821 South Fourth Street Louisville, Kentucky 40203
502-587-6011
The Rev. J. Edward
Morris, Rector
The Rev. Rhonda
Lee, Assistant Rector
The Annual Congregational Meeting
January 15, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
Call to Order
Opening Prayer
Appointment of Parliamentarian
Election of Secretary
Minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting
The Election of the Vestry Class of 2008
Reports
Resolutions
For the Good of the Church
Adjournment
Index of Reports and Materials
Statistics
Rector and Assistant Rector
Ministries of Excellence Reports
WORSHIP
Music: Adult Choir and Orchestra, Children’s Choir and
Orchestra
Flower Delivery
Ushers
Tape and Word
Acolytes
Altar Guild
Lectors
Greeters and Library Hosts
Chalicists and Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Pew Materials
PARISH LIFE
Wardens
Senior
Junior
Fellowship
Foyer Groups
Softball
Pictorial Directory
Parish Picnics
Hospitality
Breakfasts
Calvary Book Club
Art Exhibit
Calvary Camp
Care
Crisis Care
Intercessory Prayer
Communication
Website
Calvary Connection
Property
Building, House, and Grounds
Burial Ground
EDUCATION
Christian Formation: Children and Youth
Adults, Thursdays and Sundays
OUTREACH
Clothes Shops
Food Closet
Help Ministries
Book Aid
Habitat for Humanity
Outreach Gifts
FINANCIAL REPORTS
STATISTICS
1. From the Register of Services, January 1 –
December 31, 2005:
Eucharists: 178 (118 Sundays,
60 Weekdays)
Other services: 70 (20 Sundays, 50
Weekdays)
Total Number of Services 248 (149 in 2004)
Total Attendance: All Services – 11,964
(9,625 in 2004)
2. From the Parish Register:
Baptisms: 3 (6 in 2004)
Nathanael Benjamin Koppen
Olivia Stowell Murray
Craig Lewis Cole
Confirmations: 8
(2 in 2004)
Molly Isaacs-McLeod, Eleanor Kathleen Lloyd,
Steven
Craig Koppen, Mark Alexander Richardson,
Willis Davidson Brangers, Victoria Elizabeth
Long, Sara Elizabeth Gray,
John Sandford MacLean
Marriages: 4 (4 in 2004)
Julio James Racine – Chenika Maria Brown
Laura Katherine Stewart – Craig Lewis Cole
Kristan Treble Cochrane – Thomas Joseph Wadell
Eleanor Kathleen Lloyd – William Patrick Yerkes
Burials: 15 (6 in 2004)
Donald Lee Wolfe, John
William Dillehay,
Philip West Fabrizio, William M. Wood,
Richard Warwick Dame, Bruce Peyton Senior,
Lucy Stites duPlantier, Carolyn H. Hausman,
Sallie C. Edwards, Charles Weber
Poindexter,
Beatrice May Duvall, Robert McLean Nash,
Ann McDonald Courteau, Dorothy R. Andrews,
Peter Searcy, Sr.
Transfers In: 9 (4 in 2004)
Bonnie Fritschner; John, Gretchen, Gretchen,
Leigh, John, and Craig Clark;
Noel Booker; Marilou Eastman; Lincoln R. Lewis,
Jr.
Transfers Out: 2 (9 in 2004)
Carla
McCarty, Richard McEwen
RECTOR
We have been through our first calendar year together as rector and
congregation, and I am looking forward to another one. We have much to be
thankful for as we experienced a productive and enriching year in 2005.
Here are some of the things that have made an impression on me:
1. Our Sunday
morning attendance has increased substantially, particularly with the addition
of the 9:15 service. The alternation of organ and guitar accompaniment at this
service has also enhanced the worship experience. In June we confirmed eight
youth and adults and celebrated with them during Bishop Gulick's visitation.
2. Thursday
evening programming began last spring with Via Media (spring and fall) and also
included an engaging book discussion. These learning opportunities have
attracted participants from other parishes and denominations and have served to
strengthen our faith and sense of community.
3. Our
Christian Formation programs for children and youth are growing. The different
Christmas Pageant was appreciated and enjoyed by many new participants.
4. Outreach in
both direct and financial assistance has helped to further meet the needs of
those in our community. Our August yard sale for HELP Ministries and special
appeals for tsunami and hurricane relief as well as the collections for the
United Thank Offering have provided needed financial assistance.
5. Rhonda's
presence has enhanced our community with wonderful preaching, teaching, and
pastoral care. Her being here has been and continues to be a true gift.
6. An
assortment of instrumental and choral music continues to inspire and enrich our
experience of God in worship. The choir and the various gifted musicians have
impressed me greatly. And of course there is the tremendous expertise and
professionalism that Margaret and Melvin bring to the music program here.
7. Our parish
community experienced some very serious medical emergencies and we had funerals
for too many of our beloved members. Still others experienced the birth of
children and grandchildren. Jobs have been lost and gained. All in all, I am
impressed by the pastoral care we all share together when someone experiences
either pain and loss or joy and celebration.
8. There has
been some turnover in both lay leaders and staff. Dedicated lay leaders are
handing over responsibilities to others and we are creating more opportunities
for lay participation in a variety of ministries. We also welcomed Anita House
on board as our new Bookkeeper/Office Assistant.
