Annual Report

Dear Members and Friends of Heritage,

Below is the annual report of our church as written by your church officers.  As you read it, remember to give thanks for all the excellent work that was done with your help and by our church.  We are always open to anysuggestions or comments you might have.

Thank you for supporting your church!

Yours in Christ’s joyful service!

Rev. Mark Plunkett, Pastor

REPORT OF CLERK TO THE SESSION

Sue Crawford, Clerk

At the end of 2022, our church membership consisted of the following:

TOTAL OFFICIAL MEMBERS:  66

MEMBERS LOST DURING 2022: 2

MEMBERS GAINED DURING 2022: 2

MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S HOUSE: RESOURCE & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Elder and Treasurer:  Chris Cancila

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7

Primary 2022 accomplishments for the R&M Committee are as follows:

  • Moved proceeds from the sale of our West Road property and accumulated building fund donations received to date to Texas Presbytery Foundation
  • We received the following grants in 2022:
    • $5,000 Tech Grant from the Presbytery to pay for salaries of two employees who assist with technology
    • $1,200 from Synod of the Sun for Worship tech equipment
    • $3,000 Vision Initiative Grant from the Presbytery to continue payment for our Young Music Minister program that was slated to end in 2021

In 2022 we received over $145,338 in Undesignated Funds to operate our church. Annual expenses associated with church operation totaled $158,273, meaning we operated at a deficit of $12,912 for the year. By the grace of God, we had an existing surplus of cash in our bank entering the year. The surplus balance was reduced by our deficit and is now less than $10,000 going into 2023.

Sadly, we transferred our funds to Texas Presbytery Foundation during what was one of the most unusual years in the stock market. Despite the Foundation’s best efforts (and they are very conservative) our portfolio value dropped $120,000 in 2022.

We were able to offset part of our operating costs with grants secured by Pastor for our Youth Musicians and to purchase additional equipment for the church office.

Our major expenditures were for computer software, property and liability insurance and legal fees. We are seeking repayment of legal fees paid to the original attorney in our lawsuit against Harris County Appraisal District. He was unable to practice law and we had to find new counsel to represent us. This matter is currently still open.

We have successfully appealed assessed valuation of our property on West Road that was sold in 2021. The next step is to seek a rebate of a portion of the taxes we paid in 2021 on this property. The exact amount cannot be determined at this time.

2023 CHURCH BUDGET

EXPENSES:

Worship                                                        $4500

Christian Education                                  $250

Fellowship & Hospitality                          $3150

Mission & Outreach                                  $11,422

Resource & Management                        $108,377

Property                                                        $45,116

TOTAL EXPENSES:                                   $172,815

 

MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S HOUSE: PROPERTY COMMITTEE

Elder: Gary Shapley 

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”  Psalm 127:1

  1. Herman Munster continues as our exclusive real estate agent who is searching the greater 290 corridor for any available property or building that might serve as our future church home. As of this report, we have yet to find anything. Yet, our realtor continues to remind us that “we will find our new home in God’s good time.” We prayerfully agree!
  2. All Heritage furniture and other physical assets have been in storage for all of 2022. Plans are being made to sell some of the larger items from the storage unit in order to reduce inventory, raise funds for the church’s general fund, and possibly even eliminate the need for one storage unit. The storage unit monthly payment increased by a significant amount.
  3. The Church entered into a new lease agreement with Copperfield Professional Services for the Church Office at 7062A Lakeview Haven Drive Houston, Texas 77095 which extends through 2023; there was only a slight increase in the monthly lease payment.
  4. The Lodge’s lease payments increased from $1000 in 2021 to $1800 beginning January 2022.(Recall the impact of Covid on the Lodge’s building use.)

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MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S WORD: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Elder Katie McMillen

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2nd Timothy 3:16-17

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do to forsake your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor. “ Proverbs 1:7-9

We believe teaching and learning God’s Word is essential to a Christian’s formation; thus, this is the focus of our committee and our classes.

Adult Christian Education

We had one adult Sunday school class that took place this year at the lodge. This class decides collectively which book of the Bible or Christian DVD they will study.  They met with Jodie Smith this year, to watch the second season of the video series “The Chosen.”  After the termination of this series, Ruth Kerr led the class, “Saints Under Construction,” studies The Common Lectionary led by Ruth Kerr. We are planning to continue this in the new year.

Mark has maintained a Children’s sermon each Sunday morning using Facebook, a weekly devotional that is posted on our church web site, and a 2-minute Bible lesson posted on Instagram.  He also leads a Bible Study via Zoom weekly on Thursdays.

Mrs. Kay Cronk from St. Thomas Presbyterian Church teaches a Women’s Bible Study weekly.  The group provides an opportunity to learn as well as pray for local and worldwide concerns. This group usually has 7 attendees and meets online.  They are currently studying Revelation.

