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2015 Annual Report

January 31, 2016

St. David’s Episcopal Church

63rd Annual Meeting

16200 West Twelve Mile Road

Southfield, Michigan 48076-2959

Phone (248) 557-5430

Fax (248) 557-6213

E-Mail stdavids@stdavidssf.org

Web Site: www.stdavidssf.org

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THE DIOCESE OF MICHIGAN The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., Bishop

The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Dean of the Oakland Deanery

The Rev. Chris Yaw, Rector

PARISH STAFF Jennifer Taub, Parish Administrator

George Cullinan, Music Director

Simone Charter-Harris, Treasurer Eugene Buday, Financial Secretary

Janeanne Jones, Financial Secretary Richard Boyes, Financial Secretary

Jane Johnson and Kitty Kenning, Church School Directors

Anne Jeannette LaSovage and Diane Schoch, Altar Guild Directors James Kenning, Christian Service Brigade

Edna Buday, Susan Brooks, Lifelong Learning Daniela Diko, Childcare

Joanne Sackett, Pledge Secretary

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Mission Statement .......................................................................................... 4

Vestry ........................................................................................................... 4 Agenda ......................................................................................................... 5

Rector’s Annual Report ................................................................................... 6 Five Year Comparative Parish Statistics ............................................................. 7 Finance Team Report ...................................................................................... 8

Senior Warden’s Annual Report ...................................................................... 15 Junior Warden’s Annual Report ...................................................................... 17

Altar Guild Annual Report .............................................................................. 18 Altar Guild Treasurer’s Report ........................................................................ 19 Christian Service Brigade (CSB) Annual Report ................................................ 19

Christian Service Brigade Treasurer’s Report ................................................... 23 Church School Annual Report ........................................................................ 25

Church School Treasurer’s Report ................................................................... 26 Daughters of the King Annual Report .............................................................. 27

Haiti Outreach Mission Annual Report ............................................................. 27 Haiti Outreach Mission Financial Report ........................................................... 28 Hammer and Nail Club Annual Report ............................................................. 29

Hunger Committee Annual Reports ................................................................. 30 Lifelong Learning Annual Report ..................................................................... 31

Music Program Annual Report ........................................................................ 32 Newcomers Committee Annual Report ............................................................ 34 Newcomers Committee Financial Report .......................................................... 35

St. Anne’s Guild Annual Report ...................................................................... 35 St. David’s Quilters’ Report ............................................................................ 36

Scrip Annual Report ..................................................................................... 37 South Oakland Shelter Annual Report ............................................................. 38 Web Site Annual Report ................................................................................ 39

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to love and serve God through worship, outreach and love for all.

ST. DAVID’S VESTRY

Senior Warden: Gary Meier Junior Warden: Robert Losey

Susan Brooks

Chris Brown Janet Ernst Traci Johnson

Treasurer: Simone Charter-Harris

Clerk: Maureen Mahar

DIOCESAN CONVENTION DELEGATES

Susan Brooks

Chris Brown Kim Smith

Alternates: Jane Johnson

Gary Meier

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St. David’s Episcopal Church

January 31, 2016 63th Annual Parish Meeting

Southfield, MI

Call to Order (Fr. Chris)

Opening Prayer

Appointments: Secretary: John Hawkes / Maureen Mahar

Parliamentarians: John Hawkes Validation: Jim Kenning

Acceptance of Minutes of 62nd Annual Meeting, January 25, 2015

Certificate of Quorum (25 qualified voters present) - Jim Kenning

Introduction of Staff - Fr. Chris Yaw

Introduction of Vestry Members Reports:

Senior Warden - Kitty Kenning Junior Warden - Ray Litwinowicz

Finance and Budget - Simone Charter-Harris Year in Review and the Year Ahead! Fr. Chris Yaw

Letters of Greeting - Fr. Chris Yaw

Pastor Nancy Turner-Jones Father Don Duford Father and Mrs. Gary Callahan

Closing Prayer

Adjournment

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Rector’s Annual Report

How thankful I am to God for you!

Praise God for the terrific new friends God is sending us, for the wonderful new groundwork

being laid for the refreshing of our physical plant, for record numbers at Christmas and Easter, as well as our outreach to 5k/10k runners (and the South Oakland Shelter homeless), as well as some new faces on our parish staff.

2015 saw yet another year of faithful ministry to our parish community, and the wider community as well. While average weekly attendance declined for a third year in a row, we saw a 10% or so increase in giving (for the third year in a row), as well as an increase in

membership. This mirrors national trends among mainline churches, nationally, as we are seeing more people joining churches and pledging to churches, however attending less

frequently.

However these metrics are not the most important, this one is: are lives being changed for the better through the work and ministry of St. David’s?

And, once again, the answer is a resounding yes.

I am now in my 8th year as your rector, which means, in keeping with diocesan guidelines, I took a 3 month sabbatical. While I would have loved to camp out in a cottage on the coast of

Wales, my 2 small children kept me too busy for that. Instead, I attended several conferences, including the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, read a lot, and took advantage of this downtime to gain new perspective and insight into some of the personal challenges that

the previous 12 months had seen.

While I was away, your well-organized staff and vestry took good care of things. An array of talented priests filled in and helped us keep things together.

Staff transitions in 2015 brought us a new parish administrator, Randy Gilchrist, whose stay

was brief (he left us to pursue his dream of owning a small bookstore). However we were left in able hands by Jennifer Taub, who was able to help us prepare for Christmas and the

bishop’s visitation in December. In keeping with one of our 2015 goals, we increased the parish office hours 20%, we are now open M-F from 10a-3p.

Just last week we said goodbye to our esteemed choir director, Ellen Boyes, after 3 years of work for us. She and organist Dan Urbiel, who left earlier in the year and was ably replaced by

Jim Bachelor, left a void that one person will be filling, George Cullinan, who has taken over.

We began 2015 with a study group on the Gospel of Mark. Our adult study groups saw several new offerings, including something called ‘Spiritual Companions’ in which we invited the whole

parish to walk more deeply with Jesus via a one-on-one relationship with a spiritual counselor.

Capital improvements for the year included the painting of the Arlain Taylor Chapel as well as the refurbishing and equipping of a new Game Room for our children. Steve Ernst and his crew

were also able to put our entire building, from sanctuary to parish hall, online via Wi-Fi.

New and newer outreach activities included our second year of hosting the South Oakland Shelter (S.O.S.) Hope for the Holidays Party, which packed our campus with needy families receiving all sorts of clothing, gifts, and food. We participated in the HandUp Gift Card pilot

project, giving those begging on street corners gift cards vs. cash. We welcomed our friends from St. Anne’s Mead for a special Sunday in August. We also opened up the Corner Fellowship

Hall for the summer to ‘Bricks 4 Kidz’ – which hosts neighborhood children for Lego building projects. We also partnered with S.O.S. in holding monthly drives for necessary items like coats, new underwear, and toys.

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Our Newcomer’s team urged us to be more welcoming by putting little teddy bears in our

pews for our youngest visitors. We were also given yard signs and bumper stickers saying, ‘I love my church’ – in an effort to share God’s love with others.

Our most public display of evangelism was probably our first-ever ‘Ashes to Go’ event, which

brought print and broadcast media to our front door. Nearly 200 people received ashes throughout the day by various St. David’s volunteers. Of course, our second annual End Homelessness Now 5k/10k, which hosted 350 runners and brought in $50,000 for S.O.S.

was received with equal enthusiasm.

