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APRIL 2016

FROM HUNTER FARRELL

April 29, 2016

Today, the PMA board approved the proposed 2017-2018 budget. For the mission agency as whole, revenues and expenditures are balanced at approximately $63.5 million for each of the two years, a reduction of about 15% from the 2016 budget.

By God’s grace, the approved budget does not require us to recall any mission co-workers, as long as we continue to remain on track to hit revenue goals for the next two years. We are now beginning to process reappointment and extension actions where we have completed annual evaluations and supplements. We will be in touch if we are missing any paperwork needed to move forward.

While we give thanks that the approved budget does not require us to end the service of any mission personnel, we are saddened to report that three Louisville staff positions were eliminated, and one was modified. Our Reconciliation Catalyst, Shannon Beck, will be leaving us. Bryce Wasser and Patrick Alyea, on the Equipping for Mission Involvement (EMI) team, will also be leaving. Out of respect for the privacy of Louisville staff affected by the budget decision, we ask that you keep their departures confidential. We have asked Anne Blair to accept a new position that is a combination of key functions in recruitment and the work of Bryce and Patrick. We will be sending out the updated assignment of responsibilities to help you know who to contact as needs arise. Rachel Yates is providing leadership for the Mission Personnel Team as we recruit for a replacement for Nancy Cavalcante, and she will be providing you with that position description as soon as we begin the recruitment process.

Through your intentional connection with congregations, mid-councils, and individuals last year, and the hard work of the Funds Development team and World Mission staff in Louisville, Presbyterians across the denomination joined with us in support of your ministries. As a result of their generosity, more than 21,000 gifts were made for mission co-worker sending and support. We far exceeded our revenue goal for 2015, so we are able to carry forward a good portion that giving.

We are sending notices out to many constituents today, but you also might wish to share this good news personally with your supporters, mission networks, and global partners. As you do so, please express our deep thanks for the support they have shown us during a very challenging time. Last year, we all worked together with amazing results. But, we must maintain that momentum. Because you have made multi-year commitments to ministry, we are developing new tools to encourage supporters to make multi-year commitments.

I give thanks to God for the good work of staff, both those who are leaving us and those who continue, and I’m grateful that World Mission is being given this opportunity to continue your ministries with our global partners, with the support of so many U.S. Presbyterians.

With you in Christ,

Hunter

MARCH 2016

UPDATE FROM RACHEL YATES

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

We are moving forward with Easter hope, and we are heartened by the connections you share with us from around the world.

I want to share updates on some small matters. First, for those of you who manage project or program funds, we continue to have problems preparing the automated monthly reports out of Raiser’s Edge. Because of an upgrade to a related system, the reports still are not being generated correctly. The IT group believes they are getting closer to a solution, but we’re not there yet. If you have an urgent need for information, please reach out to your area’s Mission Specialist.

Some of you asked about whether annual ministry updates are required as part of your year-end review. These are no longer being requested, and we have now updated the quiet site and forms to reflect this. A special ministry update might be requested from time to time, but you’ll be notified directly if this is the case. While the annual ministry update is not necessary, the process of reflecting on your ministry for the year, including progress toward goals or challenges, is still a beneficial one. Whether you document this reflection in a letter or for your internal use, you’ll probably gain some insights from the exercise.

As you might have heard, the Funds Development team is in the process of a matching gift challenge. We’ve heard your questions about how this works. A gift made either to general mission personnel support, or to a particular mission worker’s sending and support account, will be matched with the same amount of dollars into the general sending and support account. So, if an individual or congregation makes a gift to you, it will be matched in the same amount for the general account. You do not receive the direct match to your personal account. There are many reasons for this approach. Some are logistical: it is hard to trace the precise timing of an individual’s gift to know whether it came in before the match goal was reached. We would be somewhat arbitrary if we tried to match some gifts to particular mission co-worker accounts, but excluded others based on imprecise timing. It is fairer to everyone if the matched gift goes into a general pool, where it can help all mission co-workers together.

If you are asked questions about how the matching gift challenge works, we hope you will communicate how much support is needed at all levels. Most individuals and congregations accept this approach quite readily. We also have worked with Funds Development to clarify the matching gift challenge language. We expect this will reduce the number of inquiries you receive, but let us know if questions continue.

Finally, I’ll note that we are still moving along with the budgeting process. As requested, World Mission prepared and submitted multiple iterations of its budget for 2017-18. This is being combined with the proposed budgets for other ministry areas and shared services. The hard work of creating a single, balanced budget will be happening over the next several weeks, in order for the mission agency to submit its request to the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, for consideration during the last week of April. Please continue to pray for all in the mission agency, as we pray for you and our global partners.

Rachel Yates
Associate Director for Program
Presbyterian World Mission

FEBRUARY 2016

DIRECTORS OFFICE: NEW DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND PMAB ACTION ITEMS

Greetings from Louisville! As we start our Lenten journey, we face both the cross and the empty tomb. We never have one without the other. Mindful of this duality, let us strike out on our path together, sharing in both the suffering and the joy of our Christian faith, with each other and with the world.
I am writing to respond to questions about the new structure in World Mission and to provide news from the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board’s recent meeting.
First, some of you have asked about the new division of responsibilities between the Director and Associate Director positions. Roughly, it is broken down as ... continue reading

FUNDS DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

We are celebrating the news of the successful fundraising efforts for 2015. The press release with more detail on the numbers can be found here. In short, the fundraising goals were not only met, but were exceeded in significant measure. We give thanks to God for inspiring such generosity among Presbyterians, congregations, and mid-councils and their affirmation of the roles you fill in God’s mission. Continue reading

JANUARY 2016

MCW COMMUNICATION REGARDING LETTER WRITING

Greetings from Louisville! As we start the New Year, I have much for which I am thankful, and your service with Presbyterian World Mission is high among those reasons. Looking back at 2015, we saw a lot of changes in our World Mission programs and people, and this coming year portends more of the same. Through that, you have played a faithful role in God¹s mission, and I am grateful for your ministry.

In 2016, we are confident that the ministries of our global partners will continue to be urgently needed. We value your role in that work and the unique gifts that you bring to the partnership. But, your ministry does not operate in isolation. Continue reading

INTRODUCTION FROM RACHEL YATES, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR PROGRAMS FOR PRESBYTERIAN WORLD MISSION

Dear friends and colleagues,

For some of you, I am writing to introduce myself. For others with whom I’ve worked over the last two years, I am simply saying “hello” in a new capacity.

On January 4, I became the new Associate Director for Program for Presbyterian World Mission. This position includes many of the job functions that Greg Allen-Pickett had as General Manager, a position that no longer exists in that form. Together with Tamron Keith, the new Associate Director for Administration, we hope to have a smooth transition in this new structure.

It is an unequivocal joy and privilege to be working among you all. Previously, I was the Church Support Associate (CSA) for the West Region of the U.S., on the Funds Development Ministry Team. In that capacity, I shared your stories and ministries with congregations from Colorado to Hawaii. I read your letters with enthusiasm, followed your blogs, and watched your videos. I told congregations that I was a “story junkie” because hearing – through you—how God was working in the world and in the midst of our global partners’ ministries was a constant source of delight for me. Some of your stories reveal struggles, pain, and sorrow, but the faithful way in which you engage those problems from a deep faith is a strong witness to God’s glory.

For the next few months, if you need help with congregational contacts in the Western US, please contact Rene Myers (rene.myers@pcusa.org or 502-541-9758), who is the Regional Development Manager for the Mid-West Region. She will be a wonderful resource to assist with your funds development efforts.

