Annual Report
FEBRUARY 2025
In Remembrance
Tom Klopf 8/23/1944 – 1/11/2024
Sherrie Holmberg 10/17/1964 – 3/10/2024
Tammie Meyer 8/12/1938 – 5/14/2024
JoAnne Bogart 12/21/1942 – 6/13/2024
Helene Willis 5/16/1933 – 6/13/2024
Leona Stone 3/9/1936 – 6/29/2024
Daniel Burbank 11/18, 1995 – 8/14/2024
Biff Peterson 12/23/1937 – 12/25/2024
Elena Burton 8/13/1939 – 1/13/2025
Pat Ostwald 8/13/1926 – 1/14/2025
Eternal God, support us all the day long until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in your Mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Snapshot of 2024 Congregational Interests, a Moderator’s View
BRAD SISSOM
Who were we in 2024? What can we say about our primary interests as a congregation? What congregational interests does Church Council protect? I have some data on that!
People and Music
At the beginning of 2024 I took a survey, sent to all members, that gauged the congregation’s interest in 19 different categories. The prompt was “What energizes you these days?”. Respondents overwhelmingly chose People and Music as their first two choices. No list of what defines us as a congregation can begin otherwise.
Church Council Proceedings Indicative of Further Interests
Soon after the interest survey, I began presiding over Church Council. I would collect monthly reports from each Board and Ministry and place them in a database alongside Church Council Minutes, and Agenda Items. Long story short…using this database of Church Council Proceedings, I have re-ranked the remaining categories from the interest survey using their prevalence in the proceedings.
Interest Survey Topics Ranked by Prevalence in 2024 Church Council Proceedings
1) Worship and ritual (survey #4)
2) Small groups (survey #3)
3) Community engagement (survey #7)
4) Faith practices (survey #8)
5) Hospitality and inclusion (survey #9)
6) Cross cultural interaction (survey #6)
7) Art (survey #11)
8) Advocacy (survey #12)
9) Caregiving and assistance (survey #13)
10) Theology and history (survey #14)
The proceedings show Church Council activity is quite representative of congregational interest, reflecting similar scope and emphasis. What other details did we tend to at Church Council in 2024?
Other Church Council topics in 2024
• Reorganization and constitutional details
• Church history preservation
• Safety
• Our historic building
• New website development and launch
• Stewardship and giving initiatives
• Budget and Finance
• Audit Readiness
• Special offerings
• Benevolence Fund Grants
Thank you Church Council members for all you do! To those of you curious about Church Council, I hope you’ve found this enlightening and inspirational. If you’d like to promote these or other interests, talk to a Moderator. We can “hook you up”!
With Gratitude, Brad Sissom, Moderator
Senior Minister
REV. CHRISTINA BRAUDAWAY-BAUMAN
First Congregational Church of Boulder is a remarkable congregation. In a time when many churches are declining, our life together keeps expanding as we add new opportunities to gather in small groups, to deepen our engagement in ministries of justice and care, and to expand our reach and welcome into the wider community. In a time when many are discouraged, isolated, and lonely, we remain centered in God’s enduring love and hope for us and for the whole world. We believe the world needs the heart of compassion that is our calling and the bright witness of openness, acceptance, and inclusion that is our faithful and joyful commitment.
In October 2022, our church adopted “Faith in Action,” our strategic plan, with priorities for social justice, faith formation, congregational care, and communications. This past year, each of these efforts moved forward in new ways.
Social Justice: In May, we launched voter engagement efforts. In September during worship, we blessed 7,860 letters and postcards written by 130 church members and friends. We began a season of prayer, an expression of our commitment to stay centered in love in the midst of anxious uncertainty. In October, 37 of us traveled to the sites of the Sand Creek Massacre and Amache Japanese American internment camp in southeast Colorado. We went as pilgrims to reflect on the ways these events continue to shape our lives. We shared testimonies and prayers in worship on Martin Luther King Sunday in January. Our social justice collaboration is now discerning how to prepare our church for whatever this new season may bring.
Faith Formation: In March, we welcomed Lianna Campos as our Minister of Faith Formation and celebrated her ordination in October. The 4th Soil Parenting Team launched a monthly Family Night with dinner, youth activities, and a parent discussion group. In the fall, Sam Bauman began a youth ministry internship at another church, and Lianna now directs our youth program. Anne Martinez joined us as Director of Children’s and Youth Music, and Christine Teng as Accompanist. Anne’s weekday “Joyful Littles” music class now draws preschoolers and caregivers from the wider community.
Communications: As our audio/visual needs have increased and we are again sharing our facilities generously with the wider community, Angie Dickenson Mickle joined our staff in January as AV and Events Specialist. In the fall, we created Conversation, a quarterly magazine, to share longer articles and advance event notices. We enlisted Theory One to help us develop a new website that more fully expresses the vibrancy and many facets of our life together, extends our warm welcome to newcomers, and will more effectively keep us connected to one another. After months of dedicated work, we unveiled the new site on Sunday, January 26.
Congregational Care: We continue to strengthen our caring ministries and to expand opportunities for support and community building in all stages of life, especially for those who are vulnerable and marginalized.
Reimagining Leadership and our Church Constitution: Karen Cumbo, Carol Hasselbacher, and Sarah Schulte have begun to meet with our Boards to discern how we can organize the considerable volunteer energy in our church community to support the implementation of our four priorities and ultimately, to provide a new framework for church governance in the 21st century.
Stewardship: While our operating budget remains remarkably flat, we recognize our financial giving is not keeping up with inflation. We have begun to discuss long-term initiatives, including a possible capital campaign to fund an endowment that directly supports the operating needs of the church. Discussion regarding options will continue in 2025.
