Eden United Church of Christ 21455 Birch Street Hayward, California 94541 www.edenucc.com “Like” us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @21455Birch Ministers Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring Senior Minister Rev. Pepper Swanson Associate Minister Rev. Marvin Lance Wiser Designated Term Associate Minister Rev. Rob Parrish Itinerant Minister Nadia Tavera Medina Minister-In-Training Program Staff Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo Music Director Yuliana Wiser-León Newcomer Navigation Clinical Case Manager Selena Pérez Newcomer Navigation Coordinator & Padres Unidos Organizer
Senior Minister’s Report Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring Eden’s 156th year in ministry was epic. Those who survived the public health crisis faced another daunting challenge in the form of an economic crisis. The unemployment rate in Cherryland neared 100 percent in Apr 2020. Though it dissipated over the year, 15 percent of Cherryland residents are still unemployed — the highest in Alameda County — even as California “reopens.” The recovery for those most profoundly affected will be measured in years, rather than months. Ironically, as many workers lost their jobs and many businesses scaled back, Eden Church was called to rapidly scale up our operations in order to respond to the pandemic. Our call amidst the pandemic was affirmed by long-time friends, and public and private entities who offered resources to share with our neighbors in the unprecedented amounts of $2.8 million in contracts and grants, and $265,000 in individual contributions.
Computer Cafe Denise Cuevas Director Miriam Oseguera Estefani Villagomez Kimberly Cabrera Samantha Valdez Assistants
Eden’s capacity to quickly scale up is attributable to our moral determination, youth investment over the years, and sound business practices. In Aug, Assemblymember Quirk recognized Eden Church as 2020 Nonprofit of the Year. HalpertCPAs were engaged in Oct to build out our accounting system, and DeMattia Consulting was engaged in Mar to provide HR support.
Management Staff Marianne Lim Office Manager Alicia Oseguera Bookkeeper Dawn Coburn Head Sexton
In Oct, 27 new and seconded staff were recruited to conduct contact investigation and contract tracing and outreach and health education, and provide quarantine and isolation support, emergency food deliveries, and remote tutoring. Ten more were seconded in March to process rent relief applications for Alameda County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) under a subcontract with Centro Legal. Three consultants and a local restaurant were also engaged to round out our services. (continued on page 2)
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Senior Minister’s Report (cont.) Funding from the East Bay Community Foundation, Alameda County, and the City of Hayward — combined with the amazing fundraising efforts of Yuliana Wiser-Leon, our Clinical Case Manager for the Newcomer Navigation Center, and the efforts of our Stewardship Team — enabled us to accompany the most vulnerable among us through the pandemic and immigration sagas. Most of Eden’s COVID-19 response work was conducted behind the scenes of “normal” church life, as we prepared and participated in 52 online Sunday services and Holy Week and Christmas Eve services. Church School, Gen-Z, adult education, fellowship, music rehearsal and performances, and meetings held over Zoom while pastoral care was provided and memorial services were held via Google MeetUp, phone, and outdoors. Our success with online ministry this past year is largely attributable to Pastor Marvin’s selection and procurement of the necessary equipment and software to meet the challenge, and Pastor Pepper’s willingness and ability to rapidly train up and support others in using it. The proposed 2021-2024 Strategic Plan Update recommended to the membership for adoption at the Annual Meeting charts the way forward and includes extending the Rev. Marvin Lance Wiser’s term of service as Designated Term Associate Minister for another 3 years, and calling Nadia Tavera Medina to serve as Designated Term Assistant Minister for 18 months. Both terms are renewable by mutual agreement. I trust that as we forge ahead, “the old, old story of Jesus and his love” will continue to be told to this and future generations, so long as we seek the wellbeing of our community in the city where God has sent us.
