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 Designated Term Assistant Minister Program Staff Ken Rowden Music Director Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo Organist/Pianist Yuliana Wiser-León Newcomer Navigation Center Clinical Case Manager Selena Pérez Newcomer Coordinator & Padres Unidos Organizer Denise Cuevas Computer Cafe Director Miriam Oseguera Estefani Villagomez Kimberly Cabrera Samantha Valdez Cafe Instructors Operations Staff Marianne Lim Office Manager Evelin Oseguera Bookkeeper Maritza Rodriguez Office Assistant Ricardo Villasano Sexton
Senior Minister’s Report Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring Moderator Jennifer Vetrovec explains that she prayed long and hard that the pandemic would have ended by now. I suspect we all did. Yet, here we are--still struggling--and only heaven knows for how long. All I know for sure is that Alameda County has asked Eden Church to continue providing emergency food services for the most vunerable through Christmas 2025, with the possibility of extensions. This place in time for Eden Church has some similarities to the situation in which the ancient Israelites found themselves in the late 6th century BC while exiled in Babylon. The Exiles wanted it all to be over. They wanted to go home. They wanted their lives back. But that didn’t happen. Jeremiah said that the Exile would last a long time. His message was very unpopular, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Jeremiah explained that God had a plan for the Exiles--a plan to give them a future and a hope. For now, though, Jeremiah said, “Unpack. Settle down. Build houses. Move in. Start families. Plant gardens. Enjoy the produce. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you, and pray for its welfare, for in its welfare, you will find your welfare.” (Jer. 29:1, 4-7) Fast forward to Jun 2022. We are still Exiles in COVID-land. This will not end soon. Like the Babylonian exiles, we are invited to seek the welfare of the place where we are now and pray for the welfare of our city. That we have done, and in doing so, we have found our welfare. While we have been busy fulfilling $6M+ in public contracts, assisting 1360+ families in obtaining $20.3M+ in rent relief, and accompanying scores of newcomers through the asylum process, we as a congregation and as members have benefited greatly, too. Examples follow: 1) Many highly vulnerable members have received free COVID-19 tests and vaccines, because their private doctors couldn’t provide these services. 2) Several economically-displaced members were hired and laid-off staff were brought back to help with relief efforts. 3) Several members received assistance applying for and receiving rent and utility relief, some even before public assistance became available. (continued on page 2)
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Senior Minister’s Report (cont.) 4) Eden’s IT, Security, and Disaster Response systems were upgraded with state of the art equipment. 5) Compensation for our lay employees was brought into compliance with NCNC UCC Guidelines. 6) Significant budget shortfalls were averted by fulfilling public contracts to warehouse and distribute emergency food, baby products, school supplies, holiday gifts, household cleaning products, personal hygiene kits, COVID-19 test kits, and PPE. The history of ancient Israel reveals that Jeremiah’s prophecies were spot on 2600 years ago. And, now, here we are in the 21st century, watching Jeremiah’s prophecy unfold again--right before our very eyes. See and believe. God has plans for Eden Church--plans for a future filled with hope as we continue to seek the welfare of the Eden Area, where God has placed us.
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Moderator’s Report Jennifer Vetrovec, Moderator Church membership has been changing for decades now. Sunday worship looks a lot different than it did in the 20th century. Sunday mornings are no longer seen as sacred times, but rather as an opportunity for the secular forces in our lives to get in one more practice, one more shift, one more conference call. As I see it, churches have two choices in facing these changes, turn inward or face outward. The turning inward churches preach to their members that they are God’s chosen simply by walking through the doors. This intoxicating message creates mega churches with like-minded members. The outward-facing churches look beyond their doors and meet God’s people wherever they are, physically and spiritually. Eden UCC embraces this approach right in its motto, “You’re Welcome Here.” As we celebrate the Church’s 157th year, we reflect on how theChurch has continued and grown in its commitment to reach beyond its walls. The Church Council, along with the ministers and staff, continue to strive to meet the needs of the congregation and wider community. I prayed that last year’s Annual Report would be the last mention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, that was not the case. COVID-19 continues to vex us. The Church Council meets monthly via Zoom and there isn’t a single agenda item that is not somehow touched by the pandemic. Through the strife caused by COVID-19, Eden UCC has been given the opportunity to prove its commitment to face outward and refine its image as a church and as a faith-based organization. Church Council contemplated, refined and supported the following in regards to worship and membership: ● ● ● ●
Fiscal year 2021-2022 continued with pre-recorded online services that allowed for safe worship from home. These services were viewed by Eden members near and far. Starting in Nov 2021, several in-person services were held outdoors on the Plaza, including two Christmas Eve services. Work began in the Sanctuary in Jan 2022 to allow for multi-media worship services. On Mar 6, 2022 Eden UCC welcomed back in-person worship in the Sanctuary for the first time in two years. Services are now available in-person, on Facebook live, and on recorded video so all members near and far can participate in worship. (continued on page 4)
