MINIST CHAIRPERSON REPORTS
Trinity Episcopal Church
2017 Annual Report Progressive * Inclusive* Creative* Downtown
Beloved Friends, The pages of this 2017 Annual Report contain pictures and words sharing another year of life in this community of faith. They are not definitive, and we have surely missed many moments, and have, no doubt, made unintentional mistakes. And yet it is our hope they are enough to share the profound and life-changing elements of what it means to belong to each other, to a community, and to a God that keeps pulling us forward in love. We live in a culture where the dominant voices would have us deny our primal need for connection and belonging. Thankfully, Trinity continues to offer a counterpoint to the narrative of rugged individualism by inviting authentic connection and constantly encouraging us to reach out to others with generous hearts, open minds and a willingness to give and receive love. Dying to self in order to be born again for a life of service, connection, courage and compassion has been Trinity’s invitation for over a 175 years in downtown Toledo. And while many things have changed since 1842, we are still being called to seek out and find ways to Love God, Love each other and Change the World. I pray this Annual Report is a poignant snapshot, not of perfection or a finished product, but rather, a collection of moments in time spent trying to live into that invitation. To those who have come before us, thank you for carving out the path. For those who are traveling with us now, thank you for staying the course. And for those just discovering our community, thank you for being here and Welcome Home! May all of us find the courage to let down our guard, open our hearts and “move in” to this spiritual home we create together each and every time two or more are gathered in Christ’s name. We hope the following words and pictures paint an exciting picture of Trinity. And at the same time, we know nothing can compare to the actual experience of coming together for good and for God. So, for that reason, I end this introduction with the theme of this booklet taken from Jesus’ response to the disciples when asked where he was staying. He said to them, as we do as well, “COME AND SEE!” May you never forget that you are loved. Lisa The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector 2
Table of Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................2 Table of Contents and Agenda...........................................................................................3 Draft Minutes Annual Meeting 2017 ............................................................................... 4-5 Rector’s Report….…………………………………………………………………… ...... 6-8 Sr. Warden Remarks…………………………………………………………….............9-10 Rector Search Report…………………………………………………………… ............ ..11 Vestry Report .................................................................................................................... ...12 175th Anniversary & Diocese Bicentennial Celebrations……………… ............... ...….13 Guild & Ministry Reports ............................................................................................. 14-16 Music, Arts & Liturgy………………………………………………………................ 17-18 Building Future Task Force………………………………………………… ..................19 Building and Grounds…………………………………………………… .......................21 Building Partners…………………………………………………… ...........................…22 Annual Giving Report .......................................................................................................23 Financials .............................................................................................................................24 Budget…………………………………………………………………… ................……..25 Parish & Worship Statistics ..............................................................................................26 Vestry Slate..........................................................................................................................28
2018 Annual Meeting Agenda Organization ................................................................... The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Call to Order Certification of Quorum Appointment: Secretary Approval of Minutes of 2017 Annual Meeting Recognition of Out-going & ContinuingVestry Members .......................Keith Burris Scott Dibling, Gary Franklin Elections of New Vestry Members ........................................................... Gary Franklin Vestry Slate Class of 2021 (3-year term): Keith Burris, Darrell Cousino, Jill Hunt (1-year term): Dennis Degnan Acknowledgement of Written Reports ........................................ Karen Webb-Johnson Senior And Junior Wardens’ Remarks ..........................Gary Franklin & Keith Burris Rector’s Closing Remarks ............................................. The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Final Blessing, Dismissal & Adjournment ................ The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray 3
Minutes of the 174rd Annual Parish Meeting Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo, Ohio Sunday, January 22, 2017 The annual Parish Meeting of Trinity Episcopal Church was called to order by Interim Rector the Rev. Julie Beitelschees at 10:50am, following worship. Becky Roth was appointed clerk for the meeting. Julie led the assembly in a prayer for the work at hand. The minutes of the February 7, 2016 annual parish meeting were presented. A motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Marsha Manon and seconded by Jane Bueche. The motion was approved by a voice vote in favor. Trust Officer Greg Shumaker presented a financial report. The balance in the parish trust funds fell by approximately 2.9% as $450,000 was spent on capital projects. An additional $150,000 for building needs was borrowed from KeyBank, increasing our loan balance to almost $482,000. As proposed, the 2017 budget is expected to result in a deficit of just over $28,000. Personnel expenses may be affected by the cost of hiring and moving a new rector. The Jobst Foundation trustees were extremely generous this year, increasing their grant to $80,000. Greg recognized Jane Bueche’s faithful service as our parish accountant for over 20 years. He answered a question about Trinity’s spending policy, and Office Manager Jamie Rye answered a question about Next to New funds set aside for possible future blanket-making. Outgoing Junior Warden Hugh Grefe presented a report on the candidates for the four vestry vacancies. Four names were placed in nomination: Gary Franklin and Becky Roth standing for 3-year renewal terms, and Peggy Heider and Alice Todd seeking first terms. A motion was made by Jeff Albright and seconded by Darl Crawford to elect by acclamation the slate presented. The motion was approved by a voice vote in favor. Hugh also briefly commented on the parish finances. He reminded the group that we are called to respond to God’s generosity with our own, as our generous predecessors did. Bicentennial Missioner Jolene Miller explained the diocesan campaign tagged “What’s your 200?” to individually and corporately mark the 200 th year of the Diocese of Ohio. Our vestry has identified the community 200s for the year: we will feed 200 people at St. Paul’s Community Center; make 200 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Food for Thought; sign and send 200 pastoral care cards; log 200 total miles walked in Trinity’s building along designated walking courses; write out 200 verses of scripture in a common location; and make a collaborative piece of art for use on Pentecost from 200 brushstrokes. Jolene invited parishioners to choose their own 200s for this 200 th anniversary year. Pastor Beitelschees offered brief rector’s remarks. She encouraged everyone in the parish to participate in the culture survey beginning Feb. 6 conducted by Leadership Toledo. She will lead a confirmation class on 3 consecutive Wednesday evenings in February for anyone interested in understanding the Episcopal Church better or in being confirmed, received into the church, or reaffirming their faith. Wednesday night offerings will continue in Lent with a discussion of Henry Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. 4
