The items on this page were prepared by the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Pacific, the Rev. Wendy Tajima, for use by Clerks of Session of the churches of the Presbytery of the Pacific.

E-mail the Stated Clerk

UPDATED INFORMATION (September 15 2011)

New Form of Government Check List for Sessions
in Developing a Manual of Administrative Operations
In MS Word Format • PDF

July 29 2011:
For your convenience the information presented below is also available in a single-page PDF newsletter format. You could e-mail this to session members (there are links in it for online viewers) or print it out to distribute. The basic information is in the print form--just not the detailed online information.
DOWNLOAD THE JULY CLERK NEWSLETTER

1. BOOK OF ORDER (BOO) 2011-2013 edition
Your Resource: New Constitution page

The newly-released BOO is available for purchase or (free, at least for now) download in PDF format. Please use the "New Constitution" link above to learn more, and to obtain either print or (free) PDF copies.

2) BOARD OF PENSIONS DUES INCREASE IN 2012 AND 2013
Your Resource: Board of Pensions website

You may have heard about it (I didn't get any official communication), but the Board of Pensions voted on a two-step rate increase, and made several other adjustments to their health plans.

The changes will begin in 2012.  The medical plan dues will go up by 3/4 of 1% in 2012, and then again in 2013.  In other words, the medical plan dues will go from the current 19.5% to 20.25% in 2012 and to 21.0% in 2013.  This brings the total member dues to 32.25% in 2012, vs. 31.5% for the past several years.

There are several other changes. The website link is at the top of this article under "Board of Pensions".

3) USING THE OLD BOOK OF ORDER AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

Some of you have asked about a congregational version of the Presbytery's action to maintain the 2009-2011 Book of Order as an administrative manual.  Here it is:

"Adopt the 2009-2011 edition of the Book of Order as the guide for theadministration of mission for ____________ Church, except when:  

• it conflicts with the 2011-2013 Form of Government or any subsequent versions of the Constitution of the PC(USA)

• it conflicts with relevant policies of the Presbytery of the Pacific or Synod of Southern California and Hawaii

• it conflicts with relevant civil laws

•it is amended in the currently accepted manner by the Session or Congregation.

4) POSSIBLE BENEFIT TO CHURCHES FROM THE HEALTHCARE REFORM ACT
One resource: Description of the article discussed below with purchase information

The article is not a free download; please speak to the Stated Clerk for more information) E-mail

In Richard Hammar's July/August "Church Law & Tax Report," he wrote about a tax credit from the healthcare reform act that may help some churches. Though it's a tax credit, Hammar points out that the law makes the credit "refundable," meaning that it is payable in cash. This credit was designed for employers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, with average annual wages of less than $50,000 per FTE, and pay at least half of the health benefits premiums.  There are many variables in the law (for instance, clergy salary might not be taken into account in calculating the average salary, but they are counted in the total number of FTE's on the payroll), but look up Richard Hammar's cover article if you're interested.

FINALLY, ABOUT THE PER CAPITA FOR 2012 . . .

. . And for those who like to budget ahead, we will let you know per capita for 2012 as soon as that gets established, but sorry, not yet!

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Records Review will be held August 27 (Hawai'i in July)

Clerks of Session should plan to have their church records reviewed at the Presbytery office on Saturday mornings  August 27, 2011.  (The other opportunity, in April 2011 has passed.) If you did not bring in your records for 2010 earlier, this will be your opportunity. If you have anything you need to bring for 2009, that's OK too. (Better late than never!)

Try to come right at 9 a.m. and we'll match you up with another clerk to check each other's books.  It's also a great opportunity to get new tips, trade ideas, and tell your Presbytery's Stated Clerk of any concerns that you have.  If you have completed the records review checklist (see link below), the review shouldn't take more than 30 minutes or so.

Depending on need, there may be a 1 p.m. session on August 27 as well. Please let the office know if you would be interested in this later time. The Stated Clerk's e-mail address is below.

You can contact the Rev. Wendy Tajima, Stated Clerk, via e-mail to let her that you are coming, if you would prefer the later time (if available) and/or if you have any questions.

Hawai'i Dates:

Hawai'i minutes were read on July 16 for Mililani and for Korean First and CCU, on July 18:.

Checklist for Session Records

This document will help Clerks of Session confidently prepare and maintain the required records, including Minutes of Session. This form must be brought with the Stated Clerk to the Minutes Reading meeting.
Session Records Checklist

Session Records Checklist (Microsoft Word)

Calendar of Various Presbytery Meetings and Events

Clerks of Session can use this document to advise the leadership of their churches of the times/dates of Presbytery meetings, committee meetings, dates and times of special events, and to calendar their own attendance at the annual Reading of Session Minutes.
Meeting Dates Calendar Meeting Dates Calendar (Microsoft Word)

Consent Docket and Agenda

Clerks of Session can use this document to assist them in the preparation of the Consent Docket and Agenda that are prepared for use by the Church's Session. Since it is usual to set many management details at the beginning of each year, the document available here is set up for a January or February meeting.
Consent Docket and AgendaConsent Docket and Agenda (Microsoft Word)

Additional Support for the Clerks of Session Serving the Presbytery's Churches

January Training

The Presbytery of the Pacific and/or the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii offers assistance at the beginning of the year. Check back in December/early January for posting of specific opportunities.