2018

Annual

Report

Saint Jude’s is a spiritual oasis where

lives are transformed.

Presented on January 27, 2019

St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church

www.saintjudes.org

Whoever you are,

wherever you are on your

journey of faith,

you are welcome here.

2

Slideshow – Photos from the past year were shared. The slideshow was �tled “Living out our Mission Covenant Goals”,

and was created by Mary Hultquist and others.

Invoca�on – Wilma Jakobsen started the mee�ng with a prayer.

Approval of 2017 Annual Mee�ng Minutes - Carlos Estrada made a mo�on to accept the minutes of the 2017 Annual

Mee�ng as wri1en. The mo�on was seconded by Kathy Lynch and Carolyn Bowker, and the minutes were approved

unanimously.

Vestry Elec�on – Carlos Estrada reviewed the vo�ng eligibility requirements. He explained the congrega�on is vo�ng

on Vestry members to four 3-year terms and one 1-year term. There were no nomina�ons from the floor. New Vestry

members were unanimously approved by acclama�on. The 3-year terms were filled by Don Disney, Lauren Minkel,

Sco1 Rotondo, and Kathy Yates. The 1-year term was filled by Mason Razavi.

Elec�on of Alternate Delegates to the Diocesan Conven�on – Linda Morris explained that all delegates on the ballot

will be delegates, and the vo�ng is only to determine the order of the alternates. Parishioners marked their choice and

turned in their ballots for coun�ng.

2017 in Review – Carlos Estrada summarized our year of “Seeing Things Differently”.

2017 was the third year of our Mission Covenant.

The Coulter pine tree fell. A team quickly convened to plan next steps and kicked off the third phase of our site

plan to make our site more welcoming to all genera�ons. Jennifer Stern gave an update on the progress of

obtaining city approval for the site plan.

The Finance transi�on con�nued with Sherry Snow as our Interim Treasurer. A Finance Commi1ee was set up with

a framework for volunteers and bookkeeping.

St. Jude’s con�nued support of important partners and causes, such as Santa Maria Urban Ministry, St. Patrick’s

School in Hai�, and PACT. Social Jus�ce/Outreach is embedded in our DNA.

We welcomed new parishioners and said goodbye to some dear friends who passed away or moved. The average

Sunday a1endance con�nues to decline, which affects our pledges and budget.

As our depar�ng Senior Warden, Carlos recognized and thanked the current Vestry.

Mission Covenant in 2017 & 2018 – Wilma Jakobsen summarized transi�ons and changes in 2017 and 2018 challenges.

Leadership, Volunteers, Staff:

Dave Rickert has joined our staff this year part �me to assist with the youth.

New Finance Commi1ee – Wilma recognized Sco1 Rotondo as the Finance Commi1ee leader and Jeffrey

Pugh as our new Treasurer.

Wilma recognized our church staff – Donna Araiza, Laura Green and Billie Bandermann, Steve Swayze, Tam

Tran and Erika Domokos.

Outreach and Congrega�onal Development included food trucks and small groups, Bible study on Sundays,

Wednesday theological book group aHer the noon healing service, and updated communica�ons.

2017 was a �me of natural disasters, rapid change, and poli�cal polariza�on.

We experienced the loss of long �me members and beloved friends who died or moved away.

St. Jude’s con�nued to support those who are vulnerable, including the SafePark Program, PACT and affordable

housing, Sanctuary and Solidarity, and a small group visit to Hai�.

Challenges & Invita�ons for 2018:

Bring more people into the work.

Incorporate new members into our community.

Grow the Average Sunday A1endance through our Mission Covenant.

Sunday worship and experience, and social jus�ce/outreach.

Preaching during these difficult �mes.

St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Annual Mee�ng Minutes, Sunday, January 28, 2018

(Con�nued on next page)

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Mission Covenant Goals – Sarah Lapenta-H

Mary Hultquist led the group to recite the Mission Covenant Goals. Sarah shared Table Trivia on the Mission

Covenant Goals, and passed out bookmarks to remind us of the detailed descrip�ons behind the goals.

The 2018 Mission Covenant Goals Remixed will focus on including the goals into the ministries: Mission-IN-

Ministry. In the past, we assigned task forces to do the work of the goals and these teams were seen as

add-ons to all we are doing. This upcoming year, we will weave the MCGs into our shared life.

Ministries will discuss and decide tasks related to the MCG foci, and the MCGs will be reflected in clergy

and staff �me, our communica�ons, budget, and year-round stewardship.

For 2018, our MCG focus areas are to con�nue with “Deepening Our Welcome” over the next 6 months,

resume “Ages and Stages”, and in the fall, add “Discipleship” for the new program year.

Ongoing priori�es in 2018 include growing the parish through the Mission Covenant, Site Plan 3, Safe Park

Program, rejuvenate our partnership in Hai�, finish financial transi�on, keep within the budget,

stewardship year round, and prepare the parish for Wilma’s sabba�cal May to August.

