2019 Annual Report S t .
T h o m a s '
C h u r c h ,
W h i t e m a r s h
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Over the years, I have had many different addresses but not all those places have been “home” for me. I wonder, where home is for you? Is it a street address or a comfortable chair, a scenic view or a particular food? We can associate home with so many aspects of our lives. Each of us has a yearning deep within to find a home, a place where we are most fully ourselves, fully alive. Jesus promises that he will prepare a place for us “so that where I am, there you may be also.” St. Augustine reminds us that “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they find our rest in thee.” We all seek a home. Having a place we call home is important for our emotional and spiritual health. We who have made our home at St. Thomas’s are always being invited more deeply into communion with God and one another. The Congregational Assessment Tool (C.A.T.) has suggested five promises we can live by as we move into our preferred future together. I offer them for your consideration:
Promise #1: We will create a church where worship experiences are exceptional in their ability to inspire, engage and enrich our spiritual lives.
Promise #2: We will create a church experience where involvement is good for the soul instead of leading to disillusionment or disappointment.
Promise #3: We will create a church experience where every person understands the significance of his or her life in the universe and is supported in fulfilling the purpose for which they were born.
Promise #4: We will create a church experience where people live in peace with one another by resolving conflict in ways that are respectful and restorative.
Promise #5: We will create a church where persons experience leaders who listen deeply with open hearts and make courageous decisions with good intentions.
How will we live into these promises? What skills or assistance do we need to build this home? These promises are not for someone to come and impose upon us; each begins with “We”. You and I, are part and parcel of the Body of Christ, now. We are given the work to help build a home where all can flourish and we do this by listening, risking, forgiving, and beginning again. This is the holy work of building a home centered in Christ’s love and we can accomplish this work with God’s help. Think about these five promises and how you can play your part in making them a reality. Faithfully yours,
Paul+
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Our Vestry is working towards five primary goals during our transition that have been focused and refined according to input from the parish:
1
Develop a more collaborative approach to leadership decisions, and normalize our leadership and governance model towards episcopal polity which empowers the laity to discern vision and mission in shared ministry with clergy;
2 3 4 5
Set optimal conditions for successful shared ministry partnership with our next rector, and with open hearts, allow God's call to come to life in our church and in our lives;
Sharpen our vision and mission to ensure that we are all working towards the same goals;
Become more spiritually grounded in all our ministries; and,
Continue growing a culture of generosity.
Steps toward Goals 1 & 2 during 2019 entailed the following:
We identified that the process of decision-making in our church needs more clarity and collaboration. To address these needs, we have clarified roles and responsibilities among and between our Vestry and its committees and ministries, and we will continue this work in 2020. We established written frameworks for our work together, and we all gained broader perspectives and greater understanding through our reconciliation process. We are thankful for the able and reliable support of the Bishop and his staff in this work.
We made strides towards reducing big long-term issues such as capital planning and operational considerations that might have become insurmountable by future leaders if left unaddressed. We have focused on reducing these issues, recognizing that many of them have taken shape over 50 years and that the solutions will take more than one year to design and implement.
We created new systems for recording and communicating our Vestry's resolutions and decisions. These include our new online governance library, which contains our clerk’s Vestry Resolutions Register. We updated our church by-laws. We created a Vestry Handbook which our future vestries will inherit and build upon. We are pleased to introduce the Vestry Handbook on our new governance website. Continued on next page.
Here’s a look ahead to our Vestry’s work for 2020 as we heartily welcome and embrace our new Rector:
Remembering always that we are spiritual community that values each of our members, we will find multiple avenues to communicate with transparency about our leadership model, our decisionmaking process, and will seek to increase collaboration in that process.
Guided by expert facilitators, we will adopt new, healthy strategies towards reconciliation of tensions and conflict within our parish.
We will continue to discern our Vision & Mission; we will ensure that each ministry is aligned towards that goal; we will publish updated
We invite you to review an illustration on the page following this report.
Vestry charges to all committees during the Fall; and we will publish an updated Ministry Guide that welcomes parishioners into the worship, life and governance of our church.
Having embarked into assessments that will enable a thoughtful Strategic Plan for our campus, we will identify a long-range capital plan for our property that is mission-aligned and minimizes longterm liabilities, so that we may apply our church's resources to their greatest impact.
We will set about quarterly conferences of wardens and committee chairs to support initiatives which foster collaborations between committees.
