FAIRMOUNT
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST,
CONGREGATIONAL
(FAIRMOUNT COMMUNITY CHURCH)
Wichita, Kansas

Words & Pictures During the Sunday service, Pastor Mike sets the theme for the Annual Meeting, with a sermon calling on the congregation to rise to the challenges of self-sacrifice, and to join together to clear a way for Jesus in a threatening world. With the start of a New Year, we've been busy organizing a vital new church around the values and traditions of the old one (see the Historic Preservation Project article in the left column). At Fairmount United Church of Christ, we "Congregationalists" work as a congregation, with our combined ideas and values shaping the decisions and actions of our church. In the Congregationalist / New England "town hall meeting" tradition of direct democracy, we traditionally hold various congregational meetings throughout the year, to discuss church priorities, programs, projects and issues. The most important meeting of the year is our Annual Meeting, where we review, discuss (sometimes debate) and decide upon the Church's Annual Report and Budget. This is also the event where the Church leadership is elected. We gather after the service over a potluck dinner, while we chat over church issues and review the report and budget, then the meeting begins. Below are a few scenes from the congregation's Annual Meeting, Sunday Jan 27th.

While finishing off a magnificent potluck feast, the group reviews the Church's Annual Report, with next year' proposed budget.

Everyone gets a good look at the report & budget, and decides what priorities to support, what questions to ask, and what concerns to express...

While the Annual Report confirmed that Fairmount Church faces the challenges of tight money and aging membership in a changing community, the report showed that the congregation is welcoming new members, becoming more efficient with energy and services, and finding new ways to reach out to the community. Darryl Carrington briefs members on Fairmount's relationship with GoZones' popular after-school program for neighborhood kids. Fairmount has been a key supporter of the program, even providing space for it in the Church's Education & Administration Building.

With pledges nearing the budget goal, the congregation approved a budget strengthening the church's ability to survive in a changing environment, while still retaining involvement in the affairs of the wider world. Old officers pledged continuing support and new officers graciously accepted the challenge of new responsibilities. In an angry world where the Christian ideals of compassion and forgiveness are challenged, Fairmount Church still endures. Come join our struggle to spread Christian kindness and love!

"Love one another, as I have loved You." ~ Jesus

Celebrating our
115th
Year
of
Worship, Friendship, & Service

Welcome to our
New Website!