Rome Presbyterian Church

2015 Annual Report

A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians

P O BOX 189939 Main StreetRome, PA 18837

570-247-7014romepchurch@cableracer.com

www.romepres.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) Annual Report – Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard

2) ECO Update – Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard

5) VBS –Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard

6) Clerk of Session – Sylvia Abrams

8) Library – Deb Barrett

9) Missions – Joan Hudyncia

10) CHOW – Joan Hudyncia

11) Sunday School – Ed O’Connor

12) Santa’s Sleigh Ride – Pat Coon

13) XFA – Yvonne Cragle

14) Fellowship Dinners – Karin LeFever

15) Deacons – Liz Kline

16) Memorial Fund – Peggy Coleman

17) MAG (Ministry Accountability Group) – Judy Madill

18) ELI (Elder Leadership Institute) – Sylvia Abrams

19) Outreach – Peggy Hughes

21) Presbyterian Women Group – Lisa Lewis

22) Treasurer – Peggy Coleman

24) Trustees – Fay Daum

25) Audit Report

AGENDA

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL AND CORPORATION MEETINGS OF THE ROME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ROME, PA

February 28, 2016CALL TO ORDER WITH PRAYER Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard

CALL OF THE MEETING AND QUORUM

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

OPENING REMARKS

REPORT OF THE CLERK

TREASURER’S REPORT

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

DISMISS 2015 NOMINATION COMMITTEE: WITH THANKS

Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard, serving Ad Hoc

Elders – Ed O’Connor, chair

Deacons – Bev Singer

Trustee – Karin LeFever

At Large – Larry Alderson, Peggy Coleman, Colleen Mihalek, Chuck Perkins, David Rice

ELECTION OF 2016 NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Rev. Dr. Karen Ballard, serving Ad Hoc

Elders – Dan Williams

Deacons – Liz Kline

Trustee – Mickey Morris

At Large – Peggy Coleman, Jim Crawford, Yvonne Cragle, Rose Gross, Colleen Mihalek

REPORT OF ORGANIZATIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

READING AND APPROVAL OF PRESENT MINUTES

MOTION OF ADJOURNMENT OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

ANNUAL REPORT

WorshipSome of the main focal points of worship in 2015 were the book of Genesis, building a Kingdom culture, and Psalm 119.

Colleen Close has helped to arrange for and coordinate lay leaders for Sunday worship. Their responsibilities include reading the opening Scripture, Praying the Invocation and often leading the Call To Worship. All who are willing are invited to let Colleen know that you’re interested and perhaps provide dates you are available.

When Pastor Karen was absent, we more often than not had the pulpit filled by our own Elders. What a blessing to be part of a church family with so many gifted and willing people to proclaim the message of God’s Word!

We are doing better at providing home Communion to shut-ins. A new system of elders signing up for a time to go with Pastor Karen to take our community of faith to those who are unable to get to us. This has led to many more people being served. Again, thank God for incredible Elders!

Joyfully submitted by Pastor Karen Ballard

ECO in “Growth Mode”

Born in January of 2012, as of the end of 2015 the body known as The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, (ECO) had a count of 244 churches and 370 pastors throughout the USA. All of us are committed to living out ECO’s Four Priorities:

Lift up the centrality of the gospel. Grow with an emerging generation of leaders. Prioritize a wave of church innovation. Create an atmosphere of relational accountability.

Hopefully that’s what your sense is of what our church is doing!

The Synod is the largest body of the church and meets each January. In even years it is to do business and in odd years it is to teach, equip, and build up the body. These events happen in a warm environment as it seems people would rather travel to warmth in January rather than say . . . snow and cold. It is important for us to send our Pastor and Elder commissioner to the Synod meetings to vote on the issues that are forming this new entity. It is important that we be involved in the other meetings because they equip us to live out the agreements we’ve made when we chose to become a part of ECO.

The Presbytery is the next governing body of ECO. We are currently part of the Presbytery of the Northeast which encompasses as far south as Delaware, as far east as the coast, as far west as the Allegheny Mountains and to the northern border of the states. It is the desire of ECO to keep presbyteries small, between 10 and 20 churches. We are already up to 33 and so are planning a multiplication-split in 2017. This will make traveling shorter and relationships more manageable. ECO is big on churches being in relationship with one another. It is expected that being in covenant with one another is how we hold ourselves accountable to staying on task with the mission of the Church.

