Pilgrim has had another active and enlightening year. I am privileged to serve as moderator, and have learned much from the entire congregation during the past year. We worshipped together, enjoyed each others’ fellowship, and worked together. The activities of the different boards and committees are described in their annual reports, but I thought that listing some of the activities all in one location would give a good overview of the broad scope of our “little” church’s ministry.

Children’s Sunday

Multi-church picnic

Wheelchair, first aid supplies, defibrillator and training

Staff Compensation Evaluations completed

Christmas in July planning

Collecting school supplies, eyeglasses, cell phones, coupons

Food service for the homeless shelter

Eight Points of Progressive Christianity

Peterson Concerts – Kevin Thompson and Lea

Contemporary Praise Services

Updated and enhanced website

Stewardship visits to all members

Adopt a road program

Planning for another Back Bay Mission trip

Halloween Party

New membership luncheons and receptions

Confirmation class and Confirmation

Bible study class

A successful Stewardship campaign

Our new office administrator, Susan Higgins

SERV project

Pilgrim Goes Green

Alternative Gift Market

Hanging of the Greens

Advent Workshop and dinner

Christmas Pageant, “The Littlest Angel,” with original music

Our new Treasurer, Ann Smid

Church financial audit

New hymnals for the choir

Poetry pot luck (and other pot lucks)

Men’s Valentine Breakfast

Plans for the choir to participate in the 2008 Advent Festival in Prague

Games night (Scrabble, anyone?)

1776 at Olney Theater

Sunday School and children’s time

Special Christmas and Easter music, and our wonderful music program

Multi-church concert to celebrate (belatedly) the 50^th anniversary of the UCC

“Where are they now?” feature in the newsletter

Progress on the building project

Excellent refreshments every Sunday

Leaf raking, clean ups, and painting with B&G

Baby showers (and babies!)

Support and care for church members in need, and for our wider missions

And last but not least, Sunday worship

I’m sure I’ve forgotten some very important activities, but I am amazed at how much we have done! The dedication and hard work of everyone has made the Pilgrim community possible. I look forward to the coming year.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta Campbell

Moderator

Church Council Staff Compensation Subcommittee

Members: Roberta Campbell, Nancy Fey, Wade Kornegay, Miles Smid, Sue-Jean Suettinger, Charles Cunningham, Bob Suettinger

The following staff members received a review under the direction of the Subcommittee in the fall of 2007: Pastor, Office Manager, Music Director, and Choral Director. Other compensated positions may be added to the process in later years. For each staff member, the review was conducted by teams as follows:

Pastor Review Team – Roberta Campbell, Nancy Fey, Wade Kornegay

Office Manager Review Team – Steve Anderson, Miles Smid, Jeff Stinehelfer

Music Director Review Team – Charles Cunningham, Wade Kornegay, Sue-Jean Suettinger

Choral Director Review Team – Charles Cunningham, Wade Kornegay, Sue-Jean Suettinger

For this year, the Music Director and Choir Director were reviewed as a team. The first individual listed under each team was the team leader for that review.

Comments obtained from this year’s Stewardship Committee meetings were considered, as well as comments from the Boards and Committees and the individuals being reviewed. In addition, the Subcommittee sought input from individuals who might wish to make contributions to the staff reviews.

Each of the four positions was reviewed using specific criteria. The Subcommittee assembled the comments from all sources and met with the staff members. Following the meetings and feedback from the staff members, the Subcommittee met again to formulate recommendations for changes in staff compensation for 2008. Based on the changes in cost of living and the excellent performance of the staff, a 4% increase was recommended to the Council and subsequently to the Congregation at the October 21, 2007 Congregational Meeting. The recommended increase was approved.

The specific contents of an individual staff member’s review will not be disclosed to the full congregation, but the team leaders are available to discuss the reviews with individual members of the church upon request. Reviews for the year 2008 will take place prior to the October 2008 Congregational Meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta Campbell

Moderator

Clerk’s Report

Membership May 1, 2007 149

New Members 3

Matthew G. Hartman

Kate Henriksen

Keith Ohlinger

Deaths 1

Delores Crews

Transfers 2

James R. Newman

Margaret M. Newman

Removed by Request 1

Michael Bean

Baptisms 4

Trevor James May

Mia Elizabeth Whitcomb

Gabrielle Marie Ohlinger

Luke Everet Hartman

Membership April 30, 2008 148

Respectfully submitted

Fred Evans, Clerk

Board of Trustees

MEMBERS:

