2024 ANNUAL REPORT
RECTOR REPORT
THE REV'D CYNTHIA RASMUSSEN, PHD
"For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger, and you invited me in"
Matthew 25:35
Welcome to our 2024 Annual Report!
The pages that follow reflect our commitment to be light and salt in the world. The pictures, charts, and words are evidence of our efforts to build meaningful connections with one another, our neighbors, and the world. It takes a village to build a community of trust and love. This year’s report is exceptional in both its content and design. I thank Maria Hartz-Clineburg, along with Amy Jacobs and all the contributors for the time and intention they put into their respective pieces.
As the Rector of this community, I continue to be in awe of what God has done in and through this church over the past decade (and more). As we look to the future, I want to personally invite you to a worship service, to volunteer, to donate or invest in this community. We are indeed “changing the world one tomato at a time” and would love for you to be a part of it.
With love,
OPERATIONS AND MISSIONS DIRECTOR REPORT
MARIA HARTZ-CLINEBURG, M.DIV.
What a year it has been! I’m continuing to learn to expect the unexpected at SMSJ in some of the most beautiful ways - and the ways that things that present as challenges actually wind up becoming opportunities for learning, growth, and breaths of fresh air. Challenges with plans for our gardens turned into an opportunity to make connections with new partners. Required changes that needed to be made to our Food Shelf program resulted in us being able to extend more hospitality and resources to our neighbors. A slower season at Farm Stand now gives us the chance to rethink what might be possible to share our produce with our neighborhood.
Requirements for my ordination process meant that eleven weeks of my summer was spent going through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a Chaplain Intern at Strong Memorial Hospital. A summer spent in patient’s hospital rooms was quite different than my now normal at SMSJ - spent in our gardens digging, planting, and connecting with neighbors. I found myself often feeling like I was missing out on all the fun at church and counted down the days until my full-time return. I learned a lot in those few months away, but perhaps most important was the reminder of how truly good this community is. When I had to step back, so many others stepped up. Food Shelf was managed, produce was weighed, Foodlink trucks were unloaded, Farm Stand was open, and so much more. This was an opportunity for members of our congregation to try out new volunteer roles, learn new things, and build deeper relationships with our neighbors. Although it was so good to come back, it was just as good to get to hear of all the good things that happened while I was gone.
As I reflect on this past year - the highlights, the challenges, the opportunities - I am reminded that we are truly better, happier, and healthier when we are in community with one another. Being able to rely on one another and build one another up is the core of a healthy community. It is a joy and a privilege to watch the ways that this congregation and this neighborhood continue to look out for one another, love one another, and support one another. As we move into a new year together, I can only pray that we find more opportunities to show up for each other in this community. May it be so, today, this year, and every year to come.
With peace and gratitude,
FOOD SOVEREIGNTY INTERN REPORT
AMY JACOBS
This past fall semester, I had the absolute privilege of serving as a Food Sovereignty intern at SMSJ. Over the course of four transformative months, I worked alongside Maria, Cindy, and countless volunteers to bring vital food resources to the Beechwood neighborhood and beyond. Every Wednesday, as part of the Food Shelf program, I gained a deeper understanding of how social forces shape our community's access to healthy food and other basic needs. This experience prompted me to reflect on my future role as a Public Health professional and the ways in which I might help shape programs and policies that address the pressing needs of our neighbors.
In a short time, my life was forever touched by the people I encountered during my internship whether the Food Shelf guests I saw each week or the inspiring church volunteers. Watching the community come together in celebration of food and shared purpose was a truly uplifting experience. My responsibilities as a Food Sovereignty intern included managing the weekly Food Shelf, creating flyers and posters to promote healthy behaviors and community resources, and leading the development of the EDEN Wellness Clinic.
Of all the work I did during my internship, nothing made me prouder than seeing Food Shelf guests work with our community partners to access critical public benefits. Our partnership with LawNY, in particular, proved to be transformative. I witnessed guests bring family members along simply to apply for SNAP, HEAP, and Medicaid benefits a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we meet people where they are.
