Dear siblings in Christ,

On the 31st of December 2025, I completed one full year of ministry with Holy Comforter as your rector. What a joy to be able to say that! Thank you for everything you have done to welcome me among you, and for all the grace you have shown as I got to know Holy Comforter’s ways and its people, and learned my way around Burlington. At the close of a year that was difficult for so many, I give thanks for the blessing of serving with Holy Comforter.

Here is a non-exhaustive overview of some of what I’ve been involved with this year.

In the area of worship:
• We maintained our schedule of two Sunday Eucharists, except for a few Sundays when the whole congregation worshipped together at one service (for example, Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson’s visitation).
• We gained a few new acolytes of various ages.
• We baptized three children and presented one adult for confirmation.
• We offered what felt like more than our share of funerals, coming together to celebrate the resurrection and commend our departed friends to God.
• Our services for special fast and feast days, like Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, Easter Sunday, and Christmas, were just beautiful. I’m grateful to everyone who enriches our worship: all our ushers, readers, intercessors, acolytes, and lay Eucharistic ministers; the Altar Guild and Flower Guild; Director of Music Christin Baker and our choirs and guest instrumentalists; Verger Steve Swanner and Verger Emeritus Richard Parker; Rector Emeritus David Williams.
• I give thanks for the Sunshine Committee, Sunday hospitality team, and everyone who makes possible the wonderful fellowship we enjoy after Sunday services and on just about every occasion when we worship together.
• I celebrated monthly Eucharists at Brookdale and Twin Lakes: informal yet dignified services that are lovely occasions for worship and fellowship.
• As of autumn 2025, for the first time since the pandemic, four re-trained lay Eucharistic visitors have been visiting parishioners who can’t attend church. For their partnership in worship and pastoral care, I thank them.

In Christian formation:
• We formed a Kids’ Team that supports Jocelyn Safrit, fellow catechist Mourine Todd, and atrium assistants in their work with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and also supports special events.
• We held a one-day Vacation Bible School headed by Brad Lingerfelt and executed by a large team. We hope to repeat the experience this year, perhaps for three days this time.
• We were chosen to be part of a pilot group of three churches in our diocese to beta-test the application and execution process for a Lilly grant to promote intergenerational worship. More news about this will be forthcoming soon.
• On Sunday mornings, I led Bible studies of various sorts for adults (also suitable for older teens). For the next several months, we will be studying The Path: A Journey Through the Bible together.
• In late spring, we plan to call a part-time (20 hours per week) co-ordinator for children and youth ministries mid-year, as Jocelyn plans to transition off the staff back to her role as an active parishioner, a catechist, and a leader with the kids’ team. I’m grateful for your pledges and gifts that have enabled the vestry to include this position in our budget.
        • Children and youth ministries is an area of our life that is growing and needs increased investment. We particularly need to discern and support the formation and fellowship needs of our teen members.

In pastoral care:
• We have trained one new Stephen Ministry leader as well as new Stephen Ministers. Thanks be to God for this ministry of presence and listening.
• I visited people who could not physically attend our Eucharists, either sharing the reserved sacrament with them or celebrating the Eucharist with them.
• I give thanks for the support of lay Eucharistic visitors and Rector Emeritus David Williams; for everyone who makes sure I am aware of pastoral needs in our parish; and for our ever-caring Sunshine Committee.
• Thanks, too, for every contribution to the rector’s discretionary fund. Your gifts have paid mainly for utilities, rent, medical and dental bills, and educational expenses. You have made it possible for people to stay in their homes with the resources we all need (light, heat, water). All payments from the fund remain anonymous, but every recipient expresses deep gratitude for the blessings your loving gifts make possible.

In administration:
• I have been blessed to work with a talented vestry, finance committee, personnel commission, and endowment board in stewarding the resources entrusted to Holy Comforter.
• When I arrived at Holy Comforter, I stepped into serving with a marvelous staff of colleagues. I’m grateful for their spirit of service and their dedication to our ministries.
• I helped the vestry write new leases for our tenants when necessary, and shepherded those leases through the diocesan approval process.
• I worked with the vestry, and then with the larger congregation, on casting a strategic vision for the next 18 to 36 months. We are already seeing some fruit of that process, such as adding resources for children’s and youth ministries to the 2026 budget and upgrading some of our audio-visual equipment.

I look forward to continuing to grow in faith together in 2026.

In the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rhonda

The defining theme of 2025 at Holy Comforter was new leadership and renewed direction. We welcomed the Rev. Rhonda M. Lee, PhD, as our rector on January 1, 2025, and observed her Celebration of New Ministry in April. Much of the year was spent getting to know one another - parish and rector alike - while strengthening programs that had naturally been quieter during our interim period.

One area of renewed focus was Adult Christian Formation. Teaching was a clear strength Rhonda brought to the parish, and her leadership has helped reestablish adult formation as an important part of our shared life. These offerings have provided meaningful opportunities for learning, discussion, and spiritual growth.

The vestry also turned its attention to strategic planning. After dedicating significant time to the rector search, we began asking, What is God calling us to next? Over the summer, the vestry engaged in planning exercises to clarify priorities and develop a vision for the next phase of our parish’s life.

This work led to three Town Hall gatherings in the fall, where the vestry shared proposed priorities and invited parish feedback. Those conversations emphasized the importance of sustainability in our worship, outreach, and ministries for all ages. Parishioners also affirmed the central roles of discipleship, community, accessibility, and stewardship in supporting our mission.

From these discussions, several next steps emerged, including continued discernment on the Grove Project (and the formation of a steering committee), expanded training opportunities for readers and greeters, and ongoing evaluation of audiovisual capabilities and planned giving education and opportunities.

Just as importantly, the insights gained through strategic planning and the Town Halls helped shape our With Faith, Abundance pledge campaign and informed the vestry’s approach to budget planning for 2026. The priorities named by the parish guided our financial decisions, helping ensure that our resources are aligned with the ministries and values we are called to sustain and grow.

As we move forward, Holy Comforter does so with a clear sense of direction, shared purpose, and renewed commitment to faithful stewardship. I am deeply grateful for the leadership and service of our lay leaders, vestry members, and staff, whose dedication and collaboration continue to strengthen our parish. Together, with trust in God’s provision and guidance, we look ahead to the next season of our lives as a community.

With gratitude,
Julie Swanner
Senior Warden

2025 was another busy year for repairs and maintenance (R&M) on our aging buildings, infrastructure and support systems. Luckily no huge expenditures but quite a few that fell in the $10k+ range and plenty of smaller projects and repairs. Listed below are some of the highlights of R&M and improvements for 2025

Heating and Cooling:
• Pipe Insulation – We cool our building by circulating cold water through piping that goes to individual heat exchangers. These pipes are insulated to prevent them from sweating as a result of humid air condensing on the cold surface. Our insulation was old and failing in a bunch of areas. This resulted in water dripping off the pipes and onto ceiling tiles through out the first and second floor. This was done in several stages but this was one of the $10K+ projects.
• Heat: The building is heated in a similar fashion. Hot water is pumped from the boiler through a different set of pipes. There are two pumps that distribute that hot water. We had to replace one of those pumps, yup…$10k
• We had several valves, blower motors and related parts that needed to be replaced in the wall units in various offices over the course of the year. Individually these were smaller repairs but ultimately add up. These repairs were often part of the routine checks and maintenance that we have scheduled each year

Plumbing:
The usual issues with stuck valves in a few of the toilets, faucets that needed replacing, some piping and valves that needed to be replaced and one broken pipe. All in all not too bad a year.

