REPORTS FOR

THE ANNUAL MEETING

JANUARY 27, 2008

Rector’s Report

This is the seventh report that I have made at the Annual Meeting, the fifth as your Rector.

This past year might well have been called The Year of the Furnaces, but work on our heating systems is not yet complete. In February the steam boiler that heated the Church and All Saints and Morrell Halls died. We had contracted with a firm to replace it the previous fall, but that firm couldn’t manage to get around to doing the work. When the steam boiler failed, we found another firm that replaced it in less than a week. We contracted with that same firm to replace the hot water furnace that heated the Barker Building and to add Morrell and All Saints Hall to that heating system. We had expected that that work would have been completed in October or November, but it is not yet finished. In the midst of this work, we realized that the leaks in the steam pipes under the floor of the Maple Street entrance were far more serious than we had previously thought. The only real solution to the problem will involve removing the stone floor and replacing the leaky pipe. The Vestry will make a decision about this at its next meeting and I hope that we can have the work done before Easter.

We might also have called 2007 The Year of the New Nursery, and I am very thankful to Lynn Ensminger and all those who contributed to the furnishing of the nursery. I had suggested a year or more ago that we move the nursery from the lower level of the Barker Building to what was then the Library. The old nursery was as far away from the Church as possible, and I knew that it had been rarely used, even when we had paid babysitters on Sunday mornings. The new nursery is as close as possible to the Church and the challenge now is to find a way to staff it on Sunday mornings. The Vestry was not able to include money for babysitters in the 2008 budget, and I am hoping that a small group of volunteers can be found to staff the nursery.

Unfortunately, we can not call 2007 The Year of Increasing Sunday Attendance. As I stated in my report last January, I am committed to working to increase our average Sunday attendance by 50-75% by the time I retire. Our average Sunday attendance in 2007 (141) was almost 10% less than the average Sunday attendance in 2006 (156). While Sunday attendance is not an end in itself, I believe that it is a good indicator of how we are responding to Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples. The Vestry gave very thoughtful consideration to a proposal that I made after attending the Raising the Roof conference in June. While that proposal was thought to be far too complicated for the parish at this time, the Vestry has endorsed the development of a program for welcoming and orienting new members. That program is being developed by our Southern Erie Deanery and will be ready for use in a few months. I am thankful to Linda Makson and Larry Ensminger for their participation in the committee that is developing this program. Of course, no program will by itself produce growth. Growth is the work of the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit invites us to participate in that work as we continue to welcome newcomers, as we become more faithful in worshipping each week, and as we take advantage of educational opportunities in the parish and beyond.

2007 could be called, as all other years could, A Year of Changes. Some longtime members died and others moved away. There were also changes in our staff and in two key volunteer ministries. We welcomed Mother Frieda Webb back to the parish that had sponsored her for ordination and I am particularly thankful for her faithful ministry with several of our older members. We also welcomed Joel Franklin as our Assistant Choir Director, making official the work that he was already doing with our Organist and Choir Director. In the fall, Alice Brown, who had served as Office Administrator for eleven years, accepted a similar position at St. John’s-Grace Church in Buffalo. Missy Weisbeck, an East Aurora resident who had worked as a volunteer in the office of FISH of East Aurora, is our new Office Administrator. Gretchen Garvey will be assisting with financial record-keeping, work made somewhat more challenging as we upgrade our bookkeeping software. I continue to be very thankful for the ministry of Deacon Polly Bowen and Father Bill Wipfler. We are blessed to have their presence and their gifts in our community.

The two key ministries that have had or will have leadership changes are Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Altar Guild. Jane Swain stepped down as IHN coordinator after many years of faithful service. I am thankful to Jane for her commitment to this ministry to homeless families and I am thankful that Lynne Juratovic has agreed to be our new IHN coordinator. Gen Boniface has resigned as the leader of our Altar Guild and, as of now, we have not found someone to take on those responsibilities.

As a parish community we have lived through some difficult times during the past seven years. Some of the controversies in the parish and in The Episcopal Church have prompted some members to join other faith communities and I continue to pray that they will grow in their faith in those communities. Other members have decided to stay and grow in a community that welcomes diversity of convictions. And new people have joined us, enriching our common life by their presence. I am thankful for all those who contributed to the life of this wonderful community over the years. I believe that for this parish and for The Episcopal Church the best is yet to come.

