Historian's Report May 1, 1985 to April 30, 1986

HISTORIAN'S REPORT May 1, 1985 - April 30, 1986

With Park Dickerson's firm and reassuring hand at the helm, and under the continuing presidency of Marston Ames, First Congregational Church maintained a steady course during the year just past. The gains made during the previous year, especially the success of the Building Renewal Fund drive, were consolidated as the Church moved forward. That drive, with a stated goal of $160,000, was heartwarmingly over-subscribed, with pledges and gifts totaling better than $231,000; and this proved fortunate, because some costs went well beyond the original estimates. The stewardship pledge drive for the '86 - '87 year, setting its sights on $115,000, has nearly reached that goal.

The Church's progress was aided immensely, as always, by the inspiring enthusiasm of Steve Cutaia and many other devoted volunteers. To list them all by name would be to risk the inadvertent omission of some who richly deserve mention. Suffice it to say that their efforts not only preserved but improved the beauty of the Church and its grounds. The beauty of the sanctuary has also been enhanced by Howard Van Vleck's gift o£ the Steinway grand piano that belonged to his mother.

Three different and alternating orders of worship were introduced for the Sunday services, with emphasis on the increased use of prayers and confessions of faith. Average attendance was up slightly from the previous year, while membership held steady. The ever-moving Christmas festivities were marked by solemn remembrances of things past and thoughts of things to come, as well as by the traditional appearance of Santa Claus and the splendid Christmas tree in the Guild Room.

Under the vigorous leadership of Betty Dallery, who has given a special meaning to May in Montclair, the Woman's Guild had another active and rewarding year. The annual Rummage Sale in September was a smash hit. So was the Country Store in December. So indeed was the Annual Picnic, held on June 23rd in fine weather, featuring the customary lavish feast of hot dogs,-hamburgers, potato salad and other delicacies. This was followed by a competition involving a set. of biblical puzzles, provided by Park, in which your historian displayed a shocking lack of knowledge.

Scott Coronis, a middle-school teacher at Montelair-Kimberley Academy, succeeded Donald Wray as director of the Learning Center and youth program, and his wife Shari took over the Child Care Nursery program on Sunday mornings. Scott and Shari are jointly heading up these endeavors, and their energy and enthusiasm have been reflected in the response of the young people with whom they work.

Mother's Morning Out, under the supervision of Eileen Frances and four assistants, enjoyed its fourth highly successful year, with capacity enrollment and a waiting list. This program has its own budget and a semi-autonomous position but uses Church facilities, for which it pays. It has attracted much favorable comment and attention in the community. During the year its staff proposed a 10% wage increase, to be paid for out of increased tuition. The Staff Relations Committee, under its energetic and tireless chairman, Jon Montan, devoted a great deal of time to this matter and recommended approval of the 10% increase. The Church Board disapproved it, largely on grounds that it would exceed the 4% increase. Instead, the Board proposed a Mother's Morning Out staff increase of 2.5% in base pay and 2.5% in merit pay. The Board's decision, which aroused a certain amount of controversy, was discussed at some 'length during a congregational meeting March 2nd on the proposed '86 - '87 budget. Eventually the Board agreed to a compromise increase of 4% in base pay and 3.5% in merit pay.

During the year the Church welcomed a number of guest preachers, including the Rev. Campbell Maclean and the Rev. Tom Scott from Scotland (both of them well known to many of us), and the Rev. Dr. Matthew Carter, the highly respected former Mayor of Montclair. Dr. Carter appeared in our pulpit in connection with the first observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday.

Among other guest preachers were several of our Parish Associates, again reminding us of the vast reservoir of talent in our membership. We were also reminded, Sunday after Sunday, of the superb quality of the music provided by Nixon Bicknell, the soloists and the choir. Few churches are as lucky in that respect as this one.

There was one change among the soloists: Dale Livingston succeeded Edward Pierson IV as bass-baritone.

Other changes should also be noted. Myles Tierney, our capable sexton for nearly four years, resigned to accept another position. He has been succeeded by Harvey Davis, Jr. With deep regret, Barbara Quirk resigned after almost a decade as Parish Visitor.   As Park said, she did "an outstanding job."

And Joan Kalkman, our Executive Secretary and editor of This Week, will be leaving us next month for the peace and quiet of upstate New York. Joan has served the Church in an official capacity for nearly eighteen years. In last year's report your historian described her as "indispensable," and he concludes this report by saying it again, with deep gratitude.

Dallas Townsend