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The Presbytery of New Covenant Stated Meeting
November 16, 2019
Addendum Report
Webster Presbyterian Church 201 W. NASA Parkway
Webster, TX 77598 https://www.websterpresby.org/
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Table of Contents
Offering Recipient (see below) Table of Motions/Displays/Publications Proposed Docket 3-4 B - Report of the Stated Clerk 5 C.1 - Ecclesiastical Affairs 6-13 C.2 - Finance Committee 14-16 C.3 - Personnel Committee 17 D - Committee on Ministry 18-29 F - General Council 30 G.3 - Outreach Committee 31-33 H - Nominating Committee 29
Our Offering Recipient
The Presbytery of New Covenant has been the beneficiary of
many grants from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
Some of these were due to damages received from Harvey
and Imelda, as well as the recent fire at Trawick. We are
taking the opportunity to thank them by designating them as
our offering recipient for today’s meeting. Besides the work
that they do towards disaster recovery, they are also
involved in ministry along the Texas border working with
organizations that assist with those immigrants and refugees
seeking entry into the United States. The plan is to split the
offering between these two initiatives of Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance.
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Table of Motions
From the Committee on Ministry
1. To sustain the examination of Josh Young. Josh is being called to an Associate Pastor position at Houston,
Clear Lake.
2. To sustain the examination of Michael Gable. Michael is being called to be Pastor of Angleton, First.
3. To approve Honorable Retirement status for Rev. Steve Newton effective 11/1/2019.
4. To approve Honorable Retirement status for Rev. Steve Hill effective 9/1/2019.
5. To approve the commission for RE Craig Wood to serve as Pastor of Conroe, Olive Branch, for a period of
one year beginning 11/1/2019.
6. To approve the pastoral call between Rev. Tim Oleksy and Crockett, First. This required a ¾ vote by the
presbytery since Tim is moving from a temporary status to an installed call.
7. To approve Honorable Retirement status for Rev. Sharon Gazaway effective 10/20/2019.
8. To approve Honorable Retirement status for Rev. Tomas Spath effective 12/31/2019.
9. To approve Honorable Retirement status for Rev. Rhonda Detenbeck effective 12/31/2019.
10. To approve the proposed 2020 Minimum Terms of Compensation.
From the Committee on Preparation for Ministry
1. To approve the request of Rachel Watson to move from Inquirer to Candidate.
From the Nominating Committee
1. To approve the proposed slate of nominees to serve the committees of the presbytery.
From the Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee
1. To approve the proposed Parity Plan for 2020.
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Displays
Ascending Leaders Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
Citizen Climate Lobby Earth Care Congregations
Presbyterian Association of Musicians Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Presbyterian Foundation United Campus Ministries
Presbytery Publications
Postlude
Postlude highlights the events and
business conducted at presbytery
meetings. It will be posted on the
presbytery’s website:
www.pbyofnewcovenant.org
Commissioners receive notification
when Postlude is available. Please
share it with your sessions.
Comments and suggestions should
be directed to Lynn Hargrove at
Tuesday Connect
Do you receive Tuesday Connect,
our weekly email newsletter?
Contact Patricia Brantley to
subscribe:
Submissions can be sent to Lynn
Hargrove at
Our publications staff is Lynn
Hargrove, Editor, Carrie Walker,
Coordinator for Conference and
Graphics, Patricia Brantley,
Circulation Manager, and reporters
from all over the presbytery and
beyond!
Connections Is Green! Connections is the presbytery's bimonthly newsletter. In order to be better stewards of our environment and to save costs, Connections is sent via email. If you prefer to receive it in print or to update your email address, please contact Patricia Brantley, Circulation Manager, at [email protected] or 713-526-2585, ext. 101.
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The Presbytery of New Covenant “Growing congregations that passionately engage their community to make disciples.”
Stated Meeting – November 16, 2019 Webster Presbyterian Church
201 W. NASA Parkway, Webster, TX 77598 979-836-7632
8:30 am Registration Opens Narthex of Fellowship Hall 8:40 am New Commissioner Orientation TBD 9:00 am Conversations – please check – these are different locations than in the Packet!!
1) Mental Health Focus on Senior Adults – Choir Room 2) Immigration and Ministry at the Border – The Meeting Room 3) Resources for Talking about Racism – Bouton Hall
4) Vital Congregations & Immigrant Communities – The Gallery
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE SANCTUARY!
The parlor will be available all day for prayer and meditation. It is the first room on the right down the hall from the sanctuary.
For your information, RE means Ruling Elder.
THE PROPOSED DOCKET Please silence all devices!
10:15 am Welcome and Opening Worship Moderator, Rev. Helen DeLeon
Preacher: Rev. Helen DeLeon Offering: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for both Disaster Recovery and Ministry at the Texas
Border Please make checks out to the Presbytery of New Covenant
11:30 am Opening Business Moderator and Stated Clerk
Declaration of Quorum Adoption of the Docket Omnibus Motion (B.1) Welcome by Host Church – Rev. Dr. Keith Uffman Welcome of Others (First time Commissioners, Corresponding Members, New
Minister Members, Exhibitors, Visitors) Moderator’s Remarks and Appointments
Parliamentarian Tellers Nominations to Nominating Committee
2020 Patty Eng (Webster); Rev. Dr. Jim Currie (HR)
2022 Rev. Matt Morse (At Large); RE Anne Swisher (Houston, Northwoods); Rev. Ryan Kim (Katy, Lake NWC); RE Bob Patterson (Houston, St. Andrew’s)
11:45 am Committee on Ministry Examination – Josh Young 12:15 pm LUNCH/VISIT THE DISPLAYS
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1:15 pm Reconvening Hymn “#336 We Gather Together”
Celebration of Ministry: Presbyterian Foundation Sherry Kenney Celebration of Ministry: United Campus Ministry Tamika Nelson Committee on Ministry Examination – Michael Gable
Committee on Ministry (D) RE Chuck Johnson
Sustain Examinations – Michael Gable and Josh Young Service of Retirement – Rev. Steve Hill, Rev. Steve Newton Commission RE Craig Wood to Serve at Conroe, Olive Branch
Committee on Preparation for Ministry (E) Rev. Laureen Suba Service of Candidacy – Rachel Watson
Report from the Synod of the Sun RE Shelley Hernandez Nominating Committee (H) RE Gary Long
General Council (F) RE Bob Patterson
Administrative Division (C) Rev. David Jones Ecclesiastical Affairs RE Jim Allison
Finance RE Ada Fuller Celebration of Ministry – Texas Presbyterian Foundation Rev. Rick Young Personnel RE Val Aldred Ministries Division (G) RE Jane Larkin Congregational Resourcing RE Carol Davis Evangelism & Church Growth Rev. Shawn Kang
Outreach Rev. Lindsay Hatch Report of the Stated Clerk (B) Rev. Lynn Hargrove Installation of the 2020 Moderator – RE Melissa Nelson (Houston, Northwoods)
New Business (Only if submitted four days prior to meeting date, so it can be posted online 3 days prior) Closing Prayer
Adjournment - By rule of the presbytery, this is no later than 4:00 pm, unless the assembly votes by a 2/3 majority to extend beyond.