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Moderator’s Report (cont.) ● ●
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Music director, Ken Rawdon, continued to innovate the music ministry to enhance all modes of worship. Social connections are maintained primarily online to include those who wish to maintain social distancing and to also include those members who live outside the Eden Area. After worship fellowship is now held outdoors in the Labyrinth Courtyard. Our first in-person Bravo! Sunday in two years was held on Jun 5, 2022. The Church welcomed two new confirmands into our membership, congratulated the hard-working graduates among our congregation, and cheered for many of the 20 Eden Area Scholarship awardees. Outreach services that were acted upon and supported by Church Council include the following highlights: ○ Continuation of the Comida para Cherryland bi-weekly food pantry. Expansion of distribution services to include much needed diapers. ○ Partnership with Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center to promote vaccination and provide vaccine PODS to encourage higher rates of COVID vaccination among Eden area residents. ○ Continuation of emergency food distribution for those under COVID-19 isolation. ○ Contact Investigation/Contact Tracing was provided by specially-trained staff funded by Alameda County. As the County pivoted to focus less on tracing and more on vaccine efforts, many staff were re-trained to fill the new roles. ○ The Newcomer Navigation Center received a facelift to provide a more comfortable environment for those families and individuals seeking assistance from our amazing staff. ○ Church staff assisted Cherryland residents in accessing the difficult-to-navigate Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Our Designated Term Assistant Minister Nadia Tavera was an integral part of the outreach team. Nadia tendered her resignation in order to pursue a more active ministerial role. We thank Nadia Tavera for her service to Eden UCC and pray for her as she continues to walk in her faith. The community outreach programs staffed and supported by Eden UCC are almost exclusively funded by government and non-profit grants. The Church Council is committed to the fiscal health of the Church. As the recipient of millions of dollars in grants over the past two years, Eden UCC will need to provide a single audit to continue to receive these funds. This next year is sure to bring new challenges and new opportunities. As we have proven over the last few years, Eden UCC is uniquely situated to meet these head on. I expect we will continue to innovate when needed, but stay true to the spirit of Christ that guides our faith and decision-making processes. When we choose to face outward we allow the light of God to reflect into the world. It has been my pleasure to serve as Moderator of Church Council for the last year. If the congregation agrees, I look forward to serving for the 2022-2023 fiscal year as well.
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Treasurer’s Report Rev. Rob Parrish, Treasurer Eden UCC’s financial position is solid in spite of the negative effects of the pandemic on the economy. This is due to the generous financial support received from members and friends, careful stewardship of the Church’s assets, and the cultivation of multiple revenue sources. Cash and investments as of May 31, 2022 are $3,107,602, which is $488,221 less than May 31, 2021. The decrease is largely due to a decline in the value of our investments. 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. In addition to income generated in conjunction with the COVID-19 contracts, reimbursements from a private foundation and two public rent relief programs funded part of employee compensation for the Cherryland Computer Cafe and Padres Unidos de Cherryland, as seconded staff assisted county tenants and landlords in applying for and receiving over $20.3M in rent and utility relief. Eden Church continues to serve as a fiscal sponsor for Padres Unidos de Cherryland, a grassroots non-sectarian community-based organization promoting stronger public schools and violence reduction in the Eden Area. All of Padres Unidos’ direct costs and some indirect costs have been covered by public and private grants and contracts. Through the cultivation of foundation grants and special gifts from members and friends, the Newcomer Navigation Center has covered all of its direct costs and will be bringing on additional staff in FY23 to serve the growing population of asylum-seekers now residing in the Eden Area. The FY22 Operating Budget is projected to have expenses of $224K more than revenues. We anticipate ending the past two fiscal years with a surplus in the amount of $300K (on an accrual basis) mostly resulting from contract reimbursements. For FY23, the Church Council is recommending approval of a $2,818,139 Operating Budget, which is currently projected to result in a loss of $10,700. Council members will monitor the budget closely and seek ways to bring income and expense into balance or better. It has not been necessary to transfer funds from Morgan Stanley during the past year to cover operating budget needs. We anticipate that by adhering to our investment policy the Church will be able to ride out the anticipated recession and bear market, and allow the Church to successfully implement the updated Strategic Plan being brought before the membership at the 157th Annual Meeting. 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.
