First United Methodist Church
Six East Wright Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501

2005
End of Year Report

Pastor's Introduction
Vision & Mission Statements
Year-End Report Church Administration 2005
Children's Ministries
Child Care Ministries
Preschool and Family Ministries
FUMC Childcare Programs Annual Summary
Youth Highlights for 2005
Family Life
The Wright Place
Music Ministry
Work Area on Missions
Church and Society

Dear Friends,

God has seen us through the destructive fury of several hurricanes this year, and we are grateful.  In the year 2005, the church did not miss a beat in fulfilling its mission as a Christian family that worships God, grows in Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, puts our faith to work in the world.

Enjoy the summary of the year 2005, and pray for God’s guidance as we move into 2006, which will be our 185th year of ministry.

Yours in His service,
Henry E. Roberts

Celebrating 2005 Ministries

 Year-End Report Church Administration 2005

The year was a challenging one from a church property and financial standpoint as we recovered from Hurricane Ivan in September of 2004 and dealt with the effects of Hurricane Dennis on Pensacola and Hurricane Katrina on other parts of the Gulf Coast. We completed approximately 98% of the repair items from Ivan, including the new slate roof on the Sanctuary and ceiling repairs and painting on the inside of the Sanctuary. We re-roofed the garage storage area, painted the Outreach Building and redecorated the 2^nd floor of the Education Building children’s area with paint, murals, and carpet. New fencing was installed on the playground and the new East Entrance to the Henry Roberts Activity Center was completed.

Financially our congregation has been very faithful and generous in their support. We have been able to meet all of our budget requirements and through special gifts we have been able to meet our substantial insurance deductible without outside borrowing. Our stewardship campaign for next year is on track to lead to an even better 2006.

As of November 22, 2005, we received pledges from 595 families totaling $1,450,431.00.

Children’s  Ministries

Our Children’s Ministries are on the grow!!! We have had a great 2005 and expect an even better 2006. We took 40 children and chaperones to Summer Camp at Camp Baldwin. We partnered with 3 other churches and we will be adding 3 additional churches to our team for Summer Camp 2006. Our Wednesday after-school program (WACCI) has a record number of children participating and is full with 75 children. In the winter, we will be adding Kindergartners to this program. They will have their own class, but will focus on worship arts as well. We took 23 kids and chaperones to Kid’s Day at Blue Lake. Our spaces have been renovated with new carpet, paint and furniture. We look forward to growing children in Christ in the coming year.

Child Care Ministries

2005 has been a year of change for the Child Care Programs at First Church. In January, we combined our Noah’s Ark and Learning Enrichment Boards to one Child Care Board. In May, Barbara Hogan and Joyce Novack decided to pursue other opportunities. August brought many changes in the administrative end of the Child Care Programs. Denise Kirby was promoted to the Coordinator of the Child Care Programs. Lynda Rabon was hired as the site director of LEP. Cathy Potter was promoted to site director of Noah’s Ark Preschool. Celeste Potter was promoted to the site director of Just for Kicks (After school Programs). All programs are near full capacity serving around 300 children and families.

Preschool and Family Ministries

Our preschool ministries are growing. In the past year, First Church has focused on the family unit in the preschool program in a dedicated effort to bring families into our midst. We've sponsored many family events including Wonderful Wednesdays, Family Week, Story and Craft Nights, Trick or Treat Family Fun, Mom’s Tea, and soon - Advent Around the World for the Christmas season. In 2006 we hope to sponsor at least 1 family night per month.

FUMC Child Care Programs Annual Summary

The child care programs offer a half-day program with 131 children enrolled, a full-day preschool program with 51 children enrolled, and a school age program with 140 children enrolled. We also offer camps during the holidays for children of working parents. The programs currently employ 43 people. A surplus of $23,000 was generated in 2004 and a YTD surplus of $17,000 has been generated in 2005.

The program currently contracts with the school district to operate programs at elementary schools for children who have working parents. We have three schools that we currently offer services to in addition to the children that attend the church programs.

Our children are involved in several service projects throughout the year. We have collected clothes and supplies for the hurricane victims as well as several hundred health kits. The children also visit the Wesley Haven Villa Home regularly to visit and sing with the residents. Manna Food Bank and St. Jude Hospital are also charities we like to contribute to.

The programs utilize a host of volunteers. The half-day program has a PTA that hosts fund raisers and help in the classrooms as necessary. The full day program has parents that have helped from everything from painting the building to removing a tree from the hurricane.

Youth Highlights for 2005

We have had a great year in 2005. Emily Capes joined the Youth Ministry Leadership in January.