Because of my previous role as a CSA, I feel like I already know most of you, even if it’s only been on paper or by email. It will be a pleasure to get to know each of you now in person, as I travel to you and as you visit in the US. Of course, your Regional Liaisons and Area Coordinators will have the most intimate knowledge of the specific projects and partners with which you’re engaged, but I hope to be a resource for you, as I can. Let’s stay in touch as we move into 2016 together. I can’t wait to hear the stories of how God will use you all to accomplish amazing thing this year.

Gratefully,

Rachel Yates
Associate Director for Program
Presbyterian World Mission

DECEMBER 2015

NOTE FROM HUNTER WITH MESSAGE TO PMA STAFF FROM TONY DE LA ROSA

I’m sharing with you this note from the Presbyterian Mission Agency's new interim Executive Director, Tony de la Rosa. In it, he informs PMA staff that we are not able to provide 3% cost of living raises in 2016. Due to the size of the budget challenge we’re facing in 2016, we decided last week that the decision would apply to all PMA staff, including our mission co-workers, in order to generate the maximum savings possible. This is a change from what we wrote to you earlier this year and I wanted you to be aware of this.

We have had some large, unexpected gifts from congregations and individuals come in the last 2 months and we continue to give thanks to God. I’ll be sharing preliminary financial information as early in the new year as possible.For now, with the rest of the world, we wait for the coming of the One Who makes all things new, even the Church.

With you in Christ,
Hunter

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a law designed, in part, to extend access to affordable health care coverage to more Americans. Two of the requirements of this law are:

• Large employers are required to offer health care coverage to their employees who work 30 or more hours each week and to report that information the IRS each year.
• Health care providers are required to report coverage provided to the policy holder and their dependents to the IRS each year.

What This Means for You

On or before February 1, 2016, employees of PMA, OGA, and Hubbard Press who work 30 or more hours each week will receive Form 1095-C from their employer which confirms whether or not your employer offered health care coverage. Employees offered coverage are ineligible for any tax credits for health care purchased on the ACA health care exchange.

All employees enrolled in the medical plan offered by Board of Pensions, regardless of the number of hours they work each week, will receive Form 1095-B from the Board of Pensions on or before February 1, 2016. This form will be used to prove that you were enrolled in mandatory health care coverage and not subject to any noncompliance penalty.

If you receive one or both of these forms, you should keep them with your other tax information, such as your W-2 form. You or your tax preparer may need them to file your 2015 taxes.

For more information about Form 1095-C, contact Joe Edmiston in Payroll. ACA compliance requirements can be found at www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/ or www.irs.gov.

News and updates

Programmatic expenses reimbursement year-end deadline
W-2's
Emergency phone
General Assembly: Search for MADs!
MPT Holiday vacation schedule
Newly appointed Mission Personnel
Travel

Programmatic Expenses Reimbursement Year-end Deadline
Posted here on the Mission Personnel Quiet Site is information about year end deadlines for 2015. Many of the Mission Personnel Team deadlines have already come and gone, but those with programmatic expenses still have some time to submit receipts for reimbursements.

W-2’s
If you have registered with ADP for online paystubs you can retrieve your W-2 online through their website by the end of January 2016. By accessing ADP, you can copy and send your W-2 electronically to your tax accountant. If you access your W-2 online and do NOT want a hard copy mailed to you, please let Suzan know by January 15, 2016. If you would like to have a printed W-2 sent somewhere other than where your normal mail is sent, please let Suzan Cantrell know by January 15. Otherwise, it will be mailed out by January 31, 2016 to the address we have on file.

Emergency Phone
Below is the vacation schedule for the Mission Personnel Team. As a reminder, if there is an emergency need, and staff is not available to assist with the request, you can call the Emergency Phone at 502-569-8444.

Looking for MADs!
We are beginning the process of selecting Missionary Advisory Delegates (MADs) for the 222nd General Assembly. Our mandate is to have mission personnel who represent different areas of the world and to vary from those who were represented at the previous GA. If you are planning to be in the USA for Interpretation Assignment during the month of June 2016 and are interested in serving as a Missionary Advisory Delegate at the General Assembly, please send an email to Katie Rhodes no later than January 15 with answers to the following two questions:
1. Have you served as a MAD previously?
2. Are you able to be committed fully to this role (meaning NO other responsibilities) and available from June 17 (MAD orientation) through June 25?

MPT Holiday Vacation Schedule
All Presbyterian Mission Agency Offices will be closed, 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 01/01.
Anne – 12/22, 12/23
Suzan – 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/28, 12/29 and 12/30
Nancy – 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/28, 12/29 and 12/30

Newly Appointed Mission Personnel
In October six new mission co-workers and one future long-term volunteer attended new mission personnel Orientation.
Cathy Chang and Juan Carlos Lopez Carrasco, Philippines - Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration and Human Trafficking in the Philippines
David Cortes Fuentes and Josefina Saez-Aceveda, Cuba - Professor of New Testament and Greek and Partnership Facilitator for Christian Education
Charles and Melissa Johnson, Zambia - Development Specialist, Zambia
Donna Sloan, Malawi - future long-term volunteer at Zomba Theological College

Travel
As a reminder during the holiday season, we ask all mission personnel to contact Katie Rhodes whenever you travel outside your country of assignment, whether for personal or work related reasons.

Reflection

a reflection by Frank Dimmock
Continue reading

NOVEMBER 2015

Letter from Hunter Farrell | November 3, 2015
This letter went out to all mission personnel and was personalized to include the income for each position during the years of 2012, 2013, 2014 through Sept. of 2015.

October 2015

News and Updates

New Interim Executive Director announced
New Mission Personnel
Itemized receipts
Important financial end-of-year deadlines
Mission Connections holiday letter deadlines
Annual enrollment for benefits effective as of January 1, 2016
Online IA calendar tip: Don't let the calendar think all your events are with the same host ...
Mission Personnel reviews
Housing guidelines
Online training resource
Continuing education application
Student enrichment scholarship
International travel
Contact information change

New Interim Executive Director Announced
During the latest Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meeting it was announced that Luis Antonio (Tony) De La Rosa had been appointed as the interim executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. It is expected that he will begin his role December 1, 2015. More information about the announcement is available here.

New Mission Personnel
Orientation for new mission personnel will begin in Louisville on October 13. New mission personnel who will be attending this Orientation are:
• Reverend Cathy Chang and Juan-Carlos Lopez Carrasco. Cathy will be serving as the Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration and Human Trafficking in the Philippines and Juan will be serving in team ministry.
• David Cortes-Fuentes and Josefina Saez-Acevedo. David will be serving as Professor of New Testament and Greek with the Evangelical Seminary of Theology in Cuba, and Josey will serve as the Partnership Facilitator for Christian Education.
• Charles and Melissa Johnson. Charles will serve as the Development Specialist with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Zambia and Melissa will be serving in team ministry.

Itemized Receipts
Please remember, when you turn in credit card receipts for reimbursement, to submit the itemized receipt, not just the receipt that states the amount charged to the credit card. This is particularly needed with meal purchases in the U.S. Outside the U.S., if an itemized receipt is not possible, a hand written receipt, with appropriate signatures, can suffice.

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL END-OF-YEAR DEADLINES
Information about all end of year 2015 reimbursement requests have been posted on the Mission Personnel Quiet site here. Reimbursements will not be approved after the posted deadlines. Contact Suzan Cantrell if you have any questions about Mission Personnel Benefits deadlines.

