News for the Notetakers
A Newsletter for the Clerks of Session
of Highlands Presbytery
September 2024
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From the Stated Clerk,
Rev. Dr. Steve Shussett
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Clerk of Session Workshop
October 5, 2024 at 9am
We will have Kate Trigger Duffert with us this year, Director of General Assembly Planning and Associate Stated Clerk for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A ruling elder familiar with our area, Kate will be sharing the news we need to know coming out of the 226th General Assembly (2024) in Salt Lake City, and update us on some important, longer term, efforts that are underway. We will also be discussing some changes to the minute review, in light of new Book of Order requirements.
The deadline to register is Friday, October 4, 2024 – 1:00pm
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Appreciation for Robert’s Rules of Order
Tricia Dykers Koenig, Associate Stated Clerk, Office of the General Assembly, writes:
"I do a lot of talking about Robert’s Rules of Order in my job, including training various groups who need to know it. I gained a heightened appreciation when I read this reflection from Dawn Adamy, the Moderator of the Presbytery of West Virginia, who graciously granted permission to share it with you."
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Regarding Ruling Elders
G-2.0104 of the Book of Order tells us that God gives ruling elders suitable gifts for the particular service to which they are called. But, how are ruling elders also using their gifts beyond the walls of the congregation - in the service to the larger church, as well as the world, within their community, at their workplaces, and at home? The eighth in a set of articles that focuses on ruling elders as they serve has been posted for your reading and use.
Throughout 2024, monthly articles will alternate between these real life glimpses into the varied ways that ruling elders are serving within congregations and ministries throughout the country and a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members.
June 2024 July 2024 August 2024
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2025 Employer Agreements for Church Employers | |
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Board of Pensions Changes
for 2025
After 40 plus years the Board of Pensions is making significant changes to the Medical and
Benefits plan for the PCUSA
Learn more about changes to the Board of Pensions here.
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Messages from the PC(USA)'s Administrative
and Legal Services
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Tax-Exemption for the PC(USA) - It's Not for Everyone! | |
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“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) holds a group tax-exemption (“Group Ruling”). Automatically included in the Group Ruling are the PC(USA)’s synods, presbyteries, and congregations. This means these member entities are exempt from federal income tax as tax-exempt religious organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. But it also means that status cannot be shared "with other groups which already have their own exemption, such as the Boy Scouts of America or other groups that often work closely with our congregations but are not qualified for inclusion."
The Legal Office manages the Group Ruling on behalf of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA).
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Are you, your session, or members of your congregation in need of education in important matters of the church? Go to the Highlands Presbytery website link for an evergrowing number of resources from
leaders from throughout the denomination. And if there is something you need that we don’t have — let us know! We’ll see how we can make it happen.
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For any number of reasons, expected and unexpected, a session may find itself in need of, or working with, a moderator appointed by the Committee on Ministry. But what does that mean? And what does it
require? (Paying your appointed moderator is an important requirement. Check out the Resource Sheet for more information when this becomes (or is going to become) a reality for your congregation.
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The Clerk is a Key Communication Hub for a Congregation.
Spread the Word!
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The Clerk is a Key Communication Hub for a Congregation - Spread the Word! | |
September 26, 2024
Be a Resource to NJ Children, Youth, and Families,
7:30pm - Via Zoom. Learn more here!
October 17, 2024
Ministry Safe Introduction, 7:30pm - Via Zoom
October 5, 2024
Clerk of Session Training Workshop, 9:00am - Via Zoom
October 30, 2024 DATE CHANGE!
Pastors' Boundary Training (upon notice), 7pm - Via Zoom
November 2, 2024
Financial Management Workshop, 9am - Via Zoom
November 2, 2024
Creating a Culture of Innovation , 7:00pm - Via Zoom
November 12, 2024
Presbytery Meeting, 7:00pm - Via Zoom
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A Newsletter for the Clerks of Session of Highlands Presbytery
will come out quarterly, in March, June, September, and December. If you have something to share or a question for the community of clerks, please send it to steves@highlandspresbyterynj.org by the last week of the month before.
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Presbytery of the Highlands of NJ
390 Route 10 West, Randolph, NJ 07869
973-361-0084
office@highlandspresbyterynj.org
www.hihglandspresbyterynj.org
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