SANCTUARY FOR THE CITY

HAMLINE CHURCH

2018ANNUAL REPORT

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Dear Friends,

The blessedness of life in the Hamline Church community is rich and full. The longer I’ve been here, the better I understand the gifts and graces of our congregation.

Our ministry reach is deep and wide. In 2018 we welcomed new babies and at the same time paid tribute to beloved Saints who transitioned from this life to the next. We cared for our beautiful facility with a face lift to the exterior of our 90-year-old sanctuary, and installed solar panels on the roof of our education wing in keeping with our sustainability values. We sent out two mission trip teams – a youth team to Chicago and an adult team to Puerto Rico - and continued to serve locally at Dorothy Day, Simpson Shelter, Emma Norton and The Sheridan Story. We delighted in our children as they grew in faith and brought joy and celebration to our midst.

There are many things that we “do” together, but above all else the most important thing is “who” we are together. Who we are is the body of Christ – a tangible side of God’s love at work in the world. I saw this each and every day in 2018. We are blessed by a gifted and talented staff. Church leaders faithfully cast a vision and chart a course to accomplish our goals. Volunteers are gracious and generous in helping with tasks large and small. Each and every one of you blesses us just as you are. Our community connections are life-giving and meaningful.

This report is a year in review and celebration of ministry. In it you’ll find highlights from 2018, the narrative budget, an update on our Sanctuary for the City & Beyond Capital Campaign, and what to watch for in 2019.

When I reflect upon the ministry represented here I am overcome with thankfulness. I think you too will find yourself feeling a sense of gratitude and pride. I am thankful for the privilege of serving God together; for the lives changed through the ministries here; for the hungry who were fed; missions fulfilled; children loved and taught; the Gospel preached and believed.

Together we carry forth our call to be Sanctuary for the City and Beyond – sanctuary inclusive of all its meanings: place of refuge, renewal, rest, and beauty. A transformational community that roots sanctuary in our very being and invites us to carry God’s heart of peace and love to the world beyond. Let our gratitude propel us forward into the year to come, knowing above all else God is with us.

I am so thankful to have the honor of being your pastor and ask God’s blessing upon our life together in the year ahead.

Blessings,

Rev. Mariah Furness Tollgaard

NARRATIVE BUDGET 2018

Each year the Hamline Church Finance Committee produces a carefully planned operating budget for the following year. The annual budget is prepared with a great deal of analysis, prudence, consultation, and prayer. The budget lists the church’s income and expenses in detail, and the Finance Committee presents the budget at the Church Council meeting in January for approval.

That line-item budget shows our funds and costs for the work God calls us to do. It provides the financial structure for our bookkeeper, treasurer, and finance team to responsibly manage and faithfully track those figures. It is black and white, finely categorized, and number-oriented. What you are reading now is something different, an illustrated “narrative budget” that we hope adds to your understanding of the church’s work and finances.

The annual narrative budget describes the same income and expenses, by highlighting our activities and accomplishments and showing how our income was spent across six principal ministry areas in 2018:

• Worship• Faith formation• Service• Staying connected and caring for our church family• Foundation for ministry (building and grounds) • Supporting the wider mission

May this narrative of our mission and ministry inspire you with our shared successes, and encourage your continued involvement and generosity for our future together doing God’s work.

Total: $614,216 Total: $618,233

OVERVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW

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At Hamline Church worship is the heartbeat of our congregational life. We enter the sanctuary to rest, reflect and reset our intentions for the week. We worship to reconnect with one another and with God. Through the gathering of beloved community, the honesty of prayer, thought provoking sermons series, inspiring music led by our choirs and gifted musicians, and in the setting of our beautiful sacred space we open our hearts anew to the presence of the divine each week. 2018 highlights include:

• Fourth Annual Hamline Church Music & Art Series welcomed thousands to our church. Performances included: Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir, Minnesota Chorale, Lumina Women’s Ensemble, Minnesota Boychoir, South Metro Chorale, Salsa del Soul, Macphail New Music Ensemble, Kirtan Path, Hamline A Cappella Choir and Cantus.

