St. Paul's
Annual
Report
2015
Annual Meeting
January 24, 2016
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
27 Pleasant Street PO Box 195
Brunswick, Maine 04011
207.725.5342
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: StPaulsMaine.org
St. Paul’s Annual 2015 Report
Page 1
Table of Contents
Agenda page 3
Nominating Committee page 5
Vestry Job Description page 6
Introduction of Candidates page 7
Minutes of Annual Meeting 2015 page 11
Rector’s Report page 13
Report from the Wardens page 15
Report from the Deacons page 16
Music Ministry Report page 17
Christian Formation Report page 18
Commission, Committee, and Group Reports
Adult Christian Formation Committee page 20
Barnes Building page 21
Building and Grounds Committee page 22
Earthcare Commission page 23
Frontline Committee page 24
Healing Prayer Ministry page 25
Hospitality Ministry page 26
Lay Pastoral Visitors Committee page 27
Outreach Commission page 28
Reception Committee page 29
Stewardship Program Team page 30
Worship Ministry Team Annual Report page 31
Financial Reports
Finance Committee page 32
2015 Financial Report and 2016 Budget page 33
Christmas Fair page 35
Parish Statistics page 36
St. Paul’s Annual 2015 Report
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St. Paul’s Annual 2015 Report
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ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
BRUNSWICK, MAINE
Annual Parish Meeting
24 January 2016
AGENDA
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are
one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks,
slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. I Corinthians 12:12-13
1. Call to Order The Rev. Carolyn Eklund, Rector
2. Opening prayer Carolyn Eklund
3. Introduce Leadership Carolyn Eklund
4. Acceptance of 2015 Meeting Minutes Carolyn Eklund
5. Acceptance of 2015 Annual Reports as written Carolyn Eklund
6. Introduce Nominees John Cordts
Nominating Com. Chair
7. Call for nominations from the floor Carolyn Eklund
A Nominee must be a member in good standing (acc. to Canon, give financially and attend
worship at least four times in the year, at least 16 years old), and must have agreed to run.
8. Voting Carolyn Eklund
9. Announce Election John Cordts
10. Giving Program, Stewardship, Pledge History and Update Paul Womer
Stewardship Chair
11. Summary of 2015 Finances and Presentation of 2016 Budget Lenita Richard,
Finance Com. Chair
12. Acknowledgement and gratitude for outgoing leadership Carolyn Eklund/Pat Ryan
13. What is God calling us to? What good news are we to proclaim? Carolyn Eklund
14. Move to adjourn
15. Sung Dismissal All
*All Vestry members (including newly elected members) will meet in the library for a brief meeting
after adjournment.
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Nominating Committee Report
The Nominating Committee members are John Cordts, Jim Hornor, Carol Thomas, and Johanna Wigg.
The Committee submits the following slate for a vote at the Annual Meeting on January 24, 2016:
Senior Warden (two-year term) Pat Ryan.
Vestry Members (three-year term) Sarah Arnold, Kevin Miller, Cliff Ruprecht.
2016 Convention Delegates Susan Brown, Charlie Priest, Tobey Lee, Charla Spann, Bill Edman.
2016 Convention Alternates Pat Ryan, Art Treffry, Caroline Russell.
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St. Paul's Church
Vestry Job Description
The Vestry is comprised of a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden, elected for two-year terms, and three
groups of three members, elected for three-year terms. Including the Rector, there are twelve voting
members of the Vestry. All Vestry meetings are announced, open to all members of the parish, and
approved minutes of those meetings are posted on the Church bulletin board. In addition, a Clerk and
Treasurer are appointed annually by the Vestry, with the privilege of a voice.
Election to the Vestry is for a three-year term, unless one is elected to fill a vacancy created by
resignation. Current vestry members are not eligible for re-election.
As a current Vestry, we expect candidates to be willing to commit themselves with us to:
1. Regular attendance at monthly Vestry meetings and the annual Vestry Planning
Retreat.
2. An average of 2 hours weekly in addition to current St. Paul's activity.
3. A leadership role, not necessarily that of Chair, on a parish commission with
responsibility to communicate its work to the Vestry and vice versa, to recruit new
members, and to encourage integration and coordination of that commission's work
into the life of St. Paul's.
4. Participation in the life of worship, education and service of this parish.
5. Participation in the Annual Stewardship Program.
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Introduction to the Candidates
To serve as Senior Warden for two years: Pat Ryan
Pat has been a member of St. Paul’s since 2005. She also worshiped at St. Paul’s in the late 80’s and
early 90’s. She currently serves as Senior Warden. She has previously served as Junior Warden and
as a Vestry member. She is a member of both the Outreach Commission and Frontline Committee.
Pat is married to Charlie Priest and both usher at the 8:00 a.m. service. They have two daughters,
and two grandchildren.
Pat is a member of the diocesan Human Trafficking Ministry and is currently serving a three-year
term as a lay representative to the Disciplinary Board for the diocese. She has been a convention
delegate from St. Paul’s in 2014 and 2015.
To serve on the Vestry for three years:
Sarah Arnold I am a “cradle Presbyterian” raised in Presbyterian Churches in Detroit, Michigan and active in the
church’s Christian Endeavor youth group in high school and until I obtained my undergraduate
degree at Wayne State University. After teaching junior high school English for two years in
Dearborn, Michigan I moved to New York City in l955 to attend the Biblical Seminary of New
York where I was active at Madison Avenue Church. In seminary we read so much psychology
that I changed course. I studied psychology for a year at the University of Edinburgh then returned
to the U.S. and obtained my Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Back in NYC I spent four years at
a psychoanalytic institute to become a psychoanalyst. For the following 30 plus years I enjoyed a
private practice at 68th and Madison and taught and supervised at the Postgraduate Center for
Mental Health, again active at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Happily from l967 to l970 I took a job as chief psychologist at the Hospital of the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine where I met my husband, Charles. I returned to private practice in NYC where
we raised our two sons, Christopher and Jonathan, moving to Scarsdale, New York when we
needed schools. A major conflict occurred between the two ministers at our Presbyterian Church in
Scarsdale, so we moved to St. James the Less Episcopal Church. In l999, with our sons pursuing
lives of their own, we moved to Maine where Charles took a position as psychiatrist at the state
psychiatric hospital in Augusta, and we began attending St. Paul’s. I began a small practice in
Maine, and pursued an MFA in creative non-fiction at University of Southern Maine, which helped
me publish a memoir, Faith and Memoir. At St. Paul’s I was co-leader for 12 years with Susan
Martens of the Women’s Group—an amazing group of women. I’m a long time member of the
Wednesday night Bible Study, and am on the Healing Team. At present, I volunteer at the Oasis
Clinic and maintain a small private practice, in addition to being a grandmother to our five
grandchildren. It’s a wonderfully busy life.
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Kevin Miller
Kevin is a lifelong Episcopalian who joined St. Paul's after relocating to Maine in 2014 after
several years in Washington, DC. A native of New Jersey, Kevin grew up in a family heavily
involved in all aspects of their close-knit parish. After attending about a dozen different churches in
five different states over the past 20 years, Kevin felt like he found a home again when he came to
St. Paul's. He has served on the St. Paul's Vision/Mission Statement Team and volunteers at the
Christmas Fair. He has volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels in Brunswick, Augusta and
Ellsworth and was a regular volunteer with Washington's largest food pantry before moving back to
Maine. Kevin works as a journalist in Portland and enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing and
pretty much anything outdoors.
Cliff Ruprecht
Cliff started attending St. Paul’s four years ago and has enjoyed his increasing activity in the
Church since. He and his wife, Patty, have been married for 21 years and live in Pownal, with their
son, Jackson, when he is home from college; their daughter, Anna, who is a sophomore in high
school; and an ever-varying number of sheep and chickens. Cliff has a six-lawyer law firm in
Portland. Before entering the practice of law, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago
Divinity School, and taught briefly in the Religion department at Bowdoin College.
