Annual Report 2011

What can I say about a church filled with the Holy Spirit, a church that is so giving, sharing - one that welcomes all so openly and honestly.

What can I say about a church that is empowered to express love, compassion – one that shares hardships and hurt, yet also shares joy and fun. One that reaches out to others so well, one that is not afraid to extend itself with outreach, pastoral care, special youth activities, wellness / exercise programs, cooking and gardening, Christian and personal finance education programs.

What can I say about a church that is not afraid to implement plans for future growth and development.

What can I say about a church that has only been in business since 2003 and we are already blessed with a fully furnished 6,000 square foot parish hall on five acres properly positioned for expansion.

What can I say about a church that has a vision to grow, expand outreach programs, continue to reach our community, developing a greater ability to spread the love of Christ and continue giving back to God what he gives us in the way of love, support, hope, and service to others.

 

What can I say?

Well let me highlight our past twelve months:

 

Our average Sunday morning attendance has grown over 20% since last year expecting similar or greater growth in 2012. These past few Sundays we have averaged over 128 with two recent Sunday attendances around Thanksgiving totaling 153 and 155 each. We have been in our building less then 20 months. The math tells me - we could very easily be at 180 – 190 within the next 12 months – much greater with Jamie and others planning Christian Ed events. Get ready; they will come!

 

Financially, Holy Cross has 2 major accounts from which we fund our daily operations and pay for our building and land. Let me give a brief description of the functions of the two accounts and some dollar amounts.

 

Our general operating account provides funding for all of our activities; music, clergy, utilities, outreach, maintenance for our property, and a host of others - basically, all things that keeps us functioning as a church.

 

We have an annual pledge drive for this account annually. For 2011 we requested a budget of approximately 138,000 to fund our operations, but the generosity of our parishioners provided considerably more, around $153,000. Our current and ongoing pledge drive is requesting a 10% increase.

 

Our Capital Fund pays for our building and land. Our land, which we purchased in 2006 for $575,000 is financed with RBC and we pay  $3,600/month. We also pay an additional $5,000 to principal each calendar quarter. Our land note should be below $230,000 by year-end.

 

Our building has a somewhat unique beginning in that a number of our members formed a Limited Liability Corporation enabling us to purchase 7 modular units that make up this building along with parking and land preparation and permitting. The church leases the building from the LLC which is comprised of 24 church members (over 25% of our church at that time) who invested their money and are being repaid by pledges to the capital account. We now pay $4,747 monthly as a lease payment. We have 8 years left on the lease at which time we have a buyout of approximately $400,000, or we may be able to renew the lease.

Our Capital pledge Drive is projected for 5 years to 2016 and we have over $500,00 pledged currently.

 

We are able to keep our doors open with six regular administrative assistants and four substitutes that total over 20 volunteer hours a week. They keep us in tune with scheduling, communications, phone calls, and helping our custodian keep our house in order.

 

We have an active parish life dedicated to furnishing us with a number of fund raising events such as Alphabet suppers, museum trips, ice cream socials, family picnics, fish fries, garden and event travels, caroling, six supper club groups, men’s club projects, annual parish retreats, and various yard/book/bake sales.

 

Now with a Director of Youth and Music, our very own focused youth event leader, who is heavily involved with church and community sharing of ideas and music that leads to one of our ministries that holds promise for our future – youth and young families. Our very own Jamey Graves is coordinating Youth Ministries for grades 6-12 with various activities such as a bible studies, canned food drives, and shared activities with St. James's youth group.

 

Here are some of the Youth Events during 2011:

Jamey Graves was charged with an expanded role this year to develop programs for youth in the church and local community creating a welcoming community for the young people. He has done an excellent job expanding the program to encompass young members of our church and beyond.   In addition to helping our exiting youth find a place within the church to be active participants and identify a forum in which to share their talents, he has expanded the community to youth outside the church who regularly attend Monday Morning Bible study at the Sawmill (7:00AM) where they review Scripture from the lectionary each week. Additionally, Jamey has encouraged the youth of our church to participate in the biannual diocesan event called Happening (Cursillo for youth).   Some other highlights include sponsoring and serving at a Ticket to Taste Fund Raiser for Interfaith Refugees, attending the Glory Ridge Mission Trip, and hosting several dinners and Movie Nights. It has been a great year establishing an active youth program. 