2020-2021 Annual Report
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Moderator’s Report Jana Aloo, Moderator Patience and persistence are the words that first come to my mind as I reflect on how to describe the 156th year in the life of Eden Church. At this time last year, we were in the beginning of increasing COVID-19 cases and a vaccine was a distant promise. We were refining how we create meaningful on-line worship and spiritual opportunities for members to gather, learn, and grow spiritually. At the same time, we were asked to partner to respond to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic on our neighbors in the Cherryland community. As a Church Council, we were mindful of following the COVID-19 safety guidelines and “moving at the speed of science and safety” about how we gather for our spiritual practices and provide a safe workspace for staff. We were also careful how we engaged with our neighbors in the Cherryland community and the agencies who wanted to provide preventive services, with the understanding that Ashland and Cherryland had some of the highest number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalization, and deaths in Alameda County. In addition, we were thoughtful about being good stewards of the church's financial resources to meet the current emerging needs and ensure another 156+ years of spiritual worship and community partnership. The following are examples that highlight the planning and considerations that the Council engaged on behalf of the congregation. In regard to worship and membership, the Church Council recognized, deliberated and supported the following: ● ● ● ●
Creative on-line worship model that allowed members, friends of the church, and those with a new interest to experience worship from their homes in the Eden Area or afar Efforts to maintain worship and social connection such as the Christmas and Easter pageants, Crafters’ Auction, on-line gatherings and Bible Study, and drive-by celebrations Choir, music director, guest musicians and ministers’ use of software and creativity to maintain our music ministry at a time when spiritual healing was especially vital and distance necessary Recommendation to offer and extend calls to the Minister-in-Training and Designated Term Associate Minister and a sabbatical for the Associate Minister
The community outreach and COVID-19 activities that the Church Council discussed and supported include the following partial list: ● ● ● ●
Exceeding expectations with the 2020 Census Count grant Providing advocacy and resources for unaccompanied youth including partnerships with the HUSD and other agencies for meal distribution and a future youth shelter Expanding Comida food distribution capacity to meet an increase of need Engaging in opportunities to shape the COVID-19 response by providing education, resources and prevention within the Cherryland community through multiple grant-funded programs and partnering with local agencies including: o Hiring a team for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing (CICT) o Distributing meals, sanitation kits, and resources o Distributed financial housing grants to help residents weather the economic hardships of the pandemic. o Hosting a COVID-19 test site o Hosting multiple vaccine Points of Dispensing (POD) and supporting Alameda County PODs at the Hayward Adult School.
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Moderator’s Report (cont.) As we look ahead, we anticipate that patience and persistence will continue to guide us and enhance our ability to be a formidable presence and source of support for ourselves as a congregation and in our community. As we hopefully turn a corner on this pandemic, like many of you, I look forward to the opening of our campus and resuming in-person worship and fellowship. We thank our early church leaders and members for their persistence over the past 156 years and hope to continue to set a course that will allow Eden UCC to be a spiritual home long into the future. It has been an honor and privilege to be the Moderator for the past two years. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you and Eden UCC.
Treasurer’s Report Rev. Rob Parrish, Treasurer Eden UCC’s financial position is solid. Cash and investments as of May 31 amounted to $3,573,150. This is a $560,590 increase over the balances as of Jun 30, 2020. The increase is partly due to grant funds received and not yet expended and increases in the value of Morgan Stanley investments of $332,080. Contributions from the Eden Area Foundation have held steady. Rental income has kept up with the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. Member contributions have exceeded budget for the year. The 2020-21 Operating Budget is projected to have revenues more than expenses of $112,751. We expect to end the year with this positive surplus mostly due to salary expenses reimbursed by various COIVD-19 contracts during the year. It has not been necessary to make any funds transfers from Morgan Stanley during the year to cover operating budget needs. For 2021-22, Eden is looking at an Operating Budget of $854,374 and a resulting income surplus of $13,753. A transfer from Morgan Stanley to the extent of current year interest and dividend income will be required to cover the expense for 2021-22. This has been included in the proposed budget. We anticipate that our investment policy will continue to make it possible for us to fund the implementation of our strategic plan and allow Eden to maintain the program as outlined in the expenditure plan for 2021-22 and for the foreseeable future. We will continue to carefully evaluate our financial position through the coming year in order to maintain a solid financial footing. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me at any time.
