2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Annual Meeting
September 29, 2013 6:30pm Meeting held at Grace McKean 7300 Grubb Road
whoisgrace.com
2012-2013 TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S & A G E N D A TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Senior Pastor’s Letter Meeting Minutes 2013-2014 Ballot
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Statistics and Life Change 2012-2013 Financial Report 2013-2014 Operating Budget Our Facebook Wall
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ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA September 29, 2013 | 6:30pm | Grace McKean | 7300 Grubb Road
PREPARATION Worship Prayer and Welcome BUSINESS MEETING Convening of Business Meeting
MOTION: That the church approve the agenda for the 2012-13 annual celebration as printed (page 2).
Minutes of Previous Meeting
MOTION: That the church approve the minutes from the 2011-12 Annual Meeting (page 4).
Presentation of Elections Ballot
MOTION: That the individuals on the ballot be elected to serve in the stated roles (page 6).
Financial Report—Fiscal Year 2012-13 Presentation of the 2013-14 Budget
MOTION: That the church approve the 2013-14 Church Budget (page 10).
Close Business Meeting CELEBRATION Vision Moment God is Faithful/Worship Refreshments
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2012-2013 S E N I O R PA S T O R ’ S L E T T E R This has been an exceptional year at Grace Church. Some of the successes can be measured and some can’t. We set records in attendance (1,989 people on Christmas Eve and 2,006 on Easter Sunday), in giving (finished the year almost $100,000 ahead of budget), and in baptisms (87 people baptized this year). But beyond that, there are many victories that are hard to measure. Stories of life change, small steps of spiritual progress, people who fought through difficulties, and resolved to forgive; these are the true victories of this year in ministry. I’ve spent some time recalling some memorable ministry moments this year. The feast of the Father service that concluded our Prodigal God series last fall was a deeply moving experience. Watching so many people share a ‘toast’ to Jesus as we participated in communion together was powerful. It was also thrilling to watch so many of our small groups and ministry teams participate in the Big Give by leveraging over $13,000 to hand-picked recipients in the Erie community. Another highlight was walking through the Forgiveness Project as a church family. I have never in my ministry been so overwhelmed by stories of people doing serious, difficult business in the area of forgiveness. We pushed back darkness together that month. 2013 wasn’t without its challenges. Grace was faced with the reality, for the first time in over three decades, of figuring out life without Pastor Al. Al was a mainstay within the Grace family for so many years, it was almost impossible for most (including me) to imagine Grace without him. He moved on to a tremendous new ministry opportunity at Old North Church. We celebrated well. We cried, and laughed and reminisced. His impact was deep and Grace will be forever indebted to Al for his faithful leadership. His transition prompted a number of other staff moves. The most notable is Pastor Mike Watson’s move from Grace Harborcreek to Care and Support and the hiring of John Tiernan to lead our Harborcreek congregation. I’m excited to see what God has planned on both fronts. One final highlight for me has been unity and effective leadership of our team of Elders. God has used this group of leaders in many ways this year. One in particular, has been the decision to locate our next multi-site campus in the West County area. This decision came as a result of many months of prayer and fasting and visits to the area. We are convinced that God is leading us into the future with boldness. These next 12 months will prove to be a foundational year for our church. I hope you’re ready for the ride! Praise God for an amazing year of ministry together.
Pastor Derek Lead Pastor
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STATS AT-A-GLANCE: 1,086 people volunteered during 4 ServErie Saturdays. 401 of those were from Grace! We partnered with 26 agencies.
VISION INITIATIVES:
1. 3 more multi-site locations by 2016
Grace now has 4 Adopt-a-Neighborhood groups! Approx. 400 people get together regularly in homes throughout the region to grow closer to God and encourage each other through GraceGroups. 16 EQUIP Classes were offered this year. Over the past year, we have had an average of 200 children within GraceKids on Sunday mornings! We have over 140 amazing people serving in our children’s ministry in various capacities. GraceKids has formed several new teams over the past year. 15 people have taken ownership of leadership roles within the ministry. The Grace Family Experience team has been developed and is parent-led. The GFX team kicked off the first event with the Family Carnival in May. Approximately 150 people were in attendance. Then, in the month of July, the GFX team offered family fun nights, and attracted crowds of up to 200 people. 16 GraceYouth Students made first time commitments to Jesus, and over 20 students were baptized. Between both locations, GraceYouth has reached well over 100 teenagers that call Grace their home – and a ton more still out there to be reached!