9. Foyer
Groups, Breakfast by the Browns twice a month on Sunday morning, the church
clean up on Holy Saturday, Softball, Picnic at the Rays, Picnic in the
churchyard, Shrove Tuesday Dinner, amazing hospitality following the 11:00
service, special occasion receptions
are just some of the events which have strengthened our sense of
community.
10.
Improvements to and upkeep of our physical plant keep us busy, but we are
committed to the care of this beautiful building and grounds.
These are just ten things that come to mind when I reflect on the past
year. We continue to grow and I am deeply appreciative of all of those who give
countless hours of their time to Calvary. All of this is to glorify God and to
reflect the life of Jesus Christ to the world. With strong lay leadership (both
staff and volunteer) we can and will continue to grow and become the faithful
and servant filled community that we dream of. Thank you again to all of the
people who serve in leadership positions and those whose ministry is to be
present and supportive of the ministry we share in Christ.
I am looking forward to continuing our journey together. God bless you.
The Rev. J. Edward Morris
ASSISTANT RECTOR
I came to Calvary as a seminarian in February and was a deacon here
from June until December 10th, when Bishop Gulick ordained me
priest. In that time, I have had the
opportunity to teach Sunday Adult Formation series on “The Women in Jesus’
Life” and “Religion and Politics in Ancient Israel,” and a Thursday night
series, “Don’t Get Left Behind” on premillenial dispensationalism. I have preached approximately every third
Sunday and Thursday, and in the last month I have begun to share in presiding
at the Eucharist. I have taken a share
of pastoral care, including participating in weddings and funerals, and helped
as needed with outreach. My efforts at
outreach have been greatly helped by the kindness of those who have contributed
to my discretionary fund, and I am thankful for that. I have worked to develop lay ministry, and would welcome the
opportunity to talk with any of you about how your gifts may fit with the needs
of Calvary and the world.
By now you know that I will be leaving Calvary in a few months. I have been touched by all the love and support
that this congregation has offered me over the year that we have known each
other. I am especially grateful to Ned,
Margaret, Callie, and our faithful lay ministers for bearing with me as I
learned how things work around here, and to Anita for joining in the task of
keeping me organized. I look forward to
a lot more joint ministry in the months we all have left to work together.
Peace be with you,
(The Rev.) Rhonda Lee
The following reports are grouped according to our
FOUR GREAT MINISTRIES of
EXCELLENCE
at Calvary Episcopal Church
WORSHIP
PARISH LIFE
EDUCATION
OUTREACH
(With Finances following)
WORSHIP
Worship is the cornerstone of our life
together. Through it we are transformed into people blessed by our experience
of encountering God and commissioned to go forth into the world spreading this
blessing through serving Christ in all people. This past year we have added two
additional services: 9:15 on Sunday mornings and 12:05 on Thursdays afternoons.
Here are some other
highlights of worship this year: 1) Our Blessing of the Animals service held in
our churchyard on a beautiful October morning. 2) A Holy Week that included
Celebrations of the Eucharist on each weekday. 3) A Thanksgiving Day service at
Calvary that involved Christ Church Cathedral (Choir and Deacon) and Our
Merciful Savior (Preacher). 4) Josh Lewis playing guitar for the 9:15 service
on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month.
5) Average Sunday attendance going from approximately 150-160 to 175-185.
As Episcopalians we find much
of our identity in what we share together during worship. There are many
opportunities to serve God by serving in some capacity during or in preparation
of worship. Please read through the following reports and choose one or two
that you would like to explore as a way of deepening your faith and enabling
others to deepen theirs through the experience of worshiping in this wonderful
place.
MUSIC AT CALVARY
This is the 42nd time I have reported on the state of music at
Calvary! As an inner city church, we have a special challenge to offer
unique programs in order to attract people who have to pass four or five other
churches to come from all over to get to Calvary, as well as ministering to
those who live in our neighborhood. We have assessed and met that challenge
through ambitious programs, including music. While nothing can, will, or should
remain exactly the same, we have a firm foundation on which to build. We thank
Father Ned for both appreciating and supporting that foundation as we continue
to strive to uphold our tradition of musical excellence. I also wish to thank
Father Ned and Mother Rhonda for their interest and cooperation in
understanding the importance of liturgy and the role that music can play in fitting
all of that together.
The Calvary Adult Choir consists of a loyal group of about 40 singers who provide music every Sunday, even in the summer. For the adult choir, it means a commitment for the whole morning EVERY SUNDAY – all year long - for we rehearse an hour and a half before we ever get into church. On occasion, the choir is joined by various instruments played by members of Calvary, including flute (Julio and James Racine), violin (Judy Wilson, Marie Montilla, Marsha Webb, Anne Marie deZeeuw, James Racine), viola (Beth Rudwell, Nina Racine), cello (Judith Hamilton, Cynthia Racine Tran), and harp (Julia Richardson). And do not forget our bagpipers, Anne Marie deZeeuw and Larry Frederiksen, as well as Josh Lewis, who plays the guitar on the first and third Sundays of the month at the 9:15 service. Our volunteer choir director Melvin Dickinson deserves much thanks for his expertise and dedication. I would also like to thank Jim Barnes for his Herculean efforts to keep the music library in order and to provide CDs to keep tabs on it all. Thanks be to all! We have joyfully watched as our small ones have become good enough to form a children’s orchestra and further develop a children’s chorus, thanks to the continued efforts of Judy Wilson and Elyse Hensley. We appreciate the dedication and expertise that this music brings to the services at Calvary; this is a true application of time and talent! Special events in 2005 for which the adult choir sang included Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, the Ordination of Deacon Rhonda on December 10, and Christmas Eve.
