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ST THOMASE P I S C O PA L C H U RC H T E R R AC E PA R K

C h u r c h P r o f i l e 2 0 0 9

Photo by Lynn Siefgried

Photo by John Cascella

Who we are

St. Thomas is an Episcopal church

serving Christ for 134 years

in the Cincinnati suburb of Terrace Park.

We are looking for our 12th Rector.

Currently we have a full-time staff of five,

membership of approximately 700,

182 pledging families,

an annual budget of $885,000,

and average Sunday attendance of 222.

Our Strengths

We are a “loving, caring, friendly” parish with strong traditions that we value. A significant

proportion of us have been members of St Thomas for 30 years or longer. In our parish-

wide focus groups, parishioners describe us as having a “long tradition of spirituality” and a

“willingness to be transformed.”

Worship: We offer two Rite 1 and two Rite II services each week, and our music program,

with six choirs, offers “wonderful” traditional Anglican music at these services, as well as

several special events each year with outside singers and instrumentalists.

Education: Starting in 2007, we have an adult education hour between Sunday services.

We also have four new church school programs for children 3-16 which parishioners feel

give our children a “solid foundation” in the elements of our faith.

Physical Plant: We have a beautiful worship space and a six year old, 10.5 million dol-

lar building (debt-free) that houses our Parish Hall, Church School, Nursery School, a

commercial-grade kitchen, and several sitting rooms and offices.

Congregation: As a congregation, we see ourselves as being “resilient, welcoming, and

friendly.” The words we use to describe our church and ourselves are “authentic, comfort-

able and well intentioned.”

Outreach: We have several significant, long-term outreach programs: In 1964 we and two

other churches founded the Interparish Ministry, a local food pantry and social service

provider. In 1990, we conceived and financed the building of one hundred town homes

for low income families in a nearby rural community. And for 30 years, St. Thomas youth

and accompanying adult volunteers have participated in Mt. TOP, our annual

mission trip to rural Tennessee.

For a fuller list of outreach

and ministries please see

our expanded Parish Profile

on our website

www.stthomasepiscopal.org.

How We See Ourselves

Traditional21%

Friendly12%

Loving11%

Conservative9%

Authentic7%

Caring7%

Home7%

Well-intentioned6%

Episcopalian5%

In transition5%

Waiting/passive5%

Wounded5%

How we describe ourselves in one word

“Our ‘plant’ is lovely, though not utilized fully

and reflects the honor which is felt by the con-gregation for the Lord.”

“The group is active in various ministries of

service to the larger community.”

“We are educated, smart people who give their talents to the church.”

Photo by Lynn Siegfried

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The Rev’d. Darby Everhard, our Sr. Associate Rector, leading worship.

Our Challenges

There is, however, a sense that we have lost energy and momentum at St. Thomas. Since

2004 when our rector of 9 years left, we have had one rector and three interim rectors.

Our attendance has diminished annually since 1999. The maintenance of our new build-

ing has been a significant drain on our resources as well as a source of controversy among

parishioners. Our previous rector was asked to resign. And at this time, we are a parish

with challenging financial issues. We seek a new rector who will provide invigorating

leadership to the parish and bring much needed stability and direction.

Worship: Our worship experience is described by some as “one dimensional, and dull.”

Others say, “the pews are empty because we offer too many services and they are all alike.”

There are significant numbers of us who feel that the music, while beautiful, is too

difficult to sing.

Education: Our congregation wants challenging, relevant, adult educa-

tion opportunities focusing on “things that pertain to my life.” We

want more Bible and prayer study in small-groups. Our program for

high school students is widely seen as needing improvement, and there

are many requests for a youth minister.

Physical Plant: Our new building is underused and very expensive.

We need to use our splendid facility more fully for recruiting new members and to make

our presence and our welcome more strongly felt in our surrounding communities.

Congregation: Many parishioners feel that “lingering resentment over old wounds,

focusing inward, not outward, and insularity” keep us from moving forward.

