Greetings, I’m Tom Davis, Corporate President of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you and your families a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
2011 was a challenging year, but I am pleased to report that we have been strengthened by the commitment and support from our Church family. With the hard work of the Session, the many Committee members and the Congregation, we have moved forward in significant ways. Our rediscovered empowerment strengthens us as we begin our search for a new installed Pastor.
We have weathered difficult times and the loss of those dear to us, but we have persevered with greater resolve. With every storm God provides a rainbow. This year we have been blessed with more than our share of rainbows.
With the assistance of Rev. Kent Miller and Dr. Bill Walker, the Session has written and adopted new By Laws and is completing a Policy and Procedure Manual in compliance with the Presbytery, the Presbyterian Church USA, and our new Form of Government. These documents are essential for the efficient and smooth operation and functioning of Madison Square Presbyterian Church. They will be of benefit to candidates in our search for a new Installed Pastor and to the eventual Installed Pastor him- or herself, assisting them in understanding who we are and how we function.
Our church administrative staff has been reorganized into three part time positions. Madelyn Johnson has moved to the part time position of Business Manager of the Child Development Center. Janet Wolfe was hired as our part time book keeper. Susan Shaw-Meadows has become our part time Children and Youth Education Coordinator.
The year has also brought us the Rev. Gusti Newquist as our Interim Pastor. We are grateful that the tenacious Search Committee found Gusti and that she chose to join us. She has been and continues to be invaluable in ministering to our wounds and transitioning us forward. We are so grateful to her and extend our love and admiration as we welcome her to our home and family.
With the generous gift from a benefactor, we were able to purchase the Blakely property directly behind the church after more than a decade of negotiations. The Long Range Planning Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee are working together to have the 2 houses removed and begin construction of an extension to our parking lot. As President, I have submitted the documents and secured tax exempt status for the property.
The Building and Grounds Committee acquired the services of Smith Security Company which patrols the grounds and provides extra security for evening services. The Committee also oversaw a major renovation of our heating and air conditioning system and the painting and repair of the Child Development Center.
Due to the diligence of Attorneys Tom Crofts and Robert McKay of Victoria, Texas, MSqPC will benefit from a newly negotiated Oil, Gas and Mineral Rights lease on our Howard County property.
Despite the efforts of the Stewardship Committee, the 2011 pledge campaign unfortunately generated fewer pledging units and a decreased amount of giving from last year. Annual gifts and pledges for 2012 are still being accepted and will be most welcome.
The Madison Square Child Development Center currently has an enrollment of 44 children with a 45th child beginning in a few weeks. The Center is meeting its goals and is well positioned for a productive and successful year. The Staff and Board of Directors of the Child Development Center invite you to tour the Center this afternoon during the Chili Cook Off.
The Session and the Finance Committee assigned all endowments, trusts, and bequests under the supervision and oversight of the appropriate committee to ensure the prudent and justifiable expenditure of those funds.
The Finance Committee developed and presented the 2012 Budget for the Church. The budget was passed with one dissenting vote from me. The budget exceeded income and required an 11% withdrawal from Foundation monies. In this time of economic stress when many of our congregation have lost jobs or have had their salaries decreased, I could not support a deficit budget that included from 3 to 10% raises for staff and an increase of funding to almost every Session committee. With the recent addition of the Howard County lease income, the budget will now necessitate an approximate 7% withdrawal from the Foundation. This is consistent with the suggestion made over a year ago by an advisor from the Presbyterian Foundation who informed us that it is reasonable and prudent to utilize from 5 to 7% of our MSqPC Foundation annually if needed. I now support the 2012 budget and feel it is a justifiable and appropriate use of our assets.
The Personnel Committee has reviewed and revised our Personnel Policies and Procedures as well as all job descriptions. New job descriptions were written to align with newly created part time positions. They have done outstanding work to improve and manage our administrative responsibilities.
We have been blessed with active Children and Adult Christian Education programs that provide thoughtful and exhilarating experiences. Who doesn’t want to worship at the Zoo or delve into your faith questions with vibrant and enthusiastic friends?
Our Mission Committee has been active in supporting many agencies, community services, and missions. They have provided a positive and obvious presence of MSqPC to the community of which we are a part.
Want to know what’s going on? Our Communication Committee maintains and updates our web site. Every Thursday it emails a newsletter with the Pastor’s message and information on current and upcoming events.
Movie nights, paletas, pizzas, and other surprises have been provided by our Church Community Committee. These events have nurtured us and helped sustain the joy of our fellowship through trying times.
Our Worship Committee worked tirelessly with our guest pastors and our temporary supply pastor to ensure consistent and comforting worship services anchored in our faith and traditions. They continue to work closely with Rev. Newquist in creating worship that is joyous and moving.
For 2012, many projects and endeavors have begun.
MSQPC has ordained new Elder and Deacon Classes for 2014.
The Session has met and elected Officers of the Corporation for 2012.
The Finance Committee will be moving our accounts from Bank of America to a local bank, Frost Bank, as part of the national “Move Your Money” initiative to support Main Street not Wall Street. The Committee has begun improvements to the reporting of our finances that are a more succinct and understandable accounting of our income, assets, and expenditures.
An independent audit of our accounts by Armstrong, Vaught, and Associates has been initiated which will provide us with a certified accounting of our church finances. This audit will identify our strengths and weaknesses and provide us with recommendations for improvement.
A transition team has been appointed and will be conducting meetings that focus on our mission and how we envision our future. The team will collect this information and pass it on to the search committee as they begin the process of searching for our new Installed Pastor.
2012 promises to be an exciting and productive year. With prayer and guidance, MSqPC will persevere in fulfilling our many Missions and continue to be an inclusive and welcoming home to people of God.
Thank you and may the blessings of our Lord be with you this and every year.
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