11/7/12 Position to be filled: Pastor
United Church of Christ
LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE
FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING NEW LEADERS
Local Church Statement of Consent
The covenantal relationship between a church and those called by that church to serve as pastors and teachers and in other ministerial positions is strengthened when vital information is openly shared by covenantal partners. To that end, we attest that, to the best of our abilities, we have provided information in this profile that accurately represents our church. We have not knowingly withheld any information that would be helpful to candidates. As the committee charged with the responsibility for identifying and recommending a suitable new minister for our church, we have been authorized to share the information herein with potential candidates
We understand that a candidate may wish to secure further knowledge, information, and opinion about our church. We encourage a candidate to do so, recognizing that an open dialogue of relevant information builds the foundation for continuing and healthy relationships between calling congregations and persons seeking a ministry position.
Date: 11-1-12
Signature of Search Committee Chairperson
Church
Name: First Congregational United Church of Christ
Address: 279 First Avenue
City, State, Zip: Park Falls, WI 54552
e-mail:
webpage: parkfallsucc.org
Facebook: First Congregational UCC- Park Falls
Search Committee Chairperson or Contact Person
Name: Jill Franck
Address: 15671 Hoot Lane Butternut, WI 54514
Telephone: 715-663-0388
LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE
FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING NEW LEADERS
Welcome to the 2012 Church Profile of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. We are looking for a full-time pastor, someone to be a good steward within our church, someone to be compassionate about the care of our congregation. Come home to the basics, sharing in the worship of God, His Sacraments and making His will dominate in our lives. We have a vision; we know who we are and what more we can be. Let us enjoy the fellowship of this journey together.
1. Church: First Congregational United Church of Christ
2. Address: 279 First Avenue, Park Falls, WI 54552
3. Name of Search Committee Chairperson/Contact Person: Jill Franck
4. Conference/Association Staff Person Assisting Our Church:
Associate Conference Minister Art Wille
4459 Gray Road
P.O. Box 435
DeForest, WI 53532-0435
608-630-3134
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
5. Membership:
Last Year / 2005 / 2001a. # Church members on the rolls / 183 / 195 / 261
a1. # of active Church members / 71 / - / -
b. Average attendance at worship / 50 / 95 / 90
c. Average participation of children/youth in C.E. / 9 / 10 / 4
d. Average weekly participation in adult education / 5
e. # Members who are ordained clergy / 1 / 2 / 2
6. Profile of Congregation
Estimate percentage of congregation. Each category should add up to 100%.
a. Age: / c. Family units:
6 % ages / 0 – 5 / 16 % couples with children at home
14 % ages / 6-18 / 20 % couples without children at home
11 % ages / 19-34 / 61 % single
15 % ages / 35-49 / 3 % single parent with children at home
28 % ages / 50-64
13 % ages / 65-74
13 % ages / 75 +
b. Education level of adults: d. Occupation of adults:
0 % completed less than high school 5 % business
60 % high school graduates 16 % clerical
2 % some college/vocational school 0 % farmer/rancher
33 % college graduates 41 % laborer/manufacturing
5 % graduate school 24 % professional
2 % student
0 % Other
12 % tradesperson
Employment:
48 % employed
7 % not currently employed
45 % retired
f. Describe the racial-ethnic makeup of your congregation:
· Primarily Caucasian
CHURCH FINANCES
2011 / 2009 / 20057. Total Church Income
a. Members offerings and pledges / 63,147 / 72,412 / 94,082
b. Interest from investment or endowments / 3,913 / 6,434 / 1,225
c. Reimbursements from Fifield UCC for pastoral expenses / 0* / 8,433 / Inc. above
d. Other / 1,365 / 981
Total / 68,425 / 88,260 / 95,307
*2011 is the first year of not being “Yoked” to the Fifield UCC church.
The church has not conducted an annual stewardship campaign in the past two years:
2012projected / 2011 / 2009
Projected
8. Total Operating Budget
a) Income / 78,328 / 68,425 / 88,260
b) Operating Expenses / 91,671 / 89,454 / 83,224
c) Major Expenses / 0 / 16,395 / 0
Balance / -13,343 / -37,424 / 5,035
9. Identify UCC special offerings the church receives throughout the year, the amounts collected are forward accordingly. Please see total listed below in item 10.