My time at SMSJ has been nothing short of transformative. If I am fortunate enough to work for an organization even remotely like this one in the future, I will consider myself truly blessed. Every individual I met during my four months here was welcoming, kind, and deeply passionate about the mission at hand. The unwavering dedication to service I witnessed here is rare and has only deepened my own commitment to community-focused work. As I near the completion of my Public Health and Sociology degree at Nazareth this spring, I hope to remain connected to this community that has given me so much. I will carry the lessons I have learned and the insights I have gained from working with the Beechwood community with me as I pursue my next internship with Foodlink, where I will be performing community outreach and developing programming for their Curbside Market. I hope to return to SMSJ to volunteer during Food Shelf and Community Garden Days, carrying with me the invaluable lessons learned from the Beechwood community.
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS
“Saint Mark’s and Saint John’s Episcopal Church completes another year in which it faced challenges with tenacity and creativity! We continue to be blessed with spirit in our midst and responded to all the year served up with hope, love, and acts of discipleship.
Our church leadership team, Vestry and volunteers excelled at addressing those in need in our parish, the neighborhood, the church property and function. Dedicated volunteers give or their time and talent to help with the gardens, Empty Bowls, Beer Tastings, lighting improvements and more. Our church is a vibrant home to students, bakers, theater rehearsals, food shelf, and Sunday services.
We look with hope to a new year of being God’s hands and heart!”
-Walt Snyder & Sharon Kowalski, Co-Wardens
“Many thanks to all of the garden volunteers who helped produce the vegetables for last summer's Farm Stand. Thank you also for all of the volunteers that worked at the stand on Saturdays throughout July and August. We sold vegetables, baked goods and jam to our neighbors in the Beechwood Neighborhood. A favorite product for the past two summers has been our very own honey produced in the hives on our church roof. We have been thinking about ways to improve the number of folks who buy from the Farm Stand - ee are open to suggestions and new ideas to make this happen!”
-Ginnie Schindler
“For me, my greatest joy is helping out at the Food Shelf. I love helping the guests to get what they need. There is one guest, in particular, who strikes me as someone who really looks forward to not just the food, but also to the human connection. I wish there was a way to share this feeling with more people. I think they couldn't help but be drawn into the love of God when they feel the joy of sharing our abundance.”
-Nancy Ramsay
CONGREGATION & COMMUNITY
WORSHIP, MUSIC, FAITH FORMATION, AND MORE!
This year, our congregation has continued to grow in faith, connection, and service. In the first half of the year, the Connections Group provided a vital space for fellowship and spiritual growth, fostering deeper relationships among members and strengthening our sense of community.
We were thrilled to bring back our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, a beloved tradition that helped us kick off the Lenten season. This year, the event had an added dimension as we served dinner to the Freedom Scholars Learning Center kids, families, and staff an evening of nourishment and shared joy. It was a beautiful reminder of the ways we are called to serve our broader community. Our Easter Sunrise Service was a memorable and deeply moving occasion. The early morning worship set the tone for our Easter celebrations, and was followed by a festive breakfast where the congregation gathered in fellowship to celebrate Christ's resurrection and the renewal of spring.
Throughout the year, our Episcopal 101 classes provided newcomers and long-time members alike with the opportunity to learn more about our faith, our traditions, and our place within the Episcopal Church. These classes became a vital step in deepening our collective spiritual journey, and we look forward to continuing these offerings in the coming year.
We are particularly grateful for the addition of our Deacon, Patti Blaine. Deacon Patti has quickly become a beloved member of our ministry team, bringing her compassion, dedication, and leadership to Sunday Worship. Her presence has enriched our worship and service, and we are excited to continue our shared ministry together.
This Advent, we had the privilege of hosting Bishop Kara for her first visit to SMSJ, which was a significant highlight. The occasion was marked by a number of Receptions into the church community, further deepening our connection with those who have chosen to make SMSJ their spiritual home. It was an inspiring and joyous celebration of faith, renewal, and commitment to our shared mission.