We will celebrate our many successes throughout this journey; we'll say 'thank you" to those who diligently apply their talents in service to our promised future; and we will give thanks for the ways that God is moving among us and working through each of us in our life together as a faithful community.
This is the church God has entrusted to US, and together we will realize our best future for shared ministry. I’m here for you and I invite both your prayer and your phone call. Faithfully,
Jim Jim Pasquarella Senior Warden
Labyrinth Resurfacing
Preschool
Mac's Cafe Barn Volunteers
Family Table
Choristers Senior Christmas Luncheon
Flower Guild
Family Table
Palm Sunday
Parish Sing Along
Hershey Park Trip
Pastoral Care Commission
Second Saturday Sales
Haas Hall
Visit from Bob Goff
Fourth of July Celebration
Afternoon Light in the Church
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Preschool Summer Camp
Christmas Eve
Highlights:
Worship and Arts
St. Thomas’ is blessed with a large group of congregants, who take part in worship leadership as members of our altar and flower guilds, needlepoint kneelers, choirs, readers, greeters, ushers, acolytes, chalice bearers, and vergers.
The Music Ministry has flourished with 25 adult choir members, and 15 choristers.
Commission Chairs: Mikie Fernley Nicole Riter
Commission Members: Debbie Flavell Beverly Johnson
In addition to the gorgeous repertoire of music on a weekly basis, which
Curtis Welsh
reflects the spiritual readings of the Gospel and Psalms, we held a variety of music offerings such as Evensong, a poignant Requiem concert in November, and the meditative “Lessons and Carols” in December.
Michael Smith carried out an exciting initiutive programming at 50% of the music performed by female composers.
Vestry Liaison: Elizabeth Bitterman
Clergy Liaison: Paul Briggs
Our pews are graced with over 190 beautifully completed needlepoint kneelers, with the last few in the finishing stages.
Minister of Music: Michael Smith
Bishop's Visitation
Family Table Baptism
& Youth Confirmation
Blessing of the Animals
Flower Guild
Christmas Eve
Pastoral Care Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good, Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world. - Theresa of Avila (1515-1582)
All Pastoral Care ministries were active in 2019. Flowers, cards, meals and prayer shawls were delivered; Stephen Ministers and LEV’s visited parishioners; and confidential prayers were offered daily.
Highlights: 100 cards and personal notes were sent to St. Thomas’ members and families for baptisms, confirmations, marriages, anniversaries, congratulations, welcomes, farewells, deaths; 750 were sent to celebrate birthdays.
30+ members of our Silent Prayer Chain prayed daily for those requesting confidential prayers. Some Silent Prayer participants are active parishioners; others may no longer be able to attend services, due to relocation or health concerns, but continue to participate in our community in this most meaningful and powerful manner.
The LEV team grew. Tim Steeves, with the assistance of Dennis Bingham, facilitated the training of 8 new Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV’s), bringing the congregational total of LEV’s to 12. New communion boxes were purchased. Following communion at Sunday services, LEV’s receive the portable communion box, are blessed by the priest and go, on behalf of the congregation, to share the Body of Christ with those unable to attend church.
Altar Flower Delivery: Anne Anspach Card Ministry: Karen Fox-Schneider Confidential Prayer Chain: MaryBeth O’Neill Feeding Hands Meal Ministry: Cynthia Eastlake Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Beverly Johnson Prayer Shawl Ministry/Service of Comfort & Healing: Jeff Korn Stephen Ministry: Deb Buck Commission Chair: Jane Hamilton Clergy Liaison: Tim Steeves Vestry Liaison: Jeff Korn Outgoing Members: Marilyn Ward, Elizabeth Lathrop, Liz Costello
Outreach
Outreach Funds were distributed as follows:
St. Thomas’ Outreach Commission funds
Interfaith Housing Alliance Meals - $3,000
church activities and outside
ECS Christmas Party - $2,500
organizations that impact people in
Mission Possible (Youth Group Mission Trip) - $700
serious need locally, nationally and
Church of the Advocate Soup Kitchen (North Phila) - $3,000
around the world. We fund organizations
ECS Scholarships - $5,000
which meet our lead areas of focus and
Summer Camp for Urban At-Risk Youth - $4,500
help nurture the spiritual growth of
Fall Harvest Fest - $3,200
parishioners of all ages, as they act as
Honduras Water Mission - $8,000
the hands and feet of Jesus. Funds are
Global Aids Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) - $3,000
distributed according to these 3 major
Our Little Roses (Honduras Orphanage) - $4,000
areas of focus:
Visiting Nurse Association - $3,000 Pac-A-Thon (International Famine Relief) - $4,358
Hunger/Housing
Meals on Wheels - $4,000
Children/Families/Education
St. James School - $4,500
Global Ministries.
