1910 The first quarterly council meeting of the Church of the Brethren of Pleasant Hill of the West Johnstown Congregation met on Friday, July 8, 1910. J.H. Cassady, the part-time pastor, served as moderator of the first meeting. The congregation elected a secretary, a treasurer and a chorister. There is reference to trustees, but these had been selected prior to this meeting. Solicitors are elected for Bowser Hollow and Pleasant Hill. Solicitors visited church members to distribute offering envelopes and obtain stewardship commitments to help with the church’s debt. In August of 1910, the treasury had a balance of $6.49.

 

1911 A missionary committee is appointed to receive calls for missionary monies and have full charge of local mission work. Money is sent to the Greensburg church. Permission is granted for a temperance meeting.

 

1912 The reorganization of the Christian Workers results in growing interest and improved attendance.

 

1913 The officers for 1912 have their responsibilities extended to this year. The treasury has a shortfall of $6.00 in April, by August the balance is $0.10. The Sunday School treasury also experiences a shortfall in the spring, but recovers by late summer.

 

1914 A shed is built for the horses at a cost of $84.37.The general treasury has a balance of $18.80. The Sunday School treasury has a balance of $15.60.  A goal is set to raise $300 for pastoral support and a committee is appointed to receive subscriptions (pledges). The goal is not reached; subscriptions totaled $62.50. The money is given to the two local pastors.

 

1915 A card and envelope system is used to raise funds for the pastoral fund, and a card system is also used for general treasury contributions. The young brethren are urged not to play baseball on Sunday.  Socials will be held Saturday evenings. Sisters of the church organized the Ladies Aid Society. District and annual meeting expenses are $16.75. D.I. Rhodes became the church clerk. The Deacons are responsible for filling the preaching appointments. If they forget to get someone, they must preach themselves. The church has 100 members.

 

1916 A Temperance Committee, a Missionary Committee and a Messenger agent are appointed. A new heater is purchased. Coal is purchased at $1.45 per ton, and kindling for $3.00 a load on a double wagon bed.

 

1917 The card system is employed to raise funds for repairs and painting at the church. A pianist is elected.

 

1918 The book committee collected subscriptions and purchased new song books. Book racks are installed. A revival is held the last week of October and first week of November, followed by a love feast. The revival leader is paid $25 to $35 a week.

 

1919 The estimated budget is $700. Three solicitors canvassed the congregation to raise that amount. The Sunday School treasury purchased an oil stove to heat the small class room. The lights are to be changed so the choir can see to sing. The two pastors filling the pulpit are paid $2.50 per sermon. Four ushers are appointed. An acetylene light plant is purchased.

 

1920 The church is rededicated on Sunday, October 17 with an all-day service.

 

1921 The congregation decides to build its first parsonage. The trustees are given permission to sign up for electric power when it is extended up Prosser Hollow. 

 

1922 There is $177.93 in the general treasury. Weekly, rather than monthly envelopes will be used for the coming year. A Board of Christian Education elected. Crackers are used instead of bread at the fall Love Feast.  The pastoral committee begins a search for a fulltime minister. Brother Irwin Pletcher is hired as the first full-time pastor.

 

1923 The Board of Christian Education is charged with planning a vacation Bible school and also to “look after starting a singing class.” The Ladies Aid donated $60 toward light fixtures for the church.

 

1924 A cash rally day is held to raise money for the parsonage fund. (Cash rallies are usually held once a year to raise money for special projects and sometimes the general fund.)   The acetylene light fixtures are removed. Brother C.C. Sollenberger is the new full-time pastor.

 

1925 The year starts with a deficit of $73.97. The generator is removed from the basement of the church. A motor is purchased to pump water into the parsonage. The Eureka Bible Class beautifies the church grounds. A committee is appointed to make more room for Sunday School classes. The temperance superintendent will also act as the Peace Committee. Sister Sollenberger agrees to lead the music for revival, provided she gets help with her housework during this period. Church members take advantage of a 10% discount on soap powder and use the proceeds for missionaries.

 

1926 The trustees decide to use the lumber in the sheds to build a garage on the parsonage lot. The third Sunday of May is set as the annual date for the spring Love Feast. A Homecoming is planned for November 7.