A highlight for me was seeing around 20 people join St. David’s, and an additional 20 or so go through Confirmation and Reception into the Episcopal Church via two meetings with the

bishop; once in June and another during his triennial visitation in December.

Space does not allow me to personally thank those whose names appear in the pages that follow for their selfless devotion to those within and outside of our parish. In the year ahead

I look forward to working with you all as we continue to grab ahold of God’s vision for our parish, community, and the world. May Christ and his love continue to guide all that we do as a parish family in 2016.

Fr. Chris Yaw

Rector

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Average Sunday Attendance

8AM/10AM 10/131 11/138 11/150 11/153 11/144

Percentage Change Over Previous Year -5% -8% -2% +6% +6%

Services of Holy Eucharist

Sunday 103 103 105 106 103

Weekday 52 50 56 61 71

Home Communion 264 178 221 210 87

Total Eucharist 419 331 382 377 261

Total Attendance 9735 9850 10972 11182 10910

Holy Baptism

Adult 0 0 0 1 1

Children 3 7 8 5 7

Marriages 4 2 2 1 2

Burials 9 12 6 10 8

Communicant Report

Last Report 552 550 538 504 485

Added by Baptism 3 7 8 6 8

Added by Confirmation/Reception 5 2 4 5 1

Added by Transfer 0 0 5 3 2

Lost by Death 4 4 2 8 3

Lost by Transfer 3 3 3 0 0

Rector's Decree 15 0 0 26 17

Total Communicants As of December 31, 2015 568 552 550 538 504

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Senior Warden Report

The year 2015 was another busy year for St. David's vestry The vestry started out the year with our annual vestry retreat where we reviewed our prior year's goals and finalized goals for 2015. They were:

To continue Feasibility Study, Listening Campaign, and Capital Campaign

To increase participation in South Oakland Shelter End Homelessness Now Race

To conduct a Communications Audit

To increase Administration Support

To have a smooth sabbatical transition

These goals were revisited every quarter and measured for progress. We determined if we had

met each goal and outlined what would be emphasized the next quarter. There were eleven vestry meetings held during the year, with no meeting held in July. The

beginning of each meeting always started with prayer and a reflection. Then the business of the vestry occurred with each of the three commissions reporting on the progress of their sub-

group: Property, Finance, and Administration. After the first hour, the second part of the vestry meeting was a visioning session. This is where issues relevant to moving forward with the strategic plan were addressed or relevant speakers were invited to help educate the vestry.

Visioning sessions this past year included a Churchnext class on the Episcopal Church reimagining itself, Reimagining Leadership, TMP Architects presentations, Lisa Whitton from

Nova Environmental reporting on the Asbestos Investigation of St. David's, Deepening the Spirituality of Your Congregation, Stewardship, a book discussion and Churchnext class of From Here to Maturity (Overcoming the Juvenilization of American Christianity), and a review by Fr.

Chris on steps taken so far in visioning and steps to a Capital Campaign. The new mayor of Southfield is also on the schedule to visit with the vestry at the February meeting.

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The individual commissions, Administration, Finance, and Property, all conducted the business

of the parish and continued to move forward on projects that support St. David’s. Each commission met monthly in addition to the monthly vestry meeting to take care of business.

The report of each commission is available monthly under the Vestry Highlights in St. David's newsletter. Here is just a sampling of items addressed throughout the year:

The Procedure Book is being updated

The Administration Commission hired a new parish administrator and organist

Job descriptions were updated

Contract forms were updated

The Gift policy was updated

Certain line items in the budget were eliminated or consolidated for streamlining

Audits were completed through the year 2013 with 2014 soon to be done

A PayPal account is being initiated.

The Vestry voted to pay our full diocesan apportionment for 2016

The Vestry voted to enter into a capital campaign for major improvements after the parish

voted to proceed with a feasibility study for such a campaign

The Vestry signed an endorsement of Carolyn Johnson for the Diaconate.

The Property Commission took care of many needs of the physical plant (see Junior

Warden Report) -including boiler repair (more than once), snow removal contracts, JVS

cleaning, striping and sealing of the parking lot, and wood chuck relocation to name just a

few!

Vestry members also took turns attending the monthly Southfield Chamber of Commerce

morning breakfasts since St. David's is a member of the group

Fr. Chris was on Sabbatical from April to July. Fr. Chris found several priests to shepherd us

in his absence. I want to thank all of the vestry members and parishioners who stepped up to keep St. David's running as smoothly as possible. Gratefully, we welcomed Fr. Chris back to do the job he does so well!

In November, three new vestry members were elected: Mark Schneider, Gerald Maloney, and

Kim Smith. They will be a welcome addition and new face for the vestry as Janny Milton, Ray Litwinowicz, and myself complete our terms. Please give them your love, support, and prayers. I felt humbled to be a part of this group - people who truly care about the well-being

of the parish and the individuals who make up the St. David's Family. Together, we can accomplish all that God is leading us to do.

In His Love,

Kitty Kenning

Senior Warden 2015

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Junior Warden’s Annual Report

During 2015, we made some necessary repairs and a few improvements to our building:

A new circulator pump motor coupling was installed on the West boiler. A new control module and pilot valve was installed and two gas leaks repaired on the East boiler. Another leak was patched in the roof above the main vestibule.

The new game room was set up. Before that, it and the Chapel were given a fresh coat of

paint. Our building was assessed for asbestos content. The inspection found asbestos in various

places which is not surprising for the time when our buildings were built. When left in place, this asbestos is not hazardous. However, we need to know this information so that any

abatement can be included as part of any potential future building improvement projects. At the parish clean up event, we managed to throw some stuff out, identify items to be given

away and reorganize things a little.

A new faucet was installed on the utility sink in the East boiler room. It had not worked for quite some time. This will make it much easier and faster for the cleaning crew to get water to

clean the fellowship hall and kitchen floors. The parking lot has been patched, sealed and re-striped. The cost of this project was split with

St. Anne’s Mead. In the long term, major reconstruction of the parking lot will be required. It’s hoped that this intermediate level of repair will hold us until the scope of the capital

campaign is determined. We had the exterminator relocate 6 woodchucks that had made their cozy little homes around

the building. We’ve been placing mothballs around the burrows to discourage any new four-legged parishioners from joining us.

Numerous other repairs and improvements were made by the Hammer and Nail Club and are described in a separate report. Those efforts help us save funds for the repairs and

improvements that we cannot undertake ourselves. Many thanks to everyone who has helped to keep the building in good shape throughout the year.

Ray Litwinowicz Junior Warden

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Altar Guild Annual Report

The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for the honoring of God by the members of St David’s

and guests. Guild members work behind the scenes, preparing the elements and the Altars for the many services that take place in our church during the year.

Our Guild had 10 active members for the year. We are currently seeking new members who can help with our duties. We work in teams on a monthly rotation. Cleaning and prepping on

Saturday for about an hour and half, and setting up for the 10 AM service and clearing after. Home communion kits are readied each Sunday also. Altar linens are cleaned and ironed by members. We also prepare for Weddings and Funerals, Festival days, Baptisms, the Wednesday

Rescue Mission and Tuesday services. A member typically works about 12 weekends a year. Peg Moran joined the Guild this year for a few months. Marilyn MacKay has taken a leave of

absence due to health issues, but is looking to rejoin us soon. We want to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Hammer and Nail guys, we rely on their

assistance several times throughout the year.

Bob Masek is the artist with his flower arrangements who adds such beauty to our Festival Days and also each Sunday.