• 2018 Worship series: The Last Week: Lent Series, The Elephant in the Room: series on struggles like loneliness, addiction, memory loss and mental health; The Moral of the Story: series reflecting on the powerful stories we find in literature; Road Trip: summer worship series traveling through scriptures and learning from people who found God on the road; What Do I Have to Believe to be Christian?: series exploring Christian belief and diversity and variety within theological traditions of our faith; Earn, Save, Give: series considering what it means to be care-takers, or stewards, of what God has given; Calm & Bright: Advent & Christmas series.

• A continued tradition of excellence in music from our Chancel Choir, section leaders, contemporary ensembles, and bells. Hamline Chancel Choir (almost forty singers!), with the help of a marimba, harp, guitar, and our section leaders, delivered an expressive, confident, and convincing performance of Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest,” which was mostly sung in Spanish.

• Hamline Church’s Children’s Choir continued in fall 2018 for weekly rehearsals and notable musical improvement, and performed twice during worship.

• Hamline Bells performed four times in worship with a revamped and more focused rehearsal schedule. They also performed with children’s choir to much acclaim.

• 9 baptisms, 6 weddings, 9 memorial and funeral services

• Sundays with special themes like UWM Sunday, Heritage Sunday, Reconciling Sunday to celebrate and raise our awareness of the reach of our ministry.

• Celebrating and affirming the leadership of children in worship through the Christmas pageant, Confirmation Sunday and music.

• Full implementation of a worship series design schedule, as suggested by worship consultant Marcia McFee. Including 6 successful worship series in 2018 using cohesive thematic material across worship series, planned out in advance (including creative brainstorm sessions with congregation members) to allow for inclusion of diverse elements.

• Welcomed new music director David Kozisek.

• Supporting a vision of interfaith community and connection through collaborations on various events, including the contemplative poetry night in February featuring Sufi poetry, the “Chanting to the Divine” Kirtan chant event, and the spoken presentation by famous Muslim poet Baraka Blue.

Faith formation recognizes that Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey. With Christian education for all ages, we explore familiar stories in scripture to understand them anew, develop new spiritual practices to grow in our faith, and learn to invite God into our lives. Our faith formation opportunities are engaging and fun. Classes and small groups come in many forms to nurture growth and learning. Here are some of the highlights from 2018:

• Over 150 people participated in adult small groups through gatherings offered during Lent, summer and fall that were intentionally aligned with worship themes.

• Served 55 children in Sunday School and Church Nursery with 8 Sunday School students ‘graduating’ to Confirmation.

• 27 adults volunteered over 43 hours to help run our cooperative Sunday School program.

• Professionalized childcare in the Nursery with a Childcare Coordinator and three childcare staff members.

• Week-long full-day VBS program, “Rolling River Rampage” with 34 children + 6 confirmation/youth helpers + 1 HU Student helper + 1 Eli Intern + 2 Garden Interns + 3 childcare workers + 14 adult volunteers + 2 volunteer yoga teachers + 1 outside environmental speaker + 1 outside working artist + 5 staff members = 70 people! Collected over 40 lbs of debris from the storm drains our VBS kids ‘adopted’ and children created a 5’ x 3’ mosaic mounted on the side of the brick oven.

• 46 people and 2 dogs participated in annual Family Winter Retreat at Northern Pines Camp in Park Rapids, MN.

• Increased intergenerational, cross-ministry work within Hamline Church, including work with the Youth Ministry, UMW, Missions & Social Justice, Green Team & Capital Campaign.

• 12 participants in the Women’s Retreat.

• Bi-weekly youth group including events like: hiking at Fort Snelling, community service nights including Simpson Shelter and interfaith visit to the Baha-i Assembly of Minneapolis, and year-end Christmas party.

• 14 students starting or continuing their confirmation journey; 7 confirmed in May.

• Youth Mission trip to Chicago included 8 youth and 5 adults. Projects included helping at a food shelf and community garden.

• Introduced ‘take home’ elements for Sunday School including Lenten Bags, Summer Sunday School booklet and Advent Candle kits allowing families to learn and grow together.

• Updated 5th & 6th Grade Sunday School curriculum and worked with Ashley Hoefker, Teacher in Residence, to implement and adapt curriculum, “Building Faith Brick by Brick: An Imaginative Way to Explore the Bible with Children” by Emily Slichter.

