ACC Board Reports Q3 2024 Covering the period
July 1-September 30, 2024
Compiled for October 18 Council Meeting by Eleanor Crump, Vice Moderator
Board and Building and Grounds Trustees
Nina Harmon, October 6, 2024
1. Allan Gardiner, Randy Laferte and Javier worked on repairing a pipe leaking water on the large playground. They have bought parts and will have it finished by the rainy season.
2. Submitted claim for damage to the Social Hall floor, money was received and the work scheduled to start January 11 and complete January 18.
3. Patio deck has been sanded and stained.
4. Removed a tree and several cement pads in the preschool courtyard; laid new cement pads to fill the holes.
5. On behalf of the Health and Safety Committee, applied to Board of Endowment for $750 for reconstituted Automated Emergency Defibrillator to go in Social Hall; it will replace the old one which is inoperable.
6. The Health and Safety Committee designed and produced Emergency Response posters, which are now in each pew, and contributed an article on Emergency Preparedness to the ParishScope.
7. As of September 1, 2024, Hearts Leap Kensington has moved into remaining area of their leased space. They have not yet identified any specific areas needing an upgrade.
Respectfully submitted,
Nina Harmon, Chair
Board of Buildings and Grounds Trustees
Board of Endowment Trustees
David Hertzer, October 6, 2024
During the Second Quarter, Endowment disbursed the following: (a) $2,702 for the new roof over the Church entrance, (b) $18,881 for improvements made to the preschool area, and (c) $7,500 for one-half of the Pastor’s Housing Allowance. During the Third Quarter, no disbursements were made from Endowment. However, in September 2024 the sum of not to exceed $750 was approved to pay for a new recertified Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for the Social Hall. This sum will be disbursed in the Fourth Quarter after Council approves the purchase and the AED is purchased.
On December 31, 2023, The Endowment Fund at Vanguard was $929,320.61 and on September 30, 2024 it was $1,047,887.72, an increase of 12.8%. For the same period the Housing and Building Fund at Vanguard increased from $543,146.59 to $620,914.02, an increase of 14.3%. These increases were made despite the disbursements made in the first half of the year. The two Vanguard Funds are widely diversified and mirror the markets. The Dow Jones Index increased 12.3 % between December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024. The Endowment Fund and the Housing and Building Fund have done very well so far in 2024.
Respectfully submitted,
J. David Hertzer, Chair
October 6, 2024
Board of Hospitality and Outreach
Jaima Roberts, October 10 2024
Hospitality & Outreach began our 3rd Quarter with our normal responsibilities. We provided Social Hour refreshments of pastries or other treats as well as fresh fruit every Sunday.
Looking forward to the 4th Quarter, we will continue to provide refreshments for Social Hour as well as special events after church, our October 12 Focus Retreat, and during the upcoming holidays.
Respectfully submitted,
Jaima Roberts, Chair
October 10, 2024
Board of Worship and Congregational Care
Susan Yourd, October 9, 2024
Quarter Three ended with the more informal summer season (July and August) giving way to the energy of an autumnal (September) rededication to ACC’s various missions.
W/CC, with others, participated in an Inquirers class that was composed of very thoughtful folks. As of this writing, we will welcome into membership four truly lovely folks who will enrich our faith journeys.
Ron Yourd has recently assumed the duties so ably performed by Anna Marie Hertzer; recruiting Greeters for Sunday services.
Worship host tasks are going smoothly. We regretfully accepted Dawn Canada’s withdrawal from our WH group as her circumstances have changed. The Care team is providing rides to her when she can attend worship. We hope again to have a full roster of Hosts soon.
The Congregational Care tasks have been looked after by Susan Francis. We have supported folks through rides to worship and other events and provided meals to several as needed.
Although not formally part of CC, there are two other groups providing smiles and support: the Tuesday (and occasional Thursday) shift of sandwich makers for the GRIP Souper Center and the cookie bakers for a local lunch outreach group in our area. (Not to mention the snack group from the Hospitality board who truly are a ministry out of goodies at Coffee Hour!).