87 676
FIRST TIME
GUESTS about 300 of those are from Grace Harborcreek!
400+new
children have come through GraceKids ministries this year!
We now have 15 partner churches, individuals from 5 additional churches, and 6 college groups!
3. 2 global church-to-church partnerships
We have had continuing contact with Sion Church in Cape Haitien, Haiti. We sent a team of 10 on a trip to advance that partnership and gather stories.
4. 212 - We will raise the temperature for life-onlife discipleship to the boiling point, so it is normal for people to become reproducing followers of Jesus by owning their personal growth We provided lenten devotionals to get people in the Word on a daily basis. We also developed mentoring resources for whoisgrace.com and began the process of helping people become reproducing followers.
5. 936 weeks of partnering with parents in shaping Christ-centered families
The monthly 936 newsletter has been connecting families to opportunities. Parent Toolboxes and Milestones continue to be successful connection points.
10.7% increase over last year
ATTENDANCE HIGHLIGHTS: Easter 2013: 2,006 (all-time record) Christmas Eve 2012: 1,927
GraceYouth McKean gained 5 new volunteer leaders and Sunday morning classes have taught 60 students.
Grace McKean continues to host the NWPA OCC Packing Party. Between the Friday night youth packing party and the Saturday packing party, there were more than 675 volunteers. They came from 39 different churches and another 26 community groups--that’s a total of 65 groups uniting in the same goal!
2. 50 local churches serving Erie
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
GraceYouth Harborcreek gained 6 new volunteer leaders and started a Jr. High class on Sunday mornings. A student-led worship team also started up!
The Family Ministry Team continued to unfold its strategy of partnering with parents so they can assume the spiritual leadership of their homes. Parent Tool Boxes were offered at both locations, including the new Baptism Class that encourages families to talk about salvation together. In the spring, 70 people attended Grace’s first Parent Summit to receive encouragement and training.
This year was focused on stabilizing Grace Harborcreek, setting the stage for another physical site in 2014, and Grace Online (to launch January 2014).
STAFF CHANGES In May, Michelle Maier (Office Team Champion) moved from our staff. In July, Pastor Al Detter transitioned to an Interim Senior Pastor role at Old North Baptist Church while they search for a new Senior Pastor. In August, we transitioned Pastor Mike Watson to be the Pastor of Care and Support and began to utilize Stacey Walbridge as a non-Pastoral Counseling Lead. Both will ensure the proper care for hurting people both pastorally and professionally. We also hired John Tiernan to become the Campus Lead at Grace Harborcreek. John is doing a phenomenal job already and we look forward to what God is going to do at Grace Harborcreek as a result of his leadership. In September, we promoted Kathy Herrmann to Office Manager. She will continue to bring structure and support to the entire office staff.
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Before coming to GraceYouth my life was becoming something I never wanted it to be, and coming that one night was the best decision I ever made. I had never felt so welcomed anywhere before, and it was amazing to know how everyone accepted me as their sister. GraceYouth not only made me stronger with my faith but also stronger within myself. Because of GraceYouth I was becoming happier and happier with my life and myself, not to mention I had finally established an actual relationship with God. To me, GraceYouth is a second home, the reason I’m a better person, and the foundation that started and holds together my relationship with God.
LIFE CHANGE >> THAT’S WHAT IT’S ABOUT, RIGHT?
FPU gave me peace and an ability to be spiritually quiet. Arguments with my spouse have stopped, though they were not ‘about’ money, they were usually because of money worries on my part. Gave me confidence that we are able to get our heads above water and stay there.