St A’s:
The high strength window covering that protect the priceless stained-glass windows were replaced by Lynchburg Stained Glass Co Thank you and RIP Gary Schilke who personally paid for this expensive project.

Parish House:
Some of the skirting around the bottom of the Parish House was replaced and all of it was caulked and painted.

Lighting:
The lighting in the Sanctuary and Nave was an on-going and frustrating project that ended up lasting the better part of the year. Bad bulbs were changed out with cheap bulbs that didn’t last. Some bulbs could only reached with scaffolding and were changed by King Electric. I called in help from my extended (not afraid of heights) family as well as Mark Thomas helped at various times. We now have high quality bulbs in the Sanctuary. All the bulbs in the Nave have been replaced with LED. Even the outside flood lights that shine on the Accension window behind the altar have been replaced. We are pretty well illuminated now.

Kitchen:
We have a real treasure in our fully equipped, restaurant level kitchen. Unfortunately, last year we started having issues with the chemical dispensing equipment that supplies soap and rinse agent to our commercial dishwasher. The system and chemicals are handled by EcoLabs. They stopped servicing smaller accounts like churches and we were unable to find anyone else to replace them. After repeated begging, pleading and whining I was able to convince our local EcoLab folks to help us out. They have a great service guy that got everything working again and they reactivated our account and we are good to go.

Parking lot expansion:
We explored the possibility of adding paved parking in the former “Sister’s House” lot. We go one quote for 22 spaces = $80k and decided to table that for now.

Comforter House:
• Ceiling vents and immediate area around them started showing signs of discoloration and mold. These were taken down, cleaned and repainted.
• The 5 ton HVAC gas pack that was over 20 years old died and had to be replaced. This was one of the $10k+ projects.
• We had some leaking during heavy rains that caused issues on all three floors. This was caused by some gutter and roof related issues. These were addressed fairly inexpensively.

Of course, there were plenty of other smaller projects and issues but here is a quick comparison of our total Repairs and Maintenance costs over the last 3 years:
• 2023 = $51,739
• 2024 = $43,975
• 2025 = $66,000

A big “thank you” to Kelvin Brasher, Steve Slott, Alex Stevens, David Day, Mark Thomas, Julia Buffington and all the folks that keep Holy Comforter running.

Respectfully submitted by,
George Blaisdell
Junior Warden

The 2025 vestry team included Rector Rhonda (ex-officio), Julie Swanner (senior warden), George Blaisdell (junior warden), Sid Little (assistant treasurer), Pat House (clerk), Derek Bates, Elizabeth Hansen, Kathy Hykes, Barbara Simpson, Alex Stevens, Steve Slott, and Carol Thornell.

We consider it a privilege to have assisted with the parish transition to a new rector, and to be supported by the talented Holy Comforter staff and such an engaged, committed, and generous parish. Our sincere thanks for all you do! The 2025 vestry team is pleased to share this summary of our activity in the past year (representative of motions passed, discussion outcomes, and actions taken), as follows:

• Planning and execution of Annual Meeting
• Approval of 2025 budget and completion of a successful 2025 Pledge Stewardship Campaign (thank you again, parishioners!!)
• Election of vestry officers, assignment of committee liaisons, and participation in vestry orientation
• Approval of various parish committee memberships (new and renewals)
• Establishment of broader stewardship focus and dedicated strategic planning process, culminating with prioritization presentation at parish Town Halls
• Initiation of the Grove project survey and steering committee
• Development of phased plan for addressing key campus security needs, with initial focus on securing the second-floor administrative area; security cameras, keypad, push-to-exit button, and door system controllers were installed (thanks to significant volunteer parishioner support), and project is continuing
• Oversight of the expansion of live-streaming of worship services and sound capabilities for in-person worship (also thanks to invaluable volunteer parishioner support); livestreaming is fully automated and now available on Facebook, expanded microphone use for events is possible, and worship service readers’ microphones are being adjusted manually from the pews
• Handling of ongoing maintenance and operational expense issues requiring vestry approval, such as:
o repair and replacement of boiler room piping insulation
o installation of protective window coverings at St. A’s
o new boiler pump replacement
o allocations to finish properly insulating all chilled water piping (primarily the nursery, “plate room” and adjacent bathroom)
o replace / upgrade lighting in nave, chancel, and sanctuary
o replacement of HVAC unit in Comforter House
o purchase of new office copier, and laptop computer for parish administrator
• Approval of Finance Committee recommendations:
o transfer of selected assets from Fidelity Investments to the common pooled fund of the National Episcopal Church (DFMS)
o authorization of new quarterly cash withdrawal policy from DFMS accounts (with the exception of those under purview of the Endowment Committee), in alignment with DFMS’s policy rate of distribution
o approval of Endowment Board’s recommendations for funding
• Updating of leases and attendant terms for tenants (Sons of God Assembly of Jesus Christ and Alamance County Community Services Agency [ACCSA])
• Approval of: Financial Administrator status from part-time to full-time; increased staff compensation and bonus pool; short-term disability coverage for lay employees; recommendations of Personnel Commission to enhance vacation and sick leave policies; additional paid holidays for staff as suggested by the rector and affirmed by the Personnel Commission
• Adoption of a consent agenda and event calendar standing agenda item at monthly vestry meetings, and reaffirmation of Robert’s Rules of Order as meeting framework
• Approval of Holy Comforter delegates and alternate to attend the diocesan Annual Convention
• Formation of 2025-26 Pledge Campaign Stewardship Team; announcements and pledge packet mailings commenced October 2025, and ongoing communication and updates continue into 2026
• Approval of resolution to support parish’s involvement in pilot stage of the diocesan grant for intergenerational worship
• Exploration of requested partnership with local school to rent Great Hall
• Initiation of detailed review of the 2026 budget draft
• Initiation of discussion regarding Holy Comforter’s potential as a White Flag shelter
• Continuing liaison support to parishioner/committee efforts in the following:
o Pastoral Care
o Worship
o Personnel
o Christian Formation
o Parish Life
o Communications and Technology
o Mission and Outreach
o Physical Plant

Respectfully submitted by,
Patricia House
clerk

Holy Comforter’s operating budget pays for the day-to-day cost of running our church and most of our parish programs. Total disbursements for 2025 were $562,561. About 81% of this amount came from pledges and and other unpledged gifts. About 15% came from investment income, and the rest was paid from the surplus created in 2024 when we were not paying a rector.

Personnel expenses account for 54% of our spending, and another 25% goes to maintenance, repairs, and insurance.

Certain items don’t appear in our operating budget but instead are either self funding or supported by specifically designated gifts. Examples include Newlin Partnership, LEAF, and the Flower Guild.

Like many churches and other nonprofits, Holy Comforter experienced a significant reduction in revenues in the wake of the pandemic. By 2023, revenues had dropped by almost $100,000. If we achieve our current stewardship goal (we are remarkably close), we will be within one percent of what was pledged for 2020.

