than scripture. Worship includes thoughtful prayers, but worship is more than a conversation. Worship is more than the sum of its parts for worship is the celebration of an almighty God, a God who encompasses unlimited love and grace.

St. Paul creates a space for all those who seek community with God and the fellowship of others in the Kingdom of God to worship. Individuals who attend worship do not have to have everything figured out, they do not have to be perfect, but rather be open to the possibility that God is so great that God loves them, no matter what their past may look like.

Through the Word of God made evident through music, visual arts, and spoken arts, the worship and music ministry of St. Paul provides a wide canvas of opportunities for the full expression of Christian believers. By providing traditional services, KOINONIA service, a Service of Sound and Silence, Creative Church, labyrinth walks, and musical events, individuals and groups are invited to celebrate Gods’ glory together.

24 NEW MEMBERS

167 WORSHIP SERVICES

“

483 AVERAGE WORSHIP

60 USHERS

SINGING RUTTER’S REQUIEM WAS ONE OF THE

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THE WORDS OF TRUTH AND COMPASSION,

THE INSTRUMENTATION SPOKE TO MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LOSSES AND

GAVE ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE

THAT GOD’S TRUTH PREVAILS. PRACTICING AT HOME DAILY WITH THE WORDS, THE MUSIC, & THE RECORDING

BECAME A MEANS OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION. - Chancel Choir Member

ATTENDANCE

6 BAPTISMS

6 families made the decision to bring their children into the nurturing community of the church and begin their child’s lifelong journey of faith through the sacrament of baptism.

12

PROFESSIONS

OF FAITH

A profession of faith is a public acknowledgment of God’s love and strength. St. Paul witnessed 12 individuals profess their faith in God, declaring a desire to center their heart, mind, and lives on Christ.

Worship is possible because many lend a hand and commit their time to making it happen every Sunday.

60 people volunteered as an Usher to greet and assist guests.

400 PARTICIPANTS

Hundreds of people participated in the music ministry -- performing in concerts, worship services, and special events to celebrate God’s glory through music.

“

IT’S A PLACE WHERE I CAN

GENUINELY

FEEL GOD. THE SERVICES

ARE MOVING

AND DEEPLY

MEANINGFUL. - Michael Snelling, St. Paul Member

1,200 HOURS

485

CONCERT ATTENDEES

Music at St. Paul’s classical concerts and the Spiritual Formation Team’s Carrie Newcomer concert brought 485 people together for St. Paul musical events.

610

SONGS SUNG

during Sunday worship services.

962 ATTENDED

EASTER SERVICES

St. Paul Orchestra, KOINONIA Band, Chancel Choir, Handbells, and various ensembles, spent over 1,000 hours in rehearsal to prepare for the music that happens at St. Paul every week.

1,244

ATTENDED CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

2,000 ATTENDEES 2,000 people attended the Louisville Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, a musical theatre experience depicting Christ’s light coming into the world.

Sometimes people can’t make it to St. Paul, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a part of the worship experience.

Every week, lessons and elements of worship are shared with a digital audience.

3,361

SERMONS DOWNLOADED 54.81%

49,421 SESSIONS

ON ST. PAUL’S WEBSITE 121.22%

1,004 FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

DISCIPLESHIP & SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The Discipleship and Spiritual Formation teams encompass our shared life as we seek to grow individually and as a community in our understanding of who we are as the body of Christ. Study and engaging in the practice which deepens our faith is crucial to Christian transformation. The story of scripture and the tradition of the Church are tools that we can use to become stronger disciples.

At St. Paul members and friends are invited to practice discipleship and strengthen their faith through classes, small groups, guided meditation, retreats, and reading resources. Through these practices, individuals continue their journey into the heart of God. God is at work through the Spirit as we participate in practices and experiences that transform our hearts to become more Christ-like.

The fall 2016 Wesley Night semester focused on how God’s kingdom is a kingdom without borders.

To celebrate this universal church, faith leaders from several other Christian traditions were invited to share their Advent practices. Father Alexis Kouri of St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church presented the Orthodox nativity tradition by singing a nativity Troparion. Every eye and every ear were fixated on Father Alexis as he chanted the ancient Byzantine hymn, and the room of individuals joined together in experiencing the unity of God’s spirit in that moment.

27

WESLEY NIGHT SESSIONS

40

PEOPLE ATTENDED (AVERAGE) WESLEY NIGHT STUDY

“

I USED TWO OF MARILYN STONER’S (GUIDED MEDITATION FACILITATOR) MEDITATION CONCEPTS TO PREPARE FOR A DOCTOR’S CONSULTATION:

THE HEALING BALL OF LIGHT & GOD’S AURA OF PEACE SURROUNDING MY BODY.

