CHAIR, CHURCH BOARD 2007

TThe annual report is a time to look back over the year, and once again the congregation has many memorable milestones. We should be very grateful to all the people who put in so much effort to the John Perlin Roast, and to John himself for being such a willing roastee. But, there were other events, such as the summer barbecue in Bannerman Park, the Turkey Dinner for clients of Bridges to Hope and Bags to School. All of these events highlighted the presence of the church in the community. As well there were the traditional events such as the turkey teas, flipper dinners and the many and various social events around the church.

On the spiritual side, it is good to see so many children in the Sunday school. We showed once again how much talent there is within the congregation when Rev. Myles was off sick in the early part of the year and many members stepped up to volunteer in leading the service. Thanks especially to the choir for lending us the gift of their songs throughout the year.

We have had some changes this year too. Bridges to Hope have moved the food bank to a new location on Cookstown Rd. With them went Daybreak's toy lending library. This will give them a space, which is directly accessible from street level and save having to carry food up three flights of stairs. It also gives us the opportunity to use the vacated space for new ideas.

We continue to be a lively and vibrant congregation, but we are slowly and surely drifting into troubled financial waters. Our expenses are growing, especially our fuel costs, while our givings are declining. We cannot cover our routine expenses from our givings and must use special fundraisers to balance the budget. Much of this is done with enjoyable events such as concerts, which raise our profile in the community, but all this takes considerable effort from volunteers.

We are facing some major expenses to restore the fabric of the building. This is going to require a significant fundraising effort to meet the required targets. We must face the future with ideas for scaling down our expenses to meet what the congregation is willing to give, or we must find innovative ways to expand our faith community and related business opportunities to increase our revenues. Either option will mean doing things differently and change is sometimes difficult to accept. There are tremendous ministry opportunities in our neighborhood and we should be open to new ministries, but we also have to be mindful of the expenses of operating the building.

Once again I would like to thank the volunteers on the board, who have had a very busy year. They have put in tremendous effort over the last year and sometimes it feels like we are not moving forwards but just responding to crises. It is very challenging to manage such a large building and its decaying infrastructure with very unpredictable cash flows. Their enthusiasm and dedication is inspiring.

DAVID MOLYNEUX
Chair, Church Board

Liturgy and Worship
The new year got off to an uneasy start when Rev. Vardy fell and broke his ankle on January 12, 2007. He was off for eight weeks. We want to thank the following people who helped us conduct the services during this period: Ruth Wakeham, Jalna McMaster, and Lloyd Brown (January 14); Linda Bowden, Erin Bradbury, and John Bowden (January 21); Stewardship Committee and David Molyneux (January 28th); The Liturgy Committee and the Senior Sunday School children (February 4th) , Rev. David Tuck (Feb 11, 18, and 25th). In March Rev. Vardy returned and immediately our church organist, Patricia Young, broke her ankle. We want to thank Rev. Eric Hillier and Rev. Lisa Potter (Pouch Cove United Church) who assisted us by covering for emergencies during part of that period, and Dr. D. Peters who filled in as organist. Other highlights of the services in the 2007 year are: April 29th, Rev. Roger Janes, Program and Leadership Development, Newfoundland and Labrador Conference, conducted the service; June 16th was the 50th Anniversary of the Casavant organ, with special celebration on Sunday June 17th with a special morning service and afternoon recitals by former organists Dr. Ki Adams, Dr. D. Peters and our current organist, Mrs. Patricia Young.

We wish to thank the members of the Liturgy Committee who assume so much responsibility for assisting the minister in preparation for Sunday worship. Members of the Liturgy Committee are Jalna McMaster, Ruth Wakeham, Elizabeth Purchase, and Ivy Martin. Their responsibilities were increased while the minister was off, and we are grateful for their commitment and work.

This year we were happy to welcome to our church family Rev. Olivier Wacker, his wife Andrea, and children Anina and Flourin from Switzerland. Rev. Wacker was a student at Queen's College. He assisted in serving communion, and preached on one occasion. Olivier and Andrea both assisted with Sunday School, and helped in community outreach projects. They return to Switzerland in 2008 and we will miss them.

We also wish to thank many people who throughout the year assist in making our worship services meaningful and beautiful. We thank Rev. Myles Vardy, for his spiritual leadership, and Patricia Young for her musical ministry. Although there are too many to name individually, we also wish to thank all those who light the candles, read scripture, decorate the sanctuary, look after the flowers, and assist whenever they are asked to help. In addition, we wish to thank the Best family for two Easter alter cloths donated for use in the church. They were commemorated on Easter Sunday and are being used for Home Communion.

