2018

ANNUAL REPORT

710 Wilson Avenue

Novato, CA 94947

Presbyterian Church of Novato

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

January 20, 2019

AGENDA

6:00 p.m. Call to Order and Invocation – Moderator Ariel Mink, Interim Pastor

Necrology Report for 2018 – Sandy Peterson, Clerk of Session Pro Tem

Recognition of retiring Elders and Deacons

Elders:

Carolyn Gerrans (Christian Education – 3 years)

Marcus Combs (Contemporary Worship – 3 years)

Jane Sime (Mission – 4 years)

Tonya Church (Finance and Admin. – 3 years and serving a 2nd full term!)

Don Erba (Property – 3 years and serving a 2nd full term!)

Deacons:

Brenda McIvor (1 year)

John Wylie (2 years)

Kristin Rush (3 years)

Pat Innes (3 years)

Carol Robison (3 years)

Ray Shanahan (3 years)

Les Church (6 years)

Report by David Mink, Interim Director of Youth Ministries

Report by Sally Carbonaro, Director of Children’s Ministries

Report by Pastor Nominating Committee, Robert Coleman and Janis West, co-chairs

Report by Ariel Mink, Interim Pastor

Questions regarding the printed Annual Report

Review of Church Finances and Budget

7:15 p.m. Closing Prayer and Adjournment

Table of Contents

Church Staff and Officers .....................................................................................1

Interim Pastor’s Report ..........................................................................................2

Session Report ......................................................................................................4

Christian Education ..........................................................................................6

Children’s Ministry Report ......................................................................... 10

Youth Program .......................................................................................... 15

Sunday Adult Bible Study .......................................................................... 17

Women’s Bible Study ................................................................................ 18

Presbyterian Women ................................................................................. 19

Mission ........................................................................................................... 21

Membership and Outreach ............................................................................. 27

Program and Fellowship ................................................................................. 29

Property .......................................................................................................... 32

Personnel ....................................................................................................... 33

Stewardship ................................................................................................... 35

Worship Committee ........................................................................................ 37

Stephen Ministry Report ...................................................................................... 38

Deacon’s Report ................................................................................................. 39

Finance and Administration Committee ............................................................... 41

Final Budget Report 2018 .............................................................................. 44

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CHURCH STAFF 2018

Kent Webber Pastor, retired June 30, 2018

Ariel Mink Commissioned Pastor; Interim Pastor July 1, 2018

Jeff Page Director of Youth Ministry, resigned July 1, 2018

David Mink Interim Director of Youth Ministry, July 1, 2018

Sally Carbonaro Director of Children’s Ministry

Katy Hatfield Director of Music for Traditional Worship/Organist/Chancel Pianist

Don Cobb Director of Music for Contemporary Worship

Bob McBain Contemporary Worship Pianist

Tammi Jester Office Administrator

Linda Ward Administrative Office Assistant

Stephanie Monahan Financial Secretary

Diane Ashley Wedding Coordinator

Renee Garza Nursery Care Giver

Stephanie Praun Nursery Care Giver

Kathy Takemoto Clerk of Session

Becky Praun Deacon Moderator

SESSION

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Tonya Church Michelle Berlin Christian Bethany Stahley McMickin

Mark Combs Ruth Haas Dan Rice

Carolyn Gerrans Hilary Kinney Joe Simmons

Sylvia Jensvold Brad Praun Mike Robinson

Jane Sime Bill Walker Don Erba

Clerk of Session: Kathy Takemoto

Corporate Officers 2018

Tonya Church President, CEO

Doug Paff /Joe Simmons, Treasurer, CFO

Kathy Takemoto, Secretary

BOARD OF DEACONS

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Les Church Audrey Boland Larry Dacquisto, Jr.

Pat Innes Lori Olson Cathy Haney

Brenda McIvor Gary Pearce Becky Praun

Carol Robinson Jo Richman Elinor Lacy

Kristen Rush John Wylie/Elaine Harris Rebekah Harmon

Ray Shanahan Deacon #6 - vacant Brook Stahley

Moderator – Becky Praun

Vice Moderator – Brenda McIvor

Secretary – Audrey Boland

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Interim Pastor

Rather than focusing on what I have done in the past year, I’d like to focus on what YOU have

done in 2018…. and it is a lot! Here are just a few highlights:

The Pastor Nominating Committee began meeting in earnest, using the Mission Study Report

that was completed in fall 2017, to draft the Mission Information Form – PCN’s “resume” that

prospective pastors would review. That group of people (Brad Praun, Delane Ramser,

Delores Revere, Diane Combs, Janis West, Mike Winsor, Patty Reed, Robert Coleman, Susi

Lynam, and Walt Campbell along with Ted Scott and Nicole Trotter, Presbytery Committee on

Ministry liaisons) met tirelessly over the course of 2018, reviewing applications, interviewing

candidates, and praying constantly that God would lead the right person to us to be called as

head of staff. That process is very near the end, and I am confident in the PNC’s decision

about whom will help lead us into the future.

The PCN Campus Development team also continued to meet regularly, discerning our

development needs and ultimately deciding to hire a consultant, Brown Church Development

Group to work with PCN on not only campus development, but also ministry prioritization.

Once that original group (Don Brand, Brad Praun, Tonya Church, Don Erba, Bill Walker,

Bekah Harmon, Kay Jones, Alan Dunham, and Jim Botko) arrived at that decision, that group

was dismissed with thanks, and a new implementation team formed to work directly with

Brown Consulting (Brad Praun, Tonya Church, Tali Sundberg, Bill Walker, Bekah Harmon,

Sally Carbonaro, and Diane Combs). A number of you have participated in the

congregational surveys – thank you! Phase one of the assessment is scheduled to conclude

in February 2019.

The Elders and Deacons worked hard on their respective committees to ensure that all of the

policies that have been established over the years were current so that when the new head of

staff arrives, everything would be decent and in order! In addition, the PCN bylaws were

updated, approved by Session, and approved by the congregation in June 2018. Kathy

Takemoto and Sandy Peterson were instrumental in working through the revisions of the

bylaws.

Membership and Outreach launched the process for the new pictorial directory, anticipating

publication of the directory prior to the start date of the new head of staff. The proof of the

directory is almost final, following the inclusion of some candid photos of folks who were

unable to sit for portraits when Lifetouch was onsite. We hope to have those directories soon!

The Worship Committee has begun a new process and has posted recorded sermons on the

website, beginning in October 2018. Jim Rolka has been key in making this happen!

The Program and Fellowship committee (Michelle Berlin, Kathy Takemoto, and Sandy

Peterson) hosted an all-star retirement party for Kent at the North Marin Community Services

facility, honoring our Most Valuable Pastor with a San Francisco Giants celebration, complete

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with a photo station with a Buster Posey poster, nachos, hot dogs, peanuts, and

Crackerjacks. Alan Dunham painted the replica of the iconic Coke bottle and baseball glove

at AT&T stadium. Program and Fellowship also hosted a new set of Advent activities in

collaboration with CE. Rather than building gingerbread houses and constructing Advent

wreaths, kids (and adults, too!) were invited to decorate Christmas cookies, make Christmas

ornaments, and design Christmas cards for residents at Creekwood Senior Home following

the Christmas program and during the first of the two alternative Christmas fair events.

Our CE programs stayed strong this year despite the sad news that Jeff and Marissa Page

decided to move to Hawaii in July. Despite Jeff’s absence, the youth groups have continued

to meet under the leadership of David Mink and the amazing adult leadership team. The kids

and the adults who traveled to Costa Rica for the youth mission trip this summer came back

inspired. The Youth Director Search Committee (David Mink, Bill Cameron, Katrece Hunt,

James Wood, Hilary Kinney, Sophia Lubey, and Joey Davis) have met regularly. An initial job

offer was extended to a candidate in the fall, but unfortunately, that applicant declined. In

order to synch up with the PNC’s timetable of calling a new pastor, the Youth Director Search

Committee paused the search process until Thanksgiving and re-opened the position through

2018. The committee is actively working with two candidates to come for in-person interviews

in January and February.

Many of you attended the class that Kent and I co-facilitated on “What Presbyterians Believe”

in the first quarter (we had an average of 54 people participate). It was an extra special time

for most people, knowing that it would be the final class that Kent would be teaching at PCN.

In the fall, the Rev. Dr. Greg Love, Professor of Theology at San Francisco Theological

Seminary, taught a four-week class on God and Human Suffering. We had an average

attendance of 36 people, many of whom came a little earlier at 5:30 to enjoy a light supper

prior to class. Greg will continue preaching occasionally in 2019 until the new head of staff

arrives; he is also starting a new eight-week class on the Gospel of John which will run from

January 10 – February 28, 2019.

Personnel interviewed several people to be hired into the interim pastor role, and so I was

honored when approached about functioning in this capacity. I am currently on sabbatical

from Gallup, but plan to resume full-time status on April 1, 2019. At that time, I will step back

into my role as your “ministry associate” and will partner closely with the new head of staff,

just as I did with Kent, working 15-20 hours per week. In addition to my work here at PCN,

I’ve continued to be active at the Presbytery level. I am currently serving as the co-chair of

Committee on Ministry, have assisted in revising the Presbytery bylaws, and am also part of

the leadership team focused on long-range strategic planning. I am grateful and humbled by

the love, support, and encouragement that all of you have provided me and am confident that

the new head of staff will be just as overwhelmed by your generous spirits!

Ariel Mink, Interim Pastor

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Session

During 2018 Session held eleven monthly stated Session meetings. Two special Session meetings were held on August 18, 2018 and September 13, 2018. There were five congregational meetings: January 14, January 28, March 11, June 10, and December 19. At each meeting, the previous congregational meeting minutes were available for review. Presbyterian Church of Novato was represented at the 2018 Presbytery of the Redwoods meetings by Ruling Elder Delegates Carol Dacquisto and Ariel Mink. Alternate Commissioners were Robert Coleman and Bill Walker.

In January 2018, Session approved officers for the 2018 Corporation to satisfy California Nonprofit Corporation law: Tonya Church, President (CEO) Doug Paff, Treasurer (CFO) Kathy Takemoto, Secretary Joe Simmons replaced Doug Paff in June 2018. Elder Tonya Church served as the Chair of the Synod Finance Committee, President of the Synod of the Pacific and Vice Chair of the Synod Executive Search Committee. Elder Ariel Mink served on the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. Clerk of Session Kathy Takemoto participated in Presbytery’s Review of Session Records on May 18, 2018 at Church of the Roses, Santa Rosa. No exceptions to PCN records were noted. Ruling Elder Ariel Mink, previously Ministry Associate, was approved by Session to serve as PCN’s Interim Pastor effective July 1, 2018. The Pastor Nominating Committee worked throughout 2018 to call a new pastor. Monthly progress updates were provided to Session. Members of this committee are:

Walt Campbell, Robert Coleman, Diane Combs, Susi Lynam, Brad Praun, Delane

Ramser, Patty Reed, Delores Revere, Janis West, and Mike Winsor

A summary of Session meetings, entitled “Session Highlights” appeared in the PresPress throughout the year.

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Active Membership Count:

As of January 1, 2018 346

Additions to membership:

• Received into membership + 3

Losses:

• Deaths - 4

• To inactive list - 5

• Transfer of membership - 2

• Reactivated + 1

Total change in membership: - 7

Membership as of December 31, 2018

339

Necrology Report: Libba Patterson January 5, 2018 Lois Barrell May 24, 2018 Joyce Peterson September 20, 2018 Ardith Blackwell December 6, 2018 Elder Committee Assignments 2018

Administration and Finance: Tonya Church and Joe Simmons Christian Education: Carolyn Gerrans, and Hilary Kinney Membership and Outreach: Ruth Haas and Sylvia Jensvold Mission and Christian Action: Mike Robinson and Jane Sime Personnel: Bethany Stahley Program and Fellowship: Michelle Berlin Christian Property: Don Erba and Bill Walker Worship: Marcus Combs and Dan Rice Stewardship: Brad Praun Kathy Takemoto, Clerk of Session

Christian Education

CE Youth Mission Statement: Shepherd children from infancy through adulthood, building the

foundations of faith. In doing so, PCN will teach youth to understand and seek God’s wisdom

from the scripture in a safe and fun learning environment; encourage families so they may

grow in relationship with one another and Christ; encourage youth to model their lives after

Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit share their faith by serving the world.

