ACC Board Reports Q4 2024 covering the period October 1-December 31, 2024
Compiled for January 15, 2025 Council Meeting by Eleanor Crump, Vice Moderator
Board and Building and Grounds Trustees
1. Hearts Leap Preschool moved into 2-story building and chapel; they moved into the area previously known as K/1 in July.
2. Hired new gardener, Jose Hernandez
3. Repaired pipe leaking water onto asphalt playground; Allan Gardiner and Javier Gonzalez dug a new trench and installed by-pass drains and other parts.
4. Sanded and stained patio deck
5. Removed tree and replaced broken cement pads in school courtyard
6. Purchased projector and bracket for Social Hall; Allan Gardiner will install; It will be used in the Rental Program and by the congregation for films, slide shows.
7. Received full cost of repairing damaged varnish to floor in Social Hall from insurance company; work is scheduled for January 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
Nina Harmon, Chair
December 11, 2024
Board of Endowment Trustees
Awaiting year-end reports from Vanguard—expected around January 8, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
J. David Hertzer, Chair
January x, 2025
Board of Hospitality and Outreach
In the 4th Quarter Hospitality & Outreach is projected to continue the after-Church Social Hour refreshments as well as special events, as needed. We will be providing Goodie Bags to children attending the Christmas Eve Service on December 24th.
Respectfully submitted,
Jaima Roberts, Chair
December 13, 2024
Board of Worship and Pastoral Care
Quarter 4 is always a busy one for the Board of Worship and Pastoral Care. As we moved from summer and autumn into Advent, our altar colors and worship themes changed apace. We welcomed four new members and celebrated the lives of two or our beloved saints. And we served each other with loving care with rides to church and doctor visits, home visits and respite care, food and phone calls.
October 2024
· We celebrated our memories of the blessings Carol Lloyd shared us while she was among us. Carol served in many ways; as a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher, and in our various homeless care efforts.
· We celebrate “Day of the Dead” and remembered folks who influenced our lives and Spirituality.
· On October 13, Clista Haley, Lauren Eastland, Yusef Malenky, and Rachel Sing were welcomed into membership at ACC. Hooray!
November 2024
· “For want of a nail” or, in this case, a pen with which to write a donation check during worship, led to figuring how to place prayer cards, envelopes, and (at this point) pencils on the curvy backs of the pews. We do have a pen stash as well when required! The Worship Hosts each week for the service will check to make sure the holders are fully stocked for the following week.
· Jen worked with Susan to estimate our budget for 2025 to keep pace with our growing expenses.
December 2024
· The Greening of the Church event did a wonderful job of transforming the Sanctuary, Fireside Room, Entryway, and the exterior into festive and welcoming spaces.
· A pilot effort began for Advent to help those who enjoy a moment of meditation in the Sanctuary before worship begins. Conversations are welcome in the entryway, but respectfully quieted in the Sanctuary. We will evaluate after the New Year.
· We celebrated the life of our dear Glenna Seely. She shared her talents by serving as a deacon, faithfully sending handwritten notes of love and encouragement on birthdays and whenever someone needed a special smile.
At present, the Board is looking toward the Christmas services – moving through Advent, Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve, and on toward 2025!
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Yourd, Chair
December 17, 2024
Board of Missions and Social Justice
The BMSJ was busy during this last quarter of 2024. Much was devoted to raising money: There were ACC booths at the Solano Stroll and GRIP Harmony Walk, where brochures were handed out, asking for donations. The annual North Richmond Holiday Fund was gathered, netting over $4,000. We will collect the Christmas Fund (an emergency fund for retired pastors or pastors in financial distress) on the Sunday before Christmas, and our Christmas Eve offering will be for a charity that is devoted to helping Palestinian children. The Neighbors in Need Offering was taken on September 29. We're grateful to Russell Baker for additional BWBF promotion: He is singing at Shattuck and Vine and offering brochures to passersby. We also decided as a board to give $200 out of our Missions and Social Justice fund to a denominational O&A program.
We hosted a Spectrum on September 15, on the film, "Common Ground" about regenerative soil practices. It was well attended. Elena offered two booklet binding classes, which may have produced booklets to give to people caught up in the corrections system, but so far, the booklets have been claimed by the makers for themselves! But thank you, Elena, for the idea and skills.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Streutker, Chair
December 18, 2024
Board of Faith Formation
Quarter 4, 2024 Activities
1. The Faith Formation team met on November 12 and December 3. We skipped our October 1 meeting for the Vice Presidential Debate. Our standing meetings continue to be the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM on Zoom.
2. We finalized our mission statement which is now posted on the ACC website.
3. In October we continued to sponsor Pastor’s Sunday Scripture Study (SSS) based on the scripture for the coming Sunday’s sermon Tuesday noons in October led by Pastor Jen—on hiatus for November and December, to resume in January
4. Midweek Scripture Study (MSR): resumed in October, led by Rachel Sing and Susan Francis, each with a “Spark” to inspire the conversation.
5. Spiritual Journeys: Jen hosted Faith Abel as part of July 14 worship service and Dudley as part of August 11 worship service. Nick Crump hosted Joe Pratt the eve of September 24 on Zoom. On November 26 Ruth Robinson hosted Linda Young. All coordinated by Caro Grosvenor.
6. We partnered with Missions and Social Justice to offer a Just Faith Ministries training program, Poverty-a Solidarity Response led by Aaron Bolerjak and Dorothy Streutker July 10 - August 28
7. Cluster continued to meet the first Monday of every month on Zoom. We usually have 4-5 people.
8. Fourth Friday Faith Formation Film Festival resumed Friday, October 25 with Barbie and on November 22 we showed Coda.
9. Wise Hearts (group of 9 people) gathered in person at Crump’s home on Nov 4, and Cluster continued to meet the first Monday of every month on Zoom.
10. At our November 12 meeting, after much discussion inspired by a church member not on our Board, we voted unanimously to change the name of our board from Board of Faith Formation to Board of Faith Spiritual Life to more closely reflect our mission.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor Crump, Chair
December 12, 2024