Annual Report 2020

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

of Wheaton

Annual Report

2020

Inviting All Generations Into a

A Message from Pastor Kellen

Church Family,

We have used many words to describe the past year:
unprecedented, uncertain, unexpected.

As we look back, I’m very proud of how our church
responded in 2020. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, political divisiveness and laments
for racial justice, First Pres members and friends expressed unceasing prayer, joyful
generosity, and abundant compassion. We were stretched and challenged while social
distancing and building community virtually. Our homes became workplaces, classrooms,
and sanctuaries. While it was a year of loss on many fronts, it was also a year of resilience.
We witnessed baptisms, offered hymns of praise, and cherished the holy moments.
Worship continued, kids and students found creative ways to gather, and care was shared
with the community.

Through everything we faced, God was with us every step of the way. In Isaiah 41:10, the
prophet reminds us: “Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your
God.” We faced fear with faith in Jesus this year.

I’m grateful to serve a church like ours. Let’s continue to be a place where everybody’s
welcome, nobody’s perfect, and anything’s possible.

God bless you,

Pastor Kellen

Growing Life with Jesus Christ

What a Year We’ve Had

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had to make many changes, and in some cases, make
them quickly, as we continued throughout the year to adapt to ever-changing guidelines and
circumstances.

The good news is ...

Our Devoted Community
Remains Strong

Virtual Programming

We are so blessed that we could continue to provide weekly worship, without missing a beat.
Our YouTube livestream channel viewing grew by leaps and bounds reaching over 30,000
views in 2020, as we delivered hope to our church family, while also reaching those outside of
our congregation. We continued offering programs for ministry groups through Zoom meetings
and many other small groups met virtually to foster fellowship.

Church on the Lawn

We held several outdoor services during the summer and fall. It was
wonderful to see people face-to-face again, even if from a distance.

Drive-INN to Bethlehem Family Christmas Services

Our two family Christmas services were enjoyed by 62 families in
their cars, gathering in the church parking lot to share the joy of
worshipping together.

Intentional Growth

Children & Youth Ministry Kids Ministry

Preschool The year started off strong
with a Royal Family Tea Party
In March by Governor’s orders, and the end of the LOGOS
the preschool closed its doors program year. Kids Ministry
for the first time in its long reinvented programming
history. The summer was spent during the pandemic with
strategizing and putting new parking lot Bingo over the
cleaning and classroom summer, a weekly outdoor
protocols in place. Following Kids Together program in the
all CDC, IDPH and DCFS fall, Advent@Home bags and
guidelines, the preschool “Drive-INN to Bethlehem”
successfully reopened in Christmas services, along with
August, continuing to provide weekly Sunday School videos
quality early education to and Facebook posts.
young children in person this
school year. WF

Genesis The WF high schoolers
adapted to a mix of virtual
Middle schoolers demonstrated and in-person outdoor
great flexibility as we balanced gatherings, with student-led
the students’ joy of being devos. From volunteering at
together in-person with the Northern Illinois Food
various online opportunities. Bank to a photo scavenger
Neighborhood poinsettia hunt and Zoom calls, we
deliveries, the Let it Glow supported one
Party, Zoom get-togethers another and built up our
and 5-minute Devos were faith in Jesus together.
just a few ways we stayed in
touch with God and each other.

Adult Classes

Bible Study: A new Wednesday night Bible Study led by Pastor Kellen began in the

spring via YouTube, offering a journey through the gospel of Matthew.

Adult Education: Adult Education moved to a Zoom format, continuing to bring in

thought-provoking speakers, covering a variety of current topics through a theological lens.

Connect Class: The fall Connect Class welcomed several new members to First Pres.

Abundant Compassion

MissionFirst Pres Many things were turned upside down this year, but
Abundant Compassion the need to support our mission partners continued
more than ever. Thanks to the grand-scale efforts
of our Mission team, combined with the outpouring
of compassion from our congregation, we were able
to continue providing support to our partners.

As a Matthew 25 Church, there were so many
ways we demonstrated Abundant Compassion
this year, with a Mission and Outreach giving

total of $135,818. This included giving
of our time and resources to:

Christmas Sharing
DuPage PADS

Outreach Community Ministries
The Bridge – Mission:USA
Giving Trees

Joyful Generosity

More ways we gave in 2020:

Blood Drives
Feeding the 5,000 Food Drive

School Supplies Drive
Abraham’s Children
Feed My Starving Children
Northern Illinois Food Bank

Giving Garden
Preschool Toy Drive
Kids Ministry Diaper Collection

And ... our Compassion Fund received
donations of $26,850, designated for

assisting members and friends of
First Pres facing financial hardship

Technology

Technology played a vital role in keeping us together and our
ministry strong this year. From Sunday worship to Bible studies,
youth programming, adult programming, small groups and
memorial services, technology served us well in new ways.