For all that has been and for all that is yet to be in the life of our beloved congregation, I rejoice with you and give thanks to God for your faithful energy, commitment, and for the life we are blessed to share as First Congregational UCC, Boulder.
Grace and Peace,
Associate Minister
REV. LINDA KOWATCH
Dear First Congregational Members and Friends,
While I have known this congregation since the fall of 2018, February of 2025 marked the third complete year of ministry as a pastor at First Congregational Church. In 2024 I was called to be your Settled Associate Minister. With the transition from interim to settled associate minister came a change in my responsibilities. In addition to leading worship and administering the sacraments in collaboration with our Senior Minister Chris Braudaway-Bauman, I was given the charge of facilitating and equipping the church’s ministries of congregational care and community life and the congregation’s ministries of social justice. Receiving your call to serve you and serve alongside you was and continues to be an incredible privilege and honor. My faith in the Creator and Redeemer of us all grows daily as I participate in the daily life of this congregation. I am forever grateful.
Worship and Preaching: I consider each opportunity to preach as one small part of an ongoing dialogue between God and God’s people that has been taking place since the beginning of time. Each worship service is a continuation and expansion of our understanding of the mystery of God and how God calls us to live together as creation. I pray that worship and the sacraments continually point us to God and challenge us to better live into our individual and collective callings to love God and creation.
Congregational Care and Community Life: Having three plus years of developing relationships with this congregation allowed me opportunities to hold space with individuals and families in our congregation in joyful times and in difficult times. These times and spaces are sacred as I hold them in God’s love and light. The
Visitation Team focused on just being present with those in our congregation who may not be able to come to worship. Various groups of the extended Board of Community Life provided love and presence through Grace Gifts, Meal Trains, Card Trains, and Fellowship Time through Coffee Hour, Congregational Meals, and Celebrations. As we move further away from the isolation in COVID, together times are so important to encourage and strengthen us all.
Social Justice Ministries: The social justice ministries continued to grow throughout 2024 as we focused on the why of our work. God requires us to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Advocacy is a faith practice as it follows the example of Christ to raise up those who have been marginalized and oppressed. The Collaboration of Social Justice Ministries conducted a congregation wide Get Out the Vote Campaign and helped us get organized for future justice work. And the Missions and Justice in Action Board worked diligently to involve more people in benevolence, hands on activities and justice work with over 30 community partners.
Future: While many churches across the country and around the world are reducing in size and dying out, First Congregational UCC Boulder is growing. Through a continued love for God and one another, people continue to be welcomed into a congregation with varied beliefs and theologies. Through the invitation and welcome, I pray that First Cong continues to be God’s church and not just our church.
Blessings always, Rev. Linda Kowatch, Associate Minister
Director of Music
KAJSA TEITELBAUM
2024 has been a year of change and new musical initiatives at First Cong. We hired Anne Martinez as our new Director for Children’s Music, and Christine Teng to take over as the Children’s Choirs Accompanist. In September, Anne started “Joyful Littles”, weekly music classes for babies and toddlers in our community. The class is growing every week.
We have had a team of music educators (Anne Martinez, Lianna Campos, Amy and Steve Voida, and Susan Wilkinson) teaching chimes and handbells to our Sunday school children throughout the fall.
Lastly, a string ensemble, open to players of all levels, started playing in September, and has offered music for our services about once a month.
Our regular music ensembles, the Congregational Bells, the Chancel Choir, Faith Singers, and Joyful Noise, have continued to meet on a weekly basis, offering music for our services.
During the summer we had a great variety of music volunteers from the congregation offering music for our services. Kajsa and a few members from the handbell choir went to Salt Lake City for a conference.
Halloween was celebrated with an organ concert, with poetry and images projected on the walls. Lianna organized games and activities before the concert.
The Sawyer Organ Concert hosted a musical duo from Sweden, Kondens, who presented an engaging and entertaining evening in November.
Our brass quintet offered music both for Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve.
Music Sunday presented Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, for choir, orchestra, and soloists, many of which came from our Chancel Choir. The Children’s Choirs participated in some of the movements as well.
Respectfully submitted, Kajsa Teitelbaum
Minister of Faith Formation
REV. LIANNA CAMPOS
What a year 2024 was! To support faith formation in this time of transition, we sought to honor beloved traditions while trying new things. In May, we blessed Bibles and Blankets along with those who received them. Our high schoolers went on a pilgrimage to Montgomery. ARTS Camp returned in June, where more than twenty children and youth pulled together another musical packed with show-stopping music. In Sunday School, our children and youth learned how to play chimes and handbells and even went on to perform during the Christmas Eve pageant! The Board of Faith Formation supported events like church picnics, Jingle Mingle, and the Pageant. The 4th Soil team carefully prepared family faith kits for the summertime and hosted Family Nights this past fall.
The Faith Formation ministry area saw several staffing changes, and we are so grateful for the ways in which our faith journeys overlap. In the nursery, we blessed Ginger Johnson in her retirement and hired our three beloved attendants Andie Wilkerson, Jess Romershteyn, and Abbey Baldwin. We are also so grateful to our interim nursery attendant Laura Bowen and all of those who volunteered over the summer while we sought our long-term attendants. Additionally, we celebrate the time in which Sam Bauman served as Youth Minister, leading the youth program through August. We bless Sam as he continues his ministry serving as a an intern at Montview Presbyterian Church in Denver as part of his seminary studies.
None of this could be done without the prayerful, generous support of this congregation. Thank you to our Sunday School teachers, our Camp Counselors and Set Designers, our Handbell Instructors, our Youth Group Chaperones, our Candy and Fidget suppliers, and every other volunteer.