Fr. Daniel

Priest Associate’s Report (Frieda Webb)

In the short time I have been a member of the staff of Saint Matthias Church, most of the congregation has seen me on Sunday mornings as occasional preacher or presider at our celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, and supporter of the adult education hour. In addition to those roles, I have the joy and privilege of visiting and carrying the sacraments of Healing (Holy Unction) and Holy Communion to people who are ill at home or in hospital, and confined to nursing homes. Visiting is one important way of assuring those who are unable to be present with us at Sunday worship they continue to be in our hearts and prayers as valued members of our parish family. I like to remind people, when I visit, that each of us, as baptized people is called to a lifelong ministry of service in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The health and mission of Saint Matthias Church need the prayers of all of us whom God has called together in this place, so I particularly ask for the prayers of those who are ill or homebound. I am thankful God has called us to be bearers of the Good News of Jesus Christ in this community of Western New York, and I am especially thankful to be part of this parish family once again.

Mother Frieda

Deacon’s Report on ministry

For many years it has been my job to recruit, train and schedule the people who serve in the various lay ministries within the parish. Last fall when I wrote new schedules, I made a list of all the people serving in the different activities that make our worship run smoothly. I counted 76 individuals, many of them serving in two or three different capacities. Because many jobs (such as altar guild, vestry, the people who care for the tract racks, garden angels, choir members, teachers, etc.) do not require a schedule from me, they were not counted, so the true number of active ministers in this parish is much higher than 76. It warms my heart to see that a parish of our size can claim so many active members. It says that we are doing something right – that those who attend our worship and support our parish life are actively engaged in serving God.

And it doesn’t end at our doors. The outreach efforts at St. Matthias continue as well, with Interfaith Hospitality, FISH, Episcopal Relief and Development, Angel Action and other agencies being supported. Our volunteer drivers quietly offer their services to those who need help – both within and outside our parish family, and our volunteers continue to staff a soup kitchen as needed (See outreach report for more information.)

I am also aware of a great deal of informal ministry – prayer ministry, cards, phone calls and visits to those who are ill, set-up and clean-up for receptions, coffee-hour preparation, the knitting of prayer shawls, and those outstanding people who step up in times of sudden snowstorms, loss of heat, or other emergency situations. Beyond that, I know that there are many individual acts of kindness of which I am unaware – the quiet, wonderful people who continue to do their good works in secret and receive little or no public recognition for them.

It is a real privilege for me to assist in the daily work of the parish, to serve as deacon at Eucharist and at weddings and funerals, to baptize your precious little ones (only three in 2007, but two already in 2008 and five more scheduled), to maintain the prayer lists and assist in the education, pastoral care and worship planning. I love meeting and visiting with you, writing to you in the parish newsletter, teaching, even preaching (though the priests will tell you that I do that reluctantly).

I often tell my friends and family how blessed I am that in my old age I get to hang around the place I love the most! Thank you for making that possible for me. This is a healthy parish, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.

I hold you in my prayers. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Deacon Polly

Deacon’s Report on Education

One of the many hats I wear at St. Matthias is that of Education Coordinator. Elsewhere in this booklet our capable Church School Director Linda Makson has written a report on the activities of the Church School, so I will not repeat her work. I will add a bit about the Journey to Adulthood program and the adult education.

Journey to Adulthood, also known as J2A, is a tri-level, six year program of education for teens. This is a difficult age – teens’ attention is directed about everywhere except church, and while attendance still dwindles after confirmation, the J2A program keeps at least some of the young people coming.

Our YAC students (Young Adults in Church) are engaged in some individual ministries within the church, and as a group they have pledged to make us “green” by providing a place for us to dispose of recyclable materials. Their mission trip to Honduras was a high point last year; this year’s mission event will be closer to home but no less God’s work, and the friendships forged and the spiritual benefits attained will be no less strong than last year. These young people will end their formal Church School education this coming May with a Celebration of Adulthood in the church. The middle group, known as J2A, is planning a pilgrimage to Boston this year; Fr. Dan will accompany them and take them to some holy places (as well as some fun places) in that city. About a dozen teens are in the confirmation program, and are looking forward to a conference with the bishop on May 3 and confirmation on May 11. The Rite 13 group, besides celebrating a Rite 13 Ceremony in church whenever two or three of them reach their 13^th birthdays, are engaged in ongoing classes and at the present time are exploring ideas for field trips and service projects. They are also selling T Shirts (you’ll see them soon) to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Thank you for supporting the fundraising activities of these groups – this is how they fund their pilgrimages and mission trips which are important events in the lives of these young people. And thanks to the six dedicated leaders who work with these groups.