The many members who have helped when asked.

Judy Cloutier, for her constant support and for taking care of Tuesday clearing and washing of the vessels.

Jane Roberts who contributed the wreaths that greeted us during the Advent and Christmas season.

Father Chris is a strong leader and is always available for answering questions and offering

advice. A new Gospel Book and Altar Missal were purchased with Altar Guild funds and memorial funds

in memoriam of Anne Amundson. Her 40+ years of devotion and loyalty to the guild and St. David’s will be remembered each time these books are used to honor God.

We look forward to continuing or services of honoring God and preparing the altars for the worship services.

Respectfully submitted, Diane Schoch

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Altar Guild 2015 Financial Statement

INCOME

Budget 2000.00 Flowers

Sunday 1115.00 Easter 1020.00

Christmas 944.00 Prayer Station 13.00 Wedding 100.00

5192.00

EXPENSES Flowers

Sunday 1870.00 Charleston 31.50

Palm Sunday 155.00 Easter 785.00

Christmas 630.00 Wafers 153.75 Candles 684.22

Wine 200.70 Supplies 35.22

Memorial 160.90 Luncheon (2014) 91.03 Shipping 15.28

4812.60

Christian Service Brigade

This is the thirty second year that CSB has supported St. David's youth ministry. Our local unit is part of a national organization whose goal is to help teenage boys grow into mature Christian

men. The program also has an evangelical outreach to the friends of St. David's youth. We average ten boys at our weekly meetings on Monday nights. I would like to thank the parents for their ongoing support and participation. While much of this report deals with the many

activities of the group, these activities are only a means to an end. Of real importance is the establishing of friendships, personal growth in leadership and new skills, association with the

church for a fun time that is consistent with Bible principles, and, most importantly, the strengthening of each individual's personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the deepening

knowledge of what that means in each of their lives.

The current leadership team consists of: Jim Kenning, Luke Litwinowicz, Noah Litwinowicz, John Nelson, Chase Russell, Scott Veselenak, Dave Veselenak, Bob Losey, Daniel McHardy,

Adam Mader, Kwame Henry, Mendy Mbidi-Glaou, Chris King Chavis and Ethan King Chavis. Thank you for your many contributions to the program. After 30 years of service, John Hodgson has retired from leadership in St. David's CSB. John's contributions have positively

impacted and enhanced the program. Thank you John for your reliable presence, your sage advice, your proactive leadership and your enthusiastic friendship. The weekly meetings

consist of group and individual activities, active games, special events, and Bible based discussions. Any boys, ages 9 to 18+, are welcome to join our weekly meetings on Monday

nights or our outings.

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This year we have had numerous outings and activities, including:

January 2015: Winter camping in a warm cabin at the Island Lake State Recreation Area on January 16-

18th. The team of Chase Russell and Noah Litwinowicz took first place at the annual International Fusz Ball Championship, with the team of Jim Kenning and Nathaniel Charter Harris coming in second, with Adam Mader and Dave Veselenak coming in third. There was

abundant snow so we cross country skied/hiked at Island Lake and sledded at both Island Lake and the awesome hills at Kensington Metro Park . We also conducted an enthusiastic

(and successful) snipe hunt. Practiced snorkeling and SCUBA diving at a local dive shop, January 26th. Studied rap and poetry, thanks Chase Russell.

Studied SCUBA diving, in preparation for a orientation dive at a local dive shop, thanks Jim Kenning.

February 2015: Rifle practice at the Double Action Range, a very targeted CSB activity, February 7th Served pancakes and fixings at the Shrove Tuesday supper on February 17th

Snowboarding at Alpine on February 21st, instruction for beginners, fun for everyone, snow is amazingly hard when you fall (again and again).

U of M vs. Wisconsin hockey game in Ann Arbor in February 28th, Go Blue, they WON, 5 to 2.

Studied cooking, thanks Dave Veselenak and Chase Russell.

March 2015:

Bowling on March 9th, or how we would score 300 if the pins were in the gutters, or why real men use “bumpers”.

Overnight at Woodlawn Church gym, action all night on March 21th, including: basketball, rip sticks, numerous video games and many other activities. An amazingly fun time and a long time to stay awake.

Helped setup and clean up after the annual rummage sale in the spring. Went to a local archery range to practice with real bows and arrows, March 23rd.

Studied archery, thanks Bob Losey and Adam Mader. Studied employment topics, thanks Dave Veselenak.

April 2015: Rock climbing at Planet Rock in Ann Arbor on April 18th, fun even if you don’t reach the top,

professional instruction for first time climbers. Helped setup and take down for the South Oakland Shelter in April.

Cooked a meal and served it to the guests at the South Oakland Shelter, April 20th. Studied leading a Christian life, thanks Dave Veselenak. Worked in the garden as a service project.

Studied animal traps, some worked and some didn't, thanks Jim Kenning.

May 2015: Went to the Island Lake State Recreation Area Skeet Range for a day of “hit and miss”

shooting on May 2nd. We used 20, 12 and 16 gauge shotguns and everyone broke at least one clay pigeon.

Ice cream party at the last meeting on May 11th, oh so good, complete with all the fixings.

For the May 15-17th outing, we went backpacking in the beautiful Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, north of Ludington MI. All in all an outstanding weekend with friends.

Finished studying animal traps, the animals are safe from our traps, thanks Jim Kenning.

August 2015: Trip to Cedar Point on Thursday, August 13th, just for the fun of trying to ride every

rollercoaster in the park.

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September 2015:

First meeting on September 14th, complete with pizza to welcome everyone back for another fun filled year

For the September 25-27th outing, we went canoeing on the Rifle River. We had a fun five hour trip on the river, including an unexpected portage around several blown down trees. With good weather and great food, a fun time was had by all the participants.

Studied canoeing in preparation for the Rifle River canoe trip, thanks Jim Kenning.

October 2015: Helped setup, take down and staff the rummage sale on October 9-10th as a fund raiser

Sold food at the Quilt Show on October 17th as a fund raiser. MANY thanks to the Quilting Group for supporting CSB by donating the food and then buying it back again.

The trip to the Halloweekend at Cedar Point on October 23-25th was a lot of fun, as was

camping at the "wilderness" campsite in the Sandusky KOA. A dismay weather forecast produced only one brief rain shower.

Studied how to resolve conflict, presented by the conflict master Chase Russell Studied the basics of football, thanks Ethan King Chavis and Kwame Henry

November 2015: A rockum sockum Whirlyball game on November 2nd, drive, bump, pass the ball, and score

Built a new wooden board game called 9 Man Morris, thanks Dad (Bob Kenning) for all your help and wood working expertise

Studied astronomy, thanks Luke Litwinowicz.

December 2015:

Rifle practice at the Double Action Range, December 5th, a very targeted CSB activity. U of M vs. Wisconsin hockey game in Ann Arbor, December 5th, Go Blue, they WON, 7 to 6,

in double overtime. A hard fought game, with many penalties by U of M. Christmas party and gift exchange on December 14th, including playing several wooden

games that we have built over the years.

Studied story boarding, thanks Noah Litwinowicz, but the principle drawn character died anyway.

This is just the beginning honest! Yet to come in 2016 are:

January 2016:

A winter outing at a cabin in the Island Lake State Recreation Area, complete with x-country skiing and other winter activities, January 15-17th. Pray for snow!

Study the dangers of substance abuse, taught by Chase Russell and Noah Litwinowicz.

Study the impact of substance abuse on your body, taught by Bob Losey.