Outreach: We have many outreach options, but suffer from “volunteer fatigue” because

too few people carry the heavy load of volunteering.

Overall, our congregation is eager for:

• Stable,inspired,leadershipanddirection.

• Ourworshiptobemorejoyful,spirit-filled,vitalandhappy.

• Newparishionersandthereturnofthosewhohaveleft.

• Challengingandrelevantadultandyoutheducation.

• Fullerandmorecreativeuseofournewbuilding,especiallytomakeusamore

recognized and welcoming presence in the community.

“Too many services–nothing for the high schoolers and young college age.”

“It is discouraging to see a half-full church.”

“We need to have more parishioners active.”



PAGE 3

Another interesting adult education hour.

Tom Long of “Friends of the Groom”.

Skills and Characteristics We Seek in Our Next Rector

• Weseekarectorwhois,accordingtoourparish-widesurvey,aleader(12%),abuilder

ofcongregations(11%),agoodpreacher(10%),spirit-driven(9%),ayouthleader,

(9%),andwarm(7%).

• We need a inspirational rector who both respects tradition and has experience with

multiple liturgies and forms of worship. There is strong feeling that we need more

variety,relevance,joy,andenergyinoursermons,musicandliturgy.However,wehave

little experience with alternate liturgies, and so we need a rector who is able to gently

lead the congregation to appreciate a range of worship rituals and structures.

• Withsomuchchangeinthelastfivetosevenyears,weneedanexperiencedleader

who can help us create a focused, energetic, fiscally-responsible organization.

• Becausewehavebeendrifting,weneedapersonwithvision,tact,imagination,and

warmth who can align our many well-established groups to fulfill our collaborative

vision for a more vital community at St. Thomas.

• Weneedapersonwithspiritualwisdomandempathytohelpusresolveissuesthat

keep us looking backward rather than forward.

• Weneedaspirit-filledpersonwhocanhelpbringrelevance,variety,energyand

fellowship to our adult and youth education programs.

• Weneedapersonwhocanleadusaswereachouttothesurroundingcommunities,

and can inspire and lead our emerging

evangelizing ministry.

“I would like a rector interested in the care and

growth of this parish– not as a stepping stone.”

“A spiritual scholar who can work with and

inspire people, especially young families.”

“Compassionate, thoughtful, approachable,

with good counseling skills.”

Our Next Rector

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Top Rector Qualities

Fund-raiserAdult Education

FinanceManager

Outreach

BuildingLay Leaders

Listener

BuildingFellowship

Warmth

CollaborativeLeader

Youth EducationSpirit-driven

Pastoral

Orator

Building Congregation

Leader

The information in this Parish Profile was gathered in March 2009 by means of focus group discussions and a survey. One hundred and forty-one parishioners attended focus groups and 125 parishioners filled out surveys.

Our Past and Present

St. Thomas is located in the Village of Terrace Park, fifteen miles east of Cincinnati.

Our church was founded in 1876, in a small wooden structure on the banks of the Little

Miami River, serving the residents of Terrace Park, Milford, Indian Hill and Miamiville.

In 1901 the congregation built a new church in Terrace Park. The

church is located on the very spot that was once Covalt’s Station, a

pioneer fort built to defend the first settlers from attack. The nave

of the new building was dedicated as a memorial to the daughter

of John Robinson, a local landowner who wintered his circus in

Terrace Park. We are told that Mr. Robinson’s original proposal

called for a frieze of elephants, trunk to tail, all the way around the

interior of the nave. While this never happened, old-

timers do remember elephants pulling snow plows on

the tree-lined roads of Terrace Park.

The church flourished with the growing area population, and the size of the

building was increased with additions in 1950 and 1960. A Columbarium

was added in 1983, ramps in 1992, and elevators connected all floors in our

2004 addition.

By 2002 the church buildings were strained trying to contain a growing num-

berofprogramsandactivities.Groundwasbrokenforamajornewstructure:

a 55,000 square foot, four-storied Parish Building, which opened in 2004.

