LOUISVILLE, Ky. (GAMC)—The General Assembly Mission Council 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, 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
Philadelphia – $753,775
Mission – $731,847
Cascades – $705,152
Donegal – $701,821
Grace – $603,823
Chicago – $582,477
Los Ranchos – $522,090
Detroit – $515,815
Pittsburgh – $492,330
The Top Ten for total giving by average per member are (by per member amount):
Hanmi – $72.68
Southeastern Illinois – $38.47
Eastern Oregon – $38.37
Donegal – $35.46
Milwaukee – $34.52
Cimarron – $33.69
Cascades – $33.68
New Castle – $33.39
Utah – $32.76
Redwoods – $32.45
The Top Ten for Basic Mission Support by total dollar amount are:
Donegal – $366,554
Mission – $310,890
Cascades – $265,235
Philadelphia – $261,420
Los Ranchos – $228,472
National Capital – $221,868
Carlisle – $196,626
Chicago – $179,137
New Harmony – $177,918
Central Florida – $176,556
The Top Ten for Basic Mission Support by average per member are:
Hanmi – $43.64
Donegal – $18.52
Milwaukee – $15.59
Kiskiminetas – $15.58
Western Reserve – $15.46
Southeastern Illinois – $14.57
New Harmony – $14.51
Wyoming – $14.33
Redwoods – $14.20
West Virginia – $14.08
The Top Ten honored for Special Offerings by total dollar amount are:
National Capital – $435,278
Cascades – $291,715
Philadelphia – $285,680
Grace – $273,843
Chicago – $243,533
Donegal – $226,456
Mission – $222,518
Detroit – $201,241
Twin Cities Area – $196,933
New Covenant – $190,627
The Top Ten honored for Special Offerings by average per member are:
Alaska – $20.04
Western Colorado – $15.58
Yellowstone – $14.83
Cascades – $13.93
Sierra Blanca – $13.65
Southeastern Illinois – $13.45
National Capital – $13.43
Utah – $13.32
Eastern Oregon – $13.11
North Puget Sound – $12.67
The Top Ten honored for donations to other appeals by total dollar amount are:
National Capital – $321,919
Pittsburgh – $215,784
Philadelphia – $206,675
Mission – $198,439
Grace – $182,569
Twin Cities Area – $177,014
Detroit – $167,652
Chicago – $159,806
Greater Atlanta – $155,638
Western North Carolina – $155,071
Finally, the Top Ten for donations to other appeals by average per member are:
Hanmi – $29.05
Cimarron – $15.03
South Alabama – $13.55
Eastern Oregon – $12.16
New Castle – $12.06
North Puget Sound – $11.38
Sacramento – $10.70
Southeastern Illinois – $10.45
Utah – $10.11
San Jose – $10.06