2020-2021 Annual Report
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2020-21 Year End & 2021-22 Proposed Budget Income
Est. Year-End 2020-2021
Proposed 2021-2022
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
204,650
154,000
TENANT INCOME
160,640
162,694
162
0
OTHER MISC INCOMES
13,894
8,467
GENERAL FUND INTEREST & CREDIT CARD INCOME
27,941
28,699
210,000
210,000
0
20,000
289,160 15,500
254,782 15,733
$921,947
$854,374
HOURLY EVENT RENTALS & HONORARIA INCOME
OUTREACH GRANT INCOME DIVIDEND INCOME OTHER GRANT INCOME SECONDED STAFF INCOME Total Income
Est. Year-End 2020-2021
Expense
Proposed 2021-2022
CHURCH COUNCIL EXPENSE
5,000
6,800
EDUCATION & SPIRITUAL LIFE EXPENSE
2,695
3,395
MUSIC EXPENSE
9,310
9,350
500
1,250
EVANGELISM EXPENSE
4,050
4,050
STEWARDSHIP EXPENSE
6,500
7,000
0
1,500
925
1,000
138,350
141,850
8,253
3,250
590,000
615,000
9,765
10,200
34,348
35,976
Total Expense
809,696
840,621
Ending Balance
$112,251
$13,753
DEACON EXPENSE
FELLOWSHIP EXPENSE SPIRIT-IN-ACTION EXPENSE ADMIN, BLDG & CAMPUS MAINTENANCE EXPENSE TECHNOLOGY EXPENSE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AGGREGATED EMPLOYEE EXPENSE CONTRACTORS & CONSULTANTS
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Grants & Contracts Awarded in 2020-2021 Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Rev. Marvin Lance Wiser, and Yuliana Wiser-León
Date
Amount
Source (Eden UCC Ministry)
7/2/2020
$1,000
7/31/2020
$50,000
7/31/2020
$5,000
8/1/2020
$35,000
AC Complete Count Census 2020 (CCC)
8/1/2020
$10,000
East Bay Clean Energy (COVID-19 Relief)
8/31/2020
$55,000
EBCF Donor-Advised Fund (Newcomer Nav Cen)
9/31/2020
$25,000
Hellman Foundation (Newcomer Navigator Center)
11/4/2020
$1,219,014
12/1/2020
$14,000
12/1/2020
$210,000
Eden Area Foundation (Eden United Church of Christ)
12/4/2020
$704,680
ACSSA 901941 COVID-19 EFD (Ashland & Cherryland)
12/8/2020
$211,946
La Familia COVID-19 900420 (CI/CT: Outreach & Education)
2/26/2021
$750
3/15/2021
$153,600
3/18/2021
$3,066
CORE (COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement)
4/30/2021
$8,467
UWBA (Accompaniment Ministry)
6/3/2021
$38,000
AC-D4 Essential Needs/AC-First 5
4/27/2021
$10,000
City of Hayward (Newcomer Navigation Center)
$2,754,523
Eden Area Interfaith Council (COVID-19 Masks) AC First-5 COVID Resiliency Fund (COVID-19 Relief) AC First Five (Diapers & Wipes)
ACHCSA 900420 CI/CT & QIS (Ashland & Cherryland) Eden Area Foundation (Eden Area Scholarship Program)
Hayward Rotary Foundation (UIY Emergency Relief) Centro Legal - Sub-Contract for AC ERAP (Rent Relief)
Total
2020-2021 Annual Report
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Trustees’ Report Bob Turner & Julie Booher, Co-Chairs Although we all miss in-person worship, the building and grounds continue to be used, perhaps more than ever before, in serving the community. This past year: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
A contractor was hired to replace a leaking section of the primary water main into the building. One furnace blower motor was replaced, after generating so much smoke that the fire alarm system automatically called the fire department. The entire heating and cooling system (nearly 20 years old) in Pioneer Chapel will be replaced this month. Also the leaking flat section of the chapel roof will be repaired at the same time. A special lock box containing church keys, which can be accessed by emergency personnel, was re-located at the suggestion of the County fire department. An outdoor lighting and security camera system was installed, and we have seen a significant decrease in ‘dumping’ and vandalism. An outdoor electrical outlet box which was stolen and left with live wires exposed was repaired. The on-site sexton staff continues to do a good job at routine maintenance activities, minor repairs, and landscaping maintenance, etc.
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Associate Minister’s Report Rev. Pepper Swanson As your Associate Minister, the focus of my work continues on religious education & spiritual life, communications, evangelism, fellowship, stewardship, worship, and pastoral care as well as safe congregation compliance and supervising child care personnel. Changes in this challenging year of remote worship forced by COVID and the closure of our campus to the public have been primarily technological. In addition to Zoom, which was last year’s steep learning curve, I majored in videography and video editing in order to prepare our worship and program videos. Although video-editing has meant a loss of personal time, it does have some creative rewards and I pray that the Church has been served by this new contribution from myself and my family who served as key grips, audio assistants, and technical advisors. It has been a joy to see our Church School children grow up on Zoom over the past year and it was delightful to have their whole families participate in both our Christmas and Easter pageants. Despite Zoom having some advantages such as seeing children who have moved out of the area, my general sense is that the return to in-person school has increased Zoom fatigue among both parents and children. As we move toward reopening our campus and in-person Church School, I send up prayers that our families and their tender charges will hang in there with us until we can begin again with a new outdoor format, kid-sized picnic tables, hands-on activities, and the assistance of more bilingual teachers. Thanks to the faithfulness of our small group participants — Bible Study, Crafters, Seekers — 2020-21 had a very consistent weekly schedule that served as an anchor in a time of change. We learned about Scripture, crafting, racial justice, and so many other issues as we shared our concerns and debriefed on the changing landscape of American politics. We also connected in festive and seasonal ways through our Women’s Fellowship Nights, our All Church Halloween, Christmas, and Mardi Gras events, and our Lenten small groups. We were a blessing to one another and while not a perfect substitute for our in-person Fellowship, we stayed connected and made new friends. Thank you to everyone who “zoomed” into these opportunities. I’m happy to have had a support role on our COVID grant and contract work, pitching in to order spray bottles and tent canopies, edit new communication products, and back-stop Pastors Arlene and Marvin. I will be going on sabbatical from Jul 1 to Oct 1, focusing on community art and alternative forms of worship as well as spiritual renewal and the health and well-being of my family. In my absence, our able MIT Nadia Tavera Medina and our own Rev. Brenda Loreman will hold the fort down. Blessings on each and every one of you for the year to come.