This year, we look forward to fostering robust faith formation opportunities for folks of all ages in our congregation. Faith formation is active in the life of our church, and it is a blessing to walk alongside each other on this journey.
In peace, Lianna Campos
Board of Management
The Board of Management (BOM) oversaw several major projects for the church in 2024 as well as the approval for financial expenditures.
The BOM currently has oversight for 6 subcommittees with additional representation from the Climate Action Team:
• Facilities
• Finance
• Investment
• Stewardship
• Endowment
• Tenant Relations
Key Point Accomplished:
• The floor in Plymouth Hall was replaced with Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and a hearing loop was installed.
• The sanctuary space was improved with a new chair rail in the choir loft and a projector installed upstairs such that the ministers and the choir can see the projections during the church service.
• Lighting on the north entrance to the Link was added near the crane sculpture.
• A monitor was installed in the Link to provide additional information about church activities in a central location.
• There were ongoing improvements made to the HVAC system, repairs to the toilets to fix leaking, and indoor sprinkler head replacement to comply with the fire inspection findings.
• A church workday was held with the focus on cleaning up the landscaping around the church and laying mulch in the open beds.
• A Risk Management Subcommittee was formed to review insurance costs, documentation retention and additional potential risks to the Church.
• Approved funds for a variety of Church improvements such as the organ being tuned, cleaned, and software updated.
• The non-profit tenants monthly rent was raised 3%. The for-profit, Baby Bath Water’s rent remained at the same rate to match current rent rates in Boulder.
• Request for Proposal approved for a new FCC website using Theory One web designers.
Respectively submitted, Jeanne Lounsbury & Bob Matthias (BOM Co-Chairs)
Missions and Justice in Action Board
Our Mission and Purpose
To serve the congregation by identifying causes and community partners aligned with our covenants and social justice ministries, and actively support those in need through the sharing of God’s gifts of money, time, and talents.
Grant Making Highlights
MJA awarded over $62,000 in grants this year, prioritizing organizations that align with our core values of justice, compassion, and community building. This includes continued support for initiatives addressing climate action, gun violence prevention, racial justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and mental health/accesible to all. We also maintained a reserve for emergency needs, ensuring responsiveness to unforeseen challenges.
Engaging Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities are a cornerstone of our mission, serving as a bridge between our partner organizations and the active participation of our congregation members. These opportunities empower our community to engage directly with causes that align with our values while fostering meaningful connections and impactful action. Volunteer opportunities flourished in 2024. Highlights include:
Participation in the Community Partner Missions Fair, showcasing 15 partners. Monthly volunteer spotlights in the congregation bulletin and Mission Moments. Projects such as Intercambio’s community conversations, Growing Gardens’ plant sales, and the multiple Wildlands Restoration Volunteers projects.
Strengthening Partnerships
In 2024, MJA intentionally pruned our partner list to prioritize organizations with whom we have deep, meaningful relationships. These include:
29 local organizations like Boulder Food Rescue and Bridgehouse, 4 National and international partners such as the Kenya Education Fund.
This strategic focus allows us to better support each partner’s mission and foster stronger ties between them and our congregation.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025 and through assigned board points of contact with each social justice ministry and/or organization, we aim to:
Enhance communication about the impact of our grants with captured stories
Expand volunteer opportunities with a target of at least one per organization.
Deepen our role in addressing systemic injustices with more intentional interaction in the community.
MJA remains committed to living out our congregation’s covenants through acts of service and justice. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to another impactful year.
Respectfully submitted,
MJA Board
Board of Faith Formation
Our year began with saying good-bye to Deborah and welcoming Lianna Campos as our new Faith Formation minister. She has risen to the challenge of her many duties and some changes that came about this year.
Our Youth went on Mission Trip to Montgomery, Alabama in late May. Members of our board as well as other members of our church offered Picka-Party events as a fundraiser for the youth.
Sam Bauman returned to school in the Fall and Lianna took over all the duties of Youth Group for the remainder of the year. Our youth are no longer meeting with youth from the Longmont church.
ARTS Camp was held both at Highlands and the YMCA because of licensing issues. We had 24 campers, and despite the transportation issues between sites, the camp was considered a success. The children performed their musical in church the day after camp ended.
Lianna offered a Vacation Bible school in lieu of traditional Sunday School over the summer.
Lianna organized an all-church swim evening at Sunset Pool in Longmont that was a great success. We hope more people will consider participating in 2025.
The board helped with the move and clean-up of the preschool and elementary school classrooms as well as the kick-off for Sunday School in early September. Sunday School continued in the format as follows: 1st Sunday, kids in church, 2nd & 3rd Sundays, traditional Sunday School, 4th Sunday, service project.
With Ginger retiring from the Nursery, we have had a few bumps in the road. We now have a rotating staff of 3 people sharing the duties of the Nursery every Sunday.
During the Christmas Season, our board participated in the Jingle Mingle with craft activities. We were participants in the Parade of Lights with our float, banner, and kids handing out candy, glowsticks and information about our church. On Christmas Eve, the pageant was the focus of the 4 p.m. service. We had a good number of people that participated.
Respectfully submitted, by
Susan Wilkinson Co-chair of Board of Faith Formation
Board of Spiritual Life and McMane Arts Ministry
The Board of Spiritual Life underwent several significant changes during 2024:
• Deborah and Dan Raessler became co-chairs in March.
• Following consultation with Chris BraudawayBauman, the number of members was reduced from 16 to 7. We will have further discussion regarding the number of members needed for this board to function appropriately.
