Annual Meeting
January 27, 2008

On Sunday, January 27, 2008 Church Council President, Lillian Hansen, called to order the Annual Congregational Meeting.  Following a prayer by Pastor Paul, Council Members for a new 3-year term were elected (see Pastor & Council page for full list).  Reports were given on each of the Commissions.  Hard copies of the reports are available and several are included below:

Report by Pastor Paul Knudsen 

In 2005, the highlight of the year was our 100th anniversary celebration.  In 2006, the highlight of the year was the 50th anniversary celebration of our school.  In 2007, the highlight of the year was ? uh ? um ? Well, we didn't really have a highlight of the year in 2007.  In 2007, we just did what we normally do.  We preached the word, taught children, served the seniors of our community, and carried out the vital ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Every Sunday we gather together for worship in a welcoming community at 10:30 a.m.  Our Altar Guild volunteers make sure everything is set up appropriately for the season of the church year.  Special thanks need to be given for the extra effort put in at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The sanctuary looked especially beautiful this year.  Volunteers care for everything from communion set up to communion clean up.  It is only appropriate to thank our communion preparers, communion assistants, acolytes, lectors, ushers, and greeters.  Sunday worship is a group effort with more people than ever volunteering to make our worship experience meaningful.

We are so blessed to have Steve Wilson with us to beautifully provide the organ and piano accompaniment at all our worship services.  Steve also handles our choir with expertise.  Great skill is needed to keep this wonderful group of people under control and focused.  Our choir blesses us with their beautiful voices every week.  Steve & choir, you are loved by all.

In 2007, we continued our tradition of merging the Christmas concert and Sunday School pageant into a single worship experience.  Steve, the choir, the Sunday School staff and the children once again provided an inspirational service.  The music and depiction of the nativity were woven together seamlessly.  It was great.  I continue to love our worship schedule in June.  In 2007, we celebrated as 6 young people affirmed their faith on Confirmation Sunday, June 3rd.   We celebrated with 24 LES graduates at the Baccalaureate on June 10th.  On Recognition Sunday, June 17th we thanked the many volunteers who make ministry happen here at Bethlehem.  On June 24th, we celebrated as we welcomed 11 new members into our church.  Our opening service for LES in September was special this year, as Bishop Stephen Bouman was able to stop by for an opening greeting and prayer for our congregation and school families.

Lorraine Tuccillo continues to prove what a great decision we made 9 years ago when we surprised her with our request to take the position of principal of our school.  I don't mean any disrespect to our previous administrations or faculties, but I am convinced LES is stronger now than ever before.  We are a premier educational facility with honors programs in Math, English and Social Studies.  We have music, theatre and an art program that is simply amazing.  Quite honestly, we don't have any weak teachers at LES.  Our staff is great with our students.  They are dedicated, intelligent and faithful to their calling as Christian educators.  Our children have a superior learning environment capped off with the love of a Christian community.  It's great to have two clergymen present at our school throughout the week as Pastor Craig Miller serves as our chaplain and Pastor Mark Rawnsley is a teacher in our upper grades.  LES is a wonderful ministry.

Our Bay Ridge Center continues to provide excellent services to the seniors of our community.  We are so fortunate to have Ellen Lauer as our Executive Director.  She works tirelessly to make sure our center provides a place for seniors to come six days a week for an excellently prepared lunch and a myriad of activities.  Our Social Services area continues to handle the needs and concerns of our senior clients.  This year some of the senior members of our congregation have benefited from the services our center provides.  It is great that we have this ministry in house and it is great that we can recommend our services with confidence that all situations will be handled responsibly.  This year has been a transition year for our center as Susan Lavin, Center Director, and Colleen Downes, Social Services Director moved on to other jobs.  Ellen has gone above and beyond to fill the various voids in her staff while these positions were vacant.  She has gone to great lengths to bring in the right leaders to take over these important positions.  We are very proud of what our senior center means to this community.

2007 was a year in which our youth programs received a lot of attention.  Our youth groups have grown over the years and we now have both a strong High School Youth Group and a large Confirmation Youth Group.  We have a full year of activities for each group and our young people now have a room to call their own (except when the Dorcas Ladies meet).  It is a touching story of two families who were deeply moved by our young people visiting them in December 2006 to bring baked goods and sing Christmas carols.  Significant donations were given in order to do something special for our kids.  The first floor of the parsonage has been transformed into an activity room for our young people.  We have a professional pool table, regulation ping pong table, an electronic dart board and a 42 inch flat screen TV with cable hook up and a DVD.  In 2008, we will be adding an air hockey table and pinball machine.  We have a regular schedule of Friday night Youth Nites.  This provides a great opportunity for our young people to gather in a safe environment and enhance their friendships.  In October, we dedicated the "JOY Room" in loving memory of Joy Kotrch, who passed away in February.  We might be biased, but we feel we have the greatest group of kids.  We are thankful for the leadership of our Youth Group president, Jillian Solby, and I could not survive without my assistants, Victoria Hofmo and Elaine Swiontak.

