Connections

Sessions are reminded that when an outside minister moderates a meeting of session or congregation that the fee is $35 per meeting plus mileage at the 2000 IRS rate of 32.5 cents per mile +tolls.

Recommended minimum standards for honoraria to pulpit supplies are:

Membership 1 service 2 services

less than 100     $ 75   $100

101 - 400          100   125

401 and above   125   150

OPPORTUNITY

First Presbyterian Church of Poughkeepsie is looking for a new Director of Music. The church already has an exceptional organist and adult choir but needs a director with experience and broad musical background to maintain current quality and develop all potential. Part-time position available immediately. Requires approximately 7 hours per week. Resumes to First Presbyterian Church, c/o Williams, 100 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

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The Rockland County sister churches from Stony Point, Blauvelt (Greenbush), Hillburn (Brook), Congers, Haverstraw (Central), and New Hempstead who freely joined together to assist Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church (Pearl River) in graciously, efficiently, and effectively hosting the November 20 meeting of Presbytery. It was truly an experience in hands-across-the-county collaboration...and those of us in attendance were the beneficiaries! To top the experience, Nauraushaun was also able to contribute to Presbytery $180 in excess luncheon revenue toward the Hunger Fund!

The Rev. Dae Eun Jung and the congregation of the Palisades Presbyterian Church. Dae was installed as Pastor on December 5, 1999.

The Rev. Jonathan Shenk who was ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament at the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church on December 19, 1999. We pray for God's blessings to be Jonathan's as he starts his new work as Associate Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, NJ. Jonathan's youth ministry at Pleasantville will be sorely missed!

Presbyterians Today magazine is seeking names of children and young people who are making a difference in their neighborhoods, schools and congregations by living their faith. Stories of some of these young people will be featured in the June/July issue of the magazine.

Nominations are due by February 1 at Making a Difference, Presbyterians Today, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202 (or fax: 502-569-8632). Include youth's name, age, church, racial/ethnic background, telephone contact, and a description of how each young person is making a difference.

Children and teenagers under the age of 18 are eligible. What a great opportunity!

Executive Presbyter, the Rev. James Vande Berg, has been recognized for his leadership by his peers through election to the position of President of the Association of Executive Presbyters.

Stated Clerk, Elder Harriet Sandmeier, has been named Regional (Northeast) Representative to the Association of Stated Clerks.

During the past several weeks I have had the distinct pleasure of worshiping with some of the congregations of our Presbytery. It has been a most positive experience, not only from the aspect of growth in my own Faith Journey, but also from the warm welcome extended by pastors and communicants. It is rewarding to hear about the many good things occurring in missions fields because our churches are there.

One of the joys for me has been the opportunity to meet and speak with various members of these congregations both before and after service. Many of them have asked good questions and I hope that I have been able to provide somewhat reasonable answers. One question that arises however is one that disturbs me and for which I do not have a good answer. I am asked, "Why do so many of our Pastors not attend the meetings of the Presbytery?" or "Why do they leave early?" One could probably ask similarly, Why are so many of our churches not represented by Elder Commissioners?

I have to confess that I do not have a good answer. Our Pastors do have busy schedules and many important pastoral duties. I expect that there is the feeling that the meetings are dull, most of the time nothing important occurs, or that the work will get done whether or not I attend. Time must be prioritized and more important things come first. I am sure that at times all of the above are true. On the other hand, there are at most six meetings per year, scheduled well in advance. Ordination vows taken by both Elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament indicate Presbytery an appropriate duty.

In response to input provided by our churches and incorporated in the Mission Study, Council is attempting to design meetings of the Presbytery to be more efficient, shorter, of greater interest, and most importantly, of value to the program of the local church. This will best be accomplished if we all work tegether and share evaluations of our successes (and failures) along the way. All are important to this process.

Therefore, I would call upon all pastors and sessions to prayerfully consider their mission and responsibility to the entire area to which we are called - Hudson River Presbytery. Let us faithfully and joyfully work to accomplish the Great Task to which we have all been called.

Faithfully,

Bud Spierling

ALLOWANCE

Information from the Board of Pensions' meeting on October 23, 1999, included information that the Board designated that all pension, disability and Retirement Savings Plan benefits distributed in 2000 by the Board of Pensions to an eligible ordained or commissioned member constitute a housing allowance. Retired and disabled ministers and commissioned lay pastors who meet the requirements of Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code can exclude these payments from federal income taxes as housing allowance. [Clergy will receive a notice to this effect early in 2000].

In the remedial matter of Benton et al v. Presbytery of Hudson River, an appeal on behalf of the complainants has been filed with the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission.

Presbytery is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in the part-time (8 hours per week) position of Web Site Manager. Web site development and management experience, as well as excellent writing skills are required. Applications should be submitted by February 4 to the Rev. Cass Shaw, Chair, Personnel Committee, New Hempstead Presbyterian Church, 484 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956