We will have a visit from Bishop Williams on the Sunday after Easter. Senior Warden Gary Franklin expressed gratitude for the work and love that Julie has offered the Trinity community, which was affirmed by those present with warm and plentiful applause. He also thanked the Communications Committee for its work on the new Trinity website. He directed the group to his written comments in the annual report, and asked for an update from the Search Team. Search Team co-chair Becky Roth named and thanked the members of the committee. She said that rector candidates talking with the diocesan Canon for Ministry want to know one thing about Trinity: are we serious about making the changes needed to follow God’s call to serve our city? Before adjournment, a question was raised about crumbling plaster in one corner of the building. Hugh Grefe responded that few of our building issues exist in isolation; they need to be considered in an overall plan for the repair, maintenance and use of Trinity’s space. The Building Futures Task Force will begin meeting next month to plan holistically for the future of the building and the plaza to support God’s mission in downtown Toledo. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded and then approved by a voice vote in favor. The meeting adjourned at 11:35am. Respectfully submitted, Becky Roth, Clerk Pro Tem
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2017 Rector’s Annual Report To Be Open This is the setting out. The leaving of everything behind. Leaving the social milieu. The preconceptions. The definitions. The language. The narrow field of vision. The expectations. No longer expecting relationships, memories, words or letters to mean what they used to mean. To be, in a word: Open. If you think you know what you will find, Then you will find nothing. If you expect nothing, then you will always be surprised. and able to bless the One who creates the world anew each morning. So it is with setting out on the path of liberation, leaving everything. -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Honey From the Rock: Visions of Jewish Mystical Renewal Beloved Friends, How is it possible that we have come to our first Annual Meeting together? In the blink of an eye we have shared nearly 5 months of worship, music, prayer, laughter, rich conversation, a ton of meetings, outreach efforts, special liturgies, and now some memorial services since we began together in September. Many have welcomed me into your homes, or to your hospital bed, or sat in my office trusting me with your sacred stories. For every minute of this first chapter together I give thanks and praise to God. Coming here to serve with and among you has been and continues to be nothing short of a miracle for me—to have found a ministry so strongly resonating with my passions, my clarity of purpose, my yearning to grow more faithful all within a progressive, inclusive and creative community in a downtown context is truly astounding. And so here we are together, and now we truly begin. We have already stepped on each other’s toes a bit- as new dance partners often do, and for the willing ness to forgive and laugh and continue to figure out these new steps of the dance together I offer my most heartfelt gratitude. I have spent much of this first chapter of our story observing, listening and asking a lot of questions. I have tried to attend every committee meeting multiple times, meet one on one with as many leaders as possible, work with current staff, and start spending time out in our beautiful and vibrant Toledo community. I have been curious about what we do and why we do it, and have tried to attend to all of it with humility and courage; humility to remember that there are always multiple right answers and ways of approaching every situation as well as courage to lead us forward willing to take the risk of sometimes disappointing a few for the health and good of the community overall. We have gathered together a number of times for conversation on Sunday mornings in between services and I have thoroughly enjoyed the work we have started to do in that kind of a setting. I have introduced some of the seminal work I have found to be useful in congregations including: Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations, Dan & Chip Heath’s Switch, Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, and perhaps the most significant, Zingerman’s process for Crafting a Vision of Greatness. Many participated in a hands-on exercise writing “Postcards from the Future” and the results were gloriously creative and exciting. We will use those postcards as our conversations continue, and in this next year we will carve out more time and intention to move forward unpacking the potential of what these resources might hold for us. We have also been attending to what I would call some more tangible expressions of our shared ministry. These activities could be loosely categorized into three important areas of our common life; purpose, identity and systems. With the help of many members we have worked through a wonderful season of laying a strong foundation for the coming year. 6
2017 Rector’s Annual Report (con’t.) Purpose & Vision
Episcopal identity in worship, polity and welcome
System audits, assessments, reviews & revisions
Staff assessment and review Reviewed current staff and positions; worked with vestry and personnel committee to craft hiring process; hired new: -Communications Coordinator -Parish Administrator -Community Outreach & Development Director Full interview and team developed process for Parish Administrator position; position filled January 15.
Worship Review and discernment in Sunday worship; ongoing worship planning and conversation continues about living into a creative and expansive expression of our Episcopal tradition. Lent 1 - will move to a single Sunday service time to build community. Wednesday Mid-week Eucharist returned liturgy to Eucharist with Healing Prayers- new worship booklet and format.
Vestry meetings & conversations including garnering a list of one-onone initial stakeholder conversations; 2018 will explore new commission structure for increased engagement and efficiency. Financial Review Attended Finance Committee meetings, one on one meetings with Bookkeeper & Trust Fund Manager to gain clarity and offer support; provided Church Finance Overviews for Vestry and Parish week prior to Annual Meeting. Communications Initiated Website Redesign project; called together new Trinity Media Team; Hired Post Communications for website design, hosting and ChurchPost email tool to initiate Feb 2018
Introduced different liturgical elements into worship to explore and claim our Episcopal identity within the context of being a “progressive, inclusive, creative” church downtown.
Support of Buildings & Grounds work attending to the needs of the physical plant and the numerous building projects planned and in the pipeline including: Front Entry/Plaza Restoration project, ADA compliant ramp installment and Next to New Awning/Covering Sound System Multiple sound engineers have visited to assess current equipment & challenges and next steps are being considered. Computer/Technology audit Current software and hardware have been assessed and upgrades continue to ensure the necessary tools for our ministry are working and available.