Committee Members: David Mink (interim youth director), Ariel Mink (staff), Sally Carbonaro

(staff), Hilary Kinney (Elder), Carolyn Gerrans (Elder), Ruth Haas, Walt Campbell, Harlie

Fletcher (youth intern) and Sydney Fletcher (youth intern)

Shepherd children from infancy through adulthood, building the foundations of faith.

Sunday School teachers continue to tirelessly volunteer their time weekly on Sunday

mornings, loving and teaching children from nursery-school age through 5th grade. Details of

attendance can be found in the Children’s Ministry Report. The Youth and Children’s Ministry

Open House in the fall was a very successful event in terms of turn-out and the involvement

from everyone who attended, including teachers and parents who had quality opportunities to

connect with one another. Also, there was one large group activity that provided a key multi-

generational experience allowing everyone to bond. Child behaviorist Andrew Weiher from

NUSD was our guest speaker. Feedback of the experience was overwhelmingly positive. It

was decided to give future Sunday School offering collections to Heifer International, with the

goal being to buy a small animal, a flock, or a share of a larger animal instead of holding so

much money until enough is raised to buy an “ark” full of animals. Each class can decide for

themselves what they are donating toward and can then change to a different animal after

saving the necessary amount. This change took place in December. The money already

accrued over the last few years has been given to Heifer International’s new “Milk Money

Program,” which provides milk to school-age youngsters in Africa.

In addition to Sunday School, PCN continued to offer the SEEKers program on Monday

nights, which uses four pillars as its programmatic framework: worship, Bible study,

recreation, and family time. Student numbers are down due to aging out, moving, and

changing the night. Numbers may well go up after fall sports are over. Volunteer numbers are

also down and more volunteers are still needed. Again, details of attendance can be found in

the children’s ministry report. SEEKers continues to offer its program to the entire family

including ages birth to 4 years old. Renee Garza was hired for the nursery-age group. Some

families benefited from scholarships in 2018, allowing families to participate that might

otherwise not have had the opportunity. Prioritizing our children’s Christian growth is not an

easy task, but one we, as a congregation, are dedicated to accomplishing.

Kent and Ariel co-taught an eight-week adult education class before Kent’s retirement called

“What Do Presbyterians Believe?” Average attendance was 54 people with 77 different

individuals involved. Carol Dacquisto also continued to offer adult classes on Sunday and

continued to lead (with the help of others) a Women’s Bible study on Thursday mornings.

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This past fall, Rev. Dr. Greg Love taught a four-week class entitled, “God and Human

Suffering,” which explored the three major theories regarding the origin and/or need of

suffering, along with God’s role. The class was held on Thursday evenings and was very well

attended. It was very thought-provoking and well taught. He plans to teach another, longer

class early in 2019, based on a fictionalized account of John’s gospel, called John, Son of

Thunder.

PCN will teach youth to understand and seek God’s wisdom from the scripture in a

safe and fun learning environment.

Children’s Ministry and the PCN Youth Program continued to benefit from our two interns,

Harlie and Sydney Fletcher. They are part-time serving under Sally and David, with housing

provided at the PCN Manse. Despite losing volunteers in the youth and children programs,

Harlie and Sydney have been able to provide support to allow programs to grow both in

numbers and quality. Unfortunately, during the search for a permanent youth director, the

weekly lunch at Sinaloa and Tuesday’s after-school program has been postponed. Sydney

and Sally again directed the Christmas story and the children’s Christmas service on

December 9th, with a cast of more than 25 of our Sunday School and SEEKers students.

Immediately following the Children’s Program, Christmas activities were held in the 4th/5th

grade room, led by the Program & Fellowship Committee, including ornament making, cookie

decorating, and Christmas card making.

PCN will encourage youth to model their lives after Christ and through the power of the

Holy Spirit share their faith by serving the world.

After accepting, with regrets, the resignation of youth director Jeff Page in the summer, a

committee was formed to seek out someone to fill his position. Our congregation and our

youth were incredibly blessed to have youth volunteer David Mink step into his role, still on a

volunteer basis, while the search is conducted. A thoroughly qualified candidate was found,

an offer made in September, but he had to decline at the last minute. The committee has

reformed and is pursuing their task. David has, fortunately, agreed to stay on as interim youth

director at this time.

PCN Youth Group continued to have strong attendance with an average of 5.1 middle-

schoolers, 9.4 high-schoolers, and 8.3 adult volunteers; an overall average of 22.8 people per

Sunday night. The programs were able to continue to reach much more than just PCN

families. Details of youth attendance and youth events can be found in a separate report. In

October, youth and their families joined other congregants for a service day at Gilead House,

in which the first floor and outside grounds were left spick and span.

PCN also held another successful Vacation Bible School this past summer, the details of

which can be read in the children’s ministry report.

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During the summer both youth and adults had the privilege of partnering with Merge

Ministries on a mission trip to Costa Rica. Our youth worked in a church in a suburb of the

capital, San Jose, running a Vacation Bible School and doing construction projects.

PCN will encourage families so they may grow in relationship with one another and

Christ.

The Christian Ed committee members combined with our outreach and membership

committee at Novato’s Scream on the Green, staffing a very busy booth at which children’s

and adults’ Bibles were given away, along with PCN literature, toys, pencils, candy, etc.

PCN Connect programs continue with…

• two ongoing family groups which meet regularly, usually at people’s homes, to share food and discuss a chosen topic or curriculum.

• a third small group, the ‘Women in Prayer’ group, led by Janis West and Melodie Baird. Though it has been meeting for some time now, it is new to the PCN Connect small group ministry. Women in Prayer evolved out of a prayer summit held in 2015. There are four to six core members with 13 women who have attended or plan to attend. At present it meets monthly in different homes on Thursday evenings and sometimes includes a simple supper. They are still experimenting with location and timing. The following is their mission statement: Women in Prayer is a small group that meets monthly for worshipful prayer and

devotions to our Lord Jesus Christ. We also seek to support and sustain each other

through sharing our burdens and joys.

There is a coeducational prayer summit to be held in January in nearby Petaluma. All

PCN congregants, family, and friends are welcome to attend.

• the hiking group, led by Hilary Kinney. This is the second consecutive year for this group. During the cooler months hikers meet at a different trail every other Saturday for an hour or so hike. The hiking group currently has about 15 people on its email list with three to eight people attending a hike. The last hike was in December to Angel Island, and seven hikers attended, including one new addition to the group. This group focuses on hiking and fellowship.

• an October-February Oscar-contender movie group led by Carolyn Gerrans, which operates like a book club. There are 15 people on the email roster with an average of six to nine attending each month. The monthly host chooses a newly released Oscar contender. Members of the group see the movie at their own convenience, and then gather at the host’s house for fun discussion and great food. The small group has been getting together on third Fridays and will conclude its “season” with an Oscar-watching party in 2019.

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CE thanks the congregation for their continued support and hopes that even more people will

find time to engage with any one of the several programs available for children, youth, adults

and families.

Hilary Kinney and Carolyn Gerrans, CE Elders

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Children’s Ministry

Jesus says, “Bring me the children.” He doesn’t say if they behave, if they don’t have issues,

if they are calm enough to sit, nor does He say after their baths, when their hair is combed, if

their ears are clean.

Just bring them to Me.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School teachers continue to work together to provide their best teaching and

learning experiences. For two of our classes we have a team of teachers who are able to

collaborate and cover for each other, but they all work together in a variety of ways. You

have seen the kids race out of the sanctuary to go to Sunday School. This speaks volumes.

Sometimes the children’s sermon disrupts the morning or creates a bit more chaos than I

intend, and for that I wish to publicly apologize to them for the dead frog, the live ladybugs

and most recently the candy canes. I am sure there were others too 😊. Our Sunday School

numbers have more than doubled despite Novato’s insistence on jam packing the weekend

with sports.

Seeker Sundays

We repositioned Power Hour to be Seeker Sunday mid-year. We did not benefit from the

crossover I was hoping for. This year we rolled it out at the beginning of Seekers and it is my

hope to have families who do not attend PCN come at least one Sunday a month. Many

attend other churches that do not offer a mid-week program like ours. I still believe if they see

our emphasis on the children during our services it will impact their experience and potentially

their church decision.

Seekers

Our Seekers program had a strong finish in April, with 53 children registered and an

additional 38 volunteers. Other than a bit of angst over big growth, we all rose to the

occasion, and I could not be more thankful for everyone pitching in to accomplish a

meaningful experience for all. I praise God for His daily mercies and abundant blessings.

We were all changed.

With the proper leverage we should be able to draw many of these families into our

community. The need is there. The desire is real. The kids are making it happen.

I feel particularly inspired by this past year because we ‘lost’ so many of our kids and families

to moves and aging out. Eight of them are now middle schoolers, twenty-one kids total, are

gone. Not to mention the parents who were very active, a couple who were teachers.

Fourteen of our kids moved away. Fourteen! We were blessed with the time we had with

those families and I know they were blessed by all of you. When you get a chance, pray for

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those kids and families that they would find a spiritual home like ours. And if they don’t, that

they would start their own. Here is the list:

Todd & Stephanie Paddack, Owen & Leo Bend, Oregon Angela Crusto, Tyler, Ashley, Aiden, Ryan, & Emma Oakley, California Paula, Kristen & Adrian Jope, Sterling & Luke Washington, DC Darby Doyle, Paloma Southern California Christina Valenzona, Avery & Bailey Southern California Stefanie & Tom Goodwin, TJ & Savannah American Canyon Stefanie, Tom, TJ & Savannah moved to American Canyon at the end of the school year last year. They drive back to PCN each Monday night to attend Seekers this year. Stefanie teaches our 3s & 4s class. Our Seekers curriculum this year is on “Discipleship.” Each week the lessons are the same for each grade and the application and discussions are age-appropriate. It enables us to discuss it as a big group and dig in further by age group. Basic tenets are explained further with real-life application, as in “God is Great” so we don’t have to be. We currently have 32 children registered, 19 are non-PCN. We have other families who are committed to joining in January after fall sports. We have 23 volunteers signed up. Many have been taken out of the mix with illness and surgery. Last year we had 38 volunteers. This is an issue that only you can help us solve. We talk about rotating parents in to help, but the children need consistent, caring adults, not just volunteers. I know you have many opportunities to give your time and talent and this is not a decision you make lightly, but please know we need you to keep our program growing. It was an amazing year for personal growth in the children and the volunteers. I believe many

of the children were armed and ready for conversations outside of Seekers, with friends and

with family. Some of those I heard about. Kids are powerful and fearless advocates with

spiritual fortitude to handle difficult situations. It gives me goosebumps. The Seeker teams,

from the table parents, teachers and assistants to the worship leaders, setter-uppers, taker-

downers, laundry helpers, Christmas program folks, kitchen crews, and Prayer Warriors, you

should be so proud of your work, glory be to God for all we accomplished. The children will

remember.

Vacation Bible School

Our Vacation Bible School was amazing. We began planning in January which allows for a

mere five months of strategy, decision, and implementation. Carolyn Gerrans leads the team

of experienced VBSers. We appreciate each other’s perspectives and know we can pull off

another amazing event. Basic questions: Do we include potty-trained 3-year-olds this year?