The 19th Annual
Lenten Listen and Lunch Series this spring was again a real
community effort, with excellent recitals and luncheons prepared by more than
40 Calvary volunteers. Over 417 people attended the five Wednesday concerts
played by Lynn Thompson, Margaret and Melvin Dickinson, Julia Richardson, and
Michael Tunnell and his U of L Brass Choir. The recitals generated donations of
$1,592.75. Part of that was given to Help Ministries of Central Louisville
($1,092.75), and the rest was used for the COPIER PROJECT. This project produced a CD of the highlights
of the Lenten Recital Series 2005, and together with a cookbook of Lenten
Luncheon Recipes Over the Years, generated over $2,000 towards the purchase of
a new copy machine. Other concerts and recitals included one by the Louisville
Bach Society, violin recitals by students of Judy Wilson, and various tour
demonstrations. We said a reluctant farewell to Cassandra and Steve
Brosvik and family, and welcomed Kathy Cantrell, soprano, and Peyton Luckett,
bass.
As to what I do … for six
days a week , I try to balance a vital music program and all it entails with
tons of other things: running the food program;
coordinating the volunteers; serving as board secretary for the Help
Ministries; composing and printing the weekly bulletins, the newsletter,
posters, and other mailings and chasing after people who don’t understand
deadlines; coordinating weddings; coordinating the Lenten Series, serving as
cook, organ recitalist and troubleshooter; fighting with the computer and
enjoying the copy machine especially; cooking up jobs for others to do; and
performing all sorts of janitorial tasks. I even manage to practice now and
then! The involvement I have every day with the people who have much less than
we do is a never-ending source of humbleness for me, and I am grateful that,
through our many ministries, we can make a difference for them. May we continue
to be uniquely supportive of each other and those to whom we minister. We live
in challenging times!
Margaret Dickinson
THE CHILDREN’S CHORAL ENSEMBLE
This group meets
almost weekly at the end of the Church School hour. We sing four or five times
a year at the 11:00 service. We have contributed to the services on such
occasions as Palm Sunday and the Christmas Pageant. Our singers range in age
from nursery to high school! We welcome children of all ages to sing with us
whenever they can.
Elyse Hensley
THE CALVARY YOUTH STRING ENSEMBLE
Our group keeps growing and now includes at least 12 young musicians. On some occasions, we have participated in the service with our more advanced players, and at other times, all members of the ensemble have played. I would also like to pay tribute to Elyse Hensley, who has very often written out cello parts for us. All of the parents of these young musicians should be thanked for getting them to lessons, making certain that they practice, and getting them to rehearsals. I like to think that we are contributing to Calvary's mission to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Judy Pease Wilson
FLOWER DELIVERY
We continue to have a dedicated group of people who are willing to
deliver the altar and chancel flowers to the ill of the parish. The flower
delivery committee consists of the following: Nancy Anderson, Nick and
Susan Baker, John Bugbee and Huyett Hurley, Sandra Cherry, John Cunningham, Art
and Jean Dietz, Beverly Dugan, Larry Frederiksen and Anne Marie deZeeuw,
Dean and Linda French, Marshall and Whitney Hardy, Michael and Elyse Hensley,
Barret Hill, Ralph Hirsbrunner, Shirley Leach, Ted Mussler and Louisa Henson,
Sarah and Mary Redden, Harold and Marion Six, Harvey Turner, Clyde Warner, Ken
Wempe, Robert and Norma Weaver, and Judy and Rosemary Wilson.
We have recently added Peggy Silliman and Kathy Booker. In addition to the regular
deliveries, many others have assisted in distributing the Easter lilies and the
Christmas poinsettias. Many thanks to all of you.
Mike and Wilma Wilson
USHERS
Thanks to all of you who served as ushers and as alternates in 2005, especially our team captains. Better yet, thanks to all of you who have ushered during my tenure as Head of Ushers. It has been my pleasure. Jack Reisz has graciously accepted responsibility for ushers for 2006-7. I look forward to serving under his leadership. Jerry Lyndrup
TAPE AND WORD MINISTRY
The year 2005
marked the 23rd year of the Tape Ministry. We have distributed over 1,987 tapes
to people who are not able to attend Calvary for reasons of absence or illness.
We would welcome any and all help in making this ministry more efficient. We
also tape all weddings, funerals, and baptisms and give them as gifts to the
families involved. We also have a duplicating machine, and are able to make
copies of services. Just bring us a tape, and we'll do the rest. We are
grateful for a gift in June that enabled us to replace an aged part on our
church tape machine.
The sermons are a weekly offering on our
web page and are also available in printed form at the west end of the nave.
The current Calvary Connection is on the web as well, and past editions
are in the library. Bookmarks describing our many Calvary programs are also
available, as well as bulletins (that seem to be mini newsletters each week!)
from way back up to the present.
As stated, we continue to tape each
service. You are invited to check out tapes of services back to 1981, if you
wish! We are very grateful to Joyce Tichenor, who has taken on the monumental
task of cataloging and rearranging service tapes clear back to 1981. In
addition, she has cleaned up and catalogued all of the bulletins, and continues
to monitor those each week. (They are now all in the library bathroom!)