NANCY FEY, Chair

RUSS DECAMP, Vice Chair

TOM CREWS

KEN HOLLIES

SUE-JEAN SUETTINGER

DEAN SWANSON

PAT PILLSBURY

FRED EVANS

JOHN DAY, Treasurer through 2007

ANN SMID, Treasurer commencing 2008

During the past year, the Board of Trustees has continued to experience frustration in the process of attempting to sell our land for the purpose of financing the church expansion plans. We have a continuing contract with our broker, Fraser Forbes, who has been working with us for several years. However, the severe recession in the properties such as ours has hindered a sale. In an effort to locate a non-builder purchaser, we contacted the Montgomery County Park and Planning Department to determine whether they would be interested in buying the land for park purposes. They did undertake a study of the possibilities, but concluded that the property did not meet their needs.

At the end of 2006, the Trustees had concluded that despite all the negative aspects of the land sale market at the present time, we had to press ahead to determine for ourselves, in the absence of the contract with a builder/developer for purchase of the land, to develop a site plan for the property to facilitate the process of subdividing the property. We made some initial forays into this process, but, at the same time, decided to attempt to investigate possibly less expensive ways to build the new addition, thereby possibly allowing us to build without having to sell our land first.

Sue-Jean Suettinger, in her dual role as head of the New Building Committee and Trustee, began the process by looking into the feasibility of steel building construction. Although we came to realize that such construction would not necessarily be feasible and a cost saver for us, it led her to dialogue with members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, who have just completed construction of a new church building. Their contractor, Bob Hammen came highly recommended, and, as a participating contractor with a group called “Building God’s Way”, which attempts to effect cost savings for church groups by mass purchases, he suggested that there may be ways, with both sweat equity and group cost savings to eventually realize some cost savings over traditional contractor relationships. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees and members of the New Building Committee commenced meeting with Mr. Hammen and his associate, Mike Singleton to discuss construction alternatives and costs. We also recommended meeting with our architect and have had had several meetings with a civil engineer who is prepared to work with us. As a result of these discussions, the Trustees have become very optimistic that the building project can become a reality and have directed the architect to develop drawings to 40% of complete so that we can have much more specific cost estimates. We are no exploring realistic financing alternative.

With the very able help and leadership of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Steve Anderson’s hard work, the parsonage was again rented last September, with essentially no loss of rent.

Other matters for Board attention have included

(1) Monitoring the financial condition of the Church on an on-going basis, a task made easy by the consistent and responsible record of payments from members and friends, and by the careful attention to detail of our former Treasurer, John Day; our current Treasurer, Ann Smid; and of our Financial Secretary, Eleanor Austin. These are very time-consuming and responsible jobs and the congregation owes a large debt of gratitude John, Eleanor and Ann.

(2) Monitored use of the church by other congregations and set rental rates and increases. Authorized the continue license to the Glenmont Seventh Day Adventist congregation, after an initial trial period, such that there are now four congregations, in addition, to Pilgrim Church, which use our facilities every week.

(3) Responded to building use requests.

(4) Through the participation of the Chair, assisted in developing recommended policies and procedures for reviewing employee compensation.

Submitted by,

Nancy Fey, Chair

Christian Education

The Christian Education Committee started the 2007-2009 years full of energy and exciting ideas for the Youth and Adults of the church.

The Church school with Jessica Sawyer as its Supernatant has gone smoothly and well staffed with dedicated teachers.

The Confirmation Class of 4 young ladies met on the given days and with the teachings of Rev. Steve and Bettie Kornegay proved to be excellent. The schedule classes and lessons were very timely and interesting to the young ladies.

Our big project is coming up. We will be changing the Crib Room with the middle classroom, painting both rooms and adding new equipment to the crib room. Watch for the improvement which will start very early June.

Our “EIGHT POINTS TO PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY” went very well with all the groups. Read full report from Bob in this our annual report.

Bettie Kornegay, Chair of Christian Education

Bob Suettinger

Mark Mowrey

Janet Owens

Jessica Sayers

Donna Sawyers

Fiona Harsfall

Board for Christian Mission and Service

Members: Rev. Steve Anderson, Gil Austin, Kirsten Candia, Krissi Disharoon,

Hue Owen, Chris Pletcher, Sandra Reynolds, Marla Schrader and

Jay Whitcomb.

The Board’s goal is to educate and to involve the congregation in various Mission projects.

In the summer of 2007 the board donated $2500 to Interfaith Works (formerly CMMC) as well as school supplies were collected for needy school children in Montgomery County.

In November 2007, cooking and serving dinner for a week at the Community Shelter in Rockville went well and will be repeated in November 2008. We had 23 volunteers and approx. $1232 was spent.