Mission Connections Holiday Letter DEADLINES!!
Print and web letters must be submitted by November 2nd.
Web only letters should be submitted by November 16th.
Any letter submitted after these indicated deadlines may not be guaranteed for completion before the end of the year.

Annual Enrollment for Benefits Effective as of January 1, 2016
Annual enrollment is your chance to choose or change your optional coverage(s). This enrollment period is your only opportunity to make these benefit choices for 2016 (unless you have a qualifying life event during the year, such as getting married or the birth of a child). You do not have to re-enroll in current plans -- the only exception being Flexible Spending Accounts. If you wish to participate in the medical and/or dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for 2016, you will need to re-enroll. You will not be automatically enrolled and must complete a new enrollment form and submit prior to the indicated deadline.

To apply for FSA coverage or to enroll or make changes, you can access the forms here or write to Katie Rhodes to request enrollment information. Click here for a complete list of deadlines.

Online IA Calendar TIP: Don’t let the calendar think all your events are with the same host!
The most common issue that arises with the online IA calendar is that it will connect all your events to the same hosting congregation! It works like this. When you log on, the calendar knows it is you (obviously). Then you search for a host. Now the calendar knows you are going to that congregation. If you just continue to click “+event” the calendar will continue to add events thinking it is still you going to that same congregation. To avoid this, begin each new event by searching for the hosting congregation. THEN click “+event”. This lets the calendar know you are going someplace different.

Mission Personnel Reviews
A reminder was sent out recently to all Regional Liaisons and Area Offices listing mission personnel who have end of term dates between now and the end of June 2016. Because we are not able to process reappointment actions between April 2015 and April 2016, there will be a large number of actions that will need to be completed in a very short period of time next year. It would be helpful to make sure that we have completed reviews for all of these personnel, so that when decisions can be made next year, we will have everything we need available at that time to move forward. That means for everyone who received an extension in 2015, the completed reviews need to be submitted no later than the end of January. Earlier would be better.

Housing Guidelines
The World Mission Leadership Team recently approved Housing Guidelines for Mission Personnel. If you would like to see them, they are posted on the Quiet Site here.

Online Training Resource
Equipping for Mission Involvement (EMI) has access to a website with countless training programs that we want to make accessible to our deployed staff. The website is www.Lynda.com, and there you will find tutorial categories such as: 3D + animation, audio, business, design, developer, home computing, photography, video, web and many others. To access, go to Lynda.com. Login information is: Username: pcusa_set - Password: WorldMission2014

Continuing Education Application
World Mission wants to encourage and support mission personnel in their development through training, continuing education and professional development programs. These programs afford Mission Co-Workers the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge and refresh current skills consonant with the needs of the partner church or organization, and with their own career goals and objectives.

Programs of staff development may include, but are not limited to: classes, seminars, conferences, cultural study tours, research, degree programs, and specialized certification courses. Mission Co-Workers with satisfactory performance are eligible for continuing education after twelve months of full time employment.

If you are considering continuing education for 2016, funds are limited, so apply early. To access the application form, go to the Education & Training page here on the Quiet Site.

Student Enrichment Scholarship
A special fund has been created, through a generous donor gift, to provide funds to assist families with providing for the educational and enrichment needs of their children. This fund can be used for: extracurricular opportunities, for example, music or dance lessons, fees for sports teams, clubs, etc.; tutoring/educational testing; preschool; summer camp scholarships; third culture kids seminars. Reimbursements for pre-approved student enrichment scholarships are limited to a maximum of $1,500 per year for onetime events, or 50% of the cost up to $200 per month for ongoing courses or programs per child. Expenses must be validated by submitting receipts. The information about the scholarship, and the application form, are available here.

International Travel
Remember to send an email to Katie Rhodes whenever you will be traveling outside of your country of appointment. She needs to notify Risk Management so that you have liability insurance coverage during the trip. We need this information whether you are traveling for work related or personal reasons. If you are making Interpretation Assignment international travel arrangements do not forget to be in touch with Suzan Cantrell before you make your final arrangements. The contact information for the travel agents who can direct bill World Mission is available on the Quiet Site here.

Contact Information Change
Please remember, whenever you have a change to your contact information, whether this is a mailing address where you want your mail sent, or a new cell phone number in your country of service, Octavia Coleman needs to be informed so that our database can be updated. Email her at octavia.coleman@pcusa.org with any changes.

AUGUST 2015

A letter of gratitude and transition from Greg Allen-Pickett

August 4, 2015

Colleagues in Mission:

Most of you know that I finished my seminary courses in May and have been certified ready to receive a call as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church. While I really do love my work with Presbyterian World Mission, for some time I have felt a tug on my heart towards congregational ministry. Over the past few months, my family and I have been discerning a new call from God. It is with a mix of great joy and some sadness that I share this news with you. I have been called to serve as the Mission Pastor and Director of Global Mission at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. My last day here will be Friday, November 20 and I will start this new call on Sunday, November 29. This gives World Mission four months to seek a new candidate for my position, get someone hired and in place, and perhaps even have a few weeks of overlap with me before I leave.

My co-workers have taught me how to share good stories of how I see God at work in my life and in the world. I’d like to tell you a story about three of the most meaningful years of my life. In June of 2012, I was invited to come work for Presbyterian World Mission, and I felt God was calling me and my family into this adventure. I attended GA in July, and then started the first week of August. I had no idea what God had in store for me, but I jumped into this new role full of hope and some trepidation.

The past three years have flown by. In that time I have seen God do some pretty amazing things right here in our offices in Louisville, and around the world. Presbyterian World Mission has gone through some profound transitions in my time here, and I consider it a blessing to have walked with our staff during that transition.

I have never met a more committed and caring group of people as the staff that work here in Louisville and our mission workers serving God all around the world. You all are a big part of the reason that I come in to work each day. It is an incredible privilege to serve alongside each of you, and each of you have taught me something about myself, and something about how God is at work in the world. I will always be grateful for this time that we have worked together.

This was one of the harder decisions I have made in my life. I truly love the work that I do with Presbyterian World Mission, and I tell people all the time I have the greatest co-workers in the world, both those here in Louisville and those serving around the world. Leaving my work and call here at World Mission, and leaving you, my incredible co-workers who have become my friends and family, is not an easy thing to do.

While I am excited for my new call to serve a local congregation, and I look forward to sharing some of that excitement with you over the next few months, now is a time for me to reflect with gratitude and humility on the incredible three years I have spent laboring alongside each of you. Together we have tirelessly worked to participate in different facets of God’s mission and bring God’s kingdom reign closer. I have been inspired by your deep commitment to sharing the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ and working for God’s justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, and I hope that I have been able to play a small part in that through my work.

I have grown a great deal in my faith in the past three years. I attribute that growth to the time I have spent with each of you and with our global partners. You all have shaped me, and I am grateful to each of you and to God for the person I have become in the three years I have spent working with you in World Mission.

“Thank you” is not sufficient for me to express my deep gratitude for the three years we have spent working together, for the patience and grace that each of you have shown me, and for the joy it has been to serve alongside such a committed group of people. But given the limitations of our language, “thank you” will have to do for now. I will continue to hold each of you in the center of my prayers and ask that you pray for me and my family during this time of transition. May God’s peace which passes all understanding surround and embrace all of us as we continue God’s work together.

Your Brother in Christ,

Greg Allen-Pickett
General Manager, World Mission

july 2015

The following was sent to all MCW on behalf of Nancy Cavalcante on Friday, July 10, 2015:

Dear Colleagues,
The following announcement was made today. This structure will be in place as there is a search for a new Interim Director for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. We wanted to be sure you all are informed.Grace and peace, Nancy Cavalcante

Earline Williams and Barry Creech have been selected by the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Executive Committee to co-manage the Presbyterian Mission Agency until an interim executive director is identified.