Lent begins soon. Ash Wednesday is on Valen�ne’s Day this year. The Lenten theme is Joy in the Midst … of

grief, uncertainty, loss, suffering. The Wednesday Noon Healing service will be followed by a discussion

of The Book of Joy, by Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Wilma led the congrega�on in a restatement of our St. Jude’s vision.

Financial Report – Carlos Estrada shared our Balance Sheet as of the end of 2017.

For the 2018 Budget, our goal per Vestry resolu�on is a balanced budget. $24k from Social Jus�ce/Outreach

Designated Fund will be used to

supplement the SJ/O opera�ng budget. A distribu�on from the Endowment Fund income will be used

to fund Dave Rickert’s youth ministry. Our average pledge is increasing, and 75% of parishioners

pledge.

Income – Pledges are down 3%, Use Dona�ons are down 11%, flowers will be paid for fully by offerings, 2018 budget is

3% lower than 2017 actuals.

Expenses – Carlos highlighted some decreases. He shared pie charts of expenses – staff, outreach, property, programs.

Key Financial Takeaways

We have a balanced budget but we used designated funds to supplement the 2018 budget.

Long term sustainability will require addi�onal rental income, increasing our membership and pledges, and

controlling our spending.

Results of Vo�ng – The first Alternate Delegate is Wren Gray-Reneberg, and the second Alternate is Lisa Carpenter.

Wilma announced that our new Senior Warden is Kathy Yates.

Recogni�ons – Wilma Jakobsen

Wilma read the names of those who have passed away in the past year. Wilma recognized and thanked the outgoing

Vestry members: Carlos Estrada, Mary Hultquist, Margot Jacobsen, Dennis Lee, and Sco1 Rotondo.

Rector’s Recogni�on – Susan Davenport, Sherry Snow, Tom Dyer, Becky Smith, and Juneann McDonald.

Q & A

Staff salaries did not increase. The increase in the budget is due to taxes and other expenses. Social Jus�ce/Outreach

received designated funding from a bequest made by Dwight Goodwin, who passed away in 2016. Howard thanked the

congrega�on for our support for Santa Maria Urban Ministry, which recently hired an

Execu�ve Director with fundraising experience.

Closing Prayer – Sarah Lapenta-H

Mee�ng concluded at 12:15PM.

St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Annual Mee�ng Minutes, Sunday, January 28, 2018

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10:20 Service ends; Assemble outside for Parish Photo

10:40 Brunch

11:10 Invoca�on: Wilma Jakobsen

11:15 Business items led by Kathy Yates, Sr. Warden:

Approval of 2018 Annual Mee�ng Minutes

Explana�on of Vo�ng

Call for Nomina�ons from the floor

Vo�ng

Demographic data update

11:35 Report from the Rector

11:45 Financial report (Jeffrey Pugh, Treasurer and Sco1 Rotondo, Finance Commi1ee Chair)

12:00 Report on Vo�ng and Senior Warden Comments

12:10 Q&A

12:20 Recogni�ons and Thank You’s (Wilma and Kathy)

12:30 Prayer and Adjournment

A short vestry mee�ng follows in the east conference room.

*Vo�ng Requirements:

Fourteen years of age or older, a communicant for the previous six months and bap�zed. If eighteen years or older, is known to

the Treasurer as a regular donor or has given to the church by puTng a check into the offering plate over the previous six months.

Agenda January 27, 2019

SWS ac�vity; singing to the elders Amahl and the Night Visitors, January 2019

5

Rector’s Report………………………..……….6-7

Associate Rector’s report…………..……..8-9

Senior Warden’s Report………….……...10

Community

Greeters…………………………………………….16

Newcomers……………………………………....17

Site Plan 3……………………………………..19-20

Property……………..………………...….…..….19

Outreach

Social Jus�ce/Outreach...………...…..11-14

Safe Parking………………………...…………...12

Service Worship Sunday…………………….13

Please reach out to the ministry leader if you are

interested in learning more.

Pastoral Care & Spiritual Forma�on

Youth Group……………………………….………...17

Eucharis�c Visitors……………......…….….....18

Stephen Ministry……………….……….……....18

Stewardship

Finances………………………….…………...….21-27

Worship

Music/Choir………………………………........ ...15

Flower Ministry.…………………………….….....15

Altar Care……………………………………………..16

What we did in 2018

By the Numbers

Editor: Donna Andresen Araiza

With thanks to proofreaders: Rita Bryson, Barbara Simmons and Jennifer Stern.

Average Sunday A"endance

2018 2017

8:00 am 43 42

10:30 am 97 113

9:30 am 115 117

Average Sunday 147 156

ASA=All Sunday services, Sunday & Saturday evenings, e.g. Easter Vigil

and Christmas eve, away e.g. parish camp, beach church and women’s

weekend. No weddings or funerals.

Baptisms

2

Marriages

2

Memorials

10

2018 Sta�s�cs

Christmas

attendance

281

Easter

attendance

306

Conf/Recept.

