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National Pastors Sabbath

From  April 17-20,  2009, Presbyterian pastors from all over the country will gather for a time of rest and renewal — a time to break bread with those in common vocation. This is a time for

… rest and relaxation
… celebration and worship
… spiritual growth and renewal

Participating in retreat leadership will be  Walter Brueggeman guiding the Bible study and reflection on the book of Exodus; Frances Taylor Gench and J. Herbert Nelson preaching daily; and various workshops.  

The site for the conference has recently changed.   No new site has been announced.  Updated information can be gained by going to

http://www.pcusa.org/pastorsabbath

Per Capita Cut in Budget

The Finance Commission recently issued this announcement: 

The Session of our Church recently decided to forego payment of the yearly Per Capita tax in support of our Presbytery for 2009.  This tax is not a mandatory commitment.  The decision was made in light of our ongoing Church budget deficit. Per Capita envelopes, therefore, will not be found in your 2009 box of Offering Envelopes.  Those Church members who prefer to continue paying this tax ($ 34.00 per member) to Presbytery may do so by remitting that amount in a white envelope marked “Per Capita”, with their envelope number included.  Other members may prefer to include that amount along with their regular offering in support of our Church operating budget for 2009. 

Suggestion to Presbytery regarding Associate Executive Presbyter

Recently our session made a prosal to our presbytery Administrative Committee and our sister churches.  I am posting it here for review and comment of presbytery members.

Our session strongly recommends to the Monmouth Presbytery Council that we cancel all plans to hire an associate executive presbyter, and that the sessions and delegates from our sister churches join us in supporting this recommendation.  We offer this suggestion in light of our weak national economy, the budget challenges of our local churches, and the needs of our presbytery. 

In a time when churches are cutting back staff and trimming budgets, we believe the Presbytery should be doing the same.  We therefore recommend that our fellow members of presbytery join us in the following actions:

1.  Respond to the GA Survey, stating that the position of associate executive presbyter is not wanted and cannot be supported. 

2.  Join us in supporting the cancellation of expanded ordained staff at the presbytery level.

3.  Instruct the Presbytery Council to modify the presbytery budget and reduce the per capita. 

4.  Instruct the Presbytery Council to explore continued reductions in staff and expenses into the future.

We believe that this is a time for trimming Presbytery expenses and allowing our member churches to do the ministry and mission which is at the heart of our Presbytery purpose.

Yours in Christ,

   
     Clerk of Session                                       Moderator of Session