We have extended that opportunity to our Seekers kids; it makes sense we would do the

same to VBS families. So we did. Next question: Do we have a water experience on the last

day? We have had water slides in the past. The weather is unpredictable, so perhaps a

jumpy house instead. We settled on two blow-up experiences, one farm house for the

preschool and an obstacle course for the upper grades. We cannot count on the weather for

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a water experience. The stakes are high. There could be one hundred kids. Our final

number was just shy of 100, with an additional 67 volunteers. 67! Carolyn and I held a crew-

leader training on Memorial Day, and we had 23 high school kids come, many if not most of

them former VBSers themselves. This program is a testament to a legacy built by many of

the parents in our church. It was a great week. Parents as well as kids were impacted, with

many families interested in Seekers.

Parent/Teacher Information Nights

You may remember last year we contracted with the Novato School District’s behaviorist to begin providing training for our teachers, volunteers, parents and staff. He currently trains our public-school teachers in positive performance strategies, social/emotional strength building, grief, trauma, bullying, classroom management and special needs, among many others. What better way to support and inform our own methods than by the means currently being used in our children’s classrooms! Our initial training workshop was held at the end of October. He spoke about “Positive Performance Strategies.” At our open house he spoke about “Resilience.” We are scheduling an additional four parent/teacher nights in 2019. The feedback we’ve received is extremely positive. Our sessions will expand this year as a direct result of feedback, to include a group presentation and 15-20 minute time slots where teachers/parents/volunteers can sign up to have one-on-one time with the behaviorist.

Intern Support Sydney has enabled our program to go beyond a part-time person. Both of us together have been able to do far more. It has been a difficult five months with our decreasing volunteer numbers. We can’t be in two places at the same time. It has been my privilege and amazing advantage to work alongside Sydney. Her work ethic, thoroughness and willingness to do whatever it takes is unmatched. Her faith and living example is one of the strongest I have seen especially in one so young. She has been a wonderful addition and amazing partner and asset.

Summary My focus this past year and entering the new year is spiritual fortitude. How and what do we do to provide the children with the strength to live in our world today? How do they fare during crisis situations which seem no longer few and far between? Is their first response fear or how can they help? How do we trust God and His will in all situations? This year has been crazy from an adult perspective: Kent and Lisa and Jeff leaving. The children learn how to feel and react from us. If we are excited about the new journey Kent, Lisa and Jeff are on, so too will they be. If we are excited about who God has planned for us in a new pastor and youth director, so too will they be. This is one way they learn to accept God’s will, even when we don’t understand it; even if it makes us sad, we can be happy too. When their friends move away, same thing.

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Sometimes we learn from them what is important. When they count on us to be there. When they count on us to listen. When they feel valued that an adult cares about them. When we show up each week. When there are problems in river city and they have no one to tell or talk to about it. When they have us. When they tell us things we sometimes would rather not hear. When we don’t feel prepared to hear, when we don’t know what to say. What matters is we listen unconditionally. All we need to do is listen. They do not expect us to solve their problems. If they have the courage to tell us, we need the courage to help them.

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I believe God has a big plan for us and Novato. We are the light in a dark world. There are a few churches in our area but I find most are either extremely traditional or bend to a society that thinks they don’t want truths and absolutes. But like the children, without boundaries and rules, we all lose. Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story. Will you be that one adult? Sally Carbonaro, Director of Children’s Ministry

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Youth Group

It has been a pleasure and a blessing to serve this church as interim youth director for the last

five months. The mission of our youth group is to include an additional concerned caring

adult into the lives of our youth during the very turbulent middle school and high school years.

With God’s help, we have been able to laugh, commiserate, play games, cry, pray, teach, and

partner with the youth of PCN. Throughout this past year, 34 middle schoolers, 41 high

schoolers, and 24 adult volunteers participated in a wide variety of retreats, activities, a

mission trip, Tuesday afternoon club, and Sunday night Youth Group.

I want to quickly thank the group of concerned caring adults who volunteer to be there on

Sunday nights (and extra events) to hang out with these great kids: Becca Lee, Bekah

Harmon, Bill Bradfield, Cami Mandell, Delores Revere, Gary Pearce, James Wood, Joey

Davis, Justin Bayne, Kai Lancaster, Laura Haney, and Peter Hunt. There is also a huge

group of parents to thank for their help and for providing dinners. Finally, a special thanks

goes to the interns Harlie Fletcher and Sydney Fletcher for their hard work making youth

group great.

It was with great sadness that Jeff Page, our youth director of five years, left us for Hawaii on

July 1st. As a full-time youth pastor, he showed us what this youth group could be. During

this mid-summer transition we were able to maintain Sunday night youth group, go on the

mission trip, and continue our ambitious calendar of events into the fall and then throughout

the holiday season. A committee was formed to hire a full-time replacement resulting in an

offer to a great candidate in late September. Unfortunately, things did not work out. The

committee decided to proceed with the current volunteer structure until January to more

closely align with the hiring of the new senior pastor. The committee is, once again, busy

reviewing candidates and arranging interviews to fill the position of full-time youth director.

Jeff’s departure left me with the awesome opportunity to join the group on the Costa Rica

Mission trip. Initially, I was not planning to go, but then, in early spring, I was given the

chance to lead the trip. And what a trip it was! There were so many blessings while we

worked construction at the host church in the morning and then conducted a VBS in the

afternoon. I know no Spanish but did my part to help the cute children play games, eat their

snacks, and make their elaborate crafts. One day we were making and decorating paper

butterflies. A precious little girl sat down next to me and said “mariposa.” Ah ha, I knew this

one, that means butterfly, so I dutifully handed her the construction paper butterfly and

Popsicle stick. She began to glue the stick and to color the butterfly, but then said: something

something “ojos.” I looked at her quizzically and said in English “I don’t understand.” She

leaned over right up to my ear and yelled “ojos!” We had a good laugh and Cami quickly

swooped in to save me by giving me the eye stickers for the butterfly. During the service we

attended Sunday morning at the host church, some of our group was asked to share their

testimony. One teen shared about medical issues she had and immediately the pastor

stopped us. He called up some folks from the congregation who laid hands on her and

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prayed a powerful prayer over her. I had no idea what was being said in Spanish, but I could

feel God’s presence in that moment. The whole trip was a wonderful series of uplifting

experiences like these.

As a church, you helped fund and provide for a large assortment of youth events over the

past year: Hume Lake retreat, Rise Against Hunger/30 Hour Famine, the LOG Retreat, pool

parties, middle school “kidnapping,” Marin County Fair, mission trip, the youth leadership

retreat at the Hanlein Ranch, the corn maze, the Gilead House clean-up, movie night,

bungalow clean-up overnight, caroling to homebound church members, and the Christmas

parties to name just a few.

As we transition into 2019 with a new youth director, we hope to maintain an aggressive

calendar filled with fun, powerful, meaningful events for the kids. Each time a youth realizes

they are cared for by a loving adult volunteer that is a win. With God’s help, we hope to

continue to create those moments in 2019.

I’d like to leave you with some wonderful encouragement from some of our great parents:

“…I am very grateful to you, Jeff, and PCN for welcoming <my son> into the youth group

following the very unfortunate and disappointing implosion of the youth program at Good

Shepherd. It was a very difficult time for <my wife> and I during that time at Good Shepherd

but our greatest concern was that <our son> (along with other youth) would somehow be the

ones left paying the price for adult dysfunction. We will always be grateful that <our son> was

able to remain connected to God through the strong sense of community, mission, and

friendships at PCN. Thank you.”

“<My husband> and I want to thank you for serving as interim youth minister. More

importantly, we want to thank you for creating a welcoming, loving space for <our daughter>

and for giving her the opportunity to develop leadership skills. You have been an enormous

blessing in her life and we will always be grateful.”

“I didn’t have girls – maybe they’re the same – but I wonder how much of what I say to my

boys actually sinks into their heads? Still, they observe everything, especially the behavior of

adult men around them. To have a man of faith and integrity show up so consistently for my

son has been a true blessing for him and for me. You’ve been a constant positive and loving

force with the youth. Thank you. I’m his dad, but it has felt like I’m on a team driving in the

same direction.”

David Mink, Interim Youth Director

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Sunday Adult Bible Study

On Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. the adult class meets in room 1 (library) at the end of the

breezeway. We have three teachers: Carol, who leads the class for three Sundays and two

teachers who alternate on the third Sunday of the month, Larry Dacquisto and Rosie

Nicholas.

We have a lively Bible study! That's what happens here. As adults study the Bible and

discuss what they found during the week they gain a growing understanding of how to move

forward on their discipleship journey.

In the class, we read the Scripture and then focus on the passage. Each week we’re

challenged to prepare for the next week's lesson. The preparation isn't long or difficult, but it

does encourage participation. When adults have invested something of themselves in the

lesson, they get more out of it.

The biggest part of the Sunday Bible lesson doesn't happen in class. It happens on Monday

and Tuesday – and throughout the week – when instead of following their own desires or the

crowd, they dare to say, "No, I will follow Jesus."

The December 2018 - February quarter we will be concentrating on "Our Love for God,"

studies in the Old and New Testament. In unit 1 we will be looking at our response to God's

love in the birth of Christ; unit 2 we will look at selections from the New Testament letters on

the nature and extent of our responses to God's love in Christ; and unit 3 we will look at

passages from Psalms 48, 66, and 91 expressing glory to God and praising Him for his

steadfast love, mighty works of goodness, and assurance of protection for those who love

Him.

Each adult received their own study guide, "The Quiet Hour," devotional book and the

"Power for Living," a take-home paper profiling interesting Christians, along with other

inspiring articles.

We will look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning – come and join us!

Carol Dacquisto, Larry Dacquisto, and Rosie Nicholas

Study Leaders

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Women’s Bible Study

The Women's Bible Study Group for the year 2018 had twenty ladies who attended the study.

The group continued it study in the Gospel of Luke.

What a wonderful selection that the ladies made in selecting the Gospel of Luke for their

study. The Gospel of Luke we found was unique in at least two ways. First, it is the longest

Gospel and contains 1,151 verses. Second, it is the only Gospel with a sequel, that of the

Book of Acts.

Luke must have shared some of Jesus' deep understanding of people's heartaches because

he shows amazing insight as he notes again and again how Jesus related to people,

especially those who have needs: women, children, the sick and disabled, the poor, and the

oppressed. Luke also makes special mention that in addition to the twelve disciples who

traveled with Jesus, there were other followers, including women. Luke's care in telling about

specific individuals not mentioned in the other Gospels – widows, children, and babies – point

to him as a heart specialist, a doctor of the soul.

We would like to invite all women to come and join us as we study Luke's Gospel and benefit

in three important ways that can be life-changing:

• Achieve a firm understand of the book – its historical context, purpose, structure, and

meaning.

• Apply its powerful, relevant wisdom to needs and issues you are currently working

through.

• Acquire personal study skills and a thirst to return to the book on your own so you keep

going deeper into its life-transforming truths.

We hope more ladies of the congregation will join us. We have a special place just for you.

Come for a life-changing encounter with God's Word from the Book of Luke.

Carol Dacquisto, Elaine Harris, and Melodie Baird

Study Leaders

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Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women nurture their faith through prayer and Bible study, support missions of the church worldwide,

and build an inclusive, caring community of women.

The Presbyterian Church of Novato (PCN) currently has two active Presbyterian Women

(PW) circles that each meet once a month in the Christensen Room:

(1) Ruth Circle usually meets the fourth Tuesday at 2 p.m. (Glenise Johnson, Leader), and

(2) Rachel Circle usually meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. (Pat Sullivan,

leader)

In 2017-2018, these circles met from September 2017 through May 2018, with two joint

meetings (held in September and May.) Each joint meeting included a luncheon which

allowed time for the women to meet each other for worship and fellowship.

