CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT
Submitted by Lynn Olson,
2014 Church Council Chair
The year 2014 has been a year of many changes here at First UMC, McHenry.
We began the year with a new leadership format, as we returned to the “Church Council” structure,
after several years with a “Leadership Team” structure. The Church Council structure includes the
leaders from all of the various church teams and committees, representatives of the program
ministries of the church, along with five members-at-large. We have met consistently the 1st
Tuesday evening of the month for this year.
At our first meeting we offered up our hopes and dreams for our church as they related to our
various ministries. These hopes and dreams flowed into our visioning process, and were divided
into Nurture, Outreach and Witness ministries. These three ministries have met throughout the
year during our Church Council meetings, and have set both short term and long term goals. As the
goals have been carried out, they have been evaluated, and decisions have been made for the
future according to the successes of the goals.
At our first meeting we also formulated the following covenant for our group:
With God’s help, we, the Church Council of First United Methodist – McHenry, hereby enter
into covenant with one another, as we seek to lead this congregation, we promise to one
another, that we will:
 Communicate with one another, and our congregation,
 Support and respect one another,
 Pray for each other and act for the good of the church,
 Listen to each other and the community,
 Exercise careful, loving, God-inspired discernment,
 Be open minded as we seek to practice Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,
 Accept group consensus and change.
In June we bid farewell to our pastor, Rev. Sung Ja Moon, and in July we welcomed our new pastor,
Rev. Scott McClellan. We continue to experience change and growth as we get to know one
another, and strive to work as a unified team, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
I believe we have worked very hard to accomplish our 2014 goals, and to uphold the Covenant we
established in January. We celebrate the many ministries of our church, and all those who lead and
participate in them, as we seek to fulfill the vision of our church:
Building a community in which people commit themselves to Jesus Christ through Worship,
Spiritual Growth, and Service.
As we move ahead into the New Year, it is my prayer that this Council would continue to call on God
for wisdom and guidance, and that our congregation would move to a state of renewed health,
spiritual growth, and vitality.
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CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Submitted by Barb Zamastil
Committee Chair
Congregational Care was started in March of 2014. Marg Deason, Pastor Moon, and myself
trained five people and commissioned them as congregation care ministers. A few had to
drop out due to health issues, but there are four (4) of us remaining that deliver
communion to the home bound or nursing home bound members. There are 10 people
that are visited on a regular basis and we add or subtract people as needed. There are
special visits or phone calls conducted during the month as well.
EDUCATIONAL – SUNDAY SCHOOL
Submitted by Lauren Deuchert
Sunday School Superintendent
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have had a wonderful year. Our average Sunday attendance has been 21.07 (which
includes staff and children). Since we have seen our numbers grow and stay steady since
August, we were able to sing at a 10:15am service in October.
The children have participated in our church’s mission projects. Due to our congregation’s
generosity, the children were able to raise $238.56 for “Imagine No Malaria.” They also
assisted in filling 200 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. A few members of our 3 rd – 6th
grade class will be attending a “Feed My Starving Children” outing.
Due to the grace of God and an outstanding Sunday School staff, we have had a wonderful
year and are looking forward to what 2015 has in store.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School was held June 9-13, 2014. Our theme was Son Treasure Island. We
had 70 children participate and approximately half of the participants were non-members.
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I.T. COMMITTEE
Submitted by Steve Frommes
Committee Chair
Members: Sherry McClean, Bryan Nobbe, Lynn Schnelker
In 2014 the following progress was made to further the mission of the First United
Methodist Church:
1. The website has been created and promoted as a communication tool for the
church.
2. Constant Contact is being maintained by Sue Yazel.
3. My Church events calendar is linked to the website.
4. Audio versions of sermons are being made available through the website
The ongoing projects and work to be completed will be:
A. Assist with mechanism for online giving.
B. Install monitors in narthex to provide ongoing messages.
C. Review hardware and software in use by youth Sunday School programs.
D. Provide IT training opportunities for people who work the board during services AND
for membership who might want assistance to make better use of technology.
LAY MINISTRY TEAM
Submitted by Char Mowery, Vice Co-Chair
Members: Pastor Scott McClellan, Chair; Barb Dodds, Vice Co-Chair;
Esther Basler, Pastor Lori Bee, Sarah Naranjo, Fran Parker, Penny Schwall
Since our last Charge Conference, the Lay Ministries Team has continued to work with the
Pastors, the leaders of all our volunteer ministries, congregational members and visitors to
support and encourage the various lay ministries of McHenry First United Methodist
Church. Each team member has functioned as a liaison, to a particular group of ministry
leaders, providing volunteer information, support and encouragement during the year.