• Also following consultation with Pastor Chris, we reduced the meeting schedule from monthly to quarterly, with additional meetings as needed.
• Most of the Board’s activity this year involved revising duties for ushers and communion preparation, scheduling ushers, preparing and serving communion, providing flowers for services, and overseeing the Hanging of the Greens. During our meetings we also heard reports from Pastor Chris and Kajsa about church programming and needs for the coming weeks and months. We will continue to review church programs to assure they meet the spiritual needs of the Church.
Under the guidance of the staff, the following were offered:
• Epiphany 2024: Living the Light
• Lenten theme: Wandering Hearts, following Peter’s journey as a disciple
• Fall Season of Prayer weekly booklets with poetry, prose, art, and music
• Fall weekly Thursday evening contemplative services
• Advent: Words for the Beginning
• Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël on Music Sunday
Respectfully submitted, Deborah and Dan Raessler, co-chairs
The primary function of the McMane Arts Ministry has been to showcase local artists and hold receptions, some with NOBO (North Boulder) art association.
The Colorado Mosaics Society exhibit, colorful and varied, was up through early Jan., 2024. “Black Futures in Art”, was hung January 12 and we held receptions on January 14th and March 21st.
From mid-March through October Pat Chapman’s “A Woman’s Travel Adventure” showcased an installation depicting her travels in assemblages and her new book, “The Extraordinary Improbable Adventures of Florence Farnsworth”. We held receptions on April 21st after church and on May 2nd. FCC’s Sunday school children looked at the exhibit and did some artwork inspired by it. Women’ Spirituality Group also discussed the book.
In November and through January 2025 we hosted the Colorado Pastel Society in a “Variety Show” with member pastelists showing various works in oil, watercolor, ink, and soft pastels. Their reception, held on Dec. 6th was happily attended by the community, and congregants.
Other Projects
The Arts Ministry financially supported Jan Rybczynski’s furniture pieces (four tables and three baskets) made from the old flooring and nails from the Sanctuary floor. These beautiful tables bring warmth and memories to the Sanctuary.
Respectfully submitted, Melody
Fuller, Chair
Board of Community Life
The Board of Community Life had a very busy year with a lot of hands-on activities that kept our 10 members busy.
Hosting Coffee Hour – Molly McElroy left the board in 2024 and Donna Klopf, Laura Koepnick, and Michelle Sparks joined the board. We hosted 51 coffee hours in 2024 in a variety of areas within the church, which made coordinating challenging, but doable.
Grace Gifts – Members of BCL coordinated and assisted in purchasing, creating and assembling a variety of items that were usually related to the season. These items were placed in bags, known as Grace Gifts, and were distributed 4 times in 2024. We encouraged members of the congregation to assist in delivering gifts to church member recipients by placing the gifts in the Link with names and addresses attached.
Memorials – BCL hosted four memorial services in 2024. Three BCL members were responsible for each memorial service, including supplying cookies and refreshments, set up, serving, and clean up.
Picnics- BCL coordinated the summer picnic, with board members providing the tables, table cloths, making the food, serving and clean up. Tocabe catered the fall picnic, BCL collaborated with Racial Justice Ministry to fund the meal. BCL members contributed to reserving the space, setting up, serving and clean up.
BCL hosted or coordinated food for Deborah V’s retirement, Linda K’s installation, Easter Brunch, Lianna C’s ordination celebration, Easter Brunch, Brunch Church cleanup, Jingle Mingle, Congregational Meeting, Hanging of the Greens, and Ash Wednesday Soup Supper.
BCL hosted 15 Meal Trains throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Hall, Chair
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee’s responsibilities include facilitating communication between the congregation and the church staff, providing a forum for staff conflict resolution, making salary recommendations to the Board of Management, and maintaining staff job descriptions. In addition, the Committee establishes the procedures and forms for hiring and evaluation of staff, maintains the Employee Handbook, and participates in negotiation stages of staff search committees.
2024 Personnel Committee and Church Staff Highlights
• Upon her election, our Congregation joyfully welcomed Reverend Linda Kowatch as our new Settled Associate Minister.
• The congregation blessed Reverend Lianna Campos upon her departure to Indianapolis for her ordination.
• The Personnel Committee worked with Pastor Chris to facilitate the expansion of Lianna Campos’s Faith Formation role to include leadership of the Youth Ministry after Sam Bauman’s resignation as its Director.
• The congregation blessed Ginger Johnson for her decades of service and wished her our best upon her resignation as Child Care Coordinator. The Committee worked with Pastor Chris to prepare materials for new candidates for that position, ultimately hiring nursery program childcare workers to fill this role.
• We said goodbye to Er-Hsuan and welcomed Christine Teng as our Children’s and Youth Choir Accompanist.
• The Committee completed its new draft revision of the Employee Handbook with legal and human resources input from the Committee as well as from the Employers Council.
With Strategic Plan leaders and Personnel Committee oversight, the new Church staff hires and current staff responsibilities have been reimagined to reflect the goals of the Strategic Plan, greatly facilitating interaction between Staff and the Boards. This process is now nearly complete, with the exception of a possible future Staff Communications Specialist. At present, the Communications Committee, newly established as a Standing Committee, is capably managing the Church’s communication needs.
Respectfully submitted, Carol
Hasselbacher,
Personnel Committee Chair
Investment Committee
Investment Committee Activities
In 2024, the committee welcomed three new members: David Thorne, Rich Molpus, and Rob McClung, joining Christina Ingersoll (chair), Jean Nelson, and Neil Palmer. The investment committee meets quarterly to review our invested accounts’ performance and allocations and to discuss how best to balance three goals:
• 1. Seeking strong financial returns on investments
• 2. Protecting the church’s assets from market risks
• 3. Honoring the church’s values and commitments to social justice and earth stewardship.