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Estimated FY 2022 Income Statement & Council Recommended FY 2023 Operating Budget REVENUE
Estimated FY22
Recommended FY23
Foundation & Nonprofit Grants Corporate Contributions Government Contracts Government Grants (PPP) Tenant Rents Seconded Staff Income Investment Income Other Income
509,201.00 24,750.00 1,686,707.99 130,709.00 162,694.36 15,732.50 161,502.00 20,845.07
257,037.83 0.00 2,040,120.06 0.00 169,039.44 16,519.13 100,000.00 12,723.50
TOTAL INCOME
2,956,641.92
2,807,439.96
Estimated FY22 2,159,165.16 205,378.00
Recommended FY23 1,849,620.19 72,500.00
26,500.00 3,300.00 2,460.00 471,232.22 20,132.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 63,925.00 18,750.00 440.00 16,400.00
30,310.00 15,000.00 8,560.00 0.00 27,969.91 496,462.92 38,666.50 6,500.00 26,800.00 20,000.00 500.00 17,000.00
3,180,682.38
2,818,139.52
-224,040.46
-10,699.57
EXPENSE PERSONNEL PROFESSIONAL FEES OPERATIONS ESLO (Church-Based Programs) Compañeras Program (Accompaniment Training) Church Council Expense CICT, QIS, EFD Program Expense COVAXX - TVHC & RCD-LF Program Expense SSA Emergency Food Program Expense ARPA Capacity Building (ACHCD) EUCC Program ARPA Capacity Building (ACHCD) PU Program Office & Technology Expense Property & D&O Insurance TAXES & FEES INTEREST & BANK CHARGES TOTAL EXPENSE BALANCE
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Grants & Contracts Carried Over, Extended, and Awarded FY22 Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Rev. Marvin Lance Wiser, and Yuliana Wiser-León Date Awarded
Total Value
11/07/2019 08/31/2020 10/01/2020 10/01/2020 11/01/2020 10/01/2020 03/15/2021 05/05/2021
7,000 55,000 1,804,774 1,109,680 277,161 25,000 287,181 30,000
06/30/2021 07/01/2021 07/15/2021 11/29/2021 12/31/2021 01/01/2022 01/01/2022 01/03/2022 01/03/2022 06/30/2022
88,000 10,000 24,750 50,000 5,000 105,000 16,000 587,002 547,797 105,000
06/30/2022
FY22 Value
Grantor (Grantee)
6,920 30,000 145,039 233,629 65,214 25,000 228,201 30,000
The San Francisco Foundation (EUCC: Accompaniment Training) East Bay Community Foundation - Donor-Advised (NNC) AC-HCSA (#900420 CI/CT & QIS for Ashland & Cherryland) AC-SSA (#901941 EFSD for Ashland & Cherryland) La Familia (#900420 CI/CT: Outreach & Education for Ashland & Cherryland) Hellman Foundation (Newcomer Navigation Center) Centro Legal - Sub-Contract for AC ERAP (Alameda County Rent Relief) East Bay Community Foundation - Rose Fund Y2 (NNC)
38,000 AC First-5 COVID - Resiliency Fund Extension (Comida para Cherryland) 10,000 10,720 50,000 5,000 105,000 16,000 233,629 145,039 105,000
City of Hayward (Newcomer Navigation Center) Kaiser Permanente - DOOR Vaccine Program (Padres Unidos de Cherryland) Hellman Foundation (Newcomer Navigation Center) ACHCD (Padres Unidos de Cherryland) Eden Area Foundation (EUCC: 1 of 2) Urban Strategies Council (Padres Unidos de Cherryland) AC-HCSA (RCD-La Familia Vaccine Coalition Unincorporated Communities) AC-HCSA (TVHC Vaccine Coalition for Hayward - 94544) Eden Area Foundation (Eden UCC: 2 of 2)
5,134,345 1,482,390 TOTALS
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Trustees’ Report Bob Turner & Julie Booher, Co-Chairs Much of the work handled by the Trustees has become routinize over the years, but three projects that were anything but routine included contracting for major upgrades to the Sanctuary AV system with Ranger AV, Inc.; procuring bids on the replacement of the Sanctuary windows; and continuing to discern how to best care for the campus and our campus community in the midst of the pandemic. With no Sunday sexton currently on staff, Trustees have been opening and closing for Sunday services. We have also provided technical support for in-person memorial services. What might be described as “routine work” included: moving telephone lines from the east to west wing, checking and re-stocking first aid kits and AEDs (including adding an AED in the Oliver Hall Foyer), fixing the clothes dryer, cleaning drains, repairing trip hazards on sidewalks, repairing/replacing door stops, bleeding water heaters, and holiday decorating projects. The Trustees continued to manage the following contracts on behalf of the Church: ● tenant lease agreements; ● GL & DO insurance and claims management; ● service