First Presbyterian Church
Las Cruces, NM

 

 

Annual Report 1996

This page has major excerpts from the annual report to the congregation on February 2, 1997. Complete copies can be obtained from the church off ice.

INDEX (Bookmarks)

Introduction by Rev. Poling.

Report of the Director of Education and Congregational Life.

Report of the Youth Director.

Session Report

Nominating Committee Report.

Report on the Presbyterian Campus Ministry.

Presbyterian Women.

Annual Session Report -1996

 

A. MEMBERSHIP, January 1, 1996 548

ADDITIONS:

REMOVALS:

MEMBERSHIP, December 31, 1996 493

 

ADULT BAPTISMS: 0

INFANT BAPTISMS: 4

 

B. Two Congregational Meetings were held during the year. The Session had eleven stated meetings, five called meetings, and one joint meeting with the Board of Deacons.

Administration Committee of the Session

Members: Elder Rich Gregory, Chairman; Elders Tom Matkin and Barney Rawson; Deacon Lyn Ames; Congregation Representatives Jim Parks and Joel Tomlin, both past Chairs of the Committee; Resource Person John Poling.

The Administration Committee continues to monitor and review the daily business operations of the church including the basic church support staff. The committee provided ongoing administrative support during 1996, including the computer upgrades authorized by the 1996 budget.

The committee continued to work closely with the First Presbyterian Church of Las Cruces Foundation, Inc., to provide for better stewardship for the church.

While considering numerous requests for use of the church premises, the committee has been reviewing the policies for using church buildings and property. A form of agreement for use of the premises is presently being drafted and should be ready in 1997.

The committee wishes to point out that the copier is on its last legs. The committee voted to request proposals from companies for a new copier, to include capital cost and operating maintenance. The committee is also considering purchase versus lease. This is a substantial budget item which the church must be prepared to face in 1997!

Finally, the committee has started the initial process for a review of the long-term plan for the church. Much work will have to be done on this during 1997.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard B. Gregory

Building and Grounds Committee of the Session

During 1996 the Buildings and Grounds Committee continued the process of maintaining and improving our 30+-year-old facility. The following accomplishments have been realized:

1. Construction of the garage and storage building on the northwest corner of the church property.

2. Completion of architectural plans for the kitchen remodeling project.

3. Routine and miscellaneous maintenance of parking lot and buildings.

The committee wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the support and efforts of all the volunteers who assisted us in working this year, with special recognition given to the following:

1. Over 60 adults and youth, who participated in the building of the garage. The garage was substantially completed in two days because of the organization and leadership of George Rawson and Steve Newby. Because of the sizable donation of man- hours and materials, the project was completed within the bounds of the capital improvement budget and there are no outstanding debts.

2. Paul Rohe and Tom Matkin, for their faithful and continuous maintenance of our facilities.

3. Ted Shelton, for the many hours spent planning our kitchen project.

4. Alicia Melgaard, for her generous bequest toward the kitchen project.

 

Building and Grounds projects are often capital-intensive. The committee continues to encourage the Session and congregation to consider a Capital Fund Drive to provide moneys necessary for the following scheduled projects:

1. Jones Hall office remodeling ($75,000).

2. Kitchen remodeling ($50,000).

3. A large, multi-purpose facility constructed north of the sanctuary ($850,000).

 

The commitment of funds to our physical plant will allow for future growth of this congregation into the new century.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Loman, Chairman

Jerry Grandle

Bobby Rankin

Stan Smith

Christian Education Committee of the Session

Members: Patricia Tomlin, Chairman; Norm Lownds; Sue Carter; Margie Rankin; Joyce Gemoets; Garnett Burks; Emma Walker; Jackie Poling and Noelle Castin, Staff.

The Christian Education Committee had a wonderful year planning and initiating programs and events that inspired and enriched our lives. The following are some of the highlights of the 1996 year:

*Our Sunday morning adult classes showed increased attendance throughout the year. Dick Dale has continued to teach an excellent Bible study. Marsha Topley, Nancy French, Floyd Sovereign, Norm Lownds, and John Poling taught many excellent courses: videos by Ken Bailey - Jesus, the Theologian and A Clear View of Jesus’ Birth; In the One Spirit; God’s Love in Jesus of Nazareth; Reformation Revisited; and Caesar and God.

*Veggie Tales are new videos for our elementary kids which are Biblical stories using computer animation. Our children watched these during the summer Sunday School hour and really enjoyed them.

