Why Should We Pay Per Capita?

March 4, 2019

PC(USA) Stated Clerk Addresses the Need and Impact of Per Capita

(OGA) In these days of diminishing resources and tight budgets, the Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to seek new and innovative ways to provide ministry and support to mid-councils (presbyteries and synods) across the country.

Presbyterians have used Per Capita — an annual per member apportionment assessed by the General Assembly ( Book of Order , G-3.0106; see also Standing Rule F.4.b.), and by many synods and presbyteries to enable Presbyterians mutually and equitably to share the ecclesiastical and administrative costs of sustaining our witness to Christ—as a sign of the covenant that binds us together. The current Per Capita Assessment is assessment is $35.73 per member.

Approximately 73 percent of Per Capita contributed by our church members remains in the Presbytery of Baltimore. These funds are crucial to the Presbytery’s ability to provide its churches with administrative oversight and mission evaluation. Per Capita also provides for a fair and interdependent system of governance that undergirds our faith community and identifies us as a Reformed Church. Treasurers are encouraged to remit regular Per Capita payments , ensuring that the Presbytery may better resource its churches throughout the year.

For the wider church, Per Capita is the primary source of funding for the Office of the General Assembly and makes possible numerous services on which Presbyterians depend, including the biennial meeting of the General Assembly.

In his monthly video conversation,

The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson , II , Stated Clerk for the PC(USA), discusses the importance of Per Capita and what it means to the larger church and Presbyterians in general. Click below.

For questions about Per Capita, contact the Presbytery or visit www.pcusa.org . This article was reprinted with the permission of the Presbyterian News Service.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Yesterday PC(USA) ce lebrated the "Gifts of Women Sunday," a day to honor women who exhibit grace that knows no boundaries. Women have been a growing and active part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for more than 200 years. Presbyterian women’s groups strengthen the Presbyterian Church and play a major role in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and witnessing to the promise of God’s kingdom. As events celebrating Women in ministry are held this month throughout the nation and denomination, we invite you to share stories of women in your church who are doing God's work.

Click here to tell us about a woman from your church who deserves to be honored this month.

Presbytery & Church-wide

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

Registration Fee is $20. Registration Opens in March

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Location TBA.

Registration opens in August 2019.

Churches

CPR/AED Training for Church Members

Granite Presbyterian Church is hosting a CPR/AED training session at 12 noon on Sunday, Mar. 24. Class size is limited; pre-registration is required.

Click here to learn more . . .

Spire Series: R esponding to Gun Violence

At 2:30pm on Sunday, Mar. 24 -- First and Franklin Presbyterian Church will host a concert to honor those who have died as a result of gun violence this past year. The concert will feature Faure's Requiem, a premier of a new composition by Dr. Mark Hardy, as well as other works. The concert supports the work of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development ( BUILD).

Click here to learn more

The First Presbyterian Church of Howard Co. will host Dr. Wayne Higgins, Director of NOAA's Climate Program Office, at 2pm on Sunday, Mar. 10. Dr. Higgins will illustrate and discuss The Fourth National Climate Assessment: Impacts, Risks and Adaptation in the U.S. Bring your smartphones or iPads! For additional information, go to www.facebook.com/EarthForumHowardCounty.

BLUE HYMNALS AVAILABLE

Churches in need of Blue Hymnals may contact The Rev. John Schmidt of Central Presbyterian Church to obtain copies. Free of charge. First come/ first served.

ST. ANDREW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

seeks

Youth/Young Adult Ministry Coordinator

Click here for job description

Click here to learn more . . .

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction Raises Thousands for Church Youth Program

General Presbyter Jacqueline E. Taylor lends a hand ladling out spaghetti at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County's Spaghetti Dinner & Auction. The event, held Sunday Feb. 24., raised more than $6,300 and benefited the church's youth program and activities.

Community

Acts4Youth Urgently Needs Meals

Acts4Youth is a Christian ministry providing mentoring for at-risk Baltimore City youth. The program meets with nearly 100 students weekly outside of school to provide a spiritual foundation and share a hot meal designed to nurture the students physically and strengthen community. This year Acts4Youth has seen a slowdown in the number of meals it is receiving. Meals are needed on Tuesday evenings at Second Presbyterian Church; and, Wednesday evenings and Saturdays for lunch at Central Presbyterian Church.

Click here to learn how you can help

CONTEMPLATIVE PROGRAM FOR LENT

TE Jenny Williams will facilitate a 6-session time of prayer and reflection Monday evenings, 3/11/19 through 4/15/19, 7pm to 8:30pm at the Church of the Redeemer. Guided by the work Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life by Henri Nouwen and with a focus on Lenten themes, the sessions are designed to encourage the intentional creation of a time for contemplation and reflection in our daily life and to share the same in a weekly community practice. This is a program of Inner Harbor Wellness. Contact Jenny if you would like to attend: [email protected] or all 410.523.3961.