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Following our Serving from the Heart 2014 Campaign in late 2013, volunteer information
from the Commitment Cards was given to our ministry leaders by the end of January, 2014.
The ministry leaders were encouraged to contact all volunteers, particular any new
volunteers, and incorporate them into the mission of that particular ministry. Efforts were
made to stay in touch with our ministry leaders and support them as needed throughout
the year. Updates were made to our Serving from the Heart ministry booklet to keep it
current regarding ministry options, ministry descriptions, contact persons and contact
information.
On September 14, 2014, the Team sponsored our annual Ministries Fair. This year it was
separated from the Education Committee’s Rally Day and promoted as a separate Rally Day
for our various programs and ministries. The 2015 Serving from the Heart Commitment
Cards were made available for individuals to indicate in which ministry areas they wished to
serve for the coming year. The increased response from the congregation was very
encouraging to this Team and our leaders. The summary spreadsheets of volunteers were
distributed to ministry leaders by September 17th.
Although specific “Serving from the Heart” classes to identify Spiritual Gifts, talents and
passions were not offered this year, Spiritual Gift Discovery Tools were given to new
members and summary feedback was provided to each person who completed the
Discovery Tool. This information has been helpful both for individuals to discern
appropriate ministry according to their Spiritual gifts and for the congregation to continue
to discern its mission and ministry direction in our community and beyond.
Since September, we have again been contacting leaders and individuals to determine
commitments for 2015, as we develop the nominations slate for our upcoming Charge
Conference. We have also been approaching additional individuals, based on their Spiritual
Gifts, to prayerfully consider serving on committees and in open positions of leadership for
the year ahead. We were excited to welcome Esther Basler, Sarah Naranjo and Penny
Schwall to the Lay Ministries Team in October, 2014. The proposed slate for 2015 will be
presented to Charge Conference on January 4, 2015.
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MISSION COMMISSIONS
Submitted by Bonnie Rudolph
Committee Chair
The Missions Commission is blessed with a dedicated team of members who have worked
hard to raise funds, and who have supported local, nationwide, and global causes with their
time and talent.
With the Church members support we will be able to make contributions to many mission
needs in the local community of McHenry, Illinois as well as, the United States and
worldwide.
Missions Fundraisers (Total Raised – Approximately $4,000)
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Plant Sale conducted in May
Bridal Fashion Show and Tea held in June
McHenry Fiesta Days Food Stand in July
Rada Cutlery Sale conducted during September through November
Special Collections:
 Blanket Sunday – Special Collection - $743 on Mother’s Day
 Operation Christmas Child - Over $1000 donated by congregation and 200
shoeboxes were packed.
 Flood Buckets for Midwest Distribution Center: $644.00
 FISH: $284.17 and approximately 500 food items
Time and Talent Donated by Missions members to the following causes:
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FISH Food Pantry
Midwest Distribution Center
Feed My Starving Children
PADS - Wonder Lake site location
PADS - SleepOut for Shelter
Mission Backpack
Sunday Community Dinner
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Loose Change Beneficiaries (from our Collection Plates)
January:
Red Bird Mission
February:
Midwest Distribution Center
March:
FISH
April:
Vacation Bible School
May:
Youth Mission Trips
June:
FUMC Camp Scholarships
July:
Abounding Ministries
August:
Mission Backpacks
September: No More Malaria
October:
FISH
November: PADS
December: Home of the Sparrow
Special Contributions Made by Missions:
1. Operation Christmas Child - $250
2. FISH: $250 – for holiday meals
3. Pastor Discretionary Fund: $250
Our Calendar:
MARCH-APRIL:
MAY:
JUNE:
JULY:
AUGUST-NOVEMBER:
SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER:
DECEMBER:
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LENTEN FISH Food Drive through Easter
Plant sale and Blanket Sunday
Vintage Bridal Fashion Show and Tea
Fiesta Days Food Stand Planning & Sale Operation Christmas Child collection and
distribution on 3rd Sunday of November
Rada Cutlery Sale
Determination of funds distribution
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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Submitted by Pat Wilson
Committee Chair
Our United Methodist Women unit continues to support our goals of supporting women,
children and youth locally, nationally and globally. Our progress and results have lead to
increased membership in the Circles this year.
Our activities for the year also includes five luncheons. In April we were fortunate to have
Shira Greenfield from Centegra Behavioral Health Center talk to us about their work,
particularly mental health and drug issues locally in McHenry County.
