Life Together
JOHN CHASE, PASTOR
My dear friends,
I had the great privilege this past year of traveling to Germany to follow in the footsteps of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of my heroes in the faith. Bonhoeffer was a pastor, theologian, and martyr, executed for his resistance to Hitler and the Nazi regime. In one of his most beloved books, Life Together, he writes about Christian community, giving practical advice on how life together in Christ ought to be lived in community. He writes of the importance of prayer, worship, work, Christian service, hospitality and sacrifice. He writes of the love, and joys, and struggles of genuine communities.
This Annual Report for 2024 gives testimony to the ways First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma lived out the kind of Christian community Bonhoeffer envisioned in his book. As people of faith, you worshiped God, grew in faith and love, cared for one another, and served others.
Some of you have been here for decades, and some of you have been here for days, but all of you are God’s unique gift to this congregation. In this divided and contentious world in which we live, I watched you respect one another’s differences and diverse gifts. I watched you work together. I watched you form friendships that will last a lifetime. I love that this is a place where all are invited to be who God created them to be, and all are welcome just as they are.
Together, we experienced community around shared meals—on campus, in homes, in restaurants and cafes. We experienced community as we gathered for commission meetings, deacons meetings, choir and ensemble practices. We experienced an even broader fellowship by hosting this year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, and embodying peace and love across faith traditions.
Life together helped us grow in our faith through book groups and Bible studies, through lay leader cohort groups, retreats, and deep conversations over lunch, coffee, or a glass of wine. Life together helped us grow in compassion and service. You cared for one another, sat at hospital bedsides, delivered prescriptions, and prepared and delivered meals. You partnered with Petaluma People Services Center collecting warm clothes for strangers, and bought Christmas gifts for children you will never meet.
You experienced life together walking to end Alzheimer’s, making blankets, planting and weeding and harvesting, going on hikes, and collectively marveling at Dan Mulkey’s miniature locomotive Christmas village. You gathered as Presbyterian Women to pray and learn and serve alongside one another. You participated in Blue Zones events. You worked tirelessly in the kitchen—cooking, washing dishes, and manning the grill for congregational meals. I had the great privilege of officiating Kelsey and Rae’s very joyful wedding. Collectively we celebrated Elizabeth Arntz’s 100th birthday, and mourned the loss of three of our dearest saints: Virginia Anderson, Suzy Zeigler, and Caroline Turner.
This year our experience of community continued through our tenants: Open Arms Playgarden Preschool, Hope Counseling, Pacific Empire Chorus, Al-Anon, Bethel Fijian Fellowship and Pastor Inosi’s family. We love and value the work they do to improve the lives of people in our Petaluma community. Our rental revenue continues to generate a significant percentage of our annual budget.
2024 was also the year we completed much-needed (and much more expensive than we thought) renovation work on the Agape House. A special thanks needs to go to Wayne Roberts (Facilities Elder), Steve Crook, Susan Pearce (Budget & Finance Elder), and Shawn Dooley for the work they put into stewarding this massive project.
In worship you continued to light candles, pray, and sing, and share the Lord’s Supper. We had a wonderful Christmas Concert and some of you sang in the Interfaith Thanksgiving Choir, conducted by our very own Jane Shelly. In worship we also experienced a di celebrated St. Francis of Assisi Sunday, welcoming our furry and feathery companions into the sanctuary for our Blessing of the Animals Service—dogs, chickens, even a chinchilla. A Presbyterian Foundation representative joins us, took photos and wrote a feature article for the Foundation website.
This year we celebrated Pam Sommer’s retirement after serving the Presbytery of the Redwoods for seventeen years. We also celebrated Jeannette Anglin’s installation as the new Vice Moderator of the Presbytery, and I continue to serve the Presbytery in my role as the moderator of the Presbytery Council and co-chair of the Personnel Committee. My “Fab 5” cohort of Presbyterian ministers continues to be a treasured source of joy, fellowship and support.
Finally, I have to thank our wonderful Elders and Deacons, and the many volunteers that work alongside them. Well done, good and faithful servants. And to our incredible staff: Roger, Grete, Jane, Jenny, and also this year Grant Bramham, our new AVL Technician. It is a joy and a gift to work with each of you.