Christian Education for Children

We have not had any classes for the children or youth of the church this year.

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MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S WORD: WORSHIP COMMITTEE

Elder Carol Beverlin

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven…” Matthew 5:12

We have now had our tenth year at the Lodge.  Rev. Mark Plunkett continues to lead us in worship every Sunday at our 10:30am service in person and on Zoom. Our attendance for 2022 averaged 39 per Sundays, a combination of in-person and on-line. This number was 40 in 2021 and 2020.

We celebrated 57 services including 5 special ones:  Ash Wednesday.  Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday (included readings from the Gospel of John about The Last Supper and 14 readings from The Passion of Our Lord), Christmas Eve, and Blue Christmas. All services were in-person and on Zoom.

Pulpit supply this year was filled by Rev. Cindy Mood in March, June, and December.  We had Rev.Tom Coop in September and Cuquis Robledo on Youth Sunday in October.

Highlights of our year follow:

  • We have had great leadership with music under the Direction of Nancy Kissinger. Her work and the work of the choir bring us joyful music every Sunday. Cathy Wafford was unable to continue with us as our accompanist on piano, and our new accompanist since mid-January is Neena Taylor.
  • On the fifth Sunday in any month, we continue to enjoy “Stump the Choir” Sunday.
  • We have had numerous soloist this year, including Keiana Krietz, Dylan Gamble, Sam Taylor, Adrien Astorga, Ashlyn Cotler, NeenaTaylor, Leslie Taylor Marquez, Suzanne Taylor Bell, Marguerite Lapatina, Jim Crawford, Chris Cancila and J.C. Kissinger. Musicians included Marguerite, Laptina, Ghariso Gomez, Julia Redinger, and Victor Nogueira.
  • Our YMM program also continued with Keiana Kreitz, Dylan Gamble and Sam Taylor from the 2021-2022 class. Adrien Astorga has joined us for 2022-2023.
  • Our liturgists help bring even more wisdom and praise to our services. We welcome Jim Crawford and Chris Cancila to this group.
  • Our congregation again purchased lilies for Easter and poinsettias for Christmas from Brookwood, a faith-based community for functionally disabled adults in Brookshire.
  • We still use our website and social media more to tell the public about Heritage. We also use these sources for Bible Study, Children’s Services, devotionals and sermons as well as live services via Zoom.
  • Pastor Mark officiated at 5 weddings and 3 funerals during this year.

 Memorable Services throughout the year include.

  • Lent and Easter services with Maundy Thursday (when our offering went to help Ukraine),Good Friday.
  • Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Sundays - special remembrances for our troops.
  • Fourth of July service with patriotic hymns.
  • World Communion Sunday on October 2nd.
  • Peace and Global Worship Offering also on Oct. 2nd.
  • Youth Sunday on October 16th.
  • The Choir’s Christmas Cantata this year was in combination with the Heritage Drama group. The group gave us readings on the events surrounding Christmas and the choir gave us beautiful music to tell the story as well.
  • This year was our second Blue Christmas, to lift up those who struggle with loss during the year.
  • Advent and Christmas services included many readers, candle lighters and builders of the nativity scene. Our Christmas Eve program closed with the singing of Silent Night to candlelight.

We look forward to serving the members of our congregation in the year of 2022.

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MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S PEOPLE:

FELLOWSHIP & HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE

Elder Mindy Boyd

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,  and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1st John 1:7

The purpose of the Fellowship and Hospitality Committee is to assist and inspire members in their spiritual growth, to make connections with each other and to participate in the life of the church of Jesus Christ.

Below is a list of activities that our church held during 2022:

  • January: Plan year activities
  • April 10: Palm Sunday Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
  • May 8: Mother’s Day, mothers were honored with a gift of flowers
  • May 22: Graduation Celebration. 3 graduates were honored with cake and punch
  • June 19: Father’s Day, fathers were honored with root beer floats
  • July 10: Christmas in July was celebrated with pizza
  • August 28: End of Summer Bash was celebrated with a salad lunch
  • October 16: Pastor Appreciation for Mark was celebrated with cookies and punch
  • November: Pie Day for the staff at Postma Elementary School
  • December 3: Ladies luncheon and gift exchange at the French Quarter restaurant
  • December 4: Advent Breakfast was celebrated with members bringing pot-luck dishes

Thank you to all committee members and elders who helped make all of this happen!

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MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD'S PEOPLE: MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Elder Ann Peterson

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

Serving one another—whether family, friends, neighbors, or strangers—gives us the opportunity to grow in our Christian faith, and the privilege of serving as Christ’s ambassadors along our life’s journey. The Mission committee works not only to find meaningful ways for our church to be at work in the community, but to inspire members of our family of faith in their spiritual growth by emulating Christ as a friend to those in need.