agreements and inspections for the printer, elevators, lifts, vector control, backflow valve, fire alarm, moisture sensors, and security cameras; ● response to alarms, property damage, and illegal dumping. We have, unfortunately, experienced three break-ins during the past year. While very little was taken, damage was incurred to doors, locks, and window screens. A study of the incidents and follow up conversations ensued, and more “high-touch” and “high tech” approaches are in development. Finally, the COVID shutdown gave the Trustees an opportunity to better understand the total costs of offering the campus for rent by non-members and non-tenants. We have always attempted to set casual rental rates to be revenue-neutral. With no casual rentals scheduled over the past two years, the Trustees determined that we have actually been subsidizing them. We have since voted to forego casual rentals for the foreseeable future.
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Associate Minister’s Report Rev. Pepper Swanson 2021-2022 was a year of almosts — almost back to normal, almost back in-person, almost adjusted to the new software, technology, and practices created to cope with the pandemic that just doesn’t quit in our part of Alameda County. Despite the continuing irregularities (new normals?), we had quite a few program successes: ● ●
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Our Crafters group conducted their fourth auction of handmade quilts and other items in Nov-Dec. ESLO launched a pod program of Advent decorating volunteers who fully decorated the Sanctuary with Christmas bows, trees and angel banners and created beautiful paper tree banners for the Narthex and luminarias for our outdoor Christmas Eve service. We hosted two Christmas Open House events in Dec which included special piano music by Jessie Lo playing on our new video monitors, gingerbread houses to color for the children as well as ornament kits, and home-baked treats to go. We held our second Annual Mardi Gras party on Zoom complete with masks and crowns and noisemakers. The kids and their parents learned a classic New Orleans song and dance, Jock-a-Mo. We distributed ash and oil kits with Lenten devotionals for Ash Wednesday. To fully live into our Lenten theme “In the Garden,” we had two garden workshops focused on replanting the Labyrinth Courtyard and one flower arranging workshop. We returned to in-person worship, which required a shift from video-editing to livestreaming as well as a new presentation software to show slides and videos on our new video monitors. We had the world’s hardest Easter Egg hunt that greatly expanded the boundaries of our previous egg hunts. Our Stewardship Pledge Campaign developed and showed during worship four videos focused on our areas of community service: worship, music & choir, food & meal distribution, health education & vaccines, and children & youth programming. We also sold our new logo-branded items.
And, weaving in and out of these special programs were our weekly small groups, which faithfully met throughout the year, including Seekers, two groups of Bible Study, and Crafters. I am so grateful for the spiritual backbone they provide our congregation. Our Church School also continued online for the entirety of the year, much to the credit and patience of our youngest Zoomers. In other areas of responsibility, I continued to roll out the weekly e-Chimes and Worship Links each week and ensured our news and updates were shared with Facebook and Twitter. I also continued as video editor of worship until our return to in-person worship. I was also very proud to staff our Eden Area Scholarship Program for the second year. It was a delight to be part of a process that brought so much hope to our 20 scholarship recipients and their families. In closing, two important areas of gratitude must be mentioned. First, I want to thank the congregation and my colleagues again for my sabbatical which took place last Jul, Aug, & Sept. It was a blessing to study and learn about my theme: art and community. I am finding many ways to incorporate what I learned in my practice of ministry. Second, thank you for your support during the time of my mother’s passing this past February—your concern and condolences were a great comfort.