At this time there is no paid staff in the presbytery. People volunteer to do the tasks that were full time jobs for people in our past denomination. There is no “us vs. them” as we are all in this together. We do have a budget and from that budget we reimburse people for mileage and secretaries for hours spent on ECO business. The rest of the budget is used to support church planting and ministry candidates, working teams and whatever costs are incurred for presbytery meetings of which there are two each year.

Currently serving the presbytery from our church are: Peggy Hughes on the Preparation for Ordination and Ministry Team where she helps prepare seminary students who desire to become ordained in ECO. Chuck Perkins serves on the Permanent Judicial Committee and we pray that he never has to meet with his team! Judy Madill and Peggy Hughes have both served as Commissioners to presbytery meetings and Judy will represent Rome PC at the National Synod Gathering in January, 2016. Pastor Karen Ballard has served on:

the Ministry Partnership Team (which does all the work of interviewing churches and pastors who wish to join ECO, as well as tend to the health of each church and pastor)

the Nominating Committee

the Vice Moderator of the Presbytery (because we were just getting started the moderator graciously offered to serve two terms)

It was a great thrill to host the 2015 Spring meeting of the Presbytery of the Northeast here in Rome. On Friday night people came in and gathered at Sylvia Abram’s home. We ate, had a fire and made S’mores, sang together and prayed together. The next day we gathered in the sanctuary for worship and the work before us. People had a great time! (That’s not usually what is heard after a presbytery meeting!

When we joined ECO we agreed that we would be part of a MAG (Ministry Assimilation Group). In this group we would share best practices as well as evaluate yearly how the church is doing on goals that were set. We use the Health Narrative of the Church as a guide and the questions are quite intimidating, but really do help hold us accountable to what is really important to the Body of Christ. We did not do too well in meeting with our group which includes Endicott, Hallstead, and Stevensville. Our fall meeting was cancelled due to lack of availability. This is not an optional activity. We have to report whether we did this or not, so we are aiming to do better this coming year! Pray for Judy Madill as she coordinates this effort for us! And know that anyone who is interested is welcome to come to any and all Presbytery and Synod events.

Along with this, each pastor/CLP agrees to be in a PCG (Pastor Covenant Group). This group can be in our out of the ECO. Currently Pastor Karen meets regularly with other clergy from Towanda.

Pastor

In January of 2015 Peggy Hughes and Pastor Karen took part in being trained as coaches with ECO. This lead to Pastor Karen being asked to serve as a coach in a Discipleship initiative that ECO is doing to help churches fulfill their mission. With the Session’s permission, she began in October to participate in training with five others with the intent that she will be the Northeast Regional Director of Discipleship beginning in April 2016. What this means is that she will meet with the leadership teams from churches in our region who desire to be trained in discipleship and will coach the pastor as a follow-up for the twelve months following the training. Fortunately, coaching works great over the phone!

In April, Pastor Karen, Peggy Hughes, Sylvia Abrams and Judy Madill went on a retreat in Sandy Cove, MD to experience the Elder Leadership Institute immersion weekend. Prior to this the Session had been working on Phase One of this training. Each Elder wrote and shared their spiritual journey and we ended with a retreat and worship. The next phase of training involves watching short videos and discussing them at our session meetings. It also involves the elders choosing discipleship groups to lead. All of these things were implemented by the close of 2015.

My days in the office are spent amongst administrative, pastoral care, teaching/preaching tasks, and preparing worship. In the past six months I’ve really tried to up the amount of time I can spend with people outside of the office. The Elders have helped by offering to share Home

Communions with me. It is such a privilege to share the Lord’s Supper with those who can’t make it into the sanctuary on a Sunday morning.

I participate in TACA (Towanda Area Clergy Association) and while there are many activities and shared ministries that we can’t really participate in, the fellowship, support, and prayer that happens in that group is tremendous. Our neighbor, Pastor Jackie Condon also participates. My Pastor Accountability Group has come out of this group and includes Rev. Jira Albers (Trinity Lutheran and Wysox Pres), Rev. Bill Klees (Monroeton Christian Missionary Alliance), and David Hoeflein who is a seminary student and teacher at North Rome. I am so thankful for this group of pastors who speak into my life and allow me to speak into theirs.

