complete album.pub - The United Methodist Church of Red Bank

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Stewardship 2007-2008
United Methodist Church of Red Bank
247 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
October 2007
Dear Church Member and Friends:
As part of our stewardship campaign we are circulating this album which contains
stewardship materials, pictures and information about our church’s past, present
and future. From the time of the American Revolution to the present you can see
what has made our members and friends excited and glad to be part of our church
life. We know that you, as an important part of our church community, feel the
need to continue to support it with your prayers, presence, gifts and services.
Stewardship materials are in the red portfolio in section 5 of this album. It is essential that each of us review this material and consider our response since our
Church needs everyone’s support to sustain our staff and programs.
To insure success please follow the instructions, then pass the album along to another member on the route.
Thank you for helping fund our momentum and growth.
Faithfully,
Myrna Bethke
Senior Pastor
George H. Schildge
Stewardship
Instructions
Please follow these steps within 24 hours of receipt:
1. Peruse this album and prayerfully consider your need to sustain our
church’s programs and staff. Stewardship material is in the red portfolio
in section 5.
2. Fill out an estimate of giving card for yourself. Other members of your
family who wish to do so should also fill out a card.
3. Place the larger portion of the completed card in a white envelope, seal
it, and put the envelope in the second pocket of the portfolio. Keep the
tab for your records.
4. Cross your name off the address list.
5. Call the next person on the list and arrange to deliver the album. It is
essential that the album keeps moving. If the next person on the address
list is not available, call any “open” person and deliver the album.
6. Call the team leader and advise the location of the album.
7. The album must be delivered to an adult. Please do not leave it on a
porch or stoop.
8. When the circuit is completed the album should be returned to the team
leader who will deliver it to the church.
If you have any questions or get bogged down, please call the team leader.
HISTORY OF METHODISM IN RED BANK
From 1773 to 1844 Methodist circuit riders led worship services in various homes.
Some services were held in a building,
built in 1822, where the Salt Creek Grill is
presently located. Methodists also worshiped at The Forum in Red Bank (built in
1832)
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Red
Bank was formed in 1844. Our first pastor, J. T.
Ayers, conducted our first service at The Forum on
Mechanic Street. In 1845 we began construction of
our new church on Broad Street directly opposite
Mechanic Street. It became the tallest structure in
Red Bank.
In 1882 a fire broke out in a nearby alley and the
church was burned to the ground. This church was
served by 18 pastors.
Soon after the fire the we bought a plot on the corner of Broad and Monmouth Streets for a new
church. The new building was dedicated on March of 1884. We worshiped in this building until 1940.
During this period a second Methodist church was begun. The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church was
officially organized in May of 1880. While it lasted
the new congregation worshiped in two churches . In
1923 this congregation reunited with the First Methodist Episcopal church. In 1939 the church became the
First Methodist Church of Red Bank.
Ruth Genola, a long-time member of the church,
recalled the life of the church in her youth:
“I was born in 1918 and came to Red Bank when
I was 12. I liked it when we joined the church
(when it was at Broad and Monmouth) because
there were a lot of other kids my age. There
wasn’t much to do in Red Bank when I was a
teenager but the church had activities for us on
Saturday nights. It was a beautiful sanctuary.
We had three choirs. I sang in the youth choir
(we sang from the “balcony”). Every year the
little children put on a Christmas pageant. When
the river froze we’d all go down to the riverfront
and watch the iceboats whiz past. In the spring
we had picnics in the park. We made daisy
chains and decorated the sanctuary. I was married there in 1939.”
(from an interview on 8/28/07 with Rev. Hearth.)
In 1940, our home on Broad and Monmouth Streets was condemned and destroyed. In spite of
the impending war we moved forward in faith and purchased the Eisner mansion at 247 Broad
Street and began to build the church we still have today.
Cornerstone laying ceremony, September 28, 1941
Sanctuary was dedicated in November 1944.
In 1968 we officially became the United Methodist Church of Red Bank. From then to the
present we have grown in spirit and service to others. We are currently being led by our 50th
Senior Pastor, Myrna Bethke.