“The Executive Committee is very pleased that Earline and Barry are willing to serve together as temporary co-managers,” said Marilyn Gamm, chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board. “They not only bring a breadth and depth of Mission Agency management experience but are also dedicated servants of the church who are well respected by staff.”

Earline Williams has been the deputy executive director of Shared Services and chief financial officer for the Mission Agency since July 2013 and is a ruling elder in PC(USA). Prior to joining the national staff, Williams had worked for more than 30 years in the finance, government, non-profit and business sectors as an executive.

Barry Creech is currently the director of policy, administration and board support and has served on the national staff in various leadership roles in the Executive Director’s Office and Communications since 1989.

“I am exceedingly grateful for Earline and Barry, trusted and talented colleagues” said Linda Valentine. “They will provide steady leadership during this time and will continue to be a blessing to the Mission Agency and the church.”

Earline and Barry will assume their new roles effective immediately and will serve for the coming months until an interim executive director is identified.

The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board has sought recommendations from across the church for the interim executive director role. This individual will be responsible for leading the Mission Agency until a permanent executive director is identified.

“We offer our thanks and appreciation for the Mission Agency staff and the outstanding ways they inspire, equip and connect the church in its mission,” added Gamm. “They have continued to give of their time and talents as the church seeks to serve Christ’s mission in the world.”

june 2015

NEWS AND UPDATES

Linda Valentine Resigns
You should have received a communication earlier this week that Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, has announced her resignation and her last day with the organization will be July 10. The Presbyterian News Service story is available here.

Change in Funds Development Staff
From Terri Bate, Senior Director, Funds Development Ministry
I wanted to let you know that I have accepted the resignation of Pam Jensen. Pam has served the Presbyterian Mission Agency faithfully and passionately for nearly six years in her role as Regional Development Manager, and will be greatly missed. She has accepted an opportunity to do the same work with a para-church ministry. Her last day of service with us will be June 25, 2015.

Please join me in wishing Pam God’s blessings in her new venture. Sy Hughes will be covering for Pam’s donors during the interim while we seek for a replacement for her.

House of Rest
The House of Rest in Pasadena, CA is the home of seven fully furnished apartments for individuals or families who are mission personnel from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who are on furlough/vacation/study leave, or changing assignments/retiring from the field, or are retired. Residents may stay up to six months with Board approval, and in rare cases, the length of the stay can be extended beyond six months. For any who are interested in staying at the House of Rest, please email houseofrest@dslextreme.com. They will need your approximate dates, a brief autobiography, information about your ministry, and how many people will need accommodations.

Mission Haven
Since January Mission Haven has begun charging occupants rent when they stay there while on IA. The monthly charge is below market value, and ranges between $300-$500 per month. We are still encouraging personnel to stay in Mission Haven, but now that there is a rental cost associated with these stays, we would ask that personnel who are accustomed to staying there also review if other lower cost housing options may exist for their time in the U.S. If you have any questions, feel free to be in touch with Ben to talk more about this.

Risk Management Coverage
As a reminder, mission personnel have limited personal property and vehicle coverage through the Self Insurance Fund of the Risk Management Office. There are limits to the coverage, and deductibles. It may also be worth looking into what types of insurance coverage for home and personal property is available locally as the coverage provided may not cover all of your belongings in a catastrophic loss. Guidelines and claim forms are available on the Mission Personnel Quiet site here.

Planning Calendars
Your 2015-16 Presbyterian Planning Calendar will be mailed out in the next couple of days to the address that we have on file in our office. If you have any questions, you can be in touch with Octavia Coleman.

International Travel
Remember to send an email to Katie Rhodes whenever you will be traveling outside of your country of appointment. She needs to notify Risk Management so that you have liability insurance coverage during the trip. We need this information whether you are traveling for work related or personal reasons. If you are making Interpretation Assignment international travel arrangements do not forget to be in touch with Suzan Cantrell before you make your final arrangements. The contact information for the travel agents who can direct bill World Mission is available on the Quiet Site here.

State Taxes
Remember that whenever individuals are going to be in the U.S. working for longer than 30 days we are required to withhold State income taxes. Please be in touch with Suzan to let her know which State will be your “home base” so that she can give you any required paperwork.

US Federal Income Taxes
Mission Co-Workers on interpretation assignment of more than one month may incur a U.S. federal income tax obligation. One’s Federal Income tax liability on their PWM portion of salary and allowances during interpretation assignment will be reimbursed. In addition, Mission Co-Workers appointed to U.S. assignments will receive reimbursement of federal income taxes on the PWM portion of their salary. If you have any questions, be in touch with Ben or Suzan.

Contact Information Change
Please remember, whenever you have a change to your contact information, whether this is a mailing address where you want your PC(USA) mail sent, or a new cell phone number in your country of service, Octavia Coleman needs to be informed so that our database can be updated. Email Octavia Coleman with any changes.

MAY 2015

Strategies for Engagement, a note from Greg Allen-Pickett to all mission personnel

May 22, 2015 | Download PDF

A warm and heartfelt greeting from Louisville! I hope and pray this note finds each of you well. I want you to know that you are in the center of my prayers over the past few months as we have been communicating with you. I have also received notes of encouragement and prayers from many of you, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. The bonds of Christian family are strong in this team, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

I know that we have sent out a number of messages over the past month with some challenging news. Together with some colleagues here and some mission co-workers, we decided to think positively and proactively about the challenges we are facing. Over the past few weeks, I have sent out a request to a number of mission co-workers asking them for their top 3-5 tips, strategies, or ideas for how to most faithfully engage with US congregations and individuals. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive and when I get these emails from our mission co-workers, it has really been a bright spot in my day.

I present to you: 77 ways to engage and invite participation in God’s mission as a Presbyterian mission co-worker. This is a list compiled straight from suggestions sent to me by your fellow mission co-workers. It is long, so go grab a cup of coffee, pop some popcorn (or whatever is the appropriate snack food in your locale) and dig in. Or read a few at a time and then come back later, whatever works best for you.

You will notice some repetition in the list. I really just cut and pasted the ideas and sorted them in to broad categories, so the repetition represents repeated ideas shared with me by the mission co-workers.

Here is what I am hoping, that this list will inspire you with new ideas for how to engage with US constituencies, affirm some of the ideas that you are already doing, and give you some proactive ways to connect more deeply with US congregations and individuals. This is not a “to-do” list, but instead is a hopeful list of suggestions and ideas generated by your colleagues to be shared as “best practices.”

I know that not everything on this list will work for every person, that is not the point of a list like this. I also recognize that these things will take time. We communicated that at least 10% of each mission co-workers’ time can be focused on engaging with US constituencies. If you have questions about that, either the time commitment or the impact on your partner, feel free to email me back or talk to your RL or Area Coordinator.

I would also love to hear your creative ideas if you don’t see them represented on this list. Tell me about ways that you have successfully engaged with congregations and individuals, and we will add those to the list!

Thank you for your commitment to our partners and God’s mission in the world. I truly consider my work with all of you as a great blessing in my life.