You can also check out books in our library. Do remember, however, if you check
out a book, to return it! Margaret Dickinson
ACOLYTES
The acolyte program continues to
prosper, despite the lack of seniors in the current lineup. Bedrock performers like Tori Long and Haley
and Kelsey Hensley are anchoring nearly every 11:00 service, with regular
participation as well by Mary Jane Booker, Griffin Brown, Brennan Fewell, Audrey
Hensley, and Rosemary Wilson. This
solid experience base has helped sustain the program, and its contribution to
the Calvary experience. Under Father
Morris, acolytes are eagerly adapting to evolving leadership and service
routines, and looking forward to renewed recruiting efforts and training
opportunities.
It’s been a challenging year,
to be sure, with both Griffin Brown and yours truly sidelined by injuries for
extended periods. What a treat it is to
be back in action, serving as proof positive that everybody’s prayers really
work. Meanwhile, we’ve been very
fortunate to have Judy Wilson to step in and oversee the program, and the rest
of the crew to redouble their efforts to fill in.
Acolytes can still plan their service with a frequency and choice of
specific dates that best meet their needs. Some serve every week, some once a
month, and anywhere in between. The
schedule is composed every quarter to take on the latest preferences, and avoid
conflicts. It balances the number of
people slated for each service, and gives a basis both for bulletin listings,
and for regular team reminders. We are
now at the stage where all serving acolytes have access to email, so Saturday
reminder notices to the next day’s team are an integral part of our routine.
Charts are posted in the vesting room that lay out individual acolyte positions
in the procession and roles during the service. Last-minute decisions on who does what only need to be taken when
changes are needed to cover absences or unscheduled add-ins.
Acolytes have taken on the
full range of their traditional roles and responsibilities. Processing with the full appropriate range
of celebratory gear, deploying to help people move in and out of the chancel
and sanctuary during communion, processing for the Gospel reading, and participating
in special services are some of the ways acolytes have worked to enhance their
contribution to the dignity and order of the liturgy. As we are able to resume regular practice sessions, we can expect
to polish our performance.
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Feedback from parents and
other parishioners is as critical as ever.
Suggestions, ideas, recollections, and reassurances that have come from
so many sources have been a welcome affirmation that people care what acolytes
do, and see their contribution as a meaningful one. Most of all, acolytes
continue to enjoy the satisfaction of playing an important part in
worship. In its essence, acolyting is a
coming-of-age thing. These are people
who are learning the liturgy first-hand, committing themselves to helping
smooth its practice, and making themselves active participants. This is a group in which the Calvary
congregation can take justifiable pride. Thanks, everyone, for all the
wonderful support this past year. See
you in church.
Dorn Crawford
ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild is responsible for preparing the Altar for Communion
for each Sunday service. This includes purchasing and arranging flowers,
sweeping and dusting the Altar area, and setting out the “instruments of
Communion” for each service. The
flowers donated by Calvary members are selected and arranged by the some of the
Altar Guild team members while other members go about the business of preparing
the Altar for Communion.
The Altar Guild teams of 2005
have seen many changes with our new priest; a noon Eucharist on Thursdays, the
veiling of the chalice, the reinstated 9:15 service on Sundays, even an outdoor
Eucharist along with the Blessing of the Animals service. All members of the Altar Guild have been
exceedingly flexible and accommodating, stepping in when the extra duties were
dictated. I am very proud of and
thankful for each and every one of the team members.
Having been the Altar Chair
since 1999, I have felt somewhat drained by the demands and responsibilities
associated with this position. To that
end, I am delighted to announce that Deborah Stewart has agreed to take over a
two-year term of Chair of the Altar Guild.
Deborah has served on the Altar Guild for about three years and will be
a wonderful Chair of this very important ministry. The Altar Guild is always
looking for new members, especially those who attend the 9:15 service, in order
to help with the change over from the 8:00 service to the 9:15. We currently have two people who are willing
on an every-other week basis, but we could use more people willing to help in
case of illness and vacations. Anyone interested in learning more about the
duties of the Guild, please give Deborah a call.
Lastly, I want to thank all
of my Altar Guild members for all that they do and assure them that neither I,
nor Calvary, could manage without them.
I also want to publicly thank Jerry Lyndrup (he calls himself Lynne’s
Altar Boy) for all the support and extra help he has given me during the
busiest times of the Christian year. Thank you and God bless. Lynne Lyndrup
LECTORS
We currently have a roster of 25 readers for the 11:00 services, plus
five at the 8:00 services. All continue to make the Liturgy of the Word
meaningful for the congregation. A significant improvement in the lector
assignment this year was the printing of all readings in the bulletin.
Particularly for the Prayers of the People, this saved a lot of head-scratching
and pencil-marking for the assigned reader. Our thanks to all the lay readers
for their contributions to our worship.