2016 Convention Delegates
Susan Brown
Susan is the musician for St. Paul’s 9:30 Family Eucharist and also provided music for the Summer
Outdoor Eucharists. She and her husband Robert live in Bowdoinham and are the parents of Joanna
and Trevor. Susan has been an active participant in the fundraising activities of the High School
Pilgrimage, which Joanna is a member.
Bill Edman I came to Brunswick in 2003 upon retiring from a Civil Service career with the Navy repairing
Trident submarines. When I lived in Florida, I was a member of St. Peter’s Parish. There I was
active as a Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Cursillo and a three
time delegate to the Diocese of Florida. While at St. Paul’s, I have been a Lector, Eucharistic
Minister, Clerk of the Vestry, member of the Outreach Ministry, and delegate to the Diocesan
Convention. I have also organized our annual food drive for Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention and our
annual blood drive for the Red Cross. I have also coached my two grandsons in soccer and
basketball and volunteered in their schools. I am very proud of the way St. Paul’s and the members
of the Parish make generous contributions to organizations in Brunswick and the surrounding
communities. It is a powerful way of showing that we are servants of the Lord.
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Tobey Lee I have been an Episcopalian since my early twenties when a friend invited me to attend a service.
Over the years while living in Skowhegan, I played the organ for services, taught church school and
was the warden for All Saints Mission Church. I was a delegate to regional council as well as to the
diocesan convention.
Later on I served as a vestry member both in Augusta, Maine and in Columbia, Missouri.
I enjoyed a wonderful career as an educator, both in Massachusetts and Maine. After twenty years I
studied massage and worked helping patients of a chiropractor in Columbia.
I have two sons and two grandchildren. I am married to Art Treffry, a fellow Episcopalian. Art and I
are happy with our St. Paul's "home" and thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2015 convention.
Charlie Priest
Charlie graduated from Dartmouth and the University of Maine Law School, practiced law, and
served in the Maine Legislature for 14 years. He and Pat Ryan were married at St. Charles
Episcopal Church in Gardiner, and have two children, Clare and Jenny, and two grandchildren,
Athena and Chiron. He and Pat joined St. Paul’s in the 1980’s, and have been regular worshipers for
the last decade. Both he and Pat usher, normally for the 8 o’clock service, and they were St. Paul’s
delegates to the Diocesan Convention in 2014 and 2015. Currently, Lucy Leitzell and he are
working on writing a history of St. Paul’s from 1945 to the present.
Charla Spann
I retired to Maine in 2013; to also buy a house with a friend and help raise her two grandchildren.
Previously I lived in Illinois; Michigan; Newfoundland Canada; Iowa; and raised in Colorado and
Guatemala.
Through all my locations I have learned what is a GOOD place to live.
I find St. Paul's and Maine; to be a GOOD place to live. And wishes to continue growing in St.
Paul's community.
I have been an Episcopalian since I got married (1975). I have served on various church committees
and groups; including Vestry and as Senior Warden.
I am a retired food service Dietitian, with two 30 something sons, each with a wonderful wife and 2
grandchildren. I work part-time at a wonderful high end cutlery store; and spend the rest of my time
enjoying making hand crafted needle crafts and in home construction.
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St. Paul’s, Brunswick, Maine
Annual Meeting
25 January 2015
The meeting was called to order by the Rector, the Rev. Carolyn Eklund at 10:23a.m. and followed
with an opening prayer.
Paul Womer moved and Peter McCracken seconded acceptance of the minutes from the 2014 Annual
Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Charles Arnold moved and Joan Reynolds seconded acceptance of the 2014 Annual Report. The motion
carried unanimously.
Virginia Vincent, Nominating Committee Chair introduced the Nominating Committee slate: Junior
Warden, Paul Womer; Vestry, Jo Belknap, Chuck Dyer, Chip Liversidge; Convention Delegates, Anne
Brautigam, Ally Collins, Bill Edman, Robert Jackson, Tobey Lee, Pat Ryan; Alternate Delegates, Dick
Brautigam, Art Treffry. Each person stood to be introduced.
The Rector called for nominations from the floor and read the qualifications: A Nominee must be a
member in good standing (acc. To Canon, give financially and attend worship at least four times in the
year, at least 16 years old), and must have agreed to run. There were no nominations from the floor.
Charles Arnold moved and Pat Ryan seconded the slate be accepted by acclamation. The motion
carried unanimously.
The Rector led the welcoming of the newly elected parish leaders. She called upon all the Vestry
members to come forward. The Rector and Senior Warden officiated their commissioning.
Peter McCracken, Chair of the Finance Committee presented the end-of 2014 financial standing of the
parish. First, he thanked the outgoing treasurer, Steve Thomas for serving the last three years. He
thanked the members of the Finance Committee for their service, Charles Arnold, Elizabeth Butler, Nat
Henshaw, Bill Martens, Bob Mulligan, Lenita Richard and Wardens, Pat Ryan, Paul Womer. Peter
McCracken presented color charts to indicate distribution of funds throughout 2014. Pledges made up
78% of the income: Endowment interest, 13%, Barnes Building rental, 5%, building rental and other,
5%, Christmas Fair, 3%.
There were several points of good financial news, Peter presented: An $88,421 anonymous gift was
given to pay off the mortgage. The congregation sang a round of “Praise God from whom all blessings
flow” led by Bob Judd, choir director and organist. The 2014 budget was a projected $378,988, a
$7,788 deficit. The year ended with a $17,577.90 surplus, excluding the $88,421.52 anonymous gift for
the mortgage.
Peter presented the 2015 budget which includes a $15,677.66 deficit. At the January 2015 Vestry
meeting, the Vestry accepted this budget and is confident the deficit will not be a problem to bridge in
the coming year. The pledges for 2015 are strong with a 5% increase from 2014 at a total of $337,500.
There was a question about the status of the income from the Barnes Building in which residents of the
Meath Sober House reside. There was a question about the Christmas Fair and the net for 2014
Outreach. Peter reported that there was an anonymous matching grant for the total income from the
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2014 Christmas Fair designated for outreach.
The Rector called upon Steve Thomas to receive the gratitude of the congregation, a letter and a gift for
his service as Treasurer. She also called upon the outgoing members of the Vestry, Joan Reynolds,
Virginia Vincent and Dick Brautigam and thanked them for their service on Vestry. She thanked Paul
Womer whose first term as Junior Warden ended. She presented each member with a letter of thanks
and a gift.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by the Rector, “What is God calling us to in 2015 and
beyond.” She emphasized the importance of connecting more deeply with our neighbors.
The meeting ended with a sung dismissal. The motion to adjourn was moved by Terry Leitzell and
seconded by Dick Brautigam. The motion was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 11:35am.
Respectfully submitted by Bill Edman, Clerk, in conjunction with the Rector.
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Rector’s Report
The year 2015 has been a year of deepening our many connections at St. Paul’s. Our connection with
God deepened. Our connection with each other in faith deepened. And our connection with our
neighbors deepened. Our model for connecting with these three things is, of course, Jesus. During his
ministry on earth, as we read in all the Gospels, we learn about how deeply connected he was with God
– even at the end. In prayer and in conversation and complaint, Jesus never lost touch with God who
was his father.
He shows us how he stayed connected in bonds of love with his disciples, even when they disappointed
him. He taught them servant leadership by washing their feet that last day of his life. And he never
shied away from demonstrating God’s healing power to the world through his friendships and presence
with outcasts and sinners. He connected with compassion to those who were suffering by healing the
sick and the demonic. In our current atmosphere of derisive and shrill political relationships, Jesus
showed us how to call to account those in positions of power.