February 2016 Cook and serve Shrove Tuesday dinner, February 9th. Rifle practice at the Double Action Range, a very targeted CSB activity, Saturday, February

13th. Snowboarding at Alpine Mountain, still fun, still falling, still getting back up and still trying

again, Saturday, February 20th. Study drumming techniques, taught by Noah Litwinowicz and Chris King Chavis. Work on projects around the church, managed by Luke Litwinowicz and the Junior Warden.

Study missions, taught by Dave Veselenak.

March 2016: Overnight at the Woodlawn gym, including: basketball, volleyball, numerous video games

and many other activities, March 4-5th. Many thanks to John Hodgson for making the facility available.

Bowling, again, or how we will never score 300 even if the pins are in the gutters, Monday,

March 7th.

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U of M vs. Penn State hockey game at Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, Go Blue, Saturday, March

12th. Study SCUBA diving in the Pacific ocean based on pictures from trips, taught by Don

Taylor. Study cooking using Dutch Ovens, taught by Jim Kenning. Study the impacts of social media, taught by Ethan and Chris King Chavis and Dave

Veselenak.

April 2016: A first for CSB, we will be going to a paint ball facility on April 16th. This should be

interesting! Help setup and take down for the South Oakland Shelter. Cook a meal and serve it to the guests at the South Oakland Shelter, Monday, April 18th.

Continue to study the impacts of social media, taught by Ethan and Chris King Chavis and Dave Veselenak.

Study sneakers, more than you ever knew, taught by Kwame Henry. Build and launch rockets, taught by Jim Kenning.

May 2016: Go to a gun range at Island Lake State Recreation Area on Saturday, May 7th, to practice

the sport of trap shooting. Ice cream party in May on the last Monday meeting of the program year, May 16th, all you

can eat with toppings. Backpacking trip to Negwegon State Park, a wilderness state park in the lower peninsula,

on Lake Huron South of Alpena and North of Oscoda, May 20-22nd. A short hike to a

beautiful lakeside campsite. A great fun learning experience that is easy enough for everyone.

Continue to build and launch rockets, taught by Jim Kenning. Help in the garden as a service project.

Sound like fun? Come on out and bring your friends. For more information, contact any of the group’s leaders. I would like to thank all of the church members, the Ivinson family, St.

Anne’s Guild for multiple donations, the Quilting Group and other organizations who have supported us by prayer, donations (you know who you are), and by joining us in special

activities. Many thanks to Noah Litwinowicz, Luke Litwinowicz, John Nelson, Scott Veselenak, Dave Veselenak, Chase Russell, Daniel McHardy, Adam Mader, Kwame Henry, Mendy Mbidi-Glaou, Chris King Chavis, Ethan King Chavis, Don Taylor, and Bob Losey who continue to

enthusiastically support the group as leaders! A very big thank you to my wife, Kitty, who

supports me and the program in numerous ways.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Kenning, Brigade Chairman

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CHRISTIAN SERVICE BRIGADE - 2015 TREASURY REPORT

Balance on hand 1/1/15 $.34

INCOME

St. David’s budgeted funds $1,500.00

Donations 531.25

Tommy Ivinson Memorial Funds 930.00

Fees for outings 2170.00

Shrove Tuesday ticket sales 190.00

Quilt Show Food Sales 300.00

Pop bottle returns 32.60

-------.---

$5653.85

Total Funding $5654.19

DISBURSEMENTS

First Meeting, September 2014 20.07

Kalamazoo Air Zoo, October 2014 72.00

Last Meeting, May 2014 40.09

Cabin Outing January 2015 819.70

SCUBA Orientation, January 2015 256.95

U of M Hockey, February 2015 250.00

Snowboarding at Alpine, February 2015 344.00

Shrove Tuesday, February 2015 103.15

Woodlawn Gym overnight, March 2015 461.58

Rock climbing at Planet Rock, April 2015 144.00

SOS Shelter food, April 2015 187.73

Trap shooting at Island Lake Range, May 2015 87.00

Nordhouse Dunes Backpacking Trip, May 2015 383.47

Last Meeting, May 2015 39.06

John Hodgson's Retirement Party, June 2015 99.95

Cedar Point - August 2015 604.46

Leaders Meeting, August 2015 25.42

CSB annual fee - September 2015-May 2016 115.00

First meeting party, September 2015 106.73

Rifle River Canoe Trip - September 2015 620.21

Cedar Point Halloweekend - October 2015 182.05

Wooden game, November 2015 22.25

Whirlyball - November 2015 250.30

Cabin Outing, January 2016 180.00

Camping and misc. expenses 238.40

------.--

$5653.57

Balance on hand 12/31/15 .62

Respectfully submitted

Jim Kenning, Brigade Treasurer

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Church School 2015

We have completed another year of serving the youth of the parish. It has been an exciting

time as we try new curriculums to better suit the needs of both the adults and youth. Many people have stepped up to the plate with enthusiastic involvement to make the programs a success. We are constantly trying to see where God is leading us and are open to new

ventures in spreading His Word.

Serving this past year: Godly Play: Simone Charter-Harris, Wendy Hoekwater, Julie Wagner, Jennifer Sullivan, Jen Losey, Traci Johnson, Leah Lynady, Karen Hurley, Kitty

Kenning, Jane Johnson 2nd-5th Rotation: Paul Veselenak, Aleatha Kimbrough, Traci Johnson, Jen Losey, Jen

Sullivan, Sydney Campbell, Sean Sullivan, Wanda Taylor, Joyce Mader, Kitty Kenning, Jane Johnson, Leah Lynady 6th-8th : Maureen Mahar, Chris Brown

9th-12th: Ellen Boyes We continued this year having church school instruction during the first part of the service

rather than during Adult Forum time. Students gather at the beginning of the service and then are dismissed to class. They return to the service at the Peace joining their families to

continue worshipping. This change in schedule has appeared to increase our youth participation in church school for which we are encouraged.

In Preschool through first grade, children participate in the Godly Play curriculum using manipulatives and creative story-telling to learn Bible stories. The children hear the Bible

stories in a worshipful way and then react through play and art. In 2nd-5th grades, students participate in a new hands-on Spark Rotation Curriculum enjoying

different workshops on a selected Bible story. The workshops include art, Bible, video, science, cooking, drama, music, and computer. Parishioners use their special talents to lead

different workshops. All students at this level were given Spark Bibles this year. Future 3rd graders will receive a Bible in the fall of each year. This is the same Bible that is used in the classroom.

In middle school, the first part of Journey to Adulthood is being used. Teachers also teach on

appropriate topics which come up during the year. In high school, youth meet once a month with an adult mentor (Ellen Boyes) to help solidify

their growth as adult Christians. Many are already involved in adult ministries in the church.

This past summer, Vacation Bible School, G-Force by Cokesbury, was held in the last week of June with almost forty children registered. Just as many parishioners were involved in all aspects of running Bible school from teaching to making scenery. There were also more

people who provided daily food and snacks. Dinner, lessons, and much fun was provided in the early evening hours. It was truly a family event culminating in a Friday night open house

and dinner.

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Besides a weekly church school class, students participated in additional activities which

included:

Intergenerational activities (making valentines for the Mead residents, packing Thanksgiving boxes, church picnic, etc.)

Participating in an Adult Forum on October 18th titled "Are You Smarter Than a Church School Student?" Adults were asked questions taken from the lessons students learned

from the previous year in their classes. Students were ready and able to help them and much fun was had by all.