Additionally, we have navigated the transition in our music ministry following Andy’s departure. We are grateful for the resilience and grace shown by our congregation during this period of change. Interim musicians have stepped in, and we are thankful for the way the community has embraced this transition with patience and faith.
In all these ways, we are building a thriving, inclusive, and loving community through worship, fellowship, and service to others. We are excited for what the future holds as we continue to grow together in faith and love.
worship with presiding bishop michael curry
New members recognize smsj as their
E.D.E.N. IMPACT AT A GLANCE
DATA PREPARED BY
DAVE EVERSON
This year, church member Dave Everson conducted a study on the impact of the EDEN Gardens on the Beechwood Neighborhood and beyond. Through data collection and comparison, maps were created to visualize the ways in which the food grown in our community gardens reaches our neighbors. Understanding where our neighbors reside who enjoy the EDEN green spaces, harvest produce, or come to Food Shelf and Farm Stand to pick up fresh produce means that we are better able to serve these areas with intentionality and care.
Although we know the radius of our impact through the EDEN mission programs has expanded, this data proves that our intentions are being executed - to serve our neighbors in the Beechwood Neighborhood who need it most with reliable access to fresh produce and food assistance.
When asked about the major takeaways that Dave had after conducting this research and creating these impact maps, he shared the following of what this map shows:
2.
1. A significant number of EDEN consumers live close to Save a Lot--the one full-service grocery store that directly services Beechwood.
Roughly one-third of the neighborhood has a high-density of EDEN users who live more than a half-mile from the closest produce vendor.
The map can't definitively explain why people rely on the gardens or don't rely on the nearby store.
But the map does: confirm that the EDEN Gardens are providing an important service to people who live in an underserved area justify additional research to understand why people do or don't use the gardens, and how to serve them better.
We’re so grateful for Dave and this important work! If you’d like to view Dave’s entire story project, it’s available for viewing here.
E.D.E.N. VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer service continues to be a needed force that has sustained our mission and ministries for years, and will for years to come. Volunteers have been the backbone of so many programs - and we truly would not be able to feed thousands of neighbors each year without the generosity of people who show up to harvest produce, distribute food, unload delivery trucks, host Farm Stand, and so much more.
In 2024, we felt the absence of key volunteer roles like Garden Captains, and although we persevered, we know our impact would have been even greater with an increased number of consistent volunteers. This has provided us a chance to think more about our Garden volunteer model and seek out new opportunities through the help of community partnerships.
Volunteer groups from Nazareth University, Webster Thomas High School, Phi Psi Fraternity @ RIT, University of Rochester, Teen Empowerment, and St. John Fisher have helped us with larger projects like building new garden beds, c it ti d !
920 FOOD DELIVERY & DISTRIBUTION
480 FOOD SHELF BAGGING
866 VISITING GROUPS (GARDENS)
128 FARM STAND + 2 754 HOURS DONATED 24
“THE BUZZ”
ALL ABOUT THE E.D.E.N. BEES
This season was great for the honeybees at SMSJ. Our spring hives were the strongest I’ve ever seen, and we’re going into winter three strong colonies.
A few highlights include:
SMSJ Honey sales at the farm stand
Meeting with the seed sowers Classroom to learn about our hive, taste, honey across three seasons, and work on crafts.
Observations from the bee room during hive inspections, and we even found the queen bee during some of them!
SMSJ honey used for the spring beer pairing dinner, in partnership with Fifth Frame Brewing
Continued pollination of all of our neighborhood garden and flowers.
E.D.E.N GARDENS
We recorded a harvest of over 1,319.65 lbs of fresh produce from our EDEN Community Gardens this year, which was distributed directly to our community members at Food Shelf and sold at our Summer Farm Stand.