As I look back on the past year, I am so very grateful for all that God has been doing here at First Presbyterian Church (and I’ve just scratched the surface, so keep reading!). What a blessing it is to be a part of this incredibly faithful, inclusive, and loving congregation. As I watch your love for those in need, your love for one another, and your love for God, I find my own faith strengthened and nurtured. I am deeply grateful for you all and for the opportunity I have to serve alongside you. And I’m excited to see where God leads us in 2025!
With love and gratitude for you all, and for God’s amazing grace and abundant mercy,
Pastor John
“Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Budget & Finance
SUSAN PEARCE, ELDER
Commission members: Commission members: Susan Pearce (Chair), Shawn Dooley (Treasurer), Dan Ellecamp, Eric Goodrich, Dan Mulkey, Pastor John Chase (ex-officio), Staff: Roger Johnson (Bookkeeper)
General fund: 2024 experience and 2025 budget:
The table below presents the line by line detail of the general fund 2025 budget and actual experience for 2024. The Budget and Finance Commission recommended the 2025 budget to Session. The budget will be presented to the congregation at the January 2025 Annual Meeting.
In 2024, General Fund pledge giving exceeded the budget. Total General Fund giving was on budget. Rental income was on budget. Total Operating expenses were less than budgeted for the year. BFC again commends the commissions for managing expenditures. Per Capita giving was less than budgeted. Investments income was positive this year. Overall, the finances of the church are in good shape thanks to the faithful giving of the congregation!
Ray Swain Building Fund (RSBF):
Giving to the RSBF in 2024 exceeded budget. In 2024, a second $100,000 lowinterest loan was obtained from the Redwoods Presbytery to fund the completion of the major repairs to the Agape House foundation and structure. The Agape House repairs were completed in November, 2024. Many thanks to the faithful givers to the Ray Swain Building Fund in support of projects to maintain our campus. 2025 giving to the Ray Swain Building Fund will provide resources to make payments on the Agape House loans as well as to fund additional projects to improve the campus, such as parking lot improvements.
Accomplishments/actions during the year:
• Bookkeeper Johnson continued to maintain high standards of accounting.
• In conjunction with the Facilities Commission, Smart Thermostats were installed in campus buildings in late 2023 and early 2024 so that heat settings can be controlled via WIFI. Utilities costs in 2024 were well-controlled as a result of this joint effort.
• Eric Goodrich continued to manage the banking team. Many thanks to Dan Ellecamp, Mark Hale, Dan Mulkey, Eric Goodrich, Susan Pearce, and Shawn Dooley for faithfully counting and making the deposits of funds this year!
• Conducted a detailed analysis of pledge giving during the year.
• Completed and delivered employee performance review for Bookkeeper.
• Completed the Annual Financial Review for the year 2023.
Respectfully prepared and submitted, Susan Pearce, Chair 2025 Budget and Finance Commission
First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma General Fund 2024 2025 Income
Congregational Life
DEB STURGES, ELDER
It took me awhile to figure out what the Congregational Life Commission is supposed to do, but I think I get it now. Many thanks to all of the Deacons who provided manpower to turn ideas into reality.
Four main events were organized this year:
Earth Day in April. We piggy backed on the Garden Work Day to include a Plant and Seed Exchange. We had hoped that some neighborhood folk would see our signage and come on over, but only FPCP folks attended. Will try for better publicity this year. The garden got spruced up, seeds, plants, garden tools and other paraphernalia were exchanged, and we all enjoyed snacks provided by the Mission and Outreach Commission. Enthusiasm was greatly enhanced by the presence of Bella, Sue and Charlie Carson’s lovely Golden Retriever.
Gaelic Heritage Sunday was expanded to include being led to high tea in Koinonia Hall after the service by Jane’s bag piper, followed by a Scottish Folk dance lesson. Many thanks to all who provided those delicious scones and shortbread cookies. Fair warning: a shortbread cook-off will be added next year!
World Communion Sunday was taken a step further this year when members Rony Kurniawan and Jeannette Anglin told about their families immigration to the US. About 23 of us gathered in Koinonia Hall after the service to share a meal based on individuals’ family heritage and cultural dishes. A bibliography of books and movies based on the theme of modern immigration and cultural diaspora was provided , as well as opportunity to “show and tell” a family artifact.