2020-2021 Annual Report
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Designated Term Associate Minister’s Report Rev. Marvin Wiser CHURCH DURING COVID Youth & Young Adults: Gen-Z@EdenUCC continued our “Remote Re-Groups” this year. We enjoyed a series of Faith & Films. We made a total of 40 loans to 13 countries, lending $1,425 via KIVA, and we were able to meet together (finally!) in Jun when we helped clean-up the Bay Trail. We look forward to more outside events. Spanish Language: Edén en español Thursday night Bible Study went digital this year, continuing study of Bible and fellowship, though apart. Our Spanish language EUCC communication, Eden cerca de ti, kept folks informed about important COVID-19 updates. Worship: Once the pandemic settled in, I transitioned us to pre-recorded and edited online worship services. I helmed the tech side from Mar 2020-Dec 2020, at which time Pastor Pepper took over editing. I preached in August, September, January, April, and June. Minister in Training: Our Minister-in-Training Nadia Tavera, who I supervised, graduated from Pacific School of Religion this May! We give thanks for the way that she has ministered in partnership with us! Cheryland Computer Cafe (CCC) + Census 2020: For 2020-21 I applied for and we received an additional $35,000 for extension of Census outreach work from Alameda County for the Cherryland Computer Café. Jonny Victorio and Margarita Orea were amazing Census Ambassadors. We were able to count an additional 1,486 people in Cherryland, ensuring $15 million in federal investment to our area over the next decade. Cherryland Youth Leaders Institute (ChYLIs): Our ChYLI program ran Jul 8 - Aug 12. Even amid a pandemic, we successfully enrolled 18 ChYLI participants. This year’s theme was “¡Solidaridad! | Solidarity!” We had eight virtual sessions focused on the intersectionality of justice movements and three in-person sessions volunteering at the Comida. Our ChYLIs were Census Ambassadors and spoke before the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in favor of the eviction moratorium and rent relief. Comida Para Cherryland + Emergency Food Deliveries: La Comida celebrated its 10th anniversary this past Apr! And what a year! We continued to operate as a drive-thru and year-over-year, Comida para Cherryland increased its reach five-fold, and its total distribution seven-fold — even the wildfires couldn’t stop us. We also distributed cleaning and school supplies, diapers, and wipes. See the QIS-EFD report below for our numbers. (continued on page 10)
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Designated Term Associate Minister’s Report COMMUNITY DURING COVID COVID-19 Direct Response Teams: For 2020-21 we received funding from Alameda County Healthcare Services Agency and Alameda County Social Services Agency for the following COVID-19 Direct Response efforts that I oversaw in the amount of $2,135,640. These teams of 42 members continue on into 2021-22. Due to these efforts we instituted an org-wide Wellness Wednesday: Movement as Medicine Team Yoga, and small group sessions that focused on processing secondary trauma. I applied for an East Bay Clean Energy $10,000 grant which we received. Quarantine & Isolation Supports and Emergency Food Distribution (QIS-EFD): As part of our Emergency Food Distribution, which includes Comida Para Cherryland, we were able to deliver 705 Isolation Care Kits, 4,388 packets of diapers, 26,641 prepared meals and 581,095 pounds of food to 30,511 individuals (19,654 of which were unduplicated). This food went to those who were in isolation, quarantine, and/or economically affected by COVID-19 in the Eden Area. And oh yeah, over 12,000 miles were logged in the deliveries. Outreach & Healthcare Education Team (OHE): Our OHE Team partners with ACPHD and ACHCSA to shape and translate COVID-19 messaging in our community. They also assist with vaccine navigation, registration, and with our local vaccination sites. OHE has so far had a digital reach of more than 32,000, distributed more than 15,000 flyers, and registered more than 4,000 persons for the vaccine in the Eden Area. A highlight has been their Lotería: COVID-19 Edition. Case Investigation & Contact Tracing and Resource Navigation (CICT/RN): Our CICT team has undergone rigorous training from UCSF and UCLA, and received CEUs in CICT, Cultural Humility, and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression courses. They have made more than 15,000 phone calls to more than 4,000 COVID-19 positive individuals or those who were in close contact to COVID-19. They have made more than 2,000 referrals for millions in financial aid, rent relief, healthcare enrollment, clinical advisors, mental health counseling, quarantine and isolation supports, emergency food deliveries, among other resources. We are currently being trained on school outbreaks and variants of concern, and translating the SOGIE training into Spanish for a wider audience.
