New Board of Pensions' Program
Promotes Pastoral Financial Literacy
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by Holly Baker, Board of Pensions|
Special to Presbyterian News Service
PHILADELPHIA — “If the new
Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations
program were a breakfast food, you could say it’s selling like hotcakes,” said Andy Browne, Vice President of Church Relations for the Board of Pensions. Through the first quarter of 2019, 268 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors enrolled in online learning modules provided by Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations, and Board staff conducted training sessions with leaders from 104 congregations. The nationwide program gives pastors a foundation in financial literacy and management, and congregational leaders a better understanding of the financial realities of pastors.
In addition, qualifying pastors receive individual financial counseling through Ernst & Young Employee Financial Services and a grant of up to $10,000 for debt reduction or retirement savings.
“The Board developed this program because a growing number of ministers carry significant debt or have insufficient savings for retirement,” Browne said. Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations helps support the promises made by congregations to care for their pastors, offering a way to faithfully address pastors’ financial challenges so they can grow and sustain their ministries.
Pastors say they appreciate learning about personal finance in the online modules and having the opportunity to develop a personalized financial plan under the guidance of a professional. “The online modules were the most valuable part for me personally, especially the budgeting one — the 30-Day Challenge,” said the Rev. Esta Jarrett, pastor of
Canton Presbyterian Church
in Canton, N.C. This learning module requires participants to record every penny they spend for a month. Jarrett found the exercise “revelatory.”
The program is funded largely by the Board of Pensions. It also receives support from
Lilly Endowment
and participating churches. To participate in Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations, qualifying pastors and congregations must covenant with the Board to take certain actions, including, for the congregation, making a contribution to the program.
This article appears courtesy of the Presbyterian News Service; the full article is published online
here
. Holly Baker is agency writer at the
Board of Pensions
(BoP). For information on BoP benefits plans for members, contact
info@pensions.org
.
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Meetings
All meetings are held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's office unless a different location is indicated.
- The 883rd Gathering will be held from 4 - 8pm on Thursday, May 9 at Chestnut Grove PC
- Baltimore Dakota Partnership meets at 7pm on Tuesday, May 14
- Cuba Partnership meets at 7pm on May 15 at FPC of Howard Co.
- Dismantling Racism Training will be held 8:30am on May 20 at Chestnut Grove PC
- Steering Cabinet meets at 1pm on Wednesday May 22
- Commission on Reconciliation meets at 6:30pm on May 22
- Ministry Group Conveners meet 11:30am on Thursday, May 23
- The Center Steering Committee meets at 12:30pm at Dickey Memorial PC
- New Clergy Orientation will be held 10am Tuesday, May 28
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2019 Clergy Retreat
As you put the finishing touches on your Easter sermon and move through the busy days of Holy Week, wouldn't it be nice to know that you would have an opportunity to get some time away in just a few weeks -- time to catch your breath, time to talk and laugh with colleagues in ministry, time to be with God in a beautiful, natural setting? Take a minute to sign up for the Clergy Retreat at
Bon Secours Conference Center
on
May 15-16, noon to noon
. The cost is only
$75
and scholarships are available.
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The
2019-2020 Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) Planning Calendars
are now available for purchase. The Presbytery of Baltimore will arrange a bulk order at a discounted price of $9 per planning calendar for member churches. The Presbytery's rate includes shipping and handling. The deadline to place an order is
Monday, June 28
. Orders are non-refundable.
To place your order as part of the Presbytery’s bulk order,
follow this link to the order
form
, print and complete the form, then return it by mail with the amount due to the Presbytery. Please make checks payable to the Presbytery
of Baltimore and mail it to the attention of: Planning Calendar Orders, 5400 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239
. To pay by credit card, follow
this link to Planning Calendar
on
the Presbytery’s payment page under Miscellaneous. Churches will be contacted for pick up when the calendars arrive.
Churches may also visit
PCUSA’s online church store
to place their own order for planning calendars at a cost of $14.95 each or $8.50 each for 50 or more books. Shipping and taxes are included separately in PCUSA's online price.
Be advised that planning calendars will not be available for shipment until August 2019.
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"A Generation that
Sees Beyond the Limits"
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883rd Gathering of the Presbytery of Baltimore
Join us for spectacular worship, fellowship, a bit of business and a good ole' fashioned outdoor barbeque as we gather for the 883rd meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore on Thursday, May 9 from 4-8 pm at Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, MD (21131). We'll also take time during this gathering to commission our youth as they plan to attend the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium this summer at Purdue University, IN
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Confirmed Dates for the Dismantling Racism Training in 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019 at Chestnut Grove PC
(3701 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131), 8:30am to 5pm.
Morning refreshments and Lunch are provided
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The Center's work day will be held 9am to 2pm on Saturday, May 11. The Center could use your help to prepare for our guests this summer. It's time for our annual deep clean and fix-it day. We'll need help with moving some furniture, replacing bulbs and other minor repairs. For details, e-mail
Liv
at
The Center
.
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Each year we look forward to the annual meetings for Clerks of Session for training and to review Session Records. The following is a list of meetings for the Baltimore metropolitan area.
- Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10 am, Hancock PC, Jack Carlson
- Sunday, May 19, 2pm, Harundale PC, Jack Carlson
- Wednesday, May 29, 7pm, 1st PC of Howard County, Mary Gaut
- Saturday, June 8, 10am, Govans PC, Mary Gaut
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Catonsville Concerts at 3
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Catonsville Concerts at 3 features pianist Katie Mahan in concert at 3pm on Sunday, May 19 at the church.
Katie has captured the attention of audiences throughout the world for her innovative musical personality, poetic interpretations, and graceful and charming stage presence. She is at home in a broad repertoire ranging from Bach to Poulenc, and is particularly distinguished as an interpreter of the music of George Gershwin and Claude Debussy.
This free concert is presented with special funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Baltimore County Commission on Arts & Sciences & the Catonsville Women's Giving Circle.
Full Poster
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First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Seeks Office Manager
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The Office Manager (OM) supports the Pastor (Head of Staff), Session (its Clerk and committees), Board of Deacons, and other paid staff - through general administrative functions. The OM supports the day to day operations of the church and its surrounding campus properties (Hodge House, St Andrew Parking Lot, Backus House and Patrick Allison House).
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Jacqueline E. Taylor
General Presbyter
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John "Jack" Carlson
Stated Clerk
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Mary Gaut
Deputy Stated Clerk
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Debbie Ingram Schmidt
Associate, Spiritual Leader Development
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Susan Krehbiel
Director of Congregational Advocacy
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Wanda Morgan
Office Administrator
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Deborah Greene
Director of Communications
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Chuck Brawner
Administrator of Finances
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McKenna Lewellen
Coordinator, The Center
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Kate Foster Connors
Director, The Center
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Presbytery of Baltimore | (t) 410.433.2012 | (f) 410.433.2066| office@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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