Exploration/Experimenting Building Partners with seating in main nave Relationships with Leadership (seating area)- still living into Toledo, Food for Thought, the challenges and possibilities AA, Actor’s Collaborative of of flexible seating in a space Toledo all continue and will not yet compatible be engaged more acoustically with desire to intentionally with the create new/ancient patterns of addition of a new how we gather. Community Outreach & Development Coordinator. Liturgical arts through the Trinity Pages- welcome focus seasons Designed new weekly insert Ordinary time, Advent, for announcements separate Christmas from the worship bulletin to Each offered a time to encourage take-home and more information sharing experiment with new colors, across ministries. Along with fabrics, seating offering a way a weekly Welcome message to live more deeply into the to visitors. particular invitation of the church season. 7
2017 Rector’s Annual Report (Con’t.) But above and beyond all these “doings” we have attended to in this first season together, what has been significantly more important to me is attending to our relationships, our collective “being,” both individually and as a community. I am so grateful for the gift of being grafted into this community, the Body of Christ, “building itself up in love” (Ephesians 16). In some ways the work of a priest job is no different than many of yours’- we run out of time, forget to prioritize, attend to what is burning and not always to what needs careful tending to be born- a new class or project, a new relationship, a connection in the community, an idea that requires creative time or simply making time to be still. But in other ways the work of a priest is so different because again and again priests are invited into some of the most beautiful, vulnerable, sacred and tender places of life; birth, death, illness, heartache, triumph, doubt, anger and joy. A parish priest is called to hold tight to the mystery of God’s love and humbly take that love into the places where there are no answers much of the time, but rather a need for presence and spiritual companionship on the journey. It is truly a gift and honor to bear that mantle and be invited into those liminal moments of life. A number of years ago I made the decision, with God’s persistent prodding, to leave serving on a diocesan staff. It was once again our then young daughter who spoke truth to me cutting through the jargon we adults seem to crave, and simply asked a clarifying question from her particular perspective. After explaining I had been called to serve in a single parish as their priest rather than continue helping the bishop with all of the churches in the diocese, she was quiet for a moment and then said, “Does this mean you won’t be high and mighty like the bishop anymore and you’ll just be a peasant priest?” After a hearty laugh I said, “Yes, that is exactly what it means.” And it means that today still; nothing about this work is “high and mighty”- rather it is best understood as “low and messy.” And as far as being a “peasant priest,” well, I would revise that descriptor only slightly to say, it is my hope and prayer, with your help and God’s grace, I will carry on as a progressive, creative, hell-bent on inclusion card carrying priest, working it out day by day in God’s vineyard in the heart of downtown Toledo! May you never forget that you are loved, Lisa Rector Trinity Episcopal Church
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SENIOR Warden ANNUAL REPORT Wow! That’s what comes to mind when I think of my term as Trinity’s Senior Warden. Wow, it’s over. Wow, it wasn’t what I expected. Wow, we’ve come through a lot – a lot of change, a lot of loss, a lot of adjustment. But WOW; a lot accomplished, a lot of growth, and a lot of reimagining what we are, what we can be and what we have to be thankful for! When Liddy invited me to fill an unexpired term on the vestry, I figured it would be a nice way to volunteer for a few months. I had been a regular volunteer at my church in Washington, DC. What I didn’t expect was I would soon become Senior Warden. I didn’t comprehend the magnitude of the problems with our building. I didn’t foresee the adjustments that were needed by the merger of two congregations. I certainly didn’t expect our rector would leave and we would then navigate the scary process of searching for new leadership. But what I found was opportunities for new vision, new growth, and building a revived community. Wow! Over the course of three years we have made over $600,000 of repairs, replacements and improvements to our facilities. Wow! Just as we made the decision to address these many issues, we were unexpectedly blessed with a gift from the estate of a former congregant of nearly $5 million for our music and arts program! Wow! During this past year of transition, we have been supported by dedicated staff: We were blessed with a much-loved Interim Rector in Julie Beitelschees. Jamie Rye kept the office running and oversaw all of our facility projects and contractors. Daniel Catalano, created the Carolyn Jobst Chorale Scholars program, now in its second year, and guided our Artists Series. And, of course Jane Bueche, who continues to mind and manage our money! Wow! Then we tackled the search for a new rector, working with the guidance of the diocese, the incredible efforts of a team of Trinity volunteers, the leadership of the vestry, and the dedicated work of the staff. The Listening Committee’s process continued the work we started in the Planting for Tomorrow campaign. There was great participation in the process parish-wide followed by the tireless work of the Search Committee. Which led to. . . Wow! We have been blessed with a new rector in Lisa Tucker-Gray, who possesses great vision, boundless energy, great spirituality (and a darn good voice!). In just 5 months, she has lit the fuse of renewed energy and excitement. Pledges are up, pledge dollars are up, attendance is up. tay tuned for continued good news!