Again Community Ministries of Montgomery County (CMMC) was supported by participating in the Holiday Linkage 2007 program, providing 4 local families with Thanksgiving Dinner groceries and provided Giant and Shoppers gift cards as well as gift cards for 12 children and 8 adults for Christmas. A total of $1,978.94 was spent.

Shaw Ministries of Washington DC was given $200 for purchase of turkeys for Thanksgiving which were distributed by them to needy families.

The SERRV Christmas gifts ordering from a catalog was very popular for the 2^nd year and we started this year in September 2007. Handcrafters from all around the world offer their beautiful items at a fair price. The difference in the purchase order bill and SERRV’s discount to Pilgrim Church of approximately $170 was donated to Global Ministries for the Aids Program of Africa.

In addition Heifer’s, OGHOS’ and Global Ministries’ alternative gift market was offered in November and December 2007

Collection of used cell phones and eye glasses continues. The cell phones are being donated to crime victims, giving them the opportunity to call 911 if needed as well as glasses.

The disbursement of the Sunday school offering involved the kids’ in choosing different missions, such as the Heifer project.

Pilgrim Church was approved to give community service hours to students.

We still need to work on “becoming more green” at Pilgrim, meaning that we give some tips on how we can live more environmental friendlier involving all boards and committees. This has been approved by Council. “Adopt a Road application” is still pending.

Fundraiser for support of the 2^nd Biloxi work trip from August 19 to 23, 2008. Board approved $1500 from budget for purchase of building material.

The board started to gather information about the possibility of sponsorship of a refugee family.

Once again, during my 3^rd year as a Chair, I would like to thank all of the Board members for their time and help as well as the Congregation for the supporting the Mission and Service Board throughout the year so generously. In addition, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to serve on this Board.

Kirsten Candia

Chair

Board for Christian Worship

The Worship Board is grateful for the congregation’s continuing support toward fulfilling our communal responsibilities during the worship service. Your volunteer participation has been fantastic and we thank you! Below, we outline for you a few of our responsibilities and labors of love over this past year:

SERVICES OF WORSHIP

Celebrations of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month offered with accommodation for all—those with wheat allergies and those preferring wheat bread.

Hymn Sunday during which a few members of the congregation shared the history and special meaning of a hymn that was a favorite.

Summer Worship Services led by Pilgrim’s Lay Preachers provide the opportunity to share in the spiritual journey of a Pilgrim member. And, not insignificantly, gifts the church with financial savings. This year we were blessed with three talented members, Jim Goodwin and Rev. Bill Tuck (with special assistance from Anne Tuck), who graciously took on this responsibility.

Facilitating the flow of the service during Steve’s absence. Worship Board members take the lead in transitioning the celebratory components of the worship service in the absence of the minister.

Homecoming Sunday we enthusiastically welcomed one another’s return from vacations and joyfully shared our photographic memories of favorite activities, both far and near as we shared a light lunch together.

World Communion Sunday included children bringing forward breads representing North, South, East and West during the Children’s Story

Christmas Eve Services held early for families and later in a solemn service of communion.

Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday celebrated by an outstanding choir presentation highlighted with a sermon delivered by Bettie Kornegay

Maundy Thursday Supper and Service of Tenebrae commemorated with a simple soup meal (contributions given to charity) followed by a powerful service of readings and music in the darkened sanctuary.

Palm Sunday celebrated with special music and distribution of palm fronds.

Easter Sunday gloriously celebrated in sermon, music, and an Easter Garden to remember in an annual celebration of Bob Pfeiffer’s Easter Garden legacy.

Special thanks to Nancy and Jim Fey for their enthusiastic support in continuing this much-loved tradition.

CONTINUING WORK OF THE WORSHIP BOARD

Review of the worship experience occurs regularly at our board meetings when we evaluate whether the elements of the services are meaningful or whether creating new approaches would enrich the service. This year we participated with the Music Committee in planning and holding three experimental services termed Praise and Worship Services. The intent was to explore whether we could create a meaningful alternative to our traditional order of worship that might lend itself to expanding the worship experience to people not currently being served in our local community.

Special Spring and Fall Retreats are held to give additional time to planning Worship Board responsibilities

“Christmas in July” gives special opportunity for Worship Board’s input and ideas for building on traditional aspects of the worship service and exploring new approaches during the Christmas holiday season.

Pulpit coverage is arranged during Steve’s vacation times with guest and lay preachers. Special guidelines have been developed for worship board members to aid them in assisting those filling the pulpit while maintaining a familiar flow to the worship service. Each year we budget for seven guest ministers throughout the year, but are often blessed with volunteers from our congregation willing to fill the pulpit.