Fellowship is always an important ingredient in keeping the family atmosphere here at Bethlehem.  We are extremely thankful for Ursula Stocklmeier and her commission for handling all our fellowship activities throughout the year.  Coffee Hours, which are now scheduled weekly, our special breakfasts and dinners, our barbeques --  all of these activities provide us the opportunity to talk with each other and support one another in life's ups and downs.  These events are integral in keeping us all connected.

We are thankful to our property commission for making sure all of our properties are in very good condition.  For so many congregations, property woes detract from carrying out the ministry we are called to accomplish.  We are fortunate to be able to use our property productively, bringing in a considerable amount of rental income each year.  This enables us to direct and focus our attention on what is truly important.  Our property commission was instrumental in the key property decisions of our past, and they continue to stay on top of all property matters.  A special thank you to Bill Tuccillo and his commission.

Financially, Bethlehem continues to be in good shape.  We were challenged in 2007, by a huge jump in our insurance premium.  This was caused by a less than favorable "Loss History Report" from our insurance carrier.  There are some pending law suits against us because of people falling on our property.  We are actively seeking other insurance carriers who will offer a more manageable premium.  In spite of this challenge, we finished 2007 with a little more than we started and we have a balanced budget to present for 2008.  We are extremely encouraged by a 25% increase in congregational giving in 2007 and we look forward to our mortgage being completely paid off in June 2009.  We always face difficult decisions with respect to our school budget.  We need to keep tuition increases under control, but we always live with the realization that our teachers are not compensated adequately.  Currently, we are actively seeking additional income sources to help with our school's income.  The Senior Center budget continues to be handled responsibly and the center is in good shape financially.

Have you checked out our website recently?  In case you haven't, please go to www.bethlehembayridge.org .  I am continually impressed with the dedication and expertise of our congregational webmaster, Ray Palermo.  Ray works diligently all year long making sure our award winning website has all the necessary updates.  I love to tell Ray whenever someone new shows up in our church and they tell me they found us via our website.  Four of our new members in 2007 discovered us on the web.  What a great ministry.

Even though so many positive things occurred in our church, school and senior center in 2007, we were all saddened by the loss of our much beloved deacon, Gail Topp.  Gail was truly a partner in ministry here at Bethlehem.  She guided me throughout the liturgical year, keeping me in synch with the church calendar.  She dedicated so much of her time in her positions of chairperson of the Worship & Music Commission and chairperson of the Bay Ridge Center Commission.  Her dedication to her risen Lord and to our church and our ministries was so apparent in all she did.  Deacon Gail is dearly missed by us all.

A special thank you is extended to all of our church council members.  They regularly give of their time to their council responsibilities and their responsibilities on the commissions they serve.  As always, we are indebted to our congregational president, Lillian Hansen.  She never tires in listening to every member's phone call.  She calms everyone's concerns and keeps us focused in ministry.  Lillian, thanks for all you do.

In 2005, we celebrated a centennial.  In 2006, we celebrated half a century.  In 2007, all we did was preach the word, teach our children, serve the seniors of our community, and carry out the vital ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  Sounds like a great year to me.

Worship & Music

Submitted by Barry Chester & Liz Borher, Interim Chairs

Wtih the sudden passing of our Deacon, Chairperson and friend, Gail Topp, we were left with the task of filling a void almost insurmountable.  Nevertheless, we forge forward first by assigning interim Chairpersons and then organizing the Commission members into a team of volunteers willing and able to lend a hand at a moment's notice.  We succeeded.

For the Advent/Christmas season, the Choir donated a new Advent wreath in memory of Gail Topp.  The Commission purchased new Angel banners and window candles.  While searching around the bell tower we found a beautiful three piece nativity set, which we cleaned up and placed at the foot of the Alter.

Thanks to our gifted organist and Choir Director, Steve Wilson, our Choir has grown and never sounded better.  This year we began the task of learning new liturgy from the new worship book, which we hope to be using soon.

With the Lord's help we hope to continue to enrich your worship experience.

Bay Ridge Center

Submitted by Elizabeth Bohrer

Commission Members: Elizabeth Bohrer, Karen Eggleson, Pastor Paul Knudsen, and Ellen Lauer Executive Director of the Bay Ridge Center

The Commission meets monthly with the Executive Director of the Bay Ridge Center and oversees the activities of the Center.  

It has been a busy year for the center and a year of change, but due to the excellent leadership of the Executive Director, Ellen Lauer it has all been weathered well. 

