DOCKET
2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
VALLEY UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Call to Order
Opening Prayer
Approval of Docket
Establish Quorum
Annual Reports
2025 Pastor’s Report
2025 Clerk of Session’s Report
Session 2025 Committees Reports
Buildings and Grounds – Dale Anthony
Christian Education – within 2025 Pastor’s Report
Fellowship – Milly Allen
Mission and Outreach – Sally Hickey
Music and Worship – Jim Dougherty (oral report)
Personnel – Dale Barber
2025 Deacons Report
Moderator – Andrea Campbell
2025 Working Groups Reports
Memorial Fund – Colleen Kinney
Scholarship – Craig Wilhelm
2025 Nominating Committee Report, Nominating Committee Election
Chair – Jim Parks
Review of 2025 Financial Reports, 2026 Budget and Audit Process
Chair – Jim Parks
Approve 2026 Terms of Call
New Business
Closing Prayer
Adjournment
2025 Annual Pastor’s Report
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ!
There were so many ways I saw God at work throughout 2025 – sometimes in more routine ways, and other times in ways I didn’t expect!
Pastoral Care
In 2025, in addition to the hundreds of cards, calls, and texts, I did 84 visits, and that is the greatest number of visits I’ve done in a year in the 11 years I’ve been the pastor of VUPC. I also established regular meetings with other clergy folks. While that might sound frivolous, especially because I don’t have any Presbyterian colleagues for miles in any direction, I’ve formed good working relationships and formed very good friendships with other pastors in the Valley. Those meetings are lifegiving for me! (More about relationships with other churches in the Ecumenical Events section.) The Deacons and I communicated regularly throughout the year about care issues among church members, and we worked together when several church members required extended or more intensive pastoral care.
One unexpected area where I saw God’s grace was in the formal establishment of the Office Ministry. It was never uncommon for the community to call or stop by asking for food or other forms of aid, but I started to see an uptick in these requests in late 2024. In 2025, I established an Office Ministry - two cabinets of food, hygiene, and first aid items. In April, the first week it was formally established, there were three uses. From April - December, there were 13 uses of the Office Ministry. A huge thank you to church members who donated items, handed things out from the ministry, and who shopped when it needed restocking. We had everyone from children to seniors and church members to community members use the pantry, so it’s immeasurable how many people those 13 visits helped. I trust that God brought people to us who really needed those items!
Christian Education
We completed two weekly evening Bible Studies - “The Problem of God” with eight participants in the winter, and both “The Old Testament for Beginners” and “Christianity and World Religions” with 13 participants in the fall. Andrea Campbell and I have been co-leading the studies, and I really appreciate her help and leadership! The group is a great mix of currently-working folks and retirees.
Following the book, we read together during my sabbatical in 2024, there was also interest in starting a Christian Book Club. In 2025, we read “Search” by Michelle Huneven, and then the group transitioned into reading secular books. It’s a small but mighty group who enjoy the fellowship as much as they enjoy discussing what they read.
Worship
I continued posting sermon recordings on YouTube, with an average number of views at 10 per video; this has held steady since I started doing it. In addition to sermon videos, I began posting videos of some of our music selections in worship. Those videos had an average of 27 views per video. This tells us two things: 1) VUPC has a small but mighty online congregation, and 2) music is not only a draw to our in-person worship services, but it’s transitioned over into the digital world as well. Even though we sometimes run into copyright roadblocks, this is something we should continue to do in 2026.
Music in Worship
We had two music groups who used our space for regular rehearsals throughout the year - Southern Tier Brass Band and Chrystallum Quartet. We were happy to provide rehearsal space, and we asked them to play during a worship service one or twice per year in return. In June, when we had Music Appreciation Sunday, the Southern Tier Brass Band played several selections during our worship service. And in September, when we celebrated Purple Sunday, Chrystallum Quartet played a piece they had commissioned.
The choir sang two cantatas: “Thy Will Be Done” on Maundy Thursday and “Christmas Carol Celebration” on Christmas Eve. A huge thank you to our Music Director, Derek Young, for leading the choir in hours of preparation!
Having sung in choirs my whole life, I began regularly singing with the choir in April, and it has fed my soul in ways I cannot explain. We laugh and have so much fun in rehearsals that it is truly a joy to sing with them.
Activities that Built Community
In December 2024, Session agreed that we should start an Older Adult Ministry. In early 2025, we started fleshing that out, and we had our first gathering of the Holy Rollers in April. Recognizing many of our older adults lived alone, it was important for us to provide purely social activities in an effort to build Christian community. We were treated to a concert by the Parks Band, visited the buffet at Tioga Downs, went to a Polish restaurant in Endicott, visited the Bradford County Historical Society, and went to see Sight & Sound’s production of “Noah” at the Arnot Regal Movie Theater. At the end of the year, several of us met and worked on the first events of 2026, and we decided to try and schedule Holy Roller events for Saturdays. Younger folks in the congregation heard how much fun we’re having, and they would like to join in.