X One Great Hour of Sharing
X Neighbors in Need
X Christmas Fund
X Strengthen the Church
X Basic Support for Our Church’s Wider Mission (only if received through special offerings and not included as a regular budget item in #8 above.)
10. Mission
a. Beyond your contributions through the UCC, name the most significant local or global missions/ministries or agencies that were financially supported by your local church last year and the amount of support:
NAME / AMOUNT1. UCC Missions and special offerings / $1380
2. The Lord’s Cupboard (local food pantry) is provided a space to operate as well as building comforts (heat, electric, etc.) / Not determinable
3. Local missions / $300
4. Non-local Missions / $200
b. What mission project has excited your church the most in the past three years?
· We combined our Sunday school space and our nursery space to provide room for the Lord’s Cupboard Food Panty. The Lord’s Cupboard now occupies the old nursery space in our lower level. We provide the use of our restrooms, kitchen and dining room space as needed. We open our church on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s for their operation. Many of our congregation volunteer work hours as well. We collect donations when our church is open.
11. Indebtedness
· None
12. Capital Campaigns:
· None
13. Assets held by the Church:
Reserves (savings): $59,800
Endowments/Investments: $219,000
13 A. Fixed Assets held by the Church:
Church $1,654,000
Equipment $ 265,000
Total $1,919,000
Describe buildings and property of your church except the parsonage:
· Gothic brick church, constructed in 1917. An educational wing was added in 1957. Access 2000 (raised over $550,000) completed handicap accessibility with portico, elevator, restrooms and new narthex. The church has beautiful stained glass windows and seats about 300 people.
· The church building (including sanctuary and offices) is handicapped accessible.
· The pulpit is not handicapped accessible.
· We are planning to update our education/nursey area, no projected completion date established to date.
Church Parsonage:
· None - Our church has had several parsonages over the years. They have not been successful financially nor have they been the choice of living experience for the past pastors. We have found the housing allowance to be a win-win.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MINISTERIAL LEADERS
14. Compensation guidelines:
· We are looking for a full-time pastor, a pastor that is accessible to us, someone that is committed to us as their only congregation. Our pastor will be a devoted person, who will be a gentle steward to us. “Wikipedia defines – Full timeemploymentis employment in which a person works a minimum number of hours defined as such by his/her employer.” Our full-time compensation package includes a salary, an opportunity for benefits and a flexible number of hours.
15. Salary History
2011Salary / Housing / Benefits / Total
a. Last / 23,900 / 12,000 / 17,667 / 53,567
· Our last pastor was a full time lay pastor.
16. During the above period, has your church ever failed to fulfill its financial obligations to its pastor? yes X no
17. Salary, Benefits and Expenses Offered
a. Cash offered $ 36,000 to $43,000 per year – total package
The following items are negotiable per the needs of the individual, the cost of these items shall be deducted from the cash offered package.
· Housing allowance
· Social Security/Medicare Offset
· Vacation: weeks annually
· UCC Retirement Annuity ( % of salary and housing)
· UCC Life and Disability Insurance Benefits
· UCC Health Benefits ( other health benefits)
· UCC Dental Benefits ( other dental benefits)
· Continuing Education Funds
· Continuing Education Time
· Maternity/paternity leave
· Sabbatical Leave
· Other benefits (specify)
COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS
18. Population
a. Population of total city or town in which your church is located:
· Park Falls population is about 2, 200, population for 54552 zip-code area is about 4,800.