Because our church participates in Grace Connection, we automatically have a place on the board. Kathleen Haney and I try to make the bi-monthly meetings and she is great about keeping the Mission Team informed of what is happening and what the needs are.

XFA is where you will find me on Thursday afternoons from October through March. Sometimes I write our curriculum and sometimes we find great stuff to use. I love leading the music with the kids and feel this is such a great way to get the message to them that they are beloved children of God and precious in his sight.

I’ve tried to lead the PW Bible Study and we’ve worked our way through two books by Elizabeth Curtis Higgs. Currently we are studying “Mad Mary”. Unfortunately, school events often interfere and so I am grateful for Sylvia Abrams being willing to step in and cover when I can’t be there. There is a Wednesday morning small group that meets in my office. This group has been a strong source of prayer and helpful words and accountability for me over the past many years.

It was a rough year for our church with so many saints passing into glory. And although funerals are not my favorite things to do, there was a lot of joy celebrated in the lives we remembered. Their passing has altered what our church community looks like. Part of my mission for the coming year is to help the session figure out who we are now and how God is calling us to function in this new identity. I pray that each one of you is up for the adventure of the journey we are called to.

Peace,

Pastor Karen

VBS 2015The Sheep and the Shepherd was our theme for the summer’s Vacation Bible School. Pastor Karen wrote the curriculum based on Psalm 23 and taught the lessons as well as led the singing. Susan Pifer and Sylvia Abrams set up the outdoor marketplace where kids were able to do a variety of crafts. Bev Singer coordinated the snacks from the kitchen. Many other folks pitched in by running the games and shepherding the smaller “flocks” from place to place.

On one special day, we took a field trip to the sheep farm of Joan and Mike Hudyncia. There we had some hands on experience with sheep and were able to select some died wool to come back and make wool balls the next two days in our craft tent.

It was a great week of learning that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are his dearly loved sheep.

Joyfully submitted by Pastor Karen Ballard

Report of the Clerk of Session

The Session, consisting of the Pastor and 6 Elders, met on a regular basis and held additional meetings as needed. All actions were recorded in Session Minutes and Congregational Meeting Minutes and were approved by Session.

Total Male FemaleMembership January 1, 2015 93 29 64

Additions 2015New Covenant Partners 0 0 0

Losses 2015Death: 7 2 5

Ending Total December 31, 2015 88 27 64

Acts of the ChurchNew Members 0Baptisms 2Deaths 7Weddings 0Births 0

Deaths: Jenny Brimmer (January 17, 2015)Raymond Allis (March 16, 2015) Betty Allis (July 24, 2015) Ethel Parks (August 14, 2015)Virginia Willson (September 5, 2015) Marion Jones (November 13, 2015)Reuben Brimmer (December 5, 2015)

Also remembered: Lyle Morris (August 31, 2015) Bob Cragle (October 9, 2015)

Respectfully submitted,Sylvia Abrams, Clerk of Session

List of Church Officers for RPC

EldersClass of 2016: Sandy Morris (2nd term) & Dan Williams (2nd term)Class of 2017: Peggy Hughes & Tom LeFever (2nd term)Class of 2018: Judy Madill (2nd term) & Ed O’Connor (2nd term)

DeaconsClass of 2016: Rachel Brown & Liz Kline (2nd term)Class of 2017: Pat Coon & Janet AldersonClass of 2018: Kathy Weaver & Shelba Wilbur

TrusteesClass of 2016: Cliff Robinson & Mickey MorrisClass of 2017: Faye Daum (2nd term) & Sherry Potocek (2nd term)Class of 2018: Karin LeFever (2nd term) & Brian Pifer (2nd term)

RPC Library Annual ReportJanuary 2016

For the second year, the library was available to the older pre-school children of the Mom’s Group. Pat Brink assisted with the program of stories, crafts, snack, music and games. The library was also available to the elementary school children in XFA, the after school program. During the summer, the library was open on Thursday mornings, and during Vacation Bible School, but did not attract many visitors.