Distribution Decision
Once a year in July, we make our annual decision about the percentage of endowment sub-accounts to distribute to the missions and committees supported by endowments. This year, the committee unanimously agreed on 4.25%.
2024 Economic Review
2024 saw a mixed bag for financial markets. While major US indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq enjoyed significant gains, driven by optimism around AI and a resilient economy, global markets were more subdued. Europe and the UK faced headwinds from energy challenges and slower growth.
Inflation remained a concern, though the pace of increase slowed. Interest rates remained elevated, impacting both equity and bond markets. Geopolitical tensions and questions about the future transition to green energy added further uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, strong corporate earnings, coupled with a resilient consumer demand, provided a foundation for continued growth. While the path ahead may be uncertain, especially given the incoming administration in the United States, with careful navigation and a focus on long-term growth, there’s cautious optimism for continued market progress.
Invested Account Progress
Overall, with some deposits from gifts and bequests and some withdrawals to fund the work of the church, our invest account balances closed 2024 6.2% higher than they were at the close of 2023. In years with severe market downturns, the work of the church continues, continues to be funded, and we may see negative growth. Years like 2024 help accommodate future volatility.
Endowment and Finance Committee
Endowment
Gifts during 2024 to the Endowment Funds, mostly from the “Give While You Live” program, total $112,770
At the end of Q3 2024 the Endowment Funds were:
Finance
The church completed the 2024 Fiscal year with a surplus of $73,888. This surplus will be moved to the 2025 Fiscal Year, as per the Financial Policy.
The Finance Committee has completed several projects in 2024:
• The Internal Control Policies & Procedures document from 2022 has been reviewed and updated by our financial consultant and approved by the Board of Management.
On Sunday March 24, we hosted an event at Frasier Meadows to honor all donors who have contributed to the Endowments over the past several years. The event was a great success and a great thank you to all donors.
We worked with Pastor Chris on the best way to structure the new website to support the Endowments and have also modified some of the wording related to the Endowments for the new website. These changes will be incorporated into a new Endowment brochure.
As a committee we have made a commitment for 2025 to focus on bequest, estate planning, and planned giving at death, to make sure that everyone in the congregation understands why they need a will and the importance of naming the church in their will or estate plan. We will also continue to encourage donations to the “Give While You Live” Program.
Respectfully submitted, by Dean Fowler, Chair
• The membership rolls have been updated by Chris Braudaway-Bauman and Julie Griffitts, so that now our UCC per capita contributions are more accurate (and have decreased).
• The new credit card (“Divvy”) software is being used and procedures for documenting expenses have been improved.
• Flow-Through accounts have been cleaned up by Chris Braudaway-Bauman.
• Financial reports have been continually improved, and new ideas for their distribution and user-friendliness to the respective boards/ committees are being undertaken.
Included with this report are the 2024 Operating Revenue and Expense statement and the 12/23/2024 Balance Statement.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Orlando and Charley Rastle, Treasurers
Mackenzie Lectureship Committee
In January of 2024 we continued planning for our speaker for the year - Dr. Anthea Butler, the African-American Professor of Religion and Chair of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her very well attended Friday, February 23, lecture “Religion, Race, and the Struggle to Retain Democracy in America” was based on her book White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America. She also was an enthusiastic participant with two faculty and three students from CU’s Center for African and African American Studies in the Saturday morning, February 24, workshop. Dr. Butler attended church on Sunday, February 25, but did not preach.
And now, January of 2025, the Committee is planning this year’s speaker, Nancy Tatom Ammerman, Emerita Professor of the Sociology of Religion at Boston University. The author of many articles and several books, the most recent of which is her 2021 Studying Lived Religion: Contexts and Practices, she is a leading expert on congregations and congregational life. Her Friday, February 7, lecture is “How Shall We Gather? Reflections on America’s Changing Religious Landscape and the Necessary Future of the Church.” She will explore the traditions and the imagination that can help us in this essential project. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, from the Iliff School of Theology and regional director of a national research project on the pandemic’s effects on congregations, joins us for the Saturday morning, February 8 workshop “Envisioning [even designing!] the Church of the Future.”
A colleague of both Chris Braudaway-Bauman and Stewart Hoover, Professor Ammerman will preach on “Dwelling in the Wilderness” on Sunday morning, February 9.
The MacKenzie committee also organizes a Friday evening post-lecture reception and Saturday morning bagels and coffee.
Identifying the MacKenzie speaker is the major project of the Committee. This begins immediately after our February event. In the past three years we have benefited greatly from both Chris’s and Stewart’s inputs and contacts. We welcome input from other members of the congregation!
Co-Chairs Lee Carlin and I, and Jane Cummings, Stewart Hoover, Kaudie McLean, Kevin Pettit, and Monika Rutkowski constitute the present Committee.
Respectfully submitted, Shirley Harkess, co-chair
Accessible to All (A2A) Mental Health Ministry (MHM)
2024 was a year of change for the A2A/MHM as Mary Catherine Mopus took over the chair from Anne Weiher. We welcomed new members Kea Giles, Mary Catherine, and Deborah and Sarah Raessler.
As part of the Social Justice planning committee, we continue to ensure that the concerns of our ministry are an integral part of its planning. We strengthened our commitment to Mindful Works as the Mindful Works Ministry became part of A2A/MHM.
The annual Access Sunday was held June 23rd. Kevin Petit, Deborah Raessler, and Linda Kowatch shared reflections on Loving Our Own Bones, by Julia Watts Belser.