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Compañeras Ministry Report Yuliana Wiser-León & Vicki Vivoldo, ESLO Representatives The Back Story Eden Church established the Compañeras/os Ministry in 2011. Our ministry plan is grounded in Eden’s Mission, Vision, and Values and charts a course for reducing youth violence by investing in Eden Area youth; contributing to economic development in Cherryland; advocating for immigration policy reform; creating and implementing cultural integration opportunities for our congregation and community; and promoting community and public health partnerships. Intergenerational Church-Community Events and Institutional Partnerships Our annual All Saints / Día de los Muertos altar was constructed under the narthex roof, and our Nacimiento was placed in the outer narthex so that it could be enjoyed by passersby. Barbara Heimwitz again coordinated a huge in-gathering of school supplies for our annual backpack drive. Our annual Tres Reyes Fiesta was converted from an in-person to a drive-thru experience. La Casita prepared 1,200 portions of pozole which were shared by our COVID-19 Response Team. Warm gifts were shared with migrant families. And, we hosted and promoted COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and the county Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Diapers for Jesus The pandemic presented many challenges, not the least of which was the need for diapers and baby wipes, which were the number one request of families frequenting Comida in the fall of 2020. Eden Church met that need by collecting funds to purchase commercial quantities of essential baby supplies and sharing these during Christmas under the banner of “Diapers for Jesus.” Hayward Village (Transitional Age Youth Shelter) Our three-year organizing and advocacy effort resulted in a win for unhoused transitional age youth. The shelter, named “Hayward Village,” will be constructed on the Student Information & Assessment Center campus owned by the Hayward Unified School District, and managed by Covenant House California, on behalf of Alameda County Social Services Agency. Ground breaking ceremonies will be held this summer. The opening is expected in winter 2022. Cherryland Computer Café (CCC) Denise Cuveas accepted the CCC director baton from Jonny Victorio, who went to work on our CI/CT Team. Three additional tutors were hired, bringing our faculty total up to five. Funding for the CCC this past year was provided by the Eden Area Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, and the 2020 Census. Accompaniment Ministry The A-Team continues to accompany newcomers in our community. We procured legal representation and filed for various persons. Our Accompaniment Network continues to grow, now with more than 180 individuals committed to this ministry of accompanying asylum-seekers, unaccompanied immigrant youth (UIY) and Children in Migrant Families (CMF) within HUSD. We continue to host the Southern Alameda County UIY-CMF Collaborative (currently over Zoom). UIY-CMF Hot Meals were shared through August to meet the emergent food insecurity needs of UIYs in the HUSD.
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Newcomer Navigation Center Report Yuliana Wiser-León, Clinical Case Manager During this pandemic year, many recently-arrived immigrant families have struggled to adjust to the demands of pandemic life. Being a newcomer is already a complicated experience, and being a newcomer during a pandemic, when schools and many services are closed for in-person activities, has made this period even more challenging. Our Newcomer Navigation Center met this moment with kindness and compassion towards our newcomer neighbors. After vaccines became available to the staff, we began doing weekly home visits and food deliveries to those families and youth who were more vulnerable. We are proud to have solidified strong relationships with our institutional partners such as Hayward Unified School District, the Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, La Familia Counseling Services, and more. Our Clinical Case Manager co-hosted the South Alameda County Collaborative for Unaccompanied Minors and Children of Migrant Families where providers found a collaborative space for inter-agency consultation, resource sharing, and problem-solving. Through our work in 2021, we have been able to offer case management services to around 35 individuals and families while also partnering with Cherryland Elementary, Harder Elementary, and Glassbrook Elementary to offer food and basic necessities to students and families in need. The most significant piece of our work continues to be the great privilege it represents to accompany newcomer families through their initial journey towards making a home in the United States, and co-participating in building strong networks and relationships in the process. The work of the Newcomer Navigation Center is funded by the generosity of the Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, the Rose Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation, and members and friends of Eden UCC.