Sunday School
Our Sunday School Superintendent, Mary Hillis, resigned in August as she had accepted a teaching position in North West River. While Mary was superintendent, the Sunday School children were involved with a number of projects: Small Change for Big Change saw children collect loose change to donate to the Mission and Service Funds, and a movie night. We are pleased that Ruth Wakeham agreed to take over as Sunday School Superintendent in September 2007 (see separate report for the Sunday School for this period).

Community Outreach
We have a sub-committee who work on Mission and Outreach. Members are Lois Ryan, Brenda Mercer, Joan Soulier, Ruth Mitchell, and Maxine Chipp. They assume responsibility for a number of community and congregational activities. They distribute brochures about Cochrane Street United Church to nearby hotels, Memorial University, the Tourism Bureau, as well as in the main lobby of our church. They also sponsor a Bridge Fellowship Hour during the week. This group has grown with players being members of the congregation as well as guests. Lessons are provided for those who need it. The group has doubled since it began, and most weeks there are 4 - 5 tables. Those playing contribute $2.00 each per week, with the money going to the Restoration Fund.

On April 17th, the congregation sponsored a dinner for the clients of Bridges to Hope and Carew Lodge. Invitations were sent for 80 people. Donations were appreciated from Moo-Moos Ice Cream, Costco, and members of our congregation. Entertainment was provided by Stella's Crew.

On July 29th, the congregation held a community barbeque in Bannerman Park. To have a visible presence in the park, we purchased a large banner saying "Cochrane Street United Church Welcomes You." We thank members of the congregation who came to the Park on Sunday afternoon and assisted, as well as those who donated money for this event. We raised $310. We would like to acknowledge the contributions from the following members of the business community: Dominion Stores (Blackmarsh Road); Sobey's (Howley Estates); Terra Nova Foods; Central Dairies; Belbin's; Browning Harvey; Tim Horton's (Ropewalk Lane); Hiscock Rentals; and the Telephone Pioneers.

September, 2007, Cochrane Street United Church took the lead in organizing the second Bag to School project, in conjunction with Bridges to Hope and United and Presbyterian churches in the city. We want to thank all who contributed for their generosity in helping us provide 100 school bags.

We wish to especially thank the Men's Club. Without their help, none of the above would have been possible. They take over the cooking, they help organize, they serve and cleanup. We are mot grateful.

Congregational Outreach
Cochrane Street United Church is renowned for its coffee, tea and fellowship following the Sunday morning service. This helps us get to know each other and builds a sense of a church family. There are many throughout the year who volunteer to donate food, get the coffee ready, and clean up after. We thank them sincerely.

The Mission and Outreach Sub-Committee mail out cards to members of the congregation, with messages for Get Well, Sympathy, or Keeping in Touch. They also send out birthday cards for the first two years to all babies baptized at our church. They assume responsibility for a Congregational Seniors' Party in the spring (June 1, 2007) and Christmas (November 23, 2007). These parties have been well attended, although the committee has noticed a decline in attendance by church members and an increase in attendance of guests. The Christmas Party was entertained by a group of mummers (Dave Boone, Gerry Penney, Bob Mercer, Brenda Mercer, Joan Soulier and Linda Boone). This past Christmas, Heather McMaster acted as Master of Ceremonies for the Party.
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A Church Family Picnic was held at Rotary Sunshine Park on September 16th. It was well attended and a great time was had by all, despite the weather which forced us inside. Special thanks to Stephen and Charlotte Jewczyk for their leadership in organizing this event.

In November, a small team of Sunday School teachers attempted to contact 35 families in our congregation who had babies baptized since 2003. We wanted people to know what out Sunday School was doing and encourage them to attend. We also wanted to tell them about our church lunch prior to the Santa Claus Parade. The response to this outreach was very positive and we now have new families attending church and Sunday School.

Future Directions
In our 2006 report, we identified a number of areas in which we would like to be active. However, we regret that we have not had the resources to begin these new initiatives. In particular, we need volunteers who are willing to be involved. These future directions include:
" Weddings. Couples married at Cochrane Street United Church need follow-up after the wedding and encouragement to come back and worship with us.
" Funerals. We would like to encourage members of the congregation who feel called to provide support to grieving families. This can be done in a number of ways: cards, telephone visits, and visitation. We would like to create a team of people willing to serve the church in this way. We will provide training if that is needed.
" Hospital and Home Visits. There is a need for volunteers for hospital visitation and home visits. This could involve working with the minister to identify those in need of visitation, making telephone calls, or sending cards. We anticipate training is needed for those interested.