I FELT VERY COMFORTABLE DURING THE DOCTOR’S CONSULTATION.

THANKS TO WHAT I LEARNED IN GUIDED MEDITATION. - Guided Meditation Student

I attended the Interfaith Peace concert last Saturday at St. Paul, co-hosted by Interfaith Paths to Peace. I was proud that St. Paul hosted the wonderfully diverse group of musicians and a wonderfully diverse audience. We heard the devotion (there’s my Star Word) of many faiths in their worship/prayer music including a group of young adult Sufi Muslims who chanted and sang, a Native American Blackfoot who chanted and drummed, a Jewish choir, a Muslim father who sang Rumi’s poetry while his son played piano, a follower of Hindu from India, a Christian opera singer, two Ba’hai women who sang and played the flute, three Buddhist monks who chanted and the renowned jazz pianist, Harry Pickens who inspired us with his music and words.

Some of the music and chants were in other languages but it was interesting to me that one could feel the sentiments and devotion to God being expressed anyway. The father who sang Rumi asked if anyone spoke Farsi, and getting no positive replies but a few laughs, said it didn’t matter that we didn’t speak the language he would sing because it would come from his heart to our hearts. We could sense and understand the devotion for God and for peace his singing conveyed.

It was a beautiful, uplifting evening. It is encouraging to be with people who show up for the values in which they believe—love, peace, harmony, inclusiveness, acceptance, and their devotion to God. -Cathy Miller, St. Paul Member

85

PEOPLE ATTENDED (AVERAGE) LABYRINTH CONCERTS

95

GUIDED MEDITATION SESSIONS WERE HELD AT ST. PAUL

404

PEOPLE UNITED FOR PEACE

In February, 404 people attended a Community Peace Concert, which was held in the Sanctuary and co-hosted by Interfaith Paths to Peace and St. Paul Church.

500

STAR WORDS DISTRIBUTED

The Star Word at St. Paul project began in January 2017. Every person at St. Paul who wanted to participate was given a star with a word on it. The words were different, but the challenge was the same keep the word all year, pray on it, and meditate on it, use it as a guide that steers you to God moments.

MISSION

$15,000

RAISED FOR PORTLAND PROMISE CENTER

St. Paul raised money for the children that the Portland Promise Center serves every day.

175 GUESTS SERVED

100 volunteers helped 175 people receive medical, vision, and dental exams, as well as resources like food and clothes thanks to the 2017 Touched Twice Health Clinic.

In March 2017 St. Paul partnered with St. Matthews, Middletown, Crestwood, and Virginia Avenue United Methodist Churches to build St. Paul’s 12th Habitat for Humanity house. Shamis Mohamed worked alongside us to build the house that she and her young son, Adram, would call home. For many at St. Paul, building walls, hanging drywall, painting, installing trim, feeding the volunteers, building a garden, and landscaping the yard provided opportunities for real mission with each other, with partner families, and with the community.

$20,000

RAISED

St. Paul raised money to fund the construction of the 12th Habitat for Humanity house it has built.

1,600 HOURS

St. Paul worked hundreds of hours to build a house for a mother and her young son.

3

ARKS PURCHASED

Heifer International provides agricultural and livestock resources for families living in poverty.

St. Paul raised enough money to provide 3 arks (2 of every animal that Heifer has), plus additional livestock - providing support for dozens of families across the globe.

As a regular volunteer at St. Paul, I am fortunate to meet some of the people who come to St. Paul seeking assistance in the form of food and/or bus tickets. Some of our guests are regular and some are first-timers. Some are young, some are old. Some have special requests, some say, “I’ll take whatever you have.” They are all seeking a smile, kind words, and respite from the elements. Each and every one says “thank you” or “God bless you” or “have a nice day.”

Even though it is a brief encounter, I am always reminded that we are all blessed in order to be a blessing. The St. Paul food pantry is not just a food pantry -- it is also a symbol of welcome, comfort, and love.

- Genie Yockey, St. Paul Volunteer

1,400

PEOPLE SERVED

The St. Paul Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance and bus tickets Monday through Friday.

This past year, the Food Pantry assisted 1,400 people.

10,000

MEALS PREPARED

35 volunteers visited Love the Hungry to prepare and package 10,000 meals for hungry people around the world.

