The Presbytery met in Assembly at PYOCA.  It was an opportunity for the members of Presbytery to see and appreciate the wonderful resource of the Camp and help celebrate the recent 60th “birthday” of this ministry.

Preparation for Ministry is something that happens in many steps.  Two phases in those steps are a period of Inquirer status and Candidacy.  Candidate status comes when both the person and the presbytery agree that there is a real call to Teaching Elder Ministry and the gifts are present to make that call a reality.  Martha Lasher, a member at Brownstown Church, moved to Candidacy with the recommendation and support of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the action of the presbytery.  Martha’s sense of call is to the military chaplaincy.  She serves in the National Guard currently.

Per Capita for 2013.  The per capita is to support the maintenance and administrative costs of the church at various levels.  In some real sense it is the cost of doing business.  Program costs are not part of the per capita budgets of the church.

Per capita for 2013 will be the same as for 2012—that is $29.33.  The presbytery is going to absorb increases in other places to keep the total the same.

Minimum Compensation standards were established for 2013.  There is a 3% increase in minimum compensation for 2013.  There is also a 1% increase in pension dues.  Full data is on the Presbytery website.

The Great Swap-a-Roo.  Church Transformation reported that Reformation Sunday, October 28 will be an opportunity for congregations to share with other congregations the stories of ministry going on in their communities.  Many of our churches will designate a speaker to send to another church and tell a story of ministry and of the differences being made by our people in each place.

2013 Budget Approved Our budget for next year maintains a total anticipated expenditure budget of almost no increase.  (Less than $300 out of almost $ 400,000.)

Worship included Rev Dave Crittenden sharing a sermon on Stewardship and the “New School Praise Band of Brownstown Church sharing music.

Larry Jackman
Stated Clerk, Presbyery of Ohio Valley