Jonathan Smith
GREETERS, LIBRARY HOSTS
A friendly group of parishioners are part of the “greeters’
ministry.” They arrive 20 minutes before the 11:00 Sunday service, don
greeter’s badges and smiles, and welcome you to Calvary. They can be
found at the main entrance and the north entrance of the church. If you
are new to Calvary they ask you to sign the guest register so that you may be
sent a card acknowledging your presence and inviting you to worship with us
again. If you are a regular member, you are also welcomed with a “good
morning” and a handshake. Greeters also remain after the service to
invite worshippers to the hospitality hour. It takes only a few minutes to be
friendly and welcoming, but it may make a lifetime of difference to those who
enter our red doors. We also have added this year a loyal group of
“Library Hosts,” who watch over the north entry door during the 11:00 service,
providing help and good cheer to those who enter to bring children for the
nursery or have other tasks to perform. If you would like to be a part of these
vital and worthwhile ministries, please contact the Rector.
CHALICISTS AND LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
The Chalicist cycle is from the Second Sunday of Easter through Easter Day. During the 2005 cycle, the following persons served as Lectors/Chalice Bearers at the 8:00 service: Jamie Hendon, Linda Klein, Lincoln Lewis, Willem Wiese, Terry Williams. At the 11:00 service, Chalicists included Sarah Baker, Jim Barnes, Art Dietz, Mary Fewell, Elyse Hensley, Sally Reisz, Meg Scharre, Don Snow, David Stewart, Clyde Warner and Judy Pease Wilson. We were delighted to have their services at the Altar Rail and in the Nave. The Chalicists also chaliced at special worship services during the year.
During the same period,
Jim Barnes, Art Dietz, Carolyn Snow and Ned Reiter served as Lay Eucharistic
Ministers ready to take Holy Communion to several confined or hospitalized
members of the congregation if needed. Jim Barnes continued as
Altar/Lector/Chalicist at burial services during the year. Carolyn Snow and Jim
Barnes served as substitutes when needed as well as schedulers and coordinators
of the program.
Jim Barnes and Carolyn Snow
PEW MATERIALS COMMITTEE
This committee’s duties include making sure pencils, prayer cards, and Welcome
to Calvary brochures are provided in the pews, and keeping the rack at the
rear of the church supplied with Calvary Connections, church history,
booklets, information, and tour brochures. We are pleased that the Welcome to Calvary and the Prayer Request cards have been updated,
redone, and placed in every pew. If anyone has any suggestions that they feel
might fit in with this committee, please contact me. Thank you.
Larry Brown
PARISH LIFE
At the vestry retreat in February, 2004, the committees of the church
were restructured somewhat, and the former PPV (Personnel, Planning, and
Volunteers) no longer exists. The Parish Life umbrella encompasses those
programs of the church which broadly have a social or fellowship
component. Laina Brown and Sandra Cherry have been the vestry co-chairs
of some of the Parish Life Committees and report directly to the vestry the
activities of these committees.
Warden
Reports
SENIOR WARDEN
What
an exciting year this was for Calvary Episcopal Church. 2005 marks the
turning point for a church which at times had seemed to be almost dead in the
water to one that is now clearly under full sail. With our new Rector,
Ned Morris, well established at the helm by January, we finally had the kind of
year we have all prayed for. Under his leadership we continue to be inspired as
new opportunities for spiritual growth through worship and programming emerge.
The church committees at Calvary were very
active this year. Each committee was assigned a liaison (or two) to the Vestry
so that they would have a way to communicate important information and/or
needs. The Program Council was also re-instituted to help carry out the vision
of the Vestry and many seeds have been planted for future work. Our financial
security continues to improve with the generous support of our committed
parishioners.
We added a Deacon, Rhonda Lee,
to our staff in June. Her ministry has served to complement and expand
all aspects of the church's spiritual life through her preaching, pastoral care
and Christian formation efforts. Rhonda became the Assistant Rector
following her ordination as a priest in December. While we have recently
learned that her time with us will end next summer, we will all enjoy what she
has to teach us for the next six months. Rhonda will definitely leave a lasting
mark on Calvary and we should count our blessings for the time she has been
able to share with us.
Our longtime bookkeeper, Susan Watts,
retired from Calvary this year. We held a reception to thank her for her
dedicated service to Calvary and bid her a fond farewell. A new
bookkeeper, Anita House, was hired to work during Calvary's office hours and
she has demonstrated herself to be a great asset to the Church as well.
She has assumed a host of responsibilities providing Fr. Ned and the staff with
additional administrative support that is greatly needed. We are also
blessed to have the continued exemplary service of our long time staff members
Music/Outreach/Communications Director Margaret Dickinson and Director of
Christian Formation Callie Hausman.
One of the major accomplishments of
2005 was the completion of the long overdue tuckpointing, or remortaring,
of the church's exterior masonry which paves the way for much needed
interior repairs to the paint and plaster. The Vestry has begun to
address the need for a capital improvement budget so that the projects
identified in a major maintenance schedule developed by House & Grounds
Program Chair Clyde Warner can be accomplished in a methodical manner. We
must continue to be cognizant of the responsibility which we have to maintain
our unique and historic place of worship so that the beauty of holiness which
we enjoy can also be enjoyed by future generations.
On a personal note, I feel like a
surfer who caught the big wave at just the right moment. The enthusiasm and
spirit continues to build at Calvary and I have been thrilled to be part of
it. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Senior Warden. I have
gained much more from the experience than I could ever have imagined. I
hope Calvary Episcopal Church and its parishioners, whose numbers continue to
grow, will enjoy the grace and blessings that we have known in 2005 for many
years to come.