CHILDREN

Teaching kids about the love of Christ through our words and actions.

Children are a vital part of St. Paul. They are our contributors, attendees, and members. These children are part of the church now, not just the future, and for this reason, it’s vital that they feel valued and connected at St. Paul. The Children and Family Team provides opportunities for them to connect and grow in their faith. Amy Bishop, the Director of Children and Family Ministries, creates a team of volunteers who show up every Sunday morning to teach children about Jesus and living a life following Christ.

Creating safe opportunities to play and engage.

The Children and Family team isn’t just committed to the kids who run around St. Paul, but rather, all of God’s children.

That’s why you can often find the team planning opportunities designed for all kids in the community. This past program year, they hosted their annual Fall Festival and Breakfast with Santa.

Before Lent began, they gathered over 100 people in McAdams Hall for a Fat Tuesday dinner. In April, they partnered with the Spiritual Formation team to do something new - host the Easter Eggapalooza. These community events provided another avenue to bring people from different walks of life together and share Christian community.

“

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR

SUCH A WONDERFUL EVENT AND FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESENT

AT THE ST. PAUL FALL FESTIVAL. I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO THANK EACH PERSON WHO ATTENDED. THEY WERE ALL FRIENDLY AND INCLUSIVE. -Parent attending the 2016 Fall Festival

36

51

Volunteers taught campers nine new songs in one week for 2017 Music Camp.

Campers attended 2017 Music Camp.

2017 Musical: It’s Cool in the Furnace

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

The children’s choir program at St. Paul offers three choirs for children from age three through sixth grade, which meet on Wednesday evening throughout the school year. These choirs make learning music fun. While teaching proper singing techniques and musical concepts, choirs prepare songs for worship. Children learn that they have a vital place as worship participants and leaders. The choirs experiment with a beat, rhythm, music games, and instruments as they engage body, mind, spirit, and voice to create beautiful sounds together for the glory of the Lord!

MUSIC CAMP

Music Camp is a week of music and fun for children in second through seventh grades to come together to learn and present a musical for the St. Paul congregation and Louisville community. Children are taught basic musical concepts, vocal techniques, and are able to participate in drama, folk dance, music games, outdoor games, and crafts. The goal is for children to find joy in worshiping the Lord through music.

55

55

130

325

Children joined one of three children’s choirs.

Volunteers served at 2017 Vacation Bible School.

Children attended 2017 Vacation Bible School.

Children attended St. Paul Kids events: Easter Eggapalooza, Fall Festival, and Breakfast with Santa.

10% FROM 2015-16

8.33% FROM 2016 VBS

“

CAN WE JUST SING MUSIC CAMP SONGS

ALL THE TIME? -Music Camper

YOUTH

The youth at St. Paul have many different personalities and interests, but one of the clearest ways you can see their commonality is in their willingness to say “yes” when it comes to living as disciples. While on the FUSION 2017 tour (a week-long trip the youth choir and youth group take annually), the Youth Choir sang at the Bowery Mission, a shelter serving homeless and hungry New Yorkers and at-risk children. While there, the youth interacted with the many participants in their ministry and led the Bowery’s noon worship. Many of the youth volunteered to pray with these men and women who had come to the Bowery to be fed. Many of the attendees were homeless or seeking a place for recovery.

Again and again, these youth moved beyond their comfort zone to share the love of Christ. They do not sit idly by when they’re called to put their faith into action. They do not complain when it’s inconvenient to put their faith into action. These youth seize the opportunities placed in front of them by saying “yes.” They travel outside of their homes to meet people who are different from themselves; they demonstrate compassion and understanding.

They are dedicated to living their faith and exploring their spirituality and should be encouraged as they continue to say. These youth are not the church of the future, they are the church of the present.

“

EVERYONE AT ST. PAUL IS LIKE FAMILY TO ME. I CAN BE MYSELF THERE.

I LOVE ST. PAUL

AND I FEEL SO LUCKY TO BE INVOLVED IN IT. -Julia Burns, St. Paul Member

In addition to Youth Group, St. Paul offers Youth Choir for its 7th-12th grade students. Youth Choir allows students to explore their musical gifts in service to God. Through learning about church history through its music and hymnody, as well as the different ways scriptures are illuminated by the vocal and choral art, students are able to make connections with one another, the Church, and with God.

FUSION 2017 TOUR

The FUSION Tour is an annual tradition for the youth at St. Paul. Nearly every year the youth group and the youth choir combine to take a week long trip, sharing their musical talents in concerts and completing mission projects.