6/1

2017 Sta�s�cs

Bap�sms 3

Confirma�ons 7

Recep�ons 1

Marriages 2

Memorials 12

Easter 331

Christmas 323

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The Rev. Wilma Jakobsen

R ector

From the

2018 Rector’s annual report: Strengthening our Community Together

As I look back on what I now know will be my last full year serving

as your Rector, I reflect on the ways that our faith community has

lived out the principles of the Mission Covenant, which was

developed during the early years of my tenure at St. Jude’s.

The following aspects of our last year par�cularly stand out for me:

���� How we show love to our neighbors and share our abundance: through Service Worship Sunday; our

covenant rela�onship with Saint Patrick’s School in Hai�; Safe Park through which we welcome increased

guests and volunteers in our community.

���� How we experience Forma�on: through the Jesus Seminar on the Road and through explora�on of

diverse liturgical styles and prayers from around the world during Lent, the summer and in Advent.

�The ways in which parishioners foster deeper rela�onships; including through our Lenten study of the

Book of Joy; by conduc�ng courageous Apprecia�ve Inquiry conversa�ons between clergy and ministry

leaders who are feeling stretched; through events that inten�onally include all ages; and through the court-

yard modifica�ons which will soon create lovely new spaces for both children and adults to gather for play

and social interac�on.

�Nurturing Leadership: I am deeply grateful to St. Jude’s staff and ministry leaders, my clergy partners, and

the Wardens, who collec�vely led the parish during my Sabba�cal. Their leadership, which embodies our

Mission Covenant, showed the depth and strength of St. Jude’s community that will carry through the

coming transi�on.

Comings and Goings: I was sad to see dedicated parishioners and parish leaders of many years leave us and

move to new lives in other places, including Juneann McDonald, Linda and Michael Morris, Diane and Frank

Snow, Susan Davenport and Sco1 Siebers, Sherry and Ned Snow, and Louise Thompson. We also said good-

bye to Tam Tran, nursery and childcare staff for thirteen years. We give thanks for their long ministries

among us, and gratefully welcomed fiHeen new ministry leaders to con�nue the work these other leaders

sustained for so many years.

New vestments: We used a por�on of the Memorial Fund that has grown over the years to purchase three

new sets of beau�ful vestments that will inspire us for decades and bring glory to God through their striking

beauty. Thanks to Susan Davenport (Altar Guild) and the Memorial Fund leaders who made this happen

Clergy changes I am so grateful for our St. Jude’s clergy. Dave Rickert brought great joy to us and especially

our youth and youth mentors, ending his six month sojourn with us when he transi�oned to his parish closer

(con�nued on next page)

7

to home. We celebrated the ordina�on of Jani Wild to the priesthood and welcomed her onto the clergy

sabba�cal team. Sarah Lapenta-H is sadly leaving our clergy team. Through her giHs, skills and pastoral minis-

try, many people and areas of St Jude’s have been strengthened and/or transformed. I am ever grateful for

Bruce Bramle1, who remains a stable ministry presence through pastoral care and adult educa�on.

Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, who will re�re in January 2020, visited us twice this year, at our Confirma�on

Service and as our Harvest Dinner speaker. We celebrate her ministry in this diocese and her regular presence

at St Jude’s.

Looking ahead with Gra�tude : Bi1ersweet feelings con�nue as we process the reality of my departure from

St. Jude’s in a few months’ �me. We are in transi�on, and I am grateful to have �me to both grieve together

and to celebrate the journey of the past almost six and a half years. I look forward to Lent when we will

explore the transforma�ve power of faith and spirituality amidst the struggles of our lives.

My hearWelt thanks to St Jude’s, this extraordinary faith community that is a place of deepening faith, com-

munity and outreach. We are people on the Way, the Way of Love. I trust that God, Holy Wisdom, will em-

power us in our journey and lead us to paths of deeper fruiWulness. May we discover just how deep the love

of God is that surpasses knowing, and that “God is able to do immeasurably far more than all we can ask or

imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20) Deo Gracias.

Above & side-Wilma at the November Workday.

Below-Wilma on her Sabba�cal.

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(con�nued on next page)

2018 was indeed a year of Seeing Differently… largely for my ministry areas in the following ways:

1. Con�nuing to offer pastoral care and cul�vate wholeness, including officia�ng at weddings and

funerals, caring for various ministry leaders and people who do not come to church on Sundays but

feel very much a part of St. Jude’s, encouraging rituals like the Altar of Remembrance, and cura�ng

Jazz Vespers with transforma�onal invita�ons like those from “Longest Night” services.

2. Ini�a�ng courageous conversa�ons and transparency about who St. Jude’s is called to be and how at

this �me and place of our life together, such as through the Financial Promise Season process and the

Apprecia�ve Inquiry pilot program and recommenda�ons made to vestry.

3. Refreshing small group offerings – from youth group to young adults to the many groups formed from

Groups of the Spirit (GOTS) that con�nue to meet!