Sally Reisz
JUNIOR
WARDEN
What an honor and privilege it has been to serve as your Junior Warden
and vestry member this year! Never have I seen such a dedicated group of people
who have worked tirelessly together to help make Calvary the church we all want
it to be. There is still much to be done, but we are growing daily in our
outreach, concern for one another, and doing the Lord’s work here on earth. We
should all be grateful to be a part of this new and exciting life at Calvary.
The year began with a Vestry
Retreat at Wooded Glen in Henryville, Ind. From late Friday afternoon until
late the following day we met, discussed many matters relating to Calvary and
socialized. Our budget shortfall was of immediate concern, and we took three
steps to help resolve this problem by pursuing the following:
1.
Ask that the
congregation increase pledges for 2005.
2.
Seek more
Unrestricted Gifts.
3.
Develop more
Fund Raising Activities.
Although we did not quite reach
our goals in all three of these areas we were able to increase our operating
funds enough to take care of our needs. We had wonderful support from one and
all.
In February, Rhonda Lee
joined us as a Seminarian and in June she was ordained a Deacon. In December,
she became a Priest. What an addition she has been as a Priest, counselor and
friend.
Fund-raising activities have
produced both money and the opportunity for our members to become better
acquainted while working on various projects. The Yard Sale, cookbook, and
music CDs all produced much needed funds. Now the silver replica of the Calvary
cross is available, and is great for personal use and as a gift. We are
constantly looking for new and exciting events to raise funds, so if you have any
ideas they will be more than welcome!
Recently after the eleven
o’clock service a visitor said to me, “Anyone coming to this church would
certainly see what a warm, welcoming and loving church Calvary is.” Under Fr.
Ned’s leadership that is what we have finally become. We are now a viable and
growing church---let’s keep up the good work we all are doing.
Downey M. Gray, Jr.
Fellowship
Reported by Sandra Cherry
FOYER GROUPS
Last year at about this time we embarked on our second year of the Foyer Dinner Groups. We had four groups of 12 participants in each of our color-coded groups. The members of each group took turns hosting the monthly gatherings. We wined and dined and joyfully shared in food, fun, and fellowship. The groups ended in July. On January 21, we will hold a kick-off dinner to inaugurate Phase III. Fifty-four people in six groups will participate. Growing? You bet!
SOFTBALL
Spring found us once again participating in the Diocese of Kentucky softball league. All games were played on Sunday afternoons at a park in Jeffersontown. Alex Redden, our coach, with the help of Marsha Webb, put together our coed team. Even with the help of new team members, Fr. Ned Morris, and Cassandra Brosvik, we could only replicate our previous record of one win, the rest losses, but who’s counting? Each year our last place trophy gets bigger and bigger! Thanks, Alex, for your time and patience in training the team.
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
Plans for the pictorial directory began last summer with the Olan Mills representative Larry Clark, Fr. Ned, Doug Spaulding, and Sandra Cherry collaborating to produce a directory of our parishioners. One hundred thirty-one responded to the “call,” with twelve others submitting photographs due to their unavailability at the time of the three-day photographic session in late September. Several of you provided pictures for the ministry pages. We had a lovely cover designed by Will Cary. Andy Frazier and Todd O’Bryan worked on the graphics, while Peggy Silliman, Michele Dreyer, and Nancy Anderson helped Doug and me during the intake process of scheduling the photo sessions. Jim and LaNell Barnes and Doug Spaulding help proof the black and white copy. Many thanks to all who contributed to this project, especially Doug for his constant help. If you have not picked up your reserved copy, please do so.
PARISH PICNICS
This year, we came together for a welcome back picnic on Sunday, September 11. This was held in the churchyard after the late service and was attended by many. We held registration for Christian Formation and enjoyed catching up after the summer. On Sunday, October 16, we enjoyed our annual parish picnic at the farm of Ginger and Carl Ray. Our usual Kroger fried chicken with pot-luck fruits, vegetables, chips, desserts, and drinks, rounded out the table of goodies. The children enjoyed pony rides, and playing games, while the adults sat around and talked. One group enjoyed a dominoes game of Spinner. Walt Morris was our operations point man getting Calvary’s tables to and from the Ray’s home. We all had a great time!
HOSPITALITY
Our Hospitality Committee was again chaired by Louisa Henson. Every Sunday after the 11:00 service we have
“coffee hour” hosted by various families within the church. Louisa worked hard making sure the calendar
was filled up with families willing to serve.
When no one signed up for a Sunday, dear Louisa took it upon herself to
make sure some treats would be available.
Kitchen angels Marion Six and Carolyn Snow could be found pitching in
when needed. We also give thanks to
former member Carla McCarty for her invaluable service in stocking the kitchen. Laina Brown and Louisa Henson also managed
our very elegant reception on December 11 following Mother Rhonda’s first
celebration of the Holy Eucharist as a newly ordained priest. Nancy Anderson and her committee also
gathered food goodies for the Cathedral’s reception for the five ordinands on
December 10. We will certainly miss the
services of Louisa this year as she looks forward to a well-deserved rest, and
hope others from the church will come forward to serve in this hospitality
ministry.
BREAKFASTS
My Parish Life reports would not be complete without giving thanks to
the wonderful ministry that Laina Brown and her family John and Griffin have
given to Calvary with the parish breakfasts twice a month. When John and Griffin had that horrible auto
accident, the parish rallied around the family and pitched in to assist them in
whatever ways they could. Margaret
Dickinson coordinated plans for everyone to contribute to the needs of the
Brown family. That, my dear friends, is
what Parish Life is all about, as we work to love and serve one another.