In September, I received an invitation to participate in a community collaboration to get a food council started in Tioga County. (The Food Bank of the Southern Tier received a grant to start one in Broome County, and a second grant was awarded to start one in Tioga County.) A Food Council looks at how food currently moves in and throughout the county to help supply food where there isn’t much, how we can increase collaboration between food providers, and how we can reduce food waste. Work to form the Council will continue in 2026.
In October, I became the Tioga County Liaison for the new, New York Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services. They were only beginning their work this year, and I expect they’ll be more active in 2026.
We began meeting in the fall to talk about what kind of Christmas event we wanted to do, and Sally Hickey suggested we participate in the Sayre Christmas Parade. We found a guitar player (Jim Parks), a hay wagon, and we set out to sing Christmas carols in the parade. It was a cold, snowy night, but we all had a blast!
We also had the opportunity to upgrade the church sign in front of our building. The old sign was an eyesore, and I repeatedly experienced new people coming to our building who couldn’t find us. Thanks to Stu Zeafla and Larry Green for working so hard on designing, building, painting, and installing a new sign. It is beautiful!
Ecumenical Efforts
In July, VUPC joined efforts with Sayre Christian Church, Redeemer Episcopal, and St. John Lutheran to host a Vacation Bible School at St. John. There were 15 kids who participated, and everyone had a fabulous time. Pastors Melinda, Paula, and I are planning for another VBS together in summer 2026.
For the second year, Church of the Epiphany and VUPC worked together on a social justice series. In August, we presented a series called “How to Experience Life Through the Senses”. After August, Sally Hickey and I continued working with the planning team on the 2026 series. This has been very lifegiving for me, and I appreciate it so much that we can laugh and have a good time while we work.
For the past several years, VUPC has worked with Sayre Christian Church, Redeemer, and St. John on a Thanksgiving Eve service. St. John hosted this year, and it was a wonderful and sacred way to start the holiday season. Pastors Melinda, Paul, and I led the service, and a community choir sang “Now Thank We All Our God”.
Lackawanna Presbytery / Mountain Laurel Presbytery
Because 2025 was the final year of Lackawanna and Lehigh Presbyteries operating as separate entities, there was an incredible amount of work to be done. Serving as the chair for the Committee on Ministry for Lackawanna (COM), that meant working with the chair of Lehigh’s COM to learn about the churches and pastors south of Scranton. It meant meeting with an ad hoc group of COM members from both presbyteries to update / create all the policies and forms and procedures in advance of being one body. And it meant being included in situations with churches and pastors in the Lehigh Presbytery that I was totally unfamiliar with. All of this was alongside the regular work that continued with Lackawanna’s COM.
However, after countless hours, we ended the year with a new set of policies. We ended the year with a new 18-member Committee on Church Orders (COCO) that will be doing the work of COM, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, the Congregational Empowerment Team, and more. I will serve as co-chair of the new COCO alongside the Honorably Retired Rev. Susan Gilbert Zencka, and we will do our best to serve the 66 churches and their pastors in the new Mountain Laurel Presbytery.
In November, I was elected to serve as a Minister of Word and Sacrament commissioner to the 227th General Assembly that will meet in Milwaukee in summer 2026.
Older Adult Ministry
Because of our new Older Adult Ministry, I became involved with the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN). I attended their conference in September in Boulder, CO called “Bridging Generations: Navigating Difficult Conversations and Embracing New Opportunities”. I participated in workshops on the sandwich generation, dementia, communal grieving, and the baby boomer generation.
Through the movement of the Holy Spirit, I also decided to pursue an Older Adult Ministry certificate that POAMN offers through Columbia Theological Seminary. By the end of 2025, I completed two courses - Teaching for Transformation in Older Adults and The Process of Aging and Implications for Ministry. There are two more courses required to complete the certificate, and I plan to finish those in 2026.
A Personal Note
Our congregation is an older congregation, and the loss of every person who passes away is felt far beyond numbers and statistics. This year, we lost Marilynne Zeafla, and that loss was not only huge for our church, but it was personally very hard for me. Marilynne and I did so much together over the years. She and I visited our homebound folks every month. I talked to her multiple times every week, and I could always call on her when I needed something. I know she is with God now, but she is so, so missed here by her family, by our church, and by her pastor. May she rest in peace.
I give thanks for the people our church has served in 2025, and may God continue to bless the work of our hearts and hands.
In Christ,
Pastor Sharan
2025 Clerk of Session’s Annual Report
Statistical Report
Total Communicants 1 January 2025 124
Losses
Deaths 5
Transfers 2
Deleted Other Reason 14
Total Losses 21
Gains
Transfers 0
Affirmation of Faith 1
Return to Rolls 0
Total Gains 1
Total Communicants 31 December 2025 104
Total Affiliate Members 1 January 2025 1
Total Gains 0
Total Affiliate Members 31 December 2025 1
Active Member Deaths (5)
Helen Allen Bruce Coston Grace Geffert
Gloria Noble Marilynne Zeafla
Transfer In
None
Affirmations of Faith
William Dimmick, III
Return to Rolls
None
Marriages
None
Baptisms
None
Average Weekly Worship Attendance 49
2025 Buildings and Grounds Committee Annual Report
I would like to thank the committee members for all their volunteerism and dedication in making this committee successful in completing our tasks. Members are Dale Anthony (committee chairman), Dale Barber, David Cannavino, Larry Green, David Williams, and Stu Zeafla.