Following adjournment, clerks will meet for session records review
in the Gallery.
The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant will be Saturday, March 21, 2020 First Presbyterian Church
607 Janeway, Lufkin, TX 75904 936-634-3711
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B – Report of the Stated Clerk For Information: ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR FORMOSAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Update Report for Stated Presbytery Meeting on November 16, 2019 Since being appointed two-and-a-half years ago (at the presbytery meeting on March 18, 2017) to assume original jurisdiction of the existing session at Formosan Presbyterian Church, the commission has worked with the congregation to uncover and understand the longstanding root causes of the systemic and destructive conflict that have been masked by more visible disagreements and concerns. The process has not been hurried, and the easy route (providing a quick-fix solution) has not been taken. Neither action would resolve the deeper issues, and both would do the congregation a major disservice by depriving members of opportunities to be self-reflective and initiate thoughtful transformative change. In the four months since its July 2019 report, and amid scheduled vacations and continuing education commitments, the commission has met four times and held two meetings with the congregation. The annual membership review has been completed, and the updated total of names on the church’s roll has been revised to sixty-five. Among those deleted from membership were many of the disgruntled members who had, for over two years now, chosen not to worship with their fellow congregants or to contribute financially. The commission is prayerful and hopeful that they have sought the fellowship, support, and spiritual nurture of another community of faith. The commission organized an informal meeting with the congregation in late October to provide them the opportunity to (a) learn and reflect on the meaning, covenantal responsibilities and expectations of church membership, and to recognize that it is more than a simple designation on a piece of paper, (b) understand the necessary involvement and commitment required from members as they work to elect new lay leadership, and (c) seek answers to any questions they might have about the recent revisions. At a recent called congregational meeting (November 10), a slate of nominees for a new congregational Nominating Committee (three members of the congregation serving with two members of the commission) was elected unanimously. The commission will pray for, encourage, and guide, the new Nominating Committee as it works to find actively-involved members willing to serve on a new Session. It is the commission’s hope that a new governing leadership will be transformative, empowering, and revitalizing. Your continued prayers of encouragement and hope for the congregation, pastor, Nominating Committee, and administrative commission are appreciated greatly. In Christ’s service, The Rev. Dr. Nora Fitch, St. Thomas PC, Houston (Moderator) Limin Hsu, RE, Grace Taiwan PC, Houston The Rev. Mark Plunkett, TE, Heritage PC, Houston Janet Rainey, RE, New Hope PC, Katy The Rev. Tomás Spath, Navasota PC, Houston (Co-moderator)
The following congregations had their session records approved on November 9, 2019: Houston, St. Stephen; Katy, New Hope; Pearland, First.
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C.1 – Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee
Annual Presbytery Report November 16, 2019
The Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee is the committee through which the presbytery plans and executes
presbytery meetings, including scheduling the presbytery’s response to proposed overtures to Synod or
General Assembly, or to proposals from General Assembly requiring votes by the presbytery (primarily
proposed amendments to the constitution). The Committee also annually proposes to the presbytery a
“parity plan” to assure equal representation of Ruling Elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament as
commissioners at presbytery meetings.
During 2019, we held three stated meetings of the presbytery. On behalf of the presbytery, the Committee
extends thanks and appreciation to the sessions, congregations, and staff of St Thomas (Houston), host of
our March meeting; Brenham Presbyterian Church, host of our July meeting; and Webster
Presbyterian Church, host of our November meeting. In each instance, grace and hospitality abounded.
The presbytery was greeted with the best of Christian fellowship, and we are most grateful.
At 2019 presbytery meetings, we have experimented with hosting discussion groups prior to the
beginning of the meeting to allow opportunity for presbyters to discuss matters of mutual interest that
cannot readily be discussed within the constraints of a business meeting governed by Robert’s Rules.
This has allowed for conversations on topics such as: mental health concerns of college students and of
senior adults, the denomination’s engagement with climate change concerns, the Community Garden
Ministry in Brenham, the Vital Congregations initiative, racism, and immigration and ministry at the
border. We have scheduled these discussions to begin at 9 am and to run for about an hour. We have
then convened the meeting itself with worship at 10:15 or 10:30. This allows those who wish to
participate in one of these discussions to do so without extending their day, while those who do not wish
to attend a discussion may delay their arrival or spend the time in fellowship. So far, we have been able
to do this without extending the end time of the meeting. The data we have to date show that roughly half
of the presbytery meeting attendees have also been attending one of these discussion groups, which we
interpret as indicating that these discussions are responding to a desire within the presbytery for this sort
of connectional engagement. We therefore expect to continue with these during 2020.
The schedule for stated meetings during 2020 is: March 21, 2020, First Presbyterian Church, Lufkin; July
18, 2020, Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Houston; November 21, 2020, St Andrews Presbyterian
Church, Beaumont. (All Saturdays.)
For the Committee
James C. Allison, Moderator
Janet Rainey
Rose Niles
FOR ACTION BY THE PRESBYTERY:
To approve the proposed Parity Plan for 2020.
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Location Church Name YE 2018
Total
Section Total
Churches
1 RE per 123 mem
Total RE Com.
Mbrshp Ttl /Sec.
% of Tot.
