A Word from Pastor Greg
The year of 2020 has challenged all of us. We have been fighting against a virus we cannot see. Social distancing has forced us apart. Societal and political issues continue to turn us against one another. Yet, into all of this uncertainty Southwood has been a source of faith, hope and love.
In the sections of this report you will read how Southwood, you and me together, have continued to be the church in these challenging times. Through online worship, Zoom studies, socially distanced ways of serving, giving sacrificially to the needs of those suffering, we have continued to live out our purpose to love God and love our neighbor. I give thanks for your ongoing commitment to the work of our church. May God be glorified.
—Pastor Greg Olson, Senior Pastor
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 12PM in the Sanctuary
All confirmed, communing, and contributing members of the congregation are urged to join together for a celebration of God’s blessings upon Southwood, and to conduct the annual congregational meeting. At this meeting, we’ll be making decisions about Southwood’s future, including our 2021 budget, election of our Church Council members, and the sale of a portion of our land.
Worship & Music
Online Worship
520 unique households viewed each week.
This represents approximately 1,300 viewers each week.
Online worship has expanded our reach across the US, Canada, Tanzania and Honduras.
In-Person Worship Volunteers
Serving During Pandemic:
37% of Ushers
28% of Greeters
Singing in Worship
Group singing was not recommended during the pandemic leading to other creative engagement options
Worship Engagement
Using sign language to participate during songs
Humming or clapping along to songs
Speaking or meditating on lyrics while song is played
Choir
Participated in virtual events offered through Facebook Live where they could sing, pray and share devotions together
Ministries
51 New Members Received
Welcomed through Discover Southwood classes offered in January and September
Life Events:
- 52 Baptisms
- 24 Weddings (Includes off-site ceremonies)
Learning Opportunities (Offered In-Person or via Zoom):
Alpha
145 Participants
January/February
True You
225 participants
March/April
Together in Faith
216 participants
June/July
Fed Up
31 participants
July/August
The Walk of Hope
309 participants
September/October
Virtual Pre-marital Class
30 participants
October
254 families set up accounts
Learn about Amplify Media
Children & Youth Ministries
Online Curriculum
67 average views of the online Sunday School curriculum
41 average views of the online DELVE curriculum
In-Person Classes
328 students attended in-person Sunday School (A/B Scheduling)
193 students attended in-person DELVE classes (A/B Scheduling)
Summer Puppets
191 average views each Sunday during the summer
High School
35 high school students participated in Small Groups
Take-Home Kits
305 families picked up Advent Kits for children
105 families picked up Advent Boxes for youth
Community Mission
Number of Participants
Southwood Serves:
- 468 volunteers signed up
- 526 at-home kits donated
Christmas in July:
- 112 gift cards donated totaling $4,295
Giving Tree:
- 440 gift tags reserved
Number of People Served throughout 2020:
701 families
at Palmyra Food Distribution
5,560 families
through the Food Bank (Saratoga Backpacks, Lincoln Northeast Food Market and COVID-19 Food Distributions)
468 patients
at Clinic with a Heart
2,448 meals
at the Gathering Place
500 lunches
at F Street Rec Center
7,630 lbs
of produce donated from the Southwood Garden
Global Mission
Visits
Southwood Staff and Teams visited Sister Churches in Honduras & Tanzania prior to the onset of the pandemic
June Honduras Team made trip virtually, praying each day for the village and people served
Sister Churches
Funds provided to Sister Churches extended beyond initial plans due to pandemic and natural disasters
(Sister church pastors used funds to provide sanitation supplies & food)
Pronino Children’s Home
was damaged by hurricanes in November 2020
(Emergency funds were shared with Director Haley Janssen to help with immediate needs and eventual recovery projects)
Piecemakers
303 quilts made and distributed locally or globally
Tanzania Scholarship Program
- 80 sponsors and 27 donors supported 104 secondary and college students
- 9 students added to the program
- 14 students earned college degree/diploma
Care
Connections
- Phone calls and cards/notes shared with those in vulnerable groups by Care staff and Care Team volunteers
- Prayer requests shared daily with our Prayer Team
- Members matched with pastors and/or counselors, as requested
16 Funerals
Held at Southwood
Care Gifts Created
162 prayer shawls
46 baby blankets
Good Samaritan Fund
71 requests received
Experienced increase in requests submitted and funds received
Supported 11 families
during Thanksgiving and Christmas (similar to 2019)
Giving to Southwood
Make a donation to Southwood through a one-time gift or as a recurring gift.
2020 Budget
96% of budgeted income received
89% of budgeted expenses spent
Thanksgiving & Christmas Offering
Over $50,000 received
100% will be shared with community mission partners
Mission Support
20% of every dollar received supported Mission efforts
Church goal of 25% would have been met if mission trips had not been cancelled due to pandemic
2021 Pledges
Experienced a 5% increase in total amount pledged from 2020 to 2021.
What's New
Southwood App
A new phone app was made available to watch online worship, register for classes, submit prayer requests and share financial gifts
Composting
Southwood’s campus introduced composting campus-wide in March 2020
Online Worship Services
were offered in addition to in-person worship
Communion Delivery
Communion offered as part of online Christmas and Easter worship services
Drive-thru communion offered on All Saints Day and during the Be the Light event
Be the Light
In place of traditional Christmas Eve/Day services, a Be the Light drive-thru event was held featuring lighted displays, an opportunity for prayer and communion
344 vehicles participated with approximately 800 individuals communing