My term of duty has come to
an end on the Vestry, and I feel it has been an honor to serve with Laina on
the Parish Life Ministry. I, too, now
need a rest and look forward to others serving in the various leadership
ministries of the Church.
Sandra Cherry
CALVARY BOOK CLUB
The Calvary Book Club (CBC) was organized in November, 2004. Its current chairperson is Lavinia Swain. The club meets on the fourth Monday of each month in Parker Hall at 7:00 p.m. There are 10 members at this writing, and new members are welcome. The January 2006 selection will be The Devil and the White City. The CBC has very few rules and regulations – it is extremely flexible, with no rules as to the type of book to be reviewed. Each month’s reviewer (a voluntary position) may choose the book to be reviewed, and may or may not provide refreshments. There is a discussion period following the review that tends to be wide-ranging and very interesting. In February 2006, we will review The Year of Magical Thinking. Please join us.
Lavinia Swain
CALVARY ART EXHIBIT
Re-visited this past year was the Calvary Art Exhibit, including a
lecture presented by Dr. John Hale and contributions by Calvary artists. With the help of a committee, we invited the
public to our opening gala, including refreshments following the lecture.
Callie Hausman
CAMP CALVARY AT ALL SAINTS CONFERENCE
CENTER
On an overnight in May, 30, thirty five of us spent time together in Leitchfield for a special time of fellowship, learning, playing, dancing, hiking, canoeing, roasting marshmallows, and worship. We had participants from age one month to folks in their 70's. Please plan to attend this year's camp May 12-13.
Fr. Ned
Care
CRISIS CARE
During the past year, Nancy Anderson and Jean Dietz have functioned with a very small committee, and have themselves been in health crisis. Therefore, Crisis Care meals have been limited to people who are truly in need. We are currently looking for people who would joyfully take over this ministry that is so vital to the mission of Calvary. The main goal is to keep in touch with members of the congregation who are suffering or lonely. Won’t you please join us as we endeavor to hold this wonderful group of people called our church family together through this time of crisis for all of us? Nancy Anderson and Jean Dietz
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
The Calvary Prayer Committee, otherwise known as the Intercessory Prayer Group, has this year lost its leader, Carla McCarty. We thank her for her years of dedicated service. Members of the committee are still carrying on this vital function.
Communications
OUR WEBSITE, calvaryepiscopal.org.
Since March 2003, we
have had well over 15,500 visits to the website. The website is a quick way for
you to get up-to-the-minute news about Calvary Church and the Calvary
congregation. Links take the visitor to current Sunday service bulletins,
bulletins and programs for special services, current Christian Formation
schedules, vestry minutes and activities, special events, issues in and
beliefs, and current news and events related to the Episcopal Church—local and
national. The sermons page has links to all sermons by title/date and a link to
archived sermons. The website may also be used as an avenue for e-mailing
staff, program heads, vestry members, and Episcopal congregations/rectors
elsewhere in the Diocese, the nation and the world. We hope the site is helpful
to our Calvary Family.
Jim Barnes
CALVARY CONNECTION
The CALVARY CONNECTION operates by committee!
The Editorial Board determines what will go into the next issue, and who will
do it. To me falls the task of putting it all together and running it all off.
We are grateful to Jim Barnes, Ned Reiter, and others for proof reading, and to
Walter Morris for dealing with the sometimes finicky post office! With the help
of a digital camera, we can now insert pictures directly into documents, and
try to meet the challenges of the computer world in facilitating our work. Now if the present copy machine were even
adequate, we could be more proud of our finished product! ON MY WISH LIST: A
NEW COPY MACHINE that reproduces pictures so you can recognize the people, and
an even wilder wish, a machine that folds and staples, too! The preceding
two sentences were written as a part of last year’s report. I am ecstatic to
report that we DO now, in fact, have a new copy machine. You now CAN recognize
people, and it does fold and staple! The machine was paid for in part by the
Lenten Recitals 2005 CD and Cookbook.
2004 marked the seventh and
last year that we printed the issues according to the liturgical year. In
October, 2005, we changed to a monthly newsletter. That does mean much more
work, because instead of eight or so seasonal issues, we now have 12. But the
consistency of the 20th of the month always being the deadline, the editorial
board meetings always being the first Wednesday of the month, and only the
activities of that particular month being listed would seem to offset the
pressures of the additional issues. We also have incorporated the new Calvary
logo created by Andy Frazier onto our cover.
We would like to thank the
people who help put the newsletter together for mailing - they are
affectionately known as "The Assembly Line." Due to the variable day
the 20th deadline lands on, we have relied on a number of people,
including our daily volunteers, to assemble the issues. Thanks to all! I would especially like to recognize the
members of the Editorial Board, who meet two weeks before each deadline for
brainstorming sessions to formulate each issue. They are: Downey Gray,
Barret Hill, John Bugbee, Sally Meigs, MLD, Deborah Stewart, Jim Barnes, and
Fr. Morris.
For the CALVARY CONNECTION to
function as a source of church news, and as a sounding board for Calvary
members, we must continue to pursue comments and contributions from all
parishioners. Our goal is to be a network and conduit of information; a
newsletter for, and by, every member of Calvary. Many people have said that our
newsletter is one of the best in the Episcopal Church - and it is certainly
unique. We are proud of that designation, and will strive for even better
excellence in 2006. Our newsletter is also a chronicle of Calvary history.