*Noelle and Jackie attended "Celebration of Evangelism" in Phoenix and were inspired by the workshops and hymn singing.

*The overall attendance in the Salt and Light program has increased due to the increase in Mid-School and Senior High youth.

*We had a wonderful performance by a guest bagpiper during our Salt and Light "Celtic Celebration" last spring.

*Senior High Youth attended "Fun in the Son" in Orlando in July and Mid- School youth attended "The Great Escape" conference in Gunnison, CO in June. Both groups were inspired by the experience provided by Presbyterians for Renewal and enjoyed interacting with Christian youth from other places.

*Mid-School and Senior High youth attended two Presbytery-wide youth events, one in Roswell in April, the other held at our church in November with over 140 kids!

*Art supplies and diapers were donated by the kids in Vacation Bible School to the Jardin de Los Ninos Day Care Center for homeless children.

We can never mention everything that occurred this past year but we can thank everyone that has helped make 1996 memorable. Together as followers in Christ we can use our talents and gifts to serve God. Whatever he has given us we must be willing to use it, however insignificant it may appear. Please join us as we study, work and worship together.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Tomlin

Congregational Life Committee of the Session

Members: Elders Julie Terrell and JoAnn Thomas, Co-Chairs; Deacon, John LaVerne; Congregation-at-large: Helen Barron, Archie & Mary Beckett, Bill and Wanda McNeil, Johanna Miller, Ted and Mariann Novack, John and Maureen Patton, Bill and Chris Stein. Jack Scarlett also served until his death on August 13.

Committee member Jack Scarlett’s death was a great loss; he was enthusiastic and always willing to serve.

The Committee furnished supplies, and with the help of many other church members, served beverages (coffee, tea and lemonade) for the fellowship hour after worship for 48 Sundays; sponsored two summer picnics, June 23 and July 28; attended two new member classes; prepared directory inserts introducing new members and communicants; cooked and served lunch for the all-church "garage-raising" on May 5; presented a thank you to John Poling on Clergy Recognition Day, October 13. Nurture Committee members also donated food and supplies for some of the special events.

Other activities included support, supplies and assistance as needed, for:

*Fund-raisers presented by the youth groups;

*Deacons’ hamburger fry;

*Easter Sunday breakfast presented by the Men’s Fellowship group;

*Hosting a potluck/program for missionaries Joel & Barbara Trudell;

*Pentecost Celebration in June;

*Congregational potluck dinners.

 

The Nurture Committee’s grande finale for 1996 was to sponsor the All-Church Holiday Progressive Dinner Party. It was enjoyed by 65 enthusiastic guests. Anyone who was unable to participate will not want to miss the second annual event next year!

 

The Committee wishes to thank the following people for their hospitality to our worshipping congregation in 1996 by providing the after-church fellowship:

Rayma & Jerry Claessen Nancy French Wanda & Bill McNeil

Carol & Mell Peterson JoAnn Thomas Nora & Charlie Yaryan

Elsie & Arden Beltensperger Madge Miller Margie & Bobby Rankin

Juanita & Clyde Treat Caroline Darr Maureen & John Patton

Anne & Robert Watkins Johanna Miller Mary & Archie Beckett

Colleen & Bill Gould Bernice Wright Frances & Carl Shuster

Jacque & Jim Parks Julie Terrell Christian Education Committee

Morning Circle Circle I Mary-Martha Circle

Norma & Allan Savage Donna Mathis Pauline & Otis Farmer

Marjorie & Alex Burr Mary Derringer Jean & Don Rhodes

Sunny & Mel Parish Mary Ferguson Joyce & Jack Curry

Nancy & Milan Cobble Helen Barron Cheri & Arnold McMillan

Helen & Art Harasek Ellie Cox Barbara & Bill Diener

Sonya & Stan Smith Melanie Grant Mary & Ed Downing

Lorene Townsend Nurture Committee Presbyterian Women

Grace Circle Circle II

 

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Terrell, Chairperson

Evangelism Committee of the Session

Members: Elders, Evelyn Horst and Bruce Griffith; Deacon, Jerry Grandle; Sunny Parish.

Three welcome dinners for visitors and new members were held during the year. Our thanks to Bill and Marti Whaley, Archie and Mary Beckett, and Matt and Betsy Holt for hosting these dinners in their homes.