 

1927 The mission board of Juniata College is invited to have a program. Dr. M.G. Brumbaugh is asked to hold a Bible Institute. A ballot committee is formed to nominate officers for the next election. The Sewing Society is given permission to use the church basement.

 

1928 The congregation decided against uniting with the Nanty Glo congregation. Brother Grant Weaver is called as pastor. We agree to loan our pastor to some other congregation for two weeks in case the mission board should call on him. The finance board is called to deal with a deficit of $98.20. A cash rally is held on Thanksgiving evening.

 

1929 A two-day Bible institute is held in March.

 

1930 The general treasury has a balance of $33.32. Revival meetings are conducted by Brother Lori Harshberger and concluded with a Love Feast. Prayer meetings are held in conjunction with the Young People’s Department six weeks prior to revival.

 

1931 Delegates to the district meeting are authorized to pledge $100 to home missions. The church decides to issue baptism certificates. A committee is organized to devise ways and means to help the poor of the community. The committee members are to visit persons reported to be in need.

 

1932 A committee is formed to solicit funds to pay toward the Old Folks Home in Scalp Level. There are 221 members (136 active, 46 inactive, 39 non-resident). Revival meetings begin November 7 and last two weeks.

 

1933 A total of $20.80 is raised and turned over to the Old Folks Home in April. Sister Elsie Berg is licensed to the ministry.

 

1934 Spring Love Feast has 121 participants. A 25-year anniversary celebration (for the current church building) was held October 14.

 

1935 The congregation considers whether to inquire into the purchase of the old Mount Union Church or to build a permanent basement along side the church to provide classrooms and build on top later when it is able. A special Thanksgiving service is held at 8:30 a.m. The church assumes $1,525 of debt at the Old Folks Home. They pay $450 and give a note for the balance to be paid over five years at 4% interest.

 

1936 Three people agree to take home the rugs for cleaning. Tobias Henry serves as interim pastor.

 

1937 Brother Arthur Rummel is called as pastor. A missionary board is created to replace the missionary treasurer. The board of auditors is disbanded. The Thanksgiving meeting is held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. The church decides to make a special effort every three months to raise money for a building fund.

 

1938 The missionary committee is authorized to send money for relief efforts in Spain and China. Special meetings are held on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings prior to Easter. A building committee is elected. Two proposals are considered, building to the side and building onto the end. Bids are received for both plans. The congregation decides to add on to the end.

 

1939 The church was rededicated on August 6 in a service led by Brother M.J. Brougher. The cost of the new addition, including furnishings and legal fees, was $9,937.39. Cash rallies contributed over $3,200 to the building fund. A $5,000 loan was secured to cover most of the balance of the cost. The building committee is asked to have a cistern built to provide water for the church. The Nimble Fingers Club of the Alethia Bible Class donates a coffee urn to the church. A men’s meeting is organized.

 

1940 A movement begins to have all churches observe communion on the first Sunday of October. The congregation decides to participate. Once a month for three months, church services are held at 9:30 a.m., with Sunday School following. A Sick and Bereft Committee is elected. A well is drilled for the church.

 

1941 Spring Love Feast is held on Thursday evening, May 8 rather than a Sunday evening. Revival meetings are held the first two weeks of October. There is concern the meetings will have to be cancelled because of the polio (infantile paralysis) epidemic.

 

1942 A new stoker is purchased, and Pastor Rummel agrees to look after it. Thirty-six new choir chairs are purchased.

 

1943 D.I. Rhodes retires as church clerk. He served from 1915 to 1943 and never missed a meeting. A recreation building is being considered.

 

1944 Clayton Gehman is called as pastor. A new furnace is installed. A Mutual Aid Fund is started to aid families when the head of a family is ill or other needs arise. This will be merged with the Welfare Committee and administered by the Deacons.

 

1945 A basketball is purchased for the boys who play in the West End Sunday School League. They have taken care of uniforms themselves. The congregation decides to support the Cambria City Mission. The fifth Sunday offering of any month will be put in the Mutual Aid Fund. The church purchases the Cernak farm for a recreation area. The official board of the church is reorganized. The new Council of Boards includes:  Ministers, Deacons, Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, chairpersons of the Trustees, Finance, Christian Education and Pastoral Boards, the General, Adult, Intermediate, and Primary Superintendents, chairpersons of the Men’s Work and Women’s Work, and the chair of the Mutual Aid Committee.