We have come a long way, and we should all take pride in what we have accomplished. Rhonda has charted a promising path forward with the support of an enthusiastic Vestry. But finances continue to be on our mind. It is likely that we will have to rely on our accumulated reserves over the next three or four years as we grow into the commitments we are making to move Holy Comforter forward.

In addition to the surplus carried forward from 2024, we were the beneficiaries of a significant bequest in 2025 and have learned of another that should complete probate this year. We believe we have the resources to sustain ourselves well into the future.

We ended 2025 with $366,525 cash on hand. Our reserve accounts are 173% funded. We have investments held in the pooled investment account of the National Episcopal Church in New York and also hold some smaller accounts at Fidelity Investments in Boston. The most current values of our various accounts are as follows:
o General Endowment Fund $624,975.98
o Harden Maintenance Fund $569,129.69
o Edwin & Cecil Gant Fund 204,855.55
o Mission Fund 128,155.96
o Lawrence Holt Maintenance 117,138.99
o Puett Emergency Fund 75,101.48
o Goodale Scholarship Fund 81,919.19
o Newlin Partnership 57,531.49
o Comforter House Maintenance 3,229.05

In addition, we are the beneficiary of the Wooten Maintenance Fund held at the Alamance Community Foundation and are one of several beneficiaries of the Lawrence Holt Charitable Trust held at PNC Bank in Philadelphia. The Wooten Fund distributions flow through our operating budget, and the Holt distributions fund LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Friends at Elon University) off budget.

On behalf of the Vestry, I acknowledge with gratitude the generosity of our current parishioners as well as the long succession of benefactors that came before us. These collective gifts have enabled a special community.

Respectfully submitted by,
Sid Little
Assistant Treasurer

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter endowment consists of several funds. The Endowment BOARD administers two funds invested with The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church (DFMS).
o General Endowment Fund
o Edwin H. and Cecil Gant Fund

At the beginning of 2025, the total amount in these two funds was approximately $725,000. The Endowment BOARD of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter is pleased to report that $28,566 was distributed during 2025 from its administered funds.

From the General Endowment Fund – $23,966 to support the following ministries:
o Allied Churches
o Youth Christian Formation
o Adult Christian Formation
o Stephen Ministry
o Newlin Partnership
o Breakfast Ministry at Holy Comforter
o Burlington Community Land Trust
o Meals on Wheels

From the Edwin H. & Cecil Gant Maintenance Fund – $4,600 to support:
o Various Maintenance Needs

Thanks to your generous support, the endowment administered by the Holy Comforter Endowment BOARD received contributions in the form of memorial donations, honorary gifts, recurring gifts, and planned bequests (including a gift to establish a sub-fund to support The Grove) totaling more than $48,000 in 2025. It is projected that this endowment will start 2026 at $825,000.

The distributions for 2026 from this endowment will be determined during the spring. Assets from this endowment are restricted to mission and outreach, specific capital needs, and other purposes that support the mission and goals of the church.

The Endowment BOARD thanks everyone who made gifts throughout the year. The distributions listed above demonstrate how your support has a positive impact on the ministry of Holy Comforter. The BOARD stands ready to provide information and guidance on all future giving. Our website provides details on making gifts to the endowment: https://www.holycomforterburlington.org/endowment.

Requests for Proposals (RFP) Use of Endowment Funds – The Endowment BOARD will accept proposals in May and June from parishioners and/or parish committees/groups for the funds approved for distribution. Amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000. The application form is available from the parish administrator or from the Endowment website. Please submit completed applications to the parish administrator.

Endowment Fund Policies and Guidelines – A copy of the Holy Comforter Endowment Fund Program – Authorizing Resolutions and the Plan of Operation may be obtained online at our website (link above). A printed Endowment Fund Brochure may also be found on the website or by the church offices.

Parish Members of the Endowment BOARD
o Cheryl Dickey - At Large - thru 2027
o Pete Glidewell - At Large – Secretary - thru 2026
o Pat House – Vestry - thru 2027
o Steven House - At Large – Chair - thru 2025
o Chappy Moser - At Large - thru 2025
o Rhonda Lee - Rector - Ex Officio
o Julie Swanner - Sr. Warden - Ex Officio

Respectfully submitted by,
Steven House
chair

The Sunshine Committee takes meals to parish members who are sick. We organize and carry out funeral receptions and funeral meals for Holy Comforter Parishioners. All food is donated by parishioners. This is a large active committee with a a different team each month having 4 -6 members. We always welcome new members.

This past year 2025 was a very busy year for the Sunshine Committee.
o Funeral Receptions : 5
o Sick Meals : 70
o Priest Welcome Reception: 1

RED RIBBON SURPRISES
Under the umbrella of the Sunshine Committee are the “Red Ribbon Surprises”. These were begun by Nancy Slott as an outreach to parishioners to let them know they are being thought of. A parishioner never knows when he/she will find a Red Ribbon Surprise Treat at their front door!!!

From a Holy Comforter parishioner:
“ I was here and someone remembered “

Respectfully submitted by,
Susan Ryan
Sunshine chair

Nancy Slott   
Red Ribbon chair

Sunday Hospitality is each Sunday after the 10:30 service in the dining room off the parlor. Hostesses take turns serving home made goodies, cookies, savory treats with coffee, lemonade and water. Surprise treats are always welcomed from parishioners. Everyone is welcome to come visit with old friends and to make new ones in our Holy Comforter Parish Family.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Ryan
chair

January 2025 saw the appointment of our rector, Rhonda Lee, and our commission has been privileged to work with her throughout the year. We welcome her able leadership and her care and concern for our employees. Parishioners serving on the commission in 2025 were Jim Romer, Patrick Rudd and Hu Womack, along with the Rector, senior warden and vestry liaison, Pat House. Hu was appointed in July for a second three-year term. The commission met five times during the year.

We have been fortunate in 2025 to retain all of our dedicated staff and have added two nursery assistants with limited hours to serve on an emergency basis. After a careful consideration of the budget, Holy Comforter was able to increase the hours offered to the Financial Administrator to make this a full-time position, a well-deserved recognition. The Financial Administrator and the Parish Administrator are the two non-clergy full-time positions at Holy Comforter. As before, the commission was asked to offer advice on the 2026 health care options for our rector and the two full-time staff members and on disability insurance for eligible employees.

The Employee Handbook was reviewed and has been edited to include language proposed by Rhonda to make the Handbook more gender-inclusive and to update the church history section. Rhonda also proposed additional paid holidays for our staff (e.g., Good Friday), an additional week of paid vacation for eligible lay employees after five years of continuous service, and allowance for roll-overs of small amounts of vacation time and sick leave to the next calendar year for eligible lay employees. The commission concurred in these proposals which were then submitted to and approved by the vestry.

In addition, the commission has updated staff position descriptions and participated in the annual performance evaluations, conducted in November, December and January (2026).

Respectfully submitted by,
Jim Romer
Personnel Commission chair

In February there was a luncheon at our annual meeting.

In March we had a pancake supper and started a series of five soup dinners which were followed by a Lenten program.