ADDITIONS & IMPROVEMENTS
The additions and improvements to our church have been supported by generous congregations
throughout the years. These photos illustrate the stages of growth of our church.
1950: Education Wing Added
1974: Hradetsky Organ
1995: “Our Time” Campaign
Remodeling of rear entrance
1959: Squire Chapel &
Education Wing Expansion
1986: Sanctuary Refurbishing
2005: “Our Future” Campaign
Climate Control & Infrastructure upgrades
A HISTORY OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
“A church that’s willing to be worn out in service to others.”
(Rev. Ed Cheney, 1970)
Throughout its history our church has been an active force in both the local community and the
world.
•
In the 1880s Pastor Nelson A. McNicols helped found the Monmouth
Medical Center.
•
Since 1940 our church has sponsored Boy Scout troops.
•
In 1945 Rev. Roger Squire initiated a program of Home Visitation
Evangelism utilizing lay personnel. This is a forerunner of Church Friends.
•
In 1946 the congregation dedicated itself to supporting missionaries Tracy Jones and
his wife Martha, a member of this church, in China.
•
In 1947 the young people raised money to send a heifer to Europe to help replenish
the herds decimated by the war. Funds were raised for food for Europe’s displaced
persons.
•
In 1956 two young women came from Hiroshima. They stayed with church families
while they had plastic surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
•
In 1956 the Cooperative Child Care Group was formed in order to give mothers a
time out. This was the forerunner of the Cooperative Nursery School now called
The Learning Tree.
•
In 1960 the Rev Gordon Lowden arranged programs for “concerned citizens” to
stimulate discussion and activities in the areas of social action, open housing, race
relations, etc.
•
Host to Brookdale Community College
classes when it started in late 1960s.
•
In 1965 the church sponsored a new church
in the Middletown area. In 1966 construction of the Middletown Methodist church
was begun on Middletown-Lincroft Rd.
•
In 1969 Monmouth Day Care Center
opened at our church with one class of preschool children. In 1976 they moved to
their current home on W. Bergen Place
•
In 1974 a new tradition was begun: a mission trip by the youth to the poor regions
of Appalachia to help with housing rehabilitation. Annual or semi-annual mission
trips continue to this day. In 2007 the UMY traveled to Niagara Falls, NY.
•
In 1974 & 1981 we sponsored the Vuong and Tran families, refugees from Vietnam.
•
From 1977-1986 the Korean UMC met in Squire Chapel.
•
In the 1970s we were hosts to the Children’s Psychiatric Center.
•
In 1981 we began our participation in the Red Bank Area CROP Hunger Walk, helping to make this CROP Walk one of the largest in the
country.
•
Since its inception in 1983 our church has provided support and volunteers for
Lunch Break, a food kitchen on the west side of Red Bank.
•
In 1998 Wesleyan Arms was opened. It was a joint project of our church, the
Shrewsbury Avenue AME Zion church and the Methodist Homes to bring lowincome housing for seniors.
•
Since 2004 we have been a participating congregation with Interfaith Hospitality
Network, a program to house the temporarily homeless.
The Trans & Janie Schildge on their
recent trip to Viet Nam.
BEQUESTS & GIFTS
In addition to supporting annual giving for the running of the church and capital campaigns for
building and improving our church home, some members provide stewardship through wills
and direct charitable gifts to the Endowment Fund. Other gifts have been designated to specific purposes, such as:
• Scholastic Assistance Fund
• Memorial Garden
Since 1970 bequests and undesignated gifts deposited in the
Endowment Fund have totaled more than $1 million. The
gifts range from a “widow’s mite” of $25 to more substantial
amounts, up to $185,000. The church encourages its members to remember it in their wills, no matter what the amount.
M.O.R.E. Fund was created from a bequest of $400,000. The gift specified that it be used only
for the church’s musical, educational and outreach programs, rather than operating, administrative or capital expenses. As a result the church has been able to enhance it programs with guest
artists in its music presentations, theologians and prominent religious leaders in its adult education series, and outreach programs. It has also enabled the Children’s Ministry to enhance its
programs by affording otherwise unaffordable opportunities for its youth.