Middle and High School youth participating in Crossroads Christmas pageant titled "The Signs of Christmas "performed on Christmas Eve and the

following Sunday as a gift from the children to the parish. Thirty-six youth participated in the pageant.

Summer church school for children from preschool through the 2nd grade

Having Prayer Partners for our youth where adult members pray specifically for a younger member of the parish and youth pray for their adult prayer partners.

Service projects organized by the youth and a core of parents (Jen and Bob Losey, Jen and Sean Sullivan, Bob and Leah Lynady, and Fr. Chris.) This included a coat drive in

November and a toy drive in December. The SOS shelter is the recipient of the generosity of our youth. We are always looking for ways our youth can be involved in service projects. This definitely is "Faith in Action" and a wonderful way for students to

really know what it means to be a Christian.

We thank all the people who help us in our ministry - especially the Vestry and Fr. Chris. Youth of all ages are valued and welcome at St. David's. Other people as well have helped including the Hammer and Nail Club, the Altar Guild, Robert Johnson, Ellen Boyes, Steve

Ernst, Barb Veselenak, and Jim Kenning. Others have donated supplies as well. A special thanks to Mary Margaret Bair who has helped organize all the lessons in the Godly Play

room. She has helped tremendously by cataloguing all the "parts" for each lesson. Jesus welcomed children with open arms and we want to follow His example. Please

consider prayerfully if you could become involved in this rewarding ministry in some way. Our prayer is that more and more families see Christian education as a gift they can give

their children now- a foundation that will be with them forever. There are so many "teachable moments" each day.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Johnson Kitty Kenning

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ST. DAVIDS CHURCH SCHOOL TREASURER’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR 2015 (Dec 31 2014 - Jan 9, 2016)

GENERAL FUND

Balance at December 31, 2014 $1,299.94

RECEIPTS

Budgeted by Church (from 4th Qtr. 2014) $ 250.00

Fee Refund $ 42.00

Funds Transfer from Birthday Fund $ 4,371.72

________

Total Receipts $ 5,963.66

DISBURSEMENTS

Church Supplies & Materials $ 962.63

Child Fund International $ 396.00

Vacation Bible School $ 2,214.22

Bank Fees $ 34.00

Disbursed to St. David Church (Close Account) $ 2,356.81 ***

Total Disbursements $ 5,963.66

__________

Balance at January 9, 2016 After Account Closed $ 0.00

BIRTHDAY FUND

Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 4,371.65

RECEIPTS

2015 Interest $ .07

_________

$ 4,371.72

DISBURSEMENTS

Transferred to General Fund -Closed Account $ 4,371.72

_________

Balance at January 9, 2016 $ 0.00

Respectfully Submitted,

Paul Veselenak

Church School Treasurer

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Daughter’s of the King – Sisters of Bethany Chapter

We meet on the second Sunday of each month from September though May at 12:30 PM in

the Assistant’s Room at St. David’s. We enjoy a light lunch furnished by one of the Sisters, followed by our meeting. During the summer months, from June through August, we meet in one of the Sister’s home on the second Tuesday at 6:30 PM with a light dinner. This year two

of our sisters were called home to be with the Lord, Cathy Ciccone and Rose Kolberg. Their presence within our midst has been sorely missed. We did gain another Daughter, Jane

Johnson, was inducted into the chapter taking our number up to 14 members. We invite all women congregants to come and check us out. Anyone interested in becoming a Daughter of the King should contact any Daughter.

Every Sunday, Daughters are available for intercessory prayer after the congregation receives

communion. On the first Sunday of each month, a prayer team is available in the Sanctuary; on other Sundays we meet in Taylor Chapel for intercessory prayers.

Once again we are planning to provide pillowcase dresses for the girls at Mirabella, Haiti, as our contribution to the Haiti Outreach at our church. We also will provide Baptismal and

Confirmation dresses which we will give to the rector’s wife to give out as she sees the need.

Once again Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Holliday-McClintock, President

Haiti Outreach Mission

HOM did not undertake a mission trip this year due to scheduling conflicts with our medical participants. We celebrated Michael Matthews (son of Dr. Dominique Monde-Matthews) high

school graduation and his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The St. David’s HOM group continued to actively raise funds for the 2016 trip and we were

able to assist with the funding for a small group that went to Haiti to meet with the new priest at St. Pierre and assess what needed to be accomplished before our next trip. The Clinic is in

need of repairs to the perimeter walls and also the structure that threatens to be undermined by a hole in a wall. A man has been found who can keep the generator operational so that the lights will stay on and the dental equipment will operate. Alternative methods are being

sought to bring water into the building as the roof cistern is not functioning well. Expenses for the 2016 trip are estimated to be $1480/person (air fare at $650.00,

accommodations at $490, food at $140, and ground transportation in Haiti at $200). A portion of the 2014 Comedy Castle profits enabled us to provide $2000 to Haiti Outreach

Mission for Haiti clinic building improvements. Additional fundraising efforts such as the pancake breakfasts and Cookie Walk/Craft Table should allow us to be able to provide our

missionaries with medical evacuation insurance at no cost to them. In addition, we should be able to cover part of each missionary's travel expenses. Cost for the Medical supplies for the 2016 trip are estimated to be $4000-6000 and will be paid from the 2015 Comedy Castle

profits.

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We continue to support the Haitian medical student, Socrates Pierre, whose studies we started

supporting in 2012. We cover his medical school tuition as well as providing some funds quarterly for his food and housing. This year we have covered $1970 of his expenses. Many

thanks to Janny Milton and Edith Morisseau for closely monitoring his studies and grades and to Janny’s sister, Giliane Thiesfeld, for handling his finances for us. She lives in Port-au-Prince and runs a business there.

We held spring and fall business meetings and two fundraising event meetings that were hosted

by member Janny Milton. She even provided wonderful Haitian dinners. The meetings provided a great time to share ideas and map out our activities for the coming months.

We want to thank all who stepped forward to help with the pancake breakfasts and 'Hope for Haiti' Comedy Castle event. Those activities and your help with them made all of the above

possible. Steve Ernst

for Haiti Outreach

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Hammer and Nail

The Hammer & Nail Club is a group of helpers and is responsible for keeping our routine

maintenance costs low and assisting/supporting Junior Warden projects. All are welcome to join us – just come on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM for a couple of hours or so. The items completed this year by the Hammer & Nail Club are listed at the end of this report.

Many ‘thanks’ are in order to them – they have donated over 400 hours of their handyman knowledge to St. David’s.

The completed items listed in this report are the ones known to me. I know that others (like CSB) have completed other jobs just because they needed to be done for the good of OUR church. To them, a sincere THANK YOU.

Steve Ernst

Hammer & Nail Chairperson Hammer & Nail Club Members:

Jim Cloutier, Steve Ernst, Len Sackett, and Lorraine Tyler. Other members: Wayne Atfield, Dick Boyes, Ray Litwinowicz, help on weekends or when their schedules permit.