This is a small committee with big goals and accomplishments. Here is a list of some of the items completed this year:
• Stu built a beautiful cabinet for the Office Ministry, located just inside the rear (ramp) door.
• Replaced all the filters in the furnace that services the sanctuary. Checked the other furnace filters and they are in good shape.
• The refrigerator and freezer in the church kitchen needed several service calls from Whites Refrigeration throughout the course of the year.
• Stu built a bar in the attic to hang the new paraments purchased with memorial funds.
• Dale Barber got the old copier working by leaving tray one ajar which forces it to use tray 2 for paper feed. This can be used by people that don’t have a key to the church office.
• Purchased and installed a new washer for the manse in May.
• Continued the yearly chores of mowing and fertilizing the lawn in the spring, summer, and fall; and shoveling snow and salting the walks in the winter.
• Installed an electronic ignitor on the furnace (boiler) by the Valley Food pantry room. This eliminates service calls to reignite the furnace several times a year.
• Coordinated with several groups that use the church basement to take a week off. The Committee then cleaned and painted the basement floor.
• The Red Cross used our Fellowship Hall for their blood drives in June, July, and August because our facility has air conditioning.
• Trimmed trees and shrubs around the property as needed.
• Refurbished the church sign in front of the sanctuary on Park Avenue.
• Provided the church facilities to many groups including three AA groups (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), Al-Anon, Endless Mountain Quilting Guild, Aspire Hope, Red Cross Blood Drive, Waverly Community Chest, Waverly Senior Citizens, Waverly Rotary, Ruth Houser Piano Recital, Chrystallum Quartet, and Southern Tier Brass Band. Also, the AA groups and Al-Anon group hosted an annual birthday party in October and a New Years Eve celebration.
• Church facilities are also used for storage of food items for PA Chow for Children and The Valley Food Pantry.
• The locking mechanism on the front double doors continues to be a problem.
• Both ramp aluminum hand rails developed breaks and had to be welded.
The committee continues to perform many maintenance activities both for the Church and Manse. The committee does this without question, and I thank each of them for their support. It is imperative we keep our facility well maintained to be used as God sees fit.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dale Anthony
Chair, Building and Grounds Committee
2025 Fellowship Committee Annual Report
The mission of the VUPC Fellowship Committee is to help grow our faith and friendship with family-style meals and coffee hours.
Our Committee members in 2025 were Denise Spaulding (Kitchen Coordinator), Nancy Riley, Kathy Williams, Lezley Gehman, Andrea Campbell and Milly Allen (Committee Chair).
On the first Sunday of every month , Fellowship provides a family style coffee hour. We have several special coffee hours during the year such as celebration of new members in January, Souper Sunday in February, and World-Wide Communion in October. Thanks to the many Church members who donated food for our coffee hours.
On June 29 over 40 people attended our picnic at Spaulding Pond. We had lots of good food and fellowship that day. Thanks to the Parks Band for providing music.
Fellowship prepared 4 Free Community Dinners in 2025, with a record-breaking number of 190 served in October! A big thank you to all who helped with set up, cooking, serving and clean up. By all working together, our Community Dinners are a fast-growing ministry.
This year, Fellowship assisted Deacons with 7 funeral receptions, provided light refreshments for Ruth’s piano students’ recital in June, for a Bridge program in March, and for the Kirby Band concert in December.
In August, VUPC combined with the Sayre Epiphany Parish to offer community programs with fellowship. Our Fellowship Committee provided two meals for those popular programs.
Growing our Faith and Friendship in Christ’s Love
Respectfully submitted,
Milly Allen
Chair, Fellowship Committee
2025 Mission and Outreach Committee Annual Report
Members of the 2025 Mission and Outreach Committee include: Sally Hickey, Chair; Pastor Sharan Knoell, Andrea Campbell, Cornelia Cannavino, Ann Goodwin, Bonnie Rice, Chris Shaffer, and John Simonds.
Finances:
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2025
M and O Checking $13, 858.21 $19, 836.66
CHOW Savings $25,402.92 $27,000.29
CHOW Checking $2,846.57 $5.620.11
The M and O checking account showed significant growth because the investments prospered this year.
CHOW:
CHOW began the year with a fairly good financial standing, but the assets dropped significantly in the first 6 months of 2025. Congregational giving was down; the monthly food collections were going to the Salvation Army instead of staying in the church CHOW program; food prices were rising and continued to do so. We sounded the alarm, and our church family responded. New fundraisers, direct appeals for donations through the Sunday offering, and keeping the monthly food collections here have made a difference. We must also acknowledge the response of the local business and professional communities in the Valley, as well as the congregation of the Epiphany Catholic Church. The school held its annual food drive during Lent, and the church continues to contribute cash donations and volunteer time. With everyone’s help, the program is in a much better financial position.
