Gracious greetings from George Budine, the Nichols First Presbyterian Church and PCUSA’s New Beginnings program. I am a Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) serving the Nichols church since the spring of 2010, and a PCUSA New Beginnings coach.
My journey to the Reformed Tradition(s) has been somewhat surreptitious. I was born and raised in a very Fundamental, very Pentecostal family. Church was 2 hour Sunday morning worship, Sunday night song and testimony service, Wednesday night prayer meeting, all day Saturday mowing the lawn, and various maintenance projects. By many Presbyterian standards my “lifetime church quota” was filled by the time I was 16. So when I left for college and eventually got married (to a heathen Methodist) I felt I had already paid my dues to church. As children came and we settled down in family life there was something missing. It took me several years to come to grips with – while I didn’t really miss church as I knew it- but deep down I knew I missed worship, I missed sharing my life with God. So the search for a church - the search for a denomination, began. Like happens so many times friends of ours said “why don’t you try our church”. The Methodist and the former Pentecostal found themselves in a Presbyterian church – and liked it.
Life was good. Come to church on Sunday for 1 hour, experience meaningful, non-judgmental worship. Help out with a project now and then, serve a committee when you felt like it, even Session. One day a pastor, who shall remain nameless, pulled me into their office and told me God had plans for me. I said “God has plans for everybody” they said “no God has special plans for you”. They handed me the application form for the Lay Preaching Program. I told them they were crazy. I tried – very hard - to be like Jonah and run the opposite way, but soon learned, like Jonah, when God has plans for you, one can run but they cannot hide. ….. I am a product of Presbytery’s 4th Lay preaching class.
I filled the occasional Sunday with pulpit supply preaching and then found myself taking classes to ready myself to become a lay pastor “just in case”.
Serving Nichols has been a marvelous experience. I went there in early 2010 to help the church get comfortable with and finalize their almost set in stone decision to close. Looking for a tool to help in that process the Nichols church was the first in our Presbytery to enter into the New beginnings program. The result of that was the churches decision to recommit to God’s calling for them. The church has gone from a more or less decision to close, spending 2% of their budget on mission to now running an afternoon tutoring program for K-12 students, and other new missions. Just this year 10% of their budget is now going to mission.
In addition to that, I am truly honored and humbled that I have been asked to serve the national church in Louisville KY. I serve the New Beginnings program in various capacities, currently coaching churches across the country who are in the New Beginnings process.
God is good; all the time – All the time; God is good. This has certainly rung true over and over for me. And I believe it is ringing true for the good folks in Nichols, as we discover new possibilities daily, in God’s calling in our church. Grace mercy and peace, in the name of the God of infinite possibilities.
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A Calendar of Prayer for our Presbytery
July
5 - George Budine, Commissioned Lay Pastors
12- Shirley Davis, Commissioned Lay Pastors
19 - Bea Mooney, Ruling Elder
26 - James Belt, Teaching Elder
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
Dear Friends, there are many in our hearts and in our prayers, may we hold in prayer colleagues and their families:
Please contact Committee on Ministry co-chairs, Mark Montfort and Pat Raube if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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Staff News
Christine Rogalski, office administrator will be off on July 6th-9th, 2015 .
The presbytery office will be closed on July 6th, 2015.
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Other News
Per Capita
The year-end financial report for our Presbytery in 2014 recorded 37 congregations that paid 100% of their Per Capita for that year. The same report recorded 4 congregations that paid some Per Capita, but less than 100%, and 7 congregations that paid none of their Per Capita. As of April 2015, 18 of our congregations have paid none of their Per Capita for the year.
Pause: If you don’t know what the term “Per Capita” means, then go here before you keep reading!
No one likes to talk about their money. But anyone who has a job, owes a bill, or pays taxes knows that we have to talk about the stuff. What we do with our money reflects our spiritual priorities. That principle holds for our choice to spend money on pasta, gasoline, or video games; it holds for our choice to spend money on a newer smart phone or the food pantry; and it holds for our choice to spend it on Per Capita or seven fancy hot drinks (that’s about what our $31.81 per person duty equals). And the spirituality of spending applies both to our family households and the household of Christ’s Church.
So we’ve got to talk about it.
To the congregations that faithfully pay their Per Capita every year: Thank you, and we thank God for your commitment! Those dollars support the administration of Presbytery, the Synod of the Northeast, and the nuts-and-bolts of the General Assembly. Your faithfulness allows us to have the gifts of Christine Rogalski, the technology to publish Thursday Thoughts and Presbytery “papers” online, and the (underpaid) dedicated hours of our Stated Clerk. So much of the work of the Presbytery is done by Elders giving uncompensated time, but so many of the gears would not move without Per Capita dollars.
To the congregations that are not paying their Per Capita: I know that there are reasons.
One congregation has withheld Per Capita to make a statement of conscience to the Presbytery. I believe that change is enabled more by commitment than by deprivation; and opting out of a sworn obligation can have the opposite effect on a community like the Presbytery. Nonetheless, Sessions have the final say in the payment of Per Capita.
One congregation has expressed its desire to pay Per Capita, but is concerned that burdens of debt make that impossible. Other congregations probably view their annual budgets with similar anxiety, and the first cost to be cut is Per Capita payment.
Some congregations may not designate Per Capita giving, and after all the other bills are paid the amount left for Per Capita falls short.