During the Spring of 2018, we completed our 2017-2018 Horizons Bible Study series “Cloud

of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews.” In May 2018 at our joint circle

meeting/luncheon, we had a presentation by Debra Belaga, president of the Marin chapter of

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) titled "The Role Hope and Faith Play in Wellness

for Mental Illness." It was well received by all in attendance!

On September 15, 2018, at our joint circle meeting/luncheon, we had a “Happy 30th Birthday”

celebration with Helen Archerd sharing about the 2018 church-wide gathering of Presbyterian

Women titled, "Arise, Shine, Your Light has Come!"

In October 2018, we began the 2018-2019 Horizons Bible Study titled, “God’s Promise, I Am

with You,” by Amy Poling Sutherlun. The 2018-2019 PW/Horizons Bible study, “God’s

Promise: I Am with You” takes readers on a journey through scripture to consider

circumstances in which God articulated His promise of presence. This study does not delve

deeply into manifestations of God’s presence but rather on God’s actual articulation of God’s

promise. We will see anew that God offered these words of profound comfort and

commitment to individuals and communities from the time of the patriarchs to that of the

prophets; from the judges to the kings; before, during, and after the exile; into the New

Testament and beyond, to the end of the age. These lessons are all presented via a video

narrated by the author, which provides a very rich and meaningful study of each lesson. It is

not too late to become a part of the Presbyterian Women of PCN!

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Mission Projects:

Each month our circles collect the Least Coin Offering. Since 1956, Presbyterian Women

have been collecting the least coin worldwide for evangelism, service, and relief projects.

This gives our women a sense of being a part of the worldwide family of faith. Even the

smallest donation will make a difference in the world when added together. We collected

$23.55 this year.

In the spring, we collected the Birthday Offering, giving at least one penny for each year of

our lives. This donation also goes toward innovative mission projects in the United States

and worldwide. We collected $100.00 this year.

During the autumn months, we collect the Thank Offering. Along with Carol Dacquisto’s

Thursday Morning Bible Study Class, we collected $493.56 this year. Much of this money

goes toward support of hospitals and other health ministries throughout the year.

This year we again collected money for mosquito nets to help stamp out malaria. Each

month, we collect $0.05 for Nickels For Nets. We collected $24.35 this year.

We have added a new mission project this year: providing hand-knit caps and blankets to

new mothers. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Glenise

Johnson (415) 897-8759 (home) or (415) 717-7635 (cell) for more info.

The Presbyterian Women’s circles have worked to maintain a beautiful PCN Library. Carol

Dacquisto has spent many hours cataloging the books, and other Presbyterian Women circle

members have assisted Carol at various times to keep the books in order on the shelves. We

encourage both adults and children to check out the PCN library in room 1 … there are

many wonderful books to be discovered on the new shelves!

2017/2018 Coordinating Team Members included: Glenise Johnson, Moderator; Carol

Dacquisto, Secretary; Nelly Wannenmacher, Treasurer; Ann Glazner, Sunshine Chairman;

and member representatives, Pat Sullivan and Elinor Lacy.

We always welcome new women interested in local and worldwide missions, a monthly Bible

study, and being a part of caring and fun women by becoming an active part of our circle of

Presbyterian Women … Come try us out!!!

Glenise Johnson, Moderator

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Mission

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

- Matthew 25:40

In 2018, the Mission Committee was blessed to act on your behalf and distributed 24% of our PCN budget in the amount of $168,063 to people and organizations that serve those less fortunate than ourselves. The Mission Committee thanks you for your continuing support. In deciding who should receive mission funds, the committee has used the following guidelines: Our evaluation considers whether the program, group, or person is:

▪ A registered 501C (3) non-profit

▪ A ministry which intentionally bears witness to Jesus Christ and the Christian Gospel

▪ Focused on serving the poor

▪ ‘Sponsored’ by a PCN member who acts as a liaison to the Mission Committee

▪ An effective manager of its funds

The Finance Committee has included in the annual report a spreadsheet showing actual mission funds distributed in 2018. Reflecting God’s glory and Christ’s teachings is the essence of ‘mission.’ In 2018, many people in our church have done hands-on work. They were involved in the mission-supported programs listed below. Participating in making Novato and Marin County better communities ▪ We are happy to report that the Lynwood Reading Volunteer Partnership is in its tenth

year at Lynwood Elementary School in Novato. This program was designed to help schools faced with challenges associated with an influx of students from non-English speaking families. Each day, volunteers help in the classroom with reading and math. The success has been enormous with test scores rising continuously and the confidence of these children exceeding expectations.

▪ We continued to support Gilead House, which provides faith-based transitional housing

for single mothers and their children. This is a real home, a place where six women and their children are mentored, taught, guided, and loved.

Besides our congregational monetary support, a few of our congregants have volunteered their time and talents to Gilead House, including Carolyn Gerrans.

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PCN has continued to support new residents at Gilead House who move into the ‘PCN Bedroom,’ by providing linens and toiletries to help them settle in. (The ‘PCN Bedroom’ is a room funded through a generous stand-alone grant from the Mission Committee to support the construction of Gilead House in 2010.)

▪ Mill Street Center is the “front door” of the Homeward Bound adult-service program and

is the county’s only year-round emergency center for adults. PCN volunteers provide 60 dinners for Mill Street every third Monday of the month, a total of 720 meals for the year. In 2018, we had approximately 56 volunteers – typically eight to ten per month. Patty Reed and Annie Clausen manage the program, as well as purchase supplies and extra food for donations. Bob Clausen picks up and transports the meals to Mill Street Center.

▪ The Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (REST) was a program offered jointly by the St.

Vincent de Paul Society and the Marin Interfaith Street Chaplaincy. Faith congregations and civic organizations provided overnight shelter and an evening meal to homeless men and women in Marin.

PCN participated by providing one meal each month for approximately 50 men being housed at the Quest Church on South Novato Blvd. on the first Tuesday of the month. During 2018, PCN volunteers, at their own expense, prepared and served these meals from November through April. Unfortunately, this program was terminated in May of 2018. Consequently, REST will not be part of the 2019 mission projects.

▪ The ‘All Dressed Up’ Ministry was started in August 2011. Its objective is to provide a set of clothing for inmates who are being paroled or discharged from San Quentin. The goal of the ministry is to provide at least 10 boxes of clothing to 10 inmates per month.

▪ Snack Sacks is a program started this year to provide a snack bag to the homeless who

use the mobile showers, operated by the Downtown Street Team.

Every Sunday between services, a group of volunteers gather together to bag 20 Snack Sacks. These Snack Sacks contain a bagel, a serving of peanut butter, cookies, fruit, and a snack bar, such as a Chewy bar or other type of granola bar. On Monday, the snack

PCN actively participated in the All Dressed Up Ministry by distributing 113 boxes of clothing to inmates in 2018. Since the start of the program in 2011, PCN has distributed 710 boxes of clothing to prisoners being released from San Quentin. The ministry has collected a large inventory of clothing from the congregation. A surplus of clothing was given to homeless men at the REST dinners, the Gospel Mission in Santa Rosa, and the Crossing the Jordan group in Sonoma. This ministry has been overwhelmingly supported by the congregation with “hands-on” support for the gathering, packaging, and mailing of clothing. Volunteers from the congregation, the youth group, and the Mission Committee, led by Mike Robinson, have worked diligently to make this ministry happen each month.

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sacks are delivered to the mobile showers located at Hamilton at 6 a.m.for distribution to the homeless.

▪ ExtraFood is a new program started in October. It recruits volunteers who pick up leftover food from various restaurants for subsequent delivery to non-profit organizations. To date, four volunteers work with this group.

Sharing the Good News

▪ Bible Distribution - The Mission Committee purchases and distributes Bibles throughout the community. In 2018, PCN has given away Bibles to Novato residents at the “Scream on the Green” event, to families at Gilead House, to prisoners at San Quentin, and to children at VBS.

Traveling to hammer, paint, tape, plant, and create community spirit

▪ Juarez Mission Trip: In October 2018, a team of 15, initiated by Regina Rus and lead by a team composed of Charleen Kuykendall, Janet Morales, Adam McMickin, Jennifer Praun and Becky Praun, ventured to the community of Colonia Esperanza, Juarez, to spread the good news through acts of love, labor and faith.

Mission Ministries and its staff provided accommodations, delicious food, and friendship during the three-day mission.

The team was delighted to be blessed with the attendance of PCN family members Kyle and Gavin McMickin and the children of Adam McMickin, Annelyse and Tennyson McMickin, and Abram McMickin. Their youthful and uninhibited enthusiasm was a blessing to everyone.

The team built a home for a family of five, consisting of a mother, father, two daughters and one son, who were overjoyed and amazed that within two days their new home was built. The parents helped with minor construction. The children, including PCN team minors, were just themselves -- exploring, playing and finding creative ways to communicate. Presenting the new home was a most moving and gracious event. One team of volunteers provided after-school daycare craft activities at the direction of Charleen Kuykendall with the English to Spanish translation provided by Janet Morales. Three types of crafts were introduced and enjoyed by children ages 4 -15. These children participate in an after-school program provided by the Mission Ministries Compound. A second team of volunteers went to an orphanage to present sports gifts to the children. There was also a special appearance by Bo-Bo the Clown, aka John Reuscher, who delighted everyone. Bo-Bo was a huge success!

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Members of the team also participated in a prayer walk, which was a most humbling and spiritual awakening for everyone receiving and giving. On the last evening of the trip, after a community church service, the team, under the direction of Jennifer Praun, prepared and served a hot Shepherd’s pie dinner to more than 120 people and packed take-out meals for shut-ins in the area. Medical supplies, towels, and other items were collected and donated by Nancy Mandell and taken by the team to the Bethel Orphanage in Juarez. Donated books for the Mission Ministries Compound library were collected and donated by Charleen Kuykendall and shipped down prior to the team’s arrival. This was the first Juarez mission trip without a pastor accompanying the team. Nevertheless, the team exhibited grace and open hearts doing God's work and supported each other in daily prayer and devotions. Each member came away with a renewed faith in God, each other, and humanity in general. The 2018 team would like to thank the PCN mission group for their support and prayers. The next Juarez mission trip is scheduled for October 2019 and will be led by Adam and Abram McMickin and Jennifer and Becky Praun.

▪ California Mission Trip: In September 2015, a devastating forest fire caused extensive damage in the area of Middletown, Lake County, California. PCN volunteers joined members from eight northern California churches to assist in 2018 recovery efforts.

During the period of September 27th through October 7th, 2018, five members of the congregation assisted Hope City in the construction of new homes for those who lost their homes.

PCN contributed $10,500 in mission funds for this trip. Recovery work will continue for many months, possibly years, and our PCN volunteers all felt they made a significant contribution.

Supporting evangelists far and near

This year our International Missionary has supported the following PC(USA) World Missionaries:

▪ Sarah Henken, who cultivates partnerships in Columbia, as well as in Bolivia, Peru,

and Venezuela ▪ Mark Hare and Jenny Bent in the Dominican Republic and Haiti ▪ Bob and Kristi Rice in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(They have relocated to South Sudan where Bob will teach at the Nile Theological College.)

▪ Choon Lim and Yen Hee in South Korea

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▪ Gary and Marlene Van Brocklin in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan (They visited PCN in June and shared news of their ministry.)

▪ Rev. Ryan and Alethia White in Germany ▪ Burkhard Paetzold in Central and Eastern Europe ▪ Rev. Cathy Chang and Juan Lopes in the Philippines ▪ Rev. Shelvis and Rev. Nancy Smith-Mather in the Republic of South Sudan ▪ Rev. Dr. Rebecca Young in Indonesia

Fundraising Events

▪ Holiday Share/Sharing Tree. Co-Chairs: Carolyn and Art Gerrans

PCN contributed significantly to the Marin Food Bank by donating many, many barrels full of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our congregation also supported the Novato Human Needs Center’s Holiday Share Program through the sharing tree and the generous giving of gifts and gift cards for children and their parents. Thank you for these gifts and the many in-kind and cash donations given directly by congregants to NHNC and Marin Food Bank.