Since it appears that most adults get their information from electronic sources, we will be discontinuing the magazine subscriptions and only those magazines donated will be available in 2016. As the elementary school age children are the largest group of users of the library, books for this age group were bought during NEB school’s Scholastic Book Sale last fall. The proceeds benefit the school library as well as providing some of the more popular book titles with this age group. The books bought at this time were from Memorial Fund money in memory of Bob Cragle. We are hoping to purchase a second hand book truck sometime this year as well.

Books donated for adults were also added. Check the fiction section for your favorite author. If you have a suggestion or recommendation, please let Deb Barrett know by putting a note in her mailbox.

Respectfully Submitted,Deb Barrett

Annual report for Mission Committee January 2016

For the year of 2015 the Mission Committee faced many changes, in support and membership. Our overall giving was down for the year, although we supported each of our chosen charities as the church was able.

Our total expenditures were approximately 8000.00. Our major giving was for local missions this year. Grace Connection and Hezakhiah’s Hands were well

funded for the year, so we did not give our usual donations. We continued support to five missionaries: Leith and Carol Fuji in Thailand, The Dewing Family in for Midwest , Colton Twigg for the Intervarsity Missions, Daryl Howard at Victory Bible Camp in Alaska and Pat Mentzer. Kurt and Amanda Goglin took at sabbatical from mission work for a year so were not supported.

Other funds to which the church donated were the Community Cup, ROCC, Living Waters, supplying wells to third world countries, Family Life Network, the local Christian music network, and the International Heifer Fund (we purchased a llama, 2 alpaca and a flock of chickens) .We carried out a food drive for Chow for Children supplying weekend food to underprivileged families whose children attend Head Start in Rome. Also part of the food drive was New Beginnings, the family run half -way house for men in Canton.

The Mission committee organized congregational offerings and contributed to the special funds for our Presbytery: The International Justice Fund, the Antioch Partners, One Great Hour of Sharing, The Blanket Fund and The ECO Outreach Foundation.

In early spring of 2015 a donation was made though the Salvation Army to give relief to Haiti during the hurricane and typhoon that struck the island.

We will be looking forward to the challenges of continued support for these causes as 2016 promises to be a year of budgetary caution for the church.

Respectfully submitted, Joan Hudyncia

Chow for Children

This year our church continued support for Chow for Children, a charity that provides a weekend meal for

the families of the children attending Bradford County Head Start in Rome. The Church collected food donations as stated above, and fundraising has provided approximately 4800.00 to continue meals through the 2015-2016 school year. Between 24 and 26 families have been helped, an increase from 21-22 families in the 2014-2015 school year. We chose to reduce from a main meal and lunch to a main meal only in our efforts to help more families and make it thru the whole school year.The continued support from the Rome Presbyterian Church is greatly appreciated.

Joan Hudyncia

Sunday School Report

The Sunday school is alive and doing well!!!

When faces with uncertainty as to how the program was going to survive due to low attendance and few teachers, those involved made their concerns known.

Prayer to resolve these issues were answered with more people taking an interest and new ideas came as a result of those prayer requests.

Sunday school begins Sunday mornings at 8:30 with a 15 minute social time. Breakfast foods and snacks are provided. Conversation and interaction among those present during this time is a chance3 to enjoy the fellowship around the tables.

Prayer is offered at 8:45 and classes begin.

We are proud to offer classes that cater to anyone who chooses to attend regardless of age. From wee little ones to senior citizens there are teachers ready to offer lessons each Sunday.

The addition of an adult class this year has been long desired and attendance has shown that the need was evident.

Classes conclude in time for everyone to attend church at 9:30.

Please feel free to join us Sunday mornings for social time and lessons.

Respectfully submitted

Ed O’Connor

Santa’s Sleigh Ride

What a fantastic journey it has been to participate in Santa’s Sleigh Ride over the past several years. It’s been a joy to share in this project with so many other gifted and talented artisans and crafters. Our church featured quilt runners and other quilted items, wreaths, cards, blankets, ornaments, and so much more. There was a special drawing for a handsome jelly cupboard designed and crafted by Brett Pifer. Our kitchen featured a huge variety of delicious homemade pies, sloppy Joes, chili, chicken corn chowder, and cornbread. The Cat’s Spinning Guild offered handmade yarns as well as knitted and woven projects. All proceeds are going toward the construction of a new ramp for the Christian Education Building.