St. Paul’s has nurtured our connection with God in worship this year by expanding our music ministry.
We said “good-bye” to Bob Judd, who led us into beautiful areas of choral singing. We said “good-bye”
to the Judd family, who offered their musical gifts to the glory of God and for our inspiration. Bob and
Cristle moved to New York City where Cristle accepted a senior position with the Mellon Foundation.
I recruited a search team to help me evaluate and select a music ministry director for a position that the
vestry agreed to expand. I give thanks to Leslie Brancart, Susan Brown, Jane Burke, Ally Collins, John
Cordts, Tobey Lee, Terry Leitzell and Julia Walkling for their commitment to this task and their wise
counsel. I give thanks to Lois Kwantz for taking on the interim music director’s position and serving us
so well.
At the end of October I called Randy Day to serve as St. Paul’s Music Ministry Director. In a few
months Randy has expanded the adult choir membership and the selections of choral works they sing.
He has also organized the St. Paul’s Youth Choristers who performed in worship during Bishop Lane’s
visitation December 2, 2015 and on Christmas Eve. One of Randy’s tasks will be to consult with Jane
Burke, Christian Formation Director, and Susan Brown, our accompanist for 9:30am Family Worship.
Summer worship at one time, 9:00am was well-attended and well received. Parishioners responded to
my “hymn favorite” request with over 20 favorite hymns planned for summer worship. The feedback
was positive with the top two most important factors of summer worship being “time to gather with
people we don’t see regularly” and “the sermons.” This feedback and success from summer fed the
decision to plan one service a month when all three congregations worship together.
On All Saints Sunday when we baptized Zoe and Amelia Bolton and Maisie Murphy, we launched all
parish once-a-month worship called, “First Sundays, Life Together at 9am.” Our Youth Group
presented fun and interesting “lives of our favorite saints” and we intentionally designed worship to be
inclusive of families with young children and families with elderly members.
In December, our “First Sundays, Life Together at 9am” was December 6 when Bishop Lane was here
to confirm and baptize. Sina Marie Plunkett was baptized and others were confirmed, received or
reaffirmed: Ingrid Plunkett, Karen Dyer, Lisa Sholtis and Nancy Nugent. I give thanks to the Rev.
Mary Lee Wile and Jim Hornor for leading this class.
Our deacons helped us nurture our connection with God in 2015. The Rev. Mary Lee Wile led Quiet
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
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Days in Lent and in November, while the Rev. Chick Carroll led a session on the “Jesus Prayer.”
Both deacons, with lay partners, took ashes to the streets of Brunswick and offered “Ashes to Go”
downtown, on the Bowdoin College campus and at the Medical Building next to Mid Coast Hospital
on Ash Wednesday.
I’m most pleased with how the people of St. Paul’s connected with our neighbors. We reached further
out into Brunswick by expanding our outreach contributions and by engaging Brunswick with
important topics of justice like leading Restorative Justice circles with the Unitarian Universalist
Church and First Parish. We joined these partners, together with Family Crisis in raising awareness for
Domestic Violence. Thanks to Terry Howell, Joan Reynolds and Carol Thomas who joined with the
Diocese of Maine by helping to organize and host the Human Trafficking Awareness workshops
featuring The Rev. Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms. We have Pat Ryan and Gretchen Lane to thank for
this connection.
The Earth Care Ministries of St. Paul’s partnered this year with Window Dressers for a successful
community window insert build. The Great Hall was the “factory” in which people from the
surrounding Brunswick community and St. Paul’s gathered to build our window inserts. Thanks go to
Michael Anne Banks, Dana Baer and Bonny Labonte for organizing us.
I will point you to the Wardens’ reports, but I wanted to comment briefly on the good news of the new
non-profit tenants who have been refurbishing the Barnes Building for a move-in date in January.
Independence Association needed our location and space and I thank the Rev. Chick Carroll and Paul
Womer for facilitating this partnership with the Barnes Building. I thank Myrna Koonce and Pat Ryan
for guiding us smoothly through the closure of the Meath House.
Our Vision/Mission Statement Team did some terrific foundational research this past spring to
interview parishioners and ministry leaders as well as our Brunswick community partners. Words like
“vibrant,” “energized,” “diverse,” and “nurturing seekers” were used to describe our parish. After a
summer and autumn break I will ask the team together with the Vestry to work on our Vision/Mission
statement.
Our questions for the rest of the Vision statement process will include, “What of our traditions are life
offering?’” “Do we ever choose to ‘trouble the waters’ of our ministries and our parish or do we just
‘float?’” “How do we light the path to Christ for seekers who longs to know God?”
These are wonderful questions for all of us to consider in the coming year as we grow and deepen our
connection with God, each other, including newcomers, and with our neighbors in Brunswick and the
world. I give thanks to God for the work we have done together in 2015. We have been engaged, vital
and generous. I can’t wait to continue our work together for Christ’s sake as a body of his followers.
In eager anticipation and faith,
Carolyn +
The Rev. Carolyn H. Eklund
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Report from the Wardens
Participatory, engaged, generous, focused. These are just some of the words that come to mind when
we think of the parishioners of St. Paul’s. Speaking for and working on behalf of St. Paul’s has been a
rewarding and fulfilling experience because of you.
In the past year, St. Paul’s has led forums and working groups on domestic violence and human
trafficking; there have been efforts to spread the living word of Christ into the community through
outreach programs. We have provided technical support to programs supported by the diocese. As a
sign of respect to our departed friends, St. Paul’s has prepared quality receptions. We routinely record
sermons for shut-ins and posterity. Our 9:30 service is vibrant and paperless. Each of these initiatives
has required assistance from a variety of quarters: setting up tables and chairs, clean-up, food
preparation, and tech support. And we now have a new hospitality ministry to help us improve our
ability to welcome both guests and new members to our community.
Amidst the above, we had some hiccups. Our tenants from Oxford/Meath House in the Barnes Building
were forced to end their relationship with St. Paul’s. Our heating system had problems; expenses were
considerable. Yet throughout it all, St. Paul’s has weathered these storms. The Barnes building will
now hold offices of Independence Association, furthering its work to help individuals with disabilities.
Parishioner generosity helped us partially recover from the unexpected heating repair costs.
A blessing to each of you as we look forward to another year with challenges, successes, fulfillment
and more.
In peace,
Pat Ryan Paul Womer
Sr. Warden Jr. Warden
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Report from the Deacons
Each of us is required by the Bishop to have a Letter of Agreement with St. Paul's that covers our
duties. The format is established by the Diocese, to reflect the recently adopted Canons of the Church.
And the Letter of Agreement is signed by the Bishop, as well as by the Rector and the Deacon. The
Letters of Agreement were renewed in 2015
Our duties are contained in the letter in order of their priority under the Canons.
First among them is to "support and assist all baptized persons in carrying out their ministries,
providing leadership in outreach and worship." Mary Lee and Chick do this in differing ways. Among
them are, for example, organizing Ashes to Go in various locations around Brunswick on Ash
Wednesday, the Way of the Cross around our neighborhood on Good Friday. A more continuous
activity for Mary Lee is the ongoing ministry of the Eucharistic Visitors, connecting those beyond our
walls back to the church. For Chick, a more pervasive role is to lead others to the work of ministering
to and being ministered by those who are materially poor. This is done through The Gathering Place,
where so many members of St. Paul's serve and are served. Chick is also a contributing member of the
Adult Education programs of the parish.
Second in order of priority is for us to "provide...time and energies to the work of the church and to the
community at large in the role of deacon of the church." Our roles in Eucharistic Visitors and The
Gathering Place respond to this requirement, as well. In addition, Mary Lee serves as Chaplain to
Companions of the Holy Cross, and, of course, as a deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal
Church.In addition, she writes about the work of the convention in articles for the Messsenger and
various Diocesan publications. In addition, Mary Lee continues to offer occasional workshops at the
prison in Windham, maintains a spiritual direction practice, and serves as chaplain to The Society of
the Companions of the Holy Cross. Chick is active on various committees in the community, working
jointly with Tedford Housing, Midcoast Hunger, and the Brunswick Police Department to provide a
safer community for those who are poor and homeless.