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Music Report Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo, Music Director "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” This quote, attributed to Plato, was what we have deeply experienced with the music program at Eden in the year 2020-2021. Music has brought solace and peace to everyone's heart in a particularly difficult time during the pandemic. Eden Choir, with sopranos Susan MacDonald and Suzie Hasselkuss, alto Mary Bradford, tenor Rob Parrish, and bass Miles Vetrovec, have supported and participated in the music ministry in every online service. Choir rehearsals were held every Friday at 3 pm on Zoom. Every member took a turn in leading the hymn sing (sermon hymn) for the online service every week. One anthem is produced every month. The anthem process includes many details, such as recording separate tracks for all voices as well as preparing instructions and the final accompaniment track. The singers record their tracks individually, then upload to the Director Jessie Lo who then works with Final Cut Pro guru, Jesse Acker-Johnson, to produce the final anthem. Jesse did a wonderful job to present a balanced and whole sound picture. Every step of the anthem required much planning in terms of time management and team work ethic to accomplish the necessary tasks each month. The consistency, dedication, and devotion that Eden Choir has shown in a time like this is truly remarkable. They are the bedrock that makes our online services feel more like our in-person services. Classical Guitarist, Dr. Jesse Acker-Johnson, played classical and electric guitar music, and also sang at special services such as All Saints, Christmas Eve, Tres Reyes, Mother's Day, July 4th service, etc. And Music Director/Pianist/Organist/Clarinetist/Singer/Choir Director, Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo, continues to provide piano, organ, vocal, and clarinet music, and music video productions.
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Education, Spiritual Life, and Outreach Suzie Hasselkuss & Jennifer Vetrovec, Co-Chairs The ESLO committee coordinates many programs and activities that involve one or more of our ministries. This year, the ESLO committee organized a number of multi-generational events throughout the year such as the Halloween/Dia de Los Muertos Party, the Christmas Party, and the Mardi Gras Party. In addition, we coordinated a series of Women’s Night Out and a series of meditation and fellowship groups during Lent. Our Christmas and Easter Pageant productions were also intergenerational with families and small groups contributing individual scenes. And, of course, on a weekly basis we had online fellowship as well as the monthly Communion service on Zoom.
Diaconate Carol Roach and Rubi Guiterrez-Contreras, Deacons Monthly Communion was online as we continued to be under CDC regulations because of the pandemic so we celebrated from home at the beginning of our Zoom Fellowship. Communion will continue to be celebrated online for the remainder of the 2021 calendar year. We look forward to the time when the congregation can once again meet in person for this service. In the interim, Pastor Pepper changed the paraments on the Communion table for Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and Easter to provide for a seasonal backdrop for our worship videos, particularly when Jessie Lo was playing the organ for the special Christmas and Easter services. ESLO sponsored a DIY Christmas wreath display on the Tot Lot and decorated with red ribbon on front pillars and Tot Lot. Pastor Pepper prepared Ash Wednesday kits and mailed or delivered them to everyone who was interested. Each kit had a labyrinth meditation, instructions for using ashes and oil on Ash Wednesday to remember their humanity as they began their Lenten journey, and two small vials, one of ashes and one of oil. Over 40 kits were distributed. The monthly birthday card ministry remained active with the help of first Sally Kusalo and then Daniella Prym. Jan Bass continued to send cards at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s and Easter to all homebound and out of state members. Jan organized an adorable Valentine and Easter card that featured our Sunday School children.
2020-2021 Annual Report
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Fellowship Pat Payne, Lauren Smith-Bove, and TJ Wilkinson, Co-Chairs Due to the pandemic, our church members celebrated the after-worship Fellowship virtually, sharing friendship and deepening connections. Alas, we missed the potlucks and food celebrations pre-pandemic. But, Fellowship means more than just snacks and potlucks. During Fellowship we meet and greet each other and foster deeper connections, bonding us in common shared values. We hope to return to regular Fellowship in 2022 or whenever Council and the Trustees approve. Other Fellowship virtual events we had during 2020-2021 included: a series of monthly Women’s Night Out fellowship gatherings, and three very fun all-church, intergenerational events: the Halloween/Dia de Los Muertos Party (costume competition), the Christmas Party, and the Mardi Gras Party (mask competition). Instead of our usual Happy Birthday Jesus party, we collected diapers for needy families. Our Fellowship team also contributed two gifts to the Stewardship campaign, a homemade dessert from Pat Payne and a cactus planter from TJ Wilkinson.