AZZIE,
17 years old
MORE STORIES:
I just wanted to share a story with you. Ron and I taught in Harvest a couple of weeks ago. J.T. and Dominic Delsandro were in with us. A couple of weeks later, Megan Delsandro came up to me at church. She told me that J.T. at bedtime called her over and said, “Mom I want to tell you what I learned.” He then proceeded to say “God loved the world so much, that he gave his only son. John 3:16” She said she could not believe it. She had to go back and check what the verse was for the month. Megan said he had learned that from me. It warmed my heart. Just brought back all the memories of when I was sobbing, bent over a chair in my kitchen and Ben telling me “God’s way is perfect.” Miss Chris and Miss Meg helped bring The Word into my home through my child. Now Megan experienced this because of the teachers of GraceKids. It feels just as wonderful as Ben helping me through my moment of sadness with the verse he had learned. Teaching God’s word feels so good!
FPU helped open communication between my wife & I and my faith grows by leaps & bounds when we operate as one. Great class. Working with GraceYouth has been life-changing. It has helped me build a stronger relationship with God and make better life choices to lead by example. 7
I am extremely grateful for your benevolent gift to me in my time of crisis and anxiety... your help and prayers had another effect too: I’m beginning to feel lighter & less anxious. Thank you for your great kindness. I became involved because after contemplating how truly fortunate myself and my family have been, it was time for me to branch out in this direction. There are many needs within our community and I have tried to assist in different ways over time. I also want to set a positive example for my two sons that will be a part of their memory of me when they look back on their childhood. They need to understand that everyone does not have it as good as they do and they will have a responsibility to help others throughout their lives. We are trying to reinforce God’s mission of helping others and the importance of self sacrifice, a lesson for our entire family. God has been in my life all my life and even in the roughest of times it has always turned out ok. We are supposed to help others when we can. FPU was a huge eye opener that we are the managers of God’s money. It is not ours.
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 MOTION: That the church approve the minutes from the 2012 Annual Meeting. The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Mike, followed by worship and a video. Neil and Jessy Burkell gave testimony on the impact the church has had on their lives: “It was an interesting year for us financially because we were already planning on going to one income once our baby was born - so we were already stressing about money. When we were asked to reduce my salary, it took our breath away a bit because we had been planning on saving the extra money. But we both felt led to reduce anyways. It was a defining moment for us as a couple to say “okay, we’ll struggle for the benefit of the kingdom”. We hadn’t done that before.” Bill Fogleboch officially called the meeting to order. Key people were thanked who made the renovations at the Grace Harborcreek building. A motion was made and seconded to accept the agenda as presented. All were in favor. There was discussion in regard to showing names in future agendas of those who have joined/left the membership of Grace. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the 2010-11 Annual meeting, with no further discussion. The ballot was presented for the coming year, with a brief background of newcomers to the Elder Board - Jim Scarpitti and John Tiernan. Derek gave reasoning for bringing additional staff on to the Elder Board. These positions are appointed to the board; those that are doing elder type ministries. There was a motion made and a second to accept the ballot, with no further questions. Paper ballots were passed. It was noted that pictures on the screen of those being voted on but not present at the meeting would be helpful. Ballots were counted, and at the end of the meeting results were announced – all positions were overwhelmingly approved. Bernie Farabaugh came forward to report on the finances from the previous year. His presentation included many “amazing” things that God has done, from financials – to attendance. An Average of 1000 people attended each week, which included 476 first time guests. The year resulted in a 22% percent increase in the amount of givers and 39% of all givers at Grace give on line. Bernie reported that our year started with the budget not being met the first 2 out of 3 months. By the end of the year the deficit of $19,000 was completely wiped out, ending with a surplus of funds. During a time when funds were lean, the people of Grace came forward to give financially – the giving ended up being 9.1% greater, when compared to the previous year. To quote Bernie – “God is AMAZING!” A church discipline matter was brought before the members of Grace. A motion was made that a member be removed from membership at Grace church effective immediately for the purpose of church discipline. The motion was seconded, followed by a time of Q & A in regards to the process leading to this decision. The motion was passed by a majority vote. Derek came forward to give a vision update – with a reminder that we are called to be the Light of the World – a City on a Hill. Jesus compared us to this shining city. “Light” is the deeds and actions of the people of God – our good deeds will bring glory to God. We celebrate tonight the great deeds that God has done for us. The hope of this community will come through the light God has entrusted to us. Bernie came again to present the budget for the 2012-13 year, which has been reviewed by the finance team, and approved by the elders. A motion was made to accept the new budget for 2012-13 year as presented. The motion was seconded, and the vote was unanimous to accept the budget. The meeting ended with worship, prayer and a lighting and setting off of “lanterns” for each of our 5 initiatives for the coming year. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor.