Third in order of priority is the deacons’ role in Sunday worship. It is, of course, our most visible role
to members of the parish, but, by no means our most time consuming. Our role is to assist – literally to
set the table and clear it, to proclaim the Gospel, to share in the distribution of Communion, to prepare
the Prayers of the People, to bid the confession, occasionally to preach, and to send everyone out from
the church (“Now go...”) into the world at the dismissal, urging parishioners to “love and serve” God in
their daily lives.
Another expectation of deacons, according to our ordination service, is that “You are to interpret to the
Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” We do this not only through preaching, but in the
various classes, workshops, and programs we facilitate throughout the year, and in the articles we write
for the Messenger.
We hear sometimes about “the priesthood of all believers,” but another phrase that is gaining
momentum is “the diakonia of all believers” – meaning the servant ministry of all the baptized. St.
Paul’s is a parish that exemplifies diakonia through Outreach, the Frontline Committee’s work, and in
the daily lives of parishioners who volunteer in so many ways, serving as Christ’s hands and feet in the
world. It is very gratifying to us to serve with so many members of the parish who serve as unordained
deacons.
Mary Lee Wile and Chick Carroll
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Music Ministry Report
The brevity of this page corresponds with the short timeline of my ministry with St. Paul’s – less than
10 weeks! Much has happened prior to my arrival, yet out of earshot. A lengthier and more complete
document will appear in next year’s gathering of data.
THANK YOUS GO TO:
Bob Judd for his ministry with St. Paul’s that concluded just prior to summer services.
George Lopez who filled in as summer organist until I arrived.
Lois Kwantz for her leadership of the choir during the months of September and October.
These musicians offered from their heart and gifts to see that stable and adequate music ministry
happened for all weekly services, seasonal services, and funerals/memorial services. I’m grateful for
the preparation they provided for the start of my own ministry here among you.
The Interview and Audition Committees and The Rev. Carolyn Eklund for initial conversation
and eventual welcome to me in this very special place.
All singers and musicians in Adult Choir and the St. Paul’s Youth Choristers and their families
who’ve continued to participate in rehearsal and service and for those new voices who’ve added
their sounds and souls to the mix.
Christian Education leadership – Jane Burke, Myrna Koonce, Hugh Savage, Carol Lord, and
parents who’ve supported my initial connection with our younger members.
Susan Tyler, Melanie Chicoria and the Rector for helping me navigate into the Staff Team
All parishioners, retired clergy, and anyone whose name might not appear here who have
embodied the gospel’s call of love as you’ve embraced me into your midst.
Susan Brown for her continued music ministry with the 9:30 a.m. Family Service.
Lois Kwantz for her leadership of the Junior Choir and help with my transition to St. Paul’s.
Adult Choir offered their voices and hearts for each service as we closed the year together, including
Christmas Eve services, a smaller ensemble on Christmas Day at 10 a.m., and again for Lessons and
Carols December 27.
St. Paul’s Youth Choristers sang for winter and spring, took a break during summer, then resumed to
sing for Bishop Steve’s visit and Christmas Eve early service.
New dollies have been purchased to replace the former ones used for the Clavinova in the Nave and the
upstairs piano. Both are safer in design and will allow for better use of the instruments.
A new table and 2-drawer file cabinet have been purchased to enhance use of the upstairs for the
choir library and its weekly use.
Lastly, visit the former Lambs room any time you are at St. Paul’s. You’ll find the new Music
Ministries office there, and I’d love to share some time with you.
Respectfully,
Randy Day, Music Ministry Director
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Christian Formation Report
Church School: It's good for me, exciting in fact, to reflect and remember how in the Lions and Lambs
class this fall, one of the students said “I forgot how to pray.” And then before long, I was hearing
evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in the children’s own words as they were making connections like:
“God helps us when ‘our buckets’ are empty!” Susan Brown, who has been teaching weekly again
since fall says, “It’s so encouraging to see the children’s faces reflect what must be all kinds of thoughts
of faith swirling around in their heads, in response to Godly Play.”
Steve Thomas was the lead teacher of the Eagles Class last winter and Nancy Johnson rejoined him in
September. A focus for this class recently, their chosen fall project, has been creating a crèche scene.
They did this with help from Nancy, Geoff and Ally Collins, and me. Nancy says this class really
enjoys their “sharing time.” She remembers a particularly stimulating class in which there was a lot of
discussion about money, “a good talk about today’s needy.” Says Nancy: “I’m always amazed that the
kids seem to know that it all has to start with ourselves. Donating food and clothes, and buying presents
are a part of all of our lives.”
I’m thankful to God that we have had many more hands supporting the Church School since fall;
several adults and youth are helping on a monthly basis. Sadly for us, Steve Thomas will soon be
moving away and his shoes will be hard to fill…God, please provide! Beyond the shoes, Steve’s
kindness, humor, deep spirituality, love, and commitment to the children have been very evident!
Thanks be to God for Steve’s long and strong ministry!
There was a focus on saints and angels this fall in classes, and more Godly Play presentations were
presented last Spring than this fall as I’m the only one presenting now. A desire/need is that someone
who is comfortable with kids would also be willing to present some of these stories of our faith.
There’s a little preparation time involved, but that time is also very enriching for the presenter!
(PLEASE talk to me!) Last Spring’s moss-covered Crucifixion/Resurrection Garden was a visual aid
made for telling the Easter story. We showed the movie WallE in August for children, but rain perhaps
kept folks away. A focus of mine since fall is to use, whenever possible, the songs I’ve written and am
now writing, as songs can be powerful tools for sharing important and helpful scriptures. This has been
done during the 9:30 services so far.
The 9:30 Worship’s coffee hour has been revived with the impetus and much support from James and
Linda Ashe-Ford and Rodney and Lenita Richard, who also put on a fabulous fall brunch to kick off the
Church School Year.
All Ages Activities: Last year began with an all ages Epiphany celebration with discussion put together
by Deacon Mary Lee Wile and me. Folks gathered to make mosaic crosses during coffee hour during
Lent, and several others did so recently for the Christmas fair. Advent wreaths were made by many
using Advent candles provided by Charla Spann.
St. Paul’s Middle School Youth: This group, led by Jim Hornor and Carol Lord, has been using the
Prayer Book to introduce kids to the "seasons" of the church year as well as the daily offices. They did
several craft projects in 2015 including mosaic crosses. Middle schoolers helped as Santa's elves at the
Christmas Fair. Several middle schoolers went to the Diocesan Middle School Event in the fall.
There has been more coordination this past year with the high school group.
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 19
St. Paul’s High School Youth: Ally Collins and Cedric Hipkins both served as leaders in the diocese’s
Middle School Events. Ally also served as a delegate to Annual Convention, and on the rector’s
advisory committee which led to the calling of Randy Day, our new Minister of Music. Students put
together music and created drama for the All Saints’ combined 9:00 worship service.
Myrna Koonce has much to share about the High School youth group which she and Hugh Savage
lead:
We hosted an Open Mike night in January 2015, to which teens from outside the parish came. For
pilgrimage fundraising, the group made chili and hot cross buns, sold flowers, and offered tech
support. We held an amazingly successful yard sale in August that the parish heavily supported
through donations and being customers. As part of our fundraising, we offered opportunities for
fellowship: the parish dinner for Pat and Tom McCabe’s Peace Corps presentation in May, the
Night in the Dominican Republic dinner in June, and the Dominican film evening in October,
featuring In the Time of the Butterflies. We held two retreats to prepare for our journey: one in the
summer and one in December. We also helped Lay Pastoral Visitors by covering cans for flowers
for delivery to homebound parishioners. The high schoolers also collectively brainstormed to
compose one of the 2015 Lenten Meditations, which one teen then wrote for the group; we just
did this again for 2016.