In April we completed the Lenten dinners. On Palm Sunday there was breakfast with hot cross buns and the construction of palm crosses between the two services. Before the Maundy Thursday service there was a sandwich supper.

In May there was a parish picnic/cookout in the Grove after the Youth Sunday service with a bouncy house.

In September we had a welcome back picnic/cookout and bouncy house. The meal was served in the Great Hall due to muddy conditions in the Grove.

In October we had a lunch to celebrate Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson’s visit. There was also a reception in the parlor following the Newlin Sunday service.

In November after the All Saints service there was a reception with a wide variety of cakes. We also had lunch for Stewardship Sunday.

In December we had a reception after the Lessons and Carols service and a small reception with cookies after the Compline service. On Christmas Eve there was a reception between the two services.

On Sundays when there was not a special event, Susan Ryan organized coffee and treats in the parlor.

Thank you to all the volunteers who never failed to come through for all our events whether it was setting up, cooking, or cleaning.

Respectfully submitted by,
Barbara Simpson
Vestry liaison

It’s hard to believe that on November 13, 2022, we joined hands and began the Breakfast Ministry at Holy Comforter. Clearly the hand of God was guiding this ministry to so effectively and faithfully serve our neighbors here. It is indeed a ministry that has combined space – The Great Hall, Kitchen, Storage room, volunteers and donations. Our ecumenical work together has been wonderful.

We owe a great deal of gratitude to Chappy Moser for helping this ministry find space and guide us through the behind-the-scenes work. Thank you Chappy!

Numbers don’t tell the full picture of any ministry, but numbers do tell us a lot. So, I thought I would share some specific numbers about the Breakfast that may help to get a fuller picture of this ministry. These numbers reflect the year 2025.

o Total number of plates served in 2025 5,557
o Take out plates 5,557
o Packaged utensils 5,557
o Biodegradable take out bags 5,557
o The average meals served per week 106.8
o Biscuits 5,557
o Gallons of Sausage Gravy 50
o Hash browns 5,557
o Bananas 5,557
o Cracker snacks 5,557
o Drinks 5,557
o Eggs (not counting double yoke farm eggs) 11,114
o Link sausages 11,114
o Cups of Coffee 4,940
o Gallons of Milk 52

There were no snow or ice days in 2025 - 0 
The least number of volunteers was on 1/12/25 - 6
The most volunteers were on 12/8/25 - 19

We, indeed, are blessed. It makes me want to sing… Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done. Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Blessings and Peace,
Mike Sykes

The Goodale Scholarship was endowed in May 2014 by a gift from Chinkie Goodale in memory of her husband Gordon. The scholarship is given annually to high school seniors at Holy Comforter who intend to continue their education. In 2025 Shara Partin became the chair of the committee. The account was moved to the National church’s pooled investment account where most of our investment money is located. There was only one applicant for the scholarship this year. Therefore, interest on the funds in the amount of $2,845.67 was awarded to one recipient, and was paid directly to the educational institution. Approximately $81,919 remains invested. Additional donations to the scholarship from those interested in supporting the educational needs of our youth will be gratefully accepted.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Shara Partin (chair) & Barbara Simpson

Current staff include Jan Kelly as Nursery Coordinator along with Allison Murphy & Elizabeth Hansen as Nursery Assistants. Lee Pinson was also a Nursery Assistant for a period of approx 6 months of the year. We also had EmmaLee Murphy to provide care assistance this past fall as fill-in for a week when neither Allison Murphy nor Elizabeth Hansen were able to attend.

The Nursery care service was available weekly year round & was utilized by eleven different families including a total of fourteen individual children. The data in available logs indicates that we greeted & served four new families & seven returning families from the previous year.

In August 2025, we had a recurrence of the Nursery room ceiling tiles moisture issues & reached out to Vestry members Elizabeth Hansen & George Blaisdell as well as Rector Rhonda Lee to be alerted to this issue for immediate attention. The ceiling tile issues were reviewed then cleaned, cleared & resolved within the month as directed by George Blaisdell & Kelvin Bradsher.

In September 2025, Jocelyn Safrit organized & completed a full top-to-bottom surface & toys cleaning project for the Nursery room space after the ceiling tiles had been resolved.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Jan Kelly Nursery
Coordinator

The Children’s Christian Formation team, during 2025, continued to build the foundation for a lasting religious and spiritual growth experience, involving both children and adults, using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd model. Mourine Todd and Jocelyn Safrit completed Level I certification as CGS Catechists by the end of August. During the summer we received a very generous and unexpected gift from All Saint’s Episcopal church in Concord. CGS furnishings and materials for all three levels were transported here by our volunteers. By summer, a first-floor room had been cleared out and made available for an eventual Level I “Atrium”. From January to May, we completed the second semester of our first year offering CGS in a room on the 3rd floor. That room remains the active Atrium for all our children, with new materials added regularly. The first-floor room will be fully equipped by September, which will allow Holy Comforter to provide Level I training of more Catechists here at home beginning in the fall of 2026.

We provided a Lenten series for the children last spring that ran concurrently with the adult program.

Youth Sunday, in May, recognized 2 graduates and involved many of our youth. That service was followed by a lunch, indoor and outdoor activities and games for the whole parish.

This past summer we launched a one-day Bible school, organized by Brad Lingerfelt.

A “Back to School” cookout in September, using our newly purchased Bouncy Slide was a great success providing another intergenerational/community building experience for the whole parish. This fall we have enjoyed welcoming several new families as the parish grows. Regular attendance in the CGS Atrium and in church averages between 6 to 12 children on Sundays. We provide weekly contact by text message to 28 families with children during the school year. Sixteen children and youth, and several adults were involved in the 2025 Christmas Pageant. We look forward to further enrichment owing to a recent grant from the Diocese. We can expect greater involvement and assistance with our children’s programming in the near future as a result.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Jocelyn Safrit
Assistant for Youth & Family Projects

Our rector, Rhonda Lee, began a new era in Christian Formation at Holy Comforter with the offering: “JESUS, ANXIETY, AND US” for the five Sundays of March. In an age of anxiety, the biblical passages we explored offered hope in trying times. All Christian Formation meetings were held, and will be held, in the Auditorium which provided location continuity along with access to Catechesis for children close by.

Pete Glidewell led a program called Lent Madness each Wednesday evening during Lent, taking a deep dive into the lives of the Saints of the church. We learned about the saints through readings and presentations and we were to choose among them to move our favorites forward in the brackets. The ultimate winner was Irenaus, a doctor of the church and theologian whose writings were formative in the early church.

In August Rhonda initiated Confirmation classes for six weeks in anticipation of the Bishop’s visit. That was followed in October/November with a series called Foundations of the Bible. This offering was in response to parishioners’ requests for a basic introduction to the Bible. A new series will start in January using the book, The Path, a condensed version of the Bible, led by Rhonda.

Phil Savage and Stig Egede-Nissen presented their “Everyday Ministries” on the Sundays that Rhonda was away, while Scottie Seawell facilitated a session on “How to Have Difficult Conversations”, a timely presentation anticipating the holidays.

We began providing breakfast in October at 9 am each Sunday for adults, parents and children involved in Catechesis. Participation has been growing and some parents are staying for Sunday School.