Thanksgiving Luncheon has been a tradition at FPCP for many years. I was absent for this one, but understand that about 50 individuals enjoyed the dinner and all the fixings, as usual. Special thanks to Diane Trumpy for taking it over in my absence, as well as to Loren Dooley, Roger Johnson, and the Schippers for donating and roasting the turkeys, as well as for taking care of the gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauces. Thank you also, Ledra Brady for being a much needed back up “do aller”!
For the past year and a half, the Presbyterian Women’s group has been holding monthly meetings for Bible Study, fellowship, prayer, and to provide financial support for special projects managed by the national organization. Current officers are Susan Pearce, moderator, Deb Sturges, secretary, and Lu Hoadley, treasurer. Meetings are held in our cozy Fireside Room every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5 pm. We ask that participants respect the confidentiality of conversations within the group. Members take turns leading the Bible study provided in the HORIZONS magazine, and of course it wouldn’t be a meeting without snacks. Discussion nearly always turns to our own FPCP, and to brainstorming how we can better follow Biblical principles in our community. Prayer requests are welcome and encouraged. In order to get to know one another better, quarterly social outings are also being enjoyed. All women, please join whenever you are able!
I have very much enjoyed running the commission this year, although it was truly only possible with the support and hands-on assistance of the Deacons and Session members. As I see it, the purpose of the commission is to help members get to know
one another in a social context in order to support relationship building. If we are to be a “church family,” we should make the effort to develop effective fellowship with one another. Please let me know if you have any ideas for future events, or would like to join me on the commission. Thanks for trusting me with this responsibility.
Deb Sturges, Elder, Congregational Life
Deacons
JEANNETTE ANGLIN, DEACON MODERATOR
The year 2024 in review was full and a strong ministry of the church. Our Board of Deacons met six times during the year in the Fireside room, on zoom, and in a home. We shared food together and communicated via email between meetings. Moderator Anglin distributed Agendas and Treasurer’s Reports in advance of meetings. She also acted as Secretary and wrote minutes which were distributed for approval. The Deacons Manual, last revised in 2020, was reviewed by members and some proposed minor changes. The 2025 version will reflect those changes. Following are the areas for which the Deacons are responsible and a brief report of the year.
Benevolence matters were addressed by Moderator Jeannette Anglin with Pastor Chase. There were three memorial services conducted in 2024: Jim Fitzgerald in January; Marilee Alexander’s mother, Mary, in January; Judy Alexander in February; and Virginia Anderson in June. Deacons participated in the arrangements, the services and clean up.
Communion was provided to the congregation every month as coordinated by Victoria Ellecamp. Other communion services were conducted on special occasions such as Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. A survey was conducted this year to determine if any of our homebound members wished to be served communion at home. None were requested.
The Connections Team, as led by Marcille Roth, provided numerous outreach services to the congregation which included 110 phone calls, 55 cards, 44 visitations, and 20 emails.
Kitchen coordination was overseen by Troy West and Dianne Trumpy. They maintained equipment and supplies and provided support to renters and church events.
Prayer Chain was coordinated by Dorothy Teply. She accepted phone calls or emails from congregants requesting prayers. Dorothy sent out emails to 59 people on the prayer chain. More than 35 prayer requests were sent out and 20 follow-up contacts made. She also provided personal individual prayers immediately after each service at the “prayer bench”. This is a new activity and was appreciated by those using it. She will continue to offer this form of individual prayer.
Transportation was coordinated by Amy Dooley. There were weekly rides provided to church by three congregants. There were few other special requests for transportation.
Medical supplies and Support Services were monitored by Pascal Webb. There was no activity during the year. However, she reports that the supply shed is not safe. Moderator also notes that people take supplies from the shed without going through Pascal. Congregants who know how to access have checked out equipment and we don’t have a report of how many.
Deacons provided coffee, tea and baked goods and fruit for every service for ten months. This entails set up and clean up. Deacons recommend that the precovid coffee schedule of an equal share between Session and Deacons be made for 2025.
In addition, Deacons distributed Easter Lilies and poinsettias to shut-ins. Deacons helped with the Gaelic Sunday Celebration, and the annual BBQ.
It was a full year of ministering to the church family, including outreach to those ailing or unable to attend services in person. An example of one long time service was to a member who needed her drugs picked up and delivered to her home each month. Dan Ellecamp provided this valuable service to Suzy.