The Director of Social Services and the Director of the Senior Center both resigned their positions this year to move on to other venues. The center also mourned the loss of Gail Topp who served as the chairperson of the Bay Ridge Center Commission for many years and was a familiar face in the Center and community.

In April, the Center held its annual Dinner/Dance; this year they honored several of the local politicians for their work with the senior population of the community. In May there was the Health Fair, and in October there was the Walkathon and Dedication of a new Meals on Wheels van.  In November was Bay Ridge Center Sunday, at which time the Commission and Bethlehem Lutheran Church expressed their appreciation to Ellen Lauer and the staff of the Center for their professionalism and dedication with a luncheon and gift certificates to Century 21.
 
The Commission would like to say thank you to all the staff of the Center and to Ellen for her dedication to the Center and the senior community.

Public Relations

Submitted by Ray Palermo

Web Site:  Our church web site, www.bethlehembayridge.org, continues to expand and improve, with new features to help inform our members and attract new members.  The site is updated weekly to help ensure fresh content for those visiting it, particularly on the News page and the Calendar of Events.    

Publicity: Church events and special services are regularly posted on approximately 20 Internet Community Calendars of newspapers, radio and television stations, and community organizations.  News releases are sent regarding special services and activities of the church.  Advertisements run in local newspapers throughout the year and for special occasions.

E-Outreach: Began collecting e-mail addresses of BLC members and others for an E-Newsletter to be launched in 2008.  The new E-Newsletter will provide information on our special services, meetings, events and other activities.  To join our newsletter mailing list, please send your name and email address to webmaster@bethlehembayridge.org.

Other: Redesigned the memorial donation envelopes, as well as the thank you notes and other communications to donors.   

How you can help? BLC members and friends are encouraged to assist with our Public Relations program.  Some specific needs include the taking of photographs of church events and members that can be posted on our website, and making follow-up phone calls to local newspapers regarding upcoming church events.

LES Chaplain's Report

Submitted by Rev. Craig Miller, Chaplain

It gives me great joy to work with the children, teachers and staff of the Lutheran Elementary School.  As chaplain to the school I find myself in the position to interact with the children in ways that I hope communicate to them the love of God in Christ that is poured out on us freely in the Holy Spirit.  I also share in the joy these children have in learning and growing together as well as in the love and care the teachers have for each child.

Chapel services each Wednesday morning at nine o'clock are only one opportunity to share the story of our faith with these children.  The greater opportunities come in the interactions we share in the school building?in classrooms, in hallways and in the office.  The chapel services follow a simplified Service of the Word: the children sing praises in hymn and song; they offer their prayers.  Older children learn to lead congregational worship through roles as assisting ministers, reading scripture aloud, leading prayers, acolyte duties, and ushering.

Thursdays are my busy day as I meet with each class from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.  In the upper grades (6-8) I teach an informal curriculum based on the chief parts of the catechism - the Ten Commandments, the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.  Our discussions are lively and enthusiastic as the children learn the core teaching of our faith and sometimes challenge that teaching.  Lower grades receive shorter visits in which we talk about themes from chapel services, special holidays and commemorations of the church.  In these visits I often find myself answering questions the students bring about God.

I can truly say I find joy in teaching the children and responding to their excitement and their questions.  Once again this work has proven to be a burden worth carrying.

Evangelism 

Submitted by Clyde Bennett, Chair

Our function as the Evangelism Commission is keep our homebound members in touch with the Church.  It is our way of serving those who, otherwise, could not attend Church.  In the past visits have been most welcomed. 

God bless. 

Property Commission

Submitted by William Tuccillo, Chair

2007 was a typical year, in that almost all of the Church property needed work, except for the School Building at 415 Ovington leased to the Department of Education. Some of the highlights of the tasks accomplished in 2007 are:

Church Building

1. Rebuilt and painted window frames on Ovington and Fourth Avenue.
2. Repaired and/or replaced hymnal holders.
3. Installed two new benches in the alley.
4. Installed new brass handrails on the altar stars.
5. Re-lamped fixtures in Sanctuary.
6. Repaired tower roof.
7. Installed covers on roof gutters.

Parish Room

1. Snaked all Parish Room drains.

411 Ovington - Bay Ridge Center Offices

1. Repaired plaster and painted various interior walls and ceilings.

440 Ovington - LES

1. Painted Pre-K to 3rd grade rooms, office and front hall.
2. Painted the garage.
3. Replaced a few bathroom toilets.
4. Repaired and painted various ceilings.
5. Replaced about 1/3 of the light fixture ballasts and several light fixtures.
6. Removed trees that fell during the cyclone behind 440.
7. Snaked the back drains.
8. Installed rear fence and raised the existing back fence.
9. Sealed the back wall.
10. Covered dirt patches in back yard with mesh.
11. Replaced batteries in emergency lights throughout the building.
12. Installed new handrail out side the lunchroom.