Much of the year, we were focused on our trip to the D.R. Our practice in our Sunday classes has been
to read the Gospel for that Sunday and discuss it. This fall, with a group of freshmen joining the seniors
who comprised the group last year, we did some work gelling as a group. Now we have begun to focus
on the Acts of the Apostles, and we are exploring what it means to be a Christian in the world today.
In conjunction with the Eagles class, at the beginning of 2016, we will be collecting items to bring to
the Dominican Republic. In the coming year, we hope to do more activities with the middle school
group and with teens from other churches. Those who are journeying to the Dominican Republic hope
to bring what we learned to the congregation during worship and through other means when we return.
These teens are extraordinarily thoughtful about their relationship to St. Paul’s. They keep wanting to
do the 8:00 coffee hour because it puts them in touch with the parishioners who attend that service. We
had a discussion about worship at St. Paul’s—discovering the traditions each of us prizes and the ones
we could let go of—and it emerged that many of them loved doing the Taizé chants during communion,
and hope that we might again be able to do Taizé regularly as part of the service.
Jane Burke
Christian Formation Director, 2o7 626-o738 [email protected]
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 20
Adult Christian Formation Committee Report
Adult Christian Formation added some new faces in 2015. Our ministry now includes Charles Arnold,
Sarah Arnold, Anne Brautigam, Chick Carroll, Jim Hornor, Liz Messler, Pam Nugent, and Bob
Walkling. We who serve in this ministry feel called to, as we say in our mission statement, “nurture
each person in his or her spiritual walk by providing a variety of Christian formation opportunities so
that the whole body of St. Paul’s Church may be built up and empowered to do God’s work in the
church, in the community, and in the world.” That’s what we try to do; we hope we are successful in
some small way at least.
Bible Study Groups. St. Paul’s continues to sponsor three separate Bible study groups (Exploring the
Word on Sundays at 9:30, Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study at 12:30, and the Wednesday Evening Bible
Study at 5:30), and all of them have increased their membership in 2015. Regular attendees find
fellowship, sharing, mutual support, encouragement, and delight in studying God’s word to his people.
If you’re not yet a member, why not come to a meeting that’s convenient for you and see for yourself?
No experience is necessary, and the groups are all lay led. We learn together.
Forums. Forums appeal to relatively large groups of people, although they are always interactive. The
year 2015 began with a continuation of a very popular forum that had begun in the fall of 2014,
OMEGA: Walking the Way to the Heart of God, which was led by the Rev. Al Niese and the Rev. Bob
Patterson. The Lenten series is usually the year’s centerpiece for this type of program, and in Lent
2015 our parish read now-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus.
Our thanks to the Rev. Carolyn Eklund, Emily Levine, Jim Hornor, Jane Burke, and Macauley Lord for
being such able facilitators. Coupled with simple soup dinners, all five evenings were well attended and
stimulated great discussions. In May the Rev. Mary Lee and Rick Wile hosted a pot-luck supper
followed by a discussion that explored the meaning and blessing of pilgrimage. In October two
Outreach members, Pat Ryan (also our senior warden) and Peter McCracken, presented a forum on
Robert Lupton’s book Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help. This critical
exploration of how to offer charity that works was an outgrowth of the commitment by St. Paul’s
Vestry to increase its funds earmarked for outreach to 10 percent of our annual operating budget by the
year 2017. The final forum of the year was a four-part series called The Four Faces of Jesus. Thanks
go to the Rev. Chick Carroll who helped us understand Gospel writer Matthew’s view of Jesus, Jim
Hornor who gave us new insights into the Gospel of Mark, the Rev. Dick Hall who gave us a better
understanding of what distinguishes Luke’s Gospel, and the Rev. Carolyn Eklund and Sarah Arnold
who helped us appreciate the powerful messages contained in John’s Gospel. Thanks also to the newly
formed Hospitality Ministry, because each evening in the series was preceded by a delicious pot-luck
supper—great fellowship, deep sharing, wonderful insights.
Pam Nugent
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 21
Barnes Building
The Barnes Building, located next to St. Paul’s, is owned by the church, and we have rented the
building since we acquired it. Initially, the building was rented to individual tenants; in January 2013
we entered into an agreement with Oxford House, a national organization sponsoring local sober
houses, and rented our building to this group. We felt that this was something that would fill a need in
the community, and help individuals heal and become whole again.
We were happy to support the program. By late 2014 the house began to have difficulty attracting
enough residents to make it sustainable. The organization tried various approaches, but because of
many obstacles including transportation issues, jobs, and distance from the other houses in Portland,
the group notified us in August 2015 that they would no longer be able to remain in Brunswick.
A few months later, we rented the building again – to Independence Association, a Brunswick non-
profit organization founded in 1966 by area families to assist adults and children with disabilities in
obtaining full and inclusive lives in the community. We signed a 3-year lease with IA effective
November 1, 2015. IA is doing some construction work inside the building and expects to occupy it by
January 31st.
IA staff will be allowed to use the row of parking spaces adjacent to the building Monday to Friday. In
addition, they will have the public parking lot and street parking available.
We’re excited to be continuing a ministry in our use of this building, and look forward to learning more
about the good work of our new tenants.
Pat Ryan and Paul Womer
Senior and Junior Wardens
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 22
Building and Grounds Committee Report
This year, we are trying something a bit different. Much of what was done at St. Paul’s had an impact
on Earth Care; a joint effort for portions of this report seemed to be a logical outcome.
Responding to a request from the choir, lighting in the west transept was upgraded. In keeping with an
initiative begun last year, only LED lights were installed: LED tube-style lighting in place of
fluorescent bulbs; LED spotlights to add light and enhance the look. The improved lighting surpassed
our expectations and provides a model for the rest of the nave. Besides the pleasant appearance, the
lights represent a reduction in our consumption of electricity. The next step is on hold (problems with
the heating system took priority) and we needed to consider the best means of maneuvering around the
pews to access the lights (a lift or staging; the latter probably is best). Dimmer switches will be added.
In the meantime, as fluorescent bulbs die, we are replacing them with LEDs. You might have noticed
new and brighter lights in the hallway and library. And, disposal has become less of a problem. We had
accumulated approximately 180 dead fluorescent bulbs that because of mercury inside them required
disposal in accordance with various laws and environmental regulations. This problem was resolved
and we will continue to properly dispose of the bulbs until they are gone. This will not be an issue with
LEDs
Even though we keep up with regular maintenance, we had a string of problems with our heating
system. Valves failed, expensive glycol leaked and was replaced with the water, and we remain
concerned about our use of natural gas for heat and hot water. While considering these issues, we
realized the best way to reduce our carbon footprint is to reduce our use of fossil fuels by doing the
basics. Besides installation of LED bulbs, we have undertaken a long-term study to consider heating
alternatives in 2016. We are currently collecting data and will analyze same with the help of our
contractor, Titan.
We also looked at alternative energy sources. B&G and Earth Care representatives responded to the
Brunswick community “solarize” initiative. A full study was conducted that considered installation of
solar panels on our property and/or investing in a solar farm elsewhere in Maine. After crunching the
numbers, we learned that the return did not justify the investment.
Representatives from the Funeral Reception, Welcoming and Kitchen Facilities Ministries are looking
at replacing aging appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dishwasher) with new and more energy efficient
models. This might require financial help from the parish. And, in that regard, a heartfelt thanks to
those parishioners who responded to the appeal to help cover the repairs to our heating system.