▪ Alternative Christmas Faire. Co-chairs: Regina Rus and Jane Sime

There were six organizations represented at the 2018 Faire, held on December 9th and 16th:

▪ Faith in Practice ▪ Heifer International ▪ New Beginnings/Homeward Bound ▪ ExtraFood ▪ Ceres Project ▪ North Marin Community Services

PCN raised $5,911 at this year’s event which was distributed to the participating organizations.

▪ Two Cents a Meal: Donations, taken on the first Sunday of every month, totaled $977.70 in 2018 and are used by the Presbytery of the Redwoods to relieve hunger both locally and nationally.

▪ Buckaroo Breakfast: On the 4th of July, PCN provided a pancake breakfast in the

Redwood Credit Union parking lot for people attending the annual Novato city parade. All proceeds, in the amount of $3,237.86, were donated to North Marin Community Services.

Special Offerings

▪ One Great Hour of Sharing: Total of the offering - $3,654

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▪ Pentecost Sunday: Total of the offering - $3,531 Forty percent ($1412) was given to North Marin Community Services.

▪ Peacemaking Offering: Total of the offering - $2,470.

Forty percent ($926) was donated to Celebrate Recovery, a Christian organization that provides a meeting place for those who are suffering from “hurts, hang ups, and habits.”

▪ Christmas Joy Offering: Total of offering - $8,062.

(This amount was divided equally between the PC(USA) Board of Pensions and the General Assembly.)

▪ Disaster Relief: This year we encountered large wildfires that have destroyed

thousands of homes and displaced many families. To address this problem, we provided funds to Presbytery in Sacramento to help those in need as a result of the Camp Fire that completely destroyed the town of Paradise, California. From a combination of funds available in our Mission budget and a special offering from the congregation, we provided $6,055.00 for disaster relief. In addition to the donation, we asked members of the congregation for monetary donations and donations of gift cards for those affected to use to purchase food, gas, and essentials for survival.

PCN Mission Volunteers

In an earnest attempt to save trees, and also to prevent the inadvertent omission of even one name from the scores of dedicated and tireless PCN mission volunteers, we offer our grateful thanks to ALL who assisted in Christ’s work for the following 2018 mission efforts:

▪ Lynwood Reading Volunteer Partnership ▪ Juarez, Mexico Mission Trip ▪ Middletown Mission Trip ▪ Mill Street Monday dinner cooks ▪ Gilead House ▪ Rotating Emergency Shelter Team ▪ Faith in Practice ▪ All Dressed Up Ministry

This year’s Mission Committee members were: Ellen Breazeale, Regina Rus, Bill Cameron, Phil Dougherty, Carolyn Gerrans, Barbara Gildea, Nancy Mandell, Art Plumstead, Mike Robinson, Jane Sime, Bill Walker, Kent Webber, and Ariel Mink. God has imbued PCN with a deep and compassionate spirit to actively work to help others in need locally, nationally and internationally. We give Him thanks for this blessing.

Mike Robinson and Jane Sime, Mission Elders

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Membership and Outreach Committee

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation”

- John 16:14

The work of the Membership and Outreach Committee was accomplished by dedicated and

talented church members: Glenise Johnson, Elinor Lacy, Bruce Stahley, Kathy Takemoto,

Shirley Nye, Jo Richman, and Elder Co-chairs Ruth Haas and Sylvia Jensvold. Either Elinor,

Shirley Nye, Jo Richman, Ruth or Sylvia delivers a welcome gift to the homes of first-time

visitors and sends cards to out-of-town visitors. We thank Interim Pastor Ariel Mink for her

excellent staff leadership and support.

Three Inquirer’s classes were scheduled during 2018. Classes are for those interested in

learning more about our Presbyterian heritage and theology and membership in the

Presbyterian Church of Novato. Three new members were received during 2018 and will be

publicly welcomed by the congregation during a worship service in January 2019.

New Church Directory: The partnership agreement with the directory publisher

representative was completed and submitted indicating PCN’s desire in moving forward with

scheduling photography dates. Kathy Takemoto was the program coordinator; Tammi Jester,

the photography dates coordinator; and Janalee Holmes, the hosts coordinator. Glenise

Johnson and Elinor Lacy staffed the sign-up tables. Photography sessions ended on June

9th. The Directory Committee double-checked phone numbers and addresses with members

and sent everything on to the publisher. We hope the new directories will be available soon.

Beyond the Pew: One Beyond the Pew presentation was held during 2018.

Following his mission trip to Cambodia on behalf of Agape International, Phil Dougherty

coordinated with Bruce Stahley regarding a presentation to the congregation and community.

Phil’s presentation AIM: Winning the War on Human Trafficking was held on April 22nd. It was

well received. Beyond the Pew presentations are free and open to anyone – church

members, friends of PCN, and the greater community. Presentations should have a Christian

message. The topic should be broad enough to draw people from the community. If you

know of someone who might have such a message, please let any member of the M&O

Committee know.

Although it was not a Beyond the Pew event, Kent and the group from our congregation who

traveled to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan on a study tour in partnership with Jerusalem

University College in March shared some photos and brief reflections with the congregation in

May. M&O provided refreshments.

The Chamber of Commerce: PCN joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Membership

in the Chamber provides numerous occasions for PCN to present itself to the community,

thus opening outreach opportunities. M&O has had a PCN booth at Scream on the Green,

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which has proven to be a very successful outreach. This event is held in conjunction with

Novato downtown’s Safe Trick-Or-Treat day that attracts children and people of all ages.

Elinor Lacy, our Chamber liaison, along with several other PCN members who helped,

reported this year’s event was a tremendous success. Everything was handed out. This

included all the donated coloring and storybooks, PCN flyers and information sheets, more

than 30 pounds of candy, and 32 Bibles stamped with the church address and phone number.

Contact a committee member if interested in helping with this outreach opportunity.

PResbyterian PRess: Tammi Jester is PCN’s electronic press editor. Hard newsletter

copies are available on the table near the church office or can be mailed to people when

requested.

Church Community Builder (CCB): CCB is the electronic means of record-keeping and

communication among church members. It is used for church-wide communication. This

includes communicating with youth participants and parents as well as by Elders and

Deacons for their monthly meetings. Our thanks to Stephanie Monahan for her expertise and

help in monitoring the use of CCB and its cost.

The church website: Our thanks to Michelle Roberts who continues to manage and keep

the church website current. Check it out at www.pcnovato.org.

Name tags are kept on the large board as one enters the church. If you need a name tag,

please leave a note in the membership mail slot in the church office, or email

kathy.takemoto@outlook.com. Kathy will prepare one for you.

Cakes are provided from the M&O budget throughout the year following worship services in

honor of members moving from Novato.

The Membership and Outreach Committee meets the first Sunday of the month after the

traditional service. Please consider joining the M&O Committee if you have a desire to reach

out to others.

Ruth Haas and Sylvia Jensvold, M&O Elders

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Program and Fellowship

Committee:

Michelle Berlin Christian - P&F Elder

Ariel Mink - Interim Pastor (and sometimes David)

Sandy Peterson

Kathy Takemoto

Jeanne Convis

Eleanor Lacy

2018 in Review:

Congregational Dinner and Meeting Sunday, January 28th

5 p.m. dinner/6 p.m. meeting

We provided lasagna, Caesar salad, bread and brownies for 100.

Palm Sunday Brunch Sunday, March 25th

after BOTH services

We had a sign-up sheet for people to bring “heavenly” eggs (two dozen/48 halves),

fruit (ready-to-serve), bread/muffins (two dozen ready-to-serve), or desserts (two dozen

ready-to-serve). They also sign up to decorate, clean up or serve food (two to three for each

category will suffice). Thank you to Kathy Takemoto for setting up Signup Genius and both

Kathy and Sandy who worked the sign-up table after each service for three weeks prior to the

event. Elsa provided the flowers and the large centerpiece. Deacons provided coffee/tea/

juice service. Phil Dougherty and the men’s group provided set-up at 8:30-8:45. P&F

supplemented with sandwiches.

Kent’s Retirement Party Sunday, June 24th

2-4 p.m. North Marin Community Center

We hosted a Giants baseball-themed retirement party in the large gymnasium at the

former youth center on Wilson. Hot dogs, nachos, churros, peanuts, cupcakes, Cracker

Jacks, personalized M&M’s, beer, wine, and soda were offered. “Kent is Outta Here!!”

invitations (thank you Kathy Takemoto) were mailed and orange keepsake cups were given.

There was a memory table with photos and paraphernalia. More than 400 people attended.

Bob Conover, Dale Flowers and Ariel Mink each gave a speech. Countless people

volunteered to set up, clean up, cook, serve, decorate and so much more. Thank you to all.

Special thanks to Alan Dunham for the Giants-themed mural, Sandy Peterson for countless

hours spent on the scrapbook, Abram McMickin for MC/DJ, Lisa Webber for photos, music

and advice. Kathy, Ariel and Sandy spent hours and hours and hours planning and

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executing. Kent said, “As much as I was dreading it, it actually wasn’t so bad,” which we all

interpreted as a roaring success.

64th Annual Buckaroo Breakfast 4th of July

A million thanks to Big Buckaroo Steve Kinney.

Consecration Sunday October 21st

8:45 a.m. brunch/10 a.m. service

Program and Fellowship assisted Stewardship by providing the brunch before a single

combined service.

Stewardship set up 10 round tables and three longs with tablecloths. Deacons

provided beverage service. We had a fall décor. We served six breakfast casseroles (four

sausage/two vegetarian), 200 mini muffins and fruit.

Harvest Festival/Trunk or Treat Sunday, October 28th

4:30-6 p.m.

This year we set it up more carnival style, which was a lot of fun. With the giant logs

gone from the gravel lot, we were able to arrange all the cars in a giant circle with carnival-

style games, activities and trunk-or-treating with candy interspersed. We served hot dogs

and chili outdoors and had a jumpy-house. Thank you to the Nebbs for donating their

carnival games. Thank you to all who participated and brought trunks, games, prizes, candy

and chili to share.

Greg Love Bible Study Meals four Thursdays in fall

5:00 p.m.

Meals were provided before Greg’s classes. Way more Ariel’s doing than P&F, but we

can certainly take on more responsibility for the spring series.

Advent Afternoon Sunday, December 9th

11:00 a.m.-12 p.m.

An activity-packed event held after the children’s pageant and combined worship

service. It was an exciting way to share our Advent activities and church vibrancy with

Seekers families who were there for the pageant and wouldn’t normally attend. An added

bonus was hopefully bringing more families to the Alternative Christmas Fair.

Ariel provided bagels and fruit. We had six stations of gingerbread cookie decorating,

ornament making and Christmas card making for delivery to local nursing homes.

30

This was a departure from previous years where Advent Afternoon would coincide with

Hanging of the Greens (which was much earlier this year due to the way Thanksgiving and

Advent fell), caroling with Katy and a shared meal. The multi-generational aspect of the event

was missed, however youth attendance nearly tripled.

Thank you to all on the committee and volunteers for generously hosting.

Upcoming dates for 2019:

January 20th – Congregational Dinner (one week earlier than normal)

April 14th – Palm Sunday Brunch

A special thank you to all for attending, contributing, serving, and supporting the many

activities in our church designed to bring us together in Christian fellowship.

