HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2013

ANNUAL REPORT

CONGREGATION ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA BUSINESS Opening Prayer Review and Acceptance of Reports Terms of Call of the Pastor Election of 4 Nominating Committee Members from Congregation Moments of Memorial Earl Dunn Closing Prayer and Benediction Adjournment

HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1902 West 59th Street

LaGrange, Illinois 60525 phone: (708) 246-1911

highlandspresbyterianchurch@comcast.net highlandspreschurch.org

CHURCH STAFF Gregory Boettner - Pastor

Margaret Rhine - Christian Education Director Beth Tracy - Administrative Associate

Maria Rohloff - Director of Music W. Perry Johnson - Accompanist

Stephen Rhine - Sexton

Session 2014 Session 2015 Dick Brunot Tom Kohrs Laura Reihsmann John Rhine Mark Scheppler John Schroeder Bruce Sinnard Betty Tompkin Bob Weaver Diaconate 2014 Diaconate 2015 Dan Gianesin Cleora Armbruster Barbara Kohrs Elizabeth Rohloff Mike Reihsmann Nadine Schweitzer Susan Scheppler Jean Stewart Joan Schroeder

Women’s Association President - Sue Sinnard Treasurer - Elsa Dames

Financial Secretary - Beth Tracy Controller - Dick Brunot

OUR CONGREGATION BELONGS TO: The Presbytery of Chicago The Synod of Lincoln Trails

The Presbyterian Church in The United States of America

HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT - 2013

MEMBERSHIP STATISTICAL REPORT

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP, JANUARY 1, 2013 103 Reinstate during 2013 9 Removals during 2013 Deaths 0 Transfer 2 Other Removals 15 ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP - DECEMBER 31, 2013 95 Baptisms 2 Marriages 2

NECROLOGY REPORT

Annual Report 2013

Highlands Presbyterian Church La Grange, Illinois

REPORTS Table of Contents

Church Session

Finance Personnel

Property/Facilities Christian Education

Deacons Highlands Presbyterian Women

Reach/Grow/Send Team Pastor’s Report

Church SessionHighlands Presbyterian Church Mission Statement:

We exist to glorify God, make disciples, and meet human need.

The Session met regularly during 2013 to pray, to consider how to guide the congregation in living outHPC’s mission statement (to worship God and grow spiritually, in our mission of making disciples, and in efforts at reaching out to people in need), and to deal with the business needs of Highlands Presbyterian Church.

To this end, we met as a Session nine times during 2013 for regular Session meetings—January 22, March 6, April 16, May 28, June 25, August 27, September 24, October 22, and December 10.

Among noteworthy things the Session did or authorized during 2013 were:• Met with Deacons and laypeople as Ministry Teams to consider where we are as a church, where we ought tobe, and how to get there• Reviewed the membership rolls and made adjustments (moving inactive members to the active membership and deleting inactive members from the membership roll) • Authorized the transfer of active members T.M. DeYoung to Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church, Palos Heights, IL, and Sarah Stewart Rozny to First Presbyterian Church of Galesburg, IL• Authorized the baptisms of William George Boby IV on April 28 and Elizabeth Dorothea Buchanan on November 13• Noted with joy and pleasure the weddings performed by Pastor Boettner this year: Kelly Kusman and JR Wydra on July 3, Dawn Stockmo and Perry Johnson on August 4, Nicole Morgan and Bradley Piper in Pennsylvania on August 24, Caroline Gianesin and David Sutter on September 28, and a reaffirmation of the vows of Lynn and Robert Curry on August 3• Noted with sorrow, and with sympathy for those he leaves behind, the passing of Earl Dunn from this life into the eternal presence of God on September 13. Though he was not a member of HPC, he was a regular worshipper here and is sincerely missed. Our prayers are with Phyllis Dunn, his wife.• Negotiated with Grand Avenue Preschool various questions, problematic situations, and needed work• Responded to many, many requests to use our facilities. God has blessed us with wonderful and usable physical facilities, and we are grateful that when people and groups need space in which to gather, they turn to HPC to meet those needs. We hope and pray they will also turn to the Lord and Christ of HPC for their spiritual needs and to the congregation of HPC to meet their social needs.• Formed an ad hoc committee to consider policies and a fee schedule for groups and individuals using church facilities• Considered what to do about indigent people who come to the church seeking help and decided that Pastor Boettner and Administrative Assistant Beth Tracy should be given the authority to respond appropriately to their requests• Elected Tom Kohrs as HPC’s delegate to meetings of Chicago Presbytery for the year• Sponsored (with coordination by Tom Kohrs and Laura Reihsmann) the annual Thanksgiving dinner served to residents of Briar Place and Meadowbrook Manor. This is the 40th year in a row that HPC has served a Thanksgiving dinner to residents of retirement and nursing homes—a longtime commitment worthy of rejoicing.