Recruitment of Ushers, Liturgists and Communion Servers is an ongoing task which requires the support of the congregation. We are truly grateful for the willingness of so many members of our congregation to fill these needs during the year

Fresh Flowers are graciously provided by members of the congregation with a small supplement supplied from the Worship Board budget to help keep costs low for individuals

As we approach a new year of our work, we promise to prayerfully explore the worship life at Pilgrim Church in an effort to provide a spiritually uplifting worship experience for the congregation and new visitors every Sunday; and to use the funds that we are allotted wisely and fruitfully.

Respectfully submitted,

Stan Vossler, Chair

Rick Jones, Secretary and Nominating Committee Rep

Becky Merrill, Flower Chairperson

Jessica Sawyer, Council Rep

Jacquie Tennant, Recruitment of Ushers, Liturgists, and Communion Servers

Providing indispensable support: Sherry Santana Linda DeCamp Bob Tolman

Anne Tuck Wade Kornegay

Building and Grounds Committee

Members: Marco Candia, Tom Carter, Imelda Evans, Jim Fey, Joe Rock, Miles Smid, Nancy Whitcomb

During the past year the Building and Grounds Committee conducted a variety of day-to-day activities to maintain the Church facility, with great help from Steve Anderson on many occasions. We held two workdays for general maintenance of the Church grounds (one in the fall and one on April 19).

Two major initiatives were refurbishing of the parsonage building in preparation for the new tenant who began rental of that facility in September 2007. Despite some rough patches in working out the tenant/renter relationship, things now seem on a relatively steady heading. Many members of the congregation contributed great effort to the refurbishing effort. Tom Disharoon has applied his particular expertise in furnace repair and plumbing matters on several occasions. Miles Smid and Steve Anderson have been particularly helpful in responding to tenant concerns.

In response to repeated calls for removal of the decaying annex (formerly) portable structure, we have received bids for that project and anticipate action in the next month or so.

Evangelism and Church Growth Committee

A planning retreat in the fall of 2007 launched an ambitious program of activities by the Evangelism and Church Growth Committee:

Pilgrim’s website is improved (thanks to Jerry Silvious and Susan Higgins)
The display of member photos is being updated (thanks to Penny Lee)
Greeters extend a warm welcome to all who arrive for Sunday services (thanks to all who volunteer for duty!)
The church picnic, with participation of our tenant congregations, continues successfully each summer (thanks to Fellowship Committee)
An application is in process for a “vitality” grant from the UCC, for the purpose of acquiring matching funds to increase evangelism efforts
A spring “yard sale”, reaching out to our neighborhood and community, will benefit this year’s Gulf Coast service project
New portable signage is available to promote special services and events
An effort is underway to discern programs appealing to young families
The committee keeps informed regarding the public image of the UCC
Pilgrim welcomes new members Keith Ohlinger and Kate Henriksen and daughter Gabriel, and Matt Hartman and family (Diane, Kayla, Luke)
The prospect is likely that another group will soon become members
Newspaper advertising during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons has provided positive publicity for Pilgrim, and will be continued
The committee has reminded Pilgrims that evangelism and church growth is a responsibility and opportunity shared by the entire congregation
Plans are being made for an “evangelism weekend” (September 14-15), with Rev. David Schoen, chief evangelism minister of the national UCC

Committee members: Marie Horn, Mary Ann Ohlinger, Robbin Anapolle, Miles Smid, Sue Goodwin, Frederike Jennings, Carol Cuthbertson, Matt Hartman, Jeff Stinehelfer (Chair)

Fellowship Activities Committee

The mission of the Fellowship committee is to provide hospitality to all who walk through the doors of Pilgrim Church on Sunday mornings, to plan regular social events that gather the church family together, and to provide support to other boards and committees which are holding events with a fellowship component.

On-going responsibilities of the Committee include providing refreshments after each worship service throughout the entire year, and to maintain adequate supply of the appropriate paper goods for all church needs.

The Fellowship Committee has actively planned and/or supported Pilgrim social events throughout the year as enumerated below:

September - Supported Music Committee in executing the Peterson Concert

on September 21.

October - Executed Halloween Fun & Food “Free for All” party on October

28.

November - Supported Stewardship Committee in after-service fellowship on

Stewardship Sunday, November 11.

December - Supported Worship Board for Christmas Eve reception between

services.

February - Supported Stan Vossler in the presentation of his annual Poetry

Party on February 2.