Mattie Dixon Food Cupboard - $1,000 ECCP - $3,000
Outreach funding comes primarily from
Laurel House - $5,000
Second Saturday Sales (SSS) proceeds
Stand with Iraqi Christians - $1,700
which raised a record $140,360 in 2019.
Emergency Fund - $5,000
Sales of donated items at the Barn are
Aid for Friends - $2,000
conducted every second Saturday in May through November, with two sales in
St. Thomas’ Outreach (Fernley) Trust Fund:
September. Outreach receives direct
start-up grants were awarded:
contributions from parishioners and
Mitzvah Circle Foundation - $6,325
friends and conducts special events to
Stand with Iraqi Christians - $200
raise funds and fun for the community. Every year some funds are put aside to invest in our Outreach Through parishioner donations, investing
Endowment and to pay for Barn operations, deferred
funds from Second Saturday Sales, and
Maintenance and SSS marketing expenses. In 2019, we made
investment growth of the fund, the
the following allocations:
Outreach Endowment has grown to
Barn Operations - $6,449
more than $265,114 as of September
Outreach Endowment - $0
2019 and generates $10,000 in annual
SSS Marketing Expenses - $1,749
income.
Deferred Maintenance - $47,526
Chair: Kathleen Schneer
The Outreach Commission is looking forward in 2020 to kickstarting the six
Co-Chair:
step plan which will result in a new
Anne Anspach
maintenance shed and a renovated Vestry Liaison:
Barn.
Barbara Kozemchak
The Commission wishes to thank all parishioners, volunteers, and donors for
Clergy Liaison:
their support of these vital ministries that aid thousands of people in need.
Second Saturday Sale
Paul Briggs
Hondouras Water Mission
The Men of the Barn delivered a lovely sofa to this disabled Vietnam veteran who, along with his wife, was thrilled to buy it for a reasonable price. One of the Barn’s many satisfied customers!
Four of the many volunteers at the Outreach Christmas Party for families who are being helped by housing organizations in Philadelphia.
Pac - A -Thon Cooking for Church of the Advocate
Outreach Summer Camp
Adult Forum with Pete Enns
Adult Spiritual Formation Chair: Will Gillespie
Commission Members: Robert Heerdt Ben Linton
Highlights:
Roger Clark Pam Jameson Stroud Hellebusch
CS Lewis Festival, particularly the lively and insightful panel discussion by all the conference speakers
Katie Worrall Walk in Love forum series led by St. Thomas parishioners and clergy Vestry Liaison: Stacy Smith
Clergy Liaison: Paul Briggs
Outgoing Members:
Guest forum speakers Pete Enns and Rabbi Marx
Morning Prayer offered in Cheston Chapel weekdays during for the season of Lent and Advent
Looking to 2020:
Barbara Stechert Joe Culley
Challenging and equipping the laity to live into the richness of our baptismal calling
Women's Retreat
Men's Retreat
Panel of Speakers during the C.S. Lewis Festival
Children,
Ministry Highlights:
Youth, and
A Girls Friendly Society chapter was started with a core group of 19 elementary girls. GFS is an Episcopal Society that focuses
Family Ministry
on service, worship, recreation and study. Thank you for Kelly Martin, Amy Welsh, and Karen McGlinchey for their vision and leadership.
22 youth were welcomed into a deeper life in Christ through Confirmation, including Erika Bower - Children, Youth and Family Minister.
The youth community continued to grow this year through Sunday night hangouts, Diocesan Dinner Church, outreach ministries, and events.
A whole parish effort was made to increase awareness and to complete Safe Church Training.
Vacation Bible School
Chairs:
Looking to 2020:
Jeff DuBose This summer will be a time of meaningful service through the
Eileen Williams (outgoing)
international mission trip to Puerto Rico and the local mission trip through the Mission Center in Philadelphia.
Commission Members: Kelly Martin Melissa Min
Â
Epiphany Pageant
Tom Morgan Sharon Werner
Vestry Liaison: Wendy Bailey
Staff Liaison: Erika Bower
Mess Fest
Highlights: Â 125 students fill 8 classrooms with learning, laughter, and love.