Diff from prev level
Houston Northwoods 1101 9 9 Houston Clear Lake 1056 9 9 Houston Korean Central 1052
3 9 9 3,209 21% 0%
Houston St Philip 615 5 5 The Woodlands Woodlands Community 613
2 5 5 1,228 29% 8%
Conroe First 493 4 5 Houston Pines 472 4 4 Houston St Andrew's 466 4 4 Katy Grand Lakes 455 4 4 Webster Webster 449 4 4 Beaumont St Andrews 404 3 4 Atascocita Atascocita 369 3 3 Bryan First 350 3 3 Houston St Johns 291 2 3 Sugar Land First 261 2 3 Houston St Paul 258 2 3 Pasadena First 257 2 3 Baytown Faith 251
13 2 3 4,776 60% 31%
Galveston First 239 2 2 Brenham Brenham 231 2 2 Nacogdoches Westminster 227 2 2 Houston St Thomas 207 2 2 Bellaire Christ Church 204 2 2 Houston Spring Branch 196 2 2 West Columbia Bethel 191 2 2 Orange First 186 2 2 Huntsville First 175 1 2 Angleton First 163 1 2 College Station Covenant 155 1 2 Lufkin First 153 1 2 Jones Creek Gulf Prairie 150 1 2 Houston Korean Young Nak 150
14 1 2 2,627 77% 17%
Bay City First 148 1 2 Alvin First 145 1 2 Pearland First 140 1 2 Houston San Pablo Trinity 126 1 2 Needville St Pauls 125 1 2
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Galveston Tiki Island Chapel 123 1 1 Houston Thien-An 117 1 1 Houston St Luke's 113 1 1 Houston Pinecrest 112 1 1 Houston Pathways Ch of
Houston 108
1 1 Livingston First 106 1 1 Houston John Knox 102 1 1 Katy New Hope 102
13 1 1 1,567 88% 11%
Livingston Indian 96 1 1 Brazoria First 88 1 1 Houston St Stephen 88 1 1 Tomball First 82 1 1 Wharton First 80 1 1 Houston Woodforest 78 1 1 Houston Heights 77 1 1 Crockett First 76 1 1 Houston A Comm/Servant-
Savior 76
1 1 Rosenberg First 75 1 1 Navasota First 72 1 1 Houston Heritage 69 1 1 Houston Grace Taiwan 66 1 1 Stafford Biyaya Community 64 1 1 Houston Formosan 63 1 1 Port Neches Trinity 58 0 1 Houston Iglesia Cristiana Latina 49 0 1 Galveston Westminster 47 0 1 Nacogdoches First Of Trawick 45 0 1 Houston Oaks 42 0 1 Texas City First 40 0 1 The Woodlands Alden Bridge 38 0 1 Beaumont Pioneer 38 0 1 Galveston Emmanuel 31 0 1 Houston Juan Marcos 31 0 1 Houston First Lao 30 0 1 New Waverly Waverly 30 0 1 Silsbee First 29 0 1 Angleton Bethel 26 0 1 Trinity First 24 0 1 Dickinson First 23 0 1 La Porte St James 23 0 1 Houston Christ 22 0 1 Pasadena Faith 20 0 1 Sealy First 20 0 1 Cleveland St Lukes 18 0 1
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Orange Drake Memorial 16 0 1 Caldwell First 15 0 1 Calvert First 15 0 1 Vidor First 10 0 1 Shiro Shiro 7
41 0 1 1,897 100% 12%
Totals 86 15,304
86
170 15,304
170 From Cong.
28 By office
198
Total RE's=Total TE's
Notes
GGS 10-30-2019
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C.2 – Finance Committee
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C.3 – Personnel Committee Report 2019
It was another eventful year for the Personnel Committee and one where we saw the culmination of changes that have occurred within the Presbytery during the past several years with respect to changes in leadership, finances, and membership. The most important decision the Committee made was to recommend a revision in Rev. Lynn Hargrove’s compensation in accordance with her election as the presbytery’s General Presbyter and Stated Clerk at the November 2018 presbytery meeting. The November 2018 presbytery meeting charged the Personnel Committee to recommend a compensation amount that would be fair, reasonable, affordable and acceptable to Rev. Hargrove and to have that recommendation presented at the March 2019 presbytery meeting. The Committee interviewed individuals from the search committee that was formed to search for an interim General Presbyter and researched data from several neighboring presbyteries for comparable compensation for their General Presbyters and Stated Clerks. The Committee determined that $85,000 met all the criteria and the committee then met with the Finance Committee and General Council to gain any feedback and the feedback was incorporated into the formal recommendation presented at the March 2019 presbytery meeting. Finally and most importantly Rev. Hargrove was presented with the compensation amount and was very pleased. The $85,000 recommendation was presented at the March 2019 presbytery meeting and the recommendation was passed with the provision that the revised compensation was to begin effective January 1, 2019. This required a catch up adjustment for the first three months under which Rev. Hargrove had been paid her previous salary as the Stated Clerk. The Committee’s recommendation to hire an individual on a three year term contract basis for the Stated Clerk for Judicial Process was passed at the November 2018 presbytery meeting and the purpose was to separate this position from the Stated Clerk for Administrative process as there is a potential conflict of interest in having our General Presbyter, who often offers Pastoral Care in the case of individuals and churches that are involved in judicial filings, also be the individual who works with the judicial process. Accordingly, the committee interviewed several candidates, recommended John Lemen to the presbytery at the March 2019 meeting, and he was elected to begin a three year term effective April 1, 2019. Raises for existing staff were discussed and for the year 2019 the Personnel Committee proposed, and the General Council approved, an increase of 3.5% effective April 1st, 2019. The Committee recognized Patricia Brantley and Sandra Lopez for their contributions in the office relocation, as well as Forbes Baker for his work in the contract negotiations and drafting the lease agreement between New Covenant and St. Philip. We accepted the resignation of Beth Kauffman from the position of Disaster Recovery Coordinator, and have chosen not to fill the position at this time. This position was funded through a grant from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. It has been a productive but exciting year of changes and stability. The Committee is looking forward to 2020 and the challenges it will present. Val Aldred (Chair), Karen Morris, Rev. Louise Row
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D – COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY - Addendum Report November 16 2019
I. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRESBYTERY ACTIONS: 1. The committee recommends and moves that the Pastoral Call between Crockett, First and their Stated Supply Rev. Timothy Oleksy be validated as their Installed Pastor effective 1/1/20; with 3/4 vote of Presbytery. COM validated 11/5/19.