• Children’s Christmas Pageant: 45 children & youth Pageant participants + 6 children & youth prelude musicians + 10 adult volunteer helpers + 4 staff helpers = 65 people!; ‘Big Kids’ (5th & 6th graders) worked on scenery, and ‘Younger Kids’ (Pre-K - 4th) worked on songs and lines for the pageant.

• Introduction of 3rd Grade Bible Milestone class for children and parents/care-givers for five 3rd graders.

• Re-engagement of Spiritual Formation Committee.

• Welcomed Heather Grantham as our Director of Spiritual Formation.

• Centering prayer ministry expanded to include virtual gatherings.

FAITH FORMATIONWORSHIP

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God’s work calls us to love one another and to care for one another. It is impossible to be a Christian by oneself. To believe is to belong. At Hamline we reach out to one another, welcome all, and help each person to feel the accepting love of God through our own acts of care. We sing together, laugh together, discuss together, and grow together. We share holy communion, cups of coffee, and caring prayers. Delighting in diversity, and united in common causes, we are all essential to the beloved community. Hamline Church celebrates, supports, and cares for our church family through:

• Started Wednesday night meals - a time before confirmation and music groups to gather as a family and share a meal.

Over 70 people participated this fall with an average of 35-50 participants each week.

• Congregational care from a dynamic network of more than 15 volunteers, staff, and our pastor. This network cares for our

parishioners in need, nurtures our sense of community, and celebrates our joyous occasions.

• Intentional hospitality on Sunday mornings through greeters, visitor information, newcomer opportunities and coffee hour

• New membership process with three connection points to get a deeper understanding of membership and more social

opportunities for new members, including a newcomer meet-up, membership inquiry class and new member dinner.

• Welcoming of 25 new members and 7 confirmands.

• Sunday morning welcome center and coffee during Advent and Lent.

• Ministry of Memory: collecting the church’s story through history and archives, tours, displays, education resources and

Heritage Sunday.

• Community building opportunities such as 20s/30s group, Baby Club, Fiction & Fellowship, Thirsty Scholars, men’s

breakfast group, Hamline Women/UMW and potlucks.

• Communication ministry to keep us connected and informed with a growing digital discipleship presence on Facebook and

Instagram and weekly sermon podcasts.

• 2 student interns learning about ministry; 3 SPROUT interns, 1 Teacher in Residence from Hamline University.

• Continued tradition of serving communion in members homes for those who are unable to attend church and meal train for

new parents.

• Completed a new mural in the Sunday School hallway to brighten and welcome students: “You Belong Here”.

• Holiday Tea featuring author talk by our own Heather Bouwman.

Our call to be Sanctuary for the City and Beyond takes us outside the walls of our church and into service in our local, regional, and global community. We take seriously the call to be the hands and feet of Christ at work. In 2018 we devoted many hours of our labor and significant financial resources to mission work in a variety of ways:

• Sent a group of 15 adults on a Volunteers in Mission trip to Puerto Rico to help with Hurricane Maria recovery.

• 121st year of Hamline Church Dining Hall at the MN State Fair. Highlights include Bananas Foster French toast and NBC

Today Show interview.

• Over 600 pounds of produce grown for elderly neighbors from the SPROUT Garden.

• Hamline Church Community Bread Oven events including neighborhood pizza and movie nights and Hamline University

Homecoming events.

• Ministered to Hamline University students: hosted back to school and end of year events for Hamline University students,

with over 100 students at each event.

• Together with Hamline University, continued our McVay partnership at Washington Tech Magnet School, and co-sponsored

a pop-up food shelf event for college students experiencing food scarcity.

• Neighborhood outreach events like Toddler Tuesdays, Make, Bake & Play Time, Barn Dance and Bread Oven events.

• Providing space for over 12 community organizations and support groups to gather.

• Numerous Hamline Women/UWM mission and outreach opportunities, like the Holiday Marketplace, camperships, and

collections for Walker Care Center and Emma Norton.

• $5,000 donation to the Sheridan Story made possible by Dining Hall proceeds.

• Provided thousands of dollars of financial assistance for community members in need through the Barnabus Fund.

• Serving hot meals through Loaves & Fishes at the Dorothy Day Center & Simpson Shelter .

• Successful fundraiser for the Puerto Rico mission trip, including Puerto Rican food, Caribbean dance music by the band

Salsa del Soul, and salsa dancing. We welcomed over 150 people, including many outside community members.