Lianna Campos led our celebration for Mental Health Sunday, July 14th. Her topic, Spit and Mud, took its inspiration from John 9:1-7. Kea Giles, Mary Catherine Mopus, and Anne Weiher participated in the service. Merlin Mulligan, an apprentice at Mindful Works, wrote and performed music on the harp for the offertory and postlude.
We worked briefly with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to encourage those who provide service to the 911 crisis line to be knowledgeable about local resources. Going forth, Deborah and Sarah Raessler will continue to monitor important legislative issues as part of the Coalition of Social Justice Ministries advocacy group.
We continue to offer ongoing support groups: a monthly grief support group facilitated by Bill Forbes; a monthly support group for caregivers facilitated by Margaret Perez. Bill Forbes and Jean Manifesto offered a retreat on grief in July. After 15 years, it became clear that the Spiritual Support Group for Mental Health and Wellness was no longer viable. We are grateful to Anne Weiher,
Carole Jones, Marie Schaffner and Deb Berghuis for their service in facilitating this group as well as those such as Gail McDougle, Sue Brightman, and Alan Johnson who facilitated the group over the years.
We provide ongoing support for the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness (INMI) and the Hope Coalition through their Hope Lights the Night program which commemorates those who have lost their lives to suicide.
Respectfully submitted, A2A/MHM
Membership Committee and Statistics
The Membership Committee seeks to welcome visitors and help them become integrated into activities and groups that interest them. We have had increasing numbers of visitors this year. Many have become regulars or members. They bring a variety of talents and interests that have enhanced the life and work of the church.
• Welcoming: Welcomers greet people as they arrive in the Link between services, where visitors can get name tags, pick up a Connections magazine, and sign up for the weekly email newsletter.
• Follow-up: We collect contact information for visitors from pew sign-in sheets. Visitors receive a welcome email and later are invited to newcomer gatherings and other events
• Newcomer Coffees: These gatherings in the Heritage Room after the 10:30 worship service provide a chance for newcomers to get to know the ministers and some leaders at FCC. They can ask any questions, learn more about the many ways they can get involved, and if interested, find out how they can join us as members. The membership committee hosted four of these in 2024. We have now scheduled them monthly due to consistent interest
• New Members: In 2024 we had seven Joining Sundays at which we received a total of 23 new members. This is in addition to our five confirmands.
Respectfully submitted, Linda Nordberg (Chair)
Committee Members:
Keith Lance, Jon Hinebauch, Don Mayer, Rhonda Fadum, Adam Reid, Carolyn Reed, Jane Cummings
For many years, our membership statistics were kept on paper because we did not have an office manager who knew how to generate an accurate membership report from our database. When Julie Griffitts joined the staff, all of that changed. Still, we did not want to move any members to inactive while we were in the midst of a pandemic. This year, we finally updated our report and have new accurate numbers. They are reflected in the Statistics report below.
New Member Gain 20
• Confirmands 5
• New Members 15
• Returning Members 0
Deaths 5
• Sherrie Holmberg 3/10/2024
• Tammie Meyer 5/14/2024
• JoAnne Bogart 6/13/2024
• Helene Willis 6/13/2024
• Leona Stone 6/29/2024
Transferred Out 2
Baptisms 4
• Jackson Loewe Bruno 1/28/2024
• Rylan Rose Lindeman 8/25/24
• Sylvie Claire Harling 11/17/2024
• Hugh Barnes McDonald 12/22/2024
2023 Membership 856
• Losses -7
• Moved to Inactive -367 30 •Gains + 2024 Total 508 (Active Members)
Ministry of Last Things
The Ministry of Last Things had a productive year with the much-appreciated assistance of Associate Minister Linda Kowatch and under the co-leadership of Jean Abbott and Nancy Wade,
We recognize that our Ministry primarily addresses those who are aging, but feel that that our focus touches younger generations by encouraging conversation, planning and engagement. As people identify transitions that challenge them at any stage, we offer resources to help them.
MLT members led and/or participated in the following forums:
January 21: Dementia caregiver video and sharing with Dasha Kiper
January 28: Caregivers panel for dementia lead by Bill Forbes & congregants
April 7: Pathways and Options for Approaching the End of life for you and your Loved Ones.
April 14th: Panel discussion about hospice lead by Bob Patoff, Darla Schueth, Tiffany Thorne
April, 2024: The Risk of Suicide in Older Adults Co-sponsored with Ministries of MH, GVP, Gun Safety, QPR and Mental Health,
Congregational offerings during the summer: Providing for your Family in Four Lessons:
• What matters to you at the end?
• What documents are most important for my family?
• Getting your financial house in order.
• Hard conversations that will bless your family.
August 18: Lorraine Leist’s Sermon – Aging and Vocation, Lorraine’s Q& A after sermon.
August 25th: “When to say When” Transitions that involve relinquishing things that used to be part of who you are.
September 29: Finding Meaning and Purpose in our Later Years
In the coming year, we are discussing a possible name change to expand our “call” to encompass aging challenges more broadly. And we will be doing a major upgrade to the resource information offerings available. We welcome new people and ideas to join our ministry!
Current members: Linda Kowatch, Jean Abbott, Janet Beardsley, Lee Carlin, June Crenshaw, John Edlin, Bev Lyne, Eric Malmborg, Jean Manifesto, Sue Nagel, Linda Nordberg, Bob Patoff, Tiffany Thorne, Louisa Young, Carol Young
Racial Justice Ministry
The Racial Justice Ministry’s focus in 2024 was to take the knowledge and experiences of the Civil Rights Pilgrimage and look closer to home at the history of fraught race relations in Colorado. Much of the year was spent preparing pilgrims for an October pilgrimage to Southeastern Colorado, specifically the sites of the Sand Creek massacre and the Amache Internment Camp. Pilgrims and supporters prepared by participating in a book group on the book Braiding Sweetgrass and two forums to offer context for Sand Creek and Amache. Allison Hamm provided historical research into the role our founding church members may have played in the Sand Creek Massacre. The pilgrimage experience was shared with the congregation at the MLK service in January 2025.