Issues dating back to 1993 are carefully preserved in the library, thanks to
Joyce Tichenor. They make for good reading, and help to create a Calvary
profile. Check them out! We also have a CONNECTION link to our website. Margaret
Dickinson
Property
“Over
the past several years, roof leaks and deteriorated mortar have allowed water
to enter the interior of our facility resulting in extensive plaster damage.” This quote from our 2004 report is no
longer accurate. Major repairs to the
exterior of this wonderful house of worship, especially roof and mortar, were
completed in 2004-2005. Thanks to all
of you for your financial support of these projects. Clyde Warner has been instrumental in these improvements, and is
now chair of House and Grounds. Will
Cary has also played a major role on our committee. We still have the extensive plaster damage, especially in the
Nave and Chancel. We will come back to
you soon with requests for your support once more.
Numerous modest sized jobs were completed
(or started) in 2005. My favorite was
the spring cleanup of the church interior.
Many of you, young and otherwise, came to help, and much was
accomplished. Hats off also to Nancy
Anderson, Roberta Dickson, and Corky Sachs for the major update (in progress)
of the “old” women’s restroom next to our Parish Hall. Finally, I want to thank Carla McCarty for
her years of quietly helping to keep our kitchen cleaned and stocked. Godspeed to her and Jim.
Jerry Lyndrup and Clyde Warner
BURIAL GROUND
If a parishioner is interested in learning about the Burial Ground,
there are brochures available in the church office and in the tract racks on
the west wall of the nave. This explains the policies and procedure for interment
of ashes. The vestry raised the cost to $500 for this service, which includes
the cost of the name plate for the Memorial Wall Plaque and ongoing maintenance
of the area.
In 2005, the ashes of John
Dillehay, Donald Wolfe, and Peter Searcy, Sr. were interred. Philip Fabrizio’s
nameplate is mounted, but interment is planned for a later date.
The money in the Burial
Ground account, which comes from donations or money prepaid by those arranging
interment, is spent for maintenance. Fairleigh Brooks, whose company is called
“Sundog,” has been paid $546 from this account, and that covers his work from
June through November of this year. The work included spraying, weeding,
trimming ivy and hollies, watering, fertilizing, and removing day lily stalks.
One sickly holly was replaced by Perry and Kaelin for $150.00. The balance in
the maintenance account is around $726.00, so we need contributions. I thank
all those who have shown interest in and contribute to this important ministry
of Calvary Church. Whitney
Hardy
EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN FORMATION: CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Calvary’s Christian Formation program invites children and youth to
participate in the stories and lessons of the Christian Faith. Classes are offered for persons whose ages
range from infancy to adult. All
classes meet from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. on Sundays, with music rehearsal for
children and youth during that time.
Throughout the year the Christian Formation teaching staff supports the
students in fulfilling their baptismal covenant through instruction and
guidance on the Scriptures, Sacraments, Liturgy, Church History, Prayer, and
Community Building. Lessons are taught
through story telling, Bible study, hands-on activities, discussion, individual
and group projects, intergenerational activities, celebrations, etc. Our mission “is to create a lifelong desire
in the hearts of our young people to serve God by following the teachings of
His Son Jesus Christ.” Students learn
of fellowship with their church friends and how to live a Christ-centered
life. Teaching staff for the fall
includes: Darlene & Jake Clay in
the Nursery; Gail Richardson, Stephanie Walton, Tessa Long, and Kathy Booker,
Steve & Brenda Shelton, and Joe Wilson in Preschool and Primary Godly Play Classes; Kate Crawford and
Carrie Crawford Frazier in Intermediate; Franklin Starks, Suzie Egger in Junior
High; and David Webb and myself in the Senior High Class with Father Ned Morris
and Mother Rhonda Lee leading the Adult Forum, with ocasional assistance from
Ned Reiter, David Webb,and John Bugbee.
Elyse Hensley is the Children’s Music Ensemble Director, and Judy Pease
Wilson is the Children’s String Ensemble Director. Dr. Carl Hausman is the Family Librarian. Molly McLeod and I are co-editors of the
Christian Formation Children and Youth Newsletter and Stephanie Walton
coordinates outreach projects for children and youth. Many other people contribute to the mission of Calvary’s
Christian Formation (educational programs) and we appreciate everyone’s
participation!
Throughout the year we had approximately 75 children and youth who participated in classes and/or special events such as the Christmas Pageant. During the summer we offered Godly Play classes for children, including a Spirituality Center led by Gail Richardson. We also offered a special series on paper-making under the direction of David Webb. Special events continued with the Advent Event, Lenten Event, Easter Celebration, and the Children’s Ensemble singing and/or playing at various services, including Palm Sunday and the Christmas Pageant. Other events were the Teacher and Student Awards Ceremony, Teacher Induction, Pentecost Celebration, and Via Media Classes both in the spring and the fall. Several new events included a special All Saints Event where students from each class prepared a skit, complete with costumes and props, or their own Godly Play story with object tray, depicting various Saints. Also new this fall, we instituted a stewardship program for children and youth. Several outreach programs have been quite successful, such as Tokens for Turkeys and The Mitten Tree, ways of sharing with our community. In May, approximately 30 children, youth and even a few grandparents spent part of a weekend at