I want to thank everyone for their help for another successful year. It has been an honor to chair this fundraiser.

Submitted by,Pat Coon

XFA 2015-2016 XFA is once again up and running with every year new changes being made to fit each new group of children.

This year in September, I asked Pastor Karen to focus on the theme of light. As we all know she is fantastic at raising scripture to teach Gods word so everyone can understand. The children were asked to look up scripture, read and talk about it in their groups. Their assignments were to figure out how they could use that message in their own lives everyday. The students own words and thoughts were then used to make up our Christmas program. We started with a completely dark church, with each child lighting a candle as they came on stage. Without the Lord Jesus Christ our world would be filled with darkness. He is the Light of the World.

As a director, I laugh when I say this, but each year our program and message gets better and better, even if the adults go into a meltdown during our last practice.

We have just started an Olympic curriculum for our spring lessons and are looking forward to each new week.

XFA 2015-2016 has an average of about 35 students each week with a great group of leaders and kitchen staff. The staff is committed to spreading the Word of God to children throughout the NEB School District. Our program is now continuing for more than 10 years with students now graduating from college. Many other churches have started programs like XFA but have given up due to lack of adult help and commitment. I want to thank those who have, and continue, to give up their time and work hard to spread Gods love to these children.

We are blessed to have the NEB School District willing to allow students to change buses and be dropped at our door step on Thursdays after school. Thanks to the bus drivers who transport and stop out front to deliver the children safely. Please pray for the District bus drivers, it is a tough job dealing with up to 60 children and driving safely at the same time.

Recently I met a man retired from Military duty and has moved back to our area. I remembered him from my day as a Sunday school teacher at RPC. I asked him if he remembered coming to Sunday school as a small child. His reply was “yes, I had Mrs. Abell for a teacher and I don’t think I was very well behaved.” He went on to say he is a Christian and faithful and to say “HI” to Gladys and he was thankful for her being his teacher and for putting up with his behavior. It only goes to show how we can make a difference in a childs’ life. THANK YOU GLADYS.

It takes many people to make the XFA program work so thank you one and all for your support. If we touch one childs life it can change the world.

We work hard to keep our expenses down and have always spent less than your yearly budget.

Yvonne Cragle

FELLOWSHIP DINNERS

As we enter our 7th year of hosting the Free Fellowship Dinners, we (the Tuesday night Bible Study group-Tom & Karin, Perry, Deb B., Shelba, Peggy Ch.), would like to thank the church for allowing us to hold the dinners in the Education building, the mission committee for the financial support when needed, and a big thank you to all who baked or donated in some way. Thank you to Bev and Barney who usually show up to help out. These dinners are a great outreach - enabling us to meet some of the people in the community. For a lot of these people this is the only home cooked meal they have. All who attend are very appreciative.Attendance varies from as low as 35, but usually between 60-85, sometimes even 100 people attend. We never know in advance about attendance, but God does and he certainly provides for us. Each dinner a donation basket is set out and  this money is put towards a mission. The Pregnancy Care Center, Heifer, ROCC, CHOW, New Beginnings, Panther Pantry, and Christmas gifts bought from the Grace Connection tree are some of the missions that were donated to this year.Thanks again to anyone who helps out in any way. You are always welcome to join our Bible study group, or join another small group. You will develop friendships and have great fellowship. This is where mission starts, working with the community, our community.

Respectfully - Karin

DEACONS REPORT FOR 2016

The role of the Deacon is to care, nurture and support our Church Family and their Families.

Our Spiritual Gifts were well used this past year as our Church Family lost nine very special Members as well as several other Individuals whose family are Members of our Church. With the Deacons guidance and our Church Families support, we hosted home cooked meals for the families and their friends after services so they could spend time together to visit, share stories and reminisce.

As well as comforting those we love in their time of grief, we celebrate. We celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month by sending uplifting cards, giving gifts and holding a Luncheon to thank Pastor Karen for all she does for us and to let her know how important she is to her Church Family.

Our Shut-Ins and College Students are also important to us. At Christmas we delivered our Shut-Ins goodie baskets along with a Poinsettias and we sent our College Students care packages as they studied for their final exams.