Education & Spiritual Life Team Dianne Dorn & Theressa Collier, Co-Chairs Children & Youth Our PK-5th grade children were able to resume their weekly Sunday School Meetings via Zoom. In Summer 2020, the children met Sunday evenings with Pastor Pepper and most often, Suzie Hasselkuss with support from Jan Bass and Jana Aloo. When school resumed in the fall, the families voted to have the Sunday School meetings moved to Sunday mornings. The classes take place Sunday mornings prior to Fellowship. Throughout the year, the children received packages in the mail that contained educational materials and craft items that related to their lessons from the Hebrew Scripture (fall), Christmas story (Nov & Dec), and the life and ministry of Jesus (spring). The school-aged children and their families played a large part in the Christmas Pageant, supported by many of our Church small groups and committees. Miles Vetrovec and Darcy Malloy shined as our Joseph and Mary, but we will also never forget Pat Payne as the angel who pops in on both Mary and Joseph with the good news. This year, the Christmas Pageant was edited by Pastor Pepper and shared with the congregation during the Happy Birthday Sunday worship video, with a blooper reel showing at the all-Church Christmas Party. Following the success of the Christmas Pageant, the children again participated in our very first video Easter Pageant, supported with scenes from our small group ministry. It turns out Eden UCC has some wonderful actors!
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2020-2021 Annual Report
Adult Education: Bible Study & Seekers Evening Bible Study (Dianne Dorn) Unending thanks go to Pastor Pepper for keeping our small group of Evening Bible Study disciples together through the COVID-19 crisis. Without interruption, we studied the Gospel of Matthew in great depth. We lost our beloved Julie Booher to the swing/graveyard shift at UCSF Radiology, and we greatly missed her. Our Evening Bible Study is very fortunate to have Pastor Brenda Loreman stepping in to cover Pastor Pepper’s sabbatical from Jul 1 to Oct 1, 2021. We will hopefully be meeting in person, either at the Eden Church campus or offsite. I hope more members and friends will consider joining our group to study the Word in the Old and New Testament. This exercise enhances your life! We have a vibrant Spanish Bible Study program called Estudio Biblico that meets every Thursday night. For more information about that program, see the DTAM’s Report. Daytime Bible Study Our daytime Bible Study met weekly through the entire year on Mondays on Zoom for fellowship and study. We completed the Gospel of Matthew last fall and began studying the Gospel of Luke in the spring. We were happy to have Susan MacDonald and Daniella Prym join our core group, something that was in part possible because of the pandemic. We look forward to completing Luke sometime this fall and hope that others will join us as they are able. Seekers & Seekers 2 Throughout the year, our Seekers group met weekly on Wednesday mornings on Zoom for fellowship and book discussions on religion and spirituality as well as racial and environmental justice issues. This year, Seekers read and discussed House of the Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea, Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo, Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree, Eat Joy: Stories and Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Authors, Just Mercy by Bryan Stephanson, and A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines. Seekers once again participated in the Castro Valley Reads program. The featured book was Eat Joy, a compilation of short stories involving food, spiritual, and emotional growth. This book proved quite popular, so a Seekers 2 group was formed that met at varying times based on members' schedules. The Zoom platform provided an opportunity for out-of-state members and friends to join members closer to home in these discussions.
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E-vangelism (E-Team) Athena Malloy, Chair Although much of E-Team’s usual workplan, primarily consisting of a series of outdoor festivals and events, was cancelled due to the pandemic, we played a supportive role to the significant outreach work occurring on campus through our many grants and contracts to address pandemic concerns in Cherryland. We assisted the Comida’s Emergency Food program with the purchase of a spray bottle that was packaged with bleach and instructions on how to sanitize. We also facilitated the purchase of five, soon to be seven, additional Eden canopies which kept food, testing, and vaccine volunteers comfortable, dry, and shaded during our outreach events. We also set up the Lands End storefront that embroiders the Eden logo on many different clothing items. The storefront enables our members and employees to select and purchase their own Eden clothing items, which are helpful to have as staff on the campus and as volunteers when delivering food or serving at one of our outreach events. We had our first Zoom Taste & See with two visitors and then rejoiced to receive one new Associate Member, Deborah Williams of Arizona, who is a long-time friend of Sandy Nachand and now a participant in our Crafters program. The pandemic has definitely raised our profile in the community by offering testing and vaccination clinics in partnership with other organizations as well as emergency food delivery in addition to Comida. Ultimately, however, we are grateful to God for the opportunity to serve God’s people in their need.