Hammer & Nail Club Project List:

Inside projects: - Replace worn or broken wall outlets and switches, light bulbs as needed (including Sanctuary lights), batteries in emergency lights, thermostats, etc.,

- Repair pew kneelers and loose hymnal racks, chairs, tables, cabinets, cork rails, etc., - Altar Guild: assisted them with decorations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter,

Lenten Garden, draping for hanging cross, etc., - Setup tables and chairs for various church functions (luncheons, rummage sale, quilting group, etc.),

- Sanctuary: remove candle wax from carpeting, pews, & pew cushions, vacuum pew cushions,

- Networking & Computers: installed Wi-Fi units in Conference Room and Sanctuary; added appropriate cables & connectors to TV set & projector for the newer laptops; added network cable to Teen room for their TV set & gaming equipment;

Outside projects:

- Lawn Maintenance: tree, plant, and lawn care (fertilize, weed-n-feed grass, trim tree branches & bushes & plants, rake leaves as needed), - Memorial Garden: prepare ground for internments, bird feeder care, maintain

benches, watering systems, etc., - Community Garden: assist when necessary,

- Building Maintenance: windows re-glazed and washed, inside & outside, - Routine maintenance of watering systems, lawn equipment, etc..

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Hunger Committee Annual Reports

Crossroads of Michigan

On our three visits to the Crossroads Soup Kitchen in 2015, St. David’s parishioners, family and friends served over 2,100 meals to the guests.

St. David’s provided bananas and watermelons for the March and September lunches, and for

the December Christmas meal we provided 20 turkeys and 50 pies. Thank you all who participated!

This special ministry is vital as Crossroads is the only soup kitchen that operates on Sundays. St. David’s also provided lunch to area schoolchildren on two occasions during the summer. As

so many of the children receive free lunches during the school year, this ministry provides much need nutrition for the youth in the area. Our 2016 dates for Sunday lunches are Match 6th, September 18th and December 18th.

Jan Ivinson

Open Hands Food Pantry

It is hard to conceive that in Oakland County, one of the wealthiest counties in Michigan, that there are families, our neighbors, who are having difficulty feeding their families. We are

fortunate to have the opportunity to support Open Hands Food Pantry, a ministry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Royal Oak.

In 2015 the generosity of our St. David’s congregation enabled us to deliver 756 pounds of food to Open Hands for distribution to citizens of Oakland County. Additionally, bushels of

beautiful sweet apples from our tree near the garden were delivered for distribution. The apples were enthusiastically received by the clients as fresh fruit is not often available. Open

Hands food is available to any family with residency in Oakland County who indicate a need for

food assistance. There is no income restriction, only a need for food.

Please remember your neighbors who may be in need of some help feeding their families.

When you go to the grocery store remember to pick up and extra item or two. You may deposit non-perishable food in the basket or grocery cart in the narthex. The food is offered for

blessing on the second Sunday of the month and is delivered to Open Hands the next day. If

you have any questions ask Jan or Steve Ernst.

Thank you for your continuing support of this ministry.

Submitted by Jan Ernst

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Lifelong Learning Committee Report for 2015

The mission of the Lifelong Learning Committee at St. David’s is to help provide adult parishioners with a variety of opportunities to promote and support spiritual growth and

learning.

Adult Forums Following the 10 a.m. worship service from September through mid-June, our members

have the opportunity for both learning and fellowship during Adult Forums.

With Fr. Chris’ guidance and help, the Lifelong Learning committee meets approximately

twice a year to plan forums for the upcoming program year. At forums during 2015: ...we heard about the Diocesan archives at the Bentley Historical Library from our Diocesan archivist, the Rev. Chris Berg

...we learned and were inspired by the dynamic presentation “Courage of a King,” by LaNesha DeBardelaben from the Charles Wright Museumin a special commemoration of

the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. ...we learned about African American art through a DIA presentation ...heard Sojourner Truth, played in character, deliver the “Ain’t I a Woman” speech

...took a deeper look at The Gospel of St. Mark during a ChurchNext introduction on the first Sunday of January, as well as during the five weeks of Lent.

...heard about the work at Cass Community Social Services from the Rev Faith Fowler ...had a presentation on the Museum of Contemporary Art

...had our first “Arts Alive” event coordinated by Lorraine Tyler and Len Sackett where we celebrated the artistic and creative talents within our own parish ...made Valentines with our young people for our neighbors at St. Anne’s Mead

...participated in the “Are You Smarter than a Church School Student” at our annual Harvest Luncheon

...received an update on our Haiti Outreach mission in a slide show compiled by Len Sackett . . .enjoyed “welcome back” ice cream social with “Opportunities for Ministry” slide

show ...heard an update on a potential capital campaign by our Vestry

...heard about our Vandenberg partnership from Principal Cindy Watson

...learned about the Whitaker Institute by the Rev. Eric Williams

...heard a Christian perspective of the mystery of death and dying from Fr. Krell

...learned all about recycling of paper from Anne Jeannette LaSovage

...met Presiding Bishop Michael Curry through a ChurchNext course

...were delighted by a presentation by “Little House” Storyteller and Fiddler

...greeted Bishop Gibbs at his triennial visit to St. Davids

...enjoyed a special reenactment of the book “The Legend of the Christmas Prayer” with

Joan Boyes, Mark Litwinowicz and Mark Schneider

...concluded the year with Christmas caroling at the Mead

Bible Study Class Fr. Chris leads a Bible study class each Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.

following the 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning Eucharist and encourages your participation.

Sunday @ 9 Study Hour Fall 2015 We studied a variety of topics through our ChurchNext Classes including Developing

Christian Patience; How to Forgive; The Simple Path to a Deeper Spirituality; how to Deal With Difficult People; Why Does God Get Angry; How to Simplify Your Life; How to Pray;

and Praying With Icons

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Sunday @ 9 Study Hour Winter-Spring 2015

Sunday Evening Lenten Series

We shared supper, conversation and experienced the ChurchNext Series, Creating Common Good. As Christians, we care deeply about social justice and know that the church can

create change. But on a practical level, how do we take on the pervasive, overwhelming issue of economic inequality? 2015’s Trinity Institute topics included: Is Inequality Sinful; Class Matters; Inequality for All; What Can We Do About Economic Inequality and The

Agape Economy: The Church’s Call to Action.

Lenten Book Study: ‘Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter’

Episcopal priest, Lindsay Hardin Freeman identified every woman, who speaks in the Bible, providing their words, context, and historical background. We learned which women spoke the most (hint: it's not Mary!) and which books of the Bible have the fewest words from

women. We heard the only conversation between a mother and daughter (and it's not pretty), the words of a woman who eats her own child, and the triumphant exclamation of

a woman telling the world about the risen Christ.

Respectfully submitted, Susan Brooks and Edna Buday

Music Program Annual Report 2015

Overview

The St David’s Music Program continues to provide varied opportunities for both musicians and non-musicians who wish to offer praise to God and assist congregational prayer. The Chancel

Choir presents a varied repertoire at Sunday worship, the Adult Bell Choir (which plays two octaves of Malmark English handbells) and the Children’s choir singing and playing rhythm instruments (drums, sticks, tambourines, etc.)

Musical Particulars & Special Events

During 2014, the Chancel choir sang in multiple languages, and hymns and anthem choices spanned several centuries. The Chancel Choir led the Psalms in plainchant, the ancient music of the Church, with positive congregational participation. In 2014, the musicians of St. David’s

enriched special events, including Evensong services, the solemn liturgies of Holy Week, and the festivities if Christmas. A well-attended Advent Lessons and Carols service was held of the

second Sunday of Advent. During the summer, St. David’s was graced with the presence of talented guest musicians. These included parishioners who volunteered their services. The

Adult Bell Choir gave their talents once a month and at Easter & Christmas. The Children’s choir gave their talents once a month singing and playing the rhythm instruments, but they took a hiatus in September.

