Pastor Anne's Report from Annual Evergreen ABC-USA Gathering

It was a privilege to represent Calvary at the 2025 Annual Gathering of the Evergreen Association of ABC-USA held at First Baptist Church, Olympia, WA October 9-11, 2025.

The theme of the Gathering was Strangers No More! and the workshops, worship services, and conversations around the tables were focused on how we can be outspoken advocates and a welcoming presence for our refugee and immigrant neighbors during these times. This is particularly important for us at Evergreen as we have four caucus (Hispanic, Asian, Black, and Euro) and each caucus is experiencing the realities of these times in different ways. In our Euro caucus meeting, our discussions focused on our unique responsibility to stand up for immigrant safety and rights and speak out against policies and actions that are harmful and unjust. As we listened to the experiences of our siblings in Evergreen, we heard anew just how high the stakes are right now and that it is imperative that our faith move us to action.

The gathering included presentations by World Relief about their work and need for funding in local communities that help settle immigrants and refugees. FBC Olympia is very involved in this work and refugee families cooked all of our meals for our conference! The food was diversely delicious and the hospitality warm and welcoming.

We also learned of the work of IM Global Servants Kihomi Ngwemi & Nzunga Mabudiga in Haiti, heard sermons from the General Secretary of ABC-USA Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, and VP for Institutional Advancement at the Berkeley School of Theology Rev. Dr. Angela Barker-Jackson, and had workshops on how to listen to our local communities and utilize church facility space for partnerships and additional income—which Calvary is already doing!

My favorite part of Evergreen gatherings are the business meetings. What is so beautiful about Evergreen is that we are full of diverse perspectives and yet—because of the consensus model of discussion, decision-making, and discernment—we are well-practiced in how to have open, honest conversations with one another. We support each other well and hold each other accountable. We talk about real world issues with deep emotion, intellect, and faith and it’s a ‘breath of fresh air’ in terms of denominational gatherings! 

The budget discussion and approval process was especially enlightening and encouraging. Here are a few interesting learnings, practices, and observations that I will continue to contemplate as Calvary begins our budgeting process for 2026 and seeks to be an agile church in our stewardship and financial processes:

• Evergreen approved a budget for 2026 by consensus even though we only have 2025 financials for 3/4 of the year. How Evergreen finishes 2025 is important, but it is not what casts the vision for 2026; ministry goals cast the vision, not financial position. What this looks like practically:
  • We emphasize a budget is a wise and education projection but not written in stone.
  • Expense projections are estimates based on the best knowledge at the time (actuals plus anticipated increases).
  • Income projects are estimates based on what churches gave last year, plus anticipated increases (and they openly ask us as churches to increase our giving each year because of inflation and rising costs).
• We gave staff a 5% COLA across the board and estimate health insurance increases and travel costs.
• We passed a $70K deficit budget and they are paying for the deficit by taking an additional 2% from their endowment earnings (not principal).
  • In response to a question about this, Executive Minister Rev. Doug said something to the effect of:  We would rather slow down the growth of our endowments a bit for the explicit reason of investing in our staff and ministries. What’s the use of being richer if we are not serving you with meaningful programs and ministries and providing for the staff that create those ministries and programs? I’d rather us slow the growth of our endowments for the spiritual growth of all of us, then just have more money in the bank. The Bible does not talk about keeping a lot of money in the bank; the gospel calls us to use the resources we have now for ministry and trust that God will provide resources in the future too.
  • When someone asked about the 5% COLA for staff and the $70K deficit, Liliana Da Valle, Evergreen's budget officer said something to the effect of: We will not balance our region's deficit on the backs of our staff. We will not sacrifice our justice and values just to balance our budget. We will not put ‘holding onto endowment monies’ in the bank (aka: getting richer) above the wellbeing of our staff. We will move forward in faith knowing that the money God has entrusted to us - in gifts and in endowment is meant to be used, TODAY. Used, responsibly yes, but still used. Someone else added: Too many organizations dwindle their operating account while prioritizing growing their endowments then end up closing because they don’t have enough operating monies and their endowments go to other organization.

It was a fascinating conversation; one of the most heart-lifting, inspiring budget conversations I have ever been a part of. People really focused on faith and God’s provision and ministry, rather than discussing financial fear or scarcity. Yet it was not a naive conversation; real realities were named and concerns about the future were not dismissed. Yet, we all decided together that NOW is what matters most: how are we living our gospel values today? Additionally, there was much discussion around the juxtaposition of how well the market is doing versus how difficult inflation is right now and how we can support those who are marginalized most by this administration. Because endowments are growing, that is the place where we can utilize resources in bolder ways.

And Calvary, we should be very proud because one of our own was elected to serve our region! It is the Euro-Caucus’ turn to put forth a budget officer, and Rev. Morgan C. Fletcher was approved by resounding consensus today by all four caucuses to be Evergreen’s next budget officer (equivalent of Treasurer/Officer on their board) beginning in 2026. Very exciting. In addition, we continue to thank Emily Crile for serving on Euro-Caucus leadership and Pastor Alice for serving on Evergreen’s Anti-Racist Team (ART).

I am so grateful that Calvary is supported by and in ministry with the Evergreen Region. This Annual Gathering was a reminder of what really matters in life. I spent a good deal of time in important conversations with regional minsters, Rev. Doug and Rev. Sam, and other colleagues who are facing the daily challenges of ministry in this political and religious climate and I felt heard, supported, and uplifted. It is truly a collaborative community!

To read more about the Evergreen Gathering and to see the materials from the business meetings and more, click here to see how you can view the PDF version. And remember, these gatherings are open to any member of Evergreen member churches – clergy or laity. So if you would like to attend you may! The Evergreen Notes linked in our Enews each month highlight important dates and events.

Thank you for supporting my attendance at these gatherings, Calvary. It is a joy to represent our church and ministry.

~Pastor Anne