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Designated Term Associate Minister’s Report Rev. Marvin Wiser CHURCH DURING COVID: GenZ@EUCC started this year with “Remote Re-Groups” again. Due to Pastor Marvin’s COVID work, Pastors Pepper and Brenda took the youth under their wings. Two youth made the decision this year be confirmed.
to
Eden en español Thursday night Bible Study kept meeting online this year, continuing studies of Acts, the Prophets, and Ezra-Nehemiah. We were able to perform a Zoom Pastorela and meet at Meek Park on occasion when local COVID case rates allowed. On one such occasion, we were able to celebrate Pastor Nadia’s farewell. I have helped make hybrid worship happen, livestreaming our services. Look out for more upgrades to come! We’ll have better sound and video for our online audience very soon as our campus now has fiber optic internet! COMMUNITY DURING COVID: We had 13 participants for the ChYLI program (Jul 7 - Aug 11), which this year was a partnership with our Outreach and Healthcare Education Team. Our theme was vaccination ambassadorship, ¡Vacúnate!. Our OHE Team took a “train the trainer” approach to educating and empowering our ChYLIs. All graduates received a stipend for their training and advocacy work. In its 11th year, Comida continued to expand, serving some 350 families. Asian Americans were a growing demographic at Comida this year. We continued to distribute cleaning and school supplies, quarantine and isolation care kits, KN-95 masks, at-home antigen COVID-19 test kits, infant formula, diapers & wipes, and 1,600 servings of pozole for Tres Reyes. For FY22 we received extensions and additional funding from Alameda County Healthcare Services Agency and Alameda County Social Services Agency for the following COVID-19 Direct Response efforts that I oversaw totaling $4,317,409. Our teams consist of dozens of members speaking 11 languages. In May we were finally able to come together for an all-org Appreciation Luncheon, with lunch prepared by La Casita. Here’s why we’re so appreciative: Quarantine & Isolation Supports and Emergency Food Distribution (QIS-EFD) ● 1,300 Isolation Care Kits ● 9,000 packs of diapers & wipes ● 50,000 prepared meals thanks to La Casita Mexican Restaurant in Cherryland! ● 1,000,000 pounds of food ● Outreach & Healthcare Education Team (OHE) & Vaccination Coalitions Team (VAXX) ● 30,000 digital reach ● 15,000 physical flyers ● COVID Lotería ● 5,000 vaccination appointments (continued on page 11)
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Case Investigation & Contact Tracing and Resource Navigation (CICT/RN) ● 10,284 cases, contacts, households traced ● 3,600 successful resource referrals ● $3 million in Social Service stipends ● Assisted our schools in cases and ACPHD with CalREDIE case closures
Compañeras Ministry Report Yuliana Wiser-León & Vicki Vivaldo, 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. This ministry gave birth to Comida para Cherryland, the ChYLI program, the Cherryland Computer Cafe, and the Sanctuary & Accompaniment Ministry--all of which have kicked into “high gear” during the pandemic. Intergenerational Church-Community Events & Institutional Partnerships Our annual All Saints / Día de los Muertos altar was constructed under the Narthex portico, 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 continued as a drive-thru experience. La Casita prepared 1,600 portions of pozole which were shared by our EFD 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.
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Newcomer Navigation Center Report Yuliana Wiser-León, Director & Clinical Case Manager During this year and with the rollout of vaccines for most members of our community, our Newcomer Navigation Center (NNC) team dedicated much of our time to meeting with newcomer families in person and virtually. We know that most everyone has had to deal with feelings of isolation and sadness for the loss of routines, but in the case of newcomers, the feelings of isolation have been compounded with true loss of what was known before life in the U.S. In order to build trust with our new neighbors, our team continued doing weekly home visits and food deliveries to families and youth who were most 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, the City of Hayward, Eden Area Interfaith Council, and more. By organizing and collaborating with our institutional partners and with the support of Congressman Eric Swalwell, we were able to win $750,000 in federal funding for a Transitional Age Youth Shelter that will be constructed on the SIAC site owned by the Hayward Unified School District. The ground lease for the site was settled between HUSD and Covenant House California, the service provider, in FY21. Delays in the federal budget approval process, and supply chain issues have resulted in what looks to be a 12-month delay in opening the shelter. But that day will come, and God will be glorified as 20+ TAY-age (18-26 year old young adults, including UIYs) will be able to participate in wrap-around services in a caring and supportive community, while making meaningful progress on their life goals. Our Clinical Case Manager continued as a co-host to the South Alameda County Collaborative for Unaccompanied Minors and Children of Migrant Families where providers find a collaborative space for inter-agency consultation, resource sharing, and problem-solving. In FY2022, we have been able to offer case management services to more than 40 individuals and families. We have continued our partnership with Cherryland Elementary, Harder Elementary, and Glassbrook Elementary as we offer food and basic necessities to students and families in need. The work of the NNC would not be possible without the generosity of the Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, the Rose Fund, the East Bay Community Foundation, Hellman Foundation and members and friends of Eden UCC.