Greg Allen-Pickett
General Manager, World Mission

LETTER FROM HUNTER WITH SAMPLE COMMUNICATION TO SEND TO YOUR CONTACTS AND NETWORKS - mAY 8, 2015

Last week you received an email that contained a letter signed by almost all the former moderators in the Presbyterian Church asking for support of World Mission during this funding crisis. This is the biggest funding shortage we’ve faced in the past 40 years and we must work together to preserve the legacy built by the hundreds of mission co-workers who came before us. The responses we’ve received from the church give us hope—one former moderator sent in a gift of $1000 and a church in South Carolina yesterday sent us a gift of $110,000—its largest gift to date.

We committed that we would give you some tools to communicate this funding shortfall to your contacts and networks to invite them to support World Mission.

There are some very specific things you can do to help:
• Please personalize an appeal and share it with your contacts, networks, friends and family members. Several of you have already shared beautifully moving and personal appeals on social media and we’d encourage all who are able to do so. Feel free to use this sample and/or to cut and paste from these messages as you write your appeal. When you can, send an email to Tammy Warren in the communications department with the number of people you have contacted so she can keep track of the number of people who receive letters.
• Share your letter on Facebook and other social media, including a link to the Moderator’s letter. The moderators’ letter is also on the World Mission facebook page so it is easy to sign and share. Obviously, the more we share, the greater our reach.
• Contact your supporting churches, thank them for their support and explain the extraordinary need for a gift exceeding their normal giving level. Ask them for an annual gift to support your ongoing ministry.
• And, of course, continue to pray that our church will recognize the magnitude of the need and rise to extraordinary levels of giving.
We continue to give thanks to God for your work.

Hunter Farrell
Director, World Mission

MISSION CO-WORKER FUNDING AND FINANCIAL UPDATE

Mission Co-Worker funding and financial update Webinar held April 22, 2015

APRIL 2015

LETTER TO ALL MISSION CO-WORKERS FROM HUNTER FARRELL - April 22, 2015

Dear Colleagues in Mission:

We hosted two webinars today for mission co-workers and World Mission staff to give an update about the financial shortfall we are facing.

I wanted to share a few notes from that webinar. Click here to access the recorded webinar.

We described the financial situation, which I am sure most of you are familiar with by now. In 2014, our goal was to raise $9million for mission co-worker sending and support. We raised $7.2million. This $1.8million shortfall is requiring us to adjust our budgets for 2015 and beyond.

We are still working through the immediate impact in 2015 and we will update you to any changes for 2015 by April 30. If we have to end service of mission co-workers in 2015, we will notify each of them individually over the next week. We will extend their appointments through December 31, 2015 which will give them eight months to transition back to the United States. In addition, for those that qualify, they would also get end-of-service benefits on top of that.

For 2016 and beyond, we know that are facing a significant shortfall. We also know that since we announced this at the Board Meeting last week, many key churches and church leaders have asked what they can do to help. So while we want to be realistic and make sound decisions about the stewardship of God’s resources, we are also hopeful that congregations and individuals will step up to support in ways that they have not done so previously.

Anyone who is up for reappointment between now and April 2016, who wants to be reappointed, will have their appointment extended through April 2016. This will give us the opportunity to get the financial results from 2015 and allow us to make new budgets and forecasts. We will be able to determine what cuts may need to be made, if any, based on 2015 receipts and any pledges we get in 2015.

If we determine that we need to end service of any mission personnel in 2016, we will follow the same process as we did in 2015. We will notify those personnel by April 30, 2016 that their service will be ending on December 31, 2016. That will give people eight months to prepare and transition in addition to end-of-service benefits.

We continue to hope that this won’t be necessary and that congregations and individuals will rise to the challenge and provide sustainable funding for all of our mission personnel into the future.

What can you do to help with this process? Over the next few weeks, we will be in conversation with a lot of key people including the Moderator Heath Rada, Executive Director Linda Valentine, Synod and Presbytery executives, pastors, and Presbyterians in the pews. We are trying to figure out the best way to present this to the church and challenge the church to pray and give generously in this time.

We are trying to figure out if this will be a permanent fund set up at the Foundation, if we want to encourage “Second mile giving” to DMS and ECO accounts as we have in the past, if there is something new that we haven’t even thought of, and it will likely be some combination of all of these things. We will be communicating with all of you as we start to firm up what this plan will look like and how you can help.

As we are sorting through this process, if the spirit is moving you to reach out to your own networks of individuals and churches, we want to support you in that. We aren’t trying to hide anything. You can share the PNS story and/or the Presbyterian Outlook article.

At this point, until we identify the larger giving strategy, you can encourage people to give directly to your ECO accounts. We shared this letter here on the quiet site that Doug Baker sent out to all Northern Ireland YAV Alums.

Below is a message that Sarah Henken shared on Facebook:

Dear fellow Presbyterians:
Many of you are faithful supporters of my work and/or the broader ministry area I work in, Presbyterian World Mission. You stay informed about God's mission around the world. You pray for the global church and for those of us in international mission service. You participate in short term mission trips or delegations to share in the ministry of our partner churches and institutions. You contribute money to help keep ministries operating and provide care and support for mission workers. Thank you!

Unfortunately, as the link below makes clear, our collective work faces an uncertain future. Either the funding provided by the U.S. church must dramatically increase, or the work we are able to sustain around the world will be significantly reduced and changed over the next few years.

Please keep us in your prayers, spread the word, and make a gift--small or large, one-time or recurring--if at all possible. If you're not sure whether your congregation supports World Mission financially, please ask. Many are unaware that a little boost of directed giving would make a big difference. An extra $100 per PCUSA congregation would cover the shortfall for mission co-worker support in 2016!

To clarify, I'm not asking out of concern for my own job security. I'm asking because I know what a positive impact our collective, careful, and caring Christian witness has around the world. I make a recurring monthly contribution myself, and I hope you will consider joining me.

I would encourage you to read Sarah’s and Doug’s letters. If you are feeling compelled to send out a letter, you can use language from their communications and make it your own. Or if you would prefer to wait until we have figured out the overall strategy, and then send that out to your networks, that would be fine. We hope to have some concrete proposals and a strategy in the next few weeks that you can use.

We recognize that living in this uncertainty is very challenging. We will continue to be praying for all of you and ask that you be praying for the staff in Louisville as we do our faithful best to make these decisions. Please feel free to be in communication with your RLs, your Area Coordinators, me or Hunter with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. This is a new chapter in mission history that we are writing as we live it. So we are very open to input and suggestions and doing our best to faithfully discern where God is leading us, our mission co-workers, and our global partners in all of this.

We covet your prayers at this time and you can trust that we are praying for each of you and our global partners.

In Christ,

Hunter Farrell

April 17, 2015

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

Greetings to each of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We are lifting each of you up in prayer during this time.

We know that many of you are just beginning to digest the letter and press release that I sent to you on Wednesday. We felt it was important to send you word of our situation immediately following the meeting with the Presbytery Mission Agency Board’s executive committee so that you would be well informed as this information was being shared around the church. Presbyterian News Service, the Presbyterian Outlook, and the Presbyterian Layman all immediately sent out the press release and we have been getting a number of e-mails and calls from friends and supporters of World Mission. *Many* asked to be remembered to you all and to assure you of their prayers.

The Mission Board meeting ended today and the members have departed. It’s quiet here and I finally have time to digest how this week’s disturbing news must be impacting you. Please know that we want to be in conversation and prayer with you as you try to understand the news and its impact. We urge you not to make any decisions on your own related to your appointment, and encourage you to be in contact with your Regional Liaison, Area Coordinator or Nancy Cavalcante as you formulate both questions and concerns.

One of the questions we anticipate you are asking is what the timeline is related to the information shared and your appointment to mission service. We anticipate having clarity on timing for notification of changes by April 30 and will provide updates as soon as we have more information to share.