4. Persevering with a team to create a new website through the eyes of those who most frequent it –

visitors and volunteers.

5. Prac�cing being “the church” together, suppor�ng one another, and exploring liturgical styles in

Wilma’s sabba�cal absence.

6. Preaching and being present sacramentally in ways that connect inten�onally with Gen X, Millennials,

and others.

7. Reimagining and enjoying an interac�ve, all ages, Christmas Eve service and other gatherings to bring

all ages together.

8. Revisi�ng how ministries partner together to complement one another well, such as those who come

together for weddings and funerals/memorials.

9. Working to cul�vate rela�onships across differences of theological or poli�cal convic�ons, worship

service �mes, learning styles and love languages, ages and abili�es. Not to encourage like-mindedness or

groupthink but to expand our capacity to listen and honor one another across differences. “Let change begin

with us,” eh?!

All the above was laced with welcoming new folks into the

St Jude’s community and saying goodbye to folks I’d grown

to love and honoring them well with our sending.

R A ssociate ector

The Rev. Sarah Lapenta-H

From the

9

And now it’s my turn to be sent. Unlike my associate predecessors who focused on children and youth

ministry, Wilma invited me to St. Jude’s to focus on congrega�onal development and all mediums of

communica�on. I saw my role as invi�ng the community to stretch and “try on” new prac�ces, speaking

truth even when hard to hear, and midwifing sustainable and spiritually mature change. My prayer was –

to quote an excerpt from Louise Glück’s Celes�al Music:

She's always trying to make something whole,

something beau�ful, an image

Capable of life apart from her.

As I wave adieu, I leave with gra�tude for the love and grace we shared and with prayers as you welcome

and love those around you in this new year of Strengthening [Your] Community Together.

From the leH: SWS, Bap�sm, Roga�on Sunday

Below leH: Diocesan conven�on

10

One year ago, as we stepped into 2018, our Vestry was in the midst of reflec�ng on the theme introduced at

the preceding Harvest Dinner: “stewardship year-round”. While we collec�vely embraced the no�on that

stewardship requires con�nuous a1en�on, Vestry felt the language we use should be inspira�onal and root-

ed in gra�tude. We iden�fied examples of our God-given abundance -- which is always there for us to en-

counter when we pay a1en�on. We talked about what we can do to inten�onally build upon and reinforce

God’s abundance in our lives, especially in our faith, in our environment, and in our community.

This idea became the kernel of our liturgical planning for

the year: faith being the focal point through Lent and Easter;

our environment (including our beau)ful campus) as the

focal point for the warm months of May through September;

and in the fall, focusing on our community.

This culmina�ng focus on the strength and abundance of our community served as the founda�on for our

tradi�onal fall financial promise campaign: Strengthening Our Community Together. And what be1er way to

enjoy our community than through the celebra�ons of our Harvest Dinner with Bishop Mary and the viva-

cious Amahl produc�on that kicked off 2019!

Now, as we enter a season of change in our clergy leadership, I believe we have a solid founda�on of

community strength and crea�vity to serve us well in the coming months. I am thankful for the many

ministry leaders in our parish, especially those who have courageously volunteered to pilot an Apprecia�ve

Inquiry process to re-imagine our ministries, to fit them more appropriately to the ways we live out our lives.

These conversa�ons about our ministries will con�nue even as we begin the process of searching for our

next clergy leadership.

Following Wilma's announcement of her new calling and plans to leave us in May, Rev. Canon Brian

Nordwick from the Diocese of El Camino Real met with our Vestry to lay out current best prac�ces in search-

ing for clergy leadership. He explained that there are new op�ons for calling priests that didn’t exist when we

embarked on the process of calling Wilma, almost a decade ago. These new op�ons can allow for a more

streamlined process that takes less �me. Very soon your Vestry will make a decision about the best way to

both engage our parish and create stability in our community as we undertake our search.

I feel very supported by the many messages of encouragement and willingness to “chip in” that I have

received following Wilma’s announcement. I look ahead to 2019 as a year of spiritual growth and renewal

for our parish, and trust that we will con�nue to be guided by God’s abundant love for each of us and the

wholeness of our community.

enior S W

arden

Kathy Yates

11

We deepened our welcome and accessibility to folks

of various ages and stages by switching our mee�ng

�me to Saturdays at 10:30 am. This allows the

par�cipa�on of those who are employed or no

longer drive at night.

Celebra�ons! We gave key funds to assist Santa

Maria Urban Ministry’s dynamic new director to

have a successful start, and to support Carolyn

Bowker in her ministry to the mentally ill in the jail.

We assisted those who are homeless by hos�ng Safe

Park for 2+ months (providing our guests with a safe

place to sleep in their cars, a weekly dinner and

breakfast, and friendship) and providing funds (and

volunteers) for the Winter Faith Collabora�ve, a

rota�ng shelter for medically frail women, and to

the Canterbury Program at San Jose State University

for their shelter for 12 students. We enabled frail

elderly needing scholarships to a1end the Live Oak

Adult Day Services program here on our campus.