 

1946 Council meetings are changed to Sunday afternoon and will be held every two months.  Mission offerings are taken the fourth Sunday of each month. We begin having open communion. The church picnic is held at the church farm (recreation area). A chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union meets at the church.

 

1947 William Gould is called as pastor. The boys are instructed not to schedule outside baseball games at the farm on Sunday, but they may play games among themselves.

 

1948 Cash rally money is designated for recreational purposes. A junior choir is organized. Council meetings return to a quarterly schedule. The men’s work has the baseball diamond graded and levels an area for volleyball and horseshoes. A Harvest Home service is held in November. A recreation committee is formed with representatives from the youth department, adult Sunday School classes, and the men’s and women’s work.

 

1949 Average Sunday morning attendance reported at the January council meeting is 163, evening attendance averages 91. Church enrollment is 329. The picnic shelter is built this year. The men of the church build the foundation. We hire a choir director. Bylaws are being written concerning the duties of all the officers of the church and Sunday School.

 

1950 A hot water heater is purchased so we have hot water in the kitchen. The church begins the year with $1,768 in the general treasury. New pianos are purchased for the youth department and beginners department.

 

1951 We begin supporting Herman Landis, a missionary in Africa. New pews and pulpit furniture are purchased. The Locust Grove church purchases the old pews and pulpit. The sanctuary is carpeted with Vintread.

 

1952  The centennial celebration is held August 10, the day after the Sunday School picnic. An organ is purchased and is dedicated at the centennial, which includes a recital by Mrs. Josephine Ellis. The church goes on record in opposition to universal military training. A new furnace is installed at the parsonage. The Sunday School classes assume care for the sick, and the Sick and Bereft committee becomes the Bereft Committee. There is a fire at the church farmhouse.

 

1953 The church decides to demolish the farmhouse rather than repair the fire damage. The insurance settlement is placed in the recreation fund. Homecoming is held the day after the Sunday School picnic. The congregation considers an addition to the rear of the church with the help of a building counselor from Elgin.

 

1954 A plan is devised for rearranging the entrance, installing a baptistry and changing the arrangement of the chancel. On October 17th, the first baptism is held in the new baptistry. The recreation committee is disbanded, their duties are assumed by the Men’s Work. The church has 387 members.

 

1955 The church considers a three-story addition to house Sunday School classrooms and a fellowship hall. To proceed with the bank loan, the church is incorporated, and plans are made to start building by April 1, 1956 based on the design prepared by the architect, James H. Kring.

 

1956 Bids for the new addition come in much higher than the estimates, and the April 1, 1956 date for groundbreaking is set aside. The congregation decides to set a goal to add $15,000 by March 1, 1957 to the $13,000 already in the building fund. The church sponsors Irmintrout Pohl, an exchange student from Austria.

 

1957 The church holds a Bible institute in January and a Leadership Institute in February. The regular council meeting date is changed to the second Friday of the first month of each quarter. The church engages the Wells Organization to assist with raising building funds. Even though the $22,000 balance in the building fund is short of the goal to be reached by March 1, the church decides to proceed with the building of the educational wing and construction begins in July. Bible school has the largest attendance to date. The congregation adopts a budget of $37,000 for the 1957-58 fiscal year.

 

1958 In January, the church celebrates the 250^th year of the Church of the Brethren with a special Love Feast and Communion. The new educational wing is dedicated on April 27. For a trial period during July and August, morning worship services are held before the Sunday School hour. Three youth attend the National Youth Conference held at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina the last week of August.

 

1959  An evangelism program, Call to Witness, is held in January. Evangelistic services are held during Holy Week and 24 members are baptized, followed by the largest Love Feast in the church’s history. The social committee is formed for the purpose of providing housing and meals to guests of and visitors to the church. Tables and chairs are purchased for the Fellowship Hall, and a stove and other items for the new kitchen. The congregation sent an offering to the Flat Creek Mission in Tennessee. Pastor Harlan Grubb is called to serve the congregation.

 

1960  The congregation decides to send one layman in addition to the pastor to annual conference each year. A twenty-four hour prayer vigil is held. Bible School has an average attendance of 97. The church purchases property across the road from the church from Sylvester B. Carney.