• Hamline Elementary Bread Bake – hosted 50 3rd graders from Hamline Elementary to bake bread in the brick oven to give

to their Hamline Midway Elders reading partners.

• On December 17 & 21, a group of Christmas Carolers from the church lifted spirits out in our community: Hamline University,

Ginkgo Coffeehouse, the Speedway, and various church members’ homes.

• In 2018 our service ministry was invigorated by partnerships with organizations such as Hamline Midway Elders, McVay

Youth Partnerships, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Keystone, Second Harvest and Hamline Elementary.

• Participation in the Reconciling Ministries Network, supporting the inclusion of the LGBTQA community & relaunch of

Hamline Church Reconciling Committee . Participated in Pride celebration at Church and in Loring Park.

• Welcomed over 100 people for No Room at the Inn: Forum on Affordable Housing and Homelessness in St Paul featuring:

Michelle Gerrard, Senior Research Manager of the Wilder Foundation; Tonya Brownlow, Executive Director of Emma Norton

Housing, and Mitra Jalali Nelson, Ward 4 St Paul City Council Member.

• Partnered with Holy Trinity Episcopal’s Racial & Ethnic Reconciliation Team.

• Celebrated Blessing of the Bikes - a campaign to reduce our carbon footprint through alternative transit options.

STAYINGCONNECTEDSERVICE

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Hamline Church contributes to the full range of the United Methodist Church ministry and missions across the country and around the globe. Support includes social justice ministries, supporting leadership development among pastors and lay leaders, worship, education, fellowship, mission, and justice advocacy. In 2018:

• Co-hosted the Earthkeepers national gathering with Hamline University in July: the Creation Care Summit

• Paid 100% of our Apportionments

• Leadership in conference level ministry including the Journey to Vitality Team, Twin Cities District Strategy Team and the Higher Education Advisory Team

• Participation in Hamline University Neighborhood Advisory Committee

• Collaboration with Hamline University and the Wesley Center for Spirituality and Service

• Support for United Methodist Committee on Relief, Hurricane Recovery, and United Methodist Missionary Daniel Yang

• Hosted Marj Evans-de-Carpio, executive director of Solar Oven Partners, for an educational demonstration and provided financial support through an offering

• Financial support for Hamline University through student scholarships and internships

• Hosted an Emerging Leadership Initiative (ELI) Intern in the summer.

Hamline Church is a community rooted in a place – neighboring Hamline University in the Hamline/Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. It is from this space that Hamline Church touches lives. The physical structure of our building gives warmth, shelter, and security so people can gather for prayer, worship, music, learning, support, art, food, and respite. In addition to paying bills to keep the lights on and general maintenance to keep the doors open, financial resources from the operating budget, endowment funds and generous donors allowed us to care for our building and provide community gathering space. The following initiatives were completed in 2018:

• Installation of solar panels, exterior masonry repairs and other capital campaign supported projects

• Continued environmental justice leadership by our Green Team and featured video to inspire other churches

• Investment team hosted a Legacy Giving educational seminar

• Creation of Legacy Giving Circle to honor those who have remembered Hamline Church in their long term plans

• Parking lot repairs and renewal of parking lot lease

• Installation of rainbow Pride flags

• Celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the sanctuary, remembering and honoring its dedication in 1928

SUPPORTING THE WIDER

MISSION FOUNDATION FOR MINISTRY

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Our Capital Campaign has raised $1,223,562 in pledges and gifts! Thank you all for your generous support and faith in Hamline Church. This is a joyous beginning to the work we envision restoring and enhancing our beautiful sacred space, addressing our growing ministry needs, and better serving our community. We have nearly surpassed our miracle goal of $1.25 million.

The Connections Team, lead by Sharon Fields and Mark Krueger, helps to track individual pledges and contributions. They send out regular statements and update the congregation about giving to date.

In early January 2018 the Capital Projects Oversight Committee convened under the direction of the Church Council. This committee is tasked with determining project time line, project budgets, bidding process, and selection criteria for contractors. Two of the key determinants of our time line are cash flow and contractor availability.