We also supported the ac�vi�es of Service Worship

Sunday, provided a dona�on to PACT (People Ac�ng

in Community Together) to aid their work for

economic jus�ce in our valley, paid for lunches for

veterans, and provided physical therapy sessions for

those with mul�ple disabili�es at the Four Homes of

Mercy in Pales�ne. And, we kept children fed and

learning at Saint Patrick’s school in Hai�.

Thank you St. Jude’s for making this possible. We

have a wonderful �me “doing good.” Come join us.

Greater impact and St. Jude's partnership in Hai�

Our Mission Covenant calls on us to focus energy

and resources to make a greater impact in social

jus�ce and outreach and support. A telling example

of this is the profound and posi�ve impact St.

Judian's have on the lives of the children and

families of Saint Patrick Episcopal mission school on

Hai�'s Central Plateau.

In 2018, more than $4,000 in dona�ons from

individuals in our parish community, plus a $15,000

"greater impact" alloca�on from the Vestry

designated social jus�ce outreach budget,

underwrote educa�on and nutri�on support for the

some 150 students at the pre-k through sixth grade

school.

St. Jude's help went towards

tui)ons that pay teachers,

enabled the purchase of

curriculum materials and - of

growing importance - food to

make possible a hot lunch

program at Saint Patrick.

ocial

j S o ustice

utreach

Peter Troop

Beginning in 2018, St. Jude's support enabled

hot student lunches at Saint Patrick.

12

S P

afe

arking

Becky Smith, Mair Dundon

At Saint Patrick's, Susan Witherspoon with Revd. Denise Tervine

who oversees the school

St. Jude's provides the funds necessary to purchase

rice, beans, fish and canned protein in Hai�. Parent

volunteers cook and serve the food. For many of the

students this has become their primary meal of the

day.

In the 2017-18 school year, all sixth grade students

at Saint Patrick school passed their year-end exams

to advance. Of the 124 students enrolled in first

through sixth grades, 89% passed to progress to the

next grade level. At year-end, including

kindergarten, there were 148 students at Saint-

Patrick, 74 boys and 74 girls.

Since 2011, St. Jude's has contributed to the

Episcopal Diocese of Hai� in response to a call from

the Na�onal Church to strengthen the Diocese and

help be1er the lives of the people of Hai�.

The St. Jude’s Safe Parking program offers

bathrooms and a place to park overnight for people

living in their cars. It ran from February 15th to May

30th and again August through September in 2018 -

our second year. We were fully enrolled and

offered hospitality each night from 9:00 pm-10:00

pm, Tuesday night dinners and Saturday morning

light breakfast during the 2nd session.

We inspired other faith

communi)es to volunteer at

St. Jude’s and to take turns

hos)ng.

With their involvement, our guests now have a

place to park year-round. We profoundly

deepened our welcome and accessibility to

people of various backgrounds, ethnici�es, ages,

and situa�ons – and experienced healthy stretching

and maturing of our community and prac�ce. Our

program had a huge effect on our guest’s lives and

while there is no housing available, provided a safe

place for them to park, furthering St. Jude’s efforts

in social jus�ce and outreach.

13

Becky Smith, Mike Landis

In 2018 we celebrated our Service Worship Sundays

on January 14th

and July 15th

. This means we have

served God with our hands through outreach projects

on seven special Sundays in the last four years. We

create opportuni�es for parishioners with busy

modern lives to serve our community during �me set

aside for church.

We host projects for all ages and many varied talents

at St. Jude’s and in the community, and provide a

hands-on way to learn about St. Jude’s Outreach

ministries and community service partners.

We made blankets for Project Linus, worked for

Habitat for Humanity, processed reading material

for prisoners, packed backpacks for low-income

students, colored notebooks for Hai�an students,

repaired bikes for folks in need, painted Santa

Maria Urban Ministries, volunteered at a women’s

shelter, cooked at a family shelter, trained volunteers

for our safe parking program, cleaned one food

pantry, prepped bags for another, sang at a senior

home, tried a li1le Laundry Love and more.

We celebrated over 90

par)cipants and 17 project

leaders in 2018.

14

14

15

M Laura Green

usic C Billie Bandermann

hoir

lower F M inistry

Susan Lanser

Glorifying God

through music has

been a cornerstone

of St. Jude’s worship.

Worship and Outreach

*Annual Deanery Concert: Hosted at St. Jude’s.

2/25/18

*Relay for Life: Choir members and addi�onal St.

Jude’s members sang at Sunnyvale Middle School

track for the annual community Cancer Walk.

6/02/18

*Praise Song Sing-along Outreach: Choir members

and church musicians sang at Sunnyview Cuper�no

(Service Worship Sunday). 7/15/18

*Choir Invita�onal: Newcomers and church

members were invited to join the choir in

presen�ng music for that morning’s worship

service. This was part of St. Jude’s “Ministry, Music

and Educa�on” program. 8/05/18.