There were many other highlights in HPC’s life, worship, and work in 2013. We encourage you to read the various reports in this Annual Report carefully, rejoice, and praise God! If you have ideas or suggestions for 2014, please contact one of us.

Respectfully submitted,John Rhine, Clerk

Elder Class ending 6/30/2014: Dick Brunot, Laura Reihsmann, Mark Scheppler, Bruce SinnardElder Class ending 6/30/2015: Tom Kohrs, John Rhine, John Schroeder, Betty Tompkin, Bob WeaverModerator: Rev. Gregory Boettner Clerk of Session: John Rhine

Finance

Similar to the prior year, 2013 initially presented challenges to our financial position with a budgeted deficit ofapproximately $20,000 (EXHIBIT 2). Fortunately, our actual results were significantly better than expectations for two basic reasons:

• The staff and Session committees exercised strong oversight in controlling and reducing, where possible, operating expenses. Actual expenditures were $7,600 under budget.

• We were beneficiaries of the continuing strong upward investment market. Our portfolio realized income and gains of $26,000 (over 3 times budget) which could be included in revenues.

Our financial position at December 31, 2013 (EXHIBIT 1) remains strong with net assets available for operations totaling over $83,000, approximately 5-1/2 months spending reserves.

The budget for 2014 (EXHIBIT 3) reflects a projected deficit of $24,000. In preparing this budget, investment income has been reduced to predictable levels-basically, realization of capital gains has not been anticipated. Expense levels have been set based on inflationary and/or imposed criteria. No significant individual expenditure increases are included.

Thanks to Elsa Dames and Beth Tracy who continue to serve ably as Treasurer and Financial Secretary.

Dick BrunotModerator, Finance and Controller

Personnel

The personnel committee met only as needed in 2013, attending to routine matters including staff reviews, compensation, revisions to job descriptions and recommendations for the 2014 budget.

In the PCUSA, the personnel committee works to:

• make certain that staff position descriptions are updated • assure staff reviews are conducted• discuss and recommend staff compensation to the session• review personnel policies • act in a supportive role to the pastor and the staff ¹

Serving on the personnel committee are Elder Bruce Tompkin, Reverend Greg Boettner and Elder Laura Reihsmann.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Reihsmann

¹ “Guidelines for Session Personnel Committees,” PCUSA.

Property/Facilities

The previous year for Property issues for the church was relatively uneventful and without significant projects. There are always on-going routine facility items to be addressed, and they were met.

Early in January 2013 one of the final items on the end of the sanctuary renovations and carpeting was the installation of UV tinted film applied to all glass surfaces of our narthex windows and doors. The Session felt that expense warranted extending the life of the new carpeting in both color and texture, and it is also pleasing to the eye. (Note: everyone please be aware that NO TAPE, NO SUCTION CUP HANGARS, etc. are to be applied to the inside surface of doors or windows. Doing so will pull the film from the bonding to the glass. Thank you.)