Salary $ 36,400 Housing and Utility Allowance 15,000 Travel Reimbursement 2,500 Board of Pensions Dues 19,018 Study Leave Allowance cumulative for 3 years 2,000 Study Leave cumulative for 3 years 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks SECA to 7.65% 2,787
RATIONAL: After an opportunity to know Rev. Oleksy, he became universally respected by our congregation. He is an inspirational speaker. His deep faith is reflected not only in his sermons, but also by care of us as a congregation. For, these reasons, and many more, the congregation voted to change his status from Stated Supply to Installed Pastor. This was validated by the COM on 11/5/ 19. We believe that a new chapter in First Church Crockett is beginning with Rev. Oleksy. 2. Approved 2020 Minimum Terms of Compensation by 1.6%* to be rounded off to the nearest $100. FYI: The Minimum Compensation figures for 2019 were the same in 2019 Experience 2019 * 1.6% 2020 Newly ordained $44,100.00 $44,805.60 $44,800.00 1 year experience $44,900.00 $45,618.40 $45,600.00 2 years experience $45,400.00 $46,126.40 $46,100.00 3 years experience $46,200.00 $46,939.20 $46,900.00 4 years experience $46,700.00 $47,447.20 $47,400.00 5 years experience $47,200.00 $47,955.20 $48,000.00 6 years experience $47,700.00 $48,463.20 $48,500.00 7 years experience $48,400.00 $49,174.40 $49,200.00 8 years experience $48,900.00 $49,682.40 $49,700.00 9 years experience $49,600.00 $50,393.60 $50,400.00 10+years experience $51,400.00 $52,222.40 $52,200.00 (2020 MINIMUM TERMS OF COMPENSATION Draft following the COM Report) 3. The committee recommends and moves that Rev. Sharon Gazaway be granted Honorably Retired status effective 10/20/19. 4. The committee recommends and moves that Rev. Rhonda Detenbeck be granted Honorably Retired status effective 12/31/19. 5. The committee recommends and moves that Rev. Tomas Spath be granted Honorably Retired status effective 12/31/19.
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II. ACTIONS TAKEN ON BEHALF OF PRESBYTERY November 5, 2019 Meeting 1. Approved Rev. Margaret “Peg” Ferguson’s request to be added to the Pulpit Supply List – 2. Approved MIF – Nacogdoches, Westminster – Interim Pastor 3. Validated Designated Pastor Call, 2 years term, between Pasadena, First and Rev. Fairfax Fair effective 12/1/19.
Salary $ 33,200 Housing and Utility Allowance 32,500 Travel Reimbursement @ IRS Rate 4,800 Books, Professional Dues 300 Board of Pensions Dues 24,309 Study Leave Allowance cumulative for 3 years 1,500 Study Leave cumulative for 3 years 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks Other Paid Group Insurance – Dental 443
4. Validated the Pastoral Call for Navasota, First and Rev. Matthew Morse effective December 1, 2019 Salary $ 35,268 Value of Manse 11,180 Deferred Income(403b) 2,000 Travel Reimbursement 3,000 Book, Professional Dues 2,000 Board of Pensions Dues 17,185 Study Leave Allowance cumulative for 3 years 1,700 Study Leave cumulative for 3 years 2 weeks Vacation 4 weeks SECA Reimbursement 7.65% 3,553
5. Validated new Stated Supply Contract between Galveston, Westminster and Rev. Todd Williams, Disciples of Christ pastor, ½ time, 19 hours per week, for one year, effective 12/1/19 (pending sustaining examined on 11/23/19)
Salary $ 1,800 Housing Allowance 16,294 SECA 1,966 Travel Reimbursement @ IRS Rate 1,800 Study Leave, continuing education or training 850 Books, professional expenses 750 Pension 3,040 Vacation 4 weeks Study Leave 2 weeks Clergy Retreat @ 3 days/$250 YES
6. Approved transferring Rev. Emmett Powers to Arkansas Presbytery effective 11/5/19 7. Approved Rev. Steve Newton’s request to labor out of bounds of New Covenant Presbytery in Grace Presbytery to do Pulpit Supply preaching.
BIOGRAPHICAL TOMAS SPATH Tomas graduated from The Presbyterian Seminary called McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL in 1980. Served: Cuba Presbyterian Church in Cuba NM 1980 - 1984. Juan Marcos Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX 1984 - 1989 The Presbytery of New Covenant - Houston, TX 1989- 1998. Managed Protek Specialty Company - Houston TX 1998-2003
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San Pablo + Trinity Presbyterian Church Houston, TX 2002-2007 First Presbyterian Crockett, TX 2008-2012 WoodForest Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX 2012-2018 First Presbyterian Church, Navasota, TX 2018-2019. Co-Founded the Institute for Civility in Government 1998 - present. This movement of 2 people has blossomed to over 1000 supporters in 46 states of our nation and now we are conversing with 58 other small organizations nationwide. Together, our vision for civil government in our midst will become a reality! Que mas, queres? Tomas
THE REVEREND RHONDA EVELYN DETENBECK
I was born in Buffalo, New York in 1941 and spent one third of my life in the “frozen north.” After graduating from Houghton College, a Methodist college in central New York, with a B.A. in Education, I taught third graders at an elementary school on Long Island for 4 years. When I returned home to teach and work on a master’s degree in education, I met the man who was to become my future husband. David and I married in 1966 and Texaco moved us to Yonkers to live for a time while they decided when and where they were going to move the company out of NY.
We arrived in Houston and went house and church shopping. We bought a home in Sharpstown and found a church home at nearby Braeburn Presbyterian Church. I taught school for a year, and soon the children arrived - Lori, and 2 years later Jason, and 3 years later another daughter, Robin. Our family became very involved in worship and church activities at Braeburn. Most of the families within the church had moved to Houston with oil companies and their related industries and so the church became our home away from home and our extended family. David became an Elder and I became involved with “Presbyterian Women”, Christian Education programs, and later I too became an Elder. We worked on various committees and the people of the church also provided our friendships and social life.
As the children grew I taught 4 year olds in the church’s preschool program. Later I was hired as the Director of Christian Education to plan church retreats for the women, design VBS, Logos, and holiday programs for the children. I then taught at an elementary school in Houston for 4 years and soon realized that educating children was no longer the same.
When I was in high school I had felt that God had called me to become a pastor and attending Houghton College was to be the first step before entering seminary. I was influenced by the 1960’s culture that made it difficult for a woman to become a minister within the church and so I guess I put my call on the “back burner.” While serving at Braeburn, the women in the church convinced me that I should use my gifts and talents and heed the Lord’s call and since my children were older now, it might be the right time to pursue what God had planned for me. I was accepted at San Francisco Theological Seminary, at the new branch in Los Angeles. God moved through that experience all the way through to graduation. First with an apartment in Claremont, a part time job at Claremont Presbyterian Church, a church for an “internship” in Woodland Hills, a part time job in a preschool, a place rent free on campus when I moved to San Anselmo for my final year, a part time job with a publishing company and through it all a wonderful gentleman from Claremont PC who provided funds for my entire seminary education.