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Sr Warden Remarks (Con’T.) Wow! I could stop there but the blessings keep coming, and as Lisa says, we really haven’t done anything to cause it! A legacy gift from a former member will allow us to retire our debt (the Nave Renovation Loan). A surprise grant will pay for the repair of the office wing entrance! Yes, the blessings keep on coming! Finally, I must say Wow! for the tremendous support and assistance of Greg Shumaker, our Finance Committee Chair and Manager of our Trust Funds; for Hugh Grefe who guided me through most of my journey and provided so much leadership and clarity; for Becky Roth, Peggy Heider, Mary Wabeke, Valerie Garforth, Tim Reeder, Keith Burris, Susan Lowrey and for all who served on vestry with me. Thank you all for allowing me to serve you and for hanging in there when things seemed tough. And thank God for giving us all the reason to be here. The work is now just beginning. Wow! Gary Franklin Trinity Senior Warden
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Trinity’s Rector Search We began our active search for Trinity’s next rector in mid-2016 after early struggles to secure an interim rector who would be a good fit for Trinity were resolved with the hiring of the Rev. Julie Beitelschees. The Search Team included co-chairs Darrell Cousino and Becky Roth, Jeff Albright, Kyle Grefe, Karen Johnson-Webb, Susan Lowrey, Lucy Russell, Donna Steppe, and advisory member Daniel Catalano. The group was bound together by a willingness to speak honestly and listen respectfully to one another, an expectation that we would experience the work of the Holy Spirit, and a wholehearted commitment to Trinity. At the end of 2016, after months of discussion and deliberation, the Search Team completed and submitted a congregational profile to honestly describe Trinity to prospective rector candidates. Our website also received a major update at this time, so that candidates could get an accurate and appealing “first glance” at the Trinity community. In late February 2017, the Search Team met with Bishop Hollingsworth to learn about possible candidates. He asked the team to consider only one: The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray. It was clear the bishop had Trinity’s best interest at heart, and believed we had tremendous potential to help bring about the kingdom of God in our city. He thought Lisa could help us realize that potential, but he was also clear if we weren't impressed by her, we'd be free to move on and keep looking. During lengthy interviews in March and April, Lisa showed the team her passion, energy, wisdom, talent and heart. She articulated a more compelling dream for Trinity than we had for ourselves. Nothing in our massive, problem-riddled building seemed to give her pause, which was further evidence she had the vision and courage to take us far. It was an exciting time in which God’s goodness and power were palpable. (At one point, Darrell wrote, “It doesn't feel like we are in control of very much anyway. Apparently the Spirit is charging ahead and we'd probably do well to just stay out of the way!”) In early June the Search Team unequivocally recommended Lisa to the vestry, which voted unanimously to extend a call. We are deeply grateful she accepted. After saying our fond farewells to Julie in midAugust, Lisa started at Trinity on September 1st. The search process was long and involved the hard work of many people. We are grateful for that hard work and faithfulness. Given the positive reaction of the congregation and the explosion of energy in the Trinity community currently, it seems apparent that Lisa was clearly the right choice. To God be the glory! Respectfully Submitted, Becky Roth & Darrell Cousino, Search Co-Chairs 11
2017 Vestry Report Responsibilities of Parish Leadership Vestry Clergy Property Sacramental Finance Education Administration Pastoral Care Shared Vision
The vestry’s two main areas of focus in 2017 were repairing the building and calling a new rector. During the year, the vestry: - Approved the 2017 and 2018 budgets. - Welcomed two new vestry members, Peggy Heider and Alice Todd. - Received the results of a parish leadership culture survey offered by Leadership Toledo, and explored ways to shrink the gap between our actual and desired leadership culture. - Saw a need for policies around the use of the building by outside organizations. Some basic principles were identified, but we agreed to defer offering space to any new groups until such policies were created. - Received a robust report from the Building Future Task Force that made recommendations around the themes of improving our building’s accessibility, improving its overall curb appeal, and developing its underused interior spaces. - Authorized the construction of a ramped entrance from St. Clair Street to both the chapel and the basement. - Authorized a large project to begin repairing/preventing water damage around the Adams Street entrance to the parish house, in order to get the entrances from the parking garage and the street reopened. - Approved the purchase of the Timothy Schmalz sculpture “Homeless Jesus,” to be installed after the 2 construction projects described above are completed. - Issued a call to the Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray to become Trinity’s next rector, effective Sept. 1st. - Authorized a new provider (PostCompanies) for an updated, more flexible website and enhanced parish communication capabilities. Respectfully submitted, Becky Roth
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175th Anniversary of Trinity & Diocese Bicentennial Celebration October 21st Trinity celebrated its 175th anniversary of ministry in Toledo, Ohio with Choral Evensong. We were joined by the clergy, choirs, and congregations of the West Mission Area. These are the Episcopal Churches in Northwest Ohio as north as Toledo, as west as Defiance, as south as Sidney, and as east as Oregon. The service was officiated by Bishop Mark Hollingsworth. A few short weeks later November 10-12th the Diocese of Ohio celebrated their bicentennial anniversary with keynote speaker Presiding Bishop Michael Curry!
Pictured: Bishop William Persell, Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Bishop Arthur Willams
Trinity’s hill of beans “What’s Your 200?” for the diocese bicentennial celebration
Most of the Trinity contingent at the Bicentennial Convention Eucharist! We're only missing Peggy Heider and Pat Squire who are in the choir.