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Recording secretary: Kathy Herrmann
2013-2014 BALLOT MOTION: That the church approve the names on the ballot for election to office. ELDERS: 2 Ryan Smith* (Elder Chairman*)
TREASURER:
2 David Snell *
2 Tony Gingrich* Married to Jennifer for 9 years. They have three children, Christopher, Jacob, and Josiah. Tony is a Landscape Architect at Dahlkemper Landscape Architects and Contractors. Tony became a Christian at a age 10, and he was baptized with his parents and 3 sisters at 16 years old on Father’s Day 1986. He has been a member at Grace Church for 9 years and has served as a mentor in the Youth Ministry, a vocalist in Karis, a worship leader in the Commons Service, and the lead landscape designer at both of Grace’s campuses. 2 Dean Lewis* 2 Steve Miller* Married to his wife Pam for 5 years. Steve and Pam have four children, Megan, Ashley, Tom, and Tyler. Steve is a Sales Representative at Winkle Electric. He became a Christian during his senior year of college in May of 1975 and was baptized two years later. He immediately developed a deep love for the scriptures which continues to this day. Steve is a faithful member of Grace and has been involved in the financial ministry, community involvement at the City Mission and leads a Wild at Heart men’s group at Grace McKean. 2 Doug Nelson* 1 Jim Scarpitti 2 David Treusch* (Church Chairman*) Staff Appointed Elders: (one year term) Bernie Farabaugh Aaron Lundberg John Tiernan Mike Watson * = on the ballot for a vote
1 = 1 year term/2 = 2 year term
(bios have been provided for those new to the team)
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
For your information. The Elders have approved these changes: ADDITIONS: Sam and Doris Conley, Nancy Embler, Jim Collins, Eric and Tiffany Hills, Dave Cullen, Pam Niedhammer DELETIONS: Lynn and Doree Brown, Pat Gilson, Jerry and Becky Biebel, John Swanson 5
2012-2013 F I N A N C I A L R E S U LT S GIVING Previous Year Comments Ministries/Operations $1,590,218 $1,416,997 $99,518 (6.7%) better than plan Missions 61,731 66,080 Debt Reduction/Capital 55,597 71,273 Benevolent 37,110 35,344 Haiti Partnership 13,259 0 HC Church Renovation 9,350 129,727 Thanksgiving Meals 165 20,856 Giving Total $1,767,540 $1,740,277 1.6% increase over previous year YEARLY GIVING DISTRIBUTION of ministry/operations $0 - $499 48% $500 - $1,499 20% $1,500 - $3,999 19% $4,000 - $6,999 7% $7,000 - $9,999 3% $10,000+ 3%
giving at Grace is done ELECTRONICALLY (Last year, it was 146!)
Average giving per giving household: $1823 8% INCREASE in giving over last year Total Operating Revenue
248 FAMILIES GIVE ELECTRONICALLY
(THAT’S 29% OF ALL GIVERS).
$1,729,093*
THE NUMBER OF FIRST TIME GIVERS!
$103,188 better than plan
*Includes Giving and Ministry Revenue but not Debt Reduction/Capital or Benevolent
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE Personnel 822,603 Mortgage Fund 264,000 Operations 223,957 Ministries 206,669 Missions 110,754 Haiti Partnership 21,829 Café & Rentals 17,790 HC Church Renovation 9,350 Total $1,676,952 Surplus 52,141 $47,284 better than plan Total Reserves $ 175,652 Benevolent Fund Revenue $37,110 Expense $32,870 Over 50 families served!