A year after I graduated from seminary I was ordained and installed in 1996 at Faith PC in Harvey, LA - just outside of New Orleans. I served there for 10 years before moving back to Houston. In the aftermath of Katrina, we set up a place within the church for cleanup teams from around the country to come, stay at the church and have showers and comforting meals after a hard day’s work. It was a wonderful experience of the connectional church.
In 2008 I was called to First PC in Rosenberg and I have served there until my retirement at the end of this year. God has been at work all through this journey and I am eternally grateful for all the people he placed in my life to guide and help me along the way. Even in retirement I look forward to what God has planned for the next part of my journey, for the ways in which I may continue to serve him in the future..
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PROPOSED
2020 Minimum Terms of Compensation
The Presbytery of New Covenant
COM approved 2020 Minimum Terms of Compensation by 1.6%* to be rounded off to the nearest $100. FYI: The Minimum Compensation figures for 2019 were the same in 2018.
Compensation is based on length of Experience: Experience 2019 * 1.6% 2020 Newly ordained $44,100.00 $44,805.60 $44,800.00 1 year experience $44,900.00 $45,618.40 $45,600.00 2 years experience $45,400.00 $46,126.40 $46,100.00 3 years experience $46,200.00 $46,939.20 $46,900.00 4 years experience $46,700.00 $47,447.20 $47,400.00 5 years experience $47,200.00 $47,955.20 $48,000.00 6 years experience $47,700.00 $48,463.20 $48,500.00 7 years experience $48,400.00 $49,174.40 $49,200.00 8 years experience $48,900.00 $49,682.40 $49,700.00 9 years experience $49,600.00 $50,393.60 $50,400.00 10+years experience $51,400.00 $52,222.40 $52,200.00
PART ONE: Effective Salary as defined by the Board of Pensions, consists of salary plus housing and utility allowance as well as
payments to offset self-employment taxes above 50% and non-reimbursement payments made on behalf of the recipient,
including payments made for medical or other insurance coverage outside the Board of Pensions plans and dependent
coverage under the Board of Pensions medical benefits plan. It DOES NOT include payments made to the Board of
Pensions for Pension and basic medical benefits programs.
Housing Allowance may not be approved to a date retroactive to the date of approval (IRC Section 107).
Part-time calls are to be prorated in accordance with the fraction of full-time service the call represents. PART TWO: Reimbursed Expenses
Automobile Mileage —to be reimbursed at the IRS Standard Rate includes tolls and parking.
PART THREE: Benefits
a. Pension/Medical Dues
Participation in the denominational Pension/Death & Disability (nominally 12% of Total Effective Salary) and Major Medical Insurance Program for Member (nominally 25% of Total Effective Salary). Full dues are 37%.
b. Study Leave
For those clergy who do not attend the Presbytery of New Covenant Clergy Retreat: Study leave for two weeks with expense allowance of $1,450 annually, accumulative for 3 years.
For those clergy who attend the Presbytery of New Covenant Clergy Retreat when it is offered. Study leave for two weeks (including 2 Sundays), plus 3 days, with expense allowance of $1,700 annually,
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cumulative for 3 years. This includes an additional allowance of $250 for the Clergy Retreat and additional leave of three days (this leave is not cumulative).
Newly Ordained Clergy are expected to participate in the Presbytery of New Covenant Clergy Retreat (when it is offered) for the first three years of ministry.
Newly Ordained Clergy are expected to participate in Entry into Ministry events sponsored/ supported by the Presbytery of New Covenant. Full provision will be made for the actual cost for one year (approximately $750) and the time needed to participate in these events.
d. Paid Vacation
Paid vacation for four weeks (includes 4 Sundays).
Study leave and vacation are not prorated for part-time calls or contracts. Study leave and vacation may be prorated for limited term calls or contracts.
NOTE: Actual Moving Expenses (where applicable) are no longer tax deductible; adding this to first
year salary should be considered, along with the estimated tax on the amount.
PART FOUR: Annual Review The session will establish a review committee to meet with the Minister every twelve months to discuss: *The congregation’s expectations of the minister and how well he/she meets those expectations; *The minister’s expectations of the congregation and how well it (and its members) meet those expectations; and *Adequacy of compensation.
The review committee is encouraged to utilize the resources provided by the Committee on Ministry “Guidelines for Church Professional Evaluations” [http://www.pbyofnewcovenant.org/forms/2008_01_Guidelines_for_Evaluations.pdf] The Session shall report to the Committee on Ministry, not later than July 1 of each year, the date on which the annual review was conducted, and the date of the congregational meeting (if a change in compensation is proposed by the Session) the revised terms of call were approved as provided in G-2.0804 of the Book of Order.
(NOTE: A change in the contribution amount to the Board of Pensions is viewed by the Committee on Ministry as a change in compensation and congregational approval of such change is required.)
Approved by COM 8/5/14; 9/6/16; 10/3/17; 11/6/18; 11/5/19
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Calculating Terms of Call
COM (Calls & Contracts Subcommittee) strongly encourages the use of the Board of Pensions “Pastor's Participation Dues Calculator” to assist in completing the annual Compensation Report Form, Pastoral Call Form, and other compensation forms.
1. Go to http://www.pensions.org/calc/dues
2. Select the Plan Year (2020):
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3. Click on “Calculate Total Annual Effective Salary and complete the new form. (Note that explanations for each field are available by hovering over the “?”.)
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4. To view the Annual Effective Salary, click on “Calculate.” To send the value to the Dues Calculator (as shown below) click on “Done.”
5. Click on “Calculate” to view the resulting Employer Dues. (Total Annual Employer Dues is the field normally reported on Presbytery forms.)