Solar PanelsSolar panels were installed on the education wing roof in mid-summer and were fully operational this fall. The project required some additional electrical upgrades required by Xcel that we hadn’t originally anticipated, but otherwise ran smoothly. We are able to monitor their production levels on a daily basis. It appears that we are reducing our energy use significantly from this time last year. According to Solar Edge the installation has saved 9,951.69 lbs of C02 which is the equivalent of 250.65 trees.You can view the production here: https://tinyurl.com/hamline-church-solar

Exterior RestorationThe exterior masonry restoration started in July. The scaffolding and cranes made their way around the building – replacing mortar, cleaning stones, and making repairs. The work is being done by Advanced Masonry and is overseen by MacDonald & Mack Architects. With an early turn to cold weather, the team had to wrap up their work in November at just over 80% completion and will return in the spring for final steps including sealing under the front stairs and additional tracery work.

Kitchen/Community Room/RestroomsPlanning got underway for our interior renovation in 2018 as well. We hired Clever Architects of Saint Paul to design the kitchen, community room and lower level north restrooms. Throughout the fall Clever worked with a kitchen user group to help give input on layout and design. Updates to the restrooms include updating fixtures and finishes and converting the men’s restroom into a single user, gender-neutral or family restroom.

An environmental hazardous material assessment is underway to determine any abatement needs for mold, asbestos, lead, etc. We are currently in the process of selecting a general contractor who will help lead us through the construction. We hope to begin the construction work in the late winter or early spring – depending on the availability of contractors and labor.

Director of Spiritual FormationOne of the missional goals of the campaign was to invest in the creation of a Director of Spiritual Formation position to help support our growing ministry and provide leadership in discipleship formation. Heather Grantham was hired in February 2018 and has been a wonderful addition to our team. Heather’s work includes support for spiritual formation of all ages, newcomer experience, and care ministry. We are grateful for the many gifts and graces Heather brings to our church.

2018-19 HAMLINE CHURCH LEADERSHIPMembers are elected according to the Book of Discipline

Church CouncilChair/Lay Leader – Gil Young Vice Chair- Mary Kay Bailey Secretary - Todd Jones At Large - Isaac Schultz Lay Delegate to Annual Conference - Steve Bloom Pastor Mariah Tollgaard Staff Parish Relations • Anne Thompson • Victoria Brenner • Mark McDermottFinance• Lisa Chen • Jason Freund Trustees• Carol Anderson • Jeff Voshell• Barbara Leary

Committee on Nominations and Lay LeadershipJan Bajuniemi, Kenneth Momoh, Carol Woodbury, Mary BloomMark Krueger, Carrie Faust, Pastor Mariah Tollgaard

Financial Positions Co Treasurers: Mark Krueger & Roger GreilingTreasurer of Designated Funds: Dave Anderson Capital Campaign Treasurer: Sharon Fields & Mark KruegerCo-Financial Secretaries: Diane Milbrandt, Barb Brokopp & Joyce Evans

Investment Committee Pete Thiesen, ChairRoger Greiling Carole Anderson (Trustees Liaison) Staff Liaison: Pastor Mariah Tollgaard

MINISTRY TEAMS LEADERSHIP 2018-19

Membership & Outreach

Member Care

Dining Hall

Spiritual Formation

Worship

Social Justice and Missions

Green Team

Garden

Bread Oven

Refugee Ministry

Reconciling Ministries Team

Ministry of Memory

Stewardship Task Force

Building and Grounds Team

Hamline Women/UMW

Our ministry depends on your generosity of talents and time. A special thank you to those who volunteer their time to help lead Hamline Church!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

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The future is bright for Hamline Church & exciting opportunities are on the horizon. In 2019 we will continue to live into our vision to be Sanctuary for the City & Beyond. Our generous volunteers, talented staff and dedicated leaders will create and sustain ministries that have reinvigorated our worship, faith formation, and service together. In 2019 we will focus on:

• Continued successful execution of capital projects and oversight of overall campaign stewardship and communications. This year’s work to include: kitchen, community room and toilet room renovations, final exterior renovation work and planning for east side greenway.

• Developing intentional discipleship formation process for all ages and faith stages. Including: faith milestones for children and youth, interest based and discipleship based small groups, redevelopment of member care system and increasing a culture of care in our congregation.

• Revitalization of our mission and justice ministries and cohesion around housing/shelter as a shared congregational focus for coming years.

1514 Englewood Avenue | Saint Paul, MN 55104All are welcome | hamlinechurch.org | 651.645.0667

WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2019