With Gratitude for all our devotion and service, Jeannette Anglin, Moderator
WAYNE ROBERTS, ELDER
Facilities Commission Members
Wayne Roberts (Facilities Elder), Karyl Crook, Steve Crook, Dan Ellecamp, Chris Olson, Mike Roberts, Mark Sturges, Troy West, Pastor John Chase (ex-officio)
The challenge this year was to meet our responsibilities of maintaining and improving our campus while focusing on completing the restoration of the Agape house and get the back rooms ready for occupancy. As summarized in this report, with extra effort by the Facilities Commission and the support of many others, the challenge was met with one major exception: Nothing was done to temporarily or permanently repair our rapidly crumbling parking lot.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Agape House Restoration: The restoration of the Agape House with a new foundation, damaged & rotted structure replacement, new rear siding, two refurbished rear rental rooms plus restroom and campus laundry, two rear decks
and a side deck are completed. External painting of the exterior will be completed in 2025. Our Fijian Church renters will move their office into the rear rental in January 2025. Unfortunately, this isn’t the end. The Agape first floor furnace failed in December and must be replaced.
Courtyard Renovation: The renovation started in 2023 with the landscaping between the Sanctuary and the Courtyard. This year the large tree in the Courtyard was removed because it was progressively creating trip hazards. The stump, as many roots as possible and the associated planter box were also removed. The remaining hole was filled level with concrete. Then the remaining Courtyard trip points were ground off. The remaining treeless planter box and the planter strip on top of the low wall between Koninia Hall and the Courtyard were replanted.
Janitorial Service: Gabby Maid Janitor Service was hired in June to clean the common areas (Restrooms, kitchen, Koinonia, Sanctuary) before 8:00am Mondays and on Fridays pm. The Facilities Commission was nally relieved from doing the janitor work.
Tree Removal and Cleanup: The plum trees that were growing back of the storage sheds were removed. They were starting to damage the shed roofs. The plums were also a rat attraction. We hope the rats miss the plums more than we do. The overgrown trashy 2nd street entrance to our parking lot was cleaned out and the debris shredded. The trees in front of the Agape and Church Office parking area—potential hazards for our utility lines and their debris—created a safety concern especially for our aging congregation. So they are in the process of being removed. Special Thank you to Troy for all the tree removals.
Remotely Controlled and Monitored Sanctuary Thermostats were installed to help eliminate heating the Sanctuary when it is empty. The desired result of lower utility bills (gas) is happening.
Floor Maintenance: The Koinonia, kitchen and bathroom tile floors were cleaned and waxed. The Sanctuary carpet was finally shampooed and all coffee stains were removed.
Grounds Maintenance: Mowing and weed eating were challenges we met most of the time, but sometimes things did get pretty shabby and the blackberry vines keep challenging us.
Plumbing Repair and Maintenance: The list includes stopping several leaks, multiple kitchen faucet replacements, toilet repair, cleaning grease trap, and burying a water line.
Electrician and Lighting Maintenance light fixture and multiple light bulbs were replaced in Koinonia. Most of the outside lights on CE and Koinonia are out. There have been many Sanctuary light bulb replacements. Power tabs were hardwired and grounded along the Sanctuary wall. wiring for the outside security cameras was installed In the Sanctuary.
Inspections: We passed the city fire inspection after replacing a bulb in the Koinonia Exit Sign and clearing up some issues with the Sanctuary Exit Sign. We also passed the fire extinguisher inspection.
NON-ACCOMPLISHMENTS PASSED ON TO 2025
Security System: Install cameras on outside corners of Sanctuary to provide security of church grounds.
Parking Lot: Get moving on reconstructing the parking lot.
Nursery Flooring: Replace carpet type flooring with non-absorbing flooring. This is a sanitary issue which will have to be done in July while Open Arms is closed.
Agape House: Resolve heating problem. Paint exterior.
Office Building Windows: The Fijians are moving their office to the Agape House in January. The partial vacancy provides an opportunity to replace windows in the Office Building.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
Facilities has a long to do list some of it requires some skills and some doesn’t. Regardless of your skill level, if you are strong enough to knock down a cobweb you can join us and get the strong feelings of accomplishment we do as we attack the to-do list. Interested? Talk to someone on the Facilities Commission.