A brickmason was contracted to repair all four sides of both entry-steps to our narthex. Over the years the brickwork deteriorated and crumbled, and an excellent job was completed very economically. The same masons rebuilt the sign-base along 58th Plc., which had also crumbled. We will be getting estimates on the large chimney, where some bricks are spalling and mortar is missing, possibly requiring tuckpointing of that structure.

Grand Avenue Pre-School (Nancy Hayes) is a very good and cooperative neighbor to our church, and always concerned with not just the appearance of her and our facilities, but with any safety-issues. The past summer she underwrote the entire cost of material and labor for the installation of a new entry-door with side-lites, to the pre-school. It was a significant expense for Grand Avenue, and she graciously absorbed all costs. (Grand Avenue recently also underwrote the expense of plumbing and labor for the removal of one of the two water fountains in the pre-school hallway. It is a much nicer appearing area now, and the church still has availability of a fountain.) Nancy is always pleased and complimentary of the overall appearance of the church.

Stephen Rhine is handling many general duties with dedication and efficiency. He has routine established responsibilities, but also accepts additional projects beyond those. Because he is skilled, we do not have to arrange for outside carpentry and contracting items when they rise. The Property Committee is very grateful for his abilities.

All landscaping work is being done by Steve Vogel Landscaping, and the appearance of our grounds is always terrific. Two trees were removed and stumped during the summer, and the shrubbery is trimmed regularly and attractively. The church’s snow-removal is still being provided through our agreement with District #106, and that is a great savings for us as well.

Items ahead: a) The committee will be addressing the main-level men’s room renovation soon, which is a needed project. We will widen and replace the doorway, the lighting, vanity, flooring, etc., and make the room as accessible and bright as possible. b) The lower-level women’s bathroom is yet on our list, but the church building actually has a repetitive safety issue to address first, (c), which is severe water-leakage from the foundation wall at that point. Recent winters have created very problematic issues, which must be addressed initially. Our dilemma is a drain-tile issue, which means possibly breaking open the flooring. Because of the foundation design, parts of it become difficult, but we will keep the congregation informed.

Thanks to everyone who steps up to the plate doing and during projects throughout the year. Many hands makelight work. (My grandmother said that…!) If there are items you would like addressed at any time, please contact the church office or one of the committee members.

Sincerely, Thomas E. Kohrs

Property / Facilities Chrmn.Christian Education

Mission Statement of Highlands Presbyterian Church:“We exist to glorify God, make disciples, and meet human needs.”

During 2013 the Christian Education Committee has worked to provided varied educational opportunities for youth and adults.

During worship, children have worship folders that follow the lectionary readings and provide age-appropriate activities. Following Time for Children with Pastor Greg, the younger children are dismissed to Sunday School and the older ones remain in worship.

Our children and youth have participated in worship by being acolytes and liturgists and by participating in the Blanket Sunday skit. They have participated with the choir, singing and playing the drums. During Advent they participated in the lighting of the Advent candle.

The Discovery Program of Pioneer Clubs involves children from grade 1 through grade 6.In addition to our regular lessons, the young people have served the church by dusting the sanctuary before Advent and Lent and preparing greeting cards for members of the congregation at Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Before Easter the young people re-enacted the events in the last week of Jesus’ life.

Our middle school and high school group has met for study following worship and has participated in service by walking at the CROP walk in the fall and assisting with set up and serving at the annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens.

An adult Bible study group completed their study of the book of Acts in the spring and resumed in the fall studying Paul’s letter to the Romans. Erna Reihsmann has facilitated some lively discussions for the group.

Robert Fritz completed his Eagle Scout Project and, following his Eagle Scout ceremony in which two of our mission partners from Mississippi took part, he traveled to Mississippi with the mission team to deliver the last boxes of teaching and recreational supplies. He then worked with the team in Mendenhall continuing the extensive remodeling of a home. Funds for our mission work are raised through the submarine sandwich sale in February, the garage sale in May, and being available to do small home repair projects and painting. The annual garage sale involved more than thirty people and raised more than $2200.