 

1961  The Deacons put an Undershepherd Plan into action. New choir robes and additional hymnals are purchased. The congregation participates in the district wide religious census “A Look at Ourselves” under the direction of Glenn Bowlby. The census evaluates the church programs with the aim of strengthening weak areas.

 

1962 The church gets a new roof. National Youth Conference is held at Estes Park, Colorado. A lighted cross is placed on the bell tower during Holy Week. The budget of $35,123 for 1962-1963 is adopted (28% to debt reduction, 26% to outreach, 46% to church ministry and maintenance).

 

1963  A revised constitution and by-laws are adopted. Plans are made to replace the grand piano. A Junior Church program is begun with Mrs. Mildred Grubb as director.

 

1964  A “Forward Movement Committee” is established to study the future needs of the church. The mortgage on the educational wing and the debt on the Carney property are both paid in full. A parsonage planning committee is elected, and the church decides to budget for a parsonage project.

 

1965  Average attendance at morning worship is 281, evening is 127. Two lots located diagonally across the road from the church are purchased from the Walker family as a site for the new parsonage. The parking lot adjacent to the church is paved. Primary church is begun.

 

1966 The house on the property across the street from the church is demolished to make way for additional parking. A stage is built in the Fellowship Hall and the old dining room was converted to a parlor. The Mission to Members Campaign (a home visitation program) is conducted.

 

1967 The church establishes a scholarship fund for ministerial students. A contract is awarded for construction of a brick, eight-room house with 2-car garage to serve as the church parsonage and the parsonage planning committee becomes the building committee. From the last Sunday of April to the last Sunday of September, Sunday School starts at 9:00 a.m and worship services at 10:00 a.m. The church supports the Pentecost Rally held at the War Memorial on May 13. The old parsonage is sold. A pianist is appointed to serve on a regular basis with the organist.

 

1968  Church membership stands at 421 with average attendance at worship of 286. Six Nights for God are held in the spring. New Windsor is sent 150 pounds of clothing. A music festival is held in June. A study is made concerning opening a child care shelter at the church. The committee met with state representatives and felt such an undertaking would not be feasible.

 

1969  Cushions for the pews in the sanctuary are donated to the church. A cross is placed on the exterior of wall of the education wing adjacent to the parking lot.

 

1970  New windows are purchased for the sanctuary. Fall revival meetings open with a family dinner. Mid-week Bible study and prayer services are discontinued. Average church attendance is 259 from a membership of 423. The cantata and play No Greater Love is presented.

 

1971  A new sound system is purchased for the sanctuary and the old one is moved to the Fellowship Hall. New pianos are purchased for use in the Primary and Junior Church areas. Bell and Youth Choirs are active. The church participates in the “Vision for Tomorrow” program for the Church of the Brethren Home in Scalp Level. An area of the parking lot across the street is paved to create a tennis/volleyball court. Becky Swick is presented with a station wagon for use in her mission work at the Midway Church of the Brethren in Surgoinsville, Tennessee.

 

1972  The congregation decides to change its fiscal year to coincide with the calendar beginning in 1973. The Sunday School year continues to begin on September 1. The Hour of Power is held weekly beginning in the fall. Brethren Home Sunday is held in October. The congregation studies and decides against purchasing a church bus.

 

1973  American and Christian flags are placed in the sanctuary. A special offering is taken toward the expense of building the new wing at the Church of the Brethren Home. A stainless steel, lighted cross is donated for placement on top of the bell tower.

 

1974  Four youth attend National Youth Conference at Glorietta Baptist Conference Center in New Mexico. The basement rooms under the sanctuary are remodeled. Three delegates are sent to the Brethren Congress on Evangelism in Dayton Ohio.  The church gives $1,000 to the Emergency Disaster Fund to aid victims of tornadoes in neighboring states. A disaster coordinator is appointed.

 

1975  Bernard Fuska is installed as full-time pastor after serving as interim pastor since October, 1974. The annual budget is $61,820.

 

1976 In January, the church participates in “A Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Two youth attend National Youth Conference at McPherson, Kansas. A sanctuary renovation fund is established. Offerings from the presentation of “No Greater Love” are added to this fund. Work on the first phase of the renovation is begun. New carpeting is placed in the church parsonage.