Michelle Berlin Christian, Program and Fellowship Elder

31

Property Committee

With grateful assistance from many persons, the following projects were completed:

Trimmed Rhododendrons at sanctuary entrance

Completed major landscaping project along sanctuary and education building

Painted Trevitt Hall and kitchen hallway

Installed new window blinds in Trevitt Hall

Replaced lights in second floor restrooms, hallway and first floor women’s restroom

Repaired patio gate and replaced electrical outlets

Removed logs from gravel parking lot

Removed dead pine trees from sanctuary front

Worked with GSLS to install benches, bark and rearrange picnic table area

Painted steps and power-washed second floor walkway

Replaced four broken windows

Repaired Manse drain piping

Painted office trim

Made temporary repairs to patio stairway

Replaced door locks on classrooms 23 and 25

Removed tree from parking lot island and repaired damaged pavement

Replaced light timers in education building and sanctuary

Replaced and labeled sanctuary remote lighting-control system

Repaired sanctuary sound system

Trimmed trees at sanctuary entrance and repaired garden water leak

Replaced lighting ballasts in classrooms 21 and 24

Repaired Manse drainage piping

Replaced office A/C remote control

Cleaned shed; installed shelving, purchased storage bins and disposed of damaged tables

Eagle Scout campus directory project construction completed (final painting and directory information

pending)

Completed purchase and assembly of 36 chairs to replace existing older maroon-colored chairs in

Christensen room

Replaced fluorescent light bulbs throughout education building

Painted Christensen room, installed lighting control for display cases and replaced window shades

Repaired inoperative door locks in education building

Repaired Wilson Ave. church sign lighting

Bill Walker and Don Erba, Property Elders

32

Personnel Committee

Staff: PCN ended 2018 with ten (10) staff members. This includes: Ariel Mink, Interim Pastor; Sally Carbonaro, Director of Children's Ministry; Greg Love, Ordained Minister for Pulpit Supply and Adult Education; Katy Hatfield, Director of Music for Traditional Worship; Don Cobb, Director of Music for Contemporary Worship; Bob McBain, Pianist; Stephanie Monahan, Financial Secretary; Tammi Jester, Office Administrator; Linda Ward, Administrative Assistant; Renee Garza, Nursery Provider Personnel Committee Activities: This was a year of immense change and challenges for the Personnel Committee ("Personnel"). Upon the announcement of Kent's retirement as of June 30, 2018, Personnel undertook a comprehensive and diligent search for an Interim Pastor to meet the needs of PCN until a new head of staff is hired. Working closely with the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery, Personnel contacted and interviewed a number of well-qualified candidates. Ultimately, it became clear to Personnel that the most qualified, outstanding, and adept candidate was our own Lay Pastor, Ariel Mink. Ariel graciously agreed to come on board on a full-time basis as of July 2018, and she has exceeded all of our high expectations by providing inspiring sermons, overseeing and coordinating Session and committee meetings, leading our staff, and providing pastoral care and leadership during this period of transition. Personnel also recommended the hiring of Dr. Greg Love, a professor at the San Francisco Theological Seminary, who was willing to join PCN to provide pulpit support in 2018 and through the first six months of 2019. Dr. Love has also provided evening adult education classes that have been well-received and attended. Although Personnel is not involved in the search for the new head of staff, Personnel, together with Christian Education, revised and updated the job description and proposed terms of employment for the new head of staff for approval by Session and use of the Pastoral Nominating Committee. Personnel has worked closely with the Youth Minister Search Committee to develop an updated job description for use in the search for PCN's new youth pastor. Personnel also drafted terms of employment and requested a compensation structure suitable to the position that will be negotiated upon the identification and hire of the new youth pastor. In another miraculous gift of time and energy to PCN, David Mink stepped forward and volunteered to head the youth ministry during the search for the new youth pastor. David has kept the youth ministry program vibrant and thriving during this period of transition.

33

Personnel, in recognition of the success of PCN's intern program and in an effort to retain PCN's outstanding interns, Sydney and Harlie, recommended that each intern be provided a monthly stipend in addition to the manse housing. Session approved the stipend request as of July 1, 2018, and the interns have continued to be instrumental in leading the youth and children's programs at PCN and enriching the lives of all who interact with them. Additionally, Personnel conducted comprehensive performance reviews of PCN's staff members in early 2018. Assessments of the staff were collected by Personnel from PCN members and compiled into individual reports for each staff member. Staff members were interviewed and presented with summaries of their performance reviews to ensure that they understand the reception of their performance. The staff members were also encouraged to provide their feedback and insight. Personnel works hard to make the review process timely, confidential, and valuable to each staff member. Personnel undertook various other tasks and assignments during 2018, some of which are confidential. Personnel appreciates the long and dedicated service of committee member Gordon Gaddy, who moved from Novato in October 2018; he and his valuable contributions to PCN are sorely missed by Personnel. I would like to personally acknowledge the time, energy and contribution of committee members Bill Cameron and Don Brand, who bring wisdom, love, and humor to Personnel and prayerfully make every decision for the good of PCN. We also would like to acknowledge Ariel Mink who serves on Personnel and offers wise insight and counsel despite the many other demands on her time. Bethany Stahley McMickin, Personnel Elder

34

Stewardship

Committee members: Brad Praun - Stewardship Elder, Ariel Mink – Interim Pastor, and David

Mink

Sub-Committee members: Don Brand, Doug Paff, Art Plumstead, Bruce Stahley, Jane Sime,

Walt Campbell, Michelle Berlin Christian and Becky Praun

The Presbyterian Church of Novato members and friends, blessed by our gracious God with

finances and talents, continue to be generous and faithful stewards of church programs and

mission, serving those in need locally, regionally, and globally.

The Stewardship Committee continued using the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program

PCN has utilized for more than 23 years to communicate our mission, program successes,

and needs in a way that encourages and challenges each individual/family to search out how

Christ is calling them to live generous lives and share their gifts from God to support PCN and

those in need.

Highlights of the Stewardship Program:

• Hosted the Ministry Fair in September

• Published PResPRess stewardship articles in September and October issues

• A series of six sermons focused on Generous Living in September and October focused on our stewardship of time, talents and financial gifts

• On Consecration Sunday (October 21, 2018) Reverend Ben Kerns, Lead Pastor for Students and Families at Marin Covenant Church (one of PCN’s youth from the past), preached on “Investing in the Things that Stir Our Hearts,” emphasizing that when we put our trust and resources of time, talent and treasure in God’s hands, extraordinary things happen. Members and PCN friends were invited to submit their 2019 Estimate of Giving (EOG) cards for dedication and blessing. The Program and Fellowship committee hosted a brunch prior to the blended worship service, where we enjoyed the musical talents of the Praise Band, the Bell Choir, and the Chancel Choir.

• In November, a reminder letter and follow-up calls were made to those with outstanding EOGs in order to include those gifts in our 2019 budget planning

• As of December 20th, 176 Estimates of Giving cards came in for a total of $659,040, $32,230 lower than December 2017

• While new membership and current members increased giving by $45,884 year over year, PCN experienced $77,000 in loss due to relocation or death of generous givers

• Of the 176 pledges, 56 (32%) increased with many of our members/families continuing to work toward “tithing;” 96 (54%) stayed the same; and 24 (14%) decreased from last year.

• Average pledges increased to $3,745 (a 5.3% increase from 2018)

By supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time, and talent, PCN

will be able to attract and retain the best candidates for the head of staff and youth director as

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well as funding the ministry, worship, Christian education, fellowship, mission, administrative

and property needs for 2019. God expects a great deal from us, since He has entrusted us

with so much!

For further PCN Stewardship giving information, and how you can leave a Christian legacy for

your church, family and friends, please visit our PCN website “Giving” tab at

https://pcnovato.org/giving.html.

Finally, the committee would like to express its thanks to all the people who helped with

organizing and conducting the campaign. We also thank the congregation for strongly

supporting Christ’s work through His church. Most importantly, we thank God for entrusting

us with this treasure, and we pray we are good stewards of all God’s gifts.

Brad Praun, PCN Stewardship Elder

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Worship Committee

Worship committee members are Ariel Mink, Bill Bradfield, Dan Rice, Don Cobb, Katy Hatfield and Marcus Combs. “Share in Joyful Worship” is the mission of the Presbyterian Church of Novato and with help from volunteers willing to be generous with their time we are able to fulfill this mission each Sunday during two services. There are also special services during the year such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve. Part of what makes these services special are two very important volunteer groups: the Praise Band at the contemporary service led by Don Cobb and the Chancel Choir at the traditional service led by Katy Hatfield. Another group of volunteers very important to every church service are the ones who give of their time to work in the audio/video booth. Contemporary service video/computer operators include: Lisa Shanks (schedule coordinator), Carrie Ford, Jon Hanlein, Bekah Harmon, Greg McQuinn, Aislinn Monahan and Peter Nebb. The audio volunteers for the contemporary service are: Kevin Flynn (schedule coordinator), Ben Comnick, David Harmon, Steve Nebb, and James Wood. The traditional service booth volunteers are: Bill Bradfield (schedule coordinator), Sandi Class, Bill Walker, Jim Rolka and Bob Clausen. We appreciate the time and energy Lisa, Kevin and Bill put into coordinating the booth schedules and the volunteers who are willing to give of their time on Sunday mornings and for all special services during the year. The ushers for the contemporary service are Nancy Mandell, Elaine Harris, Ralph and Lisa Shanks, Susi Lynam, Elinor Lacy, Steve and Sheila Eakle, and Art and Maureen Plumstead. These volunteers are the welcoming faces on Sunday morning, faithfully serving the church each month. As a church family we share in Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month as well as during special services such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This also would not be possible without the help of volunteers to serve the Communion. We thank past and present members of the Deacons and Elders who are willing each month to help serve Communion and share the gift of Jesus Christ with all who partake. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Kathy Takemoto and Lori Olson for making sure everything is set up for both contemporary and traditional Communion services each month and Larry and Shirley Evemeyer who clean and store the Communion trays after the Communion services. We also would like to thank Marion Hune for baking the bread that is used at the Ash Wednesday and Good Friday services. The Worship committee depends on our wonderful volunteers and sincerely appreciates each person who has helped in the past to make our church service special and meaningful for all who participate. Thanks to all for their faithful service.

Submitted by Marcus Combs and Dan Rice37

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry continues to be an active program at the Presbyterian Church of Novato. In

1987, the Stephen Ministry was brought to PCN by church member Edith Penfield and

Pastors Don Rayment and Bob Grove. They were trained to become Stephen Leaders. This

ministry extensively trains and guides interested church members to give one-to-one

confidential support to people experiencing a life crisis or change, which may include dealing

with an illness, a divorce, a job loss or other life challenges. To this date, more than one

hundred people have been trained to be Stephen Ministers, and at any one time eight to

eleven care-giving relationships are active in our church. Stephen Ministers come from all

walks of life, the majority being lay people with a common bond of their love for the Lord.

They bring Christ’s love to hurting people.

This past year Stephen Ministry sponsored an educational, two-part series of classes titled,

“Cancer: Now What?” The two sessions were based on Stephen Ministry founder Dr. Kenneth

Houghk’s recent book, “Cancer, Now What? (Taking Action, Finding Hope, and Navigating the

Journey Ahead). The format was panel testimonies and class discussion. The classes were

very well received, and reference materials were available to all class attendees.

Stephen Ministers greatly appreciate PCN staff for their ongoing support of this vital ministry.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a Stephen Minister’s support, you can talk

with a Stephen Leader for next steps and advice.

Kathy Botko, Stephen Ministry Leader

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Deacons

“...We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God

prepared in advance for us to do.” The Deacons are truly blessed to have the opportunity to

be in ministry not only to the congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Novato but also to

the community beyond the church. The Deacons have faithfully served throughout this year

in all capacities, no matter what the request. The Deacons on Duty have responded weekly

to needs, joys, concerns – contacting the appropriate Deacon for transportation, meals,

delivering flowers to senior residences and on occasion our church family members. Due to

the generosity of the congregation, Deacons were able to provide monies to Pastor Kent and

Interim Pastor Ariel Mink in order to assist those in our community, within the church and

beyond, with special requests. The Deacons Benevolence Fund was able to assist two PCN

members in a time of financial need.

