SPRING VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH SPRING VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH 2018

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

ANNUAL REPORT

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Senior Pastor’s Report for 2018 2018 was a great year at the church. We have exceeded trends. We did something that is not common in Presbyterian and ‘Mainline” Churches – we grew. Particularly significant is the number of children 12 and under. Our worship attendance also grew in 2018. Hosting Meals on Wheels in the NE will be a blessing to this church for many years to come. This has not only been an opportunity for our members to reach out in meaningful ways to a struggling part of our community, but this has heightened our presence in the NE is ways we probably don’t even know. I am grateful to the church for the Sabbatical month you gave me this June. During that month I spent nine days with Rev. James Murray, Field Director for Prison Fellowship in SC. I visited several Correctional Institutions in our county with Rev. Murray. I participated in group classes he taught inmates. I visited organizations and churches involved in Prison Ministry. This was a fruitful time for me. I developed friendships that have enriched me. I am thankful for your prayers, support, and encouragement. I am thankful to God to be your pastor. I have included a listing of some of my activities in 2018. May God bless our church as we move forward in this new year. In Christ, Jack

• Home Bound Communion visits - 60 • Hospital/Nursing Home visits - 126 • Home Visits – 101 • Funerals/Memorial Services - 7 • Weddings - 2 • Counseling Sessions - 13 • Tuesday Bible Study – Every week except when I’m on vacation • Attend Most Deacon Meetings • Started the Guitar Committee – Meets last Monday of the month • New Officer Training

• Led Session Retreat in August • Led Stewardship Emphasis • Taught Summer Sunday School on being a Presbyterian • Attended Three Presbytery Meetings • Attended Migrant Ministry Dinner in June • Helped with and Attended Celebration of Arts for Children and Adults in August • Played guitar with Guitar Committee members in Children’s Christmas Play • Blessed the Animals • Attended National Day of Prayer at Statehouse • Attended Souper Bowl of Caring Lunch & Awards Ceremony at Williams/Brice

Administration The Admin Ministry reviewed and renegotiated our AT&T telephone contract and will save $2800 in the coming year. The committee also reviewed our property and bus insurance and is recommending to Session to change companies, saving almost $4,000 annually.

Personnel The Personnel Committee is a component of the Administration Ministry. The Committee is charged with using the resources provided by the congregation to fairly and reasonably compensate staff such that we can attract and keep qualified staff for the ministries undertaken by the church. In 2018 the personnel budget was the single largest line item in the church budget – approximately 60%. The church presently has nine (9) paid staff persons: Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth, Office Administrator, Finance Manager, Chancel Choir Director, Organist/Handbell Choir Director, Facility Manager, and Nursery Coordinator. In addition, the church employs part-time nursery workers on an as-needed basis. The Personnel Committee members develop the budget to be able to pay for the staff each

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year. They also review and develop policies regarding employment at SVPC. The committee revised the SVPC Staff Guide during 2018. Members of the committee assist in the staff evaluation process each year. The newest full-time member of the staff is Kyle Clark, Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth. Current committee members are Liz Campbell, Tom Caviness, Brent Dillon, Chip Drant, Mike Metzger, Wendy Sherman and Lynn van Dijk. Building & Grounds The Building and Grounds Ministry is responsible for all issues related to the building, outside grounds, and equipment belonging to the church. Utilizing the funds and resources available, the ministry ensures our facility remains operational for our congregation and the community. Much of our efforts go to routine and unscheduled repairs that occur year-round. Our dedicated staff of church volunteers are often seen painting, changing lights bulbs, repairing a door, and trimming bushes, along with the occasional challenge of small plumbing or electrical repairs. We also coordinate maintenance and major repairs and upgrades with outside vendors. A couple of notable improvements completed this past year have been updating the security codes for entrance to the building, the refit of the youth loft, LED bulbs in the Sanctuary, outside landscaping and initial upgrades to the outside lights in the parking areas. Christian Education

Spring Valley Presbyterian Church has experienced wonderful growth in 2018. Our membership includes a growing population of families with young children. Through the spirit of Christian Education and our strategic plan, we are committed to providing programs and activities for all age groups. A permanent Director of Christian Education (DCE) has been hired for youth, children and families. Kyle Clark joined the staff in August, 2018. 4