In 1959 the Scholastic Assistance Fund was started to aid students affiliated with our
church in receiving an undergraduate education. Over the years over 450 scholarships have
been awarded, totaling over $575,000 to date. Typically, scholarships are awarded on a half
grant/half loan basis. Loans are repaid after leaving college. Since the 1970s, as part of our
church’s community outreach, one scholarship per year has been designated for a Red Bank
community minority student.
The scholarships are funded by:
• Interest earned from memorials (there are currently 20 perpetual memorials)
• Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (including patron contributions)
• Soda machine profits
• Sunday morning coffee & refreshment contributions
• Student loan paybacks
In June 2007 $22,500 was awarded to 16 students
for the 200702008 school year.
OUR CHURCH TODAY
“A church with open doors,
empowered by God’s love to be a Christ-like community,
reaching out in ministry and service.”
OUR STAFF
Myrna Bethke - Senior Pastor
Myrna was appointed to our church in 2004. She has served in ministry for 25
years in 8 appointments in the Greater NJ Annual Conference. Myrna has also
served on various conference committees and the Monmouth County Human
Relations Commission. The death of her brother in the 9/11 attacks led her to
speak out against returning violence for violence, and she joined the group
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. She traveled to Afghanistan
in June of 2002 as part of an interfaith peace delegation.
Blair Hearth - Minister of Stewardship, Education & Pastoral Care
Blair came to New Jersey 13 years ago on appointment by the New York
bishop. He was assigned to Monmouth Medical Center's foundation. He was
later appointed to Rutgers, and to Rumson Fair Haven High School in Character Education and History. In 2004, he was jointly appointed (New York/New
Jersey) to our church. Blair has also served local churches, the staffs of national charities, as executive director of an urban ministry, been a hospital
chaplain, and a professor to one of the UMC colleges.
Neil Brown - Director of Music Ministries
Neil also joined our staff in 2004. He directs the Sanctuary Choir and Wesley
Singers, and provides service music for all our worship experiences. He has
served churches in Alaska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In addition to his responsibilities here, Neil teaches
vocal music at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, New Jersey. He is also guest conductor, adjudicator, and workshop presenter.
Elaine Dawson - Director of Children’s Ministries
Elaine started volunteering in our children’s programs in 1994, then became
one of the leaders of the Mustard Seeds in 1997. In 2000 she took on the huge
job of running Vacation Bible School. She officially became a member of our
staff in 2001. As Director of Children’s Ministries she is responsible for the
Children’s Church program, the children’s sermon, Summer Sunday School
and VBS. She also runs the UMY program and is one of the leaders of the
God Squad High School group.
Sheila Leavitt - Church Secretary & Financial Secretary
Sheila started working for us in 1996 as a part-time secretary responsible for
membership and publishing The Outlook. In addition to these jobs she then
became the Financial Secretary responsible for all receivable monies to the
church and a member of the Finance Committee. Sheila enjoys being part of
this caring church family.
Manny Sandoval - Church Sexton
Manny has worked for the church since 2001. He is responsible for keeping
the building in working order for the church and the many groups and committees that use our building. Manny is always available to help with whatever
needs to be done.
WORSHIP
Sunday worship is central to our community at
the United Methodist Church of Red Bank. All
are encouraged to attend regularly. In our worship together we systematically seek centering,
forgiveness, healing, and a basic understanding
of that which might be beyond our comprehension. We collectively give passionate thanks and
praise for our creation, our well being, and our
redemption. We take the time to pray thoughtfully for others. At the end of every service we
gather our strength and renew our purpose for
the week ahead.
Sunday Services
•
All comers welcomed.
•
Sundays at 8:30 am always featuring a
Healing Table and Communion.
•
Sundays at 10:30 am featuring the music of our choirs and our Sanctuary organ.
Special Services
•
Open to the community
•
Advent and Christmas featuring pageantry and music expressing joy and
great anticipation
•
Holy Week services that contemplate our
responsibilities for life’s travails and our
profound desire for redemption.
MUSIC & ARTS
Much of the greatest music in the history of the
world was written to embody the Christian message. The music and arts program at the United
Methodist Church of Red Bank starts with that
great music. Soloist, choirs, and our beautiful musical instruments combine to perform both classic
and contemporary settings of the Biblical message.