Deacon Visitation Team has met twice monthly with beloved PCN members (7) not able to

gather often with the “church family.” Homebound members are also provided a CD of

Sunday worship for their home worship so that they may continue to feel connected to their

PCN family. Deacons always enjoy the humor, the wisdom, and the joyous hospitality that is

extended during their visits.

A special visitation team, Deacon Moderator and PCN church member Bruce Stahley, met

with Novato Healthcare Residence for a quarterly conference on the welfare and medical care

of PCN member Sally James. Sally continues to be blessed with care and stimulation at her

present residence.

Memorial and reception teams have had a semi-full calendar this year – six services and

receptions were lovingly provided. Attendance numbered from 70 to almost 300, totaling 864

guests, averaging 144 attendees per service.

The Deacons assisted with the shared joy and celebration of Carolyn and Art Gerrans’

grandson’s baptism reception.

Deacons are grateful for the “Deacon Angels” that spontaneously appear to assist in the

reception preparations, the donations of food, the serving, as well as the clean-up. All focus

is on the family and meeting their wishes at this time of sorrow and celebration. Our great

joy this year was to have the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of 101 years for our

beloved PCN member Alforetta Bottini. Although she was unable to attend church and the

celebration, our love was delivered to her at her assisted-living care center. Each Deacon

volunteers six times over the year to prepare, serve, and clean-up for coffee and conversation

following each Sunday service. This can often be a calendar dilemma, but the coordinator is

always rewarded with a volunteer willingly to respond, “I’m here to help!”

Personnel serving in our Armed Forces received cards of greeting and support throughout the

year – expressing our gratitude, our pride in their service, and care for their safety. When

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military personnel were unable to be reached, due to confidentiality, the family received our

care concerns.

Deacons had their annual blood drive with the Blood Centers of Northern California on

Sunday June 3, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Twenty-three people registered from PCN and

Novato and San Rafael communities. Four people were deferred for health reasons, for a

total of 19 people donating, of which six donors gave double blood. A total of 29 units of

blood were collected. The event was well-staffed and ran smoothly. Blood Centers staff are

most professional and courteous. A blood drive hosted by the Deacons is scheduled for

Sunday June 2, 2019.

A team of seventeen (17) members have given their time and their talents throughout this

year, ministering to all and for our own Deacon members. There was a vacancy unfilled for

the year and one team member needed to step down due to health reasons. The 16

remaining Deacons continued on strong and quietly without skipping a beat. The Deacons

met monthly to share our joys and concerns and to continue to grow our ministry with the

knowledge of needs within our PCN family, community and beyond. The Deacons are

grateful and privileged with this humbling and blessed service opportunity to be an extension

of God’s grace and love.

Becky Praun, Moderator

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Finance and Administration Committee

As I look back at the year 2018, I see the landscape of our church evolving. We as a church are learning, growing, discerning, serving and giving. I saved the word giving for last because I am once again overwhelmed by the incredible generosity, in so many ways, of our church. As you read each of the committee reports, you will see a glimpse of each way you have been generous. I am taking a liberty never before taken but feel compelled to share what I see from my vantage point. Our church is extremely generous and eager to meet needs. I hope you look at this not to be proud, but to see how we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our church, our community, our city, and around the world.

Listed below is the amount PCN gave in 2018, which is over and above budgeted mission of 25% of pledges. (Mission giving was included for grand total purposes.)

Alternative Christmas Fair $5, 910.00

Camp Fire Relief $6,055.00

Christmas Joy Offering $3,292.00

Deacons $9,650.00

Heifer Project (Sunday School Giving) $1,838.00

Juarez Mission Trip $11,152.00

Mission Giving – Pledged $154,527.00

NMCS (Bnckaroo Breakfast) $3,402.00

One Great Hour of Sharing $3,654.00

Peacemaking Offering $2,415.00

Pentecost Offering $3,531.00

Wildfire Relief Fund $200.00

Youth Mission Fundraiser $10,601.00

Youth Program $3,625.00

2 Cents A Meal $977.00

TOTAL $375,356.00

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This is a cash total only and does not include donations for the snack sacks, Christmas Giving tree, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Lynwood Reading Program Time, Gilead House Clean-Up, San Quentin Dress Out Clothes and time, Camp Fire Gift Cards, and more. We truly are a generous church responding to the needs we see around us.

What is even more important than the dollars is the time we have invested serving in many locations to reach out to youth, minister to those in the convalescent hospital, provide meals, and walk alongside those who need a little extra help. Countless hours are given in service. It is really is a blessing to step back, look around, and notice all those serving in our church. I know that I do not say thank you nearly enough, so please let me say thank you now for making this church what it is today.

It goes without saying that we have again met our budget through your generosity. PCN once

again exceeded the budgeted pledges by giving $717,945.51, which is just over 110% of

what was budgeted. Since our expenditures were down we have a surplus of $124,937.32.

This surplus will allow us some flexibility next year to fund expenses for a new pastor and

new youth director. We are recommending to Session that $60,000 is transferred to the

property reserve and the remaining $64,937.32 be transferred to the operating reserve in

order to ensure that we have sufficient funds available in 2019-2020 for implementing new

staffing, ministry and facilities improvements. This 2018 surplus is not anticipated in 2019, so

it will be important that we sustain and grow our generous stewardship commitment of time,

talents and financial gifts to fund what the Lord has planned for PCN in the future.

On the administration side, we have made some significant improvements this year. Our year started with the transition to a new accounting system, QuickBooks. This system easily tracks (with Stephanie's expertise) all income and expenses. We are able to provide our committees reports which itemize expenses for the year. This helps us more accurately budget for the next year and project for upcoming expenses in subsequent years. Our next big step was enlisting the help of a payroll service. We also tried, for the first time, online registration and payment for Vacation Bible School, which was a huge success. In the fall we also researched companies that can help us implement online giving. We have chosen a company and you will see this option available once our website is updated and upgraded. All of these changes help us maintain our goal of complete transparency with our finances.

Our goals for next year are to fully update and upgrade the church's website, commence the online-giving option, finish the office phone system rejuvenation, and implement leave credit-tracking for our staff. We also hope to finish writing the policies and procedures, so they can be approved by Session. We believe these are necessary steps as we look forward to calling a new pastor.

I would like to take a moment to thank all the members of the Finance and Administration Committee who served with us this year: Jim Botko, Walt Campbell, Joe Simmons, Jon Klinkman, Doug Paff, and Brad Praun. I especially want to thank Stephanie Monahan. This

42

year has been one of many changes, and she really likes the new system. She also keeps an ever-watchful eye, looking for ways we can save money. I would like to say a special thank you to Jon Klinkman for his many years of service; he will be greatly missed. His expertise and dedication serving on the Endowment Committee has been beyond beneficial to us this past year. Many of the Finance and Administration committee members served on multiple committees, and I am grateful for their continued support through their busy times.

It has been my pleasure to serve this past year, and I am looking forward to a great 2019.

Tonya Church, Finance and Administration Elder, President of the PCN Corporation

43

Presbyterian Church of Novato

Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through December 2018

2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

Income

4100 · Revenue Sources

4110 · Pledges 717,945.51 652,150.08 65,795.43 4110 · Pledges 639,268.80

4120 · Loose Offering 47,447.24 40,000.08 7,447.16 4120 · Loose Offering 39,999.96

4130 · Facility Use Income 43,890.00 43,000.08 889.92 4130 · Facility Use Income 43,000.08

4135 · Other Income 158.59 100.08 58.51 4135 · Other Income 100.08

4140 · Participant fees/deposits 8,401.00 0.00 8,401.00 4140 · Participant fees/deposits 0.00

4141 · Event income 3,240.86 0.00 3,240.86 4141 · Event income 0.00

4142 · Seekers Donations 3,015.00 3,000.00 15.00 4142 · Seekers Donations 3,000.00

4180 · Interest Income 8,203.54 0.00 8,203.54 4180 · Interest Income 1,000.08

4190 · Per Capita Receipts 4,551.87 4,500.00 51.87 4190 · Per Capita Receipts 4,500.00

4200 · Special Offering Income 27,633.30 0.00 27,633.30 4200 · Special Offering Income 0.00

Total 4100 · Revenue Sources 864,486.91 742,750.32 121,736.59 730,869.00

Expense

6100 · Ministry 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6131 · Salary - Senior Pastor 33,143.80 47,560.80 -14,417.00 6131 · Salary - Senior Pastor 51,275.04

6132 · Housing - Senior Pastor 21,000.00 36,000.00 -15,000.00 6132 · Housing - Senior Pastor 50,000.04

6133 · Auto/Prof - Senior Pastor 2,368.25 6,000.00 -3,631.75 6133 · Auto/Prof - Senior Pastor 6,000.00

6134 · Med/Pension/Dental Benefits 24,122.68 31,822.80 -7,700.12 6134 · Med/Pension/Dental Benefits 37,977.96

6135 · Study Leave - Senior Pastor 757.00 2,000.04 -1,243.04 6135 · Study Leave - Senior Pastor 2,000.04

6136 · FICA - Senior Pastor 3,196.20 6,392.40 -3,196.20 6136 · FICA - Senior Pastor 7,748.04

6137 · Pastor Vacation Coverage 0.00 1,000.08 -1,000.08 6137 · Pastor Vacation Coverage 1,000.08

6138 · Pastoral/Staff Search 4,736.00 20,000.04 -15,264.04 6138 · Pastoral/Staff Search 0.01

6141 · Salary - Comm. Lay Pastor 66,870.00 25,740.00 41,130.00 6141 · Salary - Comm. Lay Pastor 26,571.96

6143 · CLP Auto/Professional 1,645.34 300.00 1,345.34 6143 · CLP Auto/Professional 300.00

6145 · CLP Study Leave 570.60 1,000.08 -429.48 6145 · CLP Study Leave 1,000.08

6146 · CLP FICA 5,115.54 1,969.08 3,146.46 6146 · CLP FICA 2,037.96

6147 · Director Youth Ministry 31,975.86 33,951.72 -1,975.86 6147 · Director Youth Ministry 51,951.72

6147.5 · DYM Housing 9,000.00 18,000.00 -9,000.00

6148 · DYM Auto/Professional 556.62 2,000.04 -1,443.42 6148 · DYM Auto/Professional 2,000.04

6149 · DYM Continuing Ed 53.64 1,000.08 -946.44 6149 · DYM Continuing Ed 1,000.08

6150 · DYM FICA 1,987.14 3,974.28 -1,987.14 6150 · DYM FICA 3,974.28

6151 · DYM Vouchered Benefits 2,070.00 7,740.00 -5,670.00 6151 · DYM Vouchered Benefits 7,740.00

6155 · Chidren's Ministry Salary 34,145.52 34,145.52 0.00 6155 · Chidren's Ministry Salary 35,249.16

6156 · CM FICA 2,612.16 2,612.04 0.12 6156 · CM FICA 2,703.48

6157 · CM Auto/Professional 967.33 1,500.00 -532.67 6157 · CM Auto/Professional 1,500.00

6158 · Stephen Ministry 338.15 1,000.08 -661.93 6158 · Stephen Ministry 1,000.08

6161 · Intern Program 12,000.00 0.00 12,000.00 6161 · Intern Program 24,000.00

6162 · Intern Program FICA 918.00 1,500.00 -582.00 6162 · Intern Program FICA 1,836.00

6163 · Intern Program Auto/Prof 0.00 400.08 -400.08

Total 6100 · Ministry 260,149.83 287,609.16 -27,459.33 318,866.05

6200 · Administration 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6211 · Salary Admin Secretary 37,996.68 37,996.68 0.00 6211 · Salary Admin Secretary 39,326.52

6212 · FICA Admin Secretary 2,906.76 2,906.76 0.00 6212 · FICA Admin Secretary 3,008.52