Spring Valley Presbyterian Preschool continues to thrive. Currently 108 children are enrolled with a waiting list for 2-year-old students. The Preschool recently received full re-accreditation. During June, 2018 over 140 children with 70 volunteers enjoyed a week of Vacation Bible School at SVPC. To emphasize stewardship, adult and children’s Sunday school teachers presented a lesson on giving of our time, talent and resources on November 4, 2018. Worship Readiness curriculum is currently being presented to first and second grade students. This curriculum is designed to help younger elementary children understand, and prepares them to participate in, church worship services. Adult and youth Bible studies continue weekly as well as Wednesday night café and programming. A presentation and discussion on Human Trafficking was presented to members in October 2018. The “Faith and Film” Series continued through November 2018. Congregation Our goal is one of building and growing a family-like atmosphere among our congregation (members and guests), as well as assisting the Deacons in providing care for the congregation. This is done by providing traditional events as well as new and varied opportunities and small groups with numerous differing interests. Our small groups include: JOY Group, Presbyterian Women, Men of the Church, Thursday Morning Breakfast Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, art groups, Book Club, Men’s Softball, and more. We hold many wonderful activities and events, including the New Member Lunch (March), Founder’s Day (May), Montreat Family Weekend (October), and the Christmas Cheer reception between Christmas Eve services. Additionally, we provide our Wednesday Night Café during the school year which often includes various programming immediately afterwards.

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Our ministry is also called upon to equip the kitchen and provide receptions for special church events, sometimes joyful, and others which celebrate a member entering the kingdom of God. While we rely heavily on our Deacons, we are responsible for the care and nurturing of our members, new member assimilation, welcoming of visitors, and maintaining membership rolls. Missions & Outreach

• Migrant Ministry Dinner: In 2018 we again partnered with Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church to provide a dinner and donated personal items to 100 migrant workers at two campsites in Batesburg-Leesville. • Annual Fall Bazaar: Our largest fundraiser involved over 70 volunteers and 14 different activities. This year’s event raised approximately $7,000 which will benefit the Thornwell Building Families Program. • Annual Road Race: Our Annual Road Race (5K or 5-Mile) involved SVPC, Habitat, and Spring Valley High volunteers—and raised an estimated $2,300 used to help support Habitat for Humanity. • Thornwell Building Families Program: Family specialist, Elizabeth Ogorek (see pg. 8), continued her work with families in implementing positive parenting models aimed at improving behaviors and reducing stress in the home. • Sistercare: In 2018 we donated money, food, clothing, household and toiletry items in support of Sistercare’s work in providing services for victims of domestic violence. • Habitat for Humanity: In April 2018, our CSC—Habitat neighborhood revitalization effort collaborated to help the candidate family of Eddie and Shirley Summer, of Cayce. This Brush- with- Kindness home project included a financial contribution of $1500, porch steps construction and repair, and painting the house exterior. In October, the Spring Valley Band Competition parking fundraiser with Belize, Habitat and church volunteers was a fun success and raised over $5200. 6

• Live Oak Counseling Center: We continued to provide financial support for Live Oak’s work in providing professional and affordable mental health counseling and outreach services. Two SVPC members serve on Live Oak’s board. • Souper Bowl of Caring: As founders of this important outreach, we continued our support in 2018 through the local Youth Advisory Board, the National Board of Directors, the Service Blitz and Souper Bowl Sunday collection. • Backpack Program: We packed 50 bags each week for schools in Richland 2 in 2018. Preschool classes and parents of preschoolers, Strikers, SVPC youth, Christ Care groups and other volunteers joined in to make sure important food supplies were sent home to children coming from some of the neediest areas in the district. Members provided donated food. • Meals on Wheels: In January 2018 we implemented the new distribution site at SVPC. Throughout the year, this program increased its delivery volume from 140 meals to 250 meals per week, a 79% increase, and it is forecast to increase to 500 meals per week in 2019 (26,000 meals per year). The volunteer coverage increased by 96% and grew involvement in the program to include Fort Jackson, SV Rotary, Columbia Fire Department, Heartstrings Hospice, Woodman Life, and the youth community service hours program for Richland 2 district. This program also supported with extra foods other church missions’ projects including Sistercare and the Church Meals Ministry. For 2018, SVPCs distribution site was awarded the “Community Partner Award” by Senior Resources which will be presented at their Annual Meeting on January 25, 2019. • Kairos Ministry: This new outreach continues to involve Pastor Heinsohn with visits to the Broad River Correctional Institution. (Jack’s sabbatical) Our church began collection of men’s business clothing for an affiliated program that prepares released inmates for community reintegration and job interviews. • Blood Drives: We sponsored multiple blood drives during the year, providing much needed life-giving blood to the Red Cross. 7