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Ministry & Guild Reports Bread Guild
Greeter Guild
The Bread Guild is a tiny group of faithful bakers who serve as co-creators with God of the bread of life for every Eucharist celebrated by the Trinity community. We mix together simple ingredients to craft communion bread that offers a taste of God’s love to all who receive it. We believe that good bread is like love – when shared, it connects, it nourishes, it blesses, and it brings life. -Becky Roth
Lector Guild Lector service is a blessing. Each Sunday, Guild members read the 2 scripture lessons and also lead Prayers of the People. Six readers are needed each week – 3 per service. For the chairman to prepare an accurate schedule, members indicate, ahead of time, when they are not available. Using this information, I prepare a schedule for 1 to 2 months ahead. Current members: 16 (late service) and 9 (early service). New members are always welcome! -Pat Squire + 4 new lectors this year
Liturgical Assistant Guild To serve the parish as a Liturgical Assistant is a meaningful and fulfilling ministry. This opportunity to assist the celebrant during Holy Eucharist as a chalice bearer is available to all members in good standing who wish to be trained to perform these duties. In the last year, we have transitioned to vesting in albs and scapulars and we have taken a more active part in greeting congregants and visitors to Trinity. -Marsha Manon
The Greeter Guild is an important part of Radical Hospitality at Trinity. We are often the first to greet and welcome new comers to our community. It is also a great way to reconnect with people returning to Trinity after being away for a time. A smile, a pleasant disposition and the willingness to serve about once of every two months are the only prerequisites. Contact me if you would like to be a Greeter. -Jeff Albright
Hospitality Guild The Hospitality guild is a volunteer group who rotate providing refreshments to parishioners on Sundays on a regular basis. The intent is to provide a common gathering space for early and late attendees to come together as a single community. This summer we also added a coffee hour after the second service to welcome new visitors and allow people to have another informal time to build community. -Amy Burris
Altar Guild The Altar Guild is a humble but important ministry. Our primary responsibility is to set the Lords table for each Eucharist. Each person arrives early and places the cross, linens, chalices, bread and wine on the altar and credence table. After service we clean everything and put it back away. We are also responsible for special events such as weddings, funerals and baptisms. Service in this manner is a joy! -Scott Dibling 14
Ministry & Guild Reports Formation Team Spiritual formation is the process that God uses to grow each of us into the people God made us to be. The Trinity Formation Team provides opportunities to help us take a more active, cocreative role with God in this process. This year, we’ve explored prayer practices and have learned more about God, spirituality, and our faith community. · Sunday book group: Nolen’s Jesus Before Christianity Sunday morning programming: sessions on the history of church music and meetings with our partners in ministry · Lenten programming: Book discussion groups of Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son; exploration of prayer practices; quiet times that included contemplative coloring · Coordinating the 2017 Annual Giving Campaign in November · Advent contemplative coloring Other formation activities in 2017 separate from the Team: · Saturday Men’s group continued and Saturday Women’s group started in April · Confirmation/reception/reaffirmation preparation · Game Night at the Black Cloister
Next to New Next to New (NTN) has been in existence for over 70 years in one form or another. Our purpose is to provide lightly used goods at a reasonable price to the people of downtown Toledo. NTN also gives clothes and shoes to those in need amounting to over $1000. •Lisa Kish has now been our manager for over 1 year. •Another employee was provided through the Path Stone program for several months. •Volunteers work an hour or all day (whatever time they can give). •Fall sale of hats, mittens & scarves for 3 Toledo Public Schools that Trinity supports was successful. •Christmas coffee hour brought Trinity parishioners down to the shop. •NTN got a fresh coat of paint last winter. •Shop has a new design and lots of new furniture. Thank you to all contribute goods! New volunteers are needed and welcome. Respectfully submitted, Mary Wabeke 15
Outreach The mission of Trinity Outreach Committee is to help people in many different ways, both here in the city of Toledo and beyond. We support these organizations in their work both financially and through volunteer activities. • Served Sunday lunch and fellowship at St. Paul’s Community Center in January, May, and September • Supported Toledo Campus Ministry’s Alternative Spring Break and purchased a new oven for their facility. • Planted and tended vegetable and flower gardens at Family House Shelter • Donated fabric for a school uniform sewing project • Organized collections for the three elementary schools we sponsor of socks, underwear, shirts and ties, school supplies, and, with the help of Next to New, hats, gloves and mittens, and provided each child with one toothbrush and tube of toothpaste. • Sponsored a variety of projects including: a diaper shower for Mom’s House, two children at the Hogar Emanual orphanage in Honduras, Bellewether Farm infrastructure • Organized Christmas Angels gifts from Trinity members for eight unhoused families • Organized a Christmas gifts wrapping party for our neighbors at Renaissance Senior Apartments
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Music, Arts & Liturgy Music at Trinity embraces the notion that there are many ways to connect with the Divine. The music in this place varies with renaissance motets, gospel praise, orchestra works, world music and more. I was appointed the Director of Music in the Fall of 2014 and in these three years, I have seen music grow tremendously, both during and outside of worship. The Performing Artists Series grew as we invited more local artists to express themselves in new ways. There is more music of living composers, provocative plays by living authors, and creative seating in the sanctuary that provides limitless opportunities for advocating the arts in Toledo. Our choir grew in several ways, one of which was the creation of the Caroline Jobst Scholarship Program. This program, which began a year ago, offers opportunities for high school, college, and post-university musicians around the Toledo area to share their gifts of music in the context of Sunday worship. Participants audition for the program and sing alongside our faithful and stalwart Trinity choir. Everyone is welcome to contribute to music at Trinity, both instrumentally and chorally. Choir rehearsals are open and occur on Thursdays at 7pm and there’s no audition necessary. Even if you’ve never sang in a choir before, you’re welcome to join us. In the coming year, I hope to create more accessible opportunities for congregants to be involved in the music of Trinity. Regardless of musical knowledge, we want everyone to participate in some way for the glory of God. SPECIAL MUSICIANS IN 2017: Cecilia Johnson, violin, Lois Nelson, flute, Dee Baker, flute, Kristian Emerich, trumpet, Sande Johnson, harp, Heidi Clausius, piano/pipe organ HIGHLIGHTS FROM SPRING 2017 • Choir performed Mozart’s Requiem in conjunction with the Good Friday Service • West Mission Area combined choirs sang for the Easter Vigil Service • Choir performs a portion of Beethoven’s ninth symphony for Easter Service • Cecilia Johnson hosted Summer String Seminar in July with area-wide students HIGHLIGHTS FROM FALL 2017 • West Mission Area combined choirs sang at Trinity for the 175th Celebration Evensong • Some Members of the choir sang for the 201st Diocesan Convention in Cleveland • Choir sang “He Never Failed Me Yet” by Robert Ray for Christ the King Sunday with pianist Patty Carpenter and Rev. Lisa as soloist • The Caroline Jobst Scholarship Program grew with new faces and returning scholars.