Adult Education: During the Church School hour (9-10AM on Sunday Mornings) a group meets regularly in Morrell Hall. We study various things – this year we made a study of the Gospel of Matthew in preparation for the Year A Gospel readings in church, and at present we are studying a program entitled Outward Signs: The Congregation as Sacramental Community. Father Dan leads these programs with some assistance from others when he is unable to be there. Of course all are welcome; you don’t have to come every week – come when you can. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, there are Education for Ministry classes led by the Deacon. This program, known as EFM, is not about being ordained – it’s a program of scriptural, historical and theological education for people who are called to ministry (that’s all of us) but not to ordination – although a number of graduates of the program (including Tom Broad, Mother Frieda and I) have later gone to seminary and been ordained. Most, however, become more informed, more dedicated, often more eagerly active laity.

From time to time we schedule other educational events such as visiting speakers. Coming soon: an ongoing Sunday Cinema which will focus on introduction to the basics and “why-we-do-what-we-do.” Please let me know if you have ideas about something you would like to see presented at St. Matthias – we are always looking for new ideas.

A study done some years ago (funded by the Lilly Foundation) notes that Christian education has the potential to renew congregational life and reverse downward membership trends. They noted further that “effective Christian education is the most powerful single influence congregations have on maturity of faith.”

Ongoing education is essential to spiritual growth. Help us continue to be a healthy parish.

Deacon Polly

Music Ministry Report

2007 was a good year for the choirs. The Parish Choir has 18 members (when they are all here) and 20 members for 4 months. Retired music teachers Verdun and Karen Kearswell live six months in the South and six months in Varysburg. We are fortunate that they sing with us in the late spring and early fall.

We are also blessed to have four members of the Franklin family singing with us. Not brand new, but relatively new, they are a welcome addition. And of course we are most thankful for the stalwarts who have been singing at St. Matthias for many years.

To all of you, there is always room for more. Those who lead in worship Sunday after Sunday are giving a great gift as they sing “Soli Deo Gloria.”

Joel Franklin has been a great assistant to me in working with the choirs. As he directs the Parish Choir, I am free to concentrate on the anthem accompaniments. He and I have had much fun working with eleven young choristers. Again, more children are welcome. Your children are the future of the church. Singing in a children’s choir is good preparation for their participation as adults.

Many instrumentalists have enhanced our worship services. Flutes, trumpets, clarinets, bells, strings – there are many ways to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.”

Speaking of making a joyful noise to the Lord, this is for everyone: It is so inspiring to hear the congregation singing with gusto. The angels in heaven rejoice when you lift your voices in song. Don’t be shy. Praise God with your singing!

Ad gloriam Dei,
Marilyn Cornelius, Music Minister

Christian Education Report

The Christian Education Department at St. Matthias Church is so very blessed! We have fifteen dedicated educators, and in addition we have several support staff. This year three people answered God’s call to serve as Church School teachers for two classes (we have grown enough to add one additional class) plus most of the other teachers returned to teach their grade levels. We have ‘helpers’ in several of the classes as needed, including support staff for the Journey to Adulthood program.

Beginning in September, 2008 we will need six new educators for the Journey to Adulthood program. In each of the three levels the teachers are committed to only two years. Perhaps you hear God calling you to one of these positions. If so, you may contact Deacon Polly and she will gladly fill you in on the responsibilities.

The Church School children’s weekly offering continues to be designated for FISH. Perhaps you remember seeing the purchased groceries displayed in front of the Altar.

This past Advent the offering collected was authorized for the purchase of a duck from Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). There was enough in this offering to purchase three ducks.

We will once again ‘discover’ mite boxes for our Lenten offering. These mite boxes are to be used by everyone in the parish, not only the children. This offering has been earmarked for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

For more information on the Ducks, ERD, and the MDG’s kindly see the February issue of the Apostle.

The list of goals set and met would be endless; again we are very blessed to have such a dedicated group of people in charge of our children each Sunday. Please, when you see a teacher, kindly offer your praise and thanksgiving for their efforts to your children and grandchildren. Perhaps you may also inquire how you can contribute.

Linda Makson, ObJN
Church School Superintendent

Property Report

In January the vestry received an excepted a bid from Great Lakes Systems for a new fire detection system. In 2006 we were plagued with several false alarms including one when we hosted several guests during IHN. The new system included a new digital readout panel, pull switches, alarm horns, smoke detectors and strobe light indicators for the hearing impaired.

During the later part of January and into early February we were having trouble with the main church steam boiler and it eventually failed during the coldest part of the year. The current contractor who had been working on it was unable to meet our time frame for replacement so Radiant Design was hired. The job was completed in less than a week and we were up and running by the next Sunday service.