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• Belize: In 2018 we began to organize, plan and fundraise for the church-wide Belize Mission Trip scheduled for July 2019. • Angel Tree: Over 100 gift tags turned into several hundred gifts delivered to Sistercare, Thornwell Building Families and Kairos Prison Ministry for families and individuals receiving their services. • Donation Closet: Generous and ongoing donations throughout the year made it possible for us to support Oliver Gospel Mission, Backpack Program, Sistercare, Kairos Prison Ministry, One Warm Coat, and the Thornwell Building Families Program with food, clothing, household and toiletry items. • Monetary donations and need awareness continued in 2018 through our Sunday School donations (Souper Bowl of Caring, Habitat for Humanity, Sistercare & Thornwell Building Families); and our Missions of the Month: Jan.—Souper Bowl of Caring, Feb.—Heart Month (Blood Drive), Mar.—Nutrition Month (Backpack program, food pantry), Apr.—Environmental Stewardship (Earth Day), May—Mental Health Month (Live Oak Counseling Center), June—Father’s Day (Migrant Ministry), July—Thornwell and Building Families, Aug.—Richland 2 school supply drive, Sept.—Food Action Month (Backpack Program), Oct.—Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Sistercare), Nov.—Thanksgiving (Food Drive), Dec.—Christmas (Angel Tree) Thornwell Building Families Program [part of Missions & Outreach Ministry] 2018 was a dynamic year for the Building Families Program at SVPC. Elizabeth served 11 families through the in-home program and followed up with an additional eight families who successfully graduated in 2017. She taught a parenting class series for SVPC families and led three interactive workshops in the community. In total, Building Families programming impacted 183 individuals!

In 2018, SVPC impacted one household in a life- changing way that will continue to positively

influence many others. Brenda is a single mom who recently entered the world of foster parenting after her daughter graduated from college. When Brenda opened her home to 2 sets of sisters, she realized that she needed to establish clear rules and expectations while providing support and encouragement for these girls as they adjusted to their time away from unpredictable, violent home lives.

Throughout their participation in the program, the girls developed a trusting relationship with their foster parent. Brenda has maintained the rules and routines established in her home as many additional children have entered in and out of care with her over the past year and has really found her groove as a loving, successful foster parent!

Elizabeth was able to give this family (among others) resources through gifts collected by the Angel Tree mission. Brenda expressed her gratitude for the gifts and noted that the generosity and support from SVPC members encourages her during challenging times and reminds her of God’s provision.

Throughout the year, SVPC members have donated clothing, furniture, gift cards, and toys to families in our community as well as the Thornwell campus. Thank you for your continued support for the families served by Building Families Program.

Stewardship Ministry 2018 was a good year for stewardship. The unpledged offerings were generous and greater than anticipated. Our members are faithful in their pledges. By God’s Grace, we expect 2019 will be a great year of growth for our church’s ministries. The Stewardship team was blessed by caring personal testimonies of members at services, and a collaborative emphasis on stewardship with the Christian Education Ministry and a prayer vigil with the Congregational Ministry.

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Worship Ministry Worship Ministry had a wonderful year. We seek to glorify God and honor Him in all we do. We are thankful for all of the many members that make our Worship worthwhile. Accomplishments • ‘Celebrate the Arts’, created by Jennie Heinsohn in August 2018, was a huge success • Enhancements made in 2017 to audio and visual components resulted in minimal disruptions in 2018. • Improved announcements at the start of services • Special services: Women’s Sunday Music Sunday Scout Sunday Youth Sunday Ash Wednesday Maundy Thursday Evening Lenten Services Preschool Sunday Baccalaureate Service All Saints’ Commission of Confirmands Pledge Season Confirmation Sunday Longest Night Infant Loss Remembrance Advent Season Souper Bowl of Caring Christmas Cantata Blessing of the Backpacks Founder’s Day • Labyrinth was available during Holy Week • Laura Shah accepted the Wedding Director position • Children presented the ‘Joy of Christmas’ musical • Experienced beautiful Christmas Eve Services for children and adults • Worship Attendance increased by 3.4% over 2017 • Adult Chancel Choir – Ann Perry continues to lead the Chancel Choir • Chancel Organist – Bill Johns continues as Organist / choir accompanist and he also leads the Spring Valley Ringers (our handbell choir) • Joyful Noise Praise Band – David Gordon continues to lead the Praise Band during the Revelations Service • Children’s Choir - Jennie Heinsohn continues to lead the Children’s Choir • Chancel Guild – Jonathan Ewaldz continues as the Coordinator • Rev. Ruth Roberts conducts Evening services once a month

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