Vacation Bible School was held August 6–10. The theme this summer was SonWest Round Up. We had 30 children enrolled and had a staff of 27. Once again we were able to share materials with First Presbyterian Church in Downers Grove. We deeply appreciate everyone’s support to make this event successful. The final luncheon was graciously provided by Julie Carver, Judy Evans, and Monica Parilli.

The following people played a significant role in Christian Education activities in 2013:

Christian Education Committee:Session representative Bruce Sinnard (fall); Janette Cowley; Erna Reihsmann, committee secretary; Margaret Rhine; Susan Scheppler; Joan Schroeder

Sunday Morning Teachers:Grades K–2:Sharon Beaudway, Jennifer Carver, Mary Lee Cowley, Katie Evans, Judy Hanaway, Barbara Kohrs, Kayle Lindberg, Margaret Rhine, Susan Scheppler, Joan Schroeder, and Anna Waszak

Grades 4–6:John Rhine and John Schroeder

Middle School and High School:Margaret Rhine and Laura Reihsmann

Discovery Club – Teachers and Assistants:Mary Susan Fritz and Margaret Rhine assisted by Greg Boettner, Marge Eadie, Susan Ide, Erna Reihsmann, Susan Scheppler, Jean Stewart, and Gloria Sutte

Vacation Bible School Teachers, Assistants, and Helpers:Cleora Armbruster; Sharon Beaudway; Carol Betczynski; Greg Boettner; Sarah Bogan; Jennifer Carver; Julie Carver; Mary Lee Cowley; Cheyenne Doherty; Marge Eadie; Shelly Edenbeck; Katie Evans; the Evans family; Robert Fritz; Judy Hanaway; Nancy Heinzelman; Susan Ide; Cindy, Matthew, Jarod, and Kayle Lindberg; Amelia Lorenz; Paige McMahon; Monica Parilli; Erna Reihsmann; Katy Reihsmann; Laura Reihsmann; John and Margaret Rhine; Maria Rohloff; Susan Scheppler; Sue Sinnard; Jean Stewart; Gloria Sutte; Betty Tompkin; Beth Tracy; and Samantha Tracy

So many members and friends of HPC have made our Christian Education program a success in 2013. If anyone’s name has been omitted, I apologize. I am deeply grateful for each ofyou. A special thanks goes to HPC’s administrative associate, Beth Tracy, and my husband, John, for always being there to support and assist in these programs.

Respectfully submitted,Margaret RhineDirector of Christian Education

Deacons

The following annual report for 2013 lists the function of the Board of Deacons of Highlands Presbyterian Church.

Here is a list of duties performed by the Deacons. Some are scheduled and some are done on an as-needed basis.

The first Sunday of each month we provide the communion bread and juice, and both set up and clean up. During the summer months when we are in Fellowship Hall, communion is done by intinction, and when we are in the sanctuary, communion is served to our congregation. We notify church members of deaths, emergencies and other church events via the “telephone tree and flocks list.” We also try to stay in touch with a telephone call or visit members and shut-ins.

We have organized monthly “card signings” after the church service in Fellowship Hall to brighten the day of those who cannot attend regularly so they know we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

In February, with the help of congregational donations, care packages are sent to our college students and thosein the military. These packages have always been greatly appreciated by the recipients.

Each deacon serves on one or more church committees.

We wish to remain sensitive to the needs of our church family. Please feel free to contact us if you know of anyone who could use our assistance.

Respectfully submitted,

Nadine Schweitzer (Moderator), Barbara Kohrs, Sue Scheppler, Dan Gianesin, Joan Schroeder, Cleora Armbruster, Mike Reihsmann, Elizabeth Rohloff, and Jean Stewart.

Women

Purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves:

To nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study,To support the mission of the church worldwide,To work for justice and peace, and To build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom.