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D – COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY 2019 END OF THE YEAR REPORT
COM approved the following actions and recommendations during the year:
PROFESSIONAL LIFE GRANTED HONORABLE RETIRED STATUS: Rev. Jim Gill, Rev. Emmett Powers, Rev. Stephen Hill, Rev. Stephen Newton, Rev. Sharon Gazaway, Rev. Rhonda Detenbeck, Rev. Tomas Spath APPROVED GRANTING TITLE PASTOR EMERITUS STATUS: Rev. Harry Slye/Katy, Grand Lakes MAINTAIN AND APPROVED NAMES PUT ON THE PULPIT SUPPLY LIST: Rev. Richard Kleiman, Rev. Matthew Morse; Rev. Tracy Williams, Rev. Stephen Newton, Rev. Margaret “Peg” Ferguson APPROVED GUIDELINES AND POLICIES: Guidelines for Pastor Emeritus; Amendment to the Sexual Misconduct Policy RECEIVED ANNUAL REPORTS: HONORABLY RETIRED: Rev. Pat Clark, Rev. Linda Sharon, Rev. Ed Schauer, Rev. Shun Chi Wang, Rev. Clarence Bennett, Rev. John Wade, Rev. Charles Teykl, Rev. David Barnes, Rev. Samuel Hsu, Rev. Walter Westcott, Rev. Linda Herron, Rev. James Currie, Rev. Steve Thorney, Rev. Angel Reynoso, Rev. Joseph Delgado, Rev. David Abrams, Rev. Mike Cole, Rev. Victor Dindot, Rev. Gayle Perkins, Rev. Raymond Feyes, Rev. Robert Leslie, Rev. Ray Gearing, Rev. Carroll Pickett, Rev. Charlotte Kibler, Rev. Gerald McKenny, Rev. Phineas Washer, Rev. Margaret Ferguson, Rev. Thomas Atkins, Rev. David Northcutt, Rev. Winfield Jones, Rev. Victoria Jones, Rev. John Alexander, Rev. Robert Rush, Rev. Helen Bailey, Rev. Stewart MacColl, Rev. Pablo Guerra, Rev. Robert Vagt, Rev. Jacob George, Rev. Bruce Williams, Rev. Bryan J. Cannon, Rev. Andrew Dearman, Rev. Don Davidson, Rev. Shelley Craig, Rev. Adan Garcia, Rev. Clarence “CD” Weaver, Rev. Ray Harper, Rev. Wilbur Stambaugh, Rev. John Purcell, Rev. Debbie Measells, Rev. Chang-Jue “Paul” Lee, Rev. Calvin Koomey, Rev. Steve Kerr, Rev. Jim Tom Ainsworth, Rev. Ben Carpenter, Rev. Jack Kennon, Rev. James McLeod, Rev. Susan Werstein, Rev. Suk In Kim, Rev. Gayle Grubbs, Rev. Debbie Leo, VALIDATED MINISTRY: Rev. John Potter, Rev. Kristi Blankman, Rev. Lynn Hargrove, Rev. Hector Rivera-Velez,
Rev. Paul Hooker, Rev. Thomas Sharon, Rev. Rose Niles, Rev. Tim Phillips, Rev. Callie Candee, Rev. Nina Bryant-Sanyika, Rev. Krisitin Huffman MEMBER AT LARGER: Rev. Steven Spidell, Rev. Paul Hoang, Rev. Mary Currie, Rev. Helen Rose Moore, Rev. Honorio Theodoro-Neto, Rev. Peter Lee, Rev. Emile Whitehurst, Rev. Ego Mba STATED SUPPLY & INTERIM/TRANSITIONAL CLERGY: Rev. Sharon Gazaway, Rev. Stephen Hill, Rev. Tim Oleksy Rev. Wilma Harris, Rev. Joyce Boehnke COMMISSIONED RULING ELDERS FOR A PARTICULAR SERVICE: RE Carl Slagley, RE Johnna Cormier, RE Jane Whitney, RE Phoy Vorabouth The Professional Life participation in gatherings/events included the Christmas Open House and two Healthy Boundaries workshops during 2019
CALLS AND CONTRACTS VALIDATED CALLS FOR CANDIDATES UNDER CALL OF PRESBYTERY: Joshua Young, Houston, Clear Lake called Associate Pastor, Houston, Clear Lake
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VALIDATED MINISTRY: Rev. Jim Gill to serve part-time Interim Pastor at Faith, Lutheran Church (ELCA), Dickinson APPROVED INTERIM PASTOR AND OR STATED SUPPLY TO BE CALLED AS INSTALLED PASTOR WITH A ¾ VOTE OF PRESBYTERY: Rev. Timothy Oleksy/Crockett, First DISSOLVED OF RELATIONSHIPS: Rev. Craig King/Alvin, First; Rev. Jim Gil/Baytown, Faith; Rev. Emmett Powers/Beaumont, St. Andrew’s; Rev. Stephen Newton/Nacogdoches, Westminster; Rev. John Melsness/Houston, St. Andrew’s; TRANSFERRED MEMBERSHIP TO PCUSA PRESBYTERY: Rev. Craig King/ Indian Nations; Rev. Jack Barden/Mission; Rev. Emily Owen/Mission Presbytery; Rev. Mike Cole/ Pueblo Presbytery; Rev. Kristin Huffman/Mission Presbytery; Rev. Emmett Powers/Arkansas Presbytery; APPROVED TRANSFER OF CALL FROM DESIGNATED PASTOR (CO-DESIGNATED PASTOR) TO INSTALLED PASTOR, ASSOCIATE PASTOR: College Station, Covenant/ Revs. Jonathan and Caressa Murray; Houston, St. Philip/ Rev. Omar Rouchon; CLOSED POSITIONS AT CHURCHES: Houston, Pines/Associate Pastor VALIDATED NEW PASTORAL CALLS AND DESIGNED PASTORAL CALLS COMPENSATIONS: Rev. Timothy Marquez, Designated Pastor/Baytown, Faith; Revs. Jonathan and Caressa Murray, Co-Pastors/College Station, Covenant; Rev. Emily Beghin, Associate Pastor/Bryan, First; Rev. William “Will” Roberts, Pastor/Pearland, First; Joshua Young, Associate Pastor,/Houston, Clear Lake; Rev. William “Michael” Gable, Pastor/Angleton, First; Rev. Fairfax Fair, Designated Pastor/Pasadena, First; Rev. Matthew Morse, Pastor/Navasota, First VALIDATED NEW AND RENEWAL TEMPORARY CONTRACTS FOR STATED SUPPLY PASTORS (SS), INTERIM PASTORS (IP), INTERN (IN) AND PARISH ASSOCIATE (PR) COVENANT CONTRACTS ANNUALLY: Rev. CO Magee/Alvin, First (SS); Rev. John Hirling/Houston, St. Paul (IP); Rev. Lloyd Crosby/Beaumont, Pioneer (SS); Rev. Helen Bailey/Houston, St. Thomas (PA); Rev. David Goodall/Houston, St. Thomas (PA); Rev. Aurelio Rodriguez/Houston, Juan Marcos (SS); RE Jane Whitney /Houston, St. Andrew’s (CRE); Mr. Jeremiah Situka/Houston, Pinecrest (Intern); Rev. Robert Rush/Tomball, First (SS); Mr. Michael Gable/Angleton, First (Intern); Rev. Tomas Spath/Navasota, First (IP); Rev. Howard Reed/Pearland, First (IP); Rev. Wilma Harris/Bay City, First (IP); Rev. Isabel Rivera-Velez/Houston, Iglesia Latina (SS); Rev. David O’Neal/Trawick (SS); Rev. Sharon Gazaway/Port Neches, Trinity (SS); Steve Hill/Tiki Island/(SS); TE Rhonda Detenbeck/Rosenberg, First (SS); Rev. Daniel Alexander/Trinity, First (SS) APPROVED CHANGES IN TERMS OF COMPENSATIONS FOR INSTALLED PASTOR, ASSOCIATED PASTORS, DESIGNATED PASTORS, AND DESIGNATED ASSOCIATED PASTORS: Rev. Mark Plunkett/Houston, Heritage; Rev. Fred Seay/Sugar Land, First; Rev. Steve