Wayne Roberts, Facilities Commission Elder
We are a Christ-centered community, committed to encountering God through—
• Scripture, prayer, sacrament and song
• Welcoming all
• Breaking bread together
• Caring for creation
• Serving the community
• Offering our lives as a witness to God’s love and justice in the world
(FPCP Mission Statement adopted by Session April 25, 2019)
Mission/Outreach
SUE CARSON AND PHOEBE ANTONIO, ELDERS
The Mission and Outreach focused on how our church interacts with the larger community both on and o
This year, our garden Schipper’s direction, with many congregants and members of the public helping with planting and harvesting. In addition to attending special work days, volunteers are encouraged to come and weed whenever the preschool is not in session. In the coming year, we’ll be replacing several of the oldest boxes with new ones. The garden is essentially self-funding, with veggie table donations being used to buy plants and supplies. The garden project also receives signi support from Petaluma Bounty.
The labyrinth project has been retired for now due to insufficient interest. Maintaining the temporary labyrinth was not a project the busy members of our congregation could prioritize, and it was rarely used either by our congregation or neighbors. With so little involvement, we can’t justify the expense a more permanent labyrinth would require.
We support publicity efforts of the church, including updating the visitor’s brochure available in the narthex and the bulletin board on the side of the sanctuary building.
Bob Heyman and Dianne Trumpy hosted a brunch on January 18th (2025) for eight prospective members. Pastor John answered questions about Presbyterian beliefs, organizational structure, and whatever else interested the group. We also discuss services and volunteer opportunities within our own congregation.
Community organizations and events
• Joyce Schipper and Phoebe Antonio participated in the Blue Zones Petaluma faith-based transformation team. A series of interfaith meetings are being planned for early spring to help local organizations address common problems and work toward common goals.
• Our church hosted this year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, which was a success. We provided ushers and lots of cookies and coffee. Attendance was standing room only and enjoyed by all.
• The fall warm coat drive was a success. We delivered more than two full bins of coats to the Petaluma People Services Center (PPSC).
• During advent, our generous congregation gave a Suburban-full of gifts for PPSC clients. This year, 500 families applied for the program.
• Once again, members of our church rang the bell outside of Copper to benefit the Salvation Army.
Church-sponsored activities
• We’ve helped other commissions in many ways throughout the year: ordering cakes for celebrations, purchasing gifts for departing deacons and elders, and helping organize and clean up after all-church events such as the annual picnic and Thanksgiving lunch.
• We support FPCP's music program events such as the spring and Christmas concerts with planning, publicity, ushering and snacks. This
year’s Community Christmas Sing at Walnut Park was cancelled because of rain, so we’ll work with the music ministry to develop a contingency plan for 2025.
• Longest Night is an annual, meditative special service. Each year additional people participate as readers and musicians, and attendees look forward to it. We hope improved promotion next year will interest other area churches in participating and welcome other area residents who would find the service meaningful.
We expect to expand commission activities in 2025 and coordinate our projects with those of the Presbyterian Women group. Thanks to Jack Schipper, Bob Heyman, Donna Wall, and the many volunteers who contributed ideas and assistance throughout 2024.
Matching Gifts Recipients for 2024
The Office
ROGER JOHNSON, BOOKKEEPER & OFFICE COORDINATOR
Every year Pastor John asks for a summary of the year’s activity for the Annual Report. And every year I have to “rack my brain” to identify what was accomplished in the past year.
There were a couple of challenges that I had to deal with in 2024. I fell in January last year, and tore my rotator cuff, requiring surgery and an extended recovery period. Thankfully the surgery was a success and I was able to do many of the tasks “one handed.” But it did bring to the forefront that there was a need for documented procedures for both the bookkeeper tasks (bill paying, payroll, reporting, etc.) and for the office coordinator (publishing the bulletin, the Exchange, etc.). Throughout the year, with the help of Eric Goodrich, Susan Pearce, and Pastor John, we have created several Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the tasks of both positions. We are not done yet but we have made great progress.
Also, I want to give a special thanks to Clare Sturges and Jaime. Each Friday, they stop by the office to fold the weekly bulletin, share a little of what is happening in their day, and brighten the day for Pastor John and I.