2012-2013: Slate of OfficersModerator: Sue SinnardVice Moderator: Erna ReihsmannSecretary: Janette Cowley/Marge EadieTreasurer: Judy HanawayChurch Women United: Erna ReihsmannPresbytery Liaison: Janette CowleyFlowers: Barbara KohrsLibrary: Betty TompkinKitchen: Cleora Armbruster, Marge Eadie, Mary Lee CowleyHistorian: Margaret Rhine, Laura Reihsmann

All women of the church are members of Highlands Presbyterian Women whether active or inactive. We encourage all women to join us in our commitment to serve God as He directs us through our stated purposes. We appreciate the faithful, generous pledges of our women and the complete support of our programs by the entire congregation. With your continued support we are able to fund our missions.

Among the responsibilities assumed by the women are the following:Keeping the kitchen stocked and clean.Supporting the work of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Chicago by attending Spring and Fall Gatherings and donating funds. Supporting a variety of mission projects (see budget report).Participating in the work of Church Women United, including the ministry of the least coin. Sending cards to and preparing food for members who are ill, grieving or shut-in.Handling the purchase of sanctuary flowers each week and the special floral displays at Christmas and Easter. Stocking and maintaining the church library. Collecting and delivery food for the local food pantry. Various fund-raising activities. Attending monthly Circle meetings at members’ homes for Bible study and fellowship. Supporting David and Karen Liming, missionaries in Papua, New Guinea.

This year in review:JanuaryChurch Women United brunch held at St. John of the Cross. Eight of our women attended the brunch and heard the program about the history of Church Women United and the upcoming State Gathering at LyonsvilleChurch in April. Attended the fundraiser at Baker’s Square for Church Women United.February On Blanket Sunday $364 was collected for blankets to be sent to Church World Service. Betty Tompkin organized the blanket appeal and was assisted by our young people in the church. March

Attended World Day of Prayer on March 1st at the First United Methodist Church in LaGrange. All ladies were invited to have brunch after the service at a local restaurant. Attended Church Women United’s fundraiser at Baker’s Square. April Participated in the Church Women United State Gathering at Lyonsville Church April 12th and 13th.Officers were installed during the church service on April 28th. MayAttended Friendship Day on May 3rd at First Methodist Church in Western Springs. Enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant following the program. Attended the fundraiser at Baker’s Square for Church Women United on May 7th.June Held our last Circle Meeting for the 2012-2013 year with lunch and the completion of our Bible Study. SeptemberSalad Luncheon at Western Springs Presbyterian Church for all three Presbyterian Women’s Groups. October Prepared the Spud Luncheon which was served immediately following worship service. Attended the Presbyterian Women’s Retreat at Western Springs Presbyterian Church from 9AM to 11:30AM which was followed by a catered lunch. November Attended World Community Day Services on November 1, 2013, at Western Springs Presbyterian Church. Organized Thank Offering Sunday which resulted in $481.00 to be used for designated organizations that need our assistance. Twenty turkeys were purchased for families in the Head Start Program with financial help from First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange who offered to share the cost. Signed 200 Christmas cards for men and women in Illinois prisons. December Our annual Christmas Dinner was held at William Tell Restaurant. Judy Hanaway was presented with the Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women of the PCUSA for her contribution of service to our church, Women’s Association, BEDS Program and many other volunteer services she provides. December 5th we hosted a Christmas Luncheon and Piano Recital by Perry Johnson for the ladies from WesternSprings and LaGrange Presbyterian Churches. It was a very enjoyable day for everyone. Contributed to the collection of gifts for the needy families in the Head Start Program.

It has been a very busy, successful year made possible by the hard work and dedication of many faithful women and the financial assistance of a very caring, generous, supportive congregation.