Issues and Concerns
" Sound System. As reported in 2006, we need a sound system in the church that will allow a variety of worship activities, including Sunday worship, drama, musical groups, and performances by young children.
" Sunday School Facilities. We reiterate what we said in 2006, that the current facilities for Sunday School are inadequate. There is need for more attractive and welcoming environments for young children if we wish to attract and keep young families to our church.
" Need for Volunteers. There is a lot more that we could be doing. There is need to have study groups, and guest speakers - all of which require leadership. We do not have an adult Christian Education Program. Although we have identified it as a need, neither do we have a church library (for all ages). We could also be doing more in outreach in the community. However, this requires more volunteers who are interested in those areas.

Respectfully Submitted

Jean Brown (Chair)

This report covers the activities of the Sunday School from September 2007 to 10 February 2008.

There are 29 children registered and three babies who attend church regularly, using the quiet room facility. We have had 11 student visitors, who have not only included children visiting the congregation with their parents, but also those who have come because they are on a sleepover. We have an open door policy: parents and other members of the congregation are always welcome. Record has not been kept of parental visits.

Currently there are two classes. The younger children are taught by Kerry Lynn Collins and Jane Simmons. The older children have been taught by Andrea Wacker, Rev. Olivier Wacker and myself. We have been assisted by Nancy Simmons, Colleen Tinkham, Anne Bowden and Allison Pridham.

We started in September. In October, we proclaimed the Gospel during the service with a dramatization of the story of the Ten Lepers and, through a cookie sale, raised over $250 for the Leprosy Mission, to help cure a leper in Africa. We visited Bridges to Hope and the Food Bank and Toy Lending Library with Mr. Winsor. We delivered the Thanksgiving food to BTH to feed the hungry. In November we spruced up the wreaths for Remembrance Day to remember the sacrifices of others, collected 22 boxes for Operation Christmas Child to give a gift with no expectation of return and started the Street Reach St. Nick's Stocking project for Advent, to reach out to and clothe the homeless in our neighbourhood. We were very grateful to the Congregation for providing lunch to us on November 25th so that we could come to Church to worship God and attend the Santa Claus Parade to have some fun with our families.

During Advent, we lead the congregation with the Advent Wreath Liturgy and conducted the Christmas Eve Family Service, with the music led by the Junior Choir. We prepared and sent Christmas Cards to shut in members of the Congregation. On December 2, Linda Bowden showed us a picture from the archives of Christmas pageant in 1936. Our sharp eyes noted the date on the picture, which had been missed, and also the fact that there were white gifts on the Communion Table. We hope to have a proper visit to the Archives.

We are grateful to the Kainos Unit for hosting a soup luncheon in January which has raised enough money to fund our upcoming bowling party and to top up our contribution to the Leprosy Mission to fulfill our dream of curing a leper.

We have started leading the Congregation in the Lord's Prayer. The younger children are focusing on the Lord's Prayer with lessons and activities this winter. The older children have started a Lenten journey and are participating in a Crown of Thorns liturgy, similar to the Advent Wreath.

Our ongoing project is a scrapbook for each child to take home at the end of the year.

There is a need to divide the older class into two groups, ages 7 - 10 and ages 11 - 12. We need two more people willing to make a commitment to come at least every second week to make this possible.

In September we will have enough children for a toddler nursery. We will need a safe, warm, bright space that has a floor clean enough to let a baby crawl on. We will need three other classrooms that are conducive to learning.

Forty separate children have participated in at lease one Sunday School class since September, and we average 15 children per week. Thanks are due to the teachers, to parents for their patience and the Congregation for your support.

Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Peters Wakeham
Superintendent

This past year has been a very busy one for the Stewardship Committee. Several "work days" were held during the year. The following list, although far from complete, will give some idea of the projects undertaken:

" Bannerman Street entrance was painted
" Bathroom was painted
" Storage space under steps leading to the hall was cleaned out
" Furnace room was cleaned out
" Plaster repairs were done to many areas

This was all done by volunteers in the congregation. A new thermostat was installed in the lounge. This year the oil bill was approximately $2,000 less than 2006, even though the per/gallon cost was higher in 2007. Although the oil bill is still approximately 20% of the total expenses we have made improvements to decrease the cost.