However, we know that the actual number is much higher, as community members are invited to harvest produce from our gardens for themselves and their families - so the weight of that harvesting is not accounted for in our total. We have seen an increase in individual households harvesting produce from our gardens this year, which means that we are accomplishing our goal of bringing healthy, nutritious foods to those who need it most.
A transition in Garden Captain leadership meant that 3 of our Gardens needed to be cared for by staff, volunteer groups and neighbors. The EDEN Children’s Garden continues to be a space of perennial fruit plants that provide fun and fresh fruit with a low-maintenance requirement. We continue to recruit for leadership for the EDEN Denver Garden, and are prioritizing that space in strategic plans for 2025.
1,319.65
EDEN Church
EDEN 1199
EDEN Merchants
The EDEN Merchants Garden has an ideal location as it borders the walkway to a neighborhood park. There are many folks that pass by offering words of encouragement, expressing their appreciation, or ask gardening questions. It has been a joy to have met a number of our neighbors!
The garden composting efforts from the students of St. John Fisher has been tremendous contribution as it has improved our produce yield.
-Deb,
EDEN Merchants Garden Captain
Harvested (lbs)
Grant funding from generous donors and partners allowed us to complete garden renovation projects at the EDEN 1199 and EDEN Church Gardens this season. Thirty new metal garden beds were purchased, installed, and filled to grow produce in this season. These metal beds have a much higher longevity, and have been a wonderful investment in the EDEN Gardens.
Challenges with water access severely impacted our growing season, particularly at the Parsells and Denver Gardens. We are working towards solutions and funding to help solve this in 2025!
The EDEN Parsells Garden harvest was good! Neighbors had many meals out of our harvest. We have been able to enjoy great conversations in the garden and have received many complements on how good the veggies are.
-Mike, EDEN Parsells Garden Captain
E.D.E.N. FOOD SHELF
This year, our Food Shelf provided fresh produce and groceries to an abundance of community members. In 2024, we distributed 2,392 food packages to households across Monroe County.
Our partnership with Foodlink has allowed us to continue to purchase bulk food at lower cost than on grocery store shelves. However, we continued to feel the hit of funding cuts to Foodlink’s agency partner grants. This has caused us to even more intentionally make mindful choices in our food purchasing and distribution operations.
Despite these challenges, we have remained open each week to continue to serve our neighbors with emergency food assistance. Even more than providing food, we have been providing a constant source of community, support, and resource sharing.
2024 food shelf impact
Newly formed partnerships with MVP and LawNY have allowed us to increase the resources that are available to our Food Shelf guests during our open hours. MVP has helped guests navigate the difficult health insurance system, getting individuals and families new or better affordable health care. LawNY has ensured guests are knowledgeable and enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and more.
Our Resource Center has been updated with new community resources from agencies such as Trillium, Willow, affordable housing initiatives, Habitat for Humanity, and more. We are committed to continuing to update this center, and seek out ways that Food Shelf can be a wholistic offering of physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
The reach of our food distribution efforts continues to grow year after year, with Food Shelf visitors representing 19 zip codes from throughout the Rochester area. However, we still primarily serve our Beechwood neighborhood, fulfilling our mission of increasing our community’s access to fresh, nutritious food.
It is clear to us that the need for reliable access to food assistance is not decreasing any time soon. We pride ourselves in offering a Food Pantry that breaks down barriers to food access such as not having attendance frequency limits, income requirements, or the need to show government ID. We’ve been finding creative ways to break down language barriers, and have been translating materials into Spanish, Ukrainian, and Arabic.