Lectionary Bible study continued to meet off and on during 2025. On those weeks when Rhonda did not have a scheduled session, Lectionary Bible study met and continued to have rich discussions about that week’s lectionary readings.

Starting on the first Sunday of Advent, November 30th, 2025, Holy Comforter launched a Meditation Circle that meets weekly at 4 p.m. to share in contemplative prayer. Each week, our attendance has ranged from 4 - 10 participants, with at least 7 people attending more than once. This weekly hour-long practice is open to all, including people experienced in contemplative prayer and also those who are just curious. Each week we shared a brief reading, engaged in thoughtful discussion, and spent 20 minutes in silent meditation together. We have been using Rhonda Lee’s book, Seek and You Will Find: Discovering a Practice of Prayer, as a guide.

Attendance at all of these programs has been noticeably growing with 35-45 adult parishioners involved at one time or another.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Kathy Hykes, Vestry liaison
with Jocelyn Safrit, Leslie Haines, and Anna Thorp

Every worship service at Holy Comforter is supported by members of the congregation who volunteer significant time and talent. Each week, ushers greet each parishioner at the front door of the church and proffer a bulletin for the service. Ushers are the first members of the church to greet visitors. They also guide the flow of parishioners to the communion rail. Layreaders read the designated lessons and psalms and Prayers of the People. The choir sings hymns under the direction of the organist-choir director who selects the music. The choir meets every Wednesday evening to practice. The acolytes and chalicists assist the priest during the services as directed. The verger assures that the service runs smoothly, ironing out any problems that may arise.

Not least, the altar and flower guilds provide the beauty for our services. Each week, members of the altar guild set up the altar in accordance with the service being celebrated, including weddings, funerals and baptisms. The members make sure the linens are clean, ironed, and mended, and that the silver is polished. Every Saturday, the flower guild provides blooms and greenery and arranges the flowers for the altar. After Sunday services, the flowers are taken to designated parishioners who are unable to attend services.

Many of the volunteers donate time during the week to assure that the services run smoothly, particularly members of the altar guild who are responsible for the set up and clean up of all services, including weddings and funerals.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Elizabeth Hansen
vestry liaison

In March 2025, we held our annual acolyte training, continuing to strengthen this vital ministry at Holy Comforter. Acolyting remains a truly multi-generational service, with children as young as five serving alongside their parents and grandparents, reflecting the deep sense of community and shared worship in our parish.

As average Sunday attendance continues to grow, we have maintained the practice of scheduling two chalice bearers for the 10:30 a.m. service to ensure smooth and reverent worship. Thanks to Rhonda+, two new chalice bearers were certified this year, providing valuable support for our congregation. I am also deeply grateful to our ushers, who have been especially supportive during services when I have needed to serve as both Verger and chalice bearer. Their attentiveness and teamwork have helped our services run seamlessly.

It has been a joy to serve in a year marked by faithful participation, strong collaboration, and the continued dedication of our parish community. I have especially enjoyed serving alongside Rhonda+ during her first year as Rector, and I look forward to the continued growth of our worship life together.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Steven Swanner
Verger

Every year at Holy Comforter brings new joys and opportunities, and 2025 was no exception for the music ministry!

The adult choir again welcomed new members and re-welcomed familiar faces. With the full choir stalls, we were able to share staple choral anthems from various centuries and traditions. We shared some of our most difficult music to date, including major Anglican choral works, Renaissance music with strings at Christmas, and selections from the Howells Requiem with chamber orchestra for All Saints Day. Throughout the year, we welcomed several guest musicians as well as utilizing talented pianists within our own congregation. The choir members continue to approach new and challenging music with eager minds and voices, and I am continuously grateful for their dedication!

Most notably, 2025 was the fortieth anniversary of our Dobson organ. We celebrated with an organ recital, welcoming Charles Hogan, Laurie Ryan, Matt Brittain, and Patrick Murphy for collaborative performances. Our congregation was joined by members of First Presbyterian and of the Burlington community to enjoy wonderful organ music (and great food afterward!).

In Advent of 2025, our choir and members of our congregation went Christmas caroling for the first time since before Covid. We visited Twin Lakes and Brookwood, then returned to Holy Comforter to worship together with a compline service. We hope this afternoon of music will once again become an annual tradition.

In addition to our adult choir, the children’s choir and handbell choir continue to provide meaningful contributions to our worship service. The children continue to learn new songs for our liturgical seasons that they can share in worship. The handbell choir continues to grow, and I am always thankful for their enthusiasm and dedication. New ringers are always welcome—the ability to read music is not required!

Looking forward to 2026, I am excited for the possibilities of musical offerings ahead. We will continue to welcome guest musicians to enhance worship services on feast days, and I have been in conversation with music directors at other local churches to offer combined special services. I have also been in discussion with other church musicians about the potential for offering larger choral works in concert and hosting events that would share our organ with the community at large. These events take significant time and planning, but I hope they will come to fruition within the next year or two.

No report would be complete without offering thanks to the many people who sustain the music ministry in countless ways, both seen and unseen. To the congregation and staff, especially Rhonda Lee, thank you for your outpourings of support. To all choir members, thank you for faithfully attending rehearsals and services each week, challenging yourselves to learn new anthems, and growing in your musicianship. To Marilyn Tyler, thank you for providing accompaniment to music both in worship and for congregational events. And to all of those who offer support through kind words, donations, or appreciation, you have my unending gratitude. I look forward to all that the next year holds for Holy Comforter, and I offer my deepest gratitude to all those who make our music ministry possible.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Christin Baker
Music Director

The purpose of the Holy Comforter Flower Guild is to enhance worship through the creation of floral displays for the altar. For a modest fee (currently $75), Flower Guild members create two vases of flowers for Sunday worship services. (Parishioners may also choose to use the commercial florist of their choice.) Special floral displays are also done for funerals and parish events, by request. Flower Guild members are frequently involved with installing special flowers (such as poinsettias and lilies) for Christmas and Easter worship.

Flower Guild is self-supporting. We are funded through our weekly donors, and through special contributions made in thanks for our services. Currently, we have ten members, and are always happy to add more. No experience in floral arranging is needed, as we provide training alongside experienced Flower Guild members. Please contact Connie Griner (336-260-8804) if you would like to join our creative team.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Connie Griner
Chair

The Altar Guild is currently composed of 33 dedicated parish members who provide a variety of services to Holy Comforter, primarily, but not exclusively related to Sunday morning worship services. The altar is set up for every Sunday service, reset between Sunday services, and set for each special service that occurs in the sanctuary, including weddings and funerals. The altar hangings are changed for each season identified in the Liturgical Calendar. Inventory is maintained for wafers, wine, and candle oil.

The altar guild maintains the linens, brass, and silver used during the services, washing, ironing, polishing, and repairing items as needed. There were no major replacements this year. We have welcomed 4 new members to the altar guild this year and welcome new members that are interested in joining.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Ren Bryan
chair

Over the past year, we have made significant strides in improving the technology that supports worship, communication, and safety at our church. These upgrades are not just about equipment—they are about enhancing how we gather, how we worship together, and how we remain connected as a community, both in person and online.