- Supported with supplies & volunteers, the Men’s Valentine’s Day

Breakfast on February 11.

March - Supported Music Committee in executing the Peterson Concert

on March 8.

May - Executed “Games Pilgrims Play --- with Pizza” party on

May 3.

These are the up-to-date activities of the Fellowship Committee as planned through May 12. We will continue to meet once a month throughout the balance of the 2007-08 year.

Members:

Steed Edwards – chair

Jane Anderson

Nancy Fey

Jim Fey

Cindy Hollies

Gil Austin

Virginia Garber

Marsh Ogden

Music Committee

Members: Joye Saxon, Analisa Rusnack, Belle Cunningham, Charles Cunningham, Imelda Evans, Jim Goodwin, Roberta Campbell, Debbie Houston (ex officio), and Michael Santana (ex officio)

Pilgrim is indeed grateful for the talents and leadership of our Music Director, Debbie Houston, and our Choir Director, Michael Santana, and for the joyful dedication of the choir.

The Pilgrim Petersen Memorial Concert Series continued with a September 21, 2007 recital by Kevin Thompson, basso profundo, and a March 8, 2008 performance by Lea, a contemporary folk singer/songwriter/guitarist. Both concerts were well-received and well-attended, with calorie-laden receptions following.

Throughout the year, the Committee has worked to plan and bring about a combined choir concert with other UCC churches in the Association. The concert will take place on May 17 at the University Baptist Church in College Park, and will benefit Shaw Community Ministry.

Plans are well underway for the choir to participate in an Advent Festival in Prague during the month of November, with additional performances in Salzburg and Vienna.

Contemporary Praise worship services have been conducted periodically during the year, in cooperation with the Worship Board. An additional service is planned for June, after which the Committee will make plans for the coming year.

The Christmas Season brought additional professional musicians to accompany the choir’s special music, and a transition to a new director for the Christmas Pageant.

Respectfully submitted,

Roberta Campbell

Acting Chair

New Building Committee

With the unexpected disappointments in the Church’s land sale experience of the past three years, the Board of Trustees was very mindful of the delay and negative impact that it was having on progress of the new expansion. Therefore, as the Trustees continued to pursue prospects for selling the land, these efforts were combined with a reassessment of the new building project, which included examining construction and financing options. The reassessment involved updating cost estimates, looking into alternative building methods and materials, and exploring available financial assistance. This report will focus on the Trustees’ efforts of getting an update on current costs and putting together a professional team to develop a plan for moving forward.

As the concept of potential cost savings with a steel building design was introduced to the Trustees last summer, we began researching different steel construction companies and followed up with a general contractor that was highly recommended by St. Andrew Lutheran Church, whose new building on New Hampshire Avenue was recently completed. The general contractor, Hammen Contracting Inc., is a local representative of Building God’s Way, a company dedicated to serving church communities only and has built churches all over the United States.

After several meetings, including touring the new St. Andrew’s church building, the Trustees asked Hammen Contracting to work with us and our architect, Architects at Work, to develop a plan and budget for the new building. Hammen Contracting pointed out that we would need to have the design drawings at a 40% level of detail before they could give us a more accurate cost estimate. They have offered to work with us at no cost to get to this point before signing a contract. We therefore asked the architect to proceed with getting the design drawings to that level with input from Hammen Contracting on alternative construction materials that could yield potential savings. In April, Architects at Work met with Montgomery County planning officials for a preliminary code review so that new requirements could be incorporated into the existing design. The drawings at 40% of detail should be completed shortly. Through the suggestion of Hammen Contracting, we have also obtained an estimate for civil engineering work from the firm Johnson, Bernat Associates, Inc. The work provided by the team of professionals will give us a detailed plan with time line and more accurate estimates of project costs. This in turn will enable us to assess our financial options more realistically and move forward on what kind of decisions have to be made.

Respectfully submitted by

Sue-Jean Suettinger

Parish Care Committee

The Parish Care committee assists the minister in extending the ministry of the church to individuals of the congregation in many ways. Meals, calls and cards are provided to members and friends in times of bereavement, illness, recuperation and celebrations.

When Delores Crews was in the hospital we provided assistance with Diane with the help of Eleanor Austin, Carol Cuthbertson and Imelda Evans. They, along with Marsha and Leigh Ogden helped with the reception after the memorial service for Delores.

With the help of Eleanor and Gil Austin, Carol Cuthbertson, Sue Jean Suettinger, Marsha and Leigh Ogden, Imelda Evans and Joe Rock, we moved Marie Horn from one apartment to another.