In another arena, improvements to the Memorial Garden continued apace - allowing for several
pleasant summer, Sunday morning services. In the fall of 2014 we removed the tall evergreen hedge
behind the granite pillars and some leaning Norway maples. The area was cleaned up; the wood taken
for fireplaces or stoves. Work ceased during the winter. In the spring stumps were ground; in May we
planted a new backdrop of viburnum and tree-hydrangeas. Four picnic tables were purchased and used
throughout the summer. There is now additional fencing to keep out a dog that seemed to think it was
his yard to roam. The gates were fixed so they could be opened and used by people wishing to enter the
gardens from the Library parking lot. Next year we will install signage to inform people that the garden
is a sacred place for meditation and reflection and should be treated with respect. That said, we want
the area to be open to all. Many thanks to all those who helped make this project a success.
For parishioners seeking more details regarding B&G issues, you are invited to check the B&G folder
in the office. Monthly reports to the vestry are included with the meeting minutes and kept on file.
Respectfully submitted, Paul D. Womer (B&G), Michael Anne Banks (EarthCare)
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 23
Earthcare Report
Protect and Preserve God's Creation
St Paul's EarthCare Ministry goal: to educate ourselves and others and to take action in our community.
Promote eco-justice and care for creation as an integral part of the Christian message and
encourage one another to share that message within and beyond our church community.
Help other community organizations, church committees, and individuals promote eco justice
and care for creation.
Meetings are held monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month, and are open to all. We
welcome new members! Ministry members are: Michael Anne Banks, chair, Tim Banks, Lollie Brown,
Anne Brautigam, Dick Brautigam, Dick Hall, Bronda Niese, Nick Smith, Linton Studdiford, and
Chuck Dyer, vestry liaison.
In addition to the ongoing efforts outlined in the Building and Grounds report, the following report
touches on the highlights of 2015.
The Community Garden, under the direction of Linton Studdiford, continues to provide garden plots
to people of the community as well as providing a Common Good Garden which provides food for Mid
Coast Hunger Prevention.
Recycling at our own church continues to be a challenge for our group as well as the entire parish;
however, we are not giving up. And we thank Michael McCabe for his ministry of recycling. There is a
plan in the works to team up with the Hospitality Ministry to tackle this problem in 2016.
The Window Dresser Project was completed at the end of September by 60 volunteers giving
approximately 300 hours. We completed 187 windows for the community that will help Mainers have
warmer homes. Dana Baer was the building coordinator and Bonny LaBonte was the volunteer
coordinator.
Our ministry participated with a community group to begin the process of eliminating single use plastic
bags and Styrofoam in the town of Brunswick. This is being studied by the town council which will
hopefully support an ordinance in Brunswick in 2016. Most likely the Styrofoam ban will happen first.
Michael Anne Banks
EarthCare, Chair
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 24
Frontline Committee Report
The two initiatives of the Frontline Committee for 2015 were to raise awareness for Domestic Violence
Prevention and to participate in Restorative Justice Circles. October was Domestic Violence Prevention
month. St. Paul’s partnered with Family Crisis, First Parish and UUCB to hold a panel discussion and
present a TED talk video by a victim of domestic abuse. Andree Appel led a Restorative Justice Circle
and the Rector along with parishioner James Ford participated in a circle. Thanks go to the Frontline
Team, Andree Appel, convener, Pat Ryan, The Rev. Carolyn Eklund, Terry Howell, Joan Reynolds,
Carol Thomas and Myrna Koonce.
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 25
Healing Prayer Ministry Report
Members of the Healing Prayer Team Ministry (Charles Arnold, Sarah Arnold, Myrna Koonce, Ada
Moore, Pam Nugent, Carol Thomas, Virginia Vincent, Bob Walkling, and Julia Walkling) continue to
offer laying on of hands in the vestibule after communion on the first and third Sundays of the month,
at the 8:00 and 10:30 services and at the recent single 9:00 service on the first Sundays. The Rev. Dick
Hall is usually present at the 10:30 service to offer anointing as well. In our monthly meetings we are
always amazed at how we feel so blessed to participate in this ministry.
One of the things we discuss at our monthly meetings is how things went on the immediately preceding
healing prayer Sundays, and the result is always the same: God touches those who have come for
prayer. So, not only does God bless us, but he also blesses those for whom we pray. Healing takes
many forms besides that which is so often hoped for. Maybe those who have come for prayer leave
with a greater feeling of peace. Perhaps they’re buoyed by the fact that someone listened to what was
on their heart and offered a prayer on their behalf. Maybe their burden feels a little lighter than when
they arrived. Possibly their hope has been renewed. Maybe they feel a renewed sense of God’s
presence in their life. The team members usually don’t know, but whatever happens, we know God
always does something. We believe that. This ministry is all about praying with people so that they will
feel “the healing power of God’s love.” Those words are part of the prayer that the Rev. Dick Hall, our
mentor, prays whenever he anoints people, and we who lay hands on people also embrace that prayer.
We are encouraged to know that this prayer ministry fills a need for many at St. Paul’s. A few times this
past year, for various reasons, we have had to change the venue a bit. For a couple of the 8:00 services,
we offered healing prayer at the altar rail during communion. And on the second Sunday of Advent,
healing prayer and anointing were offered in the chancel after the dismissal. The Healing Prayer Team
has decided that prayer in the chancel will be the new location for the future because our ministry is
meant to be a visible symbol of God’s healing power.
We hope that those of you who have not yet experienced God’s healing through the work of this
ministry will consider allowing us to pray for you or someone you care about.
Respectfully submitted,
Pam Nugent
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 26
Hospitality Ministry
The Hospitality Ministry was established in 2015 to assume responsibility for the many events in
which hospitality/food is required at St. Paul’s. Since the ministry was launched this past summer, we
have taken part in a Human Trafficking forum sponsored by the Diocese; four biweekly Adult
Formation programs; a Quiet Day with lunch; two post 9:00 A.M. all-parish receptions; three cocoa
and cookies parties for the Oratorio Chorale concerts in December; and, of course, 8:00 A.M. and
10:30 A.M. coffee hour. We recognize the contributions that the Reception Committee, chaired by
Bonny Labonte and Abbie Van Doren, makes in faithfully and beautifully providing for
funeral/memorial service hospitality. And we salute the many parishioners who graciously respond to
calls for delicious food for these activities. Future plans call for some improvements in the kitchen and
provision of some new equipment to help with the functioning of the kitchen.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Keating and Michael McCabe, Cochairmen
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 27
Lay Pastoral Visitors Committee
The year 2015 has been busy. We now have seventeen Visitors and we have about 35 parishioners that
we visit. As you can imagine the Visitors change occasionally depending on other demands in their
lives. We have welcomed three new Visitors in the past year. The Visitee list changes even more often.
Flowers: Members of the committee deliver the Altar flowers each week to parishioners. We also
deliver flowers/plants for Christmas, Easter and All Saints’ Day. This activity gives as much, or more,
enjoyment to us as it does to the recipients! Jo Belknap heads up the Flower work.
Crisis/Emergency Meals: Donna Thivierge organizes the delivery of meals (38 this year) to those in
special need. She has many parishioners (27), several other than committee members, who help with
the cooking and delivery of the meals. There are some on-going deliveries and some single
deliveries. The Gourmet Freezer group donates available food to our ministry. Joan Reynolds has been
assisting Donna.
Thornton Tea: In May we organize a Tea at Thornton Oaks for all of our Visitees who are able to
come, including all parishioners who live throughout the entire Thornton Community. It is purely
social and the highlight of the year for many of us. This past year we had the wonderful opportunity to
have our Rector, Carolyn, entertain us with her harp.
Sharing and Caring: Barbara Blanchard, Sandy Meyer and Susan McCracken offer a monthly get-
together for those in our community who are either caring for a loved one or are still grieving the loss
of a loved one.