We’ve been grateful to receive financial support that makes this all possible, and has allowed us to serve a record-breaking number of homes and individuals without ever turning someone away
N. Marketview Heights North Winton Village
Culver Merchants Bensonhurst Lyell-Otis 14621 Edgerton and many more!
monthly Avg. of individuals served by zip code
Beechwood
SMSJ PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships have remained crucial to the life and work of SMSJ. Children from the Freedom Scholars Learning Center have enhanced their literacy skills in our classrooms, and laughter has filled our building’s hallways. St. Thomas’ Church (Rochester) has stepped up to bag thousands of pounds of food for our Food Shelf, and community continues to be built between different parishes coming together. Staying connected with Webster Thomas High School has gifted us with hundreds of student volunteers donating their time to work in our Gardens, at holiday Food Shelf distributions, and Empty Bowls. Continuing relationship with City Roots Community Land Trust has ensured that 3 of our EDEN Gardens remain protected land and property fees covered. It’s these examples and more that have allowed us to continue the work of our mission and what God is calling us to do.
“The church's remarkable flexibility truly enhances our community! It generously allows us to use extra space beyond our contract, which helps our daily operations run more smoothly and ensures we have all the resources we need. Scholars engage with bee traps and actively learn about the entire process. Pastor Cindy and Maria enjoy joining us for gardening with the scholars, bringing an extra touch of joy! Plus, the church's support extends to families in need by providing diapers for those attending our program. Together, we are creating a thriving, supportive environment for everyone involved!”
-Jeremy Smith, FSLC Executive Director
“In 2024, St. Mark’s and St. John’s and St. Thomas’ completed their first full year of partnership through SMSJ’s Food Ministry. Four volunteers from St. Thomas’ gather at SMSJ every other Tuesday to pack groceries into bags for pickup by SMSJ’s neighbors. There are a total of 10 St. Thomas’ parishioners who volunteer--and they all feel gratitude at being able to partner with SMSJ in this important food ministry and make a difference in the Rochester community. “
-Maggie Logan-Detty, St. Thomas’ Rochester
PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHT:
ST. JOHN FISHER UNIVERSITY
Over the past several years, SMSJ has partnered with St. John Fisher University professor Sharon Delmendo to provide a hands-on outlet for service learning in a very impactful way. Through the construction of leaf composting bins, the EDEN Merchants Garden has been able to produce nutrient rich compost for the vegetable beds.
Students have taken leaves from the SJFU campus, shredded them, and brought them to the EDEN Merchants Garden to create a mixture that our composting helpers (earthworms) began to thrive and help our produce grow.
Sharon Delmendo shares that “These ‘hands on’ service hours allowed students to have first-hand experience engaging in course units on food deserts, community gardens to alleviated food deserts, organic gardening and the biological principals underlying composting, and the physical and mental benefits of gardening as a moderate-level physical activity. Students took surveys on their stress levels and physical/mental wellness before and after their hands-on work, as well as a written assignment collating their hands on experiences. Students reported an array of positive outcomes from working for and in the Merchant Garden, including stress reduction; mindfulness; social interaction and community building; and a new understanding of civic identity (individually and as members of the St. John Fisher community, vis-à-vis the urban Rochester community). Working on rounds of seasonal gardening and composting (i.e., building on previous semesters’ student work, and laying the groundwork, so to speak, for the 2025 growing season) also gave students hands-on experience in understanding sustainability as an ongoing, circular system, and ways to use “waste” (leaves, coffee grounds, worms raised on kitchen waste and cardboard, etc.) to produce food, and the importance of diverting organic waste from the garbage system (particularly landfills, as organic matter decomposes anaerobically in landfills, producing methane gas, over 25% more destructive to the environment than carbon dioxide.”
GRANTS AND ESTATE GIFTS
We are deeply grateful to the organizations that generously distributed grants to St. Mark's and St. John's, as well as to the individuals who have included us in their estate planning. Your support enables us to continue our mission and make a lasting impact in our community. Together, we are building a foundation for future growth and ensuring that our work thrives for years to come. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and generosity.
Beechwood Neighborhood Association Out of Pocket Productions, Inc.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Genetaska Club of Rochester
Rochester Area Community Foundation St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church, Pittsford Episcopal Diocese of Rochester
ESL Federal Credit Union
Glover-Crask Charitable Trust
Rochester Garden Club
2024 FINANCIAL REPORT
2025 APPROVED BUDGET