We organized World Day of Prayer, World Thank Offering Day, and a Call & Self Denial
program. One of our many objectives is to educate our members about the many issues
that our society and community face today. In April we hosted the Elgin District United
Methodist Women Day of Spiritual Renewal with 48 ladies in attendance.
Our annual rummage sale in October was a great success as well as our annual cookie walk
(which was held in December).
Much of the success of these events is due to support from our congregation
members. Three of our members (Lynn Olsen, Karen Doren and myself) attended the
Quadrennial United Methodist Women Assembly in Louisville, Ky. along with over 6,000
other women. What a blessing this gathering was to experience and return with
information to share with others.
We look forward to 2015 and hope to continue to provide supportive fellowship, education
and worship opportunities for the women in our Church.
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WORSHIP TEAM
Submitted by Jean Biddulph
Team Leader
The Worship Team is composed of the pastors, organists/keyboardists, leaders of the
various music groups, and a few other members of the congregation. Their primary goal is
to help provide meaningful musical worship experiences for the congregation throughout
the year and to aid the pastors as needed. A very important secondary goal is to enrich the
musical education of those who are participating in the groups.
Through e-mail and monthly group meetings the Team communicates with the various
musical groups (or soloists) and attempts to schedule one or more of them as a musical
contribution for every service. From January to December the groups consisted of: Chancel
Choir, Handbell Choir, Praise Team, Instrumental Ensemble and Kids R.O.C.K. A new
Handbell Trio was also formed in the fall.
The Worship Team coordinated a light food/decorating session to prepare the sanctuary
and narthex for the weeks of Advent. It was held immediately following the 10:15 service
on the Sunday just before the beginning of Advent and all members of the congregation
were welcomed to participate.
The Worship Team also works with the secretary of the church in scheduling the liturgists,
ushers, and greeters for every service as well as those who prepare the communion
elements on a monthly basis.
YOUTH PROGRAM
Submitted by Pastor Lori Bee
Youth Leader
It has been a joy to work with the youth of this church. Our Confirmation Program meets
from September to May and consists of seventh and eighth grade students. In the past
year, I have taken two classes on our Annual Team Building Retreat at Wesley Woods. I
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program the event with the intention of bringing the class together as a team. It has
consistently been the student’s favorite part of the year. Our class also attended Feed My
Starving Children in Libertyville, IL. In May, 2013 we joyfully confirmed 8 students.
In September we began our new year of Confirmation with seven students. We continue to
teach some of the building blocks for students to be able to build their own faith and focus
on their personal and also their corporate relationship with God within the church. This
year the students have more participation in leading worship with Pastor Lori and also in
service projects. They are acting as greeters on the days they assist in worship. They have
been assigned to staff the doors and welcome people as they arrive. We have a lot of
positive feedback from the congregation regarding this. Currently, they are working on a
challenge to help with the Ebola crisis in West Africa. They are wrestling with how to raise
awareness and funds. Their ideas are innovative and exciting, and I’m looking forward to
seeing the results of their efforts.
Last year, we offered a weekly youth program called “The Bridge” with our prior Senior
Pastor offering an adult study simultaneously. Unfortunately, this program was not well
attended, and we voted to close the program. Other activities included Richardson’s Corn
Maze, lock-in’s, bowling, paintball. Service opportunities were offered through Mission
Possible and local Mission work was done this past summer, working in McHenry County for
two days.
We do continue to struggle to get high school participation, and although we have
attempted diverse and multiple events and small groups, we have not had satisfactory
attendance or participation from this age group. We continue our efforts and continue to
reach out to students. I invited Maddison Connell to step up as High School Sunday School
teacher. Youth Group meets monthly, usually on Sunday afternoons, but occasionally a
Saturday activity is planned. Youth Group is open to 7th grade – high school. I am working
closely with Lauren Deuchert, the Sunday School Superintendent, in an effort to build more
bridges for the incoming students and also for Confirmation students to help lead with the
younger ones.
In the past year, we have redone one of the Sunday School rooms and decorated it as a
coffeehouse for our youth. We are still in the process of getting approval to get electrical
work done so that we can use our latte machines. We have furnished the area with some
furniture donated by Bill and Barb Dodds from his parent’s home, and some furniture
donated to the Rummage Sale by the McKee’s. Students are quite happy with their new
youth room. We are hoping for a donation of a flat screen tv and projector one day to
expand our options in teaching and worship in the coffeehouse. Our hope is to provide a
place where youth will be happy to bring their friends, and get to know each other, their
church, and their God better. In that hope, we move forward in faith.
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