In April the vestry appointed Father Dan to submit to the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese of WNY an application for consent to sell real estate. New York State DOT sent a letter to SMC stating that they will be taking a portion (265 sqft) of the southwest corner of the lot at 374 Main St. for improvements to the intersection of Main and Maple. SMC will be compensated by NY State for the land. It was also discussed that we update our full property survey before any Main St. construction begins.

In May we received a check from our “Boiler Insurance” company for the replacement of the old church steam boiler. The money was set aside to help offset the cost for the new hot water system and new zones for the Barker Building. On May 20th we had a great turnout for a Spring Clean up around the property. Most of the work concentrated around the new rear entrance area where several stumps were pulled, bushes trimmed, weeds whacked and all of the climbing vines taken down off the tool shed. Once the vines were removed it was noted that the condition of the small building was in need of some repair. A new John Deer riding mower was purchased as a replacement to the small walk behind mower that could not be repaired. This would allow the Reinhardt Reed property to be kept up along with all of our other green areas. Vestry approved the resealing and striping of the parking lot by Occhino Paving and the entire bill was paid for by one of our parishioners as their annual contribution. NYS DOT made an offer for the corner of our property and it was recommended that we take the money but not accept their offer. This would give us a small chance to put in a claim against NYS in the event any of our trees or property was damaged during construction. There is a 3 year window to pursue damages. The money will go towards a new property survey and property reserves. 

Over the summer SMC received a generous donation from the estate of Al Miller. Plans to create a meditation garden on the Reinhardt Reed lot are underway by the family. It was also discussed by vestry that we talk with the Millers about the renovation of the library where vestry meets and honor Al with a dedication in his memory.

In the fall vestry approved a quote from Radiant Design for the new hot water boiler and new zones to include the Barker building, All Saints Hall and the lower parish Hall. The existing hot water system was left in place as an emergency back up. Funds from the boiler insurance money and Capital Campaign were used for this project. Quotes for the replacement of the rectory rear porch and rectory garage roof were approved by vestry. All the work was completed by parishioners who donated their time and talents helping to defray the cost of labor. Carmody Roofing was authorized by vestry to repair roof areas around the chimney above All Saints Hall and the Organist’s office. A quote was received and approved for the replacement of the hall lighting fixtures in the Barker Building. A higher efficient T8 light and wrap around style fixtures are being installed by one of our parishioners as phase one begins on our new lighting. Phase two will include new fixtures in all of our classrooms, offices and All Saints Hall.

Greg Engle
Warden

Pastoral Care Report

In the last year those who have participated in Pastoral Care have: helped each week at the Waters during the Mon day afternoon service, visited parishioners who are home bound or in a nursing home, driven members to the doctor or to other appointments, and driven members to church. Pastoral Care has also continued with the program of regular contact with house bound/nursing home through sending greetings on a monthly basis as well as quarterly mailings of large print Forward Day by Day magazines. Thank you to all who have participated in Pastoral Care this year.

Tom Alcamo, Chairman

Parish Life Report

On Sunday February 18^th we held a Mid-Winter Pot Luck Breakfast between services as usual and once again on April 15^th to Welcome Spring. As part of the whole parish “Spring Clean Up-Fix Up Day” the Parish Life people and others worked in the kitchen to do a thorough sprucing up. To honor tom Broad’s ordination to the diaconate on September 2 a reception was held in All Saints Hall. A reception to honor Alice Brown for her many years of dedicated and superior service to St. Matthias was held on November 18^th. Preparation for the Annual meeting of the church on Sunday January 27^th was completed by Tom Alcamo, Joan Bartholomy, and Donna Border.

As in the two previous years we advertised all functions and coming events in the Apostle Newspaper under “Parish Life Lines” as well as in flyers distributed throughout the church. Whenever possible, announcements were made during the services.

We attempted to have a parish picnic after the services in the Reed-Reinhardt garden. The grill and grill masters were forthcoming but sadly no one signed up to attend, so perhaps the timing after the church school graduation was not a good date.

There is interest from some people to bring back the Parish Dance and the Progressive Dinner. Also, some are interested in traveling by bus to a function in Buffalo or some place nearby. Please let anyone know if you are interested in attending or chairing one of these functions.

