ANNUAL REPORT 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the President.......................................2 Letter from the Lead Pastor...................................4 Communication Touchpoints.................................5 Church Snapshot...................................................6 Preschool Snapshot...............................................7 Financials...............................................................8 MLST Status & Annual Gathering Agenda.............9 2020 Minutes........................................................10
Dear Friends, Brothers, and Sisters,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The framework for our mission at Abiding Hope centers around 4 key pillars: 1. Authentic Worship, 2. Intentional Relationships, 3. Sacrificial Service, and 4. Radical Generosity. Obviously, this last year has brought about change. We all have experienced life in a manner that none of us could have prepared for nor anticipated. However, our mission has never been more desired or needed in this broken world. We have discovered new and innovative ways to continue in authentic worship. God’s message never changes, but we had to adjust utilizing the amazing skills and talents of our servants at Abiding Hope. The message of ‘ALL MEANS ALL,’ ‘YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD,’ ‘BE THE HEART, HANDS, AND FEET OF JESUS IN THE WORLD,’ was delivered in so many places. We now have people who worship with us all over our nation and beyond. The plight of the world initially tried to take us apart. Our focus on Intentional Relationships seemed to be a real challenge for us. We are the delivery system for the needs of the poor, sick, hungry, and outcasts of the world. That is who we are called to be, so how was that possible in our circumstance? It is possible because of Intentional Relationships. We adjusted and found new ways and or places to meet and serve. We are all a part of God’s family, and we need to continue to nourish our relationships. We have continued to work with our ministry partners both here and abroad. Never has the power of relationships meant more in our broken world. Our friends in Haiti and India were devastated by the events over last year. The ministries in Pine Ridge were just starting to provide much needed services to their constituents. The people are crying out to God asking for help. Do our relationships allow us to hear the cry? Do we hear the voices of our youth who are in crisis and doubt their worth? Does that person you used to see
2
sit next to you need to hear from you? Do our servants who continually lift us up need your love and attention as well? As we evaluate our ability to foster intentional relationships, let’s all ask, ‘what or how can I do better?’ The needs and concerns for our families and quite honestly, for ourselves has never been greater. Do we turn our struggles over to God and then turn our attention to someone to whom we can be of service? Therefore, our mission of Sacrificial Service is so critical. It seems none of use were immune to the struggles and pain that came about from Covid. It is through Sacrificial Service that the prayers are answered, even for our own needs. We stepped up at Abiding Hope in so many ways, but we also discovered that we can all live more fully in Sacrificial Service. What a tremendous blessing and gift to be able to serve in love and be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world. That brings us to Radical Generosity. So many of you dedicated your time and talents to the important work that we are called to do. Several projects were completed that allowed us to grow our mission. We have so many talented servants who live out their calling, which is why we continue to develop our facility and abilities to serve through our own generosity. In a world that lives in fear over economic measures, we continue to grow in faith and realize how blessed we really are. If we truly only used what we needed, imagine the blessings and answered prayers we would be for those calling out to God. We are all God’s children, but he has entrusted us with his special children, that being our kids. As we focus on our mission, it is done so with our families’ and children’s futures as a framework. Our efforts had to adapt due to circumstance. Our servants found new and innovative ways to reach and teach and most importantly to live in Intentional Relationship. So, who fits as a potential servant for families and our children? EVERYONE! Our school is such an amazing entity in a community that desperately needs our help. We continue to keep the possibilities of expansion open. ALL MEANS ALL, and there are children and families that depend on our community. Imagine if all our children had a place to grow that was safe and full of God’s servants. Imagine if the families who have children with needs could live without fear, knowing there was a special place that brought love and hope to their child. So, as we go into a new season, what shall our choices be? WE CHOOSE LOVE AND WE CHOOSE HOPE 1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The call to choose love and hope is immediate. Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My HOPE is in you. We choose LOVE because LOVE chose us. That love was shown to us by the ultimate servant, our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus taught us that in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” By choosing Love and by choosing Hope, we are choosing to be who we are. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD. We sincerely appreciate the dedication and efforts of our servants. They are not immune to the pressures and uncertainty of today. Yet during their own strife, they continue to pour themselves out for the sake of others. If someone in our congregation family has touched your heart, then take a moment and say, ‘Thank You.’ You all have touched my heart beyond my ability to put in words, so “Thank You.” Christian Holgard, Congregational President
3
Mission: Equip all to be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world! Dear Brothers and Sisters, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Every single day I thank God for such an amazing cloud of witnesses called Abiding Hope Church. You inspire me by the many ways that you serve, give, and pour yourselves out for Christ’s mission of life for the world. This year certainly hasn’t been easy, but God continues to show up in new and profound ways in, around, and through us. This report tells stories of the amazing ways that the Holy Spirit has moved us into action. But please know that this report can’t tell it all. So much happens each and every day through you, our Abiding Hope community, in your homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and beyond that only you or perhaps only God can see. Thank you for being the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in such profound ways throughout 2021. Let us continue to grow as children of God as we move into 2022. Our theme for the coming year is Choose Love, Choose Hope. May the Holy Spirit guide us to be the people and the community that God needs so that we and all the world may experience real life in Jesus’ name. God loves you and I do too! Pastor Doug Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Hill Lead Pastor
4
COMMUNICATION TOUCHPOINTS
Video views
Total time watched:
including worship
15,067 on Vimeo 6,590 on YouTube
21,657 total
227 days 22 hours 42 minutes 17 seconds
Users in 28 countries have watched worship Regions with the most watches: United States, Germany, Canada, Republic of Korea, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Colombia, and France
5,161
devices attended live worship
10,313
podcast plays 62% increase from 2020 *Stats as of November 4, 2021
124,954 emails opened 26% increase from 2020
5
CHURCH SNAPSHOT
August 14 & 15 Returned to in person worship
3243
16
7
Total worship attendance since reopening
Care Ministers
baptisms
Social Media Interaction
17,082
+180
+46
reached on Facebook Facebook followers Instagram followers
42
62,000
10
5
pounds of food sorted at the Comreado food bank
students and adults on Servant Tour
students confirmed through Affirm
young adult leaders assisting with the Senior High Ministry
17
new families joined the church 6
240
235
Summer Enrollment
Enrollment
Waitlist
PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN SNAPSHOT
108 60 2021-2022
2020
140 326
2021 2021 Waitlist- 119
2020-2021
2021-2022 School Year
$6,700 raised in the trike-a-thon for St. Jude
10
children sponsored in Haiti
$5,300
raised with Butter Braid sales
400
people, including many preschool families, attended the Trunk or Treat hosted by the church
In 2020, MLST and the Congregation approved a loan to purchase property to open a second location. This is still currently on hold.
100% of the Preschool Staff is vaccinated against Covid-19 The preschool leadership and teachers have done a phenomenal job navigating the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic while still providing compassionate guidance and safe care to young minds. 7
FINANCIALS 2021 Projected
2021
General Giving: $1,615,842 Other Income: $85,000 Preschool Net: $397,182
Total Income $2,134,024
Debt Reduction
$288,000
Outreach
$247,500
Salaries/Benefits
$887,000
Congre. Life
$13,600
Worship
$24,300
Communications
$24,000
Property
$256,713
General Church
$152,000
2021 Spend Plan General Giving: $1,975,000 Other Income: $25,000 Preschool Net: $150,000
Total $2,150,000
$285,000 $245,000 $1,060,200 $31,750 $47,900 $35,500 $183,700 260,950