In the meantime, some of you have been asking what you can do to help and what we might be able to do together to address the financial shortfall. I was deeply encouraged at the Board meeting when former moderator Neal Presa and our current moderator, Heath Rada, both came to me individually to express their concern. Both offered to help organize an effort to challenge the church to give in an extraordinary way so that World Mission does not have to bring home mission workers. Our regional Liaison in Northern Ireland, Doug Baker, sent out the letter linked below to the hundreds of former YAVs whom he has mentored over the years, challenging them to contribute to World Mission and to invite others to do so. Rather than encourage you to contact friends, supporters, supporting congregations, etc. now, I’d like us to think together next week about the larger picture and share some ideas, before anyone of us take action beyond prayer.

We would encourage you to be thinking of ways we might spread the word and make the case for extraordinary giving at this moment in our church’s history and in our life together. We are planning to hold two webinars next week on Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:30am EST and the other at 5pm EST. Information on how to register for the webinars is below. The webinars will be identical (repeated only to facilitate folks in various time zones) and are meant to lay out World Mission's financial situation, our process for moving forward, and then open up a time to think and pray together about steps we might take individually and as a community to inform and challenge the church. The webinar is intended for our mission workers and World Mission Louisville-based staff only, so please don't forward your invitation when you receive it.

May you know the peace of Christ in this time of rapid change and timeless grace.

With you in Christ,

Hunter
Director, World Mission

P.S., Please read Doug Baker’s letter here

INFORMATION ON THE WEBINAR:
Please register for Mission co-worker funding and financial update on Apr 22, 2015 7:30 AM EDT at:
• Register here for the 7:30-8:30 am webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2169473146944797185
• Register here for the 5:00-6:00 pm webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2176701336385868290

Description:
Call in to hear an update from Hunter Farrell and Greg Allen-Pickett about mission co-worker funding and finances based off of the report given to the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Executive Committee on Wednesday, April 15. We will spend the first 30 minutes laying out the situation and answering any questions you may have. We will spend the remaining 30 minutes having a conversation to generate ideas together about ways that we can work to address this financial situation. You know your constituencies well, please come prepared with some ideas of ways to further engage those constituencies and invite them to contribute to the sending and support of mission co-workers.

For information you can read the World Mission Fundraising board report:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/site_media/media/uploads/presbyterian_mission_agency/pdf/business_items_2015/april_information_items/h.200_world_mission_fundraising_report_2014.pdf

The Presbyterian News Service Press Release:
https://www.pcusa.org/news/2015/4/15/presbyterian-world-mission-faces-potential-funding/

Presbyterian Outlook Articles:
http://pres-outlook.org/2015/04/world-mission-financial-shortfall-will-pcusa-mission-co-workers-be-recalled/

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We suggest that you join a few minutes early to make sure your computer has the right software uploaded for GoToWebinar. We’ll start promptly at the hours listed above.

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15 April 2015

Dear colleagues in mission,

I trust this note finds you well and that Lent and Holy Week were times of blessing for you and yours.

I’m writing to you to share some sobering news that I am presenting to the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Executive Committee at its regular meeting this morning and to invite you to be in prayer about it. As you may know, our efforts in funds development in 2014 did not generate the funding we needed to support all of our mission workers. The $1.8 million shortfall in 2014 (funds development goals vs. receipts) caused the funds development team to lower its commitments in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

For more than half a century, World Mission has relied on a portion of the offerings given by Presbyterians in congregations across the denomination. Throughout our history, those funds were supplemented by prior year giving, such as endowments, given by Presbyterians for mission worker support. These two primary sources of income, together with “over and above gifts” (variously called “second mile giving”, designated gifts, “missionary support funds”) have enabled us to recruit, train, send and support mission workers. Over the past 10 years, general mission funds contributed by Presbyterians through their weekly offerings have rapidly decreased and we have been forced to use our endowments to cover the cost of mission workers to serve the needs of partners around the world.

Seeing these trends, in 2007 we began World Mission’s funds development efforts (the “direct response” letters) and in 2009 we hired a team to invite congregations and individuals to give. But the results have not been what we had hoped and have resulted in Funds Development decreasing its goals for 2015-2017. The resulting shortfall, unless the church responds by giving in an extraordinary way, could result in World Mission not replacing 4 retiring mission co-workers and will require us to prematurely end the service of five (5) mission workers in 2016 and forty (40) more in 2017—or to find other personnel reductions or cost reductions to make up the gap. Our first step is to challenge the church to give generously in support of our mission workers.

I would invite you to read the attached press release for more information. We will be scheduling a webinar for those able to participate next week to talk through the implications of this news.

It breaks my heart to write these words and there will be another time, perhaps, to assess what more/else we should have done. But as I survey the incredible legacy of faithfulness that God has shown through our church—using broken and incomplete human beings like you and me as heralds of a new way of justice and peace and light—I’m convinced that God is not finished with our church yet. I look forward to praying, dreaming and working together with you, our global partners and many mission leaders across the PC(USA) to discern new ways to join God in mission.

I hope you’ll feel free to write me or your Area Coordinator with any concerns, suggestions or questions. I’ll be writing again next week to schedule the webinar.

I value your friendship and the gift you are to me and to many.

With you in Christ,

Hunter

Hunter Farrell
Director, World Mission

Click here to access the Presbyterian News story
Click here to access the Presbyterian Outlook story

Devotional Reflection

NEWS AND UPDATES

Ben’s Parental Leave
As some of you know, Ben and Skye had their second daughter, Violet Kathleen, on December 29. As Skye returns to work, Ben will be taking his Parental Leave from April 13 through June 5. He will return to the office on June 8. Anne Blair will be screening Ben’s emails and forwarding them on as appropriate. Nancy Cavalcante will be the main person covering Ben’s responsibilities while he is out.

Continuing Education Support ECO
Recently an ECO was created to facilitate extra continuing education and professional development opportunities. If you have a supporter that would like to give towards this ECO, which is managed by Del Braaksma’s office, the information is included here. -

E052173 - Mission Co-worker Continuing Education Support
World Mission recognizes the importance of Mission Personnel being able to participate in continuing education opportunities to remain knowledgeable in their field of expertise and/or to maintain a professional designation. Funds donated will be used to support these needs.

WM Office Roles with Mission Personnel
In order to help better define the various roles and tasks of different World Mission Offices in their relationships with mission personnel, a list has been created as a resource. This is not an exhaustive list of all work done by these offices, but includes a variety of ways that each interacts with mission personnel. This list can be accessed here.

Online Training Resource
Equipping for Mission Involvement (EMI) has access to a website with countless training programs that we want to make accessible to our deployed staff. The website is www.Lynda.com and there you will find tutorial categories such as: 3D + animation, audio, business, design, developer, home computing, photography, video, web and many others.

To access, go to Lynda.com. Login information is: Username: pcusa_set - Password: WorldMission2014

Vote on 14F (Same-Gender Marriage)
This recent letter sent by Greg Allen-Picket to all mission personnel provides an update on the presbytery voting process on Amendment 14-F

WM Staff Changes In Director’s Office and YAV Program
The Director’s Office and the YAV Program are excited to announce a staff change. Starting Monday 3/23, Champaka began to transition into the YAV office as a mission specialist. In this role, she will be supporting the YAV program primarily in the areas of finance, reimbursement of participants in all of the YAV events, administrative support, and support and regular communication regarding YAV participant fundraising. This will help support the growth of the YAV program as we seek to triple the size of the program in five years.