6214 · Admin Vacation/Sick coverage 0.00 1,500.00 -1,500.00 6214 · Admin Vacation/Sick coverage 500.04

6221 · Salary Finance Secretary 23,415.72 23,415.72 0.00 6221 · Salary Finance Secretary 26,000.04

6222 · FICA Finance Secretary 1,791.24 1,791.36 -0.12 6222 · FICA Finance Secretary 1,989.00

6231 · Admin Asst Salary 7,153.13 6,679.92 473.21 6231 · Admin Asst Salary 6,895.80

6232 · Admin Asst FICA 547.23 511.08 36.15 6232 · Admin Asst FICA 528.96

6233 · Child Care/Nursery Care 4,833.00 5,520.00 -687.00 6233 · Child Care/Nursery Care 5,520.00

6234 · Nursery Caregiver FICA 369.77 422.28 -52.51 6234 · Nursery Caregiver FICA 422.28

6251 · Postage/Mailings 1,984.57 1,350.00 634.57 6251 · Postage/Mailings 1,200.00

6252 · Paper Products 361.66 1,500.00 -1,138.34 6252 · Paper Products 750.00

6253 · Office Supplies 3,465.62 2,400.00 1,065.62 6253 · Office Supplies 3,250.08

6254 · Telephone/Internet Bundle 3,928.20 3,750.00 178.20 6254 · Telephone/Internet Bundle 3,600.00

6257 · Image Lease Contract 6,185.94 6,375.00 -189.06 6257 · Image Lease Contract 6,375.00

6258 · Workers Comp Insurance 2,098.75 2,200.08 -101.33 6258 · Workers Comp Insurance 2,200.08

6261 · Bank charges/fees 495.13 200.04 295.09 6261 · Bank charges/fees 200.04

6262 · Payroll service 1,965.69 1,800.00 165.69 6262 · Payroll service 2,000.04

6268 · Technology Upgrades 1,948.49 2,000.04 -51.55 6268 · Technology Upgrades 2,000.04

6270 · Session Expenses 245.03 500.04 -255.01 6270 · Session Expenses 500.04

6271 · Hospitality Closet 1,051.59 1,000.08 51.51 6271 · Hospitality Closet 1,000.08

Total 6200 · Administration 102,744.20 103,819.08 -1,074.88 107,266.56

Presbyterian Church of Novato

Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through December 2018

2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6300 · Stewardship 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6310 · Campaign Expenses 300.00 525.00 -225.00 6310 · Campaign Expenses 525.00

6311 · Pledge Envelopes 802.81 775.00 27.81 6311 · Pledge Envelopes 775.00

6312 · Time & Talent Fair 279.00 300.00 -21.00 6312 · Time & Talent Fair 300.00

6313 · Automated Giving Fees 720.00

Total 6300 · Stewardship 1,381.81 1,600.00 -218.19 2,320.00

6400 · Property 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6401 · Property & Liability Insurance 9,472.00 10,500.00 -1,028.00 6401 · Property & Liability Insurance 9,204.00

6402 · Utilities 19,841.03 18,000.00 1,841.03 6402 · Utilities 19,500.00

6403 · Property Tax 5,837.42 5,500.00 337.42 6403 · Property Tax 5,500.00

6404 · Maintenance/Replacements 18,235.39 12,000.00 6,235.39 6404 · Maintenance/Replacements 13,500.00

6405 · Janitor Service 13,945.00 13,500.00 445.00 6405 · Janitor Service 12,000.00

6406 · Landscape Services 5,075.00 5,000.04 74.96 6406 · Landscape Services 5,000.04

6407 · Janitorial supplies 1,649.20 1,600.08 49.12 6407 · Janitorial supplies 1,500.00

6408 · Manse taxes 879.00 11,500.00 -10,621.00 6408 · Manse taxes 900.00

6410 · Manse Maintenance 2,907.14 1,800.00 1,107.14 6410 · Manse Maintenance 1,800.00

Total 6400 · Property 77,841.18 79,400.12 -1,558.94 68,904.04

6500 · Membership/Evangelism 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6501 · Listings 420.42 1,500.00 -1,079.58 6501 · Listings 1,500.00

6503 · Membership supplies 897.24 1,700.04 -802.80 6503 · Membership supplies 1,500.00

6504 · Per Capita Enrollment 10,603.71 10,603.71 0.00 6504 · Per Capita Enrollment 10,603.71

6505 · Alpha Course 0.00 400.00 -400.00 6505 · Alpha Course 1.00

6510 · Web Site Fee/Maintenance 599.83 550.08 49.75 6510 · Web Site Fee/Maintenance 3,999.96

6511 · Church Community Builders 1,344.00 1,344.00 0.00 6511 · Church Community Builders 1,344.00

Total 6500 · Membership/Evangelism 13,865.20 16,097.83 -2,232.63 18,948.67

6600 · Mission 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6611 · General Assembly 49,627.00 49,626.96 0.04

6612 · Synod & Presbytery 22,038.00 22,038.00 0.00

6621 · LM Human Needs 9,000.00 9,000.00 0.00

6622 · LM Lynwood Literacy Program 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00

6623 · LM Westminster Woods 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00

6624 · LM Ceres Project 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00

6625 · LM Mission Ministries - Juarez 12,142.95 6,560.00 5,582.95

6625.2 · Juarez Mission Scholarships 454.00 1,200.00 -746.00

6625.3 · Juarez Mission Medical Clinic 0.00 750.00 -750.00

6626 · LM Stop Hunger Now 3,500.00 3,500.00 0.00

6627 · LM PCN Bible Distribution 500.00 500.00 0.00

6628 · LM Youth Mission Trip 12,324.47 12,325.00 -0.53

6629 · LM Gilead House 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00

6630 · LM Wee Kirk Conference 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00

6631 · LM San Quentin Dress Out 2,346.88 2,000.04 346.84

6633 · LM Saturday Lunch Program 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00

6634 · LM Marin Mobile Care 2,000.00 2,000.04 -0.04

6636 · Mill Street Ministry 0.00 0.00 0.00

6640 · Reg Homeward Bound 5,000.00 5,000.00 0.00

6641 · Reg Habitat for Humanity 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00

6642 · Reg Marin Food Bank 5,000.00 5,000.00 0.00

6643 · Reg CA Re-Entry Institute 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00

6644 · Reg Center for Domestic Peace 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00

6650 · Natl Mission Trip USA 10,500.00 10,500.00 0.00

6650.2 · Nat'l Mission Trip Scholarships 1,200.00 1,200.00 0.00

6660 · Intl Matthew 25 Ministries 3,600.00 3,600.00 0.00

6661 · Intl Church World Service 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00

6662 · Intl Faith in Practice 1,500.00 1,500.00 0.00

6663 · Intl Agape International 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00

6670 · Discretionary 10,297.18 10,737.84 -440.66 Place holder until Mission Committee finalizes

6699 · Special Offering Expense 27,633.30 0.00 27,633.30 6670 · Discretionary 159,817.20

Total 6600 · Mission 194,663.78 163,037.88 31,625.90 159,817.20

Presbyterian Church of Novato

Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January through December 2018

2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6700 · Worship 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6712 · Candles/Communion Elements 173.42 250.08 -76.66 6712 · Candles/Communion Elements 250.08

6713 · Misc Worship Supplies 333.18 600.00 -266.82 6713 · Misc Worship Supplies 600.00

6714 · Flowers 431.95 0.00 431.95 6714 · Flowers 300.00

6715 · Piano Tuning 375.00 600.00 -225.00 6715 · Piano Tuning 600.00

6716 · Guest Preachers 0.00 1,000.08 -1,000.08 6716 · Guest Preachers 750.00

6720 · Music - Traditional 986.56 1,000.08 -13.52 6720 · Music - Traditional 1,000.08

6721 · Minister of Music Salary 26,832.00 26,832.00 0.00 6721 · Minister of Music Salary 27,699.24

6722 · FICA Minister of Music 2,052.60 2,052.60 0.00 6722 · FICA Minister of Music 2,124.48

6731 · Church Organist Salary 10,263.72 10,263.72 0.00 6731 · Church Organist Salary 10,595.52

6732 · FICA Church Organist 785.16 785.16 0.00 6732 · FICA Church Organist 812.64

6733 · Substitute Organist 0.00 1,000.08 -1,000.08 6733 · Substitute Organist 600.00

6734 · Guest Musicians - Traditional 300.00 950.04 -650.04 6734 · Guest Musicians - Traditional 1,200.00

6735 · Bell Choir 149.70 200.04 -50.34 6735 · Bell Choir 200.04

6751 · Music - Contemporary 445.00 750.00 -305.00 6751 · Music - Contemporary 750.00

6752 · Contemp Worship Director 17,106.12 17,106.12 0.00 6752 · Contemp Worship Director 17,659.08

6753 · FICA CW Director 1,308.60 1,308.60 0.00 6753 · FICA CW Director 1,354.44

6755 · Pianist Contemp Worship 7,125.00 7,125.00 0.00 6755 · Pianist Contemp Worship 7,355.28

6756 · FICA Pianist 545.03 545.04 -0.01 6756 · FICA Pianist 564.12

6757 · Contemp Guest Musicians 2,050.00 2,250.00 -200.00 6757 · Contemp Guest Musicians 2,400.00

Total 6700 · Worship 71,263.04 74,618.64 -3,355.60 76,815.00

6800 · Christian Education 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6801 · Bibles 322.83 400.08 -77.25 6801 · Bibles 450.00

6805 · Childrens' Curriculum 2,690.14 2,500.08 190.06 6805 · Childrens' Curriculum 2,500.08

6821 · Youth Advisor Training 2,050.09 2,000.04 50.05 6821 · Youth Advisor Training 2,000.04

6823 · High School "JAMAA" 838.97 1,000.08 -161.11 6823 · High School "JAMAA" 1,000.08

6824 · Jr High School "WIRED" 782.48 1,000.08 -217.60 6824 · Jr High School "WIRED" 1,000.08

6825 · Upper Elem "THE ARK" 1,175.99 1,000.08 175.91 6825 · Upper Elem "THE ARK" 1,000.08

6840 · Vacation Bible School 1,639.13 750.00 889.13 6840 · Vacation Bible School 100.00

6842 · PC Connect -106.00 0.00 -106.00 6842 · PC Connect 99.96

6846 · LOG 42.93 0.00 42.93 6846 · LOG 500.00

6847 · SEEkers 1,172.15 1,500.00 -327.85 6847 · SEEkers 100.08

6848 · Background Checks 0.00 250.08 -250.08 6848 · Background Checks 249.96

6852 · Adult CE Class 1,949.27 1,650.00 299.27 6852 · Adult CE Class 2,000.04

6853 · RBC Daily Bread 250.00 250.08 -0.08 6853 · RBC Daily Bread 250.08

Total 6800 · Christian Education 12,807.98 12,300.60 507.38 11,250.48

6900 · Program/Fellowship 2018 Actual Budget $ Over Budget 2019 Budget

6912 · Easter Brunch 0.00 200.00 -200.00 6912 · Easter Brunch 200.00

6915 · Family Camp -1,077.62 500.04 -1,577.66 6915 · Family Camp 1.00

6916 · Congregational Dinner 149.34 300.00 -150.66 6916 · Congregational Dinner 300.00

6920 · Buckaroo Breakfast 3,237.86 0.00 3,237.86 6920 · Buckaroo Breakfast 0.00

6950 · Other Program Expenses 2,522.96 600.00 1,922.96 6950 · Other Program Expenses 1,200.00

Total 6900 · Program/Fellowship 4,832.54 1,600.04 3,232.50 1,701.00

Total Expense -739,549.56 -740,083.35 533.79 -765,889.00

Net Income(Loss) 124,937.35 2,666.97 122,270.38

Respectfully submitted: Stephanie Monahan, Finance Secretary