Why do we have to pay per capita?
I’ve heard this question at least a thousand times, and in spite of the number of times the question is asked, the answer is always the same. “Because.” That’s easy to say, but the rationale behind per capita giving is more involved.
Per Capita literally means “for each head,” and it’s essentially a “per-person” fee paid to the denomination to keep the denomination running. For a lot of folks, that seems like carrying coal to Newcastle. Why does the denomination need our money? What difference does it make if our church does or doesn’t give to this fund?
The denomination needs the giving of every church because giving is an act of faith. Yes, there are endowments and investments and a whole lot of churches pay their per capita without fail, and yes, the giving by a lot makes up for the lack of giving by a few. But it’s important to remember that per capita is the primary source of funding for the Office of the General Assembly, and it is through participation in per capita giving that nearly 10,000 PCUSA congregations equitably share the costs of the work of the wider church.
Giving is a holy discipline. When the disciples went out into the world to share the Good News, they relied upon the generosity of the churches they planted to support their work. Furthermore, they encouraged those new churches to set aside a collection for the widows and orphans, the hungry and helpless, the broken and bereft. It is our call as Christians and as Presbyterians to share in the ministry of all our churches, to fairly pay those who serve Christ at all denominational levels, and to offer compassion and support to our sisters and brothers in need.
Why do we have to pay per capita? Because we care about the future of our churches. Because we care about each other. Because we are still being sent into the world to share the glorious Good News of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Because we are under grace, and it is from there that we can see how dynamic our graciousness can be.
Transitional Presbytery Pastor
Rev. Dana Hughes
2019 Presbytery Moderator - Dr. Wanda Beauman
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Sometimes people ask how can I do that? I care, but I don’t know what to do. These are fair questions, and the answer is different for everyone. Perhaps answering two other questions can give some direction.
What really inspires you?
What is it that you have great fun doing?
Here are a few suggestions that came out of a brainstorming session:
If you enjoy reading, invite your book club to select a story about a social justice issue, and then connect with an agency in the community so that you can participate in working toward its solution.
Decide how you can contribute to fair legislation, by joining the Faithful Tuesday Forums at the Capitol and then participate in an action of that committee.
Educate yourself about the School to Prison Pipeline. Find ways to do something about the systemic issues of injustice that have created a modern-day system of slavery here in Colorado and nationally as well.
Find out how to resolve the dynamics of “Food Deserts” in the metropolitan and rural areas of the Presbytery of Denver. Help be part of a solution for our children and families.
Connect with the Veterans Hospital, Denver Health or Children’s Hospital to give comfort and support to children and families in need.
Do whatever stretches you a little and educates you to issues that you weren’t aware existed throughout our neighborhoods.
Wanda Beauman (left) and Sharon Gibbons (right) share an interest in advocating for women who have experienced domestic violence. (Photo by Sue Washburn)
We are hoping to inspire you to identify something that you are passionate about, something that you like doing, or something that energizes you. And once you’ve got that focus foremost in your mind, we want you to turn it into an action that reaches beyond your living room and beyond your church walls. It can be your individual action, or make it more inclusive by bringing a friend, or the choir, or a mission group of the church. Find something that fuels your fire and go for it! And let us know what you are doing so that we can share the good news.
With Blessings,
Dr. Wanda Beauman Moderator Presbytery of Denver
Learn More About Guatemala Mission Partnership
The Presbytery of Denver is engaged in vital mission! Our mission takes place as congregations come together to form mission partnerships, covenant communities, or task forces addressing a specific need. In order to celebrate the wonderful work already being done in our Presbytery and to encourage churches to join existing partnerships or start new ones, we will be highlighting our congregational partnerships in our newsletter.
Below you'll find a link to the Guatemala Mission Partnership video. Please take the opportunity to learn what our churches are doing. Consider whether or not the Holy Spirit might be calling your congregation to join these marvelous efforts already underway or perhaps to launch an entirely new mission partnership.
To learn more about Guatemala Mission Partnership,please reach out to Cathy Nagy .
A Note from our Presbytery Pastor
Greetings, Sisters and Brothers in Christ!
Are you feeling like Mary these days? Feet swollen and back aching? Praying this baby has gestated enough and someone has an epidural ready for you? You’re not alone. It takes a long, long time to get from the Righteous Branch in Jeremiah to the manger in Luke. By the time the last verse of “Silent Night” is sung and the candles are extinguished, the faithful have departed and you turn toward home, what will you remember of this time of preparation? Will it be the trips to the hospital to pray with the dying? Will it be the wrangles over stewardship and budgets that linger until the end of the year? Will it be the faces of overwhelmed families that have come to you for counsel or a hand-out? Will it be the weight of waiting or the awareness of who is missing?
Regardless of how we serve God with our lives, for all of us, this season is jammed, and for most of us, the jam has little to do with the birth of our Lord. I’d like to offer a wee prayer for you. As you pass the flame from candle to candle on Christmas Eve, may your eyes meet God’s in that dim light, and in that moment, may you know the height and breadth and depth of the love that brings this infant to our midst. May your weariness turn to boundless joy, may your spirit be renewed, and may you rest in the knowledge that God is still God, after all.
Peace,
Dana
New Editions of the Book of Common Worship - NOW AVAILABLE!
Set of 3 for $110!
Purchase separately: Book of Common Worship $50; Pastoral Edition $35; Daily Prayer $35. We currently have several copies available at the Presbytery Office. Please click link below to place your order or contact Beth to pay and pick up at the Presbytery Office today!
Over the last several years, more than 180 consultants and writers from across the denomination, representing today's broad, diverse Presbyterian body, gathered for one of six regional consultations to edit existing resources and write new material for the 2018 edition of the Book of Common Worship.
Responsive to the many changes in the church and world since the last revision in 1993, the new edition has been reimagined and redesigned to meet the needs of today's church. It is more informative, more user-friendly, and more flexible. Want to see sample prayers, the full table of contents and more? Click here to access a digital brochure about the Book of Common Worship!
Notable Features about the Book of Common Worship
The 2018 Book of Common Worship will be user-friendly and conducive to various worship styles. Notable features include:
- Improved organization. Easy navigation allows users to quickly find what they need
through an expanded table of contents, sectional tables of contents with page
numbers, and two indexes (scriptural and topical).
- Streamlined and simplified services. Primary services in each section are streamlined,
allowing leaders to appreciate the rhythm, logic, and flow of the order of worship.
Additional texts, placed at the end of each section, provide more opportunities for
customization.
- Fresh, evocative materials. Theologically sound language written by diverse authors
with different contexts in mind represent the fullness of Christ's church.
- Singing encouraged. Rubrics indicate where certain elements of worship, such as a
prayer of confession or prayer for illumination, might be replaced by congregational
song (with hymnal numbers given).
- More inspiration for creative worship. Descriptions of each type of prayer during
worship are provided so that those who desire to pray spontaneously or compose their
own will be equipped to do so.
Rev. Dana Hughes Preaches at October Assembly
Thank you to the good people at Shepherd of the Hills and Revs. Dan Doloquist and Andy Hamer for all their help in hosting the October Assembly.
Rev. Dana Hughes preached the sermon and greeted members of our Assembly during the Pre-Assembly time. Highlights coming soon!