Sue SinnardModerator

2013 ANNUAL REPORTReach/Grow/Send Ministry Team

After 3-1/2 years of functioning as a team, the committees of Fellowship, Membership and Missionhave benefitted from the synergy and efficiency of working together. In late 2013 the Worship committee members joined our team, and have already enhanced our progress.

SCHEDULE OF 2013 EVENTSJANUARYMonday (1/7) - Mocha on Mondays (young mothers’ group) resumed meeting in Fellowship Hallunder leadership of Susan Scheppler

Mission team continued home rehab projects in Mendenhall, MS

Monday (1/21) - MLK Jewel Food Rescue

FEBRUARYSaturday (2/9) - Greater Chicago Food Depository volunteer day

Saturday (2/23) - Pizza/Game night

Saturday (2/24) - GCFD volunteer day for children and families

MARCHSunday (3/10) - Community Garden small group re-convened for spring planning over lunch

Friday (3/29) - Good Friday Jewel Food Rescue

APRILBegan collecting rummage for Mendelhall Ministries garage sale

Sunday (3/7) - Community Garden small group met to plan distribution of crops among planting areas

MAYWednesday (5/8) - Joint Blood Drive with Lyonsville Church at HPC

Friday (5/10) - District 106 Middle School Community Service Day at HPC, when garden plotswere planted and 60 CWS school kits were filled

Sunday (5/19) - Team hosted special reception following Music Sunday

Monday (5/27) - Memorial Day Jewel Food Rescue

JUNEMission team completed home rehab work in Mendenhall, MS

Wednesday (6/26) - Team helped to organize/host an organ concert which featured John MacKayand paid tribute to former HPC organist, Liz Sexton

JUNE/JULYProduce sales from home and church gardens helped to raise funds for hunger relief

AUGUSTHPC members took advantage of back-to-school sales to purchase items for CWS school kits

Community Garden sales continue

SEPTEMBERMonday (9/2) - Labor Day Jewel Food Rescue

Mocha on Mondays resumed this month

OCTOBERSupplies for 25 CWS hygiene kits and 1 CWS clean-up bucket gathered for Chicago Presbytery

Sunday (10/20) - CWS CROP Walk

DECEMBERSunday (12/8) - Team hosted special reception following Music Sunday

Sunday (12/20) - Christmas gifts to Headstart families

MISSION FUNDING -This year, through four special offerings and three fund raising activities, Highlands PresbyterianChurch was able to increase its mission giving beyond what was budgeted. These DO NOTcomprise the total mission outreach of Highlands in 2013.

Special Offerings:Blanket Sunday - $379, One Great Hour of Sharing - $590Pentecost - $205, Christmas Joy - $276

Fund Raising Activities: Community Garden Project - $700Perry Johnson Concert (2012) - $427, CROP Walk (18 walkers!) – $1340

The following distribution of “new money” and undispersed budgeted mission money was made: The Caring Place Foundation of La Grange - $240Young Adult Volunteers-PCUSA - $397HPC Community Garden Project - $50Growing Power Chicago - $350Presbyterian Disaster Relief - $350Church World Service Kits Program - $200PCUSA Foreign Missionaries in Malawi and Madagascar - $600 ($300 to each)UNICEF - $200

MEMBERSHIP -In addition to the above mission and fellowship activities, specially designed welcome postcardswere sent to new registrants of the Highlands Sanitary District. Church administrator, Beth Tracy,created a welcome letter that she sent to all who visited the Church. Kathy, Nancy and Beth creatednew informational material for the pews during Advent season. We hope these contacts welcomevisitors to our congregation.

An additional task of the membership committee is to maintain an accurate count of active members.PCUSA rules require us to remove from the roll anyone who does not meet certain criteria for “activemembership” status. An annual review of our roll was conducted in 2013 and will continue annually.

