The 2020 Annual Report of the Membership & Program Associate ~ Martha Trout

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Many of the things that I would have normally been doing from mid-March thru the end of the year were done differently, to say the least!  The uncertainty that came along with the pandemic was met with the need to become more flexible in how we did things - and most of it centered around keeping our congregation connected - to the church and to each other.  Connection took on new forms in 2020 from Zoom meetings to online worship to creative emails and virtual programs.  It has been challenging, but also gratifying to know that all of you have been responsive and supportive in everything we have tried to do.

My home office space

Zoom
Videoconferencing has become a necessity during this pandemic and SCPC is connecting with Session and Deacons meetings, small groups, ministry unit and committee meetings and staff meetings on Zoom.

Your staff stays connected twice a week on a zoom video-conference call so we can plan and keep up-to-date on everything that’s going on.  Even though we would rather be meeting in person, we are still able to collaborate and work together virtually.  Session, Deacons, ministry units and committees are all meeting monthly or as needed to continue to serve the needs of the congregation – all on Zoom.  There are several small groups that are also meeting on SCPC-Zoom.  I became responsible for managing the zoom account and the zoom calendar - which can get a little crazy switching licenses around so everyone can meet when they want to, but it allows the groups and organizations  continue to meet and get their work accomplished.

Managing Information and Communications
During the time when we have been physically separated from each other, it has been more important than ever to stay connected, even if it’s only virtually, and in 2020 communications took over a larger portion of my time.  With remote access to all of my office resources, I have been able to keep working on everything from home.  I'm so glad that I already had  great space to work at home - and as you can see, I have a buddy who keeps me company while I work (meet Henry)!

If you normally read a paper copy of the PresbyPost, that means we either don’t have your email address or you have chosen to receive the PresbyPost by snail mail.  We can easily switch you over to receiving it by email (a pdf file that you can read online or print out if you like) if you let us know.  This has the added bonus of saving printing and postage costs.  If we don’t have an email address listed for you, and you do have an email address, then you’re missing out on a ton of good stuff!  Our Weekly Update list normally receives an email each Thursday with everything that’s happening in the coming week as well as what will be happening in worship on the upcoming Sunday. We also added an email on Saturdays with links to view a recorded worship service and Adult Education offering (when available).  We are sending out other special program and meeting announcements as well, so if you’re not on the email list you’ll want to get signed up for it.  I manage and publish the general email communications, so just send me a note to provide your email address, or give a call to the church office (814-238-2422) and leave a message.

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Worship Service Emails
We hope you have been enjoying the weekly video worship services that our pastoral and program staff are putting together each week.  A lot of work goes into these services – preparing and recording the messages and music, and then Jerry Sawyer and Kerry Trout have been putting in the hours of pulling them all together into a YouTube video so you may enjoy worship at home.   The  links are sent out on Saturdays and they’re also available on our website and our YouTube page.

Online Membership Portal and Online Directory
Another project I worked on is getting our Servant Keeper church management system ready to offer you online access to your information and an online membership directory.  Invitations and instructions were sent out to our members and friends in May.  With our Servant Keeper church management system, you can now access your information online through a (secure connection) member portal.  An added benefit, that many of our members had been asking for, is access to an online church directory.   We hope you have been able to take advantage of this online option.

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Website
Certainly, managing the website and serving as webmaster continues to be a huge part of my job and a fun outlet for me.  My responsibilities continue to include managing, editing and writing content for the website, posting videos and sermons, and trying to keep it all current - no small order!

You can go to our “Worship Service Videos” webpage and view past recorded worship services, or visit our “Adult Education” page to view the Adult Education offerings that have been provided, or the "Sermons" page to listen to past sermons.  You can also see the weekly Sunday bulletins on our “Worship Bulletins” page.
It's the go-to place for all the information about events, programs and everything that's happening.

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New Office Space
When we're all able to be in the building together again I hope you will stop in and visit me in my new digs at the church!  When it became obvious that shared office space was a thing of the past, I was moved into what had become the Conference Room off the main office.  I am extremely grateful for having a spacious, quiet and safe place to work when I do come into the office. 

2020 was a challenge, for sure, but we here's hoping that 2021 gets better and better!

Blessings,
Martha Trout, Membership & Program Associate