Instruments & Supplies

The pipe organ continues to be maintained by Mr. Rock Morin and fellow technicians from JA Herbert and Son of Troy, MI. Repairs and tuning done in June and November have resulted in finding some things wrong. The organ is over 46 years old. The electro-mechanical console

combination and organ chamber repay switching system is worn out. The parts are simply breaking down. Parts for the old system are not available. Mr. Morin has given us some ideas

on how to make repairs and an estimate of those repairs. This estimate has been turned over to the Vestry.

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St. David’s three pianos are tuned by Mr. Clem Fortuna of Detroit, MI. The Malmark handbells and

the Kristal Bells are maintained “in-house”. The St. David’s music program continues to benefit from a solid choral music library.

We also purchased rhythm instruments for the new children’s choir – tambourines, bongo drums, rhythm sticks, wood claves, tone blocks, rain maker, African style rope djembe, and wooden

blocks. The children will use these instruments while they present their gifts during the service.

The electric piano to accompany the children’s choir and the pageants is doing well. It will be kept in the church and not take up as much room as the other upright piano.

All the choirs have worked extremely hard over 2015 and I am very proud of all of them.

As of October 4, 2015, Dan Urbiel, organist, left St David’s for a new job working with the Sisters of Mercy. As of January 24, 2015, George Cullinan will take over as new Music Director and Organist of the St David’s Chancel Choir and Adult Bell Choir.

It has been a joy working with all of you over the last 3 years.

Musically Yours,

Ellen L Boyes Director of Music

2015 –

Chancel Choir – 20 members including the Director and Accompanist

# of rehearsal – 37 x 1.5 hours = 55.5 x 20 choir folks – 1110 hours

# of services sung – 45 x 2 hours = 90 x 20 choir folks – 1890 hours # of summer services – 13

10 volunteers who gave of their talent # of Anthems & Hymns sung – 306

Bell Choir – 8 members including the Director

# of rehearsals – 38 x 1 hour = 38 x 8 bell folks – 304 hours # of services – 12 x 2 hours = 24 x 8 bell folks – 192 hours # of Anthems – 14

Children’s Choir – 7 members including the Director and Accompanist

# of rehearsals – 5 x 30 minutes = 1.5 hours x 7 choir folk – 10.5 hours # of services sung/played – 5 x 1 hour = 5 x 7 = 35 hours

The Children’s choir is on hiatus as of September 2015

Instruments –

Organ

Piano Violin

Bass Guitar New Electric Piano Cello

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Newcomers Committee Annual Report for 2015

The Newcomers Committee has been very active this year. The many things we did include:

Welcomed visitors who come to worship at Sunday and Holiday services by greeting them

at the door and at the Welcome Center. Not all visitors signed our guest book, but about

70 did. Those who signed the book were sent a thank you note for visiting.

Presented visitors with a Welcome Folder which provided them with information about St.

David’s.

Designed, purchased, and passed out prayer cards honoring Martin Luther King.

Purchased the St. David’s pens. A pen is included in every Welcome Folder and others are

passed out at other times.

Purchased the yard signs and bumper stickers for folks to use to announce their support

of St. David's.

Purchased the mini Jesus Loves You teddy bears for children to play with while in church

or take home.

Made the two JOIN US signs for outside to welcome passersby to come in (Thank you Peg

Moran for your beautiful art work!)

Bought balloons, some with St. David's information on them, to add a festive touch to our

yard and vestibule on Sunday mornings. At the time of writing this, we are having a

problem getting affordable helium, but hope to have that resolved soon.

Put up a tent at the Berkley Art Bash in June and hosted a welcome center there, passing

out water bottles, candy, and information about St. David’s. We also invited people to

come to the SOS End Homelessness Now 5K/10K.

Helped with the End Homelessness Now 5K/10K in August for South Oakland Shelter.

Hosted the Rector’s Tea for new members in November at Fr. Chris’s house.

Continued our Shepherding program for newcomers to help them feel more welcomed

and to connected to St. David’s.

Welcomed and provided small gifts to about 20 new St. David’s members on Welcome

Sunday in November.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to work with all the committee members and greeters. Thank you for your commitment to this important mission.

The Newcomers Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. to discuss ways to meet the needs of our visitors and newcomers. Members of the committee

are Karen Hurley, Sandy Krell, Joyce Mader, Joanne Sackett, Linda Taylor, Judy Walsh, and Fr. Chris. Thank you all for your time and talent and we look forward to another year of welcoming people to our Household of God. Anyone interested in becoming a part of this

welcoming group, get in touch with a committee member or come to one of our meetings.

Respectfully submitted, Joanne Sackett

Committee Chairperson

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St. Anne's Guild

Final Annual Report

St. Anne's Guild is a group of women that have met for many years at St. David's. We have been a service group that raises funds for different outreaches that the church is involved with.

Our annual Epiphany service and luncheon was a huge success! We had wonderful soups and salads that were donated by the members of the guild and the entire parish was invited to

come. We had lined up Kerry Price to be our entertainment for the day and since she was unable to attend last year since we cancelled it due to snow, we asked her to return this year and she did. We enjoyed beautiful piano music from her. A great time was had by all.

This year was a very difficult year for our guild. I was laid up with back surgery from January

to Easter. Cathy Ciccone was to take charge in my absence, however, she took ill as well It was decided by the elected officers to postpone the rummage sale due to all of us not being up to doing it in the early spring. Unfortunately, we are very saddened by the news of 2 of our

beloved members passing away. We lost Anne Amundson on April 29th and just 2 weeks later we lost our beloved Cathy Ciccone on May 12th. They are sadly missed by all of us in the guild.

So because of our loss and many of us being under the weather, it was decided to postpone the rummage sale to the fall.

Newcomers Financial Report 2015

Date Item Amount Balance

$500.00

6/21/2015 Helium tank - Berkley Art Bash $31.79 $468.21

6/28/2015

Supplies for Berkley Art Bash: Balloons,

Helium tank, Water, candy, snacks for vol-

unteers $104.12 $364.09

9/6/2015 Balloons with St. David's logo $228.83 $135.26

9/5/2015 Removable Bumper Stickers $70.00 $65.26

10/30/2015 Name tags for Welcome Tea $10.59 $54.67

Balance $445.33 $54.67

Items ordered by Newcomers and paid for

from Other Office Supply Fund

Date Item Amount

2/10/2015 MLK prayer cards $69.98

9/1/2015 Yard Signs $50.00

Total $119.98

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There are many things that happen ahead of time for the Rummage Sale and we were all on

top of the work. We had signup sheets for people to come and help with setting up, the sale, and the clean up. Christian Service Brigade was there to help set up tables and help bring

things in from peoples cars. The CSB boys and leaders also stayed on Sunday and helped us begin the setup for the Rummage Sale. The guild served a pizza luncheon bought with Scrip from Little Ceasers Pizza for the volunteers. Through the week we had some parishioners

stopping by to drop off goods. Some would come and stay to help sort or price items. On Saturday, we had a $5.00 bag sale and what was left was quickly swept into boxes and our

clean up was done in record time so that Salvation Army could come and pick up the goods that were left over. Our proceeds this year were split with CSB, as they did a lot of pre and post work for the sale.

Our annual elections would normally take place at the first meeting in September, but due to

lack of attendance, we offered to come back in October and make a decision as to whether the guild was a viable guild still. The officers have remained the same over the past few years. Barbara Veselenak was the Chair, Cathy Ciccone was the Vice-Chair, Marilyn MacKay is our

Treasurer and Mabel Russell agreed to do secretarial work it as long as she could. Due to Marilyn MacKay's health she turned the financial z books over to Barbara this summer.