SEASONAL/PUBLICITY PROJECT -Nancy Heinzelman, Bob Weaver, Kathy Bloom, Susan and Mark Scheppler have worked togetherto create appropriate banners and an attractive garden around the south-west driveway sign. Kathy created banners to promote the community garden, blood drives, Vacation Bible School,music Sundays, Mocha on Mondays, Christmas Eve service, and Sunday worship service. Bob andNancy planned and planted an eye-catching summer and fall garden and created a winter displayat the base of the sign. Susan and Mark refurbished the letters and added lighting.

To realize our mission of glorifying God, making disciples, and meeting human needs, we continueto challenge ourselves to be transformative in the spirit of Acts 16:5, not only in the business of ourvarious committees but also in our relationships with each other, with the Bible, and with the widercommunity in which Highlands Presbyterian Church resides. We have had an eventful year, challenging our time and talents. We remain mindful of the importance of our visioning for thefuture: what changes do we need to make to nurture our congregation in the process of growingspiritually ourselves.

Respectfully submitted,

Cleora Armbruster; Linda Armbruster; Kathy Bloom, Fellowship Chair, secretary; Janice Dunne; Dan Gianesin; Nancy Heinzelman, Membership Chair; Barbara Kohrs; John Rhine; Mark Scheppler,Worship Chair; Susan Scheppler; John Schroeder; Betty Tompkin, Mission Chair, Team Moderator; Bruce Tompkin, Bob Weaver

PASTOR’S REPORT Annual Report

2013 Highlands Presbyterian Church

La Grange, Illinois

In many ways, 2013 was a fairly typical year for Highlands Presbyterian Church – for better and for worse. This

has been a year of special music (with two music Sundays and two concerts by our outstanding accompanist, Perry) and

great speakers and powerful mission. This has been a year in which the sacraments were faithfully administered and

several weddings took place in our sanctuary and we even celebrated some baptisms. Unfortunately, we followed the

larger denominational trends of declining numbers and receipts, as well. I know that this causes many of you pain, just

as it causes me pain. We love our church and we have so much to offer, so of course it is frustrating to realize that we

are declining in size and reach. The reasons for that decline are mixed and varied, as I suspect it is with most churches,

but I think we must look first to demographic and cultural reasons beyond our immediate control. To really address that

question, I think we need to start by looking backwards:

In October of 2005 this church received a commissioned report from Alban Institute on the overall health and

future direction of this church. The report evaluated 5 potential future strategies for this church, which included: try to

grow the membership of the church for the foreseeable future, merge with another congregation, share your building,

work towards the closure of the church and replace the pastor. The consultant, writing at the time, remarked that the

odds were against us growing the membership because demographic trends suggested stagnant population growth, a

vast increase in home prices, a high percentage increase in Roman Catholic families and a lack of critical mass among our

youth and young families would all hamper our potential. As we close in on nine years since that study was done, where

is our church today and how accurate was our consultant?

Population growth has, indeed, been flat. MissionInsite, the Presbytery expert for demographics information is

predicting a modest increase of between 2.5 and 5 percent for the geographical area of Highlands Presbyterian. That

population is an aging, more affluent population with strong Catholic ties. Not to put too fine a point on it, the small

growth the region is experiencing is unlikely to be looking for a church like Highlands and it has shown in our

membership numbers.

-20-18-16-14-12-10

-8-6-4-202468

101214161820

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MEM

BER

S G

AIN

ED

Year

Membership Gains By Year

We have added new members – in fact, in the last two years, we added as many new members as the last seven

previous years. In terms of redevelopment, we are doing what we set out to do and attracting new members as well as

bringing lapsed members back into active membership. We spent money and a great deal of congregational energy on

modernizing our sanctuary; we spent three years participating in the Acts 16:5 program; we’ve changed aspects of our

worship and mission and tried any number of small group/fellowship offerings. All of these things have made us stronger

Christians, taken us deeper into our faith and added to our numbers but they have not been enough to mitigate the

larger issues of demographic shift and cultural change.