Attendance statistics for members and visitors were compiled from the friendship sheets which are signed by those attending church each Sunday. The average number of visitors each Sunday is 45. Highest attendance was on Easter Sunday with 456 people at worship, Christmas Eve attendance was next with 435 members and visitors at the Candlelight Service.

A notice of church services is published each week on the religion page of the Las Cruces Sun News. Occasionally special services are advertised in addition to the brief announcements on the religion page. In cooperation with Northminster Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Campus Ministry, a notice of services is published in the yellow pages of the telephone directory.

Noelle Castin and John and Jackie Poling attended the Celebration of Evangelism - Southwest at the Historic First Church, Phoenix, Arizona in October.

Evelyn Horst,

Chairperson

Mission Committee of the Session

Our congregation’s mission-minded emphasis includes support of Presbyterian Church (USA) Global Missions as well as missions within the Synod of the southwest (AZ & NM), plus designated support of fifteen foreign missionaries. Special offerings in 1996 - on the next page - further spread our mission impact. The Mission Work Team to Navajo areas of Arizona this summer continued our vital, hands-on effort by high school youth.

We enjoyed an inspiring visit by Joel & Barbara Trudell, Wycliffe Bible Translation workers in Africa. Kim  met with our committee before returning with her family to China. Her mother, Beverly Briggs, will be returning from there soon with much more news! Our annual Salt & Light Mission Night highlighted Adan and Reyna Mairena’s work as co-pastors of The Iglesia Hispana Presbiteriana in Roswell, our Presbytery of Sierra Blanca’s newest church development and a great lead into the PC(USA)’s mission focus, "Year with Latin Americans." Phil Gates, a "Volunteer in Mission," introduced our committee to the work of Border Ministries. Also in our presbytery, Camp Chimney Spring has completed its two best years in becoming a thriving ministry to families, children, youth and congregational retreat groups. We’ve increased our support was one of the partner churches.

These are exciting times in the Christian missionary movement. It is not just a western movement. Christians from all races and cultures are coordinating efforts among all the major cultures, moving to establish indigenous churches within over 1,700 unreached people groups of over 10,000 persons. We have "adopted" two of these groups through the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship program. Our responsibility is to learn of their situation and pray daily for their salvation. We support the work in progress through John and Gwen Haspels in the Suri Tribe Project in Ethiopia and Witnessing Ministries of Christ to the Dalits/Untouchables in India, already receiving designated funds in our mission budget.

 

Committee members: Elders: Alex Burr, John Tomlin

Deacons: Joan Lemon, Rusty Smith

At large: Howard Daniels, Gordon Hoff, Cheri McMillan,

Charlie Stone, Bob Taylor

 

Worship and Music Committee of the Session

 

Members: Robert Watkins, Chairman; Beth Borchert, Ruth Ford, Gary Gemoets, Janet Loman, Arnold McMillan, Maureen Patton and John Poling, ex-officio.

On Pentecost Sunday, Worship and Music Committee with Nurture Committee, Christian Education, music staffs, the choir, and youth of our church in celebrating the birthday of the Church. The Senior High youth provided hamburgers and food for a noon picnic followed by games and activities. A special birthday cake commemorating Pentecost was provided by the Christian Education Committee.

Prior to General Assembly, June 29- July 6, a Service of Prayer, Praise and Laying on of Hands was held in our sanctuary to pray for the 208th General Assembly and John Poling standing for Moderator. The day G.A. convened, a twelve-hour prayer vigil was conducted, with over thirty persons participating in Las Cruces in which prayers were offered for the well-being of General Assembly, its participants, and our pastor.

Five-hundred and six copies of The Presbyterian Hymnal were purchased and dedicated in October. This project was accomplished through the leadership of Beth Borchert, the choir and the church staff. The Committee would like to thank all the persons in our congregation who contributed funds to make the new hymnals available for our worship.

Communion was served each month and following the communion service, in the Sanctuary, prayers for wholeness and healing were offered for friends and members.

As part of their continuing education, Beth Borchert and Janet Loman attended a Church Music Reading Session in Albuquerque in January; Beth attended an American Choral Directors’ Association-Southwest in Dallas; Janet attended a Worship and Music Conference in Albuquerque conducted by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Worship Committee would like to send a special thanks to all the persons who served as liturgists, those that helped prepare and serve communion, the persons that operated our sound system during the year, our organist, our music directors, Chancel Choir and Children/Youth Choirs, and all others that participated in bringing us very special music and helped in our worship services during the year.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Watkins

 

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