Moderator’s Report:
In 2016, As your Moderator, I declared that this was a Year of Harvest for Ray of Hope. If you wondered what that meant and why I stated it often through the year, it was because I believe GOD was truly helping our Harvest come to fruition through “the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit” in each of us. A Harvest is a natural time of reaping in joy what has been planted knowing that it is God in control of the Harvest time. God helped us progress in 2016 through the harvest of the many gifts of time, talents and treasure received from friends, members, other church communities and clergy. God also saw to it that the seeds for Spiritual growth continued to be planted through our Sunday morning worship services and on-going Bible Enrichment studies. As you have heard many times throughout the years, this is how the saints get better equipped to do the ministry and Brother Benedict continues to find more ways to do just that. So the Harvest that I spoke of was all about how we gave Glory to God through Gifts (time, talent and treasure) and Growth. Below are a few examples for your consideration and it is not all inclusive for they are too numerous to list.
The gift of time and talents: Shopping for building supplies, redesigning shelving and bathroom doors, cleaning the chapel, cleaning windows, transporting candles, making copies, preparing dishes for shared meals, garage sales organization, participation at Pride Booth, bringing supplies to chapel for daily needs, transporting others to worship and church events, making phone calls on behalf of the church, working in the garden, decorating the chapel.
The gift of treasure: The altar from Holy Trinity Lutheran that was donated then resized as a gift by Reverend Arthur Reed the Pastor of United Baptist Church to replace the Credence table. Reverend Krista Mendoza and Bethany and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for the permanent loan of 30 copies of the ELC worship book plus several other items. The donation of a 2010 Frigidaire ES340 Electric Range with Ceramic Cooktop. Donations for the access elevator, for credit card, and other special monetary donations made during the year.
Growth:
33rd year of ministry celebrated at Ray of Hope, and 20 year celebration of Southern Tier extension and 20 years of the Ordination of Priesthood for Brother Benedict. Weekly participation in worship and Bible Enrichment is up as well as at Council meetings. The active number of Council members grew this year however the Council is still seeking growth in this area of ministry.
Building Improvements were made – lights and electricity updated throughout the building bringing up to Code. We still have much to accomplish in this area in 2017. Advertising grew as we added Ads in Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus program guides and the Southern Tier musical Titanic in 2016 and we will continue to outreach in different venues.
Our treasurer spent a tremendous amount of time to provide new formats to the financial reporting shared with the Congregation on a monthly basis. The Weekly Candle Outreach ministry grew to help fund liturgical needs. ROH website was updated so that content can easily be added and refreshed. The website provides a great resource and outreach tool to all. Audio visual additions and technology additions to compliment worship and Bible Enrichment studies came from personal donations made in both Elmira and Syracuse.
Ray of Hope participated in many new outreach activities such as the Grove Park All Church Picnic in June for the first time.
As we continue to give honor and glory to God, the Harvest comes to bear fruit in our congregation in many ways and we give God thanks and praise for it. May we have the faith the size of a mustard seed to continue to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit and put our faith into action. In 2017, let us Stand in Faith and Expect Victory!
Respectfully submitted,
Veronica Floyd, Moderator Ray of Hope Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Vice Moderator Report:
In 2016, The Harvest did not produce a person to take on the role of Vice Moderator for the Council. That’s fine because it is all in God’s time, the seeds have been planted and we will wait on God to bring forth that individual from among us to share in this position of leadership on the Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Veronica Floyd, Moderator Ray of Hope Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Clerk Report:
All matters of church correspondence was received and documented in clerical records. In 2016, The Harvest did not produce a person to take on the role of Clerk of the Council. You do not have to be a member of the Council to take on a committee support role for any of the Officer roles of the Council. Please consider offering to assist where you can in 2017.
Respectfully submitted,
Veronica Floyd, Moderator Ray of Hope Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ
