103rd Annual Meeting
January 26, 2025
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church + Morris Plains, New Jersey�103rd Annual Parish Meeting�January 26, 2025
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(The Priest-in-Charge’s Address was provided at worship before the gathering in the Undercroft)
St. Paul’s Morris Plains is a welcoming,
diverse, inclusive community of faith.
We strive to promote Christian fellowship and
build a strong vibrant parish
committed to the personal growth of its members
and outreach to the community.
Mission Statement
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Election Slate
Bob Sullivan - Jr. Warden
Gordon Patterson
Alethia Stone
Jack Cox - Treasurer (To Be Appointed)
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Election by Acclamation
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Financial Report
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
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ST. PAUL’S FINANCIAL DATA
Ministry
Highlights
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Community
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2024 Highlights
Souper Bowl for Interfaith Food Pantry
Daily Bread and Veggies - Celebrating a record year! 3743 lbs of fresh produce donated to Table of Hope
Bike Drive for JBWS
Mental Health Day - Dr. Charles Park - We learned regular participation in spiritual/religious activities improve mental/physical health. Church attendance is healthy!
Thanksgiving Food Collection - 100+ pounds of can goods, fresh veggies (onions, potatoes), etc. for TOH
Holiday Children’s Gift Drive - Joined with organizations in the community to support over 1,000 children with gifts through the Table of Hope
Ladies’ Night
Prayer Shawls
Visitations
The Community Ministry’s focus is just that, Community. It is comprised of several sub-ministries including:
Fellowship, Pastoral Care and Outreach
Resources
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2024 Finance Highlights
Air Group Maintenance contract
Air Group has delivered cost effective/timely repairs of Church furnace (pump) and Rectory furnace (burner)
Iglesias Dios de Nuevo Vino
We welcome Pastor Oscar and his congregation who are renting space and participating in B&G
Memorial Garden Improvement
100 ft of pachysandra planted to cover drainage hose and improve garden aesthetics. More to come.
Cost Avoidance department
$1200 savings - congregation participation (mowing, mulching) and competitive bids (dead tree removal)
St. Paul's Staff Appreciation
Huge success! Big thank you to the congregation for their generous gift donations to Saint Paul's staff
Burglar/Fire Alarm update
Fish Fry
Cookie Walk
Physical Resources Ministry’s focus is all things related to physical assets, finances and personnel. It is comprised of several sub-ministries including:
Buildings and Grounds, Finance, Fundraising, Stewardship and Personnel
Worship
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2024 Highlights
The Worship Ministries focus is all things related to worship, a better understanding of our faith and a closer relationship with God. It is comprised of several sub-ministries including:
Worship, Church School/Youth, Adult Education, Confirmation, Meditation and Evangelism
Communication
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2024 Highlights
“Walk in Love” Stewardship campaign - Huge Success!
Epistle Weekly newsletter - Please read!
Church website with links to: www.stpaulsmp.org
Stewardship, Virtual Church worship (Zoom)
Church Events posted at least two weeks in advance to:
The Communication Ministry’s focus is effective and efficient communications internally and externally. This was a newly identified ministry in 2022.
Thank You for your Service
St. Paul’s Star Words
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Outgoing Sr. Warden Remarks
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2025 Calendar
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2025 St. Paul’s Event Calendar
Event | Description | Proposed Timing | Lead/Co-Lead | Volunteers Needed |
Annual Meeting | | Jan 28th | | Coffee Hour Host |
Souper Bowl Sunday | Community/Outreach Collect Soup for Food Pantry | Jan 21-Feb 11th | | Someone to drop off at Interfaith |
Fellowship Fish Fry | Fundraiser Take out fish and chips | March 20th (TBD) | Zach | Marketing Set-Up Runners Clean Up |
Health & Wellness Fair | Community/Outreach Support Mental Health Awareness Month and Community by offering a day of Health and Wellness services and vendors Consider Blood Drive | May 4th | | Marketing Set-Up Vendors Facilitators |
Memorial Day Parade | Community Parade | May 27th | | March Hand Out Water |
Church Picnic | Should we open up to the community? | Early June | | |
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St. Paul’s Event Calendar of Events
Event | Description | Proposed Timing | Lead/Co-Lead | Volunteers Needed |
Prepare and Maintain/Harvest Garden | Community/Outreach Fruit and Veggies Ministry | Apr-Sep | Lynn/Karen | Planters Pickers Weeders |
Back to School Drive | Community Outreach Collect and distribute items for school to include backpacks maybe shoes, clothes, coats | Aug (At least a few weeks before the start of school) | | Marketing Donations Lead |
Food Festival | Fundraiser Have food available for sale (Soups, Burgers, Chilis, Funnel Cake etc) | Oct 5 or 12 (in conjunction with town sale day) | | Marketing Food Preparers Support Day of |
Table of Hope Toy Drive | Community Collect toys/clothes for TOH based on need | Nov/Dec | | Coordinate with TOH |
Cookie Walk | Fundraiser | Dec | Leena | Marketing Bakers Set-Up Fulfill Orders (Day Of) Clean Up |
Other ideas: (Social/Community)
Potluck Dinners Ladies Night Trivia Night Poker Night Movie Night
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
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Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.