Debt Reduction/Capital Fund Revenue $ 55,597 Mortgage Fund $ 264,000 Loan Balance $ 3,219,188 Monthly Payment $ 27,000 (approx.) Balance in Fund $ 15,551
Questions/details? – Call Bernie Farabaugh (790-4973 x235 or
[email protected]) before the meeting. 8
2013-2014 P R O P O S E D O P E R AT I N G B U D G E T MOTION: That the church approve the 2013-2014 Church Budget. REVENUE Ministries/Ops Giving $1,575,000 Missions 58,000 Ministries 38,989 Cafe & Rentals 17,400 Haiti Partnership 12,000 Total $1,701,389
EXPENSE Personnel Mortgage Fund Operations Ministries Missions Haiti Partnership Cafe & Rentals Total
SURPLUS
Comments 2.9% increase vs. 2012-2013
861,628 279,000 211,207 203,200 115,020 18,430 12,570 $1,701,055 1.5% increase vs. 2012-2013
$
DESIGNATED REVENUE Benevolent Fund - $28,700
334
Debt Reduction/Capital Fund - $45,000
Benevolent spending does not exceed Revenue $324,000 approx. Mortgage Payment budgeted $150,000 approx. paid on principal of $3,219,188
Questions/details? – Call Bernie Farabaugh (790-4973 x235 or
[email protected]) before the meeting. 9
Is there a video from The Mckean baptismal today? Or pictures, just curious, I was one of the lost..Praise God! -J
Got to be a part of the celebration of Al Detter’s wonderful tenure and service at Grace Church. Thank you for your willingness to speak truth and love and serve those around you! -Amy
Thank you for being such an amazing Church! Your sermons have really opened my heart, and encouraged me to seek the lord further. -Michelle
Missing Grace.... -Elaine
After a very long day, I was able to make it back home to Grace Church for the Ash Wednesday service. What an incredible evening of community, reflection and worship. After many years of receiving ashes in the catholic faith, I can honestly say that tonight was the first time that receiving ashes ever truly had meaning for me! Thank you to all the worship team and the Brothers McClurg!! -Joe
Dan Palmer lead an outstanding Faith class today at Grace Harborcreek! So very thankful to have participated with 15 other wonderful people in learning and conversation. Thank you all for making today’s class such an amazing experience!!! -Joe 65 people baptized at Grace Church today ...what what!?!?! So excited to be part of such a great community and a great family! Also thankful for the powerful reminder that we are ALL in need of the same grace. Heavy stuff. -Amy
Thanks to all the volunteers that made the Leadership Summit such an enjoyable event. I know you would all say it was nothing. Or, oh I really didn’t do much. But it is and you did. Thank You all -Keith
I can’t express what it’s like to realize how amazing God works... He is always there but he has a tendency to “drop in” in ways that shake you up and make you realize how grateful you are that he is your savior. Coming home during the nasty storm was an incredible sunset on my way home all at the same time. Then I come home to a envelope from Grace Church with a reminder of a huge commitment I have made (baptism). I may not always be perfect and I will fail him daily but it’s moments like these that make me so grateful he loves us all... Thank you Grace Church and Derek Sanford for this wonderful gift and all that you do. -Sara
Wow! Grace Grace Church knocked 1 out of the park today! Thought provoking and moving! Thank you -Brian The kids and I enjoyed our first visit to Grace... great topic of conversations... -Cheryl This place is amazing! Couldn’t be happier I hope and pray I will find a church I feel this connected with in Naples, FL after we move in a few months! -Elaine Thank you for the MOST INTERESTING and informative history lesson I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy. You took a vast quantity of historical information and condensed it to-how many minutes?--I was so interested I forgot to look a the time. Great job! I look forward to the rest of the series. -Tina
Thankful that Grace Church led me to participate in ServErie this morning to help beautify our inner-city! Great experience and a lot of fun! -Lindsay
Brian Lusky brought it this morning at Grace Church - even if he did have a Clint Eastwood voice. Thanks for pressing through! #ilovemychurch -Amy
BIG SHOUT OUT to Grace Youth for their generous contribution to the Erie City Mission’s “Bonkers 4 Jesus” inner city summer kid’s program...you guys ROCK! -RoseMarie