Now, we are grappling with the challenge of maintaining this new facility.

Though it brings new opportunities to serve Jesus in our community, our re-

duced numbers and income make its maintenance

a burden, and the facility is far from fulfilling its

potential for outreach to the surrounding areas.

Our newly established Evangelism Ministry is

committed to finding ways in which this splendid

facility can serve as a gateway into the St. Thomas church

community.

St. Thomas today is a deeply committed church with a strong

spiritual core, offering a wide range of opportunities for

worship, inspiration, instruction and renewal. We have 124


“We need this parish to establish viable programs that integrate with the community.”

PAGE 5

Our beautiful Parish Hall.

Decorating the tree at Christmas.

The welcoming red doors.



children enrolled in four new church school programs: the Catechesis of the Good Shep-

herd for 3-6 year olds, Faith Explorers for 6-11 year olds, Rite 13 for 12-14 year olds, and

Journey to Adulthood for 15-16 year olds. We also offer a youth group for older teens,

but it is widely recognized that this program needs more focus and energy.

We have a weekly adult education hour from 10:00 to 11:00 between our Sunday morn-

ing services. Throughout the year, we also offer several four to six week Wednesday night

supper and discussion group series, small study and prayer groups, and special Lenten

programs.

As St. Thomas has grown, so have the eastern suburbs

of Cincinnati. Today, fewer than half our parishioners

live in Terrace Park, with growing numbers from Mil-

ford(justacrosstheLittleMiamiRiver),IndianHill,

Mariemont, Anderson Township, and more rural parts

of neighboring Clermont County. There are now four

new and growing evangelical churches within five miles

of St. Thomas that have attracted many of our members,

especially our youth.

For more information on key aspects of our parish,

please see our expanded Parish Profile on our website

www.stthomasepiscopal.org.

Our Setting

With its tree-lined streets, late 19th century Victorian houses, and kids on bicycles, the

Village of Terrace Park has a distinctly Americana feel about it. The village green, grade

school, community building and church serve as centers of activity for all its residents.

Community activities are relaxed and family oriented, from the Memorial Day and Labor

Day parades with marching band, decorated bicycles and costumed pets, to the pumpkin

festival in the fall, and lighting of the Village Christmas tree and luminaria in December.

It is worth noting that while St. Thomas is not a community church, it is the only church

in the Terrace Park community. There is strong feeling among parishioners that St.

Thomas should make a greater effort toward becoming a more central force and presence

for the Village of Terrace Park.

“We are still here. We have survived.

We have kept the faith.”

“We need this parish to diversify more

(demographically).”



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The tunnel in Terrace Park.

The front entrance of St. Thomas.

Terrace Park is part of the Mariemont school district (the neighboring suburb to the

west). Mariemont High School has been designated a “National Exemplary School” by

the U.S. Department of Education and Terrace Park Elementary has been named both a

“National Exemplary” and “Blue Ribbon” school.

The Little Miami, a National Scenic River, forms the east-

ern and southern boundaries of Terrace Park, providing many

miles of fishing and canoeing. Cincinnati, “The Queen City

of the West,” has been lavishly praised in previous centuries

by Longfellow, Twain, and Dickens (among others) for its

natural beauty, culture and industry. More recently, it has been

designated among America’s most livable cities. Cincinnati’s

principal feature is, of course, the Ohio River which has carved

out the steep hillsides that form the city’s seven hills. The city

planners have carefully preserved these tree covered hillsides to

create a lovely setting. Across the river is Northern Kentucky,

with the Bluegrass Country a short drive away.

Cincinnati is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. The Diocesan House

andChristChurchCathedralarelocatedindowntownCincinnati,just25minutesaway.

The proximity encourages clergy and lay involvement in the activities and business of

the diocese.