Respectfully submitted,
Joan Bartholomy
Parish Life Chairman

Altar Guild Report

Last year we gained one member but lost four members, two of whom were long-standing members, due to health issues or moving to a mew area. This leaves us with only 19 members, plus our treasurer and one member who only serves on our wedding committee. We are desperately in need of new members, including young people. Think if this might be for you. You will not be on your on until you are ready. Even then, we have a book with instructions for each service. Duty lasts only two or three months a year and only a few times each of those months. As you know, we prepare the altars for regular and special services and clean the silver and the linens used. We have a member who orders the memorial flowers when requested. We also have the small committee that helps out at weddings.

This is a satisfying service that is easily done. Youth, men and boys are most welcome too!

This is the last time I will hound you, since we will have a new Directress after several years of hearing from me!

Genevieve Boniface
Altar Guild Directress

Altar Guild Treasurer’s Report

Checking account 6/07/07 $3,170.45 Contributions received to 12/31/07 1,000.00

Deposits: Christmas $560

Misc. 440

Disbursements to 12/31/07 662.74

Disbursements: Flowers by Nature $571.07

Christmas Ribbon 16.74

Bene’s Silversmith 75.00

Checking Account Balance 12/31/07 $3,507.71

Savings Account Balance 10/10/06 $601.76

Interest earned .45

Balance 6/7/07 $602.21

Deborah Smith
Altar Guild Treasurer

Outreach Programs Report

The St. Matthias Mission and Ministry Goals are “to strengthen our Outreach Program, especially the provision of assistance to individuals and families in crisis.” To try to fulfill this commitment, we have divided our contribution into financial and personal participation.

Personal Outreach Participation :

1. Interfaith Hospitality Network . Jane Swain has been the coordinator of our volunteers and those from six other East Aurora churches providing housing at St Matthias, an evening meal, overnight stay and transportation back to the Day Center for homeless families. We tried to accommodate families for a week four times in 2007. We extend our deepest gratitude to Jane for her six years of overseeing this sometimes very difficult project. Lynne Juratovic is the new coordinator with high hopes for more willing participants from St. Matthias and the other EA churches

2. Soup Kitchen . Jeanette and Ken Campbell scheduled seven volunteers from St. Matthias to help with the food preparation and clean up at the Church of the Good Shepherd in South Buffalo when our monthly Saturday came up. As there are 13 possible volunteers now, a rotation of workers took place,

3. FISH . Their director informed us of the special foods that are needed for their pantry each month. Peter Westphal delivered these supplies to the FISH building at 960 Main Street, EA, where they were distributed to needy families in the Southtowns area. If needed on special days such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, volunteers from St. Matthias helped with the distribution.

4. Rummage Sale.

5. Knitters. Prayer shawls and caps for cancer patients were made and given anonymously with a tag “Prayers for You from Ladies of St. Matthias”.

6. Sock and Mitten Tree. Christmas gift suggestions were pinned on the St. Matthias Christmas tree along with mitten, scarves, hats and socks to be given by various agencies to less fortunate folks. Kathy & Jim Stegner made the arrangements and deliveries.

Financial Outreach

Diocesan Pledge $20,911

Outreach Council 1101

Seminary 2000 Budgeted

Clergy Discretionary Fund 5623

St Matthias Grants

Interfaith Hospitality 500

Diocese of New Orleans 500

Mary Sherwood Mission 500

Aurora Adult Day Service 500

Episcopal Relief & Development 125

Bishop’s Discretionary Fund 239

Good Friday Offering 212

Special Offerings Advent/Lent 633

United Thank Offering 2138

If you would like to help in any of our Outreach categories or if you have ideas of people or areas that could use our talents or monies, please speak to Father Dan, Polly Bowen, Tom Alcamo, or members of the 2008 Vestry. Thank you to all the faithful volunteers who have made our Outreach goals possible.

Donna Border
Outreach Committee

Capital Fund Campaign Report

Since the Capital Fund Campaign began in late 2005, 100 individuals/families have pledged $225,247.44. Of that amount, $180,229.39 has been received.

Spring is coming (eventually) and with it the start of the construction season. If you can, please honor your pledge for 2008 soon so that funds are in place for this year’s projects.

If you haven’t contributed to the fund, it is never too late!

Harold Boniface

Font Roll Report

In 2007 three children were baptized. The good news is that for 2008 seven are already baptized or scheduled to be baptized.

Presently 25 children are on the font roll list. A communication is sent once, or some years twice a year for four years to the parents of each baptized child. This includes pamphlets to the parents and godparents at the time of baptism and attractive cards to the children on each anniversary of baptism and helpful suggestions to the parents on how to discuss the meaning of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost with them.

Susan Ott
Font Roll Ministry