Personnel
SHAWN DOOLEY, ELDER
2024 was a very smooth year for the Personnel Commission (PC). This means that there was very little to talk about, which speaks to the quality of the staff here at FPCP! We are lucky to have the talented staff we have to support our church and it’s programs! The Commission itself consists of Shawn Dooley as the Elder/ Chairperson and Eric Goodrich as a member at large.
The major work of the PC is to conduct the work reviews of staff and to review and update, if needed, all position descriptions. Following is a list of all FPCP staff positions: Pastor, Music Director, Organist/Pianist, Student Ministries & Event Coordinator, Bookkeeper, and Office Coordinator. In 2024, all work reviews for 2023 were conducted and completed by May 2024. In the process, all position descriptions were reviewed. The Music Director, Organist/Pianist, and the Office Coordinator position descriptions were updated and changes were approved. As we look forward to 2025, we plan to have all position descriptions updated as appropriate.
In 2024, we added Grant Bramham as our new Audio-Visual Coordinator (AVLC). We celebrated the work done by Enrique Rojas and had a reception for him as he was promoted at the Green Center. We will look forward to still seeing him around from time to time! The AVLC is a contracted position with the church.
Respectfully submitted,
Shawn Dooley Personnel Commission Chairman and Elder
Student Ministries
GRETE HANSEN, STUDENT MINISTRIES & EVENTS COORDINATOR MEAGAN DOWDALL, STUDENT MINISTRIES ELDER
Our Student Ministries program is filled with lively and energetic little faces! It is important to meet children where they are at, so this year we have focused on learning in a more active way. Here are a few highlights of the fun we have had on Sunday morning:
Beauty all around us. We took neighborhood walks throughout the year to experience some of God’s lovely creations and to observe the changes in nature as we transition from season to season.
Lesson-based activities. For example, when we learned about Joshua and the Wall of Jericho, we built domino mazes to watch them come tumbling down.
Sharing is caring! We spent some time in the church kitchen baking chocolate chip cookies to share with family and friends.
Spreading sunshine. We spent a Sunday getting our hands dirty out in front of the church. We planted bulbs along the walkway to create a sunny and beautiful welcome to all who walk that path come springtime.
The importance of giving. In November, we made tie blankets to donate as gifts for the Giving Tree.
Experience based learning. This year the children worked together to be the storyteller for the Journey to Bethlehem Godly Play lesson. They worked together to assigns tasks, they practiced hard, and they did a wonderful job sharing the Advent story.
We hope that these young and hopeful minds continue to experience God in their own special ways in 2025.
- Grete & Meagan
Worship
CHARLES FULTON, ELDER
The Worship Commission is tasked in the Standing Rules with:
Evaluating and recommending improvements for the worship ministries and activities of the congregation
Planning seasonal celebrations of the church
Overseeing and supporting ministry teams, including, but not limited to the AVL Team, Choir and Worship Ensemble, Bell Choir
Preparing annual budget request and overseeing the spending of the commission’s budget
2024 GOALS
Opportunities for kids to participate in leading worship
Increase celebrations with other community churches (Methodist, Unitarian)
Ask for better publicizing of Concerts, Christmas Carols, Special and Joint Services
The members who served on the 2024 Worship Commission: Marcille Roth; Debby Sturges; Rony Kurniawan; Jenny Smith, Pianist/Organist; Jane Shelly, Music Director; Pastor John Chase, ex-officio; Charles Fulton, Worship Elder.
HIGHLIGHTS
Paraments, Flowers, & Candles - Marcille Roth: Bouquets and paraments artistically arranged/coordinated throughout the year, including hanging banners for Special Sunday Services. New Candles purchased.
Music Director, Sheet music - Jane Shelly: Choir singing, Worship Ensemble and Bell Choir ringing throughout the year. Special music with Jane’s Flute Students added to selected Sundays Worship, and provided during Summer Worship. New music was purchased for Worship Ensemble and Choir. Bells refurbished (partly payed by the Sturges family). Thanks!
Organ Up Keep, Piano Tuning (Will Reid), Organ music - Jenny Smith: Piano’s tuned to support music services. Jenny provided organ and piano for worship and rehearsal throughout the year. Jenny is a star in our music. Jane chimed in Jenny’s prelude for congregation to assemble and prepare for Worship.