*Rehearsals began in September for our 2019

Epiphany performance of MenoT’s Amahl and the

Night Visitors.

The music program supports two instrumental

groups that play for Sunday Worship and special

services: BOTS (Brass of the Spirit) and MOTS (Music

of the Spirit). It also supports COTS (Children of the

Spirit), a children’s choir lead by Kathy Disney.

Choir Members: In 2018, six long �me choir

members moved out-of-state. We sorely miss

Louise Thompson, Juneann McDonald, Linda and

Michael Morris, Ned and Sherry Snow. You may see

them singing in the choir from �me to �me when

they visit the area, as Linda and Michael Morris did

on Christmas Eve. We welcome new singers Karen

and Emily Buck, and Steve Swayze.

Apprecia�on and Thanks to:

Charlo1e Pannell and Mary S�les for providing

music once monthly at the 8:00 am service; Mason

Razavi & Friends for their unique Jazz Vespers

Service; piano subs�tutes Kathy Disney and Irene

Kwok; organ/piano subs�tute Ma1hias Baumhof;

Ned Snow, BOTS leadership; Steven Azar, BOTS

transposi�ons; brass soloists Michelle Pugh

(trumpet) and Kevin Bryson (trombone); Brian

Lanser, drums; Jennifer Stern and Linda Morris,

communica�ons; Michael Morris, soloist and choir

support; Juneann McDonald and Lori Bertolucci,

music librarians. A special thank you to Audrey

Ma1hews, for preparing delicious luncheons for our

annual choir retreat and appe�zers for concert

recep�ons.

The Flower Ministry decorates the church with

flower arrangements each Sunday as well as

Christmas and Easter. Each member has their own

weekend and purchases the flowers, arranges and

places them in the church. This is usually done on

Saturday. The flower ministry is self-funded by

dona�ons provided by parishioners.

Anyone may dedicate flowers

for a week that is meaningful

to them as celebra)on of a life

event or as a memorial to a

loved one.

Addi�onal dona�ons to the Flower Ministry can be

made any�me. You can also sponsor an Easter Lily

for Easter or PoinseTa for Christmas. Training is

provided for new members. If you love flowers and

want to contribute to the beauty of our sanctuary,

please contact Susan Lanser for more informa�on.

16

Altar Guild work is done

quietly behind the scenes

to prepare the Altar and

Church for worship service

and Holy Eucharist.

We have four teams who serve once a month. We

start with Saturday cleaning the church and altar in

prepara�on for Sunday services.

On Sundays before the 8:00 am service our teams

set out the linens, bread, wine, water, chalices and

candles. In between services everything is cleaned

and set out again for the 10:30 am service. AHer

10:30 service all is cleaned again and put away. Altar

Guild also prepares for Wednesday noon healing

service and all special services during the year.

This year Susan Davenport resigned as Altar Guild

leader. She leH the Altar Guild in excellent form as

she updated the Altar Guild documents and

provided great leadership to all its members. Connie

Erickson and Louise Marrio1 became the new co-

leaders. Before Susan leH she worked with Clergy

to order new Chasubles and Stoles with matching

Burse and Veils. We have had several of our team

members leave this year. We have also had a new

member join. We ac�vely seek new members who

feel called to prepare the church for worship.

The ministry of gree�ng parishioners and

newcomers on Sunday morning gives the first warm

impression of our church community. We welcome

everyone to the service, returning parishioners and

visitors alike. For newcomers, it can be daun�ng to

a1end a service in a new church.

A warm welcome before

one enters the church

can serve to take away

the apprehension of

being among strangers.

Hopefully, it is a foretaste of many friendships to

come. The Greeters serve on a regular rota�ng

schedule, four �mes a year for 8:00 Greeters and six

�mes a year for 10:30. A new quarter schedule,

instruc�ons, and greeters’ names with their email

addresses are sent out via email a week or so before

the new quarter. They can be sent out via regular

mail if a greeter does not have email.

8:00 Greeters do the set up before the service

begins. This includes the notebook for the Prayers of

the People, greeters’ table, announcement board,

name badge boards, and the altar kneelers. The

10:30 Greeters put everything away.

Newcomers are offered a temporary name badge,

and a St. Jude’s Visitor Bag as a welcoming giH and

invited to our social �me in the hall aHer the

service. The 10:30 service has dedicated Hosts to

assist us in this. Following the service, we ask if they

would like to have their name included in the visitor

book. That informa�on is then recorded on the

Communica�on Card or iPad.

ltar A are C

Connie Erickson,

Louise Marrio@

G reeters

Reg & Barb Hamer,

PaBe & Sco@ Rotondo

17

The newcomers ministry underwent a transi�on in

2018. Beth Estrada stepped down as leader in late

summer and handed over leadership to co-chairs

Judy Bailey and Shanie George. Judy and Shanie

had previously worked on Deepening Our

Welcome as part of our mission covenant so it

seemed a natural progression to head up the

newcomers ministry. The process is always being

evaluated: clarifying the roles of greeters , hosts,

and clergy, looking at ways to improve communi-

ca�on and incorpora�on of newcomers into parish

life. By engaging newcomers in conversa�on or

invi�ng par�cipa�on in parish ac�vi�es, everyone

in the parish has a significant role in this ministry.