• The monthly food collection which had previously been sent to the Salvation Army is now staying with CHOW. Our monthly food donations reduce the amount of food that must be purchased.
• We made direct appeals to the congregation for financial donations.
• We expanded the annual plant sale to include Plants, Pots, and Puzzles. When the outdoor sale was over, we moved the remainder into the church entryway and invited the congregation and visitors to help themselves on an honor system, and a month later we donated the unsold items to various locations in the Valley. ($810.25)
• The Finance Committee sponsored a Pancake Dinner in October, and the proceeds went to CHOW. ($875. + donations)
• The weather was not favorable for the basket raffle at Diversion Brewing, so we had to rethink the project. We collected cash donations at Diversion and put the baskets in the church social hall, where we sold chances during the community dinner, the church pancake breakfast (sponsored by Finance to help the CHOW program), the Rotary Pancake lunch and dinner, and two fellowship coffee hours. This project was successful and we hope to do this again in 2026. Sincere thanks to those who helped create and donate the 10 beautiful baskets! ($1251.00)
We are sorry that Ann Goodwin’s health has curtailed her involvement with the CHOW program, and we thank her profusely for her many years of volunteering to operate the program. Starting in November, Pastor Sharan, Sally, Bonnie, and Cornelia divided the responsibilities and are helping two longtime Rotary volunteers, Ann and Ed Brittain, maintain the program, along with assistance from Deb Witmer of Epiphany Church. We’ll continue to discuss other ways that we can help the CHOW program provide Headstart families in Sayre and Athens with two weekend meals each week during the school year, as well as three holiday dinners. Thanks also goes out to Jack Dunham, who makes the weekly food deliveries to the Head Start locations.
OTHER NEWS:
A look at the budget sheet will show you that our congregation is working hard to live out the mission of the church.
A committee member will be happy to share details of the many outreach and mission activities that we support and advocate for. Within our church, our input and assistance supports the work of the Deacons, Fellowship, and Music and Worship committees in financial ways, in providing publicity, and in offering manpower to make these events successful, and all committees reciprocate.
2026 will continue to see changes, and Mission and Outreach welcomes your input and your support.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Hickey
Chair, Mission and Outreach Committee
2025 Personnel Committee Annual Report
As specified in the policy adopted by Session, the Personnel Committee consists of three people. The moderator is appointed by the pastor. By virtue of their positions, the moderator of the Music and Worship Committee and the moderator of the Board of Deacons are the other two members. Therefore, the committee consists of Jim Dougherty, Milly Allen and me.
This year was relatively quiet for the committee other than the hiring of Sidney as our administrative assistant. Other routine matters were dealt with as appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale R. Barber
Moderator, Personnel Committee
2025 Deacons Annual Report
The ministry of Deacons as set forth in scripture, is one of compassion and service sharing in the love of Christ Jesus for the poor, the hungry, the sick or anyone in distress. VUPC is blessed to be served and cared for by dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking Deacons.
Deacons
VUPC had eight Deacons serving the Church in 2025: Marilynne Zeafla, Andrea Campbell, Patty Hammond, Lezley Gehman, Denise Spaulding, Colleen Kinney, Mary Ellen Barber, and Milly Allen. Co-Moderators were Andrea Campbell and Milly Allen.
Prayer Chain
Our confidential Prayer Chain, coordinated by Denise Spaulding and Hazel Anthony, has remained very active.
Meals
Deacons prepare and deliver meals to members in need during times such as illness, injury, family loss, and recovery from medical procedures. We also help Fellowship Committee with the Community Dinners, delivering meals to our homebound or any other member in need at that time, and church coffee hours where needed. This year, Deacons delivered over ~100 meals, a record setting year.
Funerals
Deacons usher at funerals and help the Fellowship Committee provide a meal after the services, if requested by the family. In 2025, we provided food for seven funerals for both members and family of members of the church. Five funerals were held at VUPC where Deacons assisted, and support in the form of card ministry was sent to two out of area funerals.
Transportation
Deacons help members and regular attendees of church with transportation needs to and from church activities. This was provided for several members regularly and as needed in 2025.
Home Visits and Communion
Deacons assist Pastor Sharan with hospital and home visits. Along with Pastor Sharan, we offer Communion to our homebound church members who are visited and offered communion monthly.
Card Ministry (Sunshine Committee)
Cards are also a big part of our ministry as Deacons. Deacons sent hundreds of envelopes of sunshine for Easter, Christmas, sympathy, encouragement, thinking of you, illness, and friendship in 2025. Every member of each parish receives an Easter and Christmas card from their Deacon each year.