A wide variety of congregational hymn singing
allows everyone to participate in transcending the
written word.
Music Programs
•
Adult, Youth, and Children’s Choirs
•
Talented vocal soloists
•
A capella vocal ensembles
•
Instrumental soloists
•
A newly formed orchestra with instrumentalists of varied and diverse talents
•
Candlelight Carol Services
•
Special music program during Holy
Week
•
Secular music programs like the annual Ice Cream Social
•
Guest accompanists and our own very talented Neil Brown on the organ
•
Original music by Neil Brown, Dr. Joe Utterback and others
•
Guest performers
Our church also has a rich history of presenting visual and dramatic arts. Special exhibitions in
our lounge and hallways represent both the beautiful and needful world that God has offered to
us. Frequent theatrical presentations provide us the opportunity to reflect on the range of human
experience and our Christian response.
Arts and Theater Programs
•
“Our Town” directed and produced by Hal Holst
•
Dramatic presentations for the United Methodist Women
•
Chancel dramas including original plays by Gil Rambach
•
Colorful original paintings by Jim Strader
•
Stunning photography exhibitions from Charles A. Burrus Jr.
•
Banners for decorating the chancel
•
Unique crafts created by the United Methodist Women and our youth groups
•
Remarkable multi-media video productions of the Foster family
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
For Children:
•
Sunday School for toddlers through senior high youth provides an hour of Christian
education every Sunday morning. The teens meet at 9:30 am, then attend 10:30
worship. The children attend worship with their family, then go to their classes after
the Children’s Sermon during the 10:30 service.
•
Children’s Church is an hour of church geared for children from preschool to middle school. It meets Sunday at 9:30 am.
•
Confirmation Class is for 7th and 8th graders. It is a 2-year program at the end of
which the children make their decision about joining the church. This class meets
Sunday at 9:30 am.
For Adults:
•
Traditional Bible studies are conducted on Mondays at 7:30 am and Wednesdays at
10 am.
•
Companions in Christ is a group study in spiritual formation. Two classes are held
on Thursdays at 9:30 am and 7:00 pm. The current 8-week study is on forgiveness.
•
Parenting class meets on Sunday at 9:30 am.
•
M.O.R.E. Fund lecture series features an invited theologian of note, and is open to
the community. Past speakers: John Dominic Crossan, James Fleming, K. D. Billman.
•
Periodic lectures and events including book discussions to films raising awareness
on important issues.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is a week-long program of learning the stories of our faith, singing, arts
& crafts, and games. It is run with great enthusiasm by Elaine Dawson, our director of Children’s Ministries. A team of youth and adult volunteers help. It culminates with a celebration
on Friday night with a slide show and music presentation. It is open to all children from 3 years
old through 6th grade. VBS usually is held the last week of June. There are plans to add an afternoon session next summer.
UNITED METHODIST YOUTH
Wednesday night is Youth Night! Our youth share dinner together then split into three agebased groups for activities. All the groups emphasize performing service to our church and
community.
•
The Mustard Seeds is for 3rd through 5th grade. It is led by Barbara Roguski who is
assisted by Suzanne Stonaker.
•
The Junior High group is for 6th through 8th grades. It is led by Bonnie Alvich,
Polly Davidson and Janet Early.
•
The Senior High group, aka the “God Squad” is for 9th through 12th grade. It is led
by Elaine Dawson, Terry Walby and Dawn White.
UMY MISSION TRIPS
Every year the God Squad undertakes a mission trip for one week during the summer. The purpose is not only to help those in need of our help, but to teach our youth about the world other
than their own small of piece of it and the value of service to others. For many it is a transforming experience. Our most recent mission trip was to Niagara Falls, NY where we painted and
repaired homes damaged by the winter storms.
Our Youth in the World
Katherine Roguski, who just graduated high
school in June, spent 3 weeks in Costa Rica
with the British-based organization “i-to-i.”
She worked on a site building a house for a
family who had never before met an Englishspeaking foreigner. Katherine credits her experiences at the church with giving her the
taste for volunteering and exploring the world
around her.
