As I write this report for the annual report I am in the middle of my 25th year of ministry here in Broadalbin. I wonder where have the years gone?

I continue to work at putting the pieces of life together. Hosting an exchange student has been good for me. Attila returned home in early July and on August 1, I flew to Brussels to visit Michael, my first exchange student. When I returned from Belgium I met Carlos, a student from Ecuador and we began life together. In the summer of 2000 I am planning a trip to Budapest, Hungary to visit Attila and have promised Carlos that in 2001 I would make the trip to Ecuador. Keeping busy with a teenager in the house has been good for me.

As I reflect on the state of the congregation I am happy to report that we are in fine shape. In 1999 we were involved in 2 workcamps - we traveled to Gettysburg Pennsylvania for one and sponsored a workcamp here in Fulton County. Special thanks to all of the volunteers, the members of the Broadalbin-Perth School Board and the employees who all cooperated to make the workcamp a success. The kitchen was being remodeled during the workcamp so we discovered how to use griddles for meals. We also want to thank the members of St. Joseph's for allowing us to use their ovens during the workcamp week. It was the most ambitious workcamp yet in Fulton County with just under 400 workcampers working on 53 homes. I received a special commendation from the Gloversville City Council for helping residents of that city meet the requirements of a city beautification code.

The Session and I have reviewed the current five year plan and are beginning to work on the next five year plan (the last full plan for my ministry here). One of the issues we will be discussing in the year ahead is a plan for a transition to new pastoral leadership as I look forward to retirement.

The Model Church will work closely with the Session to set the goals for the next five year plan.

One goal is the beginning of a contemporary informal worship service. The congregation will give advice to the Session at the semi-annual meeting on January 16.

What is good is that we can plan from a position of strength and stability. This is a perfect opportunity to take a risk in ministry.

During the year we were saddened by the death of Roelof deJong, Lorraine Stanton and Myrabelle Argotsinger.