The Racial Justice Ministry also expanded our participation this year to support broader social justice movements within the church. Along with the Climate Action Team, we cosponsored a showing of the documentary Fracking the System held at Community UCC. Throughout the summer and fall our members participated in the Get Out The Vote effort by writing postcards and letters to increase voter turnout in November.
2024 also saw the continuation of our work and commitment to support racial justice through education and experiences for our congregation and the broader Boulder County community. Our ministry continued to support the Boulder Museum’s Proclaiming Black History exhibit. In early 2024 we hosted Rabbi Marc Soloway from Bonai Shalom to share his perspective on the war in Gaza. Throughout the year Jane Thomas kept our ministry engaged and informed about the persecution of the Palestinians, including cosponsoring the film Where the Olives Weep about long term trauma in the West Bank. In May, Matt Hess led our youth on a Civil Rights pilgrimage to Alabama. Preparing for 2025, there are plans for
another intergenerational pilgrimage to Alabama in March. To support our community partners and confirm our commitment to racial justice work, the Racial Justice Ministry sponsored the NAACP’s MLK events again in 2025.
Respectfully submitted, Matt Hess and Jessica Austin, Co-chairs
Gun Violence Prevention Ministry
The mission of the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry is to inspire and enable First Congregational Church member, friends, and affiliates to take faithful and effective action in response to the epidemic of gun violence. We work on advocacy, outreach, and education to strengthen the gun safety laws of our community and beyond.
In 2024 we installed a panel from our Soul Box Project in the office of our state representative for the 2024 Legislative Session. Between February and April, additional Soul Box panels were exhibited at the George Reynolds Library. Our ministry was awarded a $ 400 prize for this exhibit which was donated to the Boulder Library and Boulder Strong/Mental Health Partners for their assistance with the exhibit and support for our neighbors affected by the King Soopers shooting in 2021.
The legislative session between January and May was very busy for members of our Rapid Response Network who worked with our elected officials on legislative issues to support or oppose bills regarding gun safety.
In March, along with Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU), our ministry planned the third memorial vigil to honor those killed in the King Soopers shooting.
In May we hosted a forum with the Shakespeare and Violence Prevention Program at CU to inform our congregants about ways to reduce violence with Colorado youth through the arts.
In June we honored survivors of gun violence through the Wear Orange campaign.
We are an annual presence with our CFCU Boulder partners at the Boulder County Fair where we distributed gun locks and gun safety information.
In August two FCC members attended the first national conference on gun violence prevention through the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage, an arm of Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.
In November our ministry hosted a forum with speakers from FCC and Giffords Gun Owners for Safety to begin collaboration with gun owners who have the same values and interest in gun safety for all.
In December, for the annual memorial for those killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, we handed out gun locks and safety information at the Boulder Library.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Young, Chair GVP Ministry
LGBTQ+ and Allies
LGBTQ+ and Allies has grown into a wonderful group of people supporting and loving one another and being a ministry that strives to help the congregation learn, understand and advocate for the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ persons. Each month we gather on the third Sunday of the month after worship to enjoy a BYO lunch. Led by Chair Carmen V. and Co-Chair Kea G., we share joys and concerns, strengthen our relationships and work on our ministry goals.
PRIDE was celebrated in June. The rainbow canopy hung in the sanctuary all month as a testimony of First Cong being Open and Affirming. Our PRIDE Booth was hopping. We added a prize wheel to attract more festival attenders to stop by and talk with us. It was a day filled with love and celebration. PRIDE Sunday was on June 16th and various members of the ministry led prayers and gave testimony of what it means to be at First Cong free to be their true selves. One member reminded us, “When an LGBTQ+ person comes into a new setting or meets new people, they have to decide each time if they are safe to come out.”
In August with the Mental Health Ministry, we sponsored the second annual Christmas in August campaign for RISE Against Suicide. This organization helps youth at risk of suicide by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment, enabling them to find hope and healing. As a congregation we raised $2250.00 through this campaign.
In October, the congregation celebrated thirtyseven years of being an Open and Affirming Congregation. The LGBTQ+ and Allies invited Dr. Emily Askew, author and retired Associate Professor of Theology at Lexington Theological seminary, to speak at the worship service and present a workshop on the theological contextual
meaning of passages of scripture used to condemn the LGBTQ+ community. Forty-five people attend the workshop.
Lastly in December we had a wonderful Christmas Party at Carmen and Kim’s house. Sometimes amid chaos and political uncertainty, you must just play some friendly Christmas Charades and laugh together!
Thank you for being an ONA Congregation!