Anthony Privitera, 24, is a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. His project is part of the Peace Corp Agroforestry
program that constructs small tree nurseries,
introduces new agricultural techniques, and
tries to improve marketing practices for the
coffee growers. Anthony is proud to say that
being involved with the church and youth
group was a major influence on his decision
to volunteer for the Peace Corps.
MEMBERSHIP UPKEEP & GROWTH
The “MUG Team” is all about hospitality. The team organizes fun events, often in conjunction
with other church groups, and encourages members to invite their friends.
•
Hosts the coffee hour for the benefit of the Scholastic Assistance Committee in conjunction with Outreach.
•
Provides visitor bags with church information and small gift.
•
With Education sponsors the Mystery Night and pot luck dinner.
•
Organizes various pot luck dinners, often in conjunction with other church activities .
•
Sponsored a performance of “Love Letters” to benefit the Youth trip to Taize.
•
Organized a Progressive Supper.
•
Organized our first “Egg McMethodist” breakfast on Father’s Day.
•
Advertised our church with placemats at the Middletown Pancake House and at the
Clearview Cinema.
•
Re-established the Cradle Roll, which keeps in-touch with babies born into the congregation by sending holiday and birthday cards until they are old enough to join
Sunday School.
•
Provides refreshments during the summer when we have combined services.
CHURCH FRIENDS
This group coordinates our church’s outreach to its home-bound members. Services include:
•
Visitation
•
Monthly distribution of Holy Communion
OUTREACH
The Outreach Committee of Red Bank United Methodist Church extends its gratitude to the
congregation for financial gifts and support of our activities throughout the years. We function
with an annual budget of over $25,000 that originates from annual pledges and contributions
from the congregation and visitors. It is distributed to recipients in three types of outreach.
Local outreach (approximately 60% of the budget) supports many groups and agencies that
address the needs of:
• Children & youth
• Seniors
• Hungry
• Homeless
• Social services
Conference outreach (approximately 20% of the budget) supports projects of the New Jersey
Annual Conference:
• African University
• Black Colleges
• Ministerial Education
• N.J. Council of Churches
Global outreach (approximately 12% of the budget): supports projects of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries:
• UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
• Southern Poverty Law Center
In addition to the pledges and gifts, the congregation supports special appeals from UMCOR
(United Methodist Committee on Relief), monthly communion offerings, Church World Service (CROP Walk, Tools of Hope), and Advent Options.
We also make gifts of our service by volunteering at:
• Lunch Break
• Interfaith Hospitality Network (aka Family Promise)
• Habitat for Humanity
• CROP Walk
• Annual Work Camp
• Donations to food pantries
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The women of the church gather to learn about and raise money for missions throughout the
world.
• Monthly general meeting for all members, usually with a special presentation or
speaker.
•
Smaller “fellowship groups” meet monthly to study specific areas of mission or plan
service projects.
•
Annual bazaar and bake sales are used to raise money for the UMW Mission Fund
that supports mission projects around the world.
•
Craft group creates greeting cards for sale.
•
Local mission projects supported include: The Neighborhood Center in Camden, NJ
and Church Women United of Monmouth County.
FELLOWSHIP
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
We gather after services to visit with each other and get acquainted with visitors and each other.
Donations support our Scholastic Assistance Fund. Fair trade coffee is served.
Mystery Night
Pot luck meal followed by a solve-the-mystery game with actors, props and fun. Sponsored by
Education and MUG.
“Hanging of the Greens”
Pot luck meal and the preparation of the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. Sponsored by
the Worship committee.
Valentine Tea Party
Annual party for seniors invited from all over
the community. Candy, cookies, sandwiches
served with fun games and musical entertainment. Sponsored by Outreach.
Spaghetti Dinner
Annual event put on by the UMY to raise money
for their annual mission project or trip.
Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner
Annual dinner put on the Scholastic Assistance Committee to raise money for the scholarship
program.
Ice Cream Social
Annual presentation of musical talent by members of the congregation of all ages followed by a
make-your-own sundae.
HOME TO THE COMMUNITY
Our church has opened its doors to many community groups for years, some for over 60 years!