The Core Team is 12 youth and 12 adults who attempt to hear where God is directing the youth ministry to reach its full potential. Our Youth Leadership council meets on the first Sunday of every month – and it consists of 15 youth and 5 adults, who help take care of the monthly details and activities.

FUMC’s Sunday School program is separated into age breakdowns and also offers a more intensive Bible Study class for 7^th-12^th graders. There are 13 adult teachers and we average about 75 youth weekly. On Sunday evenings, the UMY program is using a small group process with 9 adult leaders/facilitators and 50 youth participating. The Youth Praise Band of 6 youth and 1 adult start our Sunday Evening UMY program off with worship.

We took a group of 31 youth to the District Youth Meltdown in January and had 6 adults chaperone.

And during the summer, the 18 youth volunteered for VBS, 42 youth went to Chicago on the Choir Tour, 21 youth signed up for the Summer Mission Week (but that was cancelled due to hurricanes), and 11 boys hiked on the Appalachian Trail with 2 adult chaperones.

We started separate Senior High Girl and Guy overnight ministries to teach the youth how God created them uniquely while doing activities they enjoy.

The SouperBowl kicked off our mission activities, where we collected cans and monetary donations for Manna Food Pantry. We support Milk and Honey Ministries by donating food, money and service throughout the year but especially during spring and fall breaks and the Christmas Holiday.

FUMC Confirmed 25 sixth graders in the spring and have already started the 2006 Confirmation process with 34 sixth graders involved in the study.

We are also growing our KFC program, with 2 God Rod (sticks) programs, a percussion ministry, and weekly activities for 30 fifth and sixth graders on Sunday Evenings.

Family Life

The family life committee sponsored its first annual Family week the first week of September. We began with a fellowship on Sunday evening with a Tailgate party with funds going to Hurricane Katrina relief. Wednesday evening we started two month long parenting classes on the spiritual development of children and youth. The committee also sponsors once a month family events on Wednesday evenings beginning with a Family Trick or Treat event in October with over 100 people present. In November, we have the Storyteller Lady back for another year, and in December, we have the after Christmas game night.

In 2006, we plan to continue our once a month Wednesday events and add a one Friday a month Date Night. There will be a marriage enrichment class and a parenting class offered. We will sponsor an adult skate night on February 12^th just in time for Valentine's Day. Our annual family life week will kick off September 3^rd with a Luau.

The Wright Place

June  During the past five months, The Wright Place has been host for many events. During the month of June, we hosted sleepovers for Hurricane Disaster Relief Groups from Allen, TX, Webster, TX, Ft. Payne, AL, Jacksonville, FL, Hamilton, MO, and Tulsa, OK, housing a total of just over 100 people.

During that same month, we hosted ESCAROSA Coalition on the Homeless, with approximately 50 attending. The Interfaith Housing Coalition with approximately 100 attending. Fifty-Five Alive drivers safety courses (2) with 64 people in attendance. Vacation Bible School parents Spaghetti Dinner with approximately 120 attending. UMW fundraiser luncheon with over 60 attending. Silver and Gold luncheon. Including Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner in The Wright Place served over 500 meals.

July  We hosted Disaster Relief Groups from Arlington, TX, Destin, FL, Allen, TX, housing over 140 people. Arrive Alive Driving Safety class with 45 attending.  The Wright Place prepared hor d’oeuvres for the Wesley Have Villa open house. We hosted a private wedding reception with over 300 attending. Including Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner, we served approximately 500 people.

August  We hosted LEP breakfast with approximately 20 teachers attending. We also hosted a luncheon for The Methodist Homes for the Aging with approximately 40 people attending. We hosted a sleepover for the Alabama-West Florida Civitan Board of 20 people. We hosted a LEP parent meeting with approximately 50 people attending. We hosted a luncheon for 70 Relief worker stress management class. We also hosted a wedding reception with 30 people attending. We held a funeral reception and served finger foods to over 150 attending. We catered an open house for the Education Building and served congregation following 8:30 service. We hosted the Administrative Board meeting of FUMC. We hosted Silver and Gold luncheon. We also hosted a luau for the Wesley Foundation and served 20 young adults. Including Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner we served approximately 400 meals.

September  We hosted the Braden Group luncheon with approximately 12 people attending. We hosted Youth Center Family Week. We hosted the Pensacola Historical Society Appraisal Day for the entire Pensacola community. We held a PAMA Luncheon with approximately 35 ministers attending. We also hosted a wedding reception and served finger foods to more than 90 people attending. We served finger food for 250 attending a funeral reception. We hosted 90 Educators for the Learn to Read program. We held a Kitchen Seminar for the kitchen volunteers. We hosted a Silver and Gold luncheon. We hosted a Jazzercise class. We also held a luncheon and forum for James Fleming with approximately 100 people attending lunch. We served 25 new members for dinner. We hosted several art group meetings and receptions. We also had a birthday party with 75 people attending, including breakfast, lunch, and Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner, we served over 635 meals.