The Deacons also host the Cookie Mingle/Fellowship Hour/Crumbs on the Carpet the last Sunday of every month. We all get a chance to relax and visit and catch up with each other and eat cookies! Throughout the year, we are also sending cards, visiting and/or reaching out by phone to those in our Church Family who need encouragement, prayers or just someone to talk too. We are a very busy group but love what we do and encourage all to reach out to us at any time for anything.

Sincerely Submitted,

Liz Kline

MEMORIAL FUND

Beginning Balance as of January 2015: $6492.46

INCOME:

Money was contributed for:Raymond and Betty AllisJenny BrimmerEthel ParksBob CragleMarion Jones

EXPENSES:

In Loving memory:Raymond Allis: central air for the sanctuaryBetty Allis: carillonBob Cragle: library

Balance as of 12/31/2015: $6769.78

Peggy Coleman, treas.

Missional Affinity Groups

What does MAG mean? MAG stands for “Missional Affinity Group.” Being in a MAG is a way to connect, encourage, and provide accountability for churches and their leaders. A MAG is made up of 3-4 congregations who share a similar ministry context. The churches in our MAG are Rome Presbyterian, Hallstead, Stephensville, and Endicott. Each congregation evaluates their ministry using the Narrative on the Health of Mission and Ministry. When the MAG meets, each congregation shares their answers to the Narrative questions. They share together, collaborate in mission, pray with each other, and come up with a goal for their church to work on. Our goal is: How do we equip our saints here to minister to the people out there. MAGS commit to meet at least once a year for at least 3 years. The first year we met in Rome. We were not able to meet this year, but will meet in Endicott in May. All are welcome to come. If you need more information about what a MAG is, or would like to participate in one of the meetings, you can talk to Pastor Karen or to any of the Elders.

Judy Madill

Discipleship

What is this thing called discipleship that you may have heard about? In this ministry, we are encouraged to help believers become established in their walk with Jesus in many ways. It includes growth in personal devotions, Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and intentional relationships. For example, one small group of three or four will study one particular Gospel. Over time these believers become equipped to do the very same thing: that is, they each will invite two or three others to engage in this same kind of ministry. We continue to equip as many people as possible in these small intimate groups so there will always be those who are equipping others for the ministry of discipleship. In his booklet, Discipleship Essentials, Greg Ogden says, ‘Discipling is the intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well.’

In May 2015 we (Pastor Karen, Peggy Hughes, Judy Madill, and I) attended The Elder Leadership Institute (ELI) where we learned so much about discipleship and disciple making. We know Jesus was the best disciple-maker in history. He invested his time and energies into discipling a small group of people with the goal of equipping them to be able to disciple others. Jesus’ model of ‘disciples making disciples’ has been largely missing in the modern church. Disciples are made within small groups of people, sharing their faith, growing together with Christ. Making disciples isn’t “an other program” to be launched, or a ‘lesson’ to be taught on Wednesday nights or during a leadership retreat – disciple making is not ‘leading a small group’. Think of it as investing in the lives of a few people who God has put into your life. Currently at RPC we have a half dozen of these discipleship groups in action, discovering more of who God is and the truth that he loves each individual who is in the midst of seeking him.

Sylvia Abrams

OUTREACHHealing Journey

Healing Journey is a 29 week bible study for men and women that is designed to transform lives and strengthen ones relationship with God. Each week a lesson is presented based on scripture which deals with one aspect of the healing process. After the lesson, participants break into small groups of 5-7 people led by a trained facilitator. During this small group time, participants process the truths of the lesson as they apply to their own personal lives. Some of the main themes of the lessons include:

Understanding our beliefs, shedding false beliefs and embracing the Truth Understanding how we have become our own god trusting in ourselves for our provision,

protection and power Understanding how and why our perspectives are different from God’s Understanding our victim identities and how to be transformed to be victorious Understanding the steps to freedom from our wounds Understanding how to live as victorious people

Currently we host a women’s class at the church in addition to one held in Towanda which also includes a men’s group. Anyone in the community is invited to attend. The classes generally begin in the fall.