The largest employers in the area are Procter & Gamble, General Electric, and the

University of Cincinnati. There are eight colleges and universities within a twenty mile

radius. Hospital and medical care are second to none. Many feel that Cincinnati’s princi-

pal attraction is its remarkable selection of Fine Arts, with an internationally recognized

symphony, chamber orchestra, opera, ballet, and the College Conservatory of Music at the

University of Cincinnati. The Playhouse in the Park and the The Cincinnati Shakespeare

Company offer first-rate traditional theater, with the Ensemble Theater Company provid-

ing more contemporary drama. Then there are the Cincinnati Zoo, Art Museum, Natural

History Museum and Hamilton County Library – all recognized as among the country’s

veryfinest.Andtherearemajorleaguesports,withtheCincinnatiRedsandBengals!

Newcomers are often taken by surprise by the city’s ease of living, its Midwestern

openness and welcoming ways, its livable moderate size, easy accessibility, and its high

energy citizenry.

“We have a wonderful mix of church members, and they come together in a time of need.”

PAGE 7

The Little Miami river.

Our Worship

Saturday 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Prayers for Healing

Sunday 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Prayers for Healing, Children’s Chapel and

hospitality hour

10:00 a.m. Sunday School, all ages

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I with hospitality hour

Summer Sundays

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Prayers for Healing

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I

9:00 a.m. Summer Breakfast Hour

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Prayers for Healing

Other occasions, Holy days and seasons are celebrated with appropriate liturgies. Taize

liturgies are offered several times a year.

Sunday worship is central to the life of the parish. It is enriched and inspired by strong lay

participation. Ushers, greeters, lectors, acolytes, and chalice bearers serve at most services.

There are occasional Choral Evensongs, concerts, and the Festival of Lessons and Carols

is sung at Christmas season by the Men & Boys choir.

The congregation has expressed a strong desire for more varied worship opportunities;

however we do not know exactly what we want. Eighty-five percent of survey participants

feel that we should offer some version of a less traditional form of worship. Focus group

comments range from needing “a traditional service with new ideas,” “a contemporary

service, if needed,” “more relevant energetic sermons,” “relevant

music–not Latin or academic,” “upbeat music I can sing,” to “we

need respect for traditional liturgy and ritual,” and “no contem-

porary service, please.” We seek a rector who will work collabora-

tively with the parish to help us clarify and fulfill this vision.

The Nursery School

St. Thomas is the home of a well-established and vibrant

five day a week preschool program that is an extension of the

Church’s outreach ministry. Enrolling 190 children (with a

capacity of 205), ages two though five, in morning and after-

noon sessions, the school’s mission is to serve the Parish and


“I want more joy and energy in worship.”

PAGE 8

A special performance by some talented young angels.

surrounding communities by providing excellent preschool education in a Christian

environment. There are 22 teachers and staff turn-over is very low. While some of these

students are the children of parishioners, others come from area families who are not

members of St. Thomas. We realize that our Nursery School is a draw for these

families, and we are interested in accepting more Nursery School families as members

of St. Thomas.

Current Parish Administration and Organization

We are blessed with a wonderful full-time staff of five and part-time staff of six. In

addition we have three full-time staff of semi-autonomous programs of St Thomas:

our Director of Services for Thomaston Woods and our Nursery School Director and her

assistant. We have a loyal and effective corps of volunteers who staff the church office and

edit our weekly online bulletin and monthly mailed newsletter, Tidings.

The Rev’d. Robert E. Reynolds–Interim Rector

The Rev’d. Darby Oliver Everhard–Senior Associate Rector

Michael Hrivnak–Director of Music

Dr. Connie Golden–Organist

Chrissy Hrivnak–Women’s Choir Director

Jill Fischer–Parish Administrator

Rose Loprest–Ministry Assistant

Connie Krebs–Bookkeeper

Hobert Roberts–Facilities Supervisor

Wiley Craft–Sexton

Tina Lytle–Director of Thomaston Meadows and Thomaston Woods

Emily Keiser–Nursery School Director

Alicia Stanula–Nursery School Assistant Director

Brenda Tolliver–Childcare Coordinator

Volunteer Staff

Two daily office receptionists (15-20 volunteers in total)

Alex and Bea Filimonov–Editors of our online and monthly mailed newsletter, Tidings

Pat Matchette–Director of the Senior Singers

Karen Long and Vern Thomas–Co-chairs of the Search Committee




PAGE 9

Meditation room.