St. Thomas' welcomed Dan Heishman, Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, as part of our National Episcopal Schools Week.
A new playspace was blessed and dedicated in honor of Cynthia M. Cheston, a longstanding parishioner, former board member, and Board Chair:
champion of the sacredness of children.
Dana Toedtman Four teachers celebrated significant milestones in their ministries Vice Chair
two for 20 years of service and two for 30 years of service.
and Vestry Liaison: Elizabeth Bitterman
The Preschool has gone green! All students now are required to bring reusable water bottles.
Member-at-Large: Kelly Culley
Episcopal Schools Week Celebration
Secretary: Brenda Bott
Treasurers: Justin Capetola Ken Wilson
Property: Dan Ryan
POST (Parents of St. Thomas) Joanne Palombo Sarah Merrick Sara O’Donnell
Preschool Director:
STEAM Room
Shari Petrakis Summer Camp Clergy Liaison: Paul Briggs
stthomaspreschoolpa.com
Welcome Therefore welcome one another as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7
Highlights:
Gatherings added and planned. The year 2019 saw the beginning of Coffee with Clergy, held on four Sundays per year at 9am, between the 8am and 10am
Coffee with Clergy
services. These fun and informative gatherings help open the door for prospective and new members to gather with longtime members and clergy to
Looking to 2020:
learn more about St. Thomas’ Church. Paul will begin a series of Inquirer’s In October, we held our first annual dinner for members
classes in March which will offer a way to
of the commission, newcomers and clergy. This event
guide newcomers through the Episcopal
presented another opportunity for members and
Church as well as familiarizing them with
newcomers to gather and get to know each other.
St. Thomas.
Increased communications. Additions to the weekly
Conversations were held during our
Sunday program include the addition of a map to assist
meetings to look into more opportunities
newcomers with navigation of our campus. Emily’s cell
for joint ministries with other commissions.
phone number was added so that a newcomer could
To this end, we’ve begun preliminary
contact her immediately with a question or a request to
planning with the hospitality commission
meet with someone after church. Each week,
to host an evening at the movies to be
parishioners are reminded of the importance of making
held in the fall of 2020 at the Ambler
contact with visitors and newcomers and of being the
Theater.
voice of invitation. In addition, the program includes green boxes that explain various aspects of the service.
Welcome packets are available in the narthex and at family table. Each pew now contains visitor cards, welcome cards and information cards. Tissues are available in each pew and water is available in the narthex.
Chairs: Cheryl Brown Brenda Bott
Members:
Beverley Forde
Staff Liaison:
Ann Bamford
Bevan Moscovici
Emily Given
Debbie Buck
Kirk Garber
Rachele Foley
Dana Toedtman
Vestry Liaison: Rick Ward
Senior Christmas Luncheon
Hospitality
Highlights:
Hosted a Homecoming Picnic in the grove that was very well attended, multigenerational and nurtured wonderful community. Partnered with the Outreach Commission and made, transported and served a lunch for 110 ten people at the Church for The Advocate Soup Kitchen. Created a festive and happy Senior’s Christmas luncheon that was served by the church staff and enjoyed by all. Chair:
 Looking to 2020:
Neal Pratt
Vestry Liaison: The kitchen in the Parish House is used by a variety of people and organizations, and the Hospitality Commission wants it to be user-friendly. This year our emphasis will be on insuring all major appliances are properly
Chris Russell
Clergy Liaison: Paul Briggs
cared for and in good working order.
Homecoming Picnic
Buildings and Hardscapes Highlights:
As part of St. Thomas' Church lives into its commitment to the Episcopal Church's Genesis Covenant (to lower our carbon footprint 50% in 10 years) the following steps were taken: Solar Panel Task Force with representatives of BHC successfully recommended and Vestry approved construction of a solar field. A program of replacing light bulbs on campus was initiated to use LED-type bulbs to reduce electrical use. HVAC study of several campus buildings was commissioned and completed.
Carillon playing cabin re-painted and carpet replaced in preparation for the international carillon event in summer 2020.
Masonry repairs made to Cheston Chapel.