 

2011 Youth Events:

          1/28           Family Movie Night

          8/19           Youth Dinner

          10/1            Happening Team Meeting

More for our Youth:

·        When our youth inform us of events they are involved in, our adults’ are making their presence known by attending these events.

·        Our youth are very caring and compassionate with one another.   Example: Some of them made prayer chains at the church to send to the others that are going through rough times. It was a wonderful surprise.

·        Our youth have a desire to be in our church. Frequently they say they love their church.

·        The Youth feel loved by the church.

·        Our church members are giving money to support youth going to Happening. $500.00 was donated to scholarships for youth attending Happening.

 

Areas for Development:

·        Better communication method for the larger Holy Cross community about the youth events. Most of us prefer email however our youth are primarily on Facebook. Youth@HolyCross Facebook group has been created which is very effective for contacting and get info to our young people. However, this is not always the best way to get info to the larger Holy Cross community.

·        Provide more mission/service oriented events for our youth in particularly in our surrounding community. Challenge is scheduling conflicts with school and school events.

·        Improve the method for booking space at the church. Although this is a parish wide problem, sometimes it is difficult finding space for our youth to meet during the week other than Sundays.

 

Plans for 2012:

Camping at Carolina Beach (original reservation was moved to April)

Happening

Glory Ridge Mission Trip

Parish Retreat (May)

Movie nights

Monday Morning Bible Study

 

 

I will also note that we have one of the very best music teams in our Deanery, if not our Diocese.

 

Many do not know the complete scope of our music team:

This has been a very busy music year for the music team. In addition to the regular Sunday services and Thursday rehearsals, the music team has participated in a number of special events and services that have enhanced our parish community experience which include Lenten Evening Prayers Services, U2Charist, Concerts on the Lawn, and Advent Evening Prayer Services.   The music team has grown number and diversity including musicians as well as singers.   The music advisors group has done a great job planning musical events outside of the regular services and guiding the musical ministry.

 

Listed below are the 2011 special events and services performed:

 

2011 Music Events:

3/11, 18, 25 & 4/1,3      Lenten Evening Prayer Services held at 6pm (Require separate rehearsal and setup)

4/10                     U2Charist @HC                    

4/21                     Maundy Thursday

4/24                    Easter Morning Vigil Service (Sunrise)

7/16                     Concert on the Lawn

8/20                    Concert to raise funds for music program.  

9/10                     Concert on the Lawn

11/27                    Concert on the Lawn

12/4, 11, 18          Advent Evening Prayer Services

12/16                             Christmas Party @Darwin’s Home

 

 

Musicians:

John Bennet - Mandolin, Harp, Voice, Guitar, Music Leader

Dj Hockaday - Guitar, Voice

Kathy Southerly - Guitar, Bass, Voice

Pat Harrill  - Guitar, Voice

Chuck Deirling - Guitar, Voice

Charles Lancaster - Guitar, Voice

Darwin Dennison - Harp

Doug Fry - Bass, Voice

Stowe Blankenship - Guitar, Voice, Mandolin, Harp, Percussion, Music Leader

Linda Markas - Piano, Voice, Music Leader

Gaylene Henry - Piano, Voice, Music Leader

Pamela Federline - Voice

Morgan McCracken - Voice

Hailey Price - Voice

Snowy Albright - Voice, Percussion

John Markas - Voice

Claudia Bennett - Voice

Rene Lemons - Flute

 

Music Advisors:

Jamey Graves, Chair

Kay Cameron

Pat Harrill

Linda Markas

Snowy Albright

John Bennett

Stowe Blankenship

 

Our Sunday School Christian Education team is made up of over 12 regulars and a number of substitutes on a rotational basis to provide Christian Education and nursery to our children. We also have plans for a new program next fall called Journey to Adulthood (J2A) for our teen and young adult development. By next fall we should be able to guide our children through their pre-teen and teenage years here at Holy Cross. We have provided exciting programs available from nursery care to adult studies in addition to opportunities offered to our community.

  

As a part of our operating budget, we give over 10 percent to outreach programs as well as have maintained over 10 percent annual support to the Mission and Ministry Budget of our Diocese.