Communication: We depend on receiving information from parishioners about needs that we might
address, either their own, a loved one or some situation that has been brought to their attention. As
with many aspects within the church, communication is critical. We need to hear from you in order to
respond. The best route for that information is through the church office.
Regular Meetings: The members meet about nine times a year. We try to have speakers who will
enhance our ministry at some of our meetings. Some of those speaking events are open to the entire
church, depending on the subject. We have a plethora of people among us who are generous with their
experience and knowledge.
Leadership: Barbara Blanchard Susan McCracken Jean Mulligan
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 28
Outreach Ministry Report
First, as the new Chair, I must thank Phil Studwell for his many years of leadership and his transitional
support as we passed the baton this spring. His dedication to the concerns of the community through
Outreach is an example for us all at St Paul’s. Further, I am uplifted by the support of the Ministry
members, all of whom have agreed to stay on. Thanks to Pat Ryan, James Ford, Bill Edman, Madeleine
Msall, Ann Banks, and Joan Reynolds for that support.
Our ministry continues to carefully consider how best to use the resources of St. Paul’s to support
community projects in and around Brunswick. We were blessed with a very generous gift which
matches the proceeds made available from the Christmas Fair - THANK YOU. The funds from this
anonymous gift were given to Oasis Health Clinic ($5,000) and Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program
($5,000)
The Vestry has adjusted the commitment to Outreach for FY 2016 to 4% of total pledges ($12,400
budgeted) or the net proceeds from the Christmas Fair, whichever is greater. The Christmas Fair total is
slightly less, so we will distribute the budgeted amount. So in the next few months we will be
continuing to invite agencies from the community to present their plans and needs to the Ministry so
that we might make our decisions for support in 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Peter McCracken, Chairperson
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 29
Reception Committee Report
St. Paul’s Reception Committee, co-chaired by Bonny Labonte and Abbie Van Doren, hosted eight
memorial receptions for members of St. Paul’s Church.
St. Paul’s continues to be able to host receptions because of the many people in our parish who
continue to support St. Paul’s Reception Committee either by their food donations and/or their
continued assistance with setting up, serving, and cleaning up following the reception. Together we can
provide this valuable service. Many thanks for your support.
Bonita Labonte and Abbie Van Doren, Reception Committee Co-Chairs
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 30
St. Paul’s Stewardship Program Team
This year the Stewardship (Giving) Ministry Team received a workbook entitled, “A Manual for
Stewardship Development Programs in the Congregation.” In this workbook we learned about the
practice of giving financially to God’s mission in the church, the diocese and the world. We also
learned about giving of our time and talent. The church’s work is labor intensive and we need
everyone’s gifts to accomplish what God is calling us to.
The Stewardship Team developed an approach to Stewardship that will be sustained, faithful and year-
round. Pledge cards were distributed in November, preceded by presentations by Emily Levine, Chip
Liversidge and Paul Womer at all three Sunday services of worship. We were encouraged to create a
“word cloud” of what St. Paul’s means to us.
Written testimonials were included each Sunday in November that were designed to encourage us to
pray about and then act on how we plan to support our work at St. Paul’s financially. We wish to thank
James Ford, Cliff Ruprecht, Madeleine Msall and Susan Brown for their stories that strengthened our
faith.
Each Sunday a different passage of scripture appeared in the announcements to remind us that the bible
talks about stewardship and giving a lot. We were also reminded that everything we have is from God
and giving back to God is a faithful response to God’s abundance.
We thank the Stewardship Program Team for 2015: Paul Womer and Pat Ryan, co-chairs; Chip
Liversidge and Emily Levine.
And we thank YOU, all who give so generously financially and of your time and talent. God’s work at
St. Paul’s and in Brunswick is strengthened by you.
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 31
Worship Ministry Team Annual Report by The Rev. Carolyn H. Eklund
The following was the introduction to our Music Ministry Director ad when we embarked on our
Music Ministry Director search in 2015. “St. Paul’s is a joy-filled Christian community for all God’s
children serving Christ in the heart of Brunswick, Maine. We are seeking a Music Ministry Director to
develop an expanded music ministry for all ages and to deepen parish spirituality through exuberant
worship of God.”
We said “good-bye” to Bob Judd and the Judd family in June and were filled with joy when the Judd
daughters Katie, Hannah and Sarah sang the benediction at the end of worship, June 14. We had a
chance to thank Bob, Cristle and their daughters for their generous and moving music ministry with us.
We welcomed Randy Day as our new Music Minister in late October. He set to work immediately to
prepare the adult choir and youth choristers for our launch of “First Sundays, Life Together at 9am” for
All Saints’ Sunday, November 1 during which there were three baptisms. A month later, the Second
Sunday in Advent, Bishop Lane made his official visitation for “First Sundays, Life Together at 9am”
when we combined St. Paul’s confirmation classes with Grace Church, Bath. Bishop Lane led the
confirmations, reaffirmations, receptions and baptized Sina Plunkett. Bill Edman began his ministry as
a verger as made us ready for the liturgy, leading the bishop and liturgical ministers through the liturgy
and welcoming all who participated. Andrew Tyler was our thurifer, Emma Nickerson was our incense
boat-bearer. Andrew offered incense in moderate amounts to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit
among us.
Lent is always a time for prayer, study, quiet and reflection at St. Paul’s. In addition to the three Ash
Wednesday liturgies which initiate the season of Lent, our deacons led teams to four different locations
in Brunswick to offer “Ashes to Go.” This was our second year and many more people in town wished
to receive ashes. Just before Holy Week, Bob Judd, several choir members and I attended the “Can
These Bones Live?” music workshop at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland. Dent Davidson the musician
for the Diocese of Chicago and the House of Bishops led us in a number of innovations for Holy Week,
many of which we planned for St. Paul’s. For example, at the Easter Vigil Julia Walkling and Cam
Smith gave a dramatic reading of James Weldon Johnson’s Creation story from “God’s Trombones.”
The song we sang over the kindling of the New Fire of the Resurrection at the Easter Vigil was written
by Sally Rogers, Connecticut State Troubadour, “Some have fathers gone to glory.”
We offered worship at one time, 9:00am in July and August. It thrived. Outdoor worship once each
month included Susan Brown and Carol Bondy each playing their accordion to accompany us. The
9am time was well received because members of St. Paul’s who attend different services were able to
rekindle friendships, and our guests enjoyed worshiping with the entire community.
I want to thank the Worship Ministry Team who offers excellent suggestions to make worship more
meaningful, joyful and more accessible to all families. It is a joy and privilege to do the “people’s
work” (the meaning of the word, “liturgy”) with a highly competent, committed and enthusiastic team:
Thank you, Leslie Brancart, Jim Hornor, Lois Kwantz, Tom Nugent, Abigail Manny Patterson, Lenita
Richard, Ralph Thieverge and Julia Walkling. I am also happy that Randy Day will be joining us on the
Worship Ministry Team.
“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Come, let us adore Him.
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 32
Finance Committee Report
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to advise the Vestry on all matters financial. The Finance
Committee meets throughout the year on a schedule just prior to the monthly Vestry meeting.
Members who serve faithfully are The Rev. Carolyn Eklund, our Rector; Pat Ryan, Senior Warden and
Vestry Liaison; Nancy Whitehouse, Treasurer; Paul Womer, Junior Warden, Building & Grounds
Liaison; Nat Henshaw, Diocesan Finance Liaison; Bill Martens; Bob Mulligan; Peter McCracken; and
Lenita Richard, Chair.
The year has included a variety of financial matters and, when necessary, the Finance Committee has
presented recommendations to the Vestry. Pat Ryan has updated us monthly on any and all Vestry
financial matters.
Carol Lord and Lenita Richard served as our Audit Committee and reviewed the 2013 financial
transactions and procedures for proper compliance.
Steve Thomas stepped down as Treasurer at the Annual Meeting, and we thank Nancy Whitehouse for
accepting the Vestry appointment as Treasurer. Peter McCracken stepped down as our chair and has
remained on the committee. Also, we thank Charles Arnold and Lib Butler for their contributions
during 2015.
I am pleased to report that St. Paul’s had a very good year, and the financial position at the end, as
compared to the beginning of the year, was no exception. During the year, Nancy worked closely with
everyone involved with the finances of the church, and as a result of her expertise and dedication, we
have greatly improved the monthly financial reporting.
The approved budget for 2015 reflected a projected deficit of $15803.66. The generosity of our
parishioners has once again been amazing and we ended the year with a Net Operating Income of
$16,576. Pledge and plate income were higher than expected and income from endowments was much
higher than budgeted. The Christmas Fair had another successful year with income of $12,128.36.
Respectfully submitted,
Lenita Richard, Chair
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 33
St. Paul's Year End Annual Report
Jan - Dec
Actual
Budget
2015
Budget
2016
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
4000 · Pledge Offerings
309,046.18
295,000.00 310,000.00
4001 · Prior Year Pledge Offerings
1,765.00
4100 · Plate Offerings
32,998.59
25,000.00 30,000.00
4120 · Rector's Discretionary Offering
1,197.50
4200 · Seasonal Offerings
6,493.00
3,500.00 3,500.00
4201 · Christmas Fair
0.00
12,000.00 12,000.00
4300 · Great Hall & Other Revenue
877.81
2,000.00 2,000.00
4355 · Rent & Usage Fees
23,899.00
30,800.00 32,200.00
4370 · Endowment, Interest & Dividends 45,200.19
44,075.00 40,100.00
4411 · Special Contribution-Operations
3,520.00
4,000.00
Total Income
424,997.27
412,375.00 433,800.00
Expense
5100 · Salaries & Housing
196,719.49
199,902.66 208,650.00
5200 · Travel, Pensions & FICA/Tax
28,085.52
30,076.00 31,122.60
5300 · Insurances - Med/Dent/Life/WC
10,504.49
13,960.00 11,958.00
5351 · Rector Education
1,034.20
1,250.00 2,500.00
6000 · Worship & Care
15,658.55
31,912.00 21,085.00
6710 · Wedding/Funeral Expenses
364.86
2,000.00 -
7000 · Diocesan Assessment
56,124.00
55,361.00 61,085.00
7110 · Utilities
34,206.33
38,017.00 38,017.00
7120 · Insurance
4,765.50
4,800.00 4,800.00
7130 · Repairs & Maintenance
36,902.79
26,900.00 28,400.00
7160 · Real Estate Taxes
3,044.50
3,200.00 3,200.00
7200 · Office Operations
13,890.70
13,100.00 13,000.00
8100 · Other Expenses
7,120.23
7,700.00 22,450.00
Total Expense
408,421.16
428,178.66 446,267.60
Net Ordinary Income
16,576.11
(15,803.66)
(12,467.60)
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 34
Pledge & Plate 81%
Seasonal offerings 1%
Great Hall & Rental 6%
Endowment, Int. & Dividends
11%
Special Contributions 1%
Income
Salaries, Pension, & Ins
58%
Worship & Care 4%
Diocesan Assessment 14%
Utilities, Repairs, & Taxes, 19%
Office Operations 3%
Other 2%
Expenses
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 35
2015 Christmas Fair
Expense Income Totals
Bake & Candy
Total $0.00 $994.50 $994.50
Apple Pies
Total ($180.85) $266.00 $85.15
Cheese
Total ($480.99) $653.00 $172.01
Christmas Café
Total ($63.00) $916.62 $853.62
Country Store
Total $0.00 $517.50 $517.50
Fine Arts
Total $0.00 $1,020.50 $1,020.50
Freezer Gourmet
Total $0.00 $2,749.00 $2,749.00
Greens
Total ($1,059.68) $2,408.00 $1,348.32
Knits & Stitches
Total ($8.00) $856.00 $848.00
Knives
Total ($401.25) $682.25 $281.00
Religious & Christmas
Total $0.00 $105.75 $105.75
Santa
Total $0.00 $60.00 $60.00
Treasures
Total $0.00 $2,769.33 $2,769.33
Cookbooks
Total $0.00 $136.00 $136.00
Sunday Sales
Total $0.00 $475.37 $475.37
Misc.
Total ($372.69) $85.00 ($287.69)
Total Fair Proceeds ($2,566.46) $14,694.82 $12,128.36
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 36
PARISH STATISTICS* 2015 2016
Communicants in Good Standing 437
Average Sunday Attendance 162
Total Sunday Eucharists 125
Total Weekday Eucharists 53
Total Private Eucharists 70
Daily Offices on
Sunday or Saturday Evenings 2
Daily Offices Held on Weekdays 5
Marriages Conducted 1
Burials Conducted 7
Baptisms 16 years and older 0
Baptism under 16 years of age 6
Confirmations 16 years and older 1
Confirmations under 16 years of age 0
Received by a Bishop 1
* Beginning with this annual Report for 2015 and subsequent reports the Parish Statistics will be
recorded to reflect the Episcopal Parochial Report statistics. Therefore, the statistics on this page
in past Annual Reports will not match the format of the 2015 Parish Statistics.
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 37
Ministries
Buildings and Grounds Paul Womer, Chair 373-1020
Christmas Fair Rodney Richard, Chair 688-2249
Earthcare Michael Anne Banks, Chair 729-6592
Education Jane Burke, Christian Formation Director 626-0738
Adult Formation Committee, Pam Nugent 737-2369
Finance Lenita Richard, Chair 688-2249
Frontline Andree Appel, Chair 319-4993
Healing Prayer Pam Nugent 737-2369
Holy Stitchers Charla Spann 844-8220
Men’s Group Al Niese 443-8613
Outreach Peter McCracken Chair 846-0150
Prayer Group/Chain Nancy Hawkins 442-7759
Pastoral Care Jean Mulligan, Chair 798-6765
Receptions: Bonny Labonte 729-5226
Abigail Van Doren 373-1020
Crisis Meals: Donna Thivierge 729-3511
Women’s Group
Worship Leslie Brancart, Chair 729-7873
Acolytes: Tom Nugent 737-2369
Altar Guild: Lenita Richard 688-2249
Flowers: Abigail Manny 725-9062
Lectors/Eucharistic Ministers: Julia Walkling 725-6353
Ushers, Greeters: Ralph Thivierge 729-3511
Welcomers: Caroline Russell 729-1845
St. Paul's Annual 2015 Report
Page 38
Staff and Vestry
The Rev. Carolyn H. Eklund, Rector................................................................. 373-3891
The Rev. Mary Lee Wile, Deacon...................................................................... 846-5288
The Reverend Chick Carroll, Deacon................................................................ 721-9245
Susan Tyler, Parish Administrator...................................................................... 729-7962
Randy Day, Music Ministry Director...................................................... ... 717-669-7247
Jane Burke, Christian Formation Director......................................................... 626-0738
Melanie Chicoria, Administrative Assistant...................................................... 725-0670
Aubrey Farmer, Sexton.......................................................................................319-0164
Kimmy Edwards, Nursery Caregiver................................................................. 725-7166
The Vestry Pat Ryan, Senior Warden........................................................................ 725-5439
Paul Womer, Junior Warden................................................................... 373-1020
Term ending 2016
John Cordts................353-5081
Jim Hornor ………..416-8589
Carol Thomas……….666-8296
Term ending 2017
Linda Ashe-Ford……729-5584
Dana Baer…..……....319-4992
Emily Levine………..449-9484
Term ending 2018
Jo Belknap…………..721-8505
Chuck Dyer…….978-835-9922
Chip Liversidge……..406-4156