· The median age is 50. The average household income is $35,400.
b. Describe the population by racial-ethnic category and identify the source of the information:
· 2010 Census- from www.zip-codes.com/city/WI-PARK-FALLS.asp
· Population 4, 416
· White 4,309, Hawaiian 57, Indian 55, Hispanic 45, Asian 22, Black 21,
· Other 9
19. Economic Factors
Identify major sources of employment in your community:
a. Major manufacturing is Flambeau River Paper, minor manufacturing is Weathershield (windows & doors) and St. Croix Rods (fishing rods).
b. Healthcare – A Marshfield Clinic is located in Park Falls, along with the Flambeau Hospital.
c. Education- Chequamegon School District with elementary, middle and high school. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church has grade K-8. Adult education available
20. General Description (Add *** if the information came from a survey of the congregation)
a. Describe three distinctive attributes of your community:
· Bounty of God’s creation, lakes, river, woodlands with many outdoor activities to enjoy
· Excellent schools and medical facilities
· Neighborly, friendly and helpful residents
b. Identify major trends you envision in your community during the next five years:
· Expansion of downtown business, along with a Chamber of Commerce beatification project
· State Highway expansion project
· Increase in tourism
c. List three or four problem areas confronting your community that members feel your church should address:
· Youth ministry and involvement
· Decrease in volunteerism
· Outreach to the community
d. Indicate Mission Activities
1. In which your church participates as a part of its mission in the community:
· Lord’s Cupboard (food pantry) see “Church Finances 10 Mission a. &. b.” on Page 4
· Support to “Jonny Angel Foundation”
· Community Choir Concerts for public
· Crop Walk for Hunger
· World Day of Prayer
· Adopt a Highway
2. In which mission activities does your church expect the leader you are now seeking to participate:
· If possible all activities listed above in 20.d.1.
· Provide Sunday worship services at Park Manor Nursing Home, Park Falls, WI (bi-monthly commitment)
e. Describe how your church building is now being used by the community:
· Lord’s Cupboard (food pantry) see “Church Finances 10 Mission a. &. b.” on page 4
· Children’s play group
· Decorative Artists painting group
· Weddings and funerals for non-members
f. Indicate the number of school districts from which members of your church are drawn:
one two X three or more Phillips, Park Falls & Butternut
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
(Add *** if the information came from a survey of the congregation)
21. Identify major trends you envision in your church in the next five years
· Building our membership
· Developing community involvement
22. Planning
a. All churches do planning. How would you characterize the way planning is done in your church?
· Through our Church Council Meetings
· Publishing our monthly calendar in our newsletter
· Postings on our website and on Facebook
b. What expectations do you have of the person you are seeking in relation to the planning that takes place?
· Our congregation, boards and committees are responsible for planning in our church. Our full-time pastor, as our spiritual leader, will need to integrate the Christian events into our calendar. As an advisor and mentor we would expect ideas and recommendations to be shared. This role does not need to be hands on, but does require open communication.
c. When is the last time your church undertook a period of discernment and long-range planning in an intentional way?
· Church Profile 2006
d. What were the outcomes of your intentional long-range planning?
· Our last full time pastor worked to build membership and helped expand our adult Bible education.
e. Does your church have any plans to undertake a period of intentional long-range planning in the future?
· Yes, we recognize we need to be focused on the changing family and the varying needs of our community.
23. Reflections on Congregational Life
Comment on the following with what you believe to be the generally-held responses of the congregation. If more space is needed, use additional pages. (Add *** if information came from a survey of the congregation.)
a. Identify the three most important faith experiences or events in the history of your church and the year each took place:
Event Year
1. Supplied space to house local food panty 2009
2. Fifield Church left the UCC & broke our yoke 2010
3. Shared services and activities with Christ the Servant 2012
Church Lutheran ELCA
b. Identify the most challenging faith experience or event in the life of your church in the last three years and what the church learned from it:
· The First Congregational Church of Park Falls and the First Congregational Church of Fifield had been yoked for over 80 years. Both churches, over the last several years, had worked together to find a resolution to failing financial commitments. In the end Fifield left the UCC and broke the yoke with our church. We learned that the choice to break the yoke was truly the decision of the Fifield congregation, that we respect and honor their decision. The most changing thing that came out of this event, was not learned, but experienced. We experienced a reaffirming commitment from our pastor, a commitment to serve only our church. It lightened a weight from our pastor, there was no longer the discussion of how we should schedule Advent or Lenten services, or what time is the Christmas Eve service at each congregation. And for the first time we got to choose what would be the best time to conduct Sunday worship for us. It is essential to regain this focus and commitment from our full-time pastor.