It was decided at the October, 2015 meeting that St. Anne's Guild after all these years was

going to close up shop. We looked through all the donations that had been given over the years and it was decided amongst those of us that were present at the meeting, as well as, speaking on the phone with Mabel Russell and Marilyn MacKay that we would divide the money

amongst the organizations that we have given to in the past.

We are truly saddened by the news of St. Anne's Guild closing its door. We had great fellowship and learning from one another along with making our outreach at St. David's even better than it was before.

Just because the Guild has shut down, does not mean that we can't as a parish work together to keep all our missions afloat. I know that I have some ideas to pass along to the Vestry to

help fund our missions and I am sure that the members of St. Anne's Guild will continue to support in any way they can.

A great BIG thank you to all of you that have helped me through these past few years keeping the Guild alive and young.

My Best Regards to All Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Veselenak

Chair of St. Anne's Guild

St. David’s Quilters

St. David’s Quilters is a group of parishioners, their friends and relatives who gather once a

month to work on their own quilting projects. Meetings are usually the third Saturday of the month. In August, we meet the second Saturday due to the Dream Cruise. We do not meet in

December. In November, we have a potluck lunch. There are no formal dues. Each person puts a dollar or two in the pot each month which is donated to the church. Once a year those who wish to participate do a mystery quilt. It is always fun to see how different each quilt

looks depending on the fabrics chosen.

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Every other year, we have a quilt show in the church. There are usually 150+ quilts on display

in the sanctuary and in the fellowship hall. A $3 admission is charged and there is also a craft sale. The quilters donate food for lunch and refreshments which are sold by the Christian

Service Brigade (CSB) group. The boys keep the money earned for food sales for their treasury. Money from admissions and crafts is donated to the church for General Outreach. The 2015 show earned $456 for the church. CSB made around $275. Special thanks to Steve

Ernst, Len Sackett and Bob Connelly for helping with setting up and taking down the display. Thanks also to Steve for his photography talents. He photographs each quilt on display. Jim

Kenning, Jan Ivinson and the CSB once again did a great job in the kitchen. Look for the next show in October of 2017. We will appreciate the support.

As always, we welcome anyone who would like to join us. You do not have to be an expert to be a St. David’s Quilter.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Connelly

Scrip Annual Report The Scrip office started 13 years ago with the assistance of Father Don Duford. This small

group of people are very dedicated to making additional funds for our parish. Each Sunday morning we make available to all parishioners gift cards that are purchased for face value. The

Scrip office is purchasing the gift cards at a discounted rate from a company in Grand Rapids, MI. So when parishioners purchase gift cards at face value, the church has made money. We have some very loyal parishioners who come to our window every week! Our loyal buyers is

how we are able to make a donation to the church each year.

This year we are unable to make a larger donation than last year, because we have less people stopping by the Scrip window to purchase gift cards. It really is painless to purchase these gift cards, as you are not paying any more than if you just gave the money to the merchant. So

we need your help! We keep track off all of your puchases through a program that we have had the use of for the past 3 years. This tracks your puchases and gives at the end of the

calendar year a record of your purchases with the amount that you have donated to St. David's. This in turn can be used on your taxes as a donation to the church if you are allowed to do that part in the taxes that we all submit to the IRS. This increases your donation without

spending any more money than you would normally

Barbara Veselenak continues to run the program. She orders gift cards through the company in Grand Rapids. She works on a rotating basis in the office to service the parishioners who purchase gift cards. Gene Buday continues to make all the deposits for the funds collected.

He also is there on a rotating basis to serve in the office. Mary Margaret Bair is a big help in making out the schedule for when the workers will be in the office on Sunday mornings. Julie

Wagner also work in the office on a rotating basis. As many of you know, we lost a member of the Scrip Team this year. Cathy Ciccone was a very dedicated worker in the office. She can never be replaced, however, because of our loss,

we are looking for a few new faces to come and be a part of our team. Won't you consider joining our team?

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Why not stop by to see what we have to offer? We carry different brands of gas, Meijer gift

cards, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Panera Bread, Wendy's, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, just to name a few. This year we started to carry Amazon.com cards in $10 and

$25 denominations. This one is quite popular especially at Christmas and Birthdays The funds that are donated to the parish from the Scrip Office are divided between 3 accounts

at the parish. Twenty five percent (25%) goes to the Youth, 25% goes to Outreach and 50% goes to the general operating fund for the church. This was decided by the vestry when we

first started many years ago. Stop by the window in the office--we would love to help you, help the church.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Veselenak Chairperson

South Oakland Shelter

St. David’s participation in the South Oakland Shelter displays an amazing commitment

and awesome outpouring of God’s love as so many parishioners give so freely of their time and talents. It is an intense and exhausting week. The extraordinary

volunteerism of our St. David’s parish provides us with the opportunity to feed and house as many as 35 guests for a week each April. Please mark your calendars now –

2016 dates are Sunday, April 17th thru Sunday, April 24th. Volunteers serve as drivers, overnight hosts, lunch packers, dinner preparers, launderers, shoppers, set up and

take down crews, entertainment providers, and listening ears. We could not have

possibly pulled this off without the help and support we received from all of you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Collectively, we logged over 900 volunteer

hours. We would like to give special thanks to our team captains:

Transportation (and so much more!) Kitty Kenning Set Up & Tear Down Bob Losey & Tom Ivinson

Night Hosts Jake Jones Shopper Jen Losey

Jan Ivinson

Web Site

New items for 2015: starting in September, audio recordings are being converted into MP3 files so Apple devices may access them. I continue to post the sermon text and audio files on the web site each week (usually by Wednesday). Many thanks go to Joanne & Len Sackett and Jim

Kenning for providing most of the photos on our web site. Additional updates are done when I receive any of our other publications such as “St. David’s Happenings,” our Annual Reports, our

outreach reports, or any other information that needs to be on our web site.

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Web site statistics for 2015 were:

10,298 web site visits – an average of 28.2 visits per day – 80% of visits viewed at least 3 pages;

64% were new visitors – 36% were returning visitors; New visitors were on our web site for 78+ seconds, viewing 2+ pages; Returning visitors were on our web site for 4+ minutes, viewing 4+ pages;

28,362 pages were viewed – an average of 77.7 pages per day; 3,769 visitors used hand held devices, like iPhones, iPads, and tablets

(last year this total was 3,542 devices); Viewers were located in the following cities (top 10): Royal Oak, Southfield, Oak Park,

Pontiac, Independence Charter Township, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Troy, and Warren.

The top 25 includes: Birmingham, Madison Heights, Plymouth Charter Township, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Bloomfield Township, New York City, Ferndale, Newark,

Roseville, Livonia, Commerce Charter Township, Rochester Hills, and Columbus.

Top 25 pages visited were: Articles, Newsletter, Rector, Photo Albums, Calendar, Sunday

Bulletins, Staff, Newsletter Archive, Taize Prayer Service, How We Worship, What to Expect,

Contact Us, Vacation Bible School, Chancel Choir, Outreach, Hand Bell Choir, Adult Forums, Stained Glass Windows, Service Times, Christmas Eve Music, St. David’s Academy,

Education, Welcome, 2015 Quilt Show, and Our Activities. We shop online, many read the news online, find phone numbers online, and look for

information online, so it is natural and important for a church to have an online presence. Many of our new members found us by searching the internet for an Episcopal church and checking

out our web site!

Steve Ernst Web Site Administrator

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