STONY POINT, New York – Work is underway to develop a Presbyterian Mission Agency mission budget for 2021 and 2022 – with the initial look at that to be presented when the board meets in Baltimore in February. An update on that was on the dance card of business items the board considered Sept. 27 during its fall meeting, taking place at Stony Point Center outside New York. The board discussed feedback it received following a two-day consultation with mid council leaders convened in Baltimore just after Big Tent in August – an attempt to hear from synod leaders (and about a half-dozen presbytery leaders) what they wanted to see in PMA budget priorities for the next two years. Some responses: Talk to more presbytery folks in future consultations. Figure out ways to have a particular mission focus – such as PMA’s Matthew 25 vision. Guide the budget for more than just one or two years. Barry Creech, director of policy, administration and board support for PMA, said the plan is … [Read more...]

STONY POINT, New York – The big issue up for consideration as the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meets this week is a vote on the future of Stony Point Center. Essentially, it’s the question of whether the board will support an enhanced Presbyterian commitment to this conference center north of New York City, and will provide $75,000 to explore the feasibility of launching a $10.3 million fundraising campaign for major capital improvements there. The board – meeting in person at Stony Point – is expected to vote on that Thursday (Sept. 27). The board began its meeting on Sept. 26 with worship, led in part by Rick Ufford-Chase, who is co-director of Stony Point Center along with his wife, Kitty. Ufford-Chase traced the history of Stony Point, located near where the Hudson River narrows before it widens – a natural trading and meeting place for the Native Americans who lived in the region. The focus and fortunes of Stony Point have shifted over the decades, he said – it’s … [Read more...]

The question is this: will the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board support a proposal that calls for spending at least $10.3 millionon capital improvements at Stony Point Center over the next decade? Also part of the proposal: Spend $300,000 over the next three years for additional staffing for Stony Point, and another $75,000 in a capital campaign feasibility study. The answer to how much support there is for the plan likely will come to light when the board votes on the first part of the proposal at its meeting Sept. 26-28 – a meeting actually being held at Stony Point, just north of New York City. No clear answer emerged Sept. 13, during a webinar called to give board members a chance to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions. A few board members voiced enthusiasm about the proposal – for example, Kathy Maurer, who served on a board task force on Stony Point, said: “I’m really excited about the direction.” One in particular – Ken Godshall, a pastor from … [Read more...]