WELCOMING AND EVANGELISM COMMITTEE REPORT

At the beginning of a New Year it is well to take account of work well done and celebrate those accomplishments before tackling the challenges that lie ahead.

Thanks are due Bev Boyle, Vicki Canterbury, Krista Sullivan, Jodi Eick, Roger Smith, Kelly DeSmet, Sharon Lund, Sherri Afryl and new members Tim Hammond and Molly Anthony for the many hours of dedicated work it has taken to complete the tasks listed below.

• Recruited a dozen new ushers/greeters in tandem with the Liturgy and Music Committee.  We also worked together to purchase badges for all ushers.

• Welcoming bags have been made available for guests at all services and a letter from the Rector is sent to each visitor the following Monday.

• Increased membership in the Welcoming & Evangelism Committee from two to nine active members.

• Sponsored three newcomer's events.

• Purchased two large banners to hang outside of the parish hall on the parking lot side of the Church.  The banners were paid for with grant funds from the Diocese of Minnesota.  More than 90% of the traffic in and out of the Church comes through the side doors.

• Renovated our side entrance by painting the inside doors red and putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling.  A stained glass window has been installed over the outside doors.  An 8'x4' bulletin board with a tract rack across the bottom has been hung in the entryway.  Episcopal Church pamphlets and information about St. John's is always available to folks who drop by.  The Episcopal Shield beside the entrance has been spotlighted. This project was completed through the use of a $5,000 gift received by the Gifts and Memorial Committee that had been designated for this purpose.

• The front of the Church has been virtually invisible at night due to a lack of lighting.  We have a beautiful rose window and another handsome stained glass window over the front doors that had never been backlit.  Through the electrical expertise of Mark Hosfield and Roger Smith and a $500 donation for materials, spotlights have been installed.  The results are stunning. 

• For the first time in recollection St. John's participated in the annual eight- week Market Fest along with other Churches in the area.  The Fellowship Committee took the lead on this project that was funded in part by a marketing grant from the Diocese of Minnesota with additional funding from the ECW.  Plans are under way for participation next summer.

• Posters were ordered through the Church Ad project and have been hung in strategic locations. The Liturgy and Music Committee selected the posters and paid for half of the costs.

• Coffee mugs were purchased as a marketing tool for St. John's.  One per family was made available free of charge.  The ECW granted the committee $600 for seed money and, through sales of additional mugs, we hope to replenish our stock.

New members with good ideas are always needed.  Make a New Year’s resolution to join us on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 in the parlor.  If you would like to discuss membership possibilities call Therese Branby.