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Music Report Ken Rowden, Music Director As the Music Director at Eden Church, I believe that music serves some distinct purposes in our Christian worship tradition: 1. Music teaches us the gospel of Christ through hymns and spiritual anthems and songs. 2. Singing, especially in a choral setting or in a group setting, allows a part of our hearts to speak with God in a way that is totally unique. God created us to communicate with the very depths of our spirit, and singing is a way we can accomplish this in a profound and meaningful way. 3. Singing is one of the ways in which we can express our love towards God with our whole being, as God commands us to do in Matthew 22:37. Worshiping God through our music changes and transforms us. At Eden Church I have found a group of people who also believe the above statements as they dedicate themselves to singing in the Eden Church Choir throughout 2021-2022. Music is the thing that has helped to join us, to bind us together, and has brought us much peace and comfort during this last very difficult year of the pandemic. Beginning in the fall of 2021, the Choir, consisting of sopranos Susan MacDonald, Peggy Apperson, 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. With approval of our Church Council, in-person rehearsals were held in the Courtyard, and later on when things improved, in the well-ventilated Choir Room. Choir rehearsals were held every Sunday at 11 am. Susan, Suzie, Peggy and Miles were able to rehearse in-person, with Mary and Rob joining us via Zoom. Through the magic of virtual settings, the Choir this year sang at least one hymn every Sunday and a total of 16 choir anthems throughout the year from Sept 2021 through Jun 2022. Each Choir member recorded themselves singing the hymns in unison and their own individual parts on the anthems and sent them in to me via email which I then downloaded and re-uploaded into Garage Band where I carefully and painstakingly edited into a video format. The anthem process includes many details, including recording separate tracks for all voices as well as preparing instructions and the final accompaniment track. Appropriate images were then garnered and placed into a video program which accompanied the singers. In addition we’ve had a pool of “ringers,” who were helpful in enhancing the choir singing as well. We’ve had at any given time four to six excellent singers who we paid to submit hymns and anthems and then added their recordings to our own Choir members. Every step of the anthems and hymns have required much planning in terms of time management and teamwork to accomplish the necessary tasks needed for the final product seen in our worship sessions every Sunday. The consistency, dedication, and devotion that these people have shown in a time like this is truly remarkable.
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Education, Spiritual Life, and Outreach Suzie Hasselkuss, Chair ESLO is the heart of the Church with all its intersecting activities that contribute to the life of our Church and the community at large. We strengthen ourselves, and with the help of all of the groups we work with in the community. The last several years have been very difficult for all of the groups that we work with. We encourage everyone to keep up the loving, active, vibrant ministries that keep us moving forward, and encourage everyone to ask, "What would Jesus do?" And do it.
Deacons — Rubi Guitterez & Stephanie S. Spencer The deacons assist the pastors and worship team with the celebration of the Sacraments. Throughout the year, we celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion in many different ways for health and safety reasons. The constant in this mashup was remembering and experiencing Christ’s presence and grace, whether we were online or socially-distanced together. The Sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated on first Sundays and during special holiday worship services. Baptisms for children 5 and under have been postponed until the vaccine becomes available for their cohort. Deacons Ruby Contreras and Stephanie Spencer, with many just-in-time deacons, provided very flexible sacramental support for worship at both outdoor and indoor services this year. The first communion celebration of the Church year was held in the parking lot on Jul 4, 2021. The Church year ended with communion in the sanctuary, starting in Mar 2022. It was wonderful to finally share communion in person, but with the varied worship venues and COVID concerns, the deacons had to be creative! Thank you to all who stepped in as just-in-time deacons to help serve communion in all configurations! Independence Day: Tailgate Communion in the parking lot, Jul 4, 2021 ● First in-person outdoor worship and communion since 3/8/2020 ● Communion from individual sacks including bottled juice and a Hawaiian roll. World Communion Sunday on the Eden Church Plaza, Oct 3, 2021 ● Communion served on hotdog “boats” with paper cups of juice and a pita chip, taken to each person in their seats by the deacons on serving trays All Saints Worship and Communion on the Eden Church Plaza, Nov 7, 2021 ● Communion served in hotdog “boats” with paper cups of juice and a pita chip, taken to each person in their seats by the deacons on serving trays Zoom Communion during Fellowship time, Dec 5, 2021 and Jan 2, Feb 6, 2022 (due to the COVID surge) ● Worshippers provided their own bread and juice or wine at home. A Pastor consecrated the elements live during Fellowship time, and then each worshiper used their own elements to partake of communion Sunday Mar 6: First In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary since Mar 8, 2020! Worship and Communion in the Sanctuary, Mar 6 through Jun 26, 2022!! ● Elements of juice and bread were prepared by the pastors at the Communion Table. Individual prepackaged sealed cups with a tiny wafer and sip of juice were taken to each person in the pews by the deacons. ● First Sundays, Apr 3, May 1, Jun 5, Maundy Thursday, Apr 14, Easter Sunday, Apr 17, Confirmation and Bravo! Sunday, Jun 5.