Total Expenses: $1,893,113 $2,150,000
2022 Spend Plan
2022
General Giving: $1,905,725 Other Income: $89,000 Preschool Net: $246,000
8
Total
$2,240,725
2021 Spend Plan General Giving: $1,975,000 Other Income: $25,000 Preschool Net: $150,000
Total $2,150,000
Debt Reduction
$311,225
$285,000
Outreach
$270,000
$245,000
Salaries/Benefits
$1,155,000
Congre. Life
$25,000
Worship
$50,000
Communications
$36,000
Property
$218,000
General Church
$175,500
$1,060,200 $31,750 $47,900 $35,500
Total Expenses: $2,240,725
$183,700 $260,950
$2,150,000
MISSION LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TEAM (MLST) 2021 Member
Term
Yrs Remaining
President
Christian Holgard
2nd
1
At large team member
Amy Corneillie
2nd
2
At large team member
Kim Sandman
2nd
2
At large team member
Jim Sponnick
1st
1
New team member
Johnny Arnold
1st
2
New team member
Laura Wilson
1st
2
New team member
Chad Anderson
1st
2
2021 ANNUAL GATHERING AGENDA DECEMBER 12, 11:30 AM • • • •
• • • • • •
Call to order Opening Prayer President’s Report Outgoing MLST Recognition & Introduction of new MLST nominees Lead Pastor’s Report Financial Report Preschool Expansion Constitutionally Mandated Action -Approval of 2020 Minutes -Approval of Annual Report & 2022 Spend Plan Motion to Adjourn Closing Prayer
9
2020 ABIDING HOPE ANNUAL GATHERING MINUTES December 13, 2020 (approximately 50 parties participating via Zoom) 1. Welcome and Call to Order (Chris Holgard, MLST president) 2. Opening Prayer (Pastor Doug) 3. President’s Report - remarks and overall perspective (Chris Holgard) 4. Review of current MLST members and roles. Recognition of David Weaver who will roll off MLST. James Sponnick is nominated to join MLST. 5. Lead Pastor’s Report (Pastor Doug) A. Appreciation and thank you for all the extra effort and great work by staff, congregational & ministry leaders, and the entire congregation this year. B. Possible reopening of in-person worship – approximately late summer of 2021. C. Refer to the Annual Report for 2020 information and financial data. D. Financial commitments for 2021 exceed the commitments that were made for 2020. Encouraged turning in a commitment (for those who haven’t), making a year-end gift, and spreading the word. E. Facility work completed or in progress: parking lot, outdoor LED lighting, and sanctuary skylight. F. Plans for Generous Life funds include various repurposing, refurbishing, or re-equipping in the: seminar room, music center, kitchen, building exterior, and worship center. 6. Financial Report (Pastor Doug) A. The 2020 actual expenses were compared to the 2020 spend plan. B. Abiding Hope experienced reduced income due to the preschool being closed for approximately 10 weeks due to the pandemic, and the preschool operated at about half capacity during the summer until reopening at full capacity in August. Facility rental income (from gym use and meeting space) was almost zero in 2020. C. The 2020 Paycheck Protection Plan proceeds are not expected to need to be paid back. D. Abiding Hope is current with all payables and outside ministry commitments. E. The 2021 spend plan has essentially the same total as the 2020 spend plan. 7. Preschool Expansion Update (Pastor Doug) A. The preschool staff has done an amazing job this year adapting operations to meet conditions caused by the pandemic. Strict protocols are employed every day. B. Approximately 100 families are on the waitlist. C. The property previously considered for expansion is no longer available. D. A different property, that is essentially move-in, start-up ready, is being 10
carefully evaluated. A process for purchasing the property, without input of congregational funds is being pursued. E. Providing nature-based learning and special needs services would likely be added sometime after the initial startup. F. The existing preschool at Abiding Hope will continue to operate. G. The offsite property could potentially be used during after-hours periods for other church ministries, meetings, etc. H. The congregation will be kept informed, probably via a special informational congregational meeting, before proceeding with a preschool expansion endeavor. 8. Constitutionally Mandated Actions A. Approval of minutes for the 2019 annual meeting and two other congregational meetings held during 2020 B. Approval of the Financial Report C. Approval of the MLST member nominee Allyson Holgard moved that the three items be approved. Doug Phelps and Sue Zen seconded the motion. Subsequent discussion included some anticipated minor staffing adjustments and the role Abiding Hope is playing in the ELCA Anchor Church movement. Participants approved the motion. 9. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to adjourn the meeting. 10. Closing Prayer (Pastor Doug)
11
Abiding Hope Church 6337 S. Robb Way Littleton, CO 80127 abidinghope.org