One of the most impactful improvements this year was the upgrade to our sound system with the installation of a new digital mixer. This new mixer allows for remote mixing, making it easier to adjust sound levels quickly and accurately. It also enables us to add sound effects directly through the board, improving overall audio quality. Importantly, the mixer expands the number of available inputs, allowing us to add additional microphones throughout the sanctuary and to extend sound capabilities into other spaces, such as the third-floor auditorium and the Great Hall.

Looking ahead, this expanded capacity opens the door for future enhancements. We hope to install additional microphones for the choir and organ, which will significantly improve sound quality for our livestreams and recordings, helping online worshipers feel more fully included in our services.

This year also marked a major improvement in our livestreaming setup. We transitioned to new streaming software that allows for video and photo graphics to be incorporated into the service, creating a more engaging and visually rich experience for those watching online. The system has also been automated, meaning that the livestream can begin on its own without someone needing to be physically present at the streaming computer. In addition, this new software resolved the persistent audio clarity issues we had been facing over the past several years, resulting in a much clearer and more consistent sound for online viewers.

As we continue to build on this momentum, we hope to add additional cameras in the future. These would allow for a more interactive and engaging online worship experience, offering multiple visual perspectives during Sunday services and special events.

Beyond worship and communications, we have also made progress in improving the safety and security of our facilities. New security cameras have been installed, with several more planned for installation in the coming months. We are also working toward finalizing our door security system, which will include passcode entry to better manage access to the building while maintaining a welcoming environment.

Together, these updates reflect our commitment to supporting vibrant worship, expanding accessibility, and ensuring a safe and secure space for all who gather here. Thank you for your continued support as we look ahead to the next chapter of growth and improvement in the life of our church.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Alex Stevens
vestry liaison

Ushers play an essential role in welcoming parishioners and visitors to Holy Comforter. They greet worshippers at the door, distribute service bulletins, and assist with the collection during worship. Ushers serve at Sunday services, special liturgies, and funerals, and are often the first representatives of our parish encountered by newcomers and long-time members alike. Our Parish Administrator coordinates the usher schedule and provides weekly reminders. Parishioners are warmly encouraged to consider serving in this important ministry. At present, we continue to seek a volunteer to serve as Usher Coordinator.

The lay readers of Holy Comforter are a dedicated and vibrant group who serve the church by offering their gifts in worship and deepening their spiritual lives. Lay reading reflects the “priesthood of all believers” and provides an opportunity for parishioners to participate actively in our shared ministry during corporate worship. Lay readers proclaim the Scripture lessons and lead the Prayers of the People. In 2025, we welcomed three new lay readers into this ministry. Those interested in becoming a lay reader are invited to speak with our Parish Administrator, who manages the schedule and weekly reminders. We also remain in need of a Lay Reader Coordinator.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Cat Sykes
Parish Administrator

This year Holy Comforter supported an even stronger alliance with Allied Churches of Alamance County (ACAC.) Our church continued to donate items monthly as well as provide financial support to this very important community agency that feeds, temporarily houses and finds employment for those in need.

• Our parish continued the church’s fiscal donation of $250 to ACAC monthly.

• Our Episcopal Church Women donated $600. This winter our Mission Fund Committee gave a one time grant of $500 for food. This money is stretched to feed and shelter neighbors in need and is very much appreciated.

• We helped ACAC provide tasty, healthy meals to temporarily shelter homeless residents 7 days a week plus served hungry people in our community through take-out meals 5 days a week.

• Parishioners generously donated food, take out trays and cleaning supplies which were put in our Bell Tower. These are taken in bulk on First Sunday mornings or shortly after to ACAC.

• Laundry products are also given and go to those leaving the shelter to ease transition.

• We donated many more items after the federal government shutdown in the fall affected who normally receive SNAP benefits. 600,000+ households and 580,000 children.

• Rene Burgess spearheaded the ACAC Christmas Cards resulting in a generous fundraiser.

With our 2025 assistance, Holy Comforter helped ACAC provide: 28,000 meals to individuals and families, hundreds of pounds of canned and other shelf stable foods weekly, found housing in the community for 230 and temporarily housed on site 160 people.

Working with Dee Dee Hines and Jai Baker at ACAC we determined the organization’s ever-changing food and general supply needs then alerted parishioners through Weekly Words and Comfortable Words.

Thanks to our GIVING parishioners! Their generous collections make a significant impact on Alamance County. The large ACAC basket remains in the Bell Tower now to accept donations in 2026.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Martha Adams
liaison

This has been a year of transition for LEAF. In the spring our board president, Stephanie Williams, resigned due to health issues. Phil Smith had taken her place as board president. We welcomed new board members in the spring, including Jane Romer who is helping to represent Holy Comforter.

Students at LEAF participated in both a spring and fall retreat. The retreats are always a popular way for students to get to know each other and spend a weekend focused on faith. LEAF has a weekly worship service, with a home cooked meal provided by either Holy Comforter or Macedonia Lutheran. They host weekly coffee hours where student are given a coupon for a free beverage and sit together for fellowship. In addition, there were several special events such as a Thanksgiving meal and graduation celebration for LEAF students.

In December our LEAF pastor, Julie Tonnesen, resigned. Her last Sunday with LEAF will be January 11 and she will be moving from us to become the Associate University Chaplain at Wake Forest University, a position that will also allow her to pursue her doctorate. We wish her the best, but she will certainly be missed! In the meantime, LEAF services will be covered by supply pastors and perhaps an interim pastor while the search for a permanent LEAF pastor occurs.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Paige Ysteboe & Jane Romer
liaisons

This past year the Mission Funds Committee oversaw distribution from two Mission Funds.

Holy Comforter Mission Funds
The Mission Fund committee recommended and the vestry passed a $4,000 grant to CrossRoads for their work in Alamance and surrounding counties for victims of sexual assault and sexual trafficking. This is the 50th anniversary of this organization, which had its beginnings at Holy Comforter as Rape Crisis Alliance. Betsey Savage and Kathy Hykes initiated this grant request. Rev. Rhonda Lee and Carol Thornell attended the Crossroads fundraiser April 30th.

The Mission Fund Committee approved an additional $500 grant to Allied Churches to support their ministry of feeding neighbors in need. This grant was made to assist with hunger needs in our community exacerbated by the government shutdown.

Lawrence Holt Mission Fund:
The Mission Fund Committee increased the monthly stipend to LEAF at Elon University by $50/month to support this campus ministry. Total monthly grant for 2026 is now $700. By its charter, this fund is limited to spreading the Gospel within Alamance County, and our support of LEAF has dovetailed perfectly with the rules of the trust.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Constance Kincius
chair

Monthly Comfortable Words articles and 7 Weekly Words articles were published with many pictures of students, Newlin staff and NP tutors (20) and Lucky Listeners (14). After the initial launch of the NP website in October 2024 and thanks to Mindy Robinson who created a Facebook page, the NP social media presence increased this year. For the fifth year, donor letters mailed in November to 260 parishioners and community members in a fundraising effort raised over $19 K from almost 60 donors.

