One of the unique features of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) is its "connectionalism". We are a denomination in which individual congregations work together with other congregations. We are a denomination of over 11,000 individual congregations. We are also a denomination in which those 11,000 congregations support each other and work together to do many things that we could not do as individual congregations. As part of a "connectional" church, we at Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church share certain benefits and costs of our sister Presbyterian churches.
No single church in our presbytery could provide the facilities, programs and services of Camp Burnamwood alone, but working together the churches of the Presbytery of Transylvania make this vital youth ministry possible. No church alone could provide a program for training the lay pastors who serve in our smaller churches, but together we make this ministry happen.
What 90+ congregations can do together in our presbytery is multiplied even more when 11,000 Presbyterian congregations across the United States come together to support national and international programs through our General Assembly. Together, as a "connectional" church, we can work together with our sister churches to do things for the greater glory of God.
These programs and activities are financed through the Per Capita Fund. Each congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is assessed a per capita assessment to support the basic and essential operation and administrative costs of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly. Hunter’s assessment for 2010 is $33.31 for each active member. This is broken down into $23.50 for support of the Presbytery of Transylvania, $3.62 for support of the Synod of Living Waters, and $6.19 for the support of the General Assembly.
Many congregations ask their members to consider a special donation covering the cost of the "per capita" assessment. Again this year, as in the past four years, the Session and the Stewardship Committee have approved that Hunter participate in the Per Capita Fund Offering.
During the month of September, "per capita" offering envelopes will be placed in the pews for your use. Each active member of Hunter (confirmed children are active members; non-confirmed baptized children are not) is being asked to consider donating the $33.31 which Hunter will pay this year for each of our members.
Of course, each member is free to contribute more or less of the $33.31 per household member. Some of us may not be able to, or wish not to contribute at all; others of us may be able to contribute not only our share but also that of others.
Knowing the mission spirit of Hunter’s members, we are confident of a strong response to the 2010 Per Capita Fund Offering.
The Stewardship Committee
Andrew Bernard, Chair