Lights & Audio/Visual (Grant/Daniel) - Rony
Kurniawan: Enrique provided excellent AVL control until July 2024, but moved on to an excellent new job. Grant joined as AVL controller with excellent results and is outstanding with light control. Daniel Weidlich joined Grant as cover for Grant’s absences and has become an excellent controller.
Worship Leaders & Greeters - Debby Sturges: Debby arranged for Worship Leaders and Greeters throughout the year. Her efforts to keep the Leaders and Greeters informed and enhancing the Congregation Worship experience.
Interaction with Other Commissions - Charles Fulton: Charles has been a facilitator of communications with Facilities, Finance, and the other commissions through the year.
GOALS
Kids Participation
Audio Visual Lighting Coordinator worked on training Tyler to help run the equipment.
Kid’s work on candles, handing out name tags, greeting, and Bell Choir
➢ Four youth have been added to the 2024 Greeters List: Timmy, Sophie, and Tyler & Emily.
➢ Timmy and Sophie in Bell Choir but also Sophie ringing “solo” for “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”
➢ The children bringing in the banner for Gaelic Heritage.
➢ Kids sing for Special Music during October 6 World Communion Sunday (see photo to right)
➢ Sophie ringing on All Saints’ Day during the commemoration of those who have died.
Community Opportunities
Debby Organized Earth Day Garden Event, Gaelic Heritage Sunday, World Communion/ Immigration Heritage Event
Blessing of the Animals service in the sanctuary was well attended and appreciated, October 22.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service was a big hit, and well attended by members of the broader Petaluma community
Christmas Concert attended by community and well received Community Carol Sing at Walnut Park was rained out. Sorry for the missed opportunity
Better Communication (publicity)
Pastor John is putting events on social media but has a need for professional help for publicity and website.
Picture takers needed - will have signup sheet.
Pastor John requested that WC take action to welcome and provide hope for new people each service. He provided an email on sensitivity, inclusiveness, and people’s situations.
The Worship Commission is grateful for and would like to thank everyone involved in participating in meaningful worship experiences this year!
“You who created them and called them good: bless again these creatures who come to us as a blessing fashioned of fur or feather or fin, formed of flesh that breathes with your own breath, that you have made from sheer delight, that you have given in dazzling variety. Bless them who curl themselves around our hearts, who twine themselves through our days, who companion us in our labor who call us to come and play.
Bless them who will never be entirely tamed and so remind us that you love what is wild, that you rejoice in what lives close to the earth, that your heart beats in the heart of these creatures you have entrusted to our care. Amen.”
Music Ministry
JANE SHELLY, MUSIC DIRECTOR
January 2025 marks the beginning of my eighth year as Music Director here at FPCP so I have taken the time to do some reflecting about the past and set some personal goals for the future. Here are a few of my thoughts.
The Choir has developed and grown a lot in the past several years—so much so that I have gotten some wonderful feedback from members of the congregation. This feedback has been so positive that I am getting greedy and have some ambitious thoughts about the progress we can make together as we go forward.
In reflecting on where we go from here, I first wanted to make clear in my own mind what the mission of the music ministry is. My personal conviction is that the mission of the Music Ministry at FPCP is to support Pastor John in his vision for the services and to use the music to enhance the liturgical experience of the congregation.
This past year, we furthered that mission by inviting other ensembles to present their offerings during the services. In Lent, we invited Sadie Sonntag to sing the Esuriantes from Bach’s Magnificat accompanied by flutist Lilly Brinkman, Jenny and me. The Men’s Quartet sang the Boar’s Head Carol at Epiphany, It is Well with My Soul during Lent and Mansions of the Lord on Memorial Day weekend. We invited oboist Sam Orwyn to accompany the choir in “The Lord is My Shepherd” by Rutter. For the first time since Covid, we celebrated Gaelic Heritage Sunday complete with bagpiper, shortbread and dance instruction (thank you Debby Sturges!)
One of the mandates that the Worship Commission and I agreed on was to incorporate the young people in the music department. Timmy and Sophie have
become stalwart members of the bell choir.
bells when the adults are rehearsing other music. The young people joined the choir in
Over the summer, you generously welcomed my solos to hone their performance skills.
“Glorificana” and the bell choir presented “A Mighty Fortress” to celebrate Reformation Sunday. Jeannette Anglin’s string trio came to play in church.
