For Clerks of Session
in the Presbytery of the Pacific
  • large
  • medium
  • small
  •
Stated Clerks 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 (March 13 2012)

 

MEMO
A Message from the Rev. Wendy Tajima, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of the Pcific

We scheduled two records reviews for the 2011 at the Presbytery office:
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
Saturday, August 25, 2012, 9-11 a.m.

Please add these new checklists to your file:
Word iconAnnual Consent Agenda, revised
Word icon Records Checklist 2011 (per nFOG)
Word icon Clerk's Quiz, with references

The checklist includes new requirements referenced in the changes
to the Book of Order ratified last summer. PLEASE don't worry if you
have not yet implemented them; they are there so you know the goal to
work towards but it's not expected that you have completed them in 2011.

Hawaii clerks, it was good to see all of you. You did such a good job
last year I may ask you to review each others' records on your own.

Thanks for your service and see you soon. As always, don't hesitate
to contact me if you have questions or advice.

Blessings,
Wendy Tajima


Earlier Resources

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.

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

Accessing Documents on the Page

If documents are supplie ach document will be available in 2 formats, if at all possible: 1. As a Microsoft Word document, so that local information can easily be added. 2. As a PDF document, so that it can be downloaded and filled in by other means. Some changes are possible within the Adobe Reader as well.


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)
 
Presbytery of the Pacific