FiHeen newcomers a1ended the welcome lunch in

2018.

Several of the newcomers

remarked that these lunches

were a great way for them to

get to know other

parishioners in an informal

se9ng.

Planning has begun for two newcomer lunches in

2019. Another achievement for 2018 was the

addi�on of an IPad for visitors to sign in on along

with a newly developed visitor card for those who

prefer paper.

Our Youth Group has gone through many changes

over the last year. We welcomed and said goodbye

to Reverend Dave, who brought great energy and

ideas to our group.

We’ve incorporated some new ways of being

together, holding worship and communion as a

group, and trying out prac�ces like yoga.

Through the changes, some things have remained

constant: our dedicated Youth Mentors con�nue

their support of the young people of our parish;

the Youth-led Sunday service brings us together as

a community; and the annual Youth Chili Sale

fundraiser helps us share our abundance beyond

St. Jude’s.

In 2018, the youth made a

record 22 gallons of chili,

raising almost $800.

With the proceeds, we were able to buy Christmas

giHs for 72 children, youth, and elders. We look

forward to 2019, as we will con�nue our faithful

engagement with, and support of, youth and their

families.

Y outh G Lauren Minkel

roup

Judy Bailey, Shanie George

N ewcomers

18

Emily Holton

ucharistic E V isitors

tephen S M inistry

Judy Bailey, Barbara Simmons

For a Eucharis�c Visitor (EV), Sundays do not end

aHer the service. We con�nue our Sunday worship

by visi�ng those unable to a1end church. We share

with them a brief two-page service with the creed,

confession, sermon summary, communion, and we

bring them gree�ngs from the congrega�on. The

service and visits are short. An EV visits no more

than two people per week and usually serves four

�mes a quarter. We’d love to have you join us in

this amazingly rewarding ministry. Your presence

(anyone who has been confirmed) allows us to

expand our ministry. Please talk with clergy and

current EVs if you are interested in learning more.

We welcome, encourage and will support poten�al

Eucharis�c Visitors.

We started 2018 with nine EVs and two accompani-

ers. Over the year our numbers decreased to four

EVs and three accompaniers. Two St. Jude’s trained

ministers have filled in for special visits. We made

157 visits to 14 parishioners in 2018, a total of 422

communions. Most visits were to nursing/assisted

living facili�es and to people living at home. We

currently have a list of four parishioners that we try

to visit weekly.

We are learning to live as

disciples of Jesus in the

modern world in this

ministry by sharing

communion and sermon

summaries with people

unable to a;end church.

We support parishioners through all stages of their

lives and we will take communion to any parishioner

who is unable to a1end church. We joyfully share-

our �me with them. They appreciate con�nuing to

be part of the St. Jude’s community.

If you might like communion at home or in a

hospital or similar facility, please contact the church

office or clergy and request an EV visit.

Stephen Ministry con�nues to be an integral part of

pastoral care at St. Jude’s. Stephen Ministers pro-

vide one-to-one confiden�al care to individuals who

are experiencing a difficult �me. In this way we are

mostly aligned with the mission covenant goal of

suppor�ng parishioners through all stages of their

lives. In 2018 we cared for eight individuals, walking

alongside them, providing a caring heart and a

listening ear.

Those who receive care

appreciate the love and

support they receive, while

the Stephen Ministers

experience growth in faith

and joy in providing this care.

We celebrate this ministry and support one another

every month at our supervision mee�ngs.

Current Stephen Ministers are Bet Messmer, Laura

Bryson Todd, Gordon Mullin, Charlo1e Pannell and

leaders Barbara Simmons and Judy Bailey. In

December Jan Panell stepped down as a Stephen

Minister. Her contribu�ons were acknowledged and

appreciated at our holiday dinner.

19

(con�nued on next page)

Jennifer Stern

S ite P lan 3

The opera�ons group oversees the maintenance

and use of the parish property and facili�es. This

group consists of the Junior Warden (chair), the

Senor Warden, the Rector, the Parish administrator,

Nick Harrah (oversees property), Bruce Horn

(oversees orchard and gardens), and Jean Chandler

(oversees parish events). This group meets once a

month to review and priori�ze projects.

The big project during 2018 and going into 2019 has

been the playground project. This project is

described in another ar�cle. During 2018, the

dishwasher in the parish hall started leaking and

was replaced. The carpet in the parish hall received

a much needed cleaning. Changes were made

related to site safety and security.

The decision was made to

close the parking lot to

through traffic during the

week. This is currently a

temporary solu)on which

will be made permanent

this year.

Also, cameras have been installed so that staff

members working alone in the Farmhouse Office

can see who is there before opening doors.