October  The Wright Place hosted PAMA and served approximately 35 ministers. We hosted a funeral reception and served finger food to more than 200 people.  We had a fish fry for the Lipscomb class and served approximately 45 members. We held a ministers banquet and served approximately 40 ministers. We hosted a handbell seminar and served spaghetti lunch for approximately 90 people. We served a Stephen Ministry dinner for approximately 25. We hosted a UMM dinner. We hosted an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for approximately 50 people. We hosted a UMW general meeting and luncheon and served approximately 70 people. We hosted a Women Services meeting with approximately 75 attending. We had a Family Children Trick or Treat fair. We served the Silver and Gold group. We hosted a sorority class luncheon for approximately 70 attending. We held an artist reception. We hosted YMC Boo Bash. Including breakfast lunch and Wednesday Night fellowship dinner we served over 890 meals.

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry of First Church is thriving with 11 musical groups and a total of about 300 participants. The choirs are: the Preschool Choir; the Kindergarten & First Grade Choir; the 2^nd – 5^th Grade Choir; the KFC Drumsticks; the Youth Choir; the Chancel Choir; the Sanctuary Choir; the Senior Adult Choir; the Handbell Choir; the Youth Praise Band; and the Adult Praise Band. The congregation is the 12^th and most important choir: without you, there would be no worship. We encourage you to raise your voice in praise to God through the singing of hymns at every opportunity. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” (Psalm 100:1)

Work Area on Missions

This past year the Work Area on Missions has had many crucial opportunities for ministry. Last year at charge-conference time we were cleaning up after Hurricane Ivan. Many people were involved in work teams and $34,322 was raised for UMCOR and the FUMC hurricane fund. Ivan recovery continued through the year with hosting many teams from around the country. The Tsunami in Southeast Asia burdened our heart and FUMC members contributed $26,826 to UMCOR for relief. During Hurricane Dennis we distributed over 1,000 flood buckets for UMCOR, and had many teams cleaning up debris. The widespread devastation of Hurricane Katrina provided a new challenge for our church to meet. We sent seven truckloads of items, collected over 3,300 Health Kits, over 100 flood buckets, 700 gallons of bottled water, 8 pickup truckloads of clothing (for evacuees in our area), sent 5 work teams, and gave $34,267 to UMCOR and $17,410 to FUMC Hurricane Fund. During Hurricane Rita we housed 40 evacuees from a Vietnamese Baptist Church in New Orleans.

One of the most important developments here at FUMC is the creation of a Disaster Response Committee to oversea the organization of work teams, and most importantly to be proactive in planning ahead for the next disaster to strike the Gulf Coast. Next time we will have a trailer of supplies loaded up and ready to go as soon as the major roads are cleared.

This October we also sent a team of 16 persons to Costa Rica. While there they painted and poured concrete at a local parsonage and led 200 children in VBS.  This trip proved a ray of hope in a very impoverished area of Costa Rica.

We also supported many organizations and missionaries that are part of our regularly yearly commitment. We committed ourselves to give $3,600 for the next three years as part of the Conference Cameroon Initiative. Since Hurricane Ivan we gave above and beyond our regular pledges over $112,825 for disaster relief.  We heard God calling us to ministry and we said “Hear I am Lord”.

Church and Society

This past year FUMC has been very involved in local ministry trough our Church and Society Work Area. We have maintained the continuity with our historic Christian and Methodist emphasis on socio-economic concerns. We donated $3,800 to Manna Food Bank and provided warehouse space until their Ivan damaged warehouse was replaced. The largest Church and Society ministry area is through United Ministries. We donated $13,000 and many volunteer hours to their important ministry. We participated in the Bishops Children in Poverty initiative by providing lunches to children throughout the summer. We supported Loves and Fishes with $3,600, interfaith jail ministries with $2,000, Transition House with $2,500, and Milk and Honey with office space and $2,400. Suit Your Self was a crucial ministry in providing professional clothing to women after this year’s storms. We also were able to support many other important organizations including: Favor House, Angel Tree Project, Adopt-a-School, EASE, Florida Impact, Great Family Network, Council on Aging, New Beginnings, Learn to Read, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Overall, First United Methodist Church gave over $43,000 for Church and Society ministry and countless volunteer hours. Scripture reminds us that whatever we do for the “least of these” and those in great need we do for Christ. Church and Society work area is one way that we have been faithfully serving and worshipping Christ.

First United Methodist Church Pensacola FL
E-mail      Phone: 850.432.1434     Fax: 850.432.5749