The High Oaks, Inc. Spring Meeting 2019
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Report and Introduction by Nancy Miller Batty, Administrator
After our brief High Oaks annual report, Kevin Ness will offer fresh insights into his work as worldwide Manager of the Committees on Publications at The Mother Church in a talk titled “God’s Promises are Kept.” We want to start by welcoming Kevin, along with 3 of his state Committees on Publication who are here today in the audience.
Aren’t we so grateful to know Christ healing is the fulfillment of God’s promise! What beautiful proofs of feeding the hungry and healing the heart we’ve seen in our work at High Oaks this year!
I’d like to ask our Board members and the Finance Committee to all stand. In addition to Christine Polito, serving on our Board is Joe Benedict, Judy Ditz, Pat Elliott, Gretchen Liuzzi, and Bob Reed. On our Finance Committee, along with Judy Ditz and Bob Reed, are Art Morath and Jeff Smith.
During calendar year 2018, the Benevolence Committee of our Board gave grants to a total of 402 individual children and adults who reside is states stretching from New York to Virginia. These grants, given prayerfully and with genuine love, came to a total of $280,000. They were given for payment for treatment from Christian Science practitioners, care at Christian Science nursing facilities as well as in the home by Christian Science nurses, Christian Science nurses training, necessities on a short-term basis, and tuition for Christian Science camps.
For several of these grants, High Oaks is pleased to have partnered with the National Fund for Christian Science Nursing administered by the Principle Foundation in Kansas City. And, now, this year, we’re delighted to partner with a new funding group which is working to assure no child or family will be turned away from a Christian Science summer camp for financial reasons.
The Finance Committee of our Board diligently oversees our investment portfolio and our contributions which, together, provide funds for benevolence. The large number of financial requests we received in 2018 occurred at a time of lower receipts and an unsettled stock market. Prayerfully, on a monthly basis, Board action allowed for the use of a portion of High Oaks investment reserves to maintain our giving at a consistent and generous level. We are grateful that — due to investment gains so far in our current calendar year — and to your contributions — we have been able to replenish our reserves.
Our heartfelt gratitude for your unselfish support – metaphysically and financially – which makes our work possible. The Board of Directors of High Oaks and I thank you for your love for your fellow Christian Scientists which is evident in the work so many of you are doing individually and in your joining with us in our love for our High Oaks mission.
Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Kevin Ness. A lifelong Christian Scientist, Kevin Ness served as an attorney for the legal department of The Mother Church for over 17 years, including 10 years – from 2007 until 2017 – as General Counsel. Subsequently, he was appointed to the position of worldwide Manager of the Committees on Publication. He has been a Journal-listed practitioner since 2008.