Developed 6 phase plan in concert with Outreach Commission for improvements to the Barn and building of new maintenance shed to free up room in Barn for SSS: Build new maintenance building towards McNeil Clean out and upgrade current maintenance area then turn over to SSS Demo 3 bay garage Repair ramp and walls Build new addition for SSS in place of 3 garages Siding and window upgrades as funds allow
Driveway entrance project for Church Road entrance completed with wall, lighting and paving.
 Sacristy and robing room renovations completed, including plaster repairs, ceiling tiles, paint, flooring, cabinetry and lighting.
Compiled Building Conditions Assessment and Projected Expenses from past several years into one report with cost estimates and priorities for identified needs over next 10 years.
Buildings and Hardscapes continued.
Upgrade of existing Vector fire and security systems in building to wireless technology.
Transitions in leadership Ted Lloyd completed his tenure as Chair of BHC after 3 years of dedicated and skillful leadership. Chris Russell completed her one-year tenure as Vestry liaison and Property Warden. The Parish Administrator role experienced transition.
Looking to 2020:
Begin implementation of planned barn projects, funded from capital campaign and Second Saturday Sales, as detailed above
Complete replacement of smoke sensor system in the church nave scheduled for Mid- March
Complete installation of approximately 130 feet of new railing along the cemetery steps (church down to circle) scheduled for late February or early March in concert with the Cemetery Board.
Support the installation and commissioning of the new solar panel project.
Commission Chair: Ted Lloyd (outgoing), followed by Brookes Britcher Vestry Liaison: Joe O'Neill Staff Liaison: Tamika Gerhardt-Rodriquez
Landscape Some years it is difficult to summarize in a few bullets the highlights of the Landscape Commission over the past year. Gardens and landscape require patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them. That is where we find ourselves this year. For three years we have been planting numerous trees and shrubs and creating new gardens on our campus. We
Emily Norris Carey Learning Center Plantings
have expended effort to nurture and care for these young plantings and now in this past year they have come into their full glory. We encourage all parishioners to wander our campus this spring and summer to enjoy the beauty of our outdoor sanctuary. Specifically, we have: Planted two more memorial trees – a Coral Bark Japanese Maple and a Southern Magnolia
Hired a part-time professional gardener to attend to the care and upkeep of the memorial gardens
Hosted a party (for the second year) in the barn paddock with the community gardeners to cultivate a relationship between them and the church.
Memorial Garden
Sold plants donated by Landscape Committee members at the first Second Saturday Sale to raise over $500 with which we have purchased hoses, tree cages and shrubbery.
Chairs: Kay Sheldon Neal Pratt
Vestry Liaison: Chris Russell
Staff Liaison: Tamika Gerhardt-Rodriquez Flowering Trees in the Cemetery
Cemetery Highlights: Many headstones were repaired and several dead trees were removed. Maintenance is an ongoing process, especially after high winds and storms.
Two display boxes were made and donated by Tim Russell. One was placed at the Camp Hill Road entrance, the other at the Church Road and Bethlehem Pike entrance.
Two plaques were ordered for the memorial benches at the entrance to the Inurnment Garden.
The History Committee gave a tour of the Cemetery in late October with the approval of the Board. It was well-attended and enjoyed by all. We received upsetting news in late November that a car plowed into section I of the cemetery, destroying or dislodging 16+ headstones and uncovering and crushing one over box of cremains. Damage has been assessed and insurance claims are in process.
Looking to 2020: Chairman Bill Potts The church received a generous donation to Vestry Liaison Chris Russell Staff Liaison Tamika Gerhard-Rodriguez
have a railing installed on the south hill walk through of the cemetery. Drawings for it are being worked on and it should installed in Spring of 2020.
Advent Festival
Confirmation Mentorship
Summer Outreach Camp
Bingo Night to Benefit Our Little Roses
Blessing of the Animals
Historic Cemetery
Outreach Christmas Party Family Table
10:00 AM Worship
Confirmation Class Cooking for Church of the Advocate
St. Thomas' Preschool
Homecoming Picnic
Julie Lawson and Paul Briggs
History Committee
Admiring a 1800s School Book
"Preserving Our Past for Our Future"
Accomplishments since 2018:
Safeguarding and Archiving original 18th and 19th century documents, ranging from 1742 to 1890s
Establishing a close relationship with The Highlands Historical Society, a Georgian mansion where the Sheaff family lived for over a century
Extensive research on Ellen Sheaff, one of our most important benefactors in the 19th century and the founder of our 1855 Schoolhouse
Cemetery Tours hosted by Ginny and Tom Benner.