Cristina will become a mission specialist supporting the Director’s Office. She will be providing support to both the General Manager and the Director including financial, administrative and programmatic support, travel and logistics support, and supporting the Director’s office work with the PMA Board and the General Assembly.

They will begin transitioning to these new roles over the next four weeks.

Welcome Tammy Warren new Communication Associate
On Monday, March 23, Tammy Warren joined the World Mission communications team as a communications associate. There is so much to be done and so many great stories to tell, it’s going to be wonderful to have an extra pair of hands. And Tammy brings a great many skills with those hands. Tammy has worked as a communications project manager for Norton Healthcare for the past 11 years and has extensive experience in non-profits. She is an excellent writer, proof-reader, copy editor, photographer and a gifted project manager. She has an undergraduate degree from Berea College and a masters’ degree in communications from Ohio University. She is also a member of the Louisville Christian Writers Association and the Kentucky Christian Writers Association.

Travel
As a reminder, especially in light of upcoming summer travel plans, we ask all mission personnel to contact Katie Rhodes whenever you travel outside your country of assignment, whether for personal or work related reasons.

Communication Allowance
The Communication Allowance for mission co-workers was processed towards the end of March. As a reminder, these additional funds are provided as a way of assisting with the communication needs associated with letter writing expectations, as well as the increased expectation for engagement with US Presbyterians via email and Skype, since these expectations carry real costs.

MARCH 2015

Letter to MCWs about 14f (same-gender marriage)

Click here to view this letter from Greg Allen-Pickett

JANUARY 2015

Roth Option Available Now in the Retirement Savings Plan

Now you can make after-tax contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (RSP) through the plan’s new Roth contribution, available as of January 1. This new option expands the tax advantages available through the RSP. You can save the traditional pretax way and defer paying taxes now; you can contribute after-tax through the Roth option, in exchange for favorable tax treatment on your Roth funds later (if you meet certain criteria); or you can save both ways. To learn more,read Retirement Savings Roth Option Available Now!

DECEMBER 2014

NEWS AND UPDATES

Salary Increase for Mission Co-workers
A 3% increase to the base co-worker salary was approved for 2015. The increase will appear on the January 16 paycheck for the pay period that runs from 12/28/2014 through 01/10/2015.

Programmatic Expenses Reimbursement Year-end Deadline
Posted here on the Mission Personnel Quiet Site is information about year end deadlines for 2014. Many of the Mission Personnel Team deadlines have already come and gone, but those with programmatic expenses still have some time to submit receipts for reimbursements.

W-2’s
If you have registered with ADP for online paystubs you can retrieve your W-2 online through the adp website portal by the end of January 2015. By accessing ADP, you can copy and send your W-2 electronically to your tax accountant. If you access your W-2 online and do NOT want a hard copy mailed to you, please let Suzan know by January 15, 2015.

If you would like to have a printed W-2 sent somewhere other than where your normal mail is sent, please let Suzan Cantrell know by January 15. Otherwise, it will be mailed out by January 31, 2015 to the address we have on file.

MPT Holiday Vacation Schedule
All Presbyterian Mission Agency Offices will be closed, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/31, 01/01 and 01/02.
Suzan – 12/22, 12/23, 12/29 and 12/30
Anne –12/29 and 12/30
Ben – 12/29 and 12/30
Katie – 12/22, 12/23, 12/29 and 12/30
Nancy – 12/18, 12/19, 12/22 and 12/23

Ben’s Parental Leave
As some of you know, Ben and Skye are expecting their second child in early January. He plans on taking two weeks of parental leave when the baby is born, and then being off full time in the months of April and May. A plan for how his responsibilities will be covered during the longer leave will be shared shortly before that leave begins.

New World Mission Staff
Message from Debbie Braaksma - I am happy to announce that Paula Tibbs joined World Mission as the new mission specialist for the Africa Office on Monday, November 24. Paula joins World Mission with a breadth of work experience including office management, budget management, grants disbursement and management, church member communications and event planning support. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, has master’s degree level training in linguistics and foreign languages, and holds an associate degree in accounting. Paula also has served over many years in short-term mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is fluent in French, and plays an active leadership role in a French-speaking African worshiping community in Louisville.

OCTOBER 2014

aNNUAL ENROLLMENT DEADLINES

The annual benefits enrollment period is the one occasion each year when employees have the opportunity to select their benefit elections for the next year. All benefit changes will be effective January 1, 2015. You do not have to re-enroll in current plans – the only exception being Flexible Spending Accounts. If you wish to participate in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for 2015, you must complete a new enrollment form and return to Katie Rhodes no later than October 30, 2014. Click here for more information regarding optional benefits.

Important financial end-of-year deadlines

Information about all end-of-year 2014 reimbursement requests have been posted here. Reimbursements will not be approved after the posted deadlines. Contact Suzan Cantrell if you have any questions about Mission Personnel Benefits deadlines.

Reflection a devotional reflection by Ben Albers Continue reading

NEWS AND UPDATES

Travel Prohibition
Effective Immediately - World Mission staff and mission personnel are being prohibited from traveling to or through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, until further notice due to the Ebola situation. Exceptions to this travel prohibition will need to be approved by World Mission leadership, the area coordinator and mission personnel coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

For more information regarding Ebola, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

If you have any questions contact Nancy Cavalcante.

Mission Connections Letters
Holiday/Year-end Letter deadline information is available on the Quite Site here. Email Bryce Wasser if you have questions.

Itineration Online Calendar Update
Thank you to all who have been faithfully using the online itineration calendar! In response to your feedback, there are a few important updates. First, there is a new printer friendly option. Your homepage now has a button “Create Event Report” that will create an Excel spreadsheet listing your events. Second, you can increase your communication with FDMT (Funds Development Ministry Team) through the updated feedback section. Open an event, click edit, and then go to the bottom right hand column. There you can let FDMT know if you would like them to follow up on your visit and why. Learn more by downloading the updated Instruction Manual from the Interpretation tab of the quiet site. Email Rachel Anderson with any questions.

The Board of Pensions Assistance Program Lends a Hand to New College Freshman
The Transition-to-College Assistance Grant program is designed to help eligible families of new college freshmen with transitional expenses such as a computer or dorm room furnishings. A nonrecurring, one-time grant is available to qualifying members of the Benefits Plan based on financial need, plan participation, and enrollment of a dependent child as a full-time freshman in an accredited college or university. Amounts range from $500 to $1,000, depending on total family income.

Grant applications for the 2014-2015 academic year will be accepted from August 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. To apply, complete the Transition-to-College Assistance Grant Application and return it to the Board at the address listed on the form.

Mission Personnel with Personal Student Loan Debt
We have had a couple of meetings with the Office of Financial Aid for Service about developing a program that would be catered to assist mission personnel with their personal student load debt. If you have personal student loan debt please be in touch with Ben Albers as we are trying to compile some information that will be used in a proposal that will be submitted to the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board.

Continuing Education Application
World Mission wants to encourage and support mission personnel in their development through training, continuing education and professional development programs. These programs afford Mission Co-Workers the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge and refresh current skills consonant with the needs of the partner church or organization and with their own career goals and objectives.

If you are considering continuing education for 2015, funds are limited, so apply early. Click here to access the application form from the Education & Training page.

SEPTEMBER 2014

THE BOARD OF PENSIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LENDS A HAND TO NEW COLLEGE FRESHMEN

The Transition-to-College Assistance Grant program is designed to help eligible families of new college freshmen with transitional expenses such as a computer or dorm room furnishings. A nonrecurring, one-time grant is available to qualifying members of the Benefits Plan based on financial need, plan participation, and enrollment of a dependent child as a full-time freshman in an accredited college or university. Amounts range from $500 to $1,000, depending on total family income.

