Page 9 - Final Annual Report 2020

Director of Congregational Ministries 2020 Annual Report
Janet Walsh

There is really no way to describe 2020… it has been a whirlwind of change at church, as well as the world. What
began as a year of things in the office settling into a bit more of a routine than they had been in 2019, turned upside-
down in March. We went from preparing for our Lenten series to moving all services and groups online, in what
seemed like a week! Fortunately, with a lot of fortitude, flexibility and perseverance the church was able to make the
changes needed for a relatively smooth continuation of most of our offerings - while even starting a few new ones to
compliment. Here are just some of the year’s highlights from the Congregational Ministries office:

MINISTRIES
Family Promise MetroWest - Hosted 2 weeks in Jan/Feb, created “Summer Fun” family bags in July
Pine Street Inn – Pilgrim members and friends served 6-8/year, dessert & gift card deliveries in fall 2020
Miracle Kitchen – In-person volunteering for the Framingham Miracle Kitchen was put on hold for this year
A Place to Turn – Food drives continued throughout the year, through Souper Bowl, confirmation, and more Easter
Storytelling & Craft – For young families with CE and Hospitality Committee support
Hearts & Hands – Blanket and preemie cap knitting for donations on Mother’s Day in May
Annual Golf Outing – Our June event was cancelled due to the pandemic, looking forward to the next one
The Giving Table – Summer produce donations to A Place to Turn, organized by church youth Avery Moore
October Clothing Drive – Organized off site this fall to help Family Promise on two drop off dates
Miracle on 25 S. Main Street - All-church offering in November, made 38,000+ meals in all day event!

Our ministry work included a fall matching opportunity fundraiser for Miracle on 25 S. Main Street meal making.
Due to these efforts, and some very generous donors, we were able to quadruple our Outreach.org donations to
$40,000 and fund over 134,000 meals to go to hungry families in right here in Massachusetts.
Other activities included:

HOSPITALITY & OUTREACH
Printed Communications: postcards, posters, banners, Continued development & updates of our website
signage, directories, community contacts Coffee Fellowship time on ZOOM
Visitor Outreach and Communications Caring Cooks and Caring Visits
Support of Office Staff during transition Electronic Communications: eWords, Newsletters,
Caring Committee Work Social Media
Weekly Correspondence Cards Hospitality support for events

MEMBERSHIP
We did not have any adult members join during our two New Member Sundays this year, due in part to our remote
worship and offerings beginning in March of 2020. However, Outreach remained strong through familiar, and new
ways! The response to our online expansion has been positive. We’ve had many new visitors become regular worship
attendees online, as well as welcoming back some who had moved but who are now able to join us. Attendance has
been remarkably steady with members enjoying the varied creative ways they can now “attend” and connect during
the week - through our Website, Facebook, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram and limited in-person sanctuary attendance.
Our congregation is still local, spread among surrounding towns, and as far away as Georgia, California and England.
Membership remains at about 400 members, with many dedicated non-members friends and visitors.

I’m grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the church, to work with amazing volunteers on many
committees, and for the very special friendships I have made over the years. For this I feel blessed.

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