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Music, Arts & Liturgy (Con’T.) PERFORMING ARTIST SERIES 2017 The Performing Artist series is in its 18th season cultivating musicians from all over Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. MARCH EVENTS: Ballet Theatre of Toledo: The Snow Queen Toledo School for the Arts: Spring Concert APRIL EVENTS: Masterworks Chorale: Classics Concert Adrian College String Ensemble: Spring Concert Trinity Choir: Stations of the Cross with Mozart’s Requiem Glass City Singers: Premiere Concert MAY EVENTS: Actors Collaborative Toledo: Lillian by William Luce JULY EVENTS: Summer String Seminar with Recital SEPTEMBER EVENTS: Saluaris: Chamber Music Celebrating Monteverdi’s 450th Birthday Actors Collaborative Toledo: Testament of Mary OCTOBER EVENTS: West Mission Area: Choral Evensong Celebrating 175 years of Ministry at Trinity University of Toledo Concert Chorale: Fall Concert NOVEMBER EVENTS: Toledo School for the Arts; Chamber Music Concert DECEMBER EVENTS: Class City Singers: Music of Living Composers Moises Salazar & Meridian Prall: Opera Recital Toledo School for the Arts: Choir Concert Trinity Choir and Musicians: ‘The Messiah’ Prelude The second half of Season 18 will be just as diverse and exciting with groups like N/A Ensemble, the University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club and more! Respectfully submitted, Daniel T. Catalano Music Director
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Building Future Task Force(BFTF) Update 2016-Annual Meeting Minutes- reported the Building Future’s Task had been formed and was recruiting participants to be engaged in the process to be offered. 2017-Annual Meeting Report- included update and BFTF member names: Chair, Hugh Grefe, Tim Reeder, Mike Lowrey, Su Elliot, Chuck Abood, Mary Beroske, Greg Shumaker, Gary Franklin and Bob Meeker. Charge: To help Trinity develop a plan for how its building can best serve the mission of the parish in the future, [and] provide a written recommendation for a planned re-investment in Trinity’s facilities to be made over the next 3-4 years. February 2017- Beginning in February, the BFTF met regularly to organize its work, and to review updates of its interviews and other appropriate information. The work included over two dozen community organization interviews and two “dreaming sessions” involving 27 Trinity members. May 2017 Vestry Meeting- Members of the BFTF presented a 100+ page report to the vestry. The task force’s report included recommendations organized into 3 areas: 1. Building Accessibility Improvements 2. Upgrades to outside “face” of Trinity 3. Upgrades to Trinity’s “interior spaces” (including technology, lighting & signage) Report Executive Summary The BFTF has prioritized over $1,200,000 (in preliminary estimates) in capital investments for the renovation and modernization of Trinity Church for the next several decades of witness and ministry in downtown Toledo. In developing this report and recommendations, Task Force members interviewed over two dozen downtown organizations and neighbors, ministry partners, and leaders from outside the church family. In addition, the BFTF facilitated two idea gathering sessions to get the thoughts of Trinity members. Trinity as well as community members were interviewed have been enthusiastic and offered numerous ideas and recommendations. It is important that going forward Trinity leaders continue to inform and stay in contact with those who have participated in this process; they are eager for Trinity to proceed and they will be supportive as the parish implements its plans. It is important to note that the BFTF recommendations are in addition to, and not in conflict with the need for routine maintenance of the facility, which is the ongoing responsibility of the Building and Grounds Committee of the parish. The vestry, working with the new Rector, will need to assure that professional and parish oversight of the renovations and modernization investments is formally assigned to appropriate parties to assure success with this plan. Note from Lisa re: Next Steps: Where do we go from here? The phrase: “let’s keep building the plane while we are flying it” comes to mind as I read the in-depth and passionate report and findings of the BFTF. I am so very grateful for the vast amount of time and energy spent in the meetings, interviews and in the community, as well as the clarity of results. Each finding is worthy of intentional consideration and will be important as we tend to the necessary work of creating a vision of greatness for Trinity which includes how the building supports and invites mission and ministry downtown as a progressive, inclusive and creative expression of God’s love. What needs to happen next is a wider distribution and conversation of the Task Force’s findings and report. We will be scheduling parish-wide opportunities to discuss these wonderful findings and integrate them into our visioning process- so stay tuned! 19
Buildings and Grounds As the new year brings us closer to our goals of building envelope water penetration/global carbon foot print resolution planning process, finance puts Trinity Toledo community expenditures at $65,000.00 in 2017. Completed and in process projects are listed below: • •
•
•
An updated HVAC controls system was installed and together with financing strategies and a master schedule development will continue to reduce our carbon foot print and utility expenditures. Continued LED and other conservation alternatives continue to be installed. Walker Consultants is near completion on an engineered and architectural planning/job scope oversight bid packages that will solicit contractor bids to reopen the 1984 office addition's foyer to the living room/parking garage/Adams St. corridor known as the fish bowl. An expedited process will bring late winter/early spring start. Finance reports the projects anticipated cost has been reduced by a grant of $220.000.00 from the Jobst Trust. Overall cost for the project is anticipated to be $280,000.00. The team began discussion on ways to reduce mobility challenges to the Trinity community and for all who use our building. Included in this proposal are an ADA complaint elevator, St. Clair St corridor sidewalk and landscaping considerations, ADA/EMS ramps amongst other things. A water conservation survey/valve rebuild/repair project is developing and will progress.
