Annual Meeting
St. Luke’s Cypress Mill
December 2, 2007
9 a.m.
Adult Sunday School--Tom Peterson, contact, 512-264-0336—Tom took the leadership of adult education from Bob Keith in mid-year and thanks each attendee and those who lead the study as the group shares God’s book in a way to reflect on our understandings of the text and also support one another. Each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. St. Luke’s members discuss the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalm and Gospel readings while members take turns presenting the material. This process offers a variable look at the Bible as seen through the eyes of the leaders. Anyone attending the first service can review the material and those going to the late service are prepared for the lessons.
Altar Guild--Gail Moreman, contact, 830-868-7559. St Luke’s was blessed with the good fortune to inherit many gifts valued at approximately $14,000 from a church in San Antonio adding to the altar resources. The church also received a gift from Paula Sumners, of four vestments in the four church season colors, which had belonged to Paula’s brother. An anonymous donation to Rev. Les Spear’s discretionary fund was dedicated in part to the altar guild as well as the youth program. The Altar guild always welcomes new members and provides several trainings during the year. On December 8 there is training for preparing for marriages and funerals.
Children’s Sunday School--Frana Keith, contact, 830-825-3304--Frana thanks all who helped the Sunday School/Nursery programs during the 2007 calendar year, especially Sue Peterson for taking over the responsibilities of the Nursery. Other continuing volunteers throughout the year include Pat Burleson, Debbie Smith, Candy Garrison, Betsy Stephenson, and Angie Wooten. Angie donated funding for new carpet in both the Sunday School and nursery. The Sunday School program continues with a Godly Play curriculum, using budgeted funds to purchase more materials. Thanks to the additional time for Sunday school, which began in September 2007, the teachers have added lessons and been able to give more time, more detail and more stories during the 10 a.m. classes.
Christie Series—Christie Schroeter, contact, 830-825-2102. Christie was pleased with the Johnson City Library program and weather program from Troy Kimmel this past year as sessions of the community series, and she asks all members of the community for input into future programs. She and Rick send out cards to more than 300 community neighbors and friends for each evening event that includes a light supper or burgers as well as a community-interest speaker.
Church Newsletter--Christie Schroeter, contact, 830-825-2102—Christie collects, organizes, edits and mails news of the church and composes a monthly letter sent to approximately 70 families. She encourages and welcomes all contributions for each month’s newsletter. Her deadline for submissions is the 25th of the preceding month.
Junior Warden Report--Mike Kelley, contact, 830-825-3490. Mike reported two work days on the grounds during the year, one just prior to Easter and the other just before the Fall visit of the Bishop. Other times during the year several members have worked on crushed granite walkways from the church to the Sunday school building and to the vicar’s office with a short walkway to the back of the Sunday school building into the new nursery. Mike also noted this year’s addition of two handicapped parking signs, a new church information sign at the intersection at 962. Mike and helpers also installed new doors in the Sunday School building and in Swope Hall, plus assisted with several improvements to the new office of the vicar. Mike coordinated the laying of the carpet for Sunday School house and the installation of the doors.
Kitchen Committee--Marie McShane, contact, 512-261-6780— Marie appreciates all who help in the kitchen preparing, cooking and cleaning. She has requested input when supplies are needed or running low such as paper towels, soap, (dishwasher, hand, etc.) toilet paper, plastic cups, napkins, disposable plates, etc. A calendar in the Parish Hall is available to sign up to bring and serve Sunday morning refreshments, which should be ready after both the 8 a.m. and 10:15 services. Being in charge of the refreshments also includes being host and arranging for someone to clean up after the coffee hour at 11:15. The first person in Parish Hall for the 8 a.m. service should plug in/ prepare the coffee pot. Marie also requests everyone to take home all leftovers, although juice may be left if it is dated. If you take a tablecloth home to wash, please remember to bring it back.
Lay Readers-- Leigh Stephenson, contact, 512-665-3323—Lay Readers are scheduled to assist at both the 8 a.m. and 10:15 services with acolytes scheduled for the 10:15 only. All are required to attend periodic training as scheduled by the vicar and to call for substitutes if they are out of town or cannot serve. The lay reader is also responsible for counting and recording the plate receipts each service. A list of both lay readers and acolytes is posted on the website and kept in the office for a six-month rotation. Please call Leigh if you would like to volunteer to help in either capacity
Music—Ann Bond, contact, 830-825-3003—Ann and Corrie Craig choose and plan the music for the church services with help from several members of the congregation, especially the guitar players, who provide music several times during the year. Both Ann and Corrie encourage members to give their choices of selections for the Sunday service at 10:15 and for other services during the year.
Women’s Bible Study--Mae Hernland, contact, 830-825-3298—Mae reported the average attendance at the Tuesday morning Bible study is six to ten women who meet each week to offer prayers for people in the community and enjoy the study of Matthew this year. The study will continue in January after a short Christmas break, and all are welcome to attend. Mae, Ann Bond and Ann Walton coordinate the teaching.
Stations of the Cross Project-- Joe McShane, contact, 512-261-6780: The Bishop's Committee authorized this project in the spring with the requirement that it be completed without using any budgeted funds. Thanks to donations of time, talent, and machinery, plus cash donations, the first phase is nearing completion. This phase includes clearing of the path and installation of 14 Stations and crosses. Work in progress includes the installation of remaining crosses (2), identification of each station, and improving the pathway. Information pamphlets will be located at the entrance of the pathway with a return box at the last station #14. Special thanks to Tom Peterson for assembling the crosses, John Stephenson for drilling the holes, and others-- David Greene, Corby Craig, Fielding Reiner (knowledge in layout of the path), and Father Les for all the work clearing the pathway. Father Les hopes to invite the Bishop for a dedication of the finished project and incorporate them in use by Spring.
Ushers/Greeters-- Joe McShane, contact, 512-261-6780--Each Sunday morning the church has an Usher/Greeter who greets members and guests, passing out bulletins, assuring seating and making everyone feel welcome to the 8 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. services. Joe asks for any others who might be interested to contact him and sign up to participate.
Vacation Bible School-- Paula Sumners, contact, 830-798-1117—In June 2007, St Luke’s offered their first Vacation Bible School. Using the “Galilee by the Sea” curriculum. Paula organized the entire church, recruited volunteers and led the program to the delight of more than 15 youngsters and more than 30 adults who assisted in the adventure, despite being rained out for two days.
Website--Thomas Sumners, contact, 830-798-1117
Thanks to the decision by the Bishop’s Committee last summer to engage the services of a professional webmaster, George Cofran, the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church website is flourishing. It loads fast, navigates easily, and has four daily devotional links. It has the current newsletters back to July 2007, the current Bishop’s Committee minutes back to September of ’06, the Lay Reader/Acolyte schedule, and more. St. Luke’s congregation are encouraged to sign on, link up, take advantage of the available resources, and offer suggestions.
Treasurers’ Report--contacts, Sandi Burleson, 830-825-0211, and David Manning, 512-264-8847—See attached.