Currently we host:
•
Alcoholics Anonymous (5 groups)
•
AL-Anon
•
Aikido of Red Bank
•
Borough of Red Bank for elections
•
Families Anonymous
•
Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
•
Learning Tree Preschool
•
Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts (4 groups)
•
Monmouth Civic Chorus
•
Monmouth Folk Dancers
•
Narcotics Anonymous
•
Parkinson’s Support Group
•
S-Anon
•
Women’s Support Group
Here is our future...
You are invited to make the
future happen.
2008 Annual Budget and Giving
We are in the midst of a multi-year commitment to strengthening our church.
We started by cutting the total expenditures for administration to the barest minimum. We then applied those savings to preserving our staff of highly qualified
and greatly beloved ordained and lay ministers. With these difficult but justifiable
decisions behind us, our budget is a model of austerity and commitment to
mission.
Yet in 2007 we still have a budget deficit. Our 2007 income has increased by
3%, but that increase is not sufficient to cover our modest cost increases. Without
a special catch-up campaign, the 2007 deficit will amount to $80,000. If 2008 results in more deficits, that would certainly force us to make painful decisions that
would take us beyond austerity and cripple our future together.
To sustain our staff and program we need every constituent’s support at their
most generous. The charts on the following pages show our proposed 2008 income and expenses. Please know that when divided equally, each family’s share
works out to about $45 per week. We all know that that some families will, by
necessity, give less. Therefore, many others must give more.
The continued vitality of our church depends on everyone’s
commitment of their prayers, presence, gifts and service. Your financial gifts will help us toward our most basic
goals of:
Sustaining the ministerial staff we need to achieve our
goals
Sustaining and enhancing our programs
Continuing to pay our apportioned benevolences
Sharing our collective blessings and inspiring others to
join
The United Methodist Church of Red Bank has a HISTORY of giving whenever
and whatever was needed. We have a PRESENT with everything from a growing
youth program delivering values and direction to a vital visitation program supplying comfort and compassion. Please let 2008 be the FUTURE
where we prove our financial commitment to the essential purposes of our
lives together.
A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON OUR FUTURE
I believe in the future of this church. I acknowledge my personal need for examining both
the meaning of my life and the eventuality of whatever is my afterlife. I appreciate having a
place for my children to spend their youth being taught time-tested values. I’m not embarrassed to sing out loud here about things really too big for me to understand. And when I am
sick and dying, I know that here in my church home people will honestly try to carry my
life’s contributions forward and thus carry me forward.
Beyond such personal benefits, I also see this church as a place for others, many others, now
and in the far future. Why? Because our church has a beautiful future.
I see our church as a place where reason challenges dogma. I see that our personal economies will align to support universal dignity. In our rooms and sanctuaries I anticipate forgiveness will always be found whispering convincingly in the ear of retribution. I see ours
as a church where our actions toward one-another never assume an infallible knowledge of
God’s own righteous judgment. This will be a Christian church where our understanding of
Christ’s transcendent inclusiveness will continue to wrestle with long-standing tradition and
law seeking whatever is the real, immutable core of morality. And here doubt and faith will
of course continue dancing together to the compound rhythms of human imperfection.
In our future together everyone will jointly affirm life, collectively seek God, and mutually
absorb and reflect the Spirit. I see this United Methodist Church of Red Bank as the place
where everyone finds, lights, and relights again the lamps of unconditional Love.
Why wouldn’t the world just outside
our walls want to participate in such an
accepting, forgiving and seeking
group? It’s our church. It’s a new
church. It starts with our commitment
to 2008. Commit, re-commit, and
over-commit. I pray we all give extravagantly to building our own understanding of God’s Kingdom here on
Earth.
Ken Glossbrenner
This Space Intentionally Left Blank
… For Our Future
Income
Envelope Giving
$432,988
79.3%
Use of Building
$62,000
11.3%
Outreach
$35,000
6.4%
Interest
$16,350
3%
Total Income
$546,338
Expenses
Education
$73,083
13.4%
Serving the Chruch
Community
$201,452
36.9%
Property
$173,422
31.7%
Administrative
Connectional
$39,782
Church
7.3%
$58,599
10.7%