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E-Team - Athena Malloy, Chair Evangelism activities in 2021-22 included two Christmas Open House events in December. The Dec 10 event was scheduled for the afternoon and was publicized at Baywood Court as an opportunity to take a walking tour of our decorated Sanctuary, hear Christmas music, and enjoy refreshments. A second event was held on Friday evening, Dec 17. Attendance was limited due to the rapidly accelerating COVID case rates but those who attended were happy to see our Christmas angels, greet old friends, and hear Jessie Lo’s wonderful Christmas music on the video monitors. Once the Church re-opened in Mar, we acquired two 10-foot feather banners in English and Spanish that will be used to indicate the location of our entrance, a perennial problem that was made more challenging by the need to unlock only the Narthex doors on Sunday. We extended invitations to the community to attend two musical performances. The first was an Easter-time Bach concert livestream by the New Mexico Performing Arts Society, featuring Jessie Lo on piano on Apr 4 and the second was a performance of the Chabot College Concert Choir directed by Ken Rowden on May 16. We are grateful to our musicians for bringing us these unique opportunities to make quality music available to the Eden Area. In addition to our events, which were limited due to COVID, we invested in new logo-branded items: travel mugs and potholders. These items were for sale during the Stewardship Pledge Campaign and were given as gifts to the twenty Eden Area Scholarship recipients and their families who attended our Bravo! Sunday Celebration. In closing, we are happy to report that we added five new members plus their children this year! It was wonderful to welcome the Josue-Johnson family who have been active in our Church School program throughout the pandemic as well as Joanne Vorheis, a long-time attendee who has been active in our Comida program by providing donated food.
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Education & Spiritual Life - Theressa Collier, Chair Children & Youth: Church School for our children in pre-K to 8th grade continued on Zoom this year due to COVID. We started off our Church School program year in Oct with a mini unit on Genesis and the story of creation with an emphasis on care of creation. Kids were encouraged to pick up litter and make “litter bugs.” At the end of Oct, we had a single session on the history of Halloween & Dia de los Muertos. In Nov, we had a mini unit focused on three pairs of Bible characters mentioned as Jesus' ancestors, Ruth & Naomi, Abraham & Sarah, and David & Solomon. For Advent, the children and their families participated in the development of our second video Christmas pageant with the assistance of two of our youth. This year’s pageant, Merry Textmas, was written by Pastor Pepper and was a simple re-telling of the Christmas story with modern technological touches. In addition to portions filled at home by families, the pageant included an animated scene developed by the children via Zoom. Special Christmas boxes of ornament kits and storybooks were distributed at our Christmas Open Houses and on Christmas Eve. In Jan and Feb, Church School continued on Zoom following a modified lectionary pattern of stories and videos, primarily on the ministry of Jesus. At the end of Feb, we had our second annual Mardi Gras Party on Zoom and began lessons more focused on Lenten themes. At the end of Mar, we began preparation for an animated Easter Pageant video featuring an animated bunny running through Church rooms and a choral performance by the children using individual avatars (bitmojis). For the return to in-person worship without in-person Church school, art trays were purchased for the children to use while in the Sanctuary. Each child has their own art tray filled with books, markers, and a Sunday bulletin. On Easter (Apr 17) many children attended in person for the first time in over two years and we had the “World’s Hardest Easter Egg Hunt” to celebrate. In May, we completed the program year with a three unit focus on the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost.
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Adult Education: Our Seekers group, which reads books on religion, spirituality, and social & environmental justice, had a busy and diverse year meeting on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. They read and discussed While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrahms, The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton, Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach, Earthkeeper by N. Scott Momaday, and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. We had two sections of Bible Study this year, with both continuing to meet on Zoom. In the fall, the Evening Bible Study read Paul Among the People, which was focused on explaining and contextualizing the more challenging passages penned by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. In the spring, they studied Esther including the Greek & Aramaic additions found in the Apocrypha. The Daytime Bible Study, which gained new members by moving from Monday to Thursday morning, tackled Galatians, the birth narratives of Luke and Matthew, I Corinthians, Esther including the Greek & Aramaic addition, and Daniel including the Greek additions.