 

1977 The church responds with aid to victims of the most recent Johnstown Flood. The sanctuary renovation work continues. The praying hands window is installed above the altar. Special offerings are taken during any month with five Sundays. New hymnals are purchased for the choir.

 

1978  Three delegates attend the Pennsylvania Congress on Evangelism at Elizabethtown College. Sister Rebecca Swick is hired as pastoral assistant. The church begins support of New Day, Inc., a ministry to troubled youth and their families.

 

1979  New choir robes are purchased. A physical fitness class is held in the Fellowship Hall three mornings a week.

 

1980  The church has an evangelistic visitation program. Blanket Sunday is held in August. Donations make possible the purchase of 150 blankets to be sent to The Church World Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland. The picnic shelter gets a new roof and coat of paint. A summer recreation program is held at the grove this summer. A new roof is put on the education wing. Rev. Jim D’Amico leads “A Week for Spiritual Growth in Christ” in October.

 

1981  Average attendance at Five Nights for God is 175. The Deacons begin devotional services at the funeral home as requested by families of deceased members. An engineering study is done on the church’s heating system, and a heating system fund is established.

 

1982  The annual budget tops $100,000. Land is leased at the end of Benshoff Hill Road in Minersville and a directional sign to the church is erected. The District Fall Youth Rally is held in our church with Andy Murray as the resource leader. The church supports planting of a new church in Cranberry Township, PA. A new heating system is installed.

 

1983  Sunday School is now set to begin at 9:15 a.m. and end at 10:15 a.m. Morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. The feasibility of creating a balcony area in the sanctuary is studied. A musical instrument fund is established. The Army Reserve levels the ball field at the Grove. The picnic shelter is renovated.

 

1984  A new sound system and ventilation fans are installed in the sanctuary. The congregation participates in the Johnstown Area Inspirational Conference.

 

1985  The People of the Covenant Bible study group is begun. The Women’s Fellowship purchases vinyl tile that is installed over the Fellowship Hall floor.
 

1986  Basement restrooms are remodeled and made wheel chair accessible. The church participates in the Adventure in Mission, a program that teaches stewardship of time, abilities, creativity, energy and finances.  Our choir participates in the District Festival of Choirs. Rev. Donald Hursh serves as interim pastor. The Living Memorial Trust Fund is established. The church produces a Lenten devotional booklet. The District Youth Choir presents the cantata “Witness” at our church.

 

1987  Rev. Cecil Hess is installed as pastor. The secretary’s office is renovated. The church participates in West End Community Hymn Sings the first Sunday evening each month. The church celebrates 135 years of fellowship with a special church service and dinner. Vacation Bible School is held with an average attendance of 76 students and 30 adult volunteers. Roller skating parties are held at Cicero’s Rink in Ebensburg. Average attendance at Sunday morning worship is 226. The parking areas are resurfaced. The quilting ladies create a bicentennial quilt for the Cambria County Bar Association.

 

1988 A live portrayal of the last supper is included in our love feast and communion service. The outside of the church is painted, and the heating system in the lower level of the church is renovated. Men from the church assist in re-roofing the dining hall at Camp Harmony. The church purchases a TV and VCR for use in the junior church program. The choir gets new robes.

 

1989 The quilting ladies donate $575 to Camp Harmony, the Salvation Army, New Day and the church. The Truth Seekers Sunday school class donates 1000 pounds of potatoes to St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. A church pictorial directory is published.

 

1990 Pastor Don White and Fred Fleck lead Fall evangelistic services. The sanctuary is painted. A long range planning committee is appointed. “Goals for the 90s” based on information provided by a congregational survey are developed in six areas: evangelism and witness, scripture and heritage, family and youth, service and peace, spiritual renewal and ministry, and physical plant. The fireplace at the Grove is completed. Eleven youth and one advisor attend National Youth Conference in Colorado. Bible school offerings are given to the Church of the Brethren Home.  The church hosts district conference. Windows are replaced in the oldest part of the church.

 

1991 The congregation begins participation in the 2¢ a Meal Offering program to combat world hunger. The Men’s Fellowship reaches their goal of raising $5,500 for Camp Harmony to purchase an adjacent property. Men from the church deliver over 25 bushels of apples from an orchard in Bedford County to St. Vincent DePaul Society. John and Arbutus Blough speak to combined Sunday School classes about mission projects in Honduras. The church provides financial support to the Nanty Glo congregation.

