The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) is honoring presbyteries large and small across the country for their generous support of Presbyterian mission in 2011.
“Presbyterians are passionate about mission on a local, national and global scale,” said Linda B. Valentine, GAMC executive director. “The money donated by presbyteries each year means that together we can continue to engage in mission and ministry across the country and around the world.”
Donations from presbyteries in 2011 helped support the vital mission and ministries of the church, including programs such as the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel. More than 200 Presbyterian pastors serve as military chaplains, and their role is becoming ever more important as tens of thousands of soldiers return from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Deborah’s Daughters is also supported by these funds. Deborah’s Daughters provides opportunities for women leaders in the PC(USA) — including clergywomen, elders, deacons, commissioned lay pastors and Christian educators — to discuss issues related to women in ministry.
The New Beginnings program and the Company of New Pastors are two more examples of funds at work in the church. New Beginnings works with churches in the latter stages of their life cycle. It assesses a congregation’s strengths and challenges as it seeks to engage in ministry that is not just surviving, but thriving.
The Company of New Pastors helps seminary students develop a deep theological core as they enter pastoral ministry. Together with a vocational mentor, they engage in the apostolic practices of daily prayer, disciplined study, mutual encouragement and admonition, and table fellowship.
“Donations from the presbyteries make these and similar programs possible,” said Valentine. “We truly appreciate their stewardship and support.”
“Top Ten” lists were compiled in four categories: total mission giving, Basic Mission Support (unrestricted gifts), Special Offerings and other specific appeals. The lists are sorted by total giving and by average giving per member.
National Capital Presbytery topped the list for total mission giving, while Hanmi Presbytery capped the list for total giving per member. Cascades, Donegal and National Capital presbyteries were each honored in five of the eight categories. Chicago, Mission, Philadelphia and Southeastern Illinois were each honored in four categories.
The Top Ten for total giving by dollar amount are:
National Capital – $979,065
Grace – $603,823
Philadelphia – $753,775
Chicago – $582,477
Mission – $731,847
Los Ranchos – $522,090
Cascades – $705,152
Detroit – $515,815
Donegal – $701,821
Pittsburgh – $492,330
The Top Ten for total giving by average per member are (by per member amount):
Hanmi – $72.68
Cimarron – $33.69
Southeastern Illinois – $38.47
Cascades – $33.68
Eastern Oregon – $38.37
New Castle – $33.39
Donegal – $35.46
Utah – $32.76
Milwaukee – $34.52
Redwoods – $32.45
The Top Ten for Basic Mission Support by total dollar amount are:
Donegal – $366,554
National Capital – $221,868
Mission – $310,890
Carlisle – $196,626
Cascades – $265,235
Chicago – $179,137
Philadelphia – $261,420
New Harmony – $177,918
Los Ranchos – $228,472
Central Florida – $176,556
The Top Ten for Basic Mission Support by average per member are:
Hanmi – $43.64
Southeastern Illinois – $14.57
Donegal – $18.52
New Harmony – $14.51
Milwaukee – $15.59
Wyoming – $14.33
Kiskiminetas – $15.58
Redwoods – $14.20
Western Reserve – $15.46
West Virginia – $14.08
The Top Ten honored for Special Offerings by total dollar amount are:
National Capital – $435,278
Donegal – $226,456
Cascades – $291,715
Mission – $222,518
Philadelphia – $285,680
Detroit – $201,241
Grace – $273,843
Twin Cities Area – $196,933
Chicago – $243,533
New Covenant – $190,627
The Top Ten honored for Special Offerings by average per member are:
Alaska – $20.04
Southeastern Illinois – $13.45
Western Colorado – $15.58
National Capital – $13.43
Yellowstone – $14.83
Utah – $13.32
Cascades – $13.93
Eastern Oregon – $13.11
Sierra Blanca – $13.65
North Puget Sound – $12.67
The Top Ten honored for donations to other appeals by total dollar amount are:
National Capital – $321,919
Twin Cities Area – $177,014
Pittsburgh – $215,784
Detroit – $167,652
Philadelphia – $206,675
Chicago – $159,806
Mission – $198,439
Greater Atlanta – $155,638
Grace – $182,569
Western North Carolina – $155,071
Finally, the Top Ten for donations to other appeals by average per member are:
Hanmi – $29.05
North Puget Sound – $11.38
Cimarron – $15.03
Sacramento – $10.70
South Alabama – $13.55
Southeastern Illinois – $10.45
Eastern Oregon – $12.16
Utah – $10.11
New Castle – $12.06
San Jose – $10.06
Susan Lindsey is a free-lance communications professional in Louisville. For more information about the “top ten” giving presbyteries, contact David Crittenden, director of stewardship for the General Assembly Mission Council, by email at david.crittenden@pcusa.org or by phone at 502-569-5194.