Respectfully submitted, LGBTQ+ and Allies
Climate Action Team
In 2024, the Climate Action Team carried its momentum from previous years to become more interconnected with the ongoing activities of the church. We have roughly 15 members who are working to engage the congregation on climate-related action, to advocate for climate action in the Boulder and Colorado political arenas, and to elevate the voices of those affected by currently intensifying climate impacts. Our accomplishments in 2024 include:
Partnering with the other social justice ministries to spearhead a weekly, non-partisan get-out-thevote letter writing and postcard campaign ahead of the 2024 national elections,
• Leading the annual Creation Justice service
• Hosting several forums and events, such as Electric Vehicle Show, bike donation event, and Home Electrification forum
• Hosting book clubs (namely for Braiding Sweetgrass and Active Hope), movie screenings (including for the documentary Fracking the System), and complementary community or service-oriented events
• Extending efforts to upgrade the church’s operations to be more environmentally sustainable
• Lobbying our state legislators on climate legislation, in partnership with other nonprofit partners such as 350 Colorado and Together Colorado
• Testifying on climate bills at the state legislature and at local regulatory hearings, including in opposition to the Draco Development near Erie
• Hosting a bi-annual highway cleanup
• Supporting community-engagement efforts with the Board of Missions and Christian Social Action in collaboration with local partners such as the Wildlands Restoration Volunteers and Growing Gardens.
We have also been informally involved in a wide variety of climate-related events led by other church ministries and/or UCC-wide platforms. These include attending CU Boulder’s World Climate Summit, attending training sessions and lobbying efforts hosted by GreenFaith, Together Colorado, and 350 Colorado, and starting a conversation within the church about political advocacy.
We are looking to continue this momentum through 2025!
Respectfully submitted, Caitlin Smith and Sarah Schulte, co-chairs of the Climate Action Team
Visitation Ministry
The Visitation Ministry is an important part of our Caring Congregation initiative. Organizationally we are under the Board of Community Life. Throughout the year we meet on the 4rth Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. either in person or including a hybrid option. We currently have 8 active members in addition to a therapy dog.
Our meetings have a two fold purpose: we discuss a list of church members who would benefit from a visit or phone check in, and we discuss topics to help facilitate a meaningful visit. The list of members who need a visit is updated monthly by Linda Kowatch our ministerial leader. Some of the topics we have discussed are; how to offer prayer, developing good listening skills, potential barriers to making a visit, how do we see God in those whom we visit. We have also facilitated rides for individuals to attend church services.
This year Pastor Kowatch organized a Sunday forum where we discussed the role of our ministry and members of the ministry gave testimony about their experiences with visitation. We welcome new members and have an exhibit at the yearly ministry fair.
Respectfully submitted, Visitation Ministry
Nominating Report
Officers, Board, and Standing Committee Rosters for 2025-26
The complete 2024-25 rosters for Officers, Boards and Standing Committees are listed below. New members of these groups will be elected by the Congregation at the Spring Congregational Meeting. These proposed new members, whose names will be presented for nomination at the Spring 2024-25 Congregational Meeting, are isted in italics.
Officers
Brad Sissom (Past Moderator) 2026
Sarah Schulte (Moderator) 2027
Matt Hess (Moderator Elect) 2028
Kathy Minter (Clerk) Term Extended
Wendy Orlando (Treasurer) 2028
Chris Shearer-Cooper (Historian) Term Extended
Board of Spiritual Life
Deborah Raessler (Co-Chair) 2027
Dan Raessler (Co-Chair) 2026
Karen Connolly 2027
Tom Woods 2027
Amy Ostwald 2027
Molly McElroy 2028
Kathy Wade 2028
Board of Faith Formation
Susan Wilkinson (Chair) 2026
Bob Brown 2026
Holly Hultgren 2027
Steve Voida 2027
Heidi Lindeman 2028
Board of Community Life
Jane Thomas (Chair) Term Extended
Wendy Hall Term Extended
Julie Graf Frye 2026
Phil Braudaway-Bauman 2026
Jim Knopf 2026
Marj Fowler 2026
Jane Ireland 2026
Carol Green 2026
Laura Koepnick 2027
Michelle Sparks 2027
Kim Anderson 2027
Donna Klopf 2027
Joanne Corson 2028
Amy Voida 2028
Board of Missions and Justice In Action
Allison Tatterson (Co-Chair) Term Extended
Brenda Laartz Co-Chair 2027
Martha Henze 2026
Kathy Gilbert 2026
Jane Ireland 2027
Greg Shoffner 2027
Garret Steed 2027
Victor Austin 2027
Jeanne Quinn 2027
Sherry Leach 2028
Tony Leveridge 2028
Marci Leveridge 2028
Board of Management
Nominating Report
Bob Matthias (Co-Chair) 2026
Jeanne Lounsbury (Co-Chair) 2026
Ed Byrne 2027
Ty Ostwald Term Extended
Don Mayer 2026
Nancy Sissom 2026
Christina Ingersoll 2026
Steve Hultgren 2027
Chris Heckman 2028
Rod Baker 2028
Rich Mills 2028
Scott Wade 2028
Membership Committee
Jane Cummings (Chair)
Jon Hinebuach
Rhonda Fadum
Adam Reed
Don Mayer
Keith Lance
Jane Cummings
LInda Nordberg
Diana Sealand
Communication Committee
Pam Archer (Chair)
Phil Braudaway-Bauman
Jenny Thayer
Steward Hoover
Carmen Valdez
Anne Martinez
Stewardship Committee
Libby Black (Chair)
Amy Voida
Jon Hinebauch
Tom Lounsbury
Laura McCutheon
Nicole Speer
Allsion Hamm
Tara Kelly
Rick Kron
Priscilla Lacey
Personnel Committee
Brad Sissom (Chair)
Sarah Schulte
Jessica Austin
Tom Lounsbury
Eric Malmborg
Holly Hultgren
Endowment Committee
Dean Fowler (Chair)
Libby Black
Louisa Young
Eric Nickell
Tom Lounsbury
Jay Rourke
Jon Hinebauch
Investment Committee
Christina Ingersoll (Chair)
David Thorne
Jean Nelson
Rob McClung
Rich Molpus
Sue Nagle
Accrual Basis As of December 31, 2024
Stewardship Report coming soon!
