St. John’s Annual Report2010

Narrative Budget

In the First Book of Kings, Solomon finally builds

the great temple in Jerusalem only dreamed about

by his father David. At the wedding feast at Cana,

Jesus in his first miracle turns plain water into the

finest wine, and abundantly so! And, later among

his countless stories, he pictures a merchant selling

all that he has to buy one pearl of great value.

At first when we use the term "narrative budget" it

sounds rather awkward. A narrative after all is a

story with movement and drama. A budget just

shows figures. But then figures are empty, spiritless

unless there's a story with hopes and dreams

behind them. Even so, like many organizations,

we in the Church rush to see the bottom line and

end up measuring the balance of our wants and

survival and never consider the abundant grace of our accomplishments and goals.

Here with a narrative budget we seek to turn that around starting with questions like-

"what has God been nurturing among us in this vineyard of St. John's?", "What are our

stories?", "Where is God leading us?" Then, in gratitude, do we check the accounts.

! Tim

Forward

The Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church

Timothy Eberhardt, Rector

Steven Eubanks, Senior Warden

Ray Mayer, Junior Warden

Susan O’Malley

Linda Nagy

Charles Scribner

Nancy Wright

Pat Mayer, Clerk

Service to the community and the world.

Service / Mission / Outreach"for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me

something to drink..." (Matthew 25:35)

15%

12%

4%

8%39%

22%

$21,098

• MDG charities: REECH,

CHABA, Food Shelf, ERD,

Heifer, Partners in Health,

Red Cross

• Volunteering:

• Hospital Auxiliary

• Thrift Shop

• Senior Center

• Chaplaincy

• Interfaith Caregivers

• Diocesan Support

(Committees, Boards, Guilds,

Assessment)

• Christmas Food boxes

• Overnight Guests

• 350 Bell ring

Honoring Christ’s call to love one another, the church is called to be in relationship with the world.! This relationship includes reaching out to the poor, the hungry, and the oppressed– whether in our own local communities through the Randolph Food Shelf, REECH and the many organizations we support with our time and efforts, or across the globe via our monetary support of Episcopal Relief and Development, CHABA or the Heifer Project. It is in out reaching out to others that we honor Christ within each of us.

Liturgical service and acts of celebration, devotion, and thanksgiving

Worship"...for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:7)

15%

12%

4%

8%

39%

22%

$38,263

• Altar Guild

• Choir

• Organist

• Acolytes

• Sermon preparation

• Eucharistic Ministers

• Readers

• Greeters/Ushers

• Oblations

• Bulletin preparation

It’s the foundation of our relationship with God and with each other. With prayer, song, and sacraments, we give thanks for the blessings we receive. Your giving provides what is needed for sacred space to embrace sacred time… bread and wine, linens and candles, heat and light… sermons that inspire and remind… bulletins that keep us all on the same page… music that transports and moves us… worship thoughtfully prepared and prayerfully led through a shared liturgy of the Word and Communion.

Teaching, instruction and discovery

Education"”Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child

will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)

15%

12%

4%

8% 39%

22%

$8,086

• Book discussion group

• Via Media

• Sunday school

• Lent/Advent Educational

programs

• Coffee hour presentations

• Films

• Ministry training

• Vestry

• Christmas pageant

Growing hearts, minds, and spirits in Christ. Teaching a legacy of wisdom and compassion. Telling the story and hearing it anew. Whether through the youthful exuberance of our burgeoning Sunday school program, the thoughtful examination of our Book Discussion and Bible Study group, or the various Coffee Hour presentations and Lent and Advent educational programs, we realize that hearing the Word of God requires deliberate, conscious and ongoing thought and discernment.

Spreading the Gospel. Tending the Kingdom.

Evangelism / Stewardship"...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not

return to me empty." (Isaiah 55:11)

15%

12%

4% 8%39%

22%

$3,479

• Bread Ministry/Newcomer

welcome

• Pie sale

• Messenger

• Website/e-mail

• Bazaar

• Open for Prayer

• Feast of Singing

Sharing and celebrating the Good News by life and example as we go about our daily tasks. Bearing our own witness in our relationships with those around us. Bringing the love of Jesus to all with open hearts… A fresh loaf of bread to new visitors… a hot bowl of soup at the Christmas Bazaar, an opportunity to join one’s voice in a heavenly chorus, or simply offering a quiet place for peace and reflection in the course of a hectic day. Living a sacred obligation to care for and share the bounty each of us has received.

Care and counseling our parish family.

Pastoral Care"”If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored,

all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)

15%

12%

4%8%

39%

22%

$11,271

• Pastoral Care Committee

• Visitations/Communion (ordained/lay)

• Receptions

• Surgery Recovery/food

• Canterbury Room drop-ins

• Transportation

Caring for one another during life’s journey… in times of joy and celebration as well as crisis and hardship through pastoral presence, visitation and counseling, compassionate assistance, hope and consolation, a sympathetic ear, a gentle hug, a restoring meal. Pastoral care demonstrates a dedication to human dignity, appreciation for individual differences, a balance of acceptance and accountability, a dedication to justice and mercy, and an incarnation of love and hope.

Fellowship and Hospitality.

Parish Life / In-reach "Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise." (Psalm 84:4)

15%

12%

4%8%

39%

22%

$14,983

• Coffee hour

• Potlucks

• St. Margaret’s Guild

• Shoveling, mowing,

painting

• Grounds, Outdoor

projects, Landscaping

• Kitchen life

• Overnight Guests

A faith community… a church family. Fellowship and hospitality. Tending the church, and tending each other. Celebrating Christ in each of our lives, and our lives together in Christ. Paint and potlucks. Lawns and landscaping. From the many people across our community and state who share the hospitality of our Parish Hall, to the occasional guest who needs a place to rest overnight. The “kitchen fellowship”… the warmth of our weekly Coffee Hour. Each and all of these contribute to the sense of Home we share in St. John’s.

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