In the spring, contractors were hired to paint the hall and repair/replace the light bulbs in the hall and stairwell.

Steers Insurance Company, through Ecclessiastal Insurance in Halifax, did an appraisal of the church. The sanctuary, hall, organ and stained glass windows have been appraised for a total of $7,320,000. This does not include the contents of the hall. An inventory will be taken early in 2008 and added to the insurance. The 2007 financial statements do not reflect this appraisal but it will be captured in the 2008 statements.

Since June we have been sending out a quarterly newsletter with an update of your givings. The SC will continue to do this in 2008.

In September, the Stewardship Committee hosted its largest fundraising effort in years. The "John Perlin Roast and Auction" received rave reviews from all those who attended. A three course dinner was followed by a roast of the guest of honour, Mr. John Perlin. MC for the evening was Charlotte Jewczyk. Guest speakers were Hon. John Crosbie, Shannie Duff, Roger Crosbie and Donna Butt. The SC would like to thank all those who made this event so successful. A special thank you is extended to John Perlin. This would not have been possible without his participation. Over $8,000 was raised for the Restoration Fund.

In December, Bridges to Hope moved out of the upstairs space which they have occupied for the past 25 years. They had outgrown the space and decided to purchase a building that is more suited to their needs. During the 25 years the space was provide by Cochrane Street United Church free of charge without input from other sources even though it is a United Church/Presbyterian Food Aid Center. After we had the oil spill, it was decided by the Board of BTH (United Church Food Aid Center) to make a small monthly contribution towards the use of the utilities to help CSUC out. Sometime in the next several months the SC will make a recommendation to the Board as to the future use of this space. The needs of the congregation will be given first consideration.

A consulting firm was hired to assess the roof and make recommendations for repairs. Quotes will be obtained in the near future.

As I will be stepping down as Chair of the Stewardship Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for their support over the past year. We have a very hard working committee who work well together as a team. They do a lot of things behind the scenes of which most are not aware. Thank you to the volunteers who staff the office: Linda Boone, June Knight, Sandra Rowe, Elizabeth Purchase and especially Harold Grandy. Without them our expenses would be much higher. A special thank you to Stephen Jones, Treasurer, who no matter how tough things get, always has time to laugh!

On the financial side, 2006 was the best year financially the church has seen in 6 years. 2007, however, was not as good. Regular envelope givings, Easter and Thanksgiving envelopes and rent were all significantly down compared to 2006.

2008 is going to be a challenging year. We are going to need in excess of $100,000 to repair the roof. Financially, this is a priority. Without a roof, we will not have a sanctuary in which to worship. We will also lose the income from the concerts. SC will be looking into funding, fundraising, etc. to raise the money needed to do this job. In the meantime, we ask the committees be diligent in their spending in 2008. We also ask the congregation to consider the amount they are giving to the church. More funds are needed to maintain the operating expenses. In 2008 the Board will have to look at ways to bring people into the pews on Sunday morning. If we can fill the pews, the money will come!

Elizabeth Squires,
Chairperson

Members:

Janet O'Brien (Chair)
David Peters
Ian McMaster
Susan Winsor

The Ministry and Personnel Committee is essentially a human relations committee whose function is to provide a confidential setting for consultation with and support and assessment of ministry personnel and lay staff of a pastoral charge.

The Committee held two regular meetings over the past year to discuss issues related to terms and conditions of employment for the minister and lay staff. In addition, there were 4 meetings with lay staff members to clarify roles and responsibilities as well as compensation and benefits related issues. The Committee was responsible for arranging for replacements for both Rev. Vardy and Mrs. Young during vacations as well as when they were off work due to injuries over the winter.

The Committee wishes to express its thanks to Rev. Vardy, Mrs. Young, and Mr. Baker for their dedication to their duties throughout the year. The Committee also thanks Dr. Peters for being available to fill in for Mrs. Young as required; particularly for the extended period in Mar- April. The Committee also wishes to thank Rev. David Tuck for filling in for Rev. Vardy while he was off work due to his injury. During these absences, the congregation as a whole pitched in to help, including John Bowden and Lloyd Brown who conducted services in Rev. Vardy's absence. In addition, the Committee thanks the many volunteers who give their time and talents to a variety of tasks within the Church.

Respectfully submitted,

JANET O'BRIEN
Chair of Ministry and Personnel