Having facilitated the women’s group for the past two years, I have witnessed the power of God as He has healed deep wounds in women’s lives and transformed them to live victoriously in Christ. Their relationship with the Lord has been strengthened and deepened as they embrace God’s love, grace, mercy and truth. As one participant said, “I have been a Christian for a long time but this class has allowed me to see how I have been living out of my past wounds which had negatively affected all my relationships even my relationship with God. Rooting out my false beliefs and acknowledging that God defines my identity has brought me closer to God and others.”

MOM’s Group

This is the second year for the MOM’s group that meets twice a month (Sept-May) at the church. It is open to all mothers in our community and provides for a time of fellowship and learning new ideas. A dedicated group of 6 people provide child care for the children as the Mom’s meet. Attendance for the mom’s group this year has averaged 8. A devotion and time of prayer is included in their time together as well as topics about canning, meals, adoption, education options. They are now going to be doing a study on “Bad Girls of the Bible” for the remainder of this year. The women are appreciative of being able to have space for the group to meet and are looking for ways to invite and include other mom’s in our community to join.

Bradford County Jail Ministry (women)

Church service is provided to the women on the 4th and 5th Sunday of each month. Attendance for church in the past has ranged from 2-14. The service provides for the gospel to be preached as well as a time of prayer. It is not unusual for someone to ask questions during the sermon time so the service is less formally structured. It is a blessing to see how the Holy Spirit helps to bring God’s word alive to these women and to continue to pray for their salvation and transformation that is our hope in Jesus Christ.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Hughes

2015 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF ROME ACCOUNT

Balance as of 12-31-14 $ 1393.99

Receipts

Pledges $ 78.15$ 78.15 + $ 1393.99

$ 1472.14

Expenses

Bradford County Manor Volunteers 50.00Hands Across Northeast 50.00Abuse, Rape and Crisis Center 50.00T.A.C.O. 50.00International Village of Hope 50.00 $ 250.00 - $ 250.00

Balance as of 12-31-15 $ 1222.14

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Lewis

Budget Analysis - Rome Presbyterian ChurchExpenses 2011A 2012A 2013A 2014A

2015A 2016P

201 Accountant 1486 1612 1652 1880 1241 2000203 church operations

203.1 misc 0 0 0 1935 979 0203.2 Personnel 610 345 675 900 250 500203.3 Property 0 0 0 0 0 0203.3d Bldg maint 6332.3 2015.58 5526 4742 2767 5000203.3c Grnds Maint 2130 2560 2970 2183 3108 3900203.3e Electricity 3169.18 3519.03 3965 4438 3057 4800203.3f Fuel Oil 12224.92 741.16 8085 10010 4610 9000203.3g Phone 1881.78 1494 2265 2726 1298 1800203.4 Session 178.25 1091.4 1507 2312 2003 1800203.5 Capitol Imp. 242331.46 0 19035 1104 0203.6 Stewardship 0 5176.1 4468 0 0203.7 eco dues 0 0 0 1767 1189 1800204 Insurance 0 0 3387 0 0204.1 Property 3287 4059.94 3600 4183 0 3900204.2 Workman Comp 471 536 3887 533 0 600205 Missions 0 110 0 0 0 5000205.1 Local 6957.47 4713.6 6532 17204 6851 0205.2 community cup 880 1000 3000 0 0 0205.3 Mission trips 5525 3768.54 1900 0 0 0205.4 ROCC 1000 1200 1000 0 0 0205.5 Hands Acr. NE 350 948.5 500 0 0 0205.6 New Beginning 500 500 500 0 0 0205.7 Grace Conn 2500 2797.65 2700 0 0 0205.8 Heifer 600 450 150 0 0 0205.9 FLN 400 400 600 0 0 0205.10 Hez. Hands 1500 1700 1700 0 0 0205.11 TACO 0 0 200 0 0 0205.12 Missionaries 2400 3400 2950 0 0 0206 Special Offerings 0 0 0 0 0 0206.1 Blanket 510 565 675 663 0 0206.2 eco outreach 171 440206.3 OGHS 551.06 349.86 170 325 358 0