AUGUST 2014

NEW PASSWORD FOR LYNDA.COM ONLINE TRAINING RESOURCE
Equipping for Mission Involvement (EMI) has access to a website with countless training programs that we want to make accessible to our deployed staff. The website is www.Lynda.com and there you will find tutorial categories such as: 3D + animation, audio, business, design, developer, home computing, photography, video, web and many others.

To access, go to Lynda.com and use the following login information:
Username: pcusa_set
Password: WorldMission2014

NEWS AND UPDATES

Mission Personnel With Personal Student Loan Debt
We have had a couple of meetings with the Office of Financial Aid for Service about developing a program that would be catered to assist mission personnel with their personal student load debt. If you have personal student loan debt please be in touch with Ben Albers as we are trying to compile some information that will be used in a proposal that will be submitted to the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board.

Setting up Housing Allowance
From time to time we have received questions about the Mission Personnel Team’s practice in terms of processing one’s housing allowance requests. We have created a document that explains our practice and expectations, as well as quoting some of the policies from the Mission Co-worker Handbook. If you have any questions you can be in touch with Ben. The document is posted here.

Appointment Action Process
Because there have been a number of changes in both staff and expectations over the past several months, the Mission Personnel Team has created a document outlining our process for updating and processing appointment actions. This document may include a level of detail that most do not need to be aware of, but if you are interested, it is posted here on the Mission Personnel Quiet Site.

General Assembly Recognition of Mission Personnel who served 20 or More Years
At the recent General Assembly we honored the following mission personnel who ended service since the 220^th GA with twenty or more years of mission service: Frank Dimmock, Barbara Easton, Andres Garcia, Annette George, Jane Holslag, Jung Ja Hong, Debbie Horne, Harry Horne, Sara Mahecha, Guido Mahecha, Sarah Oba, Gloria Salazar, Don Wehmeyer, Martha Wehmeyer

Planning Calendars
Your 2014-15 Presbyterian Planning Calendar were mailed out several week’s ago to the address that we have on file in our office. If you have any questions, you can be in touch with Octavia Coleman.

Contact Information Change
Please remember, whenever you have a change to your contact information, whether this is a mailing address where you want your PC(USA) sent, or a new cell phone number in your country of service, Octavia Coleman needs to be informed so that our database can be updated. Email her at octavia.coleman@pcusa.org with any changes.

WORLD MISSION GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE WEBINAR

Click here to download the June 25, 2014 webinar led by your World Mission colleagues concerning the recent decisions of the 221st General Assembly and tools for communication and interpretation for use both in the US and in your mission context.

PC(USA) LEADERS ISSUE PASTORAL LETTER TO THE CHURCH ON ASSEMBLY’S MARRIAGE ACTIONS June 19, 2014

To congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Earlier today the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a recommendation from its Civil Union and Marriage Issues Committee allowing for pastoral discretion to perform “any such marriage they believe the Holy Spirit calls them to perform,” where legal by state law.

They also approved a recommendation to change language in the Book of Order to indicate that “marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”
Both decisions came with much thought, discussion and prayer, and clearly the entire body that is the PC(USA) will be interpreting these actions for some time. Continue Reading

The following is a pastoral letter sent out at the end of the General Assembly by Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) and the Fellowship of Presbyterians.

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM PFR AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRESBYTERIANS
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Meeting in Detroit, our 221st General Assembly has taken two significant actions on the teaching and practice of marriage according to the PC(USA)’s Book of Order. First, the GA approved an Authoritative Interpretation (AI) that now permits PC(USA) pastors to conduct same-sex weddings, and allows sessions to approve the use of church property for such ceremonies. Secondly, the GA approved a proposed amendment to the Book of Order that would replace current language with a description of marriage as a relationship between “two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”

While the AI goes into effect immediately, the proposed amendment requires ratification by a majority of the presbyteries before any change could be made, a process that takes about one year. Both measures are designed to allow pastors and congregations to participate in same-sex weddings, in states where gay marriage is legal. Continue Reading.

APRIL 2014

MISSION COWORKER VEHICLE USE GUIDELINES

Click here for more information regarding the Mission Coworker Vehicle Use Guidelines

MARCH 2014

Communication Allowance

In a recent letter that you received from Greg Allen-Pickett (a generic version is available here) the Communication Allowance for mission co-workers was announced. The additional funds are in response to assisting with the communication needs associated with letter writing expectations as well as the increased expectation for engagement with US Presbyterians via email and Skype. We recognize that this carries a real cost with it through technology and Internet access. Starting in March 2014, all MCW units will receive an annual grant of $500 to off-set internet/communication costs. You will receive a block grant in the amount of $500 in the March 28 paycheck. Because it is processed as a grant, the income will have a tax liability.

We have also increased the Setup, Reassignment and Reappointment Allowances in recognition of the increased cost associated with increased engagement of US Presbyterians and technology needs.

The handbook policy reads:
Communication Allowance
An annual allowance will be given to each mission unit (a unit is either a single person or a couple) to cover the cost of communication with constituents. This may be used for such things as postage, software, letter writing supplies, etc. This allowance will be given through the mission personnel payroll in the first quarter of each calendar year.

2014 Sharing Conference
For those of you who will be in the U.S. for Itineration Assignment this summer, please plan on attending the annual Sharing Conference which will be August 3 -9, 2014 (travel days, August 3rd & 9th ) at Laws Lodge, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Be on the lookout for a registration link coming soon to the Mission Personnel Quiet Site, or you can contact Del Braaksma.

Mission connections letters: Please remember to send in your first quarter letter by March 31st. Questions? Contact Bryce Smith

To access, go to Lynda.com. Login information is: Username: pcusa_set - Password: WorldMission2014

Third Culture Kids Conference
Dates for the 2014 Interaction Transition Seminar: July 26 – August 1, 2014 in Colorado Springs, CO

Who is the Interaction transition seminar for?
• seniors who will start college
• high-school students who are relocating permanently back to the U.S. or Canada
• high-school students who are returning for a year of home assignment
• college or high school students who didn’t attend a seminar when they returned, but now wish they had (even if it has been a year or two)
Please contact Del Braaksma if interested and want to know more!

If you are considering continuing education, please apply early, as funds for 2014 are limited. Click here for more information and/or download the application form here.

Missionary Advisory Delegates
Many have asked in recent days for a list of those who will be serving at the 221st General Assembly as Mission Advisory Delegates. We now have a final list.
Magda Iskander - Mark Adams - Jonathan Seitz - Elmarie Parker - Nancy Collins - Debbie Blane

New to EMI
Equipping for Mission Involvement is excited to welcome Patrick Alyea to World Mission as the new Program Assistant for EMI. His start date was February 18. Patrick has a heart for God’s mission and brings skills in event-planning, written communications, volunteer management and database creation/use. He will work closely with Del Braaksma and Christine Coy Fohr in event planning and management, with Michelle Lori in her work coaching mission co-workers, and as a key staff person to connect U.S. Presbyterians with education for mission involvement resources.

New to Presbyterian Mission Agency
Kathy Melvin joins the Presbyterian Mission Agency as the World Missions Communicator. She comes to us from WAVE-3 TV, where she was a news producer. She is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington in journalism. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and has worked for both print and broadcast outlets. She has worked extensively, as well, in non-profit public relations and has the A.P.R. designation from the Public Relations Society of America. Only a