Our livestream worship began the very first week of the
Covid-19 restrictions. How encouraging it was to see steady
and growing numbers as we reached new people throughout the
year, with over 1,500 online viewers for the Lessons and Carols
musical worship service in December. We are grateful that we
have had a stellar audio-visual team to help us navigate these
new and important waters. We are also grateful for the willingness
of people to try these new methods of communication in order to keep things moving forward in
the most “normal” ways possible, under the most “abnormal” of circumstances.

Music Ministry

The year was filled with challenges to gather, worship, and sing
together. We are blessed to have Kedrick Armstrong, who found
creative ways to continue bringing music into our homes.
Whether it be through Sunday morning worship, concerts, or
Lessons and Carols, it has been a joy to continually reimagine
how God is using this ministry in the life of our church.

Building and Grounds

With safety always being of foremost importance, much of the year was focused on meeting
Covid-19 precautions and making sure that our building was clean and sanitized, as well as putting
a reopening plan in place for resuming building activities. Other highlights included: repairing
exterior building issues, replacing a window in the Cloister, replacing the 50-gallon water
heater in the Stewart Hall mechanical room and repairing multiple carpeted areas for safety.

Deacons: Our Deacons reached out with prayerful support all year, responding to individual

needs, joys and concerns of our congregation while extending the hand of Christian fellowship.

Women’s Ministry: Women’s Ministry maintained programming throughout the year with

a variety of virtual (and some outdoor, in-person) gatherings, including Bible study, mission
opportunities, Circle meetings and unique programs, such as painting and craft webinars.
Relational bonds have stayed strong all year!

Men’s Ministry: First Pres men stayed connected virtually with weekly Saturday morning

Bible studies and the D.E.N. for Men and Finding Fathers groups, where dads have a forum for
discussion of family relationships, time management and self-identity.

Front Desk Volunteers: This year brought the addition of several front desk volunteers,

efficiently serving in the church office throughout the week. Their help has been invaluable in
supporting our ministries.

2020 Financial Summary

Income $1,030,707
83,854
Pledge Receipts 6,519
Unpledged Receipts 3,907
Per Capita Giving 57,855
Other Giving
Total Non-Operating Income $1,182,842
Total Revenue

Ministry Expenses

Ministry Personnel $454,530

Worship 24,313

Youth Ministry 5,960

Christian Education 4,493

Member Life 4,179

Total Ministry Expenses $493,475

Administrative Expenses

Administrative Personnel 264,418

Administrative Expense 84,220

Per Capita 33,561

Interior Maintenance 59,073

Exterior Maintenance 27,175

Supplies 6,799

Utilities 39,983

Total Administrative Expenses $515,229

Mission & Outreach $92,400
Total Expenses $1,101,104
Net Operating Total
$81,738

A year filled with heartache, compassion and gratitude

First Pres is grateful in so many ways to all of those who faithfully
gave, served, helped, contributed to and participated in
our ministry this year. We thank you for your courage in

trying new things, your encouragement and your perseverance.

Our hearts go out to all of those who have suffered losses this year:
loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of health and loss of income.

Pastoral Transition

In October, we welcomed Rev. Dr. Tassie Green as Temporary Associate
Pastor. In addition to supporting adult education and mission, Pastor
Tassie worked with our Genesis and WF youth groups.
We said a thankful goodbye to Parish Associate
Steve Kellough in October. Pastor Steve faithfully
served First Pres for a year. From preaching to
teaching, care to communion, he was a constant source of encouragement
and faith. We thank God for his exceptional ministry during an eventful year.

Staff Appreciation

Our congregation extends a sincere thank you to these former staff members who served
our church with exceptional professionalism and dedication:
• Jan Buscher, Church Administrator – 17 years
• Janet Rynne, Administrative Assistant – 14 years
• Lynn Nuzzo, Director of Children’s Ministry – 5 years
• Nancy Goodwin, Director of High School Ministry – 4 years
• Laurie Meissner, Interim Director of Middle School Ministry – 2 years

715 North Carlton Avenue , Wheaton, Illinois 60187
630-668-5147 • firstpreswheaton.org • [email protected]