NP Marketing Committee: Pam Brumbaugh Newlin Literacy Project Steering Committee: Pam Brumbaugh, Laurie Fais, Kathy Landes, Greg Lilly

Tutoring Program Overview
The 2024–2025 tutoring year officially began on October 21, 2024, and concluded on May 23, 2025. We launched the year with 14 dedicated tutors. Following a mid-year training session in January, we were able to expand our team by adding several new volunteers thanks to the recruiting expertise of Linda Stubblefield.

Tutors who remained active throughout the year met with their assigned students approximately 40 times. Through these consistent sessions, tutors provided meaningful, individualized literacy support to all participating students. Several students reached or exceeded benchmark goals in specific skill areas, such as decoding, and one tutored student finished the year reading at grade level.

In May, members of the tutoring team met with first-grade teachers to gather feedback. Teachers expressed strong appreciation for the program and emphasized its positive impact on students’ confidence and overall reading development. We remain committed to ongoing reflection and continuous improvement to ensure the tutoring program continues to meet the evolving needs of Newlin students.

Training and Professional Development
The Training Action Group (TAG) sponsored a weeklong training in September for potential new tutors, with seven participants in attendance. Six of those individuals have since become active tutors. Combined with 14 returning tutors, the program began the 2025–2026 school year with a total of 20 active tutors.

TAG also sponsors monthly “Lunch and Learn” meetings, which provide opportunities to share information, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. In October 2025, each tutor received a copy of 7 Mighty Moves. Monthly discussions are held around each chapter, with tutors actively implementing strategies from the book in their work with students.

Lucky Listener Program
The 2024–2025 school year marked the first full year of the Lucky Listener Program since the pandemic. Under the capable leadership of Susan and Lee Kern, the program flourished. The year began with 14 Lucky Listeners, each meeting with their assigned student at least once per week.

Over the course of the year, Lucky Listeners logged more than 400 student contacts. We are especially grateful to the second-grade teachers who allowed volunteers to work consistently with the same students throughout the year. This continuity fostered strong relationships—not only between volunteers and students, but also between volunteers and classroom teachers. Several teachers have already requested that specific Lucky Listeners return to their classrooms next year.

Notably, one student who worked weekly with a Lucky Listener demonstrated the greatest reading growth in his classroom and was honored with a Reading Award at the end-of-year assembly.

Helping Hands -
Additional Volunteer Contributions
In addition to their tutoring roles, many volunteers supported Newlin in other meaningful ways. Tutors staffed Duty-Free Lunch coverage once a month from October through May, providing teachers with a much-appreciated break. Several volunteers also served as proctors during end-of-grade (EOG) testing. In October 2025, volunteers assisted with Newlin’s First Fall Festival.

We are also in the process of establishing a volunteer support group to assist teachers and staff with clerical tasks as needed.

Margaret and Stig Egede-Nissen and Mindy Robinson oversaw the weekend backpack program for 65 - 75 students from picking up donated food, filling backpacks and delivering them to Newlin Elementary.

In closing, the 2024–2025 year reflects the strength and dedication of our volunteers and the value of sustained, relationship-based literacy support. Through consistent tutoring, thoughtful training, and expanded volunteer engagement, the Newlin Literacy Project made measurable gains in student reading skills, confidence, and connection.

We are grateful for the continued support of Newlin’s staff and leadership and look forward to building on this momentum as we continue into 2026.

Newlin Partnership and Literacy Committee events:
o January 18-21st: New Tutor Training
o April 9: Lenten Soup Supper Fundraiser
o April 27: Art Sale Fundraiser
o April 30: Safe Church Group Training
o May 22: Lucky Listener Brunch/Lunch and Learn Thank You Lunch
o May 30: Backpack Program Compliance Visit
o May 31: PTO Clean Up Day at Newlin
o July 30: Popsicles and Books Giveaway
o August 20: Back to School Luncheon
o September 23-26: New Tutor Training (Luncheon on the 23)
o October 20: Arts Event and Raffle
o November 13: Giving Campaign Letter Mailed Out
o November 24: Newlin Elementary School Fall Festival

Board Members working across activities: Joseph Keith, Jan Kelly, Judy Cone and Carol Thornell Newlin Partnership Board Chairperson and liaison: Jan Davis

Stephen Ministry at Holy Comforter has had a vibrant year. Most of all we appreciate the support of the Vestry as we find ways to serve our fellow parishioners at Holy Comforter.

We are so grateful that our parish provided the funds to train a second Stephen Leader, Paula Boyd, this year. It ensures the Stephen Ministry will continue to grow and help our church family.

Our Rector, Rhonda Lee has been very supportive of the mission to use fellow parishioners to help folks who are in crisis. The Stephen Leaders meet monthly with Rhonda learn about how to meet the needs of folks as she advises.

Our Ministry has been given a room to use in Comforter House that helps the Ministry have a private, confidential space to meet with Care Receivers and to have a confidential space for supervision to support our Stephen Ministers as they provide care. We continue to provide support for grieving members of our congregation through our Journeying Through Grief books that are mailed to folks who request this resource. Rick Weatherly. a trained Stephen Minister coordinates these mailings.

This fall we trained two new Stephen Ministers, Sandy Gerow and Frank Harris, who are already serving their Care Receivers. They will be formally installed at the 10:30 service on Sunday February 8 to be followed by a reception in the Parlor.

We continue to have requests for care from Stephen Ministers. There is always a need for more Stephen Ministers to be trained. This confidential ministry gives so much to those in crisis and also gives the Stephen Ministers an opportunity to have a special, spiritual relationship with their care receivers.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Rene Burgess & Paula Boyd
Stephen Leaders

Meals On Wheels provides hot meals to individuals or couples in Alamance County who are unable to get provisions for themselves. Volunteers deliver 13-17 meals to approximately 14 residences on routes that take about an hour to deliver.

This year Janice Davis and Jim McAdams, Diana Wallace and Rene Burgess, Cherry Wrenn and Stan Williams, Jane and Jim Romer, Coral Erikson and Gretchen Peet, Stig, Frank Harris, Pete Glidewell, Shara Partin and Martha Adams, and Lynn and Peter Dahl have delivered meals representing our church. As of now there is one open route for 2026. Routes are every 8 weeks for our members.

If you might be interested, contact me at (336) 214-4877.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Stig Egede-Nissen

The 2025 year provided Thursday morning opportunities for men both members and non-members of Holy Comforter. Breakfast 8-9, Programs 9-10. Meeting at the Coble Creek Rehabilitation Center at Twin Lakes Retirement Community.Each week, except during June, July, and August men gathered to hear programs on a wide variety of subjects. Community speakers were common; musicians, priests (The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, and The Rev. Dr. Rhonda Lee); with members of the group also presenting subjects.