 

1992 A mid-week Bible study is begun. Tracy Rhodes is hired as a part-time youth director. The church constitution is revised and updated. Pastor Don White and Fred Fleck return to lead Fall evangelistic services again this year. New hymnals and new acolyte robes are purchased. The parsonage roof is replaced. Volunteer labor saved approximately $2,600 on the project, half of which ($1,300) was donated to the Brethren Disaster Fund.

 

1993 The fifty children attending Bible School raise $105 to donate to the Cambria City Mission. A Spiritual Life Crusade is held. The church supports a missionary in Brazil. The children present their Christmas program to residents of the Church of the Brethren Home in Scalp Level. The congregation participates in the Bible reading project using the one-year Bible. Donations for flood relief programs total $2,300.

 

1994 Updating of the church library is completed. Spring and fall revival begin with cottage prayer meetings. The church bell is repaired. The congregation participates in support of a new congregation in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Shut-ins receive giant greeting cards from the congregation.

 

1995 Stewards look at possibilities to improve access to the church for disabled persons. After serving a period as interim pastor, the church calls Pastor Phillip King. Homecoming is attended by 325 persons. The theme was “Old and New – Caring About You.” The program featured a slide presentation.

 

1996 A committee is appointed to study the possibility of installing an elevator. Pastor King leads weekly prayer meetings. Disaster recovery volunteers work in the Hyndman, Pennsylvania area after recent floods. Dr. Don White and Fred Fleck lead fall revival. “Go for It”, an evangelism training program, is held in May.

 

1997 The CBYF produces a church cookbook to raise money for their trip to National Youth Conference next year. Deacons update the Shepherd Program. Some new cabinets and a dishwasher are added to the church kitchen. Camp Harmony dedicates Faith Hall, a building many volunteers from our congregation helped to build. A new organ and piano are dedicated. The Bohrer family presented a program on their work in Nigeria on Spring Mission Sunday. Church volunteers repair tornado damage in Salisbury, Pennsylvania.

 

1998 Robert Rummel is called as Pastoral Assistant/Youth Director. The congregation prepares relief kits to be sent to Korea. Children fill “Noah’s Ark” banks and raise over $1,000 for the heifer project. The pastor’s office and chapel areas are carpeted. Two furnaces are replaced.

 

1999 Pastor Rob Rummel accompanies three church youth on a mission trip to Puerto Rico. The congregation participates in the Fifty-Day Spiritual Adventure during Lent. A new chair lift is installed. The Pleasant Hill Kitchen Band has its debut performance at family fun night. A new sound system is installed in the sanctuary. Fifty family kits were sent for the relief effort in Kosovo. Prayer requests are now included on the back of the weekly bulletin. The church now has Internet service. The church provides support for Tracy Rhodes’ one-year mission assignment teaching English to elementary school students in China.

 

2000 The youth raise $1745 for world hunger programs during the 30-Hour Famine, beating last year’s total by $700. The church budget tops the $200,000 mark. A blood drive is held at the church. A memorial book recording names of persons who have been honored or remembered through donations to the Living Memorial Trust Fund is placed in the vestibule area. The congregation hosts District Conference. Michael Clark, pastor of the Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren leads our spring revival. Nine youth participate in a mission trip to Hanover, Pennsylvania to work in a soup kitchen. Equipment is purchased and the tape ministry to shut-ins is renewed. Cottage prayer meetings are held prior to Fall revival services.

 

2001 The church board holds a retreat to begin formulation of a new mission and vision statement for the church. Using input from a congregational survey and the retreat, the vision task team proposes and the congregation accepts the mission statement “Exalting Christ as a Bible-believing church for all people, sharing God’s love through worship, study, evangelism and service.” Church volunteers participate in construction of New Day’s Family Center.

 

2002 The church plans activities in celebration of the congregation’s 150^th anniversary. Robert Rummel becomes associate pastor/youth director, beginning his full-time schedule January 1. The Vision Task Team meets with commissions and other groups in the church to help them incorporate the mission into the activities of the congregation. The church’s annual budget is $222,265. Building improvement and building funds are established, the first for ongoing maintenance of the church, the second for a more extensive building or renovation project. Sunday School classes prepare school kits to be distributed to children in Afghanistan.