Annual Report 2019 Annual Report Newsletter

Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

February 2019

Each year, every United Methodist church submits a report summarizing the health of the church through a few key metrics such as membership, finances, attendance and small groups.  Of course, numbers themselves do not capture the intangibles, the enthusiasm, hospitality and spiritual depth of a community.  It’s easy to fall for the numbers game as the sole criteria for assessing the spiritual maturity of a congregation. Yet behind each number there lies a much bigger story, the story of families, children, widows and singles all longing for a better tomorrow.  Each number is a real person God loves, who has come to our doors looking for hope, help and healing. They’re looking for God and asking us to show them the way.

Let us take a look at some of the truly amazing ways we’ve helped point people to Christ in 2018 before we jump full-steam into 2019!

Celebrations

• Dedication of Resources to Children’s Ministry

• Continued Expansion and Upgrade of Facilities

• Development of a Discipleship Strategy

• Growing Emmaus Community

• Creation of a Learning and Leading Mission Team

• Stronger financial health

Challenges

• Integration of Visitors and new members

• Small Group Development

• Ministry and Vision Alignment

• Bold, Compelling Vision

Creativity

• Website Presence Upgrade

• RightNow Ministries

• On-line Giving thru Church App

• Live Streaming of Worship Services

By the Numbers

4 New Members:

• Michael and Carlee Squires

• Jessie and Wesley Riffle

3 Baptisms:

• Andrea Maryann Hanes – 09.23.18

• Lenen Squires– 12.09.17

• Jocelyn Riffle – 10.22.17

6 Marriages

• Sean and Maria Francisco – 09.24.18

• Stephanie and Levi Hill – 07.22.18

• Andy and Cherie Overmiller – 05.06.18

• Teresa and Ryan Ozanick – 09.08.19

• Casey and Jane Stinespring – 07.14.18

• Ethan and Shannon Elswick – 03.17.18

5 Deaths

• Julia Taylor – 01.17.18

• Barbara Wilson – 06.26.18

• Evelyn Hart – 08.28.18

• Helen Ruble – 09.07.18

• Joyce Ann Brown – 12.31.18

Financial (Wkly undesignated giving):

2018                           $7,068

2017                           $7,065

2016                           $6,563

2015                           $6,486

Attendance:

2018 Avg Wkly Attendance       208

2017 Avg Wkly Attendance        210

2016 Avg Wkly Attendance       212

2015 Avg Wkly Attendance       205

Benevolence:

Roger Hodges                         $3,351

Jessie Enoch                           $4,806

Johnson Family                      $988

Ministry Impact

Faith Development

8 Emmaus Spiritual Retreat

            “The Case for Christ” Movie and Lent Study

            3 Adult Sunday School Classes, 1 Sunday Evening Bible Study

            15 enrolled in Women’s Thursday Bible Study

            Greeter Training

Trustees

            Building Extension- $25,000

            Children’s Room Renovations

            Fire Alarm System Upgrade

Children’s Ministry ($3,861)

            102 Vacation Bible School

            12 Students to Summer Camp

Youth Ministry ($7,699)

            Winter Jam & Cedar Point

Family Ministry ($2,073)

            Family Fest (new)

            Back-to-School Reception

            Trunk-or-Treat

KidsHope Ministry

            25 Mentors/Students/Prayer Partners

SakPak Ministry

            97 Children / 57 families

Learning Center

            38 children enrolled, from 37 different families

Missions

Local

            Food Pantry              $5,730

International

            Haiti                           $4.905

            Zimbabwe                $1,600

United Methodist Women

            Clothing Give-Away

            Yard Sale

Nurture & Outreach

            ‘It’s a Boy’ Christmas Yard Signs

            Welcome Bags for Visitors

            Blessing Bags for Shut-ins

            Baby Caps & Prayer Shawls

WV Annual Conference

            100% Fair Share Payout $74,482

            100% District Fund, $1,550

Each year it’s important to take stock of how far we’ve come, the challenges we’ve faced, the dreams we’ve worked toward and the ways we’ve grown closer through it all. It is in these precious moments when a community become a church.

Let’s take a look at three key Characteristics that makes MPUMC unique among all others!

1.     IT’S PERSONAL!

There’s a BIG Reason why…

some volunteers have a deeper commitment

some parents are engaged at a more practical level

some ministries make a greater impact

some churches have wider influence

some leaders leave a lasting impression on us.

It all happens when they make it personal.

Think about it! Things really change when Jesus…

called Zacchaeus by name

addressed the Samaritan woman and her past

spent time in Mary and Martha’s home

invited each individual disciple to follow Him

intercepted Saul on the road to Damascus!

Mt Pleasant makes a huge difference, because we make it personal! We are the church, the Body of Christ others s