Missions & Ministries

by The Session

Our Stewardship Campaign for 2010 has come to an end. The heartfelt gratitude of our congregation for the blessings that our Lord showers on us was quite evident as Estimate of Giving cards were received. There were 66 commitments from members of our church family, totaling $192,770. This has allowed us to build a budget for the current year that is a reflection of the 2009 budget, when 59 members of the congregation pledged $190,100. The mission and ministry of our church will continue to thrive in spite of the difficult economic times that we are experiencing.
Although the monies returned to God by church members through annual pledges constitutes the bulk of the fiscal support for the work of the church, the members of our church family, and others, express their gratitude for our Father’s love throughout the calendar year by giving generously to remember those who have left us to be with the Lord. During 2009, $6,185 was received from friends of beloved church members who died during the year. And, occasionally, an undesignated, unexpected gift from a donor, (who is sometimes identified, sometimes not,) will appear in the church office. In 2009, $5,500 was given to the church simply because donors were so very grateful for their many blessings. If the donor specifies a particular project he or she would like to support, that request is certainly honored. Quite frequently, however, the gift is undesignated, and is usually used to build a reserve that serves to meet special needs of the church.
The Stewardship Committee is truly blessed to have such a continual outpouring of generosity from all of you. We are so happy that so many of you recognize how wonderfully blessed you are, and that you strongly believe in the work of our church. Be assured that we are committed to being careful stewards of the church’s treasure.
-For the Stewardship Committee, Carolyn Wells, chair
The committee: Mike McCoy, Elizabeth Ragland, Carolyn Wells, Jean Wilson,
Peggy Hargrave ex-officio, Tom Robinson, ex-officio.

Extra Opportunities to Give

• Haiti Earthquake Relief
– designate your donation to DR000064 or Hôpital Albert Schweitzer

• 2-Cents-a-Meal Offering (Hunger Relief)
– to be collected this quarter on February 21

• Per Capita Assessment (administrative costs for Synod and General Assembly)
– $7.60 per active member annually


The Farmville Area Ministerial Association’s schedule for Lenten Services begins Wednesday, February 24, with a free soup lunch provided afterward by the host church. All services will begin at noon. This is a wonderful opportunity for all Christians in the Farmville area to worship together. The schedule is as follows:
Date Church Preacher
February 24 Farmville United Methodist Rev. Sylvia Meadows
March 3 First Baptist Rev. James Ashton
March 10 St. Theresa Catholic Father James Glass
March 17 Farmville Presbyterian Rev. Tom Robinson
March 24 Johns Memorial Episcopal Father Chris Cunningham
April 2 Farmville Baptist Good Friday Service Rev. Michael Cheuk





The Mission Committee is collecting used medical equipment such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. to share with church members. If you have any items that you no longer need that are still in excellent condition, please drop them off at church so that they can be available for future use.

Summary of Leadership Activities
December 13 through January 10, 2010
Christian Education – no meeting
Fellowship – no meeting
Mission – met December 10, 2009
• Voted to send $200 of our 2010 Mission Support funds to Paul and Laura Dokken to assist their work translating the Bible into various languages spoken in New Guinea.
• Planned two February events: the “Souper Bowl” Offering and luncheon on February 7, and the dedication of knitted and crochetted baby caps on February 14
• Discussed ideas for a possible mission trip this summer
• Received information from Hoke Currie about plans for developing a free medical clinic in Farmville, and from Lee Pfeiffer regarding the sharing of application forms with FACES and Meals on Wheels for two types of grants available through our denomination
Nurture & Outreach – met December 16, 2009; minutes not available
Property – met January 7, 2010
• Scheduled the replacement of the fellowship hall A/C unit to take place January 13 by Putney Mechanical
• Accepted an anonymous donation to replace the foyer doors due to security concerns and energy inefficiency, with plans to be reviewed and approved by the minister and the committee
• Approved the renewal of the lawn care contract with Bladez, LLC (Chris Thackston)
• Thanked various people for taking care of: replacing lights, cleaning gutters, power washing the exterior of the building, shoveling snow, removing snow from the parking lot, and cleaning and reorganizing the resource room so that it can be used as a storage/work room for the Flower Committee
• Reviewed and discussed: state elevator inspection, remedying loose kitchen floor seams, possible need for another roll out garbage can, and disposing of the old podium, the bench, and the upright piano stored upstairs
Stewardship – no meeting
Worship – met January 10, 2010
• Distributed the annual sign-up sheet for greeter coordinators
• Discussed various suggestions for changes and adjustments for Advent/Christmas services for next year
• Noted the recognition of Lib Womack as Flower Coordinator and the preparation of the old resource room for the Flower Committee’s use; will formally thank David Wallwork for the new wooden frame for the flower calendar in the foyer; thanked choir members for cleaning up music files
• Reported changes to the Head Usher and Hall Monitor Duties regarding new security measures during the service
• Reviewed details about recent worship services, particularly noting the Renewal of Baptism Vows
• Decided to waive re-auditioning veteran student choir scholars

Attendance
December 6 – 99
December 13 – 98
December 20 – snow cancellation
December 24 – 52 Average – 82
December 27 – 77

DECEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT*

December Year to Date
Total Revenue $13,653.91 $204,169.89
Budgeted Transfers
From Reserves $ 7,252.00

Total Expense $17,296.36 $202,121.18
Net Revenue/Expense - $ 3,642.45 +$ 9,300.71
*Copies of the complete financial report are available in the office.

DECEMBER BENEVOLENCES
Holladay Music Fund: $1,050.00
SCOPE/Meals on Wheels: $15.00
Heifer Project.: $30.00
2-Cents-a-Meal Offering: $100.00
Foyer Doors: $1,000.00
Christmas Joy: $600.00
FACES Christmas Toys: $156.00
Staff Bonuses: $100.00

2009 BENEVOLENCES
Holladay Music Fund: $5,100.00
2-Cents-a-Meal: $1,183.65
Children’s Thanksgiving: $231.00
Christmas Joy: $600.00
FACES: $383.00
Heifer Project: $326.67
One Great Hour of Sharing: $402.00
Peacemaking: $63.00
Pentecost: $281.00
SCOPE/Meals on Wheels: $269.00
Miscellaneous: $6065.49