Newton/Nacogdoches, Westminster; Rev. Michael Umbenhaur/ Orange, First; Rev. Paul Nazarian/Houston, Northwoods; Rev. Ann Marie Quigley-Swanson/Houston, Northwoods; Rev. David Puig-Jordon/Houston, Northwoods; TE Ted Foote, Jr./Bryan/First; TE Helen DeLeon/Webster; TE Lynn Hargrove/ New Covenant Presbytery; Rev. Emmett Powers/Beaumont, St. Andrew’s; Rev. Jacqueline Hannan/Atascocita; Rev. Paul Kucera/West Columbia, Bethel; Rev. Murice Brian Long/Katy, New Hope; Rev. Becky Downs/Houston, John Knox; Rev. Cassandra Dahnke/Houston, Woodforest; Rev. Jeff Smith/Houston, St. Andrew’s; Rev. John Melsness/Houston, St. Andrew’s; Rev. Jonathan Burnham/Houston, Rev. John; Rev. Keith Uffman/Webster; Rev. John Wurster/Houston, St. Philip; Rev. Omar Rouchon/Houston, St. Philip; Rev. Keaton King/Houston, St. Philip; Rev. Stephen Oglesbee/Houston, Clear Lake; Rev. Katrina Pennington/Houston, Clear Lake; Rev. Rachel Young/Houston, Clear Lake
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APPROVED NEW AND RENEWALS OF COMMISSIONS FOR COMMISSIONED RULING ELDERS FOR A PARTICULAR SERVICES: RE Johnna Cormier/Silsbee, First; RE Julie Odle/Beaumont, St. Andrew’s; RE Craig Wood/Olive Branch/Conroe; RE Jane Whitney/Houston, St. Andrew’s VALIDATED MINISTRY & COMPENSATION: Rev. Shawn Kang/General Assembly; Rev. Maurico Chacon/Memorial Drive, Houston; Rev. Thomas Sharon/Texas Children’s Hospital GRANTED MINISTERS PERMISSION TO LABOR IN AND OUT SIDES THE BOUNDS OF PRESBYTERY: Rev. James Currie, Rev. Margaret Desmond, Rev. Candice Richie Womack, Rev. Tracy Williams, Rev. Steve Newton APPROVED POLICY: Policy for Trial Sermons APPROVED that COM could use “Validated” rather than “Approved” when referring to salaries, compensations and or contracts for ministers as per the “Manual of Tax Auditors. DROP MINISTERS FROM THE ROLES OF PRESBYTERY: RECEIVED FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS: RECEIVED MINISTER AS A TEMPORARY MEMBERS: DISMISSALS TO OTHER DENOMINATIONS:
COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATIONS EXAMINED PUCSA MINISTERS, CANDIDATES FOR ORDINATION AND RULING ELDERS TO BE COMMISSIONED: Rev. Matthew Morse, Member at Large; Rev. Emily Beghin, Bryan, First; Rev. William Gable/Angleton, First; Lake; Rev. Fairfax Fair, Member at Large; Joshua “Josh” Young/Houston, Clear; Rev. William Roberts/ Pearland, First EXAMINED MINSTERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS:
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE APPOINTED SESSION MODERATORS: Rev. David Green/Huntsville; Rev. Brian Wiggins/Nacogdoches, Westminster; Rev. Carol Tompkins/Galveston, Emmanuel; Rev. Lynn Hargrove/Tiki Island; Rev. Lynn Hargrove/Conroe, Olive Branch; Rev. Sharon Gazaway/Beaumont, St. Andrew’s; RE Julie Odle/St. Andrew’s, Beaumont; Rev. Wilma Harris/Sealy, First; Rev. CO Magee/Alvin, First; Rev. Victor Dindot/Caldwell, First; Rev. Carol Tompkins/Pasadena; Rev. Hector Rivera-Velez/Baytown, Faith TRANSITIONS TEAMS AND OR LIAISONS: Rev. Caressa Murray (liaison)/Bryan, First; RE David Coles (liaison)/Pearland, First; Rev. Helen Rose Moore & RE Kevin Murphy (transition team)/Pasadena, First; RE Julie Wells (liaison)/ Baytown, Faith; Rev. Paul Kucera/Bay City, First (liaison) GRANTED CHURCHES PERMISSION TO ELECT PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEES (PNC): PASTOR, ASSOCIATE PASTOR DESIGNATED ASSOCIATE PASTOR, DESIGNATED PASTOR AND DESIGNATED CO-PASTOR: Houston, St. Philip/Associate Pastor; Houston, St. Paul/ Pastor; Pearland, First /Pastor; Houston, Pathway/Associate Pastor; Pasadena, First/Designated Pastor; Huntsville, First – Pastor; Houston, Clear/Designated Associate Pastor; Nacogdoches, Westminster/Pastor; Beaumont, St. Andrew’s APPROVED CHURCHES MINISTRY INFORMATION FORMS (MIF): Pearland, First /Pastor; Houston, Pathway/Associate Pastor; Pasadena, First/Designated Pastor; Huntsville, First – Pastor; Navasota, First/Pastor; Houston, Clear Lake/Designated Associate Pastor
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APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSIONS TO INSTALL AND/OR ORDAIN PASTORS, ASSOCIATE PASTORS, DESIGNATED PASTORS, AND ASSOCIATE DESIGNATED PASTORS: Rev. Omar Rouchon, Associate Pastor/Houston, St. Philip; Lake; Rev. Tim Marquez, Designated Pastor/ Baytown, Faith; Candidate for Ordination from Chicago Presbytery, Lora East; Rev. Emily Beghin, Associate Pastor, Bryan, First; Rev. Kevin Boyd, Pastor/Houston, Spring Branch; Candidate for Ordination John Hagmann, ordained/Houston, Clear Lake; Rev. Ting Yin Lee, Pastor/Houston, Grace Taiwan GRANTED PERMISSION FOR RULING ELDERS TO ADMINISTER COMMUNION: RE Kitty Adair/Brenham; RE Alyece Garrett/Brenham; RE Linda Newton/Brenham GRANTED PERMISSION TO TRAIN RULING ELDER TO ADMINISTER COMMUNION: Rev. Brent Hampton, Rev. Judye Pistole FASTTRAC WORKSHOP: Brazoria, First
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY MEMBERS: RE Chuck Johnson, Chair; Rev. Margaret Desmond, Vice Chair
Committee on Examinations: Rev. Hector Rivera-Velez, Chair; RE Greg Feigh, V Chair Rev. Laura Grice; RE Connie Nyquist; RE Tom Martin; Rev. Rick Myers; Rev. Omar Rouchon; RE David Coles; Rev. Gwendolyn Magby, RE Ginny Raska, RE Bill Hargrove Calls and Contracts: Rev. Ted Foote, Jr.; Chair; RE John Woodhouse, V Chair Rev. John Hirling, RE Forbes Baker, Rev. Andy Gans, RE Carlton Currie, RE Bill Morris and RE Isbela Mejia Congregational Life: Rev. Judye Pistole, Chair; RE Gayle Smith, V Chair RE Fred Cook, TE Cassandra Dahnke, RE James Hooper, TE Steve Newton, TE Johnna Cormier, TE Katrina Pennington Professional Life: RE Julie Wells, Chair; Rev. Rachel Young, V Chair RE Tracy Allison, Rev. Nathan Carlin, Rev. Cheryl Gans, Rev. Ebenezer Boateng, Rev. Wilma Harris, Rev. Gayle Grubbs, Rev. Callie Candee