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Yourd, Chair
October 9, 2024
Board of Missions and Social Justice
Dorothy Streutker, October 7, 2024
BMSJ was active over the summer. A Just Faith class began in July and ended in August, offered in conjunction with the Faith Formation board. It was attended by 10 people, including the two co-facilitators, and two women who were not ACC members. It was a serious subject, and everyone completed the assigned readings, and the discussion was good and meaningful. We discussed whether another course should be scheduled, but we tabled that subject for another time.
The BMSJ also screened a film, "The Letter," about a timely encyclical from the Pope. He called for greater attention to the role of steward of the Creation. It was a meaningful, well-produced documentary, and was well attended. Another film, "The Strike," was suggested as a follow-up, though it is about prison conditions, quite different from "The Letter,"
The BWB fund continues to grow and provide down payment assistance to Bay Area homebuyers. We got an accounting at our September meeting:
Total Funds Raised to Date: $712,717.56
Total Funds Expended: $487,000.00
Administrative Fees and Loan Costs: $30,598.98
Fund Balance: $195,118.58
The idea of the BWB fund has sparked different groups to propose variations. A good idea grows!
We're still working on a covenant to declare that we are a BWB congregation. Barry is carrying this load.
In August, we got the congregation to assist in making "Blessing Bags," zip lock bags filled with socks, soap, toothpaste and brush, and other items of use to homeless people. Church members were encouraged to take the bags in their cars, and hand them out when they see someone who looks like they could use a blessing. Some leftover ones were distributed at the Souper Supper.
Speaking of the Souper Supper, this congregation continues to support the service, making sandwiches at church and some people going to the center to serve in person.
The UCC sent us a number of Voter Pledge cards, to have people commit to vote with stewardship of creation in mind. They have not gone quickly, but names and e-mails of those that have been turned in have been forwarded to Cleveland.
The BMSJ has undertaken the task of writing a covenant statement of our commitment to the environment. Three contenders were under consideration. The Board agreed that the following would be presented to the Council, and eventually to the congregation.
God calls us to be stewards of Creation, to recognize our
connection to the planet and to the life on the planet. As we
grow in awareness of the suffering caused by our abuses of
our Earth, we see that factors such a race, social class,
poverty, and geographic differences cause some to suffer
more than others. We affirm the divine gifts of Creation and
our connection to God, to each other, and to the life of the
planet. We covenant to continue to learn and to practice
ways to heal and prevent further damage to the planet, and to
heal and prevent oppression and social injustice.
The usual November call for donations for the Senior and Community Christmas fun will go forward. The Christmas Fund, for retired clergy, will be taken in January.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Streutker, Chair
October 7, 2024
Board of Faith Formation
Eleanor Crump, September 30, 2024
Quarter 3, 2024 Activities
1. Faith Formation met on August 5, and September 3. 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. Faith Formation Fireside Film Festival films paused for the summer.
4. Living the Word: Pastor’s Sunday Scripture Study based on the scripture for the coming Sunday’s sermon Tuesday noons led by Pastor Jen and Midweek Sermon Reflection led by Maria 7:00 PM Wednesdays.
5. Spiritual Journeys: Jen hosted Faith Abel as part of July 14 worship service and Dudley as part of August 11 worship service. Nick hosted Joe Pratt the eve of September xx on Zoom.
6. Partner with Missions and Social Justice to offer a Just Faith Ministries training program July 10 - August 28
6. Cluster continued to meet the first Monday of every month on Zoom. We usually have 4-5 people.
7. Faith Formation contributed two articles for ParishScope: Earl Lectures, Aging and Retirement Series, United Against Hate in El Cerrito - free film
8. The second Aging and Retirement cohort (Wise Hearts being the first), based on the book Aging as a Spiritual Practice by Lewis Richmond has been postponed due to insufficient interest.
Upcoming
1. Fourth Friday Faith Formation Film Festival will resume Friday, October 25. In so far as possible, we will be choosing films that support Pastor Jen’s sermon themes. Upcoming dates:
Oct 25
Nov 22
(skip Dec)
Jan 24
2. Spiritual Journeys to be led by Caro:
(skip Oct)
Nov 26
(skip Dec)
(skip Jan)
Feb 25
Mar 25
3. Wise Hearts (group of 9 people) will gather in person at Crump’s home on Nov 4
4. Considering several book groups and outside speakers.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor Crump, Chair
September 30, 2024