Looking ahead to 2018, projects we will be addressing: • Next to New is in need of bath room enhancement and rear corridor entry security enhancements to facilitate construction. • The Noon Group Brown Bag room has lighting and conservation issues that need to be addressed and the HVAC system needs to be integrated into the control with a need for an air handler upgrade. A survey of needed decor improvements to the entire basement level will be completed • Upgrades at the rear parking structure entry and power door openers for both structure doors are needed to address ADA and mobility issues will be surveyed for action. Respectfully submitted, Tim Reeder
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Building Partners Food For Thought Food For Thought serves people experiencing food insecurity in the greater Toledo area through lunch outreach, food boxes, and mobile food pantries. Being in Trinity offers Food For Thought a secure and beautiful place to organize volunteer activities, base our lunch outreach, host volunteers, and operate our organization. Our location alongside other forward thinking non-profits allows us to afford to be part of the vibrant downtown Toledo community and be easily accessible to patrons, volunteers and partners. It allows us to be close to the community we serve and allows them to get engaged with us. In 2017, Food For Thought served over 12,000 people on our mobile pantries, distributed over 15,000 lunches on our weekly lunch outreach, and received over 3,100 volunteer hours.
Actors Collaborative Toledo ACT is a group of local actors, directors, and playwrights dedicated to bringing contemporary theatre to Toledo, with a focus on the importance of supporting, educating, and empowering young local talent. Through collaborative and fundraising efforts with other nonprofits around town, we are bringing awareness to important social issues through live theatre. Company members have served as mentors for students at Toledo School for the Arts as they prepared for their senior acting projects. ACT also has collaborated with students from the Drama Society at Lourdes University. ACT has produced benefits for other charitable organizations including: Toledo School for the Arts (4000 Miles), The Zepf Center ('night, Mother), Equality Toledo (Standing on Ceremony: the Gay Marriage Plays, Mr. Charles; currently of Palm Beach and Gay Shorts), The Perrysburg Chorale (The Christians), the Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls (Pretty Fire) and most recently Music & Arts at Trinity (The Testament of Mary).
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Building Partners (Con’T.) Alcoholics Anonymous The Noon 12-Step program has been meeting at Trinity for 25 years! Our primary focus is to deal with people with alcohol problems and help them beat their addictions. We also have members of our group that in their jobs can help individuals with other areas of their lives, such as child support, driver’s licenses, and housing. We are a big family down here. We meet Monday- Friday, 12:001:00pm. We also have activities to let people know that you can have fun sober without drinking, such as yearly picnics plus yearly anniversaries for the years we’ve been here. We very much want to continue our mission with your blessing.
Leadership Toledo Lead. Connect. Grow. Serve. For the over 1500 Leadership Toledo (LT) graduates, these four powerful words best define the experiences shared throughout our history of inspiring community volunteerism and expanding awareness of community issues. Leadership Toledo graduates represent both this community’s emerging and veteran leaders of today. In 1976 when Trinity Episcopal Church created a series of forums on issues facing the downtown community. These forums grew into a nonprofit that would eventually be the Leadership Toledo of today. In utilizing our space at Trinity, to date Leadership Toledo through our adult program has served over 150 non-profits in the greater Toledo area through small group projects. Starting in 1997 we added youth to our mission first with Youth Leadership Toledo(YLT) and soon after Youth In Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YiPEE). During the 2016-17 school year YiPEE leaders granted over $19,000 to 12 organizations. We challenged 50 high school sophomores through YLT as we do every year. In 2008-09 we began working with Students in Action (SIA) which empowers young leaders at more than 40 high schools in the Toledo Region to discover the issues they care about, as well as provide tools and support for each to achieve a measurable impact in their communities. Also during the 2016-17 school year, our 40 SIA schools reported 459,596 total service hours and presented 107 Youth Jefferson Awards to deserving students. Lead. Connect. Grow. Serve. These four powerful words have and will continue to define Leadership Toledo. We thank the Trinity Episcopal Church leadership for entrusting us to keep the spirit or those involved in the late 1970’s alive through innovative and strategic programming.
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Summary of 2018 Annual Giving Campaign
This past November we engaged a short but meaningful 3-week “Journey to Generosity” for our Annual Giving Campaign. During our “Meet in the Middle” Formation time, members of the Formation Committee and Lisa invited us into reflection and discussion using the video, Everyday Creativity. The concepts it offered provided a way to generate ideas, engage in table discussion and expand our overall understanding of what it means to live from a place of abundance and generosity in all we say and do as individuals and as a community. The primary focus this year was simply to increase awareness and participation in the process and ultimately in the number of people willing to make a pledge, of any amount, to symbolize their commitment to this community of faith, the ministry we share and to living a life grounded in generosity. The results have been wonderful, exciting and fill us with hope for our bright future. Overall pledges were increased by 22% over last year Total Pledged amount increased by 15% over last year This movement towards increased generosity and commitment is but one sign of many that God is indeed doing a new thing in our midst. With a grateful heart and full of excitement for the year ahead Lisa, the Vestry and the Formation Committee offer a deep bow of gratitude to each household who discerned the call to give and commit in a way that connects us all closer to the heart of the Divine. Pledge Data 2015-2017 (reflects commitment for the upcoming year)
New Increased Decreased Same pledge Total Pledges
2015 3 11 20 33 53
2016 5 15 7 23 50
2017 15* 23 4 22 64
Total Pledged
136,922
132,908
155,959
NOTE: *3 pledges had been designated to “debt retirement” and with debt retirement being eliminated in the 2018 budget, those pledges have been reassigned to the Operating Fund.