Below are the Mission activities our church participated in during 2022:

We collected two standing monthly offerings over the course of the year, on the first and third Sundays of the month, respectively:

  • We collected $3,210 for the Deacon’s Fund, up slightly from our 2021 total.
  • We continued to support Free the Captives, a faith-based non-profit that fights teenage sex trafficking in Houston. Our contribution of $1,115 to Free the Captives in 2022 reflects an increase of more than 12% over our 2022 gift.

Our partnership with Postma Elementary school continued in 2022, and we supported their 130-member staff with the following:

  • Valentine’s Appreciation – heart-shaped donuts and juice.
  • Two of our members provided individual support for Postma’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance.
  • End of School Appreciation – a spread of cupcakes presented in an “outdoor summer fun” theme.
  • Welcome Back! – For the start of school in August, we provided donuts and juice, and wrapped candy bars reflecting the school’s annual theme of “Level Up!”
  • Snack bags for counselors to distribute to students, who sometimes just need a snack when they are acting out.
  • Raffle items for students for weekly drawings of small gifts. Students earn raffle tickets based on good behavior and other positive actions.
  • Our Thanksgiving Pie Day was again a bit hit.
  • We helped to make the holidays brighter for five Postma families in need—including two homeless families—through our Christmas Jar effort, distributing more than $1,600 among the families. Our congregational offering of more than $1,400 was almost twice as much as we collected in 2021.

We supported the following organizations in their outreach to those in need in our community:

  • Our annual Souper Bowl of Caring drive benefitted Cy Fair Helping Hands, which works to help the homeless in our area to become self-sufficient. We provided a cash donation of $662, an increase of 31% over our 2021 gift.
  • In October, we assembled and provided 40 sack lunches for Cy Fair Helping Hands to use in their Street Outreach efforts and Homeless Day Center.
  • We resumed our support of Undies for Everyone in 2022, providing a cash gift of $305, and 102 pair of underwear for area school children.

We participated in three special offerings through the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2022. Overall giving totaled $1,359.

  • We collected $615 this year for One Great Hour of Sharing, which is collected at Easter and supports disaster assistance globally.
  • On World Communion Sunday, in October, we collected $314 for the Peace and Global Witness Offering. Seventy-five percent of the money raised for this offering goes to support peace and global witness initiatives around the world, and 25% is given at the discretion of participating churches to a group in need. We donated $100 to Sew Powerful, which is a Christian ministry that works to combat extreme poverty in Zambia by enabling academic success and creating jobs.
  • On the third Sunday of Advent – Joy Sunday – we collected $430 for the Christmas Joy Offering. This annual offering helps provide financial assistance to current and former church workers and their families, and also enables deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related colleges and schools.

We also collected more than $400 in support of Ukraine Relief efforts.

Special thanks to our congregation for their joyful and enthusiastic support for Mission activities at Heritage, and to the God’s People committee for their leadership and direction of our efforts to share Christ’s love with our neighbors—locally, nationally, and beyond.

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MINISTRY TEAM FOR GOD’S PEOPLE: DEACONS

Deacons: Betty Brown, Laura Hudson, Sally Luker, Liz Silva

“Deacons must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.  And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” 1st Timothy 3: 8-13

Heritage is one of a very few small churches that still has a Board of Deacons.  Each Deacon is assigned a “shepherd group” of church folks to look after.  Our Deacons care for the individuals in our congregation by visiting or calling when they are sick, bringing meals during times of need, and talking with or listening to the individual concerns of our church.  They manage our Deacons’ Fund, which is a benevolence that benefits others by assisting with rent/mortgage payments, food, prescriptions, medical insurance bills, and even gasoline; in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the Deacons’ Fund was used extensively to assist victims of the hurricane’s devastating effects.  The Deacons’ Fund is supported each month on the third Sunday of the month with a special collection.

Our Deacons help the pastor to keep up with the lives of our individual congregation members.  If someone is missing or ill, our Deacons will reach out to that person and often give the pastor a “heads-up” that a call might help.  In this role, they are truly shepherds of our flock.

During the past five years, our Deacons have organized a cookie drive that provides tasty treats for our high school and college students.  These treats are collected on Cookie Sunday, which is immediately following the Thanksgiving holidays.  Then they are sorted, bagged, boxed, labeled, and mailed to the students to use during their preparation times for their final exams and projects.  Although we were not able to do this as we have done in the past, pre-packed treats were still mailed to 13 students from our church family.  We have received delightful feedback about how the treats were shared and greatly appreciated by the students.  In many cases, our students reported that their friends remarked, “Your church does this?  How cool is that!”  We believe it not only reminds the young people of our church that we have not forgotten them, but it also serves as a way for us to spread the Good News to the Kingdom!

Deacons bring a ministry of caring to the God’s people, and we praise God for their good work!