Just before Thanksgiving, FPCP was honored to host the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and, by extension, I had the honor of working with Music Directors from other congregations to present some wonderful music. We had a joint choir of close to 40 musicians! Everyone agreed the service was uplifting.
For the Christmas concert, we took “Mary Had a Baby” as our theme and presented our choir, soloists, small groups, and bells in songs celebrating Mary. The Christmas concert is a big fundraiser for the Music Ministry and this year, through your generosity, we were able to refurbish the handbells.
When our Community Carol Sing was rained out and we did not have a rain location in place, Amy Dooley and I cooked up a plan for next year. We will publicize the church as the rain location for the event AND have the bells help lead the carols! To make sure all the effort of learning the carols on bells does not go to waste, we are also going to start taking the bells out to assisted living places (for example) as a further outreach for our congregation.
knowledge of Praise Music has been invaluable. Dorothy Teply and Sara Dooley have taught new songs to the congregation. Pastor John has also suggested songs that t his vision.
Speaking of Pastor John, I want to say what a pleasure and honor it is to partner with him. Over these seven years, we have developed a wonderful understanding of and respect for each other’s strengths. We share a vision for how things should go that makes it a pleasure to plan the music for the services.
I also want to thank the congregation for your support, for participating in the singing, and for giving me feedback! Your support and willingness to sing out is really gratifying!
I am looking forward to making wonderful music with all of you in 2025!
“…so
we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
- Romans 12:5
Nominating Committee
SUSAN PEARCE AND SHAWN DOOLEY, ELDERS
The members who served on the Nominating Committee: Members at Large: Joyce Schipper, Pam Sommer, Deacon Representative: Jeannette Anglin, Session Representatives: Susan Pearce, Shawn Dooley, Pastor John Chase, ex-officio
Our task was to identify and ask candidates to serve as Session Elders, Deacons and the Nominating Committee members at large in 2025. The following members were presented and approved by the congregation during the November 24, 2024 Congregational Meeting:
Deacons
Pam Sommer – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Annie Louis – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Diane Olson – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Chris Olson – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Mark Sturges – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Elders
Loren Dooley – Class of 2026 (1st term)
Nominating Committee (members-at-large)
Pam Sommer
Joyce Schipper
Deacons Continuing
Marcille Roth – Class of 2024 (2nd half of 3rd term)
Pascale Webb – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Dorothy Teply – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Troy West – Class of 2024 (2nd term)
Elders Continuing
Susan Pearce – Class of 2024 (2nd term)
Phoebe Antonio – Class of 2024 (2nd term)
Sue Carson – Class of 2024 (2nd term)
Shawn Dooley – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Meagan Dowdall – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Charles Fulton – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Debby Sturges – Class of 2025 (1st term)
Deacons Outgoing
Jeannette Anglin
Amy Dooley
Victoria Ellecamp
Dan Ellecamp
Dianne Trumpy
Elders Outgoing
Wayne Roberts
The Nominating Committee is grateful for these members who have served and those who have said to serving the congregation and others.
Session & Statistical Report
SHAWN DOOLEY, CLERK OF SESSION
Session Meetings
January 23 July 9 (special mtng)
February 15 August 15
March 21 September 19
April (no mtng) October 17
May 16 November 21
June 20
December 5
Congregational Meetings
January 28, November 24
Those preaching the Word of God during worship in 2024
Rev. John Chase: January 7,21,28; February 4,11,18,25; March 3,10,17,24,28,31 April 28; May 5,12,19,26; June 2,9,23,30; July 7,14,21,28; August 4,11,18,25; September 1,8,15,22,29; October 6,13,20,27; November 17,24; December 1,8,15,22,24
Ariel Mink: April 7,14,21; November 3,10
Rev. Dr. Nancy Martin Vincent: Jan. 14
Linda Dragoo: December 29
Grete Hanson: June 16 (Children in Worship Sunday)
Statistical Information
Membership — 12/31/23
Additions:
Confirmation of Faith
Reaffirmation of Faith
Certificate of Transfer
Total
Subtractions: Deceased
Certificate of Transfer
Removal of Membership
Total
Membership — 12/31/24
Infant/Child Baptisms
Teen/Adult Baptisms
Holy Communion was served times: Weddings