Medical Equipment
Deacons have and maintain a good supply of medical equipment that is made available to church members. In 2025, a number of members made use of our sign out system for medical equipment that included commodes, wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs. Deacons keep a walker and wheelchair at both of our main entrances for anyone coming in to the church needing assistance.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our retiring Deacons at the end of 2025: Colleen Kinney, Mary Ellen Barber, and Patty Hammond. We also lost Marilynne Zeafla this year who is sorely missed by her fellow Deacons and all of her VUPC family.
If you know of someone in need, please contact a Deacon or Pastor Sharan and let us know how we can help. Caring for our church family is what Deacons are called to do.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Campbell
Moderator, Deacons
2025 Working Groups Reports
2025 Memorial Fund Committee Annual Report
The members of this committee are Meade Murtland, Milly Allen, Judy Collins, Tonya Wilhelm and Colleen Kinney (chair).
The Memorial Committee is a sub-committee of the Finance Committee. The responsibility of this committee is to use the monies that have been given as gifts in ways to enhance worship or respectful ways to honor the member. This committee takes suggestions from the Pastor and/or other Committee Chairs that see a need for something and work to achieve the solution.
Acknowledgements for memorials are sent to the gift giver and the family of the memorial gift. Last year 31 memorial gifts were received.
The Paraments Project in honor of Gayle Kier continues and will be completed by Lent. The committee also approved expenditures to arrange safe storage for the paraments and also materials needed to improve the sign in front of the church. This work was done by Larry Green and Stuart Zeafla.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Kinney
Chari, Memorial Fund Committee
2025 Scholarship Committee Annual Report
Name of Scholarship Minnie Wilson Memorial Scholarship (Maximum $1000/yr)
Members: Craig Wilhelm (Chairperson), Martha Close, John Simonds
Total 2025 YTD Scholarship Dollars Awarded: $1,000
2025 Recipients: Andrea Campbell
Projected Number of Distributions for Year 2026: 1
Events of Past Year (2025):
• May 2025: Committee met to review and change scholarship application and guidelines. The Finance Committee also approved the following changes:
o After receiving scholarship award, recipients must attend at least one worship service a month while not away at school or take part in two church sponsored events.
o Eligibility is limited to a maximum duration of four years. One scholarship per calendar year.
o Applications will be accepted throughout the year, not just in the Fall to accommodate non-traditional students.
• September 2025: The committee met to review and approve the application of Andrea Campbell.
Respectfully given by,
Craig Wilhelm
Chair, Scholarship Committee
2025 Nominating Committee Report
The group consists of Tom Davidson, Lori Shaylor, and Brian Campbell.
The Nominating Committee presented the slate of new Elders and Deacons at the Congregational Meeting held on December 7, 2025.
The new Deacons selected for 3-year terms are Bobbie Ackley and Kathy Williams. Lezley Gehman was selected for a 1-year term. Retiring Deacons are Patty Hamond, Colleen Kinney, and Mary Ellen Barber. The passing of Deacon Marilynne Zeafla is also noted and she is tremendously missed. Many thanks are extended to these ladies for their tireless work and leadership.
The only change in Elders is the retirement of Dale Anthony. Our thanks are given to Dale for his many years of dedication.
Thank you to the Nominating Committee for putting this slate of officers together.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Parks
Chair, Nominating Committee
2025 Finance Committee Annual Report
In 2025 the monetary gifts from the congregation were well above our expectations, coming in $22,000 above budget. The year ended with a very robust December. We were able to meet all of our obligations, assisted by $30,000 from our investments. VUPC’s congregation continues to provide both their time and financial support.
The market experienced a solid performance during the year. Even with the $30,000 transfer to the operational accounts, the result was an increase of over 9% for our portfolio. As usual, the coming year is filled with questions and uncertainty. However, the Finance Committee is confident that we are well-positioned to meet any challenges.
The annual financial review of the church was conducted on December 3, 2025. Members of the Finance team met with congregational review members: Dave Williams, Dave Cannavino, and Lori Shaylor. One exception was noted. The signature cards (except one) were not dated. New cards were completed with the proper date, and the issue is corrected. Many thanks to the review team for providing this valuable service.
Highlighting our year were the two fund-raiser pancake meals that were sponsored by the Finance Committee. We held a pancake breakfast/bake sale in March to assist the Per Capita expenses. In October, we presented a pancake supper, benefiting PA Chow for Children. Both events were very successful.
We are pleased to announce that Dawn Terascavage has assumed the Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s duties in 2025. Those two positions are now consolidated into “treasurer.” Our many THANKS are extended to Jim Kinney and Stu Zeafla. Both Jim and Stu provided invaluable guidance to the Finance Committee since the inception of VUPC as Treasurer and Financial Secretary, respectively. Prior to the merger, both men held these positions in their legacy churches, so their dedication to service extends many years! We are fortunate and grateful that both have agreed to continue as members of the Finance Team.