You got this “former-ex-Catholic’s” attention. I watched the sermon last night and appreciate the grace with which you are handling the topic. I’m praying with Francis of Assisi, “grant that I may not so much seek to be understood, as to understand.” -Angelo
I’m past this time of life - but I love that Grace Church comes along side of parents to help with raising kids! Those of you who ARE in this time of life - don’t miss it! Good stuff! (I’ve read some of the notes!) -Kathy
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what people have been talking about | FB insignts | whoisgrace.com stats | video plays Sat in church this morning listening to the beating rain, knowing we had to unload the [Operation Christmas Child] storage container in 20 minutes. I prayed, “Okay, God--You’ve got this one.” and it cleared in time for the unload. Not to mention we had an amazing group of volunteers at Grace Church to lift and haul all those blessings. First hurdle crossed and no turning back--on to 20,000 gospel opportunities! -Kathy I was wondering if anyone else watched the series on the history channel called The Bible? It was shown each Sunday prior to Easter with the finale airing on Easter Sunday eve. I learned from it and I was interested in any feedback anyone would like to give, regarding it’s portrayal of events, accuracy etc. -Sylvia Pastor Derek sounded great on the radio yesterday. As always, he really got my thinking. Nice job! -Jennifer Awesome worship experience at both of today’s services in Harborcreek plus great sermon by Pastor Mike. Feel truly blessed to have found a Church I’m glad to call Home. -Phil A pledge of thanks to the role Grace Church has played in the trajectory of my awareness since I walked through the doors in January 2011. Case in point: I just returned from a very blessed Holiday taking my mother to visit my brother overseas. It was a trip I would have previously never imagined possible. Immediately upon my return, I received a call that my daughters car was stolen, here in Erie. It has been retrieved and totaled, with only liability insurance to protect her. She is evidently responsible for the damage to the car the assailant hit as well. She is obviously very upset, however, I can see, and share, that some very blessed things have happened in our lives recently, AND I believe, with all of my being, that this was a minor lesson to a very major occurrence that could happen later. It’s a lesson to be shared, appreciated, not forgotten, and used in a positive light for years to come. Thank you Grace for being a catalyst to my recognition of such miracles .... even when they don’t feel like miracles to some people, at the time. Blessings! -Cynthia On this Thanksgiving Day, our Operation Christmas Child team from OCC Northwestern PA wants to thank Grace Church for offering their facility and a storage container to come alongside us to allow 40,376 shoebox gifts to be sent around the world from Northwestern PA. Children around the world are grateful to you, too. -OCC NWPA So i had an interesting experience at this evenings service that i felt i should share...I was praying pretty hard...opening myself up...when, in my prayer, i asked Jesus to reveal himself to me, to enter my heart and i said “Jesus, I’ve opened myself to you time and time again...its time you came in...You have to start sometime!” The response was so strong i didn’t expect it....it was “YOU” HAVE TO START SOMETIME!” and it was so loud that i actully gasped out loud... i cried all the way home...I believe Jesus did speak to me...He let me know that He is always available and that it is I who has to take that step, to kindle the relationship...thank you for another beautiful and moving service...for being a true motivator in my spiritual journey... -Brian It’s a great church and the music they sing is very moving and spiritual. -Rick I love this song! It will always remind me of my favorite Good Friday service at grace 2 years ago. -AJ
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12,297
UNIQUE VISITORS TO WHOISGRACE.COM (yes, that is a lot)
29,440 TOTAL VISITS OF THOSE VISITS: 43.8% is direct traffic
37.2% is search traffic (people typing in things like “whoisgrace” and “grace church”) 17.7% is from referral traffic (60% of our referrals come from facebook!)
OUR 4 MOST POPULAR PAGES (after the home page): 1. LOCATIONS & TIMES 2. ABOUT 3. SERMONS 4. EVENTS
12,153 VIDEO PLAYS MOST POPULAR VIDEOS: • Welcome to Grace • Lenten Devotionals • Kaitlyn Irwin’s Story • The Forgiveness Project • CONFESSIONS: Week 1
NOTES