Fellowship - Pat Payne, Chair Due to continuing COVID issues, our opportunities for Fellowship were limited, but we did what we could. For our afternoon Christmas Open House event in Dec, we provided cookies and hot cider as refreshments which were enjoyed on the Plaza. For the evening Open House event, we provided cookies to go. Before the Church Sanctuary re-opened in Mar, we had our second annual Mardi Gras party online and enjoyed learning together about Fat Tuesday traditions. We’re all looking forward to a King Cake party when COVID abates. During Lent, we participated in the “In the Garden” workshops offered by ESLO. We had a group field trip to purchase plants and worked as a team to prepare and re-plant the Labyrinth Courtyard garden. When we returned to in-person worship on Mar 6, a decision was made that coffee and refreshments would have to wait for safety’s sake, especially for our vulnerable elders and younger children. We are all learning to chat after worship without coffee!
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Stewardship - Keith Smith, Chair This year’s Stewardship activities included the Crafters’ Fall Auction of handmade items, which was a fundraiser for Comida para Cherryland. We also prepared and sent our traditional Christmas Offering and the Easter Offering letters. This year as last, the Offering Letters were sent electronically and we are grateful that our online giving portal has provided members with the ease of offering online and the opportunity to use the dropdown menu to select their individual Offerings. We also participated in two UCC offerings: the Neighbors in Need Offering on World Communion Sunday in Oct and the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering during Lent in Mar. Our spring Stewardship Pledge Drive began on May 22 and concluded on Jun 19, a little later than our usual pledge drive time frame due to the need to host Pastor Nadia’s farewell party in May. Our theme this year was “Together, We Will Serve” and we prepared four videos on the Church’s principal ministries and how they are supported by pledged offerings. Each video was shown as a Mission Moment during worship as well as included in our e-Chimes and social media blasts. As is our tradition, each member received a Stewardship Letter asking that they consider their unique gifts and how they can contribute to the tremendous community service we provide, be it by pledging or offering their time and talent. We are so grateful and proud of our members for sustaining their giving during this difficult time. Thank you for all your gifts, be it time, talent, or treasure!
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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, provided $210,000 of proceeds in support of Eden Church in FY22. The Church has been the beneficiary of other gifts and bequests from families and estates of descendants of our Church family. What we own and treasure is not ours alone, but ours as a gift from God to be stewarded for the benefit of future generations. For various reasons, during the past two years, the Foundation elected to shift its previous practice of exclusively funding nonprofit organizations to also funding scholarships for Eden Area students pursuing higher education. This past year the Foundation and individual donors from the congregation collectively funded twenty $2,000 scholarships totalling $40,000, bringing the total number of scholarships for the past two years to 35 for a total dollar value of $70,000. Whether larger or smaller, 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: Marilyn Sundberg, Lucy Norman Spencer, and Erik Thom. Funds in the amount of $4,000 were released from the Lucy Norman Spencer Fund to the Eden Area Scholarship Fund in Jun. 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 Rubi Guiterrez & Stephanie Spencer, Deacons Necrology ● Marilyn Sundberg, 8/1/2021 ● Betty Livesay, 8/22/2021 ● Kay Crosby, 11/21/2021 ● Stephanie Cartwright, 1/25/2022 ● Lillian Timm, 3/7/2022 Transfer of Membership ● Dianne Dorn, 6/12/2022 New Members Reaffirmation of Faith ● Charles Johnson, 4/10/2022 ● Melissa Josue, 4/10/2022 ● Joanne Vorheis, 4/10/2022 Confession of Faith ● Darcy Yu Malloy, 6/5/2022 ● Miles Vetrovec, 6/5/2022 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 ● Herb Graw, 2/2/1969 ● Mary Graw, 2/2/1969 ● Jim Phillips, 4/3/1969 Members & Affiliates ● Members - 120 (8.8%) ● Associate Members - 47 (3.4 %) ● Family of Members - 148 (10.9%) ● Compañeras - 683 (50%) ● Friends - 59 (4.3%) ● Visitors - 141 (10.3%) ● Others - 167 (12.3%)
Total - 1,365 (100%)
2021-2022 Annual Report