The Session has approved the following amounts to be dispersed to VUPC programs in 2026:
• Mission & Outreach 10% of envelope-giving, loose change, & stock dividends
• Deacons Fund $1,000 annually, dispersed $250 per quarter
• Fellowship $1,000 annually, dispersed $250 per quarter
• Music & Worship $6,655 annual budget (managed in General Fund)
• Christian Education $1,600 annual budget (managed in General Fund)
The Session has approved the following teams of Tellers for 2026:
• Mark Middaugh & Milly Allen
• Dave & Cornelia Cannavino
• Craig & Tonya Wilhelm
• Dale Barber & Carolyn Kopatz
• Jim & Colleen Kinney
• Martha Close & Steve Parks
Our THANKS is extended to Dale & Hazel Anthony who have stepped down as a teller team after many years of service. We thank and welcome Dave and Cornelia Cannavino to join the Teller Team. These teams of tellers are also responsible for operating the Power Point at weekly church services. The Finance team expresses much appreciation to these Tellers who stay after the service to log the weekly contributions.
The following are the Finance Committee members:
• Jim Parks – Chair
• Jim Kinney, Stu Zeafla, Mark Middaugh – Team members
• Martha Close – Recording Secretary
• Dawn Terascavage – Treasurer
• Craig Wilhelm – Chair of the Scholarship Committee
Many thanks to this wonderful team for their talent and dedication.
The Finance team looks forward to another successful and fulfilling year. We pray that God will continue to guide our congregation to do our part to support the Church in 2026!
2025 Giving Summary
Giving Units * Total $ for Range
Year → 2024 2025 2024 2025
Giving Range ↓ Number of Weeks → 52 52 52 52
$1 - $100 15 14 468 458
$101 - $500 10 7 2,733 1,895
$501 - $1000 9 8 6,595 6,020
$1001 - $2000 8 8 11,600 11,175
$2001 - $3000 8 7 19,855 18,890
$3001 - $5000 5 8 18,145 31,740
$5001 - $8000 6 5 37,680 32,300
$8001 - 6 6 80,775 79,357
Total income from envelopes / checks 67 63 177,851 181,835
Loose plate offering 921 1,325
Building use / Misc 3672 15,753
Stock Dividends 8292 8,290
Transfer from Investments 30,000
Total Undesignated income 190,736 237,203
* A giving unit represents one envelope, which could be a single person, a
couple or a family.
2025 Investment Holdings
January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
TRANSFERS
INVESTMENT 2025 TO/FROM GAIN/ GAIN/ 2025
FUND BEGINNING OTHER LOSS LOSS % ENDING
BALANCE FUNDS BALANCE
C&N TRUST 626,990.53 -15,000.00 94,437.22 15.06% 706,427.75
C&N SCHOLARSHIP 41,577.37 -1,000.00 5,821.21 14.00% 46,398.58
RESERVE 30,247.94 1,193.20 3.94% 31,441.14
C&N M&O TRUST 139,184.84 -15,000.00 21,457.25 15.42% 145,642.09
C&N STOCK 137,568.55 11,609.99 8.44% 149,178.54
C&N MEMORIAL 18,151.27 545.59 3.01% 18,696.86
993,720.50 -31,000.00 135,064.46 13.59% 1,097,784.96
2025 General Fund
2025 BEGINNING BALANCE 19,500.59
INCOME
UNDESIGNATED
ENVELOPE GIVING - UNDESIGNATED 181,914.81
LOOSE OFFERING 1,245.15
DIVIDENDS ON STOCK FUNDS 8,290.04
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 14.00
MISCELLANEOUS AND REFUNDS 11,017.91
BUILDING USAGE 4,720.80
TSFR FROM VUPC TRUST FUND 15,000.00
TSFR FROM M&O INVESTMENT SUBACCOUNT 15,000.00
TOTAL UNDESIGNATED INCOME 237,202.71
DESIGNATED
ENVELOPE GIVING - DESIGNATED 3,451.20
FLOWERS DONATIONS 300.91
FELLOWSHIP DONATIONS 100.00
PA CHOW DONATIONS 15,904.42
MISSION & OUTREACH MISC. DONATIONS 7,427.19
DEACONS MISC. DONATIONS 2,328.14
MEMORIAL DONATIONS 2,455.00
OTHER 983.00
TOTAL DESIGNATED INCOME 32,949.86
TOTAL INCOME 270,152.57
EXPENSES
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
RESTRICTED FUNDS
M&O (10% OF UNDES. INCOME/DIVIDENDS) 19,144.98
DEACONS FUND ($250 PER QUARTER) 1,000.00
FELLOWSHIP ($250 PER QUARTER) 1,000.00
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS 21,144.98
PERSONNEL WAGES & BENEFITS