H – NOMINATING COMMITTEE The following people are nominated to these designated positions: AD/Ecclesiastical Affairs – 2022 RE Jim Allison (Houston, Pines) AD/Personnel – 2020 RE Gail Northern (Houston, Pathways) 2020 COM Moderator – Rev. Dr Ted Foote (Bryan, First) COM/Congregational Life – 2022 – Rev. Munn Hinds (HR) COM/Professional Life – 2022 – Rev. Dr. Kevin Boyd (Houston, Spring Branch) MD/Evangelism & Church Growth – 2020 Rev. Brian Wiggins; 2022 RE Celia Morgan (Houston, St. Philip); Rev. Fred Seay (Sugar Land, First) Synod of the Sun – 2022 – RE Shelley Hernandez (Houston, Heritage)
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General Council
2019 Report
As we come to the end of 2019, General Council is pleased to report that the three goals we set for
ourselves and presented to this Presbytery over the last two years have been achieved. Those goals were
to come to a decision on Presbytery staffing, to establish the combined position of General Presbyter plus
Stated Clerk for Administrative Process, and finally, the selling of the Presbytery property at 1110 Lovett.
The General Council is elected by the Presbytery and is entrusted with certain responsibilities. To be more
open, the Council was expanded this year to include the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Chair of the
Personnel Committee and the Chair of the Committee on Ministry. These additions have proved valuable
as the new members provided much insight and wise counsel.
The primary focus of Council this year was to follow up with the sale of the Presbytery building located at
1110 Lovett. A sales contract was approved early in the year and we closed on that sale in July 2019. Our
attention immediately shifted to leasing a new office space, and that resulted in the approval of the lease
for the property at 4803 San Felipe, on the campus of St. Philip Presbyterian church.
General Council also approved the language in Article XII of the Presbytery By-Laws, the process for
amending bylaws, to now require two thirds vote of the Presbytery. This change takes the responsibility
of amending our bylaws away from General Council and gives it back to the Presbytery body.
As we head into a new decade, we feel that the work of General Council over the last two years has put
our Presbytery in a good position to continue our work to fulfill our vision to growing congregations that
passionately engage their community to make disciples.
RE Bob Patterson
Chair, General Council
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G.3 – Outreach Committee
For the first time in 2019, the Presbytery’s grant application process was consolidated under the Outreach Committee. We moved to a universal application process and a universal deadline. We are happy to report that the new system was a success. The Outreach committee awarded 22 Grants totaling nearly $80,000 to 15 churches and 1 mission partner from The Vision Initiative, Outreach, Peacemaking, Lynn Johnson Social Justice, and Eldercare funds. The Outreach Committee also received ministry partner reports and approved updated covenant agreements with those partners. We engaged in a visioning process, discussing the strengths, weakness, opportunities, and challenges for our committee as we step into a new year. Finally, we solicited feedback from the Presbytery about the new universal grant application and are once again reviewing the process for any necessary changes for the coming year. The churches receiving grants this year made up only 17% of all the churches in our Presbytery. The Presbytery of New Covenant exists to support the ministry of its churches and we hope that every church in our Presbytery will be inspired to apply for a grant next year. The deadline is April 15th, but it is never too early to start planning for mission in the church. Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Lindsay Hatch, Chair Members of the Outreach Committee are: Rev. Lindsay Hatch, Dr. Robert Beach, RE Sara Jean Jackson, RE John Schweers, Rev. Mark Downs, RE Peter Ebot, RE Chris Friedersdorf (ad hoc)
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To: Friends in Presbytery of New Covenant From: Lisa Johnson, PCHAS Run in the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Aramco Half Marathon or the We Are Houston 5K and support the children and families of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (www.pchas.org) at the same time!! PCHAS is an approved Run For A Reason charity with the Chevron Houston Marathon. Our mission is to provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need and our primary programs in the Houston area are Foster Care, Maternity and Adoption Services, Single Parent Family (residential program) and Child and Family – a preservation program to strengthen families in their own home! The Aramco Half Marathon is FULL and the ONLY way in is through on of the Run For A Reason Charities – and we’d love for you to join us!! To sign up to run on behalf of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, here are the links to register to walk, jog and/or run . . . . Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon, Sunday, January 19, 2020 ($650 fundraising goal): https://haku.ly/fa4084ab We Are Houston 5K, Saturday, January 18, 2020 ($195 fundraising goal): https://haku.ly/84bfa93f HERO Registration for Marathon or Half Marathon ($350 registration fee instead of fundraising goal): https://haku.ly/ee5042aa I hope you’ll consider supporting PCHAS in a unique way offered here in the Houston area. If you have any questions, please let me know. Lisa Johnson, 252-207-3567 or [email protected]. Thank you!