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FINANCIALS ENDOWMENT FUNDS FUND NAME Purpose
ALTAR GUILD
12/31/16
12/31/17
Campbell Trust Parish operations
1,543,676
1,725,031
Perm. Endowment Parish operations
2,346,823
2,555,967
Other Endowment Parish operations
REVENUE
MARKET VALUE
Hamm Bequest Flower Memorials
2,425.46
Silver Donation
1,002.33
Total Income
6,397.79
EXPENSE Wine
31,283
Restricted Funds
5,323,248
TOTALS
9,245,030
2,970.00
150.98
34,637
Flowers
3,471.41
5,892,684
Candles
45.45
10,208,319
NOTE All funds in Trinity’s endowments are either integrated into the Trinity Church Master Trust, managed by KeyBank or managed by The Trust Company, N.A. Funds for operations are distributed by the banks based on a 5% spending policy adopted by Vestry. Trinity’s unpaid loan balance which is owed to KeyBank for the Nave Renewal and other capital projects at 12/31/17 is $473,826. In December, 2017, Trinity gratefully received the Marilyn Payne bequest, which was given in memory of Marilyn, Minnie Lott, and Irene Lott Payne in the amount of $454,210. Vestry authorized use of these funds, and other savings, to pay off the current KeyBank loan balance. The primary purpose of the KeyBank loan was for renovation of the Sanctuary and its original balance in 2003 was approximately $2.5 million. Also to be noted: Trinity has completed and paid for capital repairs and replacements from 2015-2017 in the amount of approximately $600,000, the funds for which came from Trinity’s capital reserves and Planting for Tomorrow pledge receipts. Also, we gratefully acknowledge receipt of a bequest from the estate of Connie Alexander More detailed information is available in Trinity’s annual financial reports, and in the reports prepared by Rayner, Foos, Kruse and Irwin, the Church’s accountants. Please contact Greg Shumaker, Trinity’s Trust Officer, if you would like further information.
Misc./Supplies Parament Repair Total Expenses
1,317.54 941.27 5,926.65
NEXT-TO-NEW 1/1/2017 REVENUE Sales Paypal Sales Total EXPENSE Payroll State Tax Supplies Transfers to Outreach Paypal Fees & Misc. Painting Reserve for Awning Parking
50,126.10 17,012.33 3,060.37 20,072.70
12,714.78 1,296.35 1,006.80 4,000.00 381.08 2,694.45
Total
15,000.00 960.00 38,053.46
Ending Balance 12/31/17
32,145.34
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN 1/1/2017 REVENUE Hamm Bequest Total Income EXPENSE Convention Outreach Total Ending Balance 12/31/17
6,758.64 2,148.57 2,148.57 80.93 300.00 380.93 8,526.28
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Trinity Budget 2017 Budget
2017 Actual
2018 Budget
Revenue Plate Offering Pledge Payments
7,000
9,015
8,500
135,000 2,500 15,000
128,561 10,348 17,292
151,000 5,000 20,000
250
1,339
1,339
3,500 0 349,000 70,200
7,864 0 328,878 80,197
0 6,000 387,910 70,200
582,450
583,494
649,949
Personnel Buildings & Grounds Office Operations Finance Operations Parking Parking Credits Diocese Outreach Local Music, Arts Evangelism & Fellowship Christian Formation Pastoral Care Nave Loan Interest Principal
310,133 141,000 22,400 8,550 12,500 (10,200) 50,000 5,000 47,645 9,250 2,050 1,050 12,600 3,500
246,275 162,411 22,058 10,130 10,688 (10,710) 60,000 5,012 47,587 8,828 893 0 12,458 7,864
299,159 155,500 21,400 12,400 12,500 (10,200) 75,695 18,500 51,195 11,250 2,050 500 0 0
Total Expenditures
615,478
583,494
649,949
Net Surplus/(Deficit)**
(33,028)
0
0
Current Year Prepaid, for next year Current as if pledged Prior Year, paid this year Nave Principal Payment Organizations Donations Combined Investment Income Other Operating Income Total Revenues Expenditure
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2017 Parish & Worship Statistics 2017 Worship Statistics Baptisms Burials Weddings/Blessings
2 3 3
Confirmations Received by Bishop Reaffirmed by Bishop
4 5 5 Total
Other Services Christmas Eve & Day 182 Palm Sunday 95 Easter 160
Parish Families Mailing Units
108
Average Sunday Attendance 2013 97
2014 83
2015 75
2016 76
2017 93
Participation & Giving Trends
Trinity Church, Toledo, OH (3094-8384)
240
$200,000
$160,000
160 $120,000
120 $80,000
80 $40,000
40 0
Plate & Pledge Income
Members/Average Attendance
200
$0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Baptized Members Worship Attendance Plate/Pledge
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To be of use (by Marge Piercy) The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. They seem to become natives of that element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half submerged balls. I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who stand in the line and haul in their places, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out. The work of the world is common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident. Greek amphoras for wine or oil, Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used. The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real. 27
The Community of Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE nINCLUSIVE n CREATIVE nDOWNTOWN
316 Adams, Toledo, OH 43604 419-243-1231 www.trinitytoledo.org
Parish Staff
Parish Vestry 2017
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Rector rector@trinitytoledo.org
Gary Franklin, senior warden srwarden@trinitytoledo.org Keith Burris, junior warden jrwarden@trinitytoledo.org Becky Roth, clerk Darrell Cousino Scott Dibling Peggy Heider Karen Johnson-Webb Tim Reeder Alice Todd
Meredith Nicholson Parish Administrator meredith@trinitytoledo.org Jane Bueche Parish Accountant jane@epworth.com Daniel Catalano Director of Music and Liturgy music@trinitytoledo.org Elizabeth Cousino Communications Coordinator (Acting) elizabeth@trinitytoledo.org Heather Meyer Community Outreach & Development Coordinator heather@trinitytoledo.org Lisa Kish Manager, Next to New ntn@trinitytoledo.org
Parish Offices Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Phone 419.243.1231 Email: trinity@trinitytoledo.org
Episcopal Diocese of Ohio 2230 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2499 216.771.4815 The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. Diocesan Bishop 28