Day of Learning – Stewardship: Back to Basics
The Presbyterian Foundation is pleased to bring you another Day of Learning for getting back to basics with stewardship. This FREE learning opportunity is set for Aug. 23. There will be two parts: Building a Culture of Generosity at 2 p.m. and Tactical Stewardship: Creating an Annual Plan at 5 p.m.
Building a Culture of Generosity will be led by Robert Hay Jr., Senior Ministry Relations Officer for the Presbyterian Foundation, who will offer resources for creating a congregational culture that doesn’t just DO stewardship but that embodies stewardship across committees, worship, social activity, and community expression. Tactical Stewardship: Creating an Annual Plan will be led by Maggie Harmon, Ministry Relations Officer for the Southwest, who will outline tools and resources you can use for building year-round stewardship communications, including a planning calendar, bulletin content, and tips for engaging participation in Stewardship Tactics.
Board of Pensions: New Medicare Advantage plan replaces Medicare Supplement
The Board of Pensions will offer enhanced medical coverage to retired members through the Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan, starting Jan. 1, 2024. Retired members pay no monthly subscription rate to participate in the new plan, which replaces the Medicare Supplement Plan. Find out more here.
Church Financial Leadership Grants available now
If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder, a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community, or a member of a stewardship team, the Presbyterian Foundation has Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.
Some of the events for which you can use the funds include Stewardship Kaleidoscope (see item on this year’s event further below), Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) through the Lake Institute, and other church financial leadership events (subject to approval).
Selecting Board of Pensions benefits for 2024
The Board of Pensions (BOP) has announced the time frame for employers to select benefits offered to employees for next year. The window for creating your employer agreement will be open August 14 through October 6. While full details of 2024 benefit costs will not be available yet, BOP has announced that medical dues for Pastor’s Participation will remain at 29% of effective salary for 2024, and to set the maximum annual dues amount at $36,000 and minimum annual dues amount at $12,500. Total dues for the Pastor’s Participation benefits package will remain at 39 percent. Please go to the BOP website for more information on 2024 benefits offerings and how to create your employer agreement.
Assets and Liabilities: Managing Your Church’s Balance Sheet
Church leaders need an understanding of a church’s debts and assets – two major components of the balance sheet. On May 23, experts with the Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and New Covenant Trust Company shared their knowledge in a webinar, covering three aspects of church finances: understanding your balance sheet, appropriate levels of debt and the process for acquiring debt, and matching assets with time horizons for optimal investment returns. Click here to watch the recording.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope: Sept. 25-27
Registration is open for this year’s Stewardship Kaleidoscope, featuring more than 30 workshops spanning theology, practical stewardship planning, creative ventures, and legacy programming. Register and explore stewardship in its many colorful dimensions!
2023 Special Offerings Calendar
Here is this year’s calendar for the four churchwide Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), of which two remain.
PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS: Sept. 3 to Oct. 1
A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25 percent of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25 percent for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50 percent is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.
CHRISTMAS JOY: Dec. 3 to Dec. 24
NOTE: Donations to the four Special Offerings are accepted at any time. The dates above are for times of special emphasis on the offerings. Click here for more information or to order resources, or call the PC(USA) Store at 800-533-4371.