Looking to 2020:
more tours and presentations--creation of displays of our archived materials
Chair: Julie Lawson
Chair Emeritus: Dick Lee
Members: Susan Anderson Ginny Benner Tom Benner Dianne Forman Bill Potts Katie Worrall
Of Counsel: Paul Briggs Emily Given Jim Pasqueralla
Julie Lawson dressed as Ellen Sheaff
Ginny Benner Leading the October Cemetery Tour
Whitemarsh Learning Vestry formed the Whitemarsh Learning Advisory Committee ("WLAC") to provide church leadership with guidance in the use and operation of the School House building. WLAC works together with other committees in conducting its work and making recommendations to Vestry.
During 2019, WLAC identified areas of the building to be rented at affordable rents to practitioners who help people in personal growth and healthy living.
Three meeting rooms in the building remain available for church ministry: Ellen Sheaff's 1855 Schoolhouse, the Gallery Meeting Room and Lounge, and the learning Lab Activity Room. Those three rooms are also rented to civic groups and small businesses on an hourly/daily basis.
In 2019, renovations were made to the lobby and former auditorium, to allow for usable meeting room space that affords simultaneous use of a pathway to other space throughout the building. The project was made possible by a generous contribution from a family within the church and augmented by the building’s rental income. Ted Lloyd, BHC Chair, was instrumental to this project and our committee is most grateful to Ted for his leadership and service.
The September 2019 Open House event featured a parishioner art show, in which 23 very talented parishioners shared their work. The History Commission offered an informative lesson about the history of our campus and the extraordinary leadership and legacy of the Sheaff Family.
Expected rental income from existing customers is enough to fund all of the building’s operating costs for the 2020 calendar year, so the building will not rely on any 2020 church pledge income. WLAC and BHC will identify a responsible capital plan for the building's future needs to be funded through future rental income in excess of its expenses with the goal that the building will not have reliance on pledge gifts to the church in the future.
WLAC is getting the word out about this affordable meeting venue to local community groups and small businesses.
Members:
Vestry Liaison:
Steve Bitterman
Rick Ward
Mikie Fernley Melissa Min Jim Pasquarella
Buildings and Hardscapes Liaison: Charles Horter
Solar Task Force An appropriate structure for the investment in a system was identified.
Vestry approval was secured to proceed with the project.
The Solar Task Force conducted an RFP process and selected a developer who could also serve as its financial equity partner in the project.
The Task Force supported the church's efforts to secure financial gifts to build the system.
The Task Force introduced some strategies to raise more funds in 2020 so that the church can buy out its partner's stake in the project.
The Solar Task Force completed its work this year, and is thanked for a job well done during each of its 3 years. Chair: Pam McKernan
Vestry Liaison: Jim Pasquarella
Earth Stewardship Committee In conjunction with our adoption of The Genesis Covenant, Vestry appointed this committee to lead our church towards reducing its environmental impact.
Leadership of this committee is beginning to take shape. It seeks participation from members who take an interest in this work. Please contact Jim Pasquarella.
Looking to 2020: "Most simply stated,
The Committee will: Provide learning opportunities that encourage us towards small changes in our daily lives that reduce our footprint.
the covenant challenges faith institutions to reduce the greenhouse gas
Support our Stewardship Commission in collecting gifts for St. Thomas' to own the solar system outright as soon as we are permitted to do so according to our agreement.
Design and run a docent program to educate school groups visiting our solar field and community gardens, in collaboration with our Welcome Ministry.
Support the Building and Hardscapes Commission in taking "baseline" measurements of our energy efficiency and identifying strategies to meet our goals in The Genesis Covenant.
emissions of each facility they maintain by 50% in ten years."
- episocpalchurch.org
Endowment The St. Thomas’ Endowment consists of the Church Endowment (two funds), the Cemetery Endowment, and twenty designated and/or restricted funds. The 23 funds are comingled, managed by PNC and overseen by the committee. All 23 funds are tracked, accounted for and reported individually on a monthly basis by PNC.
The investment strategy for the endowment is to generate current operating funds for the church and provide for growth in principal, above inflation, over the long term. As of December 31, 2019 the market value of the total endowment was $7,090,310. The asset allocation of the endowment has varied over time. As of December 31, 2019 the endowment was allocated as follows: Cash 4.2%, Bonds 19.6%, Stocks 71.0%, and Alternatives 5.2%.