St. Jude’s large campus requires constant a1en�on.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you see something

that needs a1en�on, or if there is something you

would like to work on. Parish work days are held a

couple of �mes a year.

Our classroom courtyard work is in progress! AHer

a long series of nego�a�ons with the City, we

received our permit to begin construc�on in

October 2018. Work began with a parish volunteer

day Thanksgiving weekend to demolish the exis�ng

courtyard. Our contractor started the following

Monday. We have completed grading, installed two

new trees (including a large oak in front of room 2

which will provide future shade), and prepared for

an imminent concrete pour for playground and

arbor foo�ngs, a bocce court, and new pathways.

Next steps include installing pa�o pavers and

finishing the arbor, new fencing, a garden area with

a water feature that could poten�ally incorporate

some of our original courtyard bricks, and new grass

and plan�ngs.

The final step will be raising

the new playground, which

we are tenta)vely planning

as a parish volunteer project

on March 2. Mark your

calendars!

P Ken Foot

roperty

20

In addi�on to the courtyard landscaping, we are renova�ng the bathroom next to room 5 to make it fully ADA

accessible. This includes enlarging the exis�ng bathroom and doors, and reconfiguring the interior space.

Our original budget of $140k for the project has increased due to the ongoing engineering and design work

that was required for our permit, but thanks to addi�onal generosity from parish families we have raised

enough funding to cover the increased costs. Parish reserve funds are being used for the bathroom

renova�on and addi�onal city requirements outside of the scope of the original project. Thank you to

everyone who has contributed �me, talent and treasure to the project, with special thanks to our courtyard

team: Nick Harrah, Tom Dyer, Vance Nau, Ken Foot, and Margot Jacobsen.

Above:

Nick Harrah

Tom Dyer

Vance Nau

Bo1om:

Sco1 Rotondo

Vance Nau

Peter Troop

Top:

Kathy Lynch

Jennifer Stern

Michelle Pugh

Middle:

Bruce Bramle1

Steve Swayze

Bo1om:

Beth Leonard and

the Boy Scouts

Top: Jennifer Stern

Below: Bruce Horn, Syd Jakobsen

21

F inances

In last year’s report, I described some important

structural changes to the Finance Ministry, includ-

ing a new Treasurer, a newly created Finance

Commi1ee, and final migra�on steps to new

soHware for accoun�ng and contribu�on

management.

In 2018, we enjoyed the

benefits of smoothly

running financial opera)ons

and had some further

improvements and

accomplishments to celebrate. Including the following:

�We performed regular financial statement re-

views by the Finance Commi1ee (monthly)

and Vestry (quarterly).

�We adopted a budget process that provides

for adjustments mid-way through the year.

�We switched to a less expensive stockbroker

to reduce the cost of stock dona�ons.

�We implemented new policies to clarify giH

acceptance and spending authoriza�on.

�We regained our full property tax exemp�on.

�We completed a review with a Diocesan

auditor for the first �me in three years.

We began 2018 with a fair amount of cau�on,

concerned that one of our classroom tenants might

not renew its lease in the middle of the year. In the

end, that renewal did come through as we hoped.

Combined with somewhat higher dona�ons and

lower expenses than an�cipated, the result was a

moderate surplus at the end of the year.

For the coming year, however, we face two

important financial challenges. AHer many years of

rela�vely flat pledge income, pledges are down by

more than 10% for the coming year. This is not a

reflec�on on the generosity of St. Jude’s parishion-

ers but a simple consequence of the large number

of members who passed away or moved out of the

area last year. At the same �me, we will have

increased expenses next year to search for a new

Rector. To help us cope with these financial

demands, the Vestry has decided to allocate most

of this year’s surplus to a Transi�on Reserve fund

while designa�ng a por�on (10%) for Social Jus�ce/

Outreach.

None of what we do would be possible without a

large team of parishioners who generously

volunteer their �me and exper�se, including the

following:

�Treasurer: Jeffrey Pugh

�Finance Commi1ee: Sco1 Rotondo, Jeffrey

Pugh, Beth Leonard, Margot Jacobsen,

Wilma Jakobsen, and Kathy Yates

�Counters: Paul Panell, Emily Holton, Gordon

Mullin, Jeff Hultquist, Mary Hultquist, Ken

Foot, Liza Blaney, Pat Coles, Pete Goodell,

Rajeev Gajendran, Syd Jacobsen, Will

Shearin

�Payroll and HR: Sara Razavi

�Accounts Payable: Donna Araiza

�Contribu�ons: Margot Jacobsen, Emily Holton

�Repor�ng: Liza Blaney

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of the

volunteers and staff above. Through their

dedica�on and the generosity of all of our

parishioners, we will con�nue as faithful stewards

of God’s resources here at St. Jude’s.

Finally, although individual contribu�on details are

confiden�al, all other aspects of St. Jude’s financials

are open to your examina�on as parishioners.

Please feel free to contact Jeffrey Pugh or me with

any ques�ons you may have.

Sco@ Rotondo

28