I get it.
I also believe that recognizing a gap in Per Capita faithfulness offers an opportunity to remember and re-educate our congregations about our real commitments to the Church.
If Per Capita is burdensome because there are 200 people on the membership roll (a responsibility of $6,362 per year Per Capita), but only 35 people in worship, then the Session should talk about how to make the membership roll accurately reflect the present commitments of members. If your congregation’s budget has an income line for Per Capita, but you find that only 10% of your members give to it, then the Session should talk about how to empower all members to designate giving (only $31.81/year) early in the year. (This would also be a good opportunity to talk about giving in general: the scriptural benchmark is 10% of one’s income; American Christians consistently average less than 5% in their annual giving.) Maybe Per Capita difficulties are the tip of an iceberg regarding how your congregation deals with the spirituality of money. If your congregation, as a whole, really can’t afford $31.81 per person per year, then maybe a conversation is in order about how your bills fit your mission priorities. It will be a hard conversation, yes, but well worth it.
In my own life, I hate paying for car repairs. They seem to come up all the time, they’re always more expensive (and expansive) than I hope, and bringing the bad news home always fills me with fear. But when our vehicles are in good repair, I can appreciate all the things they make possible. Consider the alternative: Should I tell my family they can’t go to softball practice, an annual doctor’s visit, or to church because I haven’t budgeted well, or don’t want to work that hard, or want to protest against the hourly wage of auto mechanics? I don’t think failing to pay for our transportation would affect my family in the way God wants.
Here we are, half-way through 2015. If your Session has not had a conversation about Per Capita for this year, get talking. It’s money, not rocket-science. And it is about discipleship, faithfulness, and the life of the wider Church.
As always, if I can be of service in this matter, get in touch with me.
In Christ with You,
emrys tyler
Moderator, 2015
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Read the Summer 2015 Issue
In This Issue
Board-Foundation Partnership
Investment Returns
Traditional Program Dues
Other Medical Dues
Care Management Provider Changes
Health & Well-Being Technology Change
Contract Renewals
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$395 registration fee includes 3 nights’ lodging and 7 meals
as well as all workshops and breakout sessions.
Looking for ways to equip your church’s leaders for discipleship and evangelism? Want to discern your congregation’s particular mission and take action that makes a difference? Perhaps you want to become more effective in sharing God’s love and reaching out through social media? Find answers to these and other timely questions: Register now for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s fourth Big Tent conference. Find out more about the schedule of events and featured preachers and speakers.
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Peacemaking in Orissa, India
We have a God-given opportunity to be part of bringing reconciliation in the area where the Grace and Peace Mission in Orissa witnesses for the Gospel. Several years ago there was a very serious persecution of Christians in the area, though not directed specifically at the GPMO. As was detailed in the report that the Justice in Mission Team gave at the May 30 Assembly, there are still serious lingering animosities that could erupt again.
The director of GPMO, Hemant Tandi, is looking forward to having a major event in Nov. that will bring together leaders and women and children from the Hindu, Animist and Christian groups. For several days they will experience life together as they have not previously done, and build relationships of understanding and respect. Our prayer is that this will be a major step in building reconciliation among the groups. This will demonstrate qualities of the Gospel and strengthen the overall witness of GPMO.
The estimated cost of this event is $1000; $700 of Presbytery Peacemaking funds have already been allocated. One church has pledged $75 toward the $300. If you individually or as a church would like to pledge any amount, please let Len Bjorkman (of the JIM Team) know at <> or 689-0017. Arrangements to send in your donations will be made later. Or if you'd like more information, contact him. With summer coming on, if possible, please let him know by July 3. It will be very encouraging to Hemant to know of this prayerful support as he prepares for the event.
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NORTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HAS AN OPENING FOR A PART TIME PASTOR OF VISITATION
Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell, NY, is seeking a part time Pastor of Visitation to reach out to our elderly members who are homebound or in a care facility. This position is for approximately 20 hours per month.
There are about 25 elderly members who need pastoral visits at varying frequencies. Some require monthly visits and some every 2-3 months, depending on their needs.
This position reports to the Deacons and Rev. Lisa Heckman, who also visit the elderly. The Pastor of Visitation position has been a vital ministry at Northminster since 2004.
If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Rev. Lisa Heckman at 607-754-0746 or .
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Manager of Administration
The Office of the General Assembly seeks a Manager of Administration for the Office of the General Assembly to provide administrative leadership within the Office of the General Assembly in the areas of human resources, financial management and policy. The successful candidate will have significant administrative leadership experience in office operations, budget development, and personnel administration. Skills in problem solving, team building and interpersonal relations are beneficial. This position is full-time. This job reports to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and pays a salary of $53,000.00 - $68,000.00 per year, plus benefits. Relocation is provided and travel is required occasionally. The application deadline is July 1, 2015.
Contact Bobbie Montgomery, , Office of the General Assembly, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202
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BALTIMORE YOUTH MISSION –July 18-26 – Space still available!
REGISTRATION - DEADLINE JUNE 30.
The Youth Mission trip to Baltimore is quickly approaching, but there is still room available for a few new registrations. If you aware of youth and youth leaders who may be interested, please encourage them to register by June 30. For information and registration, visit the PSV website or email Becky Kindig () or Mark Piedmonte ().