206.5 Int. Just 0 0 0 679 0

208 Office Exp 0 0 0 0 0 0208.1 Computer 932.09 680.78 685 1186 448 600208.2 Copier 4877.2 566 608 200 400208.3 Eq & Supplies 691.86 2025.55 1380 2563 1095 1600208.4 Postage 366.8 899 975 717 372 600208.5 Website 100 99.8 433 199 0 200208.7 Repairs 0 0 0 26 0 0209 Pastoral Expenses 0 0 0 0 0 0

Books/study leave, 430.74 125 22 0 0 2500209.1 vision 0 0 0 68 38 58209.2 Medical 12008.48 15120 15482 9721 5938 8900209.10 Pension 0 0 0 5528 0 6165209.3 Study Leave 1000 999.79 0 2500 1306 0209.4 Dental 871.2 949.56 1035 465 284 487209.5 Death/Disab 354.64 483.84 484 368 172 260209.6 Mileage 1414.91 2264.43 1801 1342 382 3000

209.7 Salary 35276 47891.36 49352 522743357

2 51345209.8 Supp Ins 688 455 494 1000 0 1000209.11 ad/d 0 0 0 327 265 365212.2 CE misc 250 385.73 295 220 0 0211 Christian Ed 148.98 0 32 0 0 0211.1 Sunday School 453.27 112.08 73 18 182 300212 VBS 1278.61 1606.51 1861 1098 328 1000213.2 XFA Food 2692.889 2556.02 2322 1752 393 4000213.3 XFA Supplies 1184.73 1302.79 905 1750 1707 1000214.1 Cleaning supp 366.53 274.24 371 1081 617 1000214.2 Kitchen 781.79 403.3 755 67 0 0215.1 FICA - med 149.21 224.71 203 229 154 219215.2 FICA - SSI 636.6 804.92 870 982 661 941216.1 Cust Wages 2343 1927 2412 3567 2916 4320216.2 Organist 2510 2578.5 2610 2703 1591 2400216.3 Sectetary 5544 8953.5 9048 9583 6156 9400218 Memorial Fund 0 0 95 702 746 0219.1 Outrch/ Chow 0 0 0 35 0 0219.2 Fri nt. Dinners 0 0 0 1345 833 1200220 Deacons 1357.15 2493.52 1789 786 2116 1500221 Worship 1979.57 1887.4 1842 2115 1186 2000223 Library 677.91 1230.53 828 0 85 200224 SCI Scholarship 0 600 0 0 400225Bank Fees 285.5 30 30 0 10 0

Totals 374549.88 155595.4218314

916383

09231

414790

0

Peggy ColemanSect/treas

Trustee Annual Report

The Trustees meet every third Thursday of each month in the library.

In 2015, we accomplished the installation of air conditioning in the sanctuary and a carillon. Both were purchased with memorial funds

Down spouts buried to alleviate the severe ice problem.

Various housekeeping tasks such as water testing, light repairment, lawn care and snow removal.

We discuss monthly income and expenses.

Serving for 2015 were Cliff Robinson, Karin LeFever, Mickey Morris, Brian Pifer, Sherry Potocek and Faye Daum.

Submitted by:

Faye Daum

AUDIT REPORT

Dear Peggy and Rome Presbyterian Session, Thank you again for having me come to the Church to audit the books. It is always a pleasure to work with you and the members, and your hospitality is greatly appreciated.

My review of the financial statements you provided to me from your records and the bank appear to hold true the financial position of the Church. I verified that major deposits and payments over a $100 threshold were recorded in both the Church records and the bank statements. I found this to be true, with the exception of late December 2015 checks deemed as "outstanding" at year end. These were recorded in church records, but January 2016 was not available for review and was outside of the scope of the audit. 

My suggestions for this year are to make sure all voided checks are documented in the Church records, as a few checks were a little harder to track down. Also, keep the check stub, even if voided, in the folder for the month the check was originally written, just write on it the date in which it was voided. This should allow for the continuity of check numbers when going through the folders to avoid questions.

I read the paper you gave me the second night I was there, and the form touched on internal audit processes which can be implemented inside the Church amongst independent individuals to check the books throughout the year. These individuals could be people who don't deal with financial decisions in the Church or have an impact of the finances.

Other than those couple things, I believe you are doing a good job with the records. If you should need anything further or have questions, please let me know.

Thank you again and may God bless all of you and your families for another wonderful year!

Sincerely,Emily Irvine