450 Ovington - Parsonage

1. Sheetrocked, plastered and painted various areas.
2. Removed trees that fell during the cyclone behind 450.

Dorcas Guild 

Submitted by Madeline Romano

Dorcas meets on the third Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m.
We have about 17-18 ladies who participate.  The women bring their sandwiches and sometimes bake cakes for dessert with coffee.  We do a lot of craft projects.  We use old Christmas cards to make scrapbooks for the children at Lutheran Medical Center.  We also make pillows and crochet lap blankets for people in the hospital. 

This year we made 50 bags for amputee soldiers in the Walter Reed Hospital.  In the bags we put things like: tissues, shaving cream, mouthwash, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  At Christmas we had a luncheon and the Kindergarten class from LES came to sing us Christmas carols. 

Dorcas participates in some of the school activities and fundraisers such as the Parent's Night Out.  We look forward to a good and fun 2008.

Fellowship 

Submitted by Ursula Stocklmeier, Chair

The Fellowship Commission and several "Hosts" coordinated the distribution of refreshments for the following events:

- The Epiphany Coffee Hour (Vicki)
- The Annual Meeting Coffee Hour
- Valentines Coffee Hour
- The Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper
- Scout Sunday Coffee Hour
- March Coffee Hour
- St. Patrick's Day Coffee Hour
- Easter Breakfast
- Two April Coffee Hours
- Howard Kaliebe's 90th Birthday Coffee Hour
- Mother's Day/Dorothy Topp's 95th Birthday Coffee Hour
- Confirmation Day Coffee Hour
- Baccalaureate Sunday Coffee Hour (Church)
- Father's Day/BBC Recognition Sunday Coffee Hour
- New Members Sunday Coffee Hour
- Coffee Hour for Lillian Hansen & Marion Grimm's 40th Anniversary (Church)
- First Holy Communion Coffee Hour (Laurie)
- October Coffee Hour
- Youth Room Coffee Hour (Pastor)
- Bay Ridge Center Sunday Coffee Hour  (Liz)
- Two December Coffee Hours
- Pageant Luncheon w/Coffee Hour (Lorraine)

Thanks to all Commission members and "Hosts"!

LES After School & Summer Camp 

Submitted by Victoria Hofmo

L.E.S. After School - We currently have an enrollment of 56 hildren and a staff of 10.  Our program runs from 2:45 - 6:30, as well as from noon - 3:00 on ½ days and 8:00 - 6:30 on vacation days.  We provide pick-up service from 6 local schools and 3 children arrive on their own.  We have had to provide an additional bus to deal with our increase in enrollment.  This is being provided by The Bay Ridge Center For Older Adults.   

We provide homework assistance, a snack, recreational activities, art, community service projects, monthly trips and performances.  In March we held our Multicultural Festival.  The children perform songs and dancers from a variety of countries for their families.  Afterwards we all come back to the school for a feast.  Every family brings a plate of food from their country of origin and then we dig in.  For Valentine's Day we held a performance at the Norwegian Christian Home.  In June the children performed for their parents at their annual circus.  At Thanksgiving we went to the St. Nicholas Home and brought cards.   We also went there at Christmas to sing and than headed to the salty Dog for hot chocolate.

We are also providing monthly Enhancements Programs through artists Janet Cerrutti and these are open to all students of L.E.S..  She worked with us this past summer.  One of our staff who is also a member of Bethlehem, Michael Pietrafesa volunteered to teach recorder to our students.  The students had to agree to practice for 1 hour a week and come in prepared on Friday for class.  There are 11 students involved.  They will be performing at the Norwegian Christian Home for Valentine's Day and for our families at the Multicultural Festival.

Summer Camp - Each week is theme-based and includes three trips.  The other two days we are on site.  We integrate cooking, art and sports, and environmental projects.  Our fencing instructor continues to work with us weekly.  This year we added a weekly La Crosse program.  Krystle Pietrafesa serves as our Assistant Director of the Summer Camp, as well as the After School Program.
Probably the highlight of the year was when we were hit with the tornado, which looped off the top of a huge tree and decided to encroach on 2/3rds of the playground during our last week of camp.  Luckily, there was no human injury. 

We held our first Open House for Summer Camp in early Spring in the second in June.  Our Summer Camp Reunion was held in March so that our families can get together and re-register if they are interested.

You can assist us by recommending our programs to your families and neighbors.  Look for our Open House in the Beth Star. 

Other Commission Reports 

Additional reports were presented and distributed regarding our Lutheran Elementary School and Property Commission.  Hard copies are available upon request. 

The Heart of Bay Ridge

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Sunday Service: 10:30 am
Fourth & Ovington Avenues - 718-748-9502

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