The Commemorative Fund
The end of May, when we celebrate Memorial Day, is a good time to report to the congregation information about the Commemorative Fund. Formerly known as the Memorial Fund, the Commemorative Fund was established to provide opportunities to celebrate special occasions in the lives of friends and loved ones or to perpetuate their memory. As contributions are made to the Commemorative fund, the name of the person in whose honor the gift is made is inscribed in the Memorial Book on display in the narthex, as well as being listed in the Tower Tidings. All gifts are acknowledged by the Church Business Administrator, who also notifies the appropriate person(s) that this gift has been received. Records are maintained by the Church Business Administrator, showing the amount of each gift and the name of the person being honored. Receipts and disbursements are summarized in the annual financial reports which are distributed to the congregation.
Some donations have been given for a specific purpose, and those funds are disbursed only for that purpose. For instance, the flags that fly from the flagpole in front of Howard House are purchased from a memorial fund in memory of Herb Palmer. Purchases for equipment and materials for SCEEP come from a fund in memory of Marjorie Thayer. Handbells have been purchased from money given in memory of Mildred Grauman for the music ministry.
The Commemorative Fund has received contributions over the past year and a half in memory of John Born, Bill Burden, W. Sheldon Bennett, Sarah Clackworthy, Paul Cottone, Daniel Fallon, Mildred Grauman, Elmer King, John King, Gudrun Larsen, Jennifer Costello Meyer, Ann Mills, Bob Ogden, Christian Smith, Joan Stuelpner, Dick Thomas, Ruth Tuohig, Jane Winthers, Pauline Vaughan, and Harry Wenner, and in honor of Sally Coulson, Beth Fenske, the Gately/Lu wedding, Marnie Kaller’s music program, Barbara King’s birthday, Mary Lou and Bob Lundquist’s 65th wedding anniversary, Elizabeth Morrison, the Samaritans, the birthdays of both Beverly and Tom Tignor, and the birthday of Edna Wilson.
Requests for the use of commemorative funds are most often made by Session committees, but may also come from the staff. It is the responsibility of the Commemorative Committee to determine the appropriateness of the expenditure of commemorative funds for the use requested. The Commemorative Committee forwards their recommendation to the Finance Committee for final approval.
Besides those on-going expenditures noted above, the following are recent purchases financed by Commemorative Funds:
- Children’s choir robes
- Additional chancel choir robes
- Music stands for the Parish House
- 12 card tables
- First aid kits and supplies
- All installation costs for the new sconces in Sheffield Hall
- Automatic electric defibrillator for the sanctuary
Donations can be made to the Commemorative Fund by sending a check payable to The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, with Commemorative Fund noted on the memo line, accompanied by a note explaining in whose memory or honor the gift is given, by whom it is given, and who is to be notified of the gift. The church has benefited greatly as we have honored our loved ones. Thank you.
The Commemorative Committee
Tom Guthrie
Cheryl Smith
Fred Stradtman
Barbara King, Chairperson