PASTOR CARE 91,103.21
CHURCH EMPLOYEES 36,253.95
PAYROLL TAXES 1,838.51
TOTAL ALL PERSONNEL WAGES 129,195.67
ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE SUPPLIES 485.28
POSTAGE 73.00
EQUIPMENT RENTALS 2,504.75
INTERNET, TELEPHONE, COMPUTER EQUIP 2,066.61
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 27.08
PER CAPITA (NOT DONATED) 3,354.70
ACCOUNTING EXP. 1,800.00
MISCELLANEOUS 1,988.83
TOTAL ADMINISTRATION 12,300.25
2025 General Fund (Continued)
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
CHURCH GROUNDS 3,017.84
GAS 4,178.91
ELECTRIC 7,606.06
WATER 406.04
SEWER 249.78
GARBAGE 1,425.60
FIRE ALARM MONITORING 1,050.00
TOTAL PROPERTY INSURANCE 14,585.00
WORKERS COMP & DBL 1,236.32
BUILDING REPAIRS 1,421.41
BUILDING MAINTENANCE (SUPPLIES) 1,048.38
EQUIPMENT 1,769.22
ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE 2,165.76
MANSE 4,230.08
TOTAL BUILDING & GROUNDS 44,390.40
MUSIC &WORSHIP
MUSIC SUPPLIES 170.69
LICENSES & PERMITS 405.00
ORGAN MAINTENANCE 1,875.00
PIANO REPAIR & TUNING 38.05
MISCELLANOUS MUSIC 29.92
AIDS TO WORSHIP 679.97
NEW MEMBERS 250.33
MISC 93.23
TOTAL MUSIC &WORSHIP 3,542.19
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUPPLIES 562.55
DRIVE THRU CHRISTMAS/EASTER 285.88
BIBLE STUDY 203.20
BOOK CLUB 89.46
MISCELLANEOUS 14.03
TOTAL CHRISTIAN ED. 1,155.12
TOTAL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES 211,728.61
NON-OPERATIONAL (PASS-THROUGH) EXPENSE
CHOW DONATIONS 15,904.42
FELLOWSHIP DONATIONS 100.00
MEMORIAL DONATIONS 2,455.00
MISSION & OUTREACH DONATIONS 7,427.19
DEACONS DONATIONS 2,328.14
OFFERING ENVELOPES 299.11
PER CAPITA 3,007.10
FLOWERS 295.75
MISCELLANEOUS 1,200.00
TOTAL NON-OPERATIONAL (PASS-THROUGH) EXPENSE 33,016.71
TOTAL EXPENSES 244,745.32
2025 ENDING BALANCE 44,907.84
2025 Mission & Outreach Fund
2025 BEGINNING BALANCE 13,858.21
INCOME
10% OF UNDESIGNATED OFFERING 18,315.99
10% OF STOCK DIVIDENDS 828.99
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING 2,260.00
SOUPER BOWL 222.00
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING 1,970.00
FREE WILL DINNER DONATIONS 656.00
SCHOLARSHIP FUND 1,000.00
OFFICE MINISTRY 568.00
EPIPHANY JOINT EVENT 1,495.74
MISCELLANEOUS 25.00
ADULT CLASS 280.45
TOTAL INCOME 27,622.17
EXPENSES
WHITES 1,500.00
HALLS 1,500.00
KINGSLEYS 1,500.00
WORLD VISION 1,500.00
THE BRIDGE 1,000.00
SALVATION ARMY (FOOD PANTRY) 2,500.00
VALLEY FOOD PANTRY 1,000.00
SCHOLARSHIPS 1,000.00
CHOW FOR CHILDREN (SAYRE/ATHENS) 1,000.00
PCUSA SHARED MISSION SUPPORT 700.00
OUTREACH EVENTS 1,371.01
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY 222.00
FREE WILL MEALS 2,085.25
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING 1,796.00
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING 1,970.00
OFFICE MINISTRY 321.36
ADVERTISING 678.10
TOTAL EXPENSES 21,643.72
2025 ENDING BALANCE 19,836.66
2025 Deacon's Fund
2025 BEGINNING BALANCE 4,587.70
INCOME
BUDGETED ADVANCE FROM GENERAL FUND 1,000.00
MISCELLANEOUS 1,238.14
FUNERAL DONATIONS 1,090.00
TOTAL INCOME 3,328.14
EXPENSES
DEACONS DISBURSEMENTS 269.33
DAILY DEVOTIONAL 584.80
MISCELLANEOUS 163.59
FUNERAL EXPENSES 776.60
TOTAL EXPENSES 1,794.32
2025 ENDING BALANCE 6,121.52
2025 Fellowship Fund
2025 BEGINNING CASH BALANCE 1,569.52
INCOME
BUDGETED ADVANCE FROM GENERAL 1,000.00
MISCELLANEOUS 100.00
TOTAL INCOME 1,100.00
EXPENSES
FELLOWSHIP EVENTS 47.98
FELLOWSHIP HOUR 656.96
KITCHEN SUPPLIES 140.56
HOSPITALITY 39.52
MISCELLANEOUS 85.00
TOTAL EXPENSES 970.02
2025 ENDING CASH BALANCE 1,699.50
2025 Memorial Fund
2025 BEGINNING BALANCE 6,013.64
INCOME
TRANSFER FROM INVESTMENT FUND 0.00
MEMORIAL 2,455.00
TOTAL INCOME 2,455.00
EXPENSES
MEMORIAL DISBURSEMENTS 1,046.56
MEMORIAL PROJECTS 186.53
TOTAL EXPENSES 1,233.09
2025 ENDING BALANCE 7,235.55
2025 Capital Building Funds
2025 BEGINNING BALANCE 1,976.20