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2020-2021 Annual Report Stewardship Keith Smith, Chair In addition to our 2021-22 Stewardship Pledge Campaign, the Stewardship Team coordinated four special offerings: Neighbors in Need (Oct), Christmas (Dec), One Great Hour of Sharing (Mar), and Easter (Apr). We are grateful to our team of Liturgists for working closely with us to highlight these offerings. We are also grateful to have an online giving portal that enables members and others to make contributions to these important offerings even when we don’t meet in person. We were twice blessed in this past year: first by the Crafters Group, which held two online auctions of handmade items to benefit the Comida program. Many of us purchased unique and lovely quilts, crocheted loveys, cozies and cups, and wreaths, knowing our purchase price went to a good cause. Fingers crossed that the Crafters will make a similar offering
next year. A second blessing was from all the people who donated to our Eden Area Scholarship Program and to Dianne Dorn who generously matched the spring donations. Thanks to these donors, Eden Church and the Eden Area Foundation were able to provide $30,000 in scholarships to 15 Eden Area college students. In May, we implemented the 2021 Stewardship Campaign. This year’s theme was Gifted by God and featured testimonies from three members (Suzie Hasselkuss, Sandy Nachand, and Yuliana Wiser-Leon) on three pairs of Gifts of the Spirits. There was also a gift raffle with sponsored or donated gifts from small group ministries. Eighty-six percent of pledging units have submitted their pledges (by Jun 13) and total pledges are currently 72 percent of last year’s pledged amount. The Stewardship Committee will continue to gently remind members that pledging assists us in meeting our worship and program goals and keeping our campus well-maintained.
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Planned Giving Rev. Rob Parrish, Chair The Planned Giving Committee was chartered by Eden Church and the Eden Area Foundation in 2011 for the purpose of developing and maintaining a program of stewardship that invites and coordinates financial contributions from members and friends for the long-term financial health and future ministry of the Church and the Foundation. The Oliver bequest, an example of planned giving through estate planning, continues to provide significant financial support to our Church. This past year, for various reasons, the Foundation and individual donors decided to fund 15 scholarships in the amount of $2000 each for college students living in the Eden Area. The Church has been the beneficiary of other gifts and bequests from families and estates of decedents of our Church family. What we own and treasure is not ours alone, but ours by a gift of God. Not only is it important to acknowledge that we are the beneficiaries of God’s generosity but that we also are the recipients of the hard work and generosity of those who came before us. Whether large or small, designated for specific ministries or for the general fund, planned giving is a meaningful way to provide a legacy of support that will continue the important work and mission of Eden Church for generations to come. More information about planned giving can be obtained by reading the Planned Giving Ministry program statement adopted by the Eden Area Foundation Board of Directors, and the Eden Church Council, which is available at the Church Office or by contacting a Planned Giving Committee member or our Senior Minister.
Memorial Committee Report Jan Bass, Associate Treasurer The Memorial Funds are managed by the Church Council, recorded by the Church bookkeeper, and acknowledged by the Associate Treasurer. During the past year, financial contributions were received in memory of the following members and friends: Pat Ball, John Hasselkuss, and Lona Fryer. No Memorial Funds were expended during the year. Persons wishing to make a gift to the Church in memory of a loved one are invited to write “Memorial Fund” in the memo section of the check or in a note enclosed with the gift. Donors are welcome to contact the Associate Treasurer or Senior Minister to discuss giving opportunities.
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MEMBERSHIP REPORT Carol Roach & Rubi Guiterrez, Deacons Necrology ● Lona Fryer, August 5, 2020 ● Pam Reuling, October 29, 2020 ● Pat Ball, March 24, 2021 New Members Reaffirmation of Faith ● Deborah Williams, March 28, 2021 Jubilee Members ● Lucille Lorge, 2/6/1949 ● Anne Duey, 5/12/1957 ● Jim Schumann, 5/12/1957 ● Jacque Blake, 10/4/1964 ● Fred Timm, 12/3/1967 ● Lillian Timm, 12/3/1967 ● Barbara Fitch, 6/2/1968 ● Herb Graw, 2/2/1969 ● Mary Graw, 2/2/1969 ● Kay Crosby, 4/3/1969 ● Jim Phillips, 4/3/1969 Members & Affiliates ● Members - 120 (9.8%) ● Associate Members - 53 (4.1 %) ● Relatives of Members - 144 (11.1%) ● Friends - 101 (8.5%) ● Visitors - 128 (9.8%) ● Compañeras - 681 (52.4%) Total - 1307 (100%)
2020-2021 Annual Report