Presbyterian Weekday School Report

The 2006 – 2007 school year began September 11, 2006. There are 26 children enrolled in the four year old program and 28 children in the three year old program. The staff consists of Patsy Mollan (Director), Marsha Jacobs and Christina Rigney. Tuition for the four year program (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 – 12:00) is $70.00 per month. For the three year program (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 – 12:00) the fee is $60.00.

The Preschool Board acts as liaison between the Presbyterian Weekday School and the Session and congregation of Orange Presbyterian Church. Board members are Susan Clore, Sharon Mohrmann, and Ellen Kendall (Chair). The Board has met numerous times this fall with Dr. Hall to discuss the program and review policies.

Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Kendal

Property Committee Annual Report

It has been a busy and rewarding year for the members of the Property Committee (Gail Chapman, Eric Frobom, Ted Haberland, Fred Lorenzo, Linda Nash, Richard Sanford, Fred Sherman, Lulu Sherman, Anne Somerville and Travis Tysinger). Their efforts week after week to keep our church facilities safe and attractive are much appreciated. Special thanks are owed to all those who chipped in to help maintain our building and grounds during the spring, summer and fall cleanups. The attractiveness of our building and grounds depends on the full participation of the congregation.

Refurbishing the church offices was a major accomplishment this year. The Offices were rebuilt under budget under the direction of the Office Remodeling Committee consisting of Susan Anson, Bugs Gardner, Dottie Tysinger, Fred Sherman, Gene Whitaker and Louise Whitaker, chair. Over 30 church members were involved in the effort. Doug Cruickshank built the book cases and Fred Sherman installed the temperature control and electrical systems.

Our church facilities are well used throughout the week. In addition to many church activities, the building is used regularly by the Presbyterian Day School, AA, Girl Scouts, Orange Cloggers, 4H, Community Chorus, Knitters, Garden Clubs, SHARE and several other organizations. The Orange County Habitat for Humanity uses the room down the hall from the church offices for their headquarters.

Other:

• The Willis house is now rented.
• The committee continues to look at ways to make better use of the Willis house property for parking.
• A part-time custodian, Doris Wharton, was hired and is doing an excellent job.
• Gail Chapman and Karen Seale cleaned and reorganized the closets.
• The parking lot was cleaned regularly.
• Removal of the overgrown trees.

Respectfully submitted,
Gene Whitaker, Chairman

Stewardship Committee Annual Report

The Stewardship Committee has a number of responsibilities and a wonderful team of volunteers who share the work of the church through the following activities:

The Lunch Bunch program was somewhat sporadic this year but was in a state of rejuvenation during the last few months of the year. Notices of this activity are placed in the church bulletin to encourage the congregation to take part.

The committee has provided continued outreach to the college and boarding school students through packages sent to them during the academic year.

Several volunteers have assisted the parish administrator in the monthly mailing of the Presbyterian Perspective.

The committee and various volunteers visited with members and friends of the church in adult homes, hospitals, nursing homes and private homes, who have had a need for the fellowship which can only be provided by church members.  The committee would like to thank everyone who participated in this activity this year.

The Stewardship Committee celebrated the births of three new children this past year by placing a rosebud on the communion table welcoming them to the congregational family.

The Stewardship Committee was responsible for the after church receptions which were held on a weekly basis during the year.  The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone for their assistance in several special receptions held this year including: a farewell reception for our interim pastor; an installation reception for Reverend Hall, and the recognition of new graduates.

In June the committee helped recognize the accomplishments of the high school and college graduates in the congregation.

The committee aided in another successful Lobster fest in August, and in October hosted the annual Commitment Dinner.  The Stewardship Committee absorbed the duties of the Commitment Committee in an effort to make the small session work more effectively. In so doing the Stewardship Committee planned a commitment season based on the theme “To Everything there is a Season.”  The Committee reviewed the list of names that were on the inactive list and friends of the church list to decide whether to send those on the list a commitment packet. The Commitment dinner was held on Saturday, October 7, 2006 with Rev. Bluford traveling from Richmond as the commitment dinner speaker.  The commitment packets were blessed before there distribution to the congregation.  Follow-up processes on the Commitment Packet return were discussed and it was decided that a notice in the newsletter would serve as a good follow-up mechanism. 

In December the Committee reviewed the church roll for confirmation of accuracy.  Seven members had passed away during the year and seven new members were added to the roll through letter of transfer or confirmation.  Four adults transferred their membership to a new church home.  The Stewardship Committee requested the session to place to member on the inactive list as they are living with family members away from Orange.  Approval of the session occurred in December and this action reduces the active congregation size to around 178.

Respectfully submitted,
Amy McClung

Youth and Christian Education Committee

The Youth and Christian Committee has been very busy this year. The new elders took over the committee in February. 

In April the Y&CE committee hosted a potluck dinner for the Confirmation Class and their families. We enjoyed fellowship with the confimands and their families before their examination at the April Session meeting.

In May a Youth Service was organized where the youth of the church handled the worship service for that Sunday. Everyone who attended and participated enjoyed the service.

In June the Y&CE recognized the Sunday School teachers for all their wonderful work. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our teachers.  We ended Sunday School on June 4th with a picnic at the Town and County Pool. We had good attendance and everyone who attended enjoyed the food and fellowship.

In July the Y&CE committee took on the nursery. The nursery was cleaned thoroughly.  Some furniture was painted. A new crib, changing table and linens were purchased. Two members also painted a fabulous Noah’s Ark mural for our children to enjoy.

In August we held a Vacation Bible School with the theme of Treasure Seekers. All the children had a great time learning about God while enjoying being “Treasure Seekers.”

In September Sunday School began with a Rally Day. We all got together in the fellowship hall to work on welcome cards and banners for our new pastor Denise Hall. The children were all excited to meet her.

In December the Y&CE held an Advent Ornament Workshop. We had many volunteers who set up various ornament tables. The children enjoyed making ornaments and hanging them on the Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve during the Sunday School hour, a Christmas play was put on by the children of the church. It was most meaningful.

The Senior High Class had a hard time getting going. Attendance by the youth was inconsistent. Therefore, the Senior High Class will be disbanding in February 2007. Thanks to the Senior High teachers for all their hard work.

Respectfully submitted,
Sandra McLeod

Presbyterian Women Annual Report

The year 2006 has been busy and productive for the women of Orange Presbyterian Church. We have gained new enthusiastic members. We have a luncheon circle which meets on the first Thursday of each month, and a morning circle meeting on first Tuesday mornings. We have knitted hats for the local Heads Start School. We have collected health and school kits and are now getting ready to sent Heart to Heart kits. We are selling Equal Exchange Coffee and Hot Chocolate. We have collected and sent in stamps. Our women work in the local food pantry and clothes closet, and are active in a ministry to disabled adults living in an assisted living facility near our church.

We are concerned that we do not have many younger women attending our meetings. They are active in the Sunday School program, are active in many programs in the church, and serving on the Session, We are concerned about the future of our Presbyterian Women circles; whether they will continue in the present manner, or need to be re‑invented to meet their needs.

In the coming year we hope to involve more women in our various mission projects whether they attend Circle meeting or not.

We very much appreciate her newsletters from Presbytery which keep us informed of happenings in the Presbytery, and reminders of events to come.

Submitted by:
Jean Berckman