In 2019 the total payout from the Endowment to the church was $141,429 and to the cemetery was $80,067, for a total of $221,496. This was calculated using the current withdrawal rate of 4.00% of the trailing three-year average endowment value. The committee reviews the endowment withdrawal rate annually in the context of St. Thomas' operating needs, expected investment rates of return, inflation, and growth of principal objectives. Given the prospect of muted investment returns and higher (albeit manageable) inflation, the committee recommended that the Vestry lower the annual withdrawal rate for 2020 to 3.85% in an effort to maintain the endowment's long-term purchasing power. The Vestry approved this recommendation.
Chair:
Members:
Ben Archer
Joe Culley Bill Lutz
Vestry Liaisons:
George Riter
Steve Elliott
Charlie Weeks
Jim Pasquarella
Will Woolbert
Stewardship
Highlights: Chair: Joe Culley
Vestry Liaison: Ginger Goodrich
Staff Liaison: Emily Given
Members: Pem Hutchinson
296 adult pledges and 10 children/youth pledges were made by members as a sign of their gratitude to God and in support of the ministries of St. Thomas' Church.
The Stewardship Commission, Vestry and staff were energized by their work with Rick Felton, Executive Director of the Episcopal Network for Stewardship.
Bob Jones Don Scheiber Bill Potts Scott Watson
Looking to 2020: Continue to invite a broader base of participation in annual giving and lead the congregation into a year-long sense of stewardship of resources.
Rick Felton Training Stewardship Team
Stewardship Chairs Past & Present
Baptisms (23) Luke Stanley Plevyak Payton Young
Marriages (3) Karen Louise Cestari & Patrick Joseph Kenney
James Claypoole Gadsden Christopher Henry Gadsden Flynn James Lavallee
Mary Lou Weiss & James M. Rowan
Anna Lucy Holms Ella Lucas Holms August Daniel Arbogast
Hailey Ann-Richelle McDowell & Jeffrey Aaron Williams
Wyeth Fitzpatrick Arbogast Oliver Smith Conroy Joseph Aloysius Kenney, IV Nicholas William Moore William Walsh Nichols
Burials (33)
Malcolm James Dunlop Noel Cooper Sager
Patricia Anne Buckley
Wyatt Sager
Henry Yale Toland, Jr.
Cruz Axel Breish
Allison Leigh McCool
Jaxon Black Breish
Howard Henry McConnell, Jr.*
Ellie Barker
Jean Lillian Craig*
Richard Howard Bradbury, III
Joyce T. Strawbridge
Nola Gospodarek
Calvin Daniel Baker, Sr.*
Leo Albert Hudson
Raymond Edward Dawes*
Karina Grace Hedetniemi
Henry Norris Platt, Jr. William Scott McCoy Claire J. O’Neill*
Confirmations (22)
Jackie Strawbridge Hunsicker Elisa Maria Marshall*
Morgan Blanche Hellebusch
Philip Presper Breish
Connor Christian Dinda
Peter W. Atkinson
Jake Padraig McGinchey
Chatham R. Wheat, IV
Blake David Lyntton
Jane Beadle*
John Patrick Morris
Marie Louise Reese*
Maisie Somerby Weiss
Robert L. Scott*
Lindsey Kate Weiler
Barbara G. Stith
Jack Miller Sanderson
Betty Jane Pepper Toland
Lucy Kay Sanderson
Mary-Lee Pabst
Zachary Aaron Kaller
William F. Pabst, Jr.
Grace Elizabeth O’Malley
Thomas C. Robinson, Jr.
Samantha Ann Fernley
Ann Meyer Buck
Colin Manuel Leon
Katherine Claghorn*
Seamus Patrick Golden
Ellwood Franklin Jones, Jr.*
Sara Kathryn SoHyun Min
Dalton Bradley Packer
Olivia Byrne Potts
John Butler Prizer, Jr.
William Pietro Bosca
Harry Robert MacCord
MacGregor Slack Jordan
Eleanor Butler
Erika Jeanette Bower
The Rev. Richard O. Partington
Philip Yeaton Richardson
Audrey Nichols*
James Washington Thomas Julianna Mary Thomas
*denotes parish member
Easter Flowers
Epiphany One Big Church
Homecoming Picnic
Church of the Advocate Feeding Ministries
Confirmation Living Stories Video Series
s t t h o m a s w h i t e m a r s h . o r g