MILES WERE TRAVELED

“

ST. PAUL IS A GREAT PLACE

FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. ST. PAUL HAS TURNED INTO

A 2ND HOME FOR ME AND FOR THE REST OF MY FAMILY.

ST. PAUL OFFERS SO MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES

TO EXPERIENCE GOD.

WHETHER IT BE A CHURCH SERVICE,

BASKETBALL, OR EVEN ROLLING A BURRITO. -Jonathan French, St. Paul Member

JERSEY

FUSION 2017

ATTENDEES PERFORMED AND DID MISSION WORK IN:

NEW

49 1,728

PEOPLE ATTENDED

NIA

PENNSYLVA

VIRGINIA

RK

NEW YO

BEFORE RETURNING HOME TO

5 7 23 28 32 384 $15,258

KENTUCKY

GRADUATING SENIORS STUDENTS CONFIRMED

ST. PAUL YOUTH attended

Camp Loucon, a UMC camp in Leitchfield, Kentucky.

AVERAGE NUMBER of

youth who attended Youth Group on Sunday nights.

YOUTH as cast members in the 2017 Louisville Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival.

HOURS VOLUNTEERED by youth for Upward Basketball & Cheer.

DONATED by 92 people to the Youth Futures fund, providing support for youth mission and activities.

TRANSITIONS

This past year hasn’t been without its share of transitions. After 9 years of service at St. Paul, the Kentucky United Methodist Conference called then Senior Pastor, Rev. Gary Gibson, to the position of District Superintendent to serve the Heartland District. In this position, Rev. Gary supports the work of the many United Methodist churches in the Louisville area.

Shortly after we said farewell to Rev. Gary, as we welcomed Rev. Darren Brandon as the 19th Senior Pastor at St. Paul. St. Paul very loudly said yes to having Rev. Darren join the St. Paul community. They made meals, wrote cards, and shared kind words as he stepped into the role of Senior Pastor. In return, Rev. Darren has enthusiastically said yes to supporting this congregation in their continuous journey of spiritual development.

We also said farewell to Jim Rittenhouse, Associate Director of Music Ministries, who served St. Paul for 21 years. In August Jim accepted the role of Director of Music at Second Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Jim will always be a beloved part of St. Paul and everyone here knows that he will continue to do great things, as he moves into a new role.

St. Paul’s very own Karla Temple (formerly St. Paul’s Children’s Music Director), followed Jim in his role as Associate Director of Music Ministries, and accepted Jim’s role with the St. Paul Chancel Choir and began directing Youth Choir, in addition to the Children’s Choirs. As a multi-talented individual, Jim also led the KOINONIA service every Sunday. Following his departure, Lori Elbert (formerly St. Paul’s Worship Assistant) expanded her responsibilities to become the Director of KOINONIA Worship.

“

ST. PAUL IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE IT KEEPS MY FAMILY AND ME FOCUSED ON A GOD-CENTERED LIFE. THE ST. PAUL FAMILY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT OTHERS AND BE SUPPORTIVE IN OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.

OUR ST. PAUL FAMILY CALLS ME TO STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE TO BE AN INSTRUMENT FOR GOD, ENRICHING MY LIFE IN WAYS NOTHING ELSE CAN, TO DEPTHS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY UNIMAGINABLE. -Ellen Timm, St. Paul Member

FINANCES

2017 BUDGET EXPENSES PROPERTY $335,816

WORSHIP & MUSIC $284,152

22%

26%

13%

20%

19%

MISSION

$245,404

ADMINISTRATION $167,908

DISCIPLESHIP $258,320

TOTAL 2017 EXPENSES

$1,291,600

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE KENTUCKY CONFERENCE

$143,022

St. Paul’s contributions to the Kentucky Conference fund mission and ministry happening in our region, nation, and world, such as: camp and retreats, college ministries, natural disaster relief, and minister education.

NON-BUDGETED GIVING BY ST. PAUL MEMBERS

$57,396.87 ENDOWMENT

AS OF JUNE 2017

31%

The St. Paul community went above and beyond this past year. On top of donations made directly to St. Paul, this community also contributed to the Portland Promise Center, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, and the Good Samaritan Fund -- which provides emergency assistance.

$1,157,000

OF ALL GIVING TO ST. PAUL IS GIVEN ELECTRONICALLY

28 NEW PLEDGES IN 2017 263 GIVERS WITH PLEDGES 580 GIVERS 6,351TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2000 DOUGLASS BOULEVARD LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40205

NONPROFIT THING