Despite adding members in more than half of the last ten years, we’re rarely in the net positive on this chart. The overall

net change figure is flat or even declining. There are several reasons for this but one of the simplest reasons is that our

congregation has continued to age. Our congregation continues to contract as our aging population moves into nursing

homes, out of state to be close to family or dies. This sad reality has been steady over the last ten years and exactly

matches the forecast the Alban Institute laid out for us in 2005. I would note, too, that this is a trend shared by every

mainline denomination in the country.

I will say this about the chart above: The three biggest dips on the chart – 2007, 2008 and 2013 are all years in

which we cleaned up our rolls. Particularly in 2007 and 2008, we removed in excess of 150 names which should have

properly been removed in the previous 20 years. If we adjusted our chart to compensate for that skewing effect, we

would find a much gentler and steady slope of decline. That wouldn’t change the take home message, in my opinion.

Though 2007 and 2008 were not nearly as negative as the chart indicates, those losses represent real loss of

membership. The fact that we declined more slowly doesn’t change the fact that we’ve experienced a serious decline

from our 2002 population.

-50-45-40-35-30-25-20-15-10

-505

101520253035404550

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Ne

t P

erc

en

tage

Ch

ange

Year

Net % Change of Membership Over Time

One of the questions I’m frequently asked is this: How are other churches doing in this same period? To answer

that, let me show you another chart –

Our net growth since my tenure began in 2009 is closer to a positive increase of 7% - bested only by Western Springs

among our neighbors. As a percentage of total congregational membership, we’ve made the biggest increases in the last

five years of any of our neighboring Presbyterian congregations. Despite adding so many new members, however, the

long view trend line cannot be ignored nor can we pretend that we are no longer subject to the forces that have

contributed to our decline in numbers over the last thirty years. Culture has changed, the economy has changed and

our own membership has changed…either we change as a church, too, or we are going to die. The trends are merciless

and implacable and the data is impossible to ignore.

Even if we look at the last five years, which have been relatively good years for us, we see cause for concern.

We gained 28 new members in the last five years, 26 of which joined in the last 2 years. For a church that hovers around

100 members in total, that is a very good gain. Ten of those new members were either confirmands in high school or are

college students. Common sense tells us that these members will not stay in the area but will travel for school and

work. As we make write our next chapter together, we will want to look closer at the membership gains we are

currently experiencing with a critical eye – this will give us a better idea if our church Is experiencing sustainable growth.

I recognize that this is a slightly unusual report for an annual meeting. My goal is not cause panic or push us to

make hasty decisions: Just the opposite. This is just information – what matters is what we do with this information.

There are those out there far more talented at reading statistics and demographics than I who will likely help us

understand these trends better. There are visionaries out there who will help us better identify our options. There are

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

First Pres WesternSprings

HPC Riverside Christ GoodShepherd

Community Hickory Hills

Net Congregational Growth Since 2002

prophets and apostles among you that will be better able to discern God’s calling to our church. We will do this

together, as God calls us to do. I will say this: I believe that we have been coasting somewhat over the last year.

Somewhere around the end of my fourth year I realized that this congregation was suffering from change fatigue. Last

year was a year to rest and process – this year needs to be a year of bold visions and holy risk taking. What does this

mean for our congregation? That will be up to the session but I believe it means that we spend some time thinking

about our options. We could subvert the entire paradigm of church. (Tuesday night services? All bluegrass music, all the

time? Hire a band or buy a coffee shop?) Or, we can start talking about what a merger would mean for this

congregation. Or we can talk about a new pastor and another reboot. Or we can start talking about what it would mean

to unwind our investments and work out a closing strategy. Ultimately, all of those decisions rest with your session. As

your pastor, though, I want you to know that we still have many options and all of them have a dignity and gravity all

their own. What we cannot do is to continue to do the same old thing. For some, this may seem a terminal diagnosis but

I hope that you, like me, view this as an invitation to a new adventure – a new adventure together, united in the body of

Christ.