Hospitality hour.

Church school.

Vestry

Senior Warden–Vern Thomas

Junior Warden–Jack Buchholz

Treasurer–Chris White

2010 2011 2012Tim Fening Erinn Monette Zoe HardyRose Marie Luking Carol Peterson Nathan PratherMarvin Quin John Bowers Mary Lou ScottAnna K. Carey Jamie Flerlage Christopher Willoughby




PAGE 10

Fellowship before services.

A spring Sunday morning.

The Rev’d. Robert E. Reynolds, our Interim Rector.

Attendance and Sacramental Acts 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Average Sunday Attendance 341 297 275 246 222

Number of Pledging Families 309 275 256 155 182

Total Dollar amount Pledged $758,482 $757,045 $768,715 $730,678 $608,414

Average Pledge $2,455 $2,753 $3,003 $4,714 $3,343

Weekend Eucharists 189 177 178 186 189

Weekday Eucharists 42 17 7 9 14

Private Eucharist Services 171 149 178 225 297

Church School Enrollment 212 201 197 140 124

Baptisms 14 9 13 13 2

Confirmations 23 9 15 5 20

Marriages 2 4 5 4 7

Funerals 9 11 13 14 17

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Assets Cash Basis - as of December 31st

2006 2007 2008*

ASSETS

Cash & Short Term Money Market Funds $145,345 $173,437 $174,669

Long Term Investments $774,713 $723,713 $547,812

Property Improvements & Equipment - Net of Accumulated Depreciation

$9,418,907 $9,174,865 $9,176,709

Other Assets $407 $407 $407

Total Assets $10,339,372 $10,072,422 $9,899,597

LIABILITIES

Loans & Lines of Credit $1,337,422 $1,318,641 $1,336,980

Other Liabilities $2,354 $4,910 $156,750

Total Liabilities $1,339,776 $1,323,551 $1,493,730

NET ASSETS $8,999,596 $8,748,871 $8,405,867

Total Net Assets $8,999,596 $8,748,871 $8,405,867

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $10,339,372 $10,072,422 $9,899,597

Notes * Diocesan share in 2008 was recorded as a liability and not yet expensed.

Financial



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On their way to Church school.

Statement of Operating Revenue and Expenses Cash Basis - Period Ending December 31st

2006 2007 2008*

OPERATING REVENUES

Pledges $697,915 $626,097 $562,371

Plate Offerings $40,162 $73,894 $60,243

Other $147,838 $115,033 $141,981

Total Revenue $885,914 $815,024 $764,595

EXPENSES

Staff $539,799 $551,251 $440,594

Administrative $59,543 $66,855 $85,000

Building and Grounds $240,187 $243,234 $129,702

Programs $33,727 $43,871 $50,848

Outreach $255,137 $126,103 $109,743

Total Expenses $1,128,393 $1,031,314 $815,887

Surplus /(Deficit) ($242,479) ($216,289) ($51,292)

Notes * Diocesan share in 2008 was recorded as a liability and not yet expensed. Included in Outreach in 2006 and 2007.

Nursery School

Memorial Concert Inter Parish Ministry

Friends of the Groom

Habitat for Humanity

Moutain T.O.P.

Other OutreachYouth Developmental Fund

2008 Outreach



PAGE 12

Small meeting room.

Church school.


PAGE 13

The Hearth Room with its beautiful stained glass window.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church 100 Miami Avenue Terrace Park, OH 45174Parish Office Phone: 513.831.2052

The mission of St. Thomas Church

is to draw all people within our reach

into deeper communion with God

and each other

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We pursue our mission

through prayer and worship,

the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel,

and the promotion of justice, peace, and love.

Download - Parish Profile

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