TOTAL INCOME 0.00
TOTAL EXPENSES 0.00
2025 ENDING BALANCE 1,976.20
CAPITAL ACCOUNT BALANCES
CHECKING BALANCE 1,976.20
SAVINGS BALANCE 0.00
TOTAL CAPITAL ACCOUNT BALANCES 1,976.20
2025 Chow for Children Funds
2025 BEGINNING CASH BALANCE 28,249.54
INCOME
CHOW DONATIONS 9,044.17
INTEREST INCOME 192.90
MISCELLANEOUS 6,860.25
TOTAL INCOME 16,097.32
EXPENSES
FOOD PURCHASES -DEBIT CARD 9,237.36
FOOD PURCHASES - CHECK 1,250.00
PURCHASE GIFT CARDS 1,239.10
OTHER 0.00
TOTAL EXPENSES 11,726.46
2025 ENDING CASH BALANCE 32,620.40
CHOW ACCOUNT BALANCES
CHECKING BALANCE 5,620.11
SAVINGS BALANCE 27,000.29
TOTAL CHOW ACCOUNT BALANCES 32,620.40
2025 Insurance Summary
BROTHERHOOD MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Multi-Peril Insurance 14,585.00
Workers Comp Insurance 1122.69
TOTAL BROTHERHOOD MUTUAL 15,707.69
SHELTER POINT LIFE
NY State Disability 113.63
TOTAL SHELTERPOINT 113.63
TOTAL ALL INSURANCE 15,821.32
Approved 2026 General Fund Budget
1/1/2026 ACTUAL BEGINNING BALANCE 44,908
INCOME
UNDESIGNATED INCOME
ENVELOPE GIVINGS 180,000
LOOSE OFFERING 1,000
DIVIDENDS FROM STOCK FUND 8,290
MISCELLANEOUS & REFUNDS 100
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 0
BUILDINGS INCOME 4,000
XFER FROM INVESTMENTS 0
TOTAL UNDESIGNATED INCOME 193,390
DESIGNATED INCOME (ALL SOURCES) 1,892
TOTAL INCOME 195,282
OPERATIONAL EXPENSE
PERSONNEL
PASTOR CARE 95,520
EMPLOYEES 39,100
PAYROLL TAXES 2,000
TOTAL PERSONNEL 136,620
ADMINISTRATION 13,023
BUILDING & GROUNDS
CHURCH GROUNDS 3,200
UTILITIES 14,350
FIRE PROTECTION 1,350
CHURCH INSURANCE 13,144
BUILDING REPAIRS 1,000
BUILDING MAINT. SUPPLIES 1,000
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 6,305
MANSE 4,850
MISCELLANEOUS 500
TOTAL BUILDING & GROUNDS 45,699
DESIGNATED FUNDS AND PROGRAMS
MUSIC & WORSHIP 6,655
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 1,600
MISSION & OUTREACH 18,929
DEACONS 1,000
FELLOWSHIP 1,000
TOTAL DESIGNATED FUNDS AND PROGRAMS 29,184
TOTAL OPERATIONAL EXPENSE 224,525.50
TOTAL NON-OPERATIONAL EXPENSES (PASS-THRU) 0
12/31/2026 PROJECTED ENDING BALANCE 15,664
2026 Terms of Call
The Valley United Presbyterian Church, being well satisfied with your qualifications for ministry and confident that we have been led to you by the Holy Spirit as one whose service will be profitable to the spiritual interests of our church and fruitful forth Kingdom of our Lord, earnestly and solemnly calls you, Sharan Knoell to continue in the office of Teaching Elder of this congregation, beginning on January 1, 2026, promising you in the discharge of your duty all proper support, encouragement and allegiance in the Lord. That you may be free to devote full time to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament among us, we promise and obligate ourselves to provide you with the following annually:
Standard Benefits: 2026 Comment
● Annual Cash Salary $49,286
● Housing (manse value and/or amt. of housing allowance) $16,206
● Utility Allowance $0 Paid by Church
● Furnishings or other allowance $1,000
● 403 (b) deferred compensation $3,031
● Effective Salary for Board of pensions $70,225
● Full medical, pension, disability, and death coverage under the Board of Pensions (Additional coverage for spouse included) $31,904
Other Benefits:
● Social Security Offset $5,372
● Medical/Dental reimbursement allowance $702
● Dental Insurance (Pastor & Spouse) $1,025
● Paid vacation leave of 4 weeks annually to include 4 Sundays.
● Paid continuing education leave of 2 weeks annually, to include 2 Sundays. Cumulative over different years upon approval by Session.
The following expenses of ministry will be reimbursed through an accountable plan:
● Continuing Education $1,500 Voucherable
● Travel at IRS rate per mile $2,000 Voucherable
● Other: Professional expenses $500 Voucherable