All programs were interactive and attendees continue to be welcomed whether members or not of Holy Comforter. Most of the members are retired and actively engaged in community and church activities. Breakfast, provided by Twin Lakes, is a wide variety of choices for $8/person with nutrition being the focus. There are no restrictions on programs while staying within a 1 hour limit from 9-10. The longevity of the group is about 35 years, beginning during the early tenure of the Rev David Williams. Twin Lakes continues to be very supportive of our gatherings.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Phil Savage & Jeff Andrews & Richard McBride
facilitators

PARISH REGISTER

Baptisms• 4
Malachi Jefferson Carter, April 2025
Amelia Jaden Iris Pearce, April 2025
Keyon Amari Stevens, May 2025
Ariette Tonantzin Blancas Rivera, November 2025

Confirmations and Receptions • 1
Amy Hess October 2025

Weddings • 0

Burials, Interments • 9
Kim Partin January 2025
Elizabeth “Betty” Wooten, January 2025
Anne “Nancy” Christianson, February 2025
Tracy Landi, February 2025
Gregg Lee, April 2025
Kara Bramhall, May 2025
Mary Coe, July 2025
Gary Schilke, September 2025
David Hibbitts, November 2025

Transfers In • 67
Olga Elder, February 2025
Brenda Poole, June 2025
Betsy Weatherly, July 2025
Michael Moulton, August 2025
Susan Bauer, August 2025
Sue Robertson, September 2025
Matthew Roberts, October 2025
Kathryn Roberts, October 2025
Charles Rohr, October 2025
Steward Roberts, October 2025
Ruth Ann Clark, December 2025
Stephen Goodman, In Process
Carol Goodman, In Process
Kathleen Blair, In Process
Linden Blair, In Process
Lauren Jensen, In Process
Helen Landi, In Process
Nick Landi, In Process
Shannon Byrd, In Process
James Hess, In Process
Amy Hess, In Process
Charles Fitzpatrick, In Process
Ashton Fitzpatrick, In Process
Maximus Fitzpatrick, In Process
Sampson Fitzpatrick, In Process
Abigail Fitzpatrick, In Process
Jensen Fitzpatrick, In Process
Gabriel Johnson, In Process
Lorenzo Johnson, In Process
Corrinne Surratt, In Process
Paul Surratt, In Process
Jacqueline Griffith, In Process
June Griffith, In Process
Charity Rose Miller, In Process
Gary Pellom, In Process
Kirsten Pellom, In Process
George Pellom, In Process
Sandy Campbell, In Process
Nicholas Maness, In Process
Monique Maness, In Process
Josiah Maness, In Process
Isaiah Maness, In Process
Silas Maness, In Process
Miles Maness, In Process
Cinthia Rivera, In Process
Jai Rivera, In Process
Sarai Rivera, In Process
Xavi Rivera, In Process
Jim McAdams, In Process
Gary Miller, In Process
Lynn Miller, In Process
Lynn Warren, In Process
Nancy Warren, In Process
Jack Smith, In Process
Jesse Thorp, In Process
Ann Thorp, In Process
Raymond Phillips, In Process
Mia Phillips, In Process
Venetzia Mack, In Process
Joshua Mack, In Process
Cameron Corbett, In Process
Zoria Lewis, In Process
Camilo Corbett, In Process
Pat Bailey, In Process
Noah Read, In Process
Charles Read, In Process
Isaac Read, In Process

Transfers Out • 7
Victoria Sullivan, February 2025
Brandon Robinson, September 2025
Morgan Robinson, September 2025
Easton Robinson, September 2025
Barbara Jones, September 2025
Nelson Young, In Process
Dale Young, In Process

New Visitors • 39

Regular Attenders & Members as of Dec. 2025 • 377

MINUTES OF THE HOLY COMFORTER ANNUAL MEETING
February 2, 2025, Feast of the Presentation

The Annual Meeting of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter was called to order by our new rector, The Rev. Rhonda M. Lee, Ph.D., at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall following the parish-wide 10 a.m. service. Rhonda opened with a blessing from the Book of Common Prayer.

Senior Warden Julie Swanner announced the process for the 2025 vestry election. Five candidates are running for the six positions open; Julie clarified that while all five would be serving, we still required an election to determine which of the five candidates would serve the four three-year terms open; the one-year term that is open will be served by the candidate receiving the least number of votes. The five candidates are: Elizabeth Hansen, Kathy Hykes, Barbara Simpson, Steve Slott, and Carol Thornell. Ballots were distributed and then collected for outgoing vestry members to count the votes. Julie recognized the service of outgoing vestry members Joanne McCluskey, Max Newbauer, Carol Thornell, and Diana Wallace. (Carol had completed an unfilled one-year term of a prior vestry member and was eligible to run for election again.) Julie then asked for approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes as published in the 2025 Annual Report. Frank Harris made a motion for approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes and the motion was seconded by Pete Glidewell; the motion was approved by voice vote.

Rhonda offered brief remarks in lieu of a more formal “Rector’s report” given her short tenure to date with Holy Comforter, expressing her thanks for the parish’s warm welcome. She noted she is still learning names and is grateful for parishioners reintroducing themselves. Rhonda acknowledged that care of others is of paramount importance to the parish community, as it is to her, and requested that parishioners let her know of anyone in need of pastoral care. She looks forward to presenting a “real” Rector’s report at next year’s Annual Meeting.

Julie provided the Senior Warden’s report, noting that 2024 was a year with some anxiety and one that stretched us, yet was also a year of great growth and success. Juile stated that she had great faith in Holy Comforter’s vitality during this period of transition, sensing the energy she witnessed every Sunday in church. She shared that service attendance in February 2024 was more than attendance in February 2020 (pre-COVID) and pointed to the optimism we should feel for the future knowing we have ended 2024 in a stronger position than when the year began. We are flourishing, and she reminded parishioners that Rhonda was not here to save us. Julie then placed a challenge in front of us to maintain the positive energy, continue our hard work, and keep the momentum going. She also urged everyone to read the Annual Report to learn of all the good we are doing.

Assistant Treasurer Sid Little then gave a Finance report, referencing the information included in the Annual Report. He opened with a contextual overview of our financial circumstances: the impact of COVID, pledge declines as a result and then heading into a rebound in 2023. He noted that the operating budget is primarily funded by pledge gifts and investment income. Those revenues this past year totaled approximately $512,000; expenditures were approximately $422,000. A surplus was therefore realized in 2024 that provides a cushion as we go into 2025. We have minimal long-term debt as well. All in all, our situation is positive and a good way to start the year. Sid stated that we have nine investment accounts earmarked for specific use that total $1.6 million; these funds have designated purposes that restrict how we can utilize them. We could not operate without these funds, however, along with the Endowment Fund earnings. The Assistant Treasurer also provided a stewardship campaign report on the aspirational goal of $400,000 (last year the pledge campaign had realized $340,000); that goal was set with a particular interest in boosting employee compensation if possible. The latest total of signed pledge cards in hand is $373,120, very close to the $375,000 objective that is required to continue operations at the current level. He reported that a generous parishioner has promised to fill in any gap to reach $380,000. He also expects at least one other pledge to come in shortly and will have a final report to share soon.

The Senior Warden then announced the vestry election results. For three-year terms: Elizabeth Hansen, Kathy Hykes, Barbara Simpson, and Steve Slott will serve (2025-2027); and Carol Thornell will fulfill the one-year term (2025). Julie noted that the Vestry Orientation will be February 15, and it will also include a vestry meeting, replacing the originally scheduled February 10 vestry meeting. At 12 p.m., we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together; Rhonda offered a blessing and the 2025 Annual Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Patricia House
clerk