 

We have developed our own Outreach brochure available to our parish. For example, we donate monthly to our local Federal Point Help Center to assist those in need – just this past October over 290 individuals and 127 households were assisted with food. We have assisted with rent, utilities, fuel, transportation, and medication. Our church is their largest contributor to Federal Point. Thanks to Ro Daugherty for leading this.

 

We have a fully established Daughters of the King chapter as well as a wonderfully functioning newsletter full of information and schedules that is now available electronically. Our new web site is also increasing in information and the ability to be a functioning part of our scheduling and sharing information with others. And, we have developed a new church directory.

 

Additionally, have completed our final land preparation paving the way for our new Warner Memorial Garden (thanks to Ted Guilford) and future columbarium as well as our future parking lot expansion. Our kitchen is complete (thanks to Bryan High and the kitchen team) and functioning as an integral part of our parish life. Our front portico should be up by Christmas. Plans have been developed for a future Christian Family Education building which we will continue to have a growing need for other then just storage.

 

We have installed two services to accommodate early risers that might want to attend an informal setting as well as those who want to worship in a musically spirit led main service.

 

Our parish survey and search committees under the direction of our vestry has enabled us a smooth and seamless transition and warm welcome to Father Jerry Gallagher following the retirement of our founding charter priest and friend Father Dick Warner.

 

These are basically some of the new and interesting accomplishments for 2011; there are many others to talk to if time permitted.

 

Yes; 2011 is an important year; we have turned the corner on improving many key items thanks to everyone’s talents and interests.

 

I look toward 2012 to be a year of growth, improving and recognizing our own talents, continuing to develop and utilize our property, maintaining a spiritual, vibrantly empowered parish, utilizing our spiritual leaders to continue to educate and grow our hearts toward Christ.

 

Do not be afraid to continue to step forward with continued property, building, and land improvements for future growth. Stay true to our mission to serve and share Christ’s love with others.

 

One of the wonderful characteristics of the Episcopal Church is our use of symbols in so much of what we do. A large part of our life at Holy Cross has been the stained glass window crafted by Mr. James Philip Yeakey which pointed to our mission and to our eventual building. As I look at that cross now a central part of our worship area I am reminded how it brings to life our mission statement at Holy Cross.

 

I love how the cross is made up of entwined elements representing to me our togetherness as a parish and including friends of Holy Cross – never ending, never broken, continual flow of love and ministry creating a cross – the cross of Christ our savior – a common ground to all who welcome Him. No matter what our differences are regarding background, ages, health, wealth, or status – we are all together on common ground given to us by Christ.

This cross implanted in green – a vibrant life giving color representing a growing, thriving group of believers within our own community of Christians at not only Holy Cross but at other area churches, and our Diocese.

 

As you look at it note it is also presented in the shape of a keyhole – a keyhole that unlocks our beliefs - to share with one another – to share the love of Christ and minister to others – the key hole that unlocks unlimited access to God and His grace.

And finally, notice also this key hole is outlined with a green barrier (as if being similar to our own skin) to possibly keep evil out yet allow safe passage to those seeking Christ and those that may want to know Him – through you at Holy Cross. It provides safe passage from the brown world outside – a world that appears to have it all yet delivers no peace or eternal life - to the life-giving world of Jesus and His eternal promise. A way of love and acceptance and peace, leaving the world behind and entering the life of humbleness and openness to Christ – into a more peaceful world of those who want to know and feel the love of Christ.

 

This Cross is symbolic of our Mission:

We, your servants at Holy Cross, seek to build a community of faith to Your honor and glory and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Empower us to carry out that mission with love and grace to all.

 

All Are Welcome here!

 

What can you say about us? Come to Holy Cross and find out!

 

From our Rector:

I am deeply honored to be part of the ministry team at Holy Cross. Joy and I are thankful to be members of this Spirit-filled faith community. Your warmth and welcome for everyone, your strong outreach programs and amazing music ministry make it clear why so many people who come to visit become members. Our Wednesday evening service is a special joy. Hopefully, all us can build on the strong foundation that Dick, Andy, Ed and so many of you have helped to build.                                                       

I look forward to getting to know y'all (did I say it correctly?) in ever deeper ways. My own faith has grown deeper in my years as a parish priest by sharing with so many faithful people. I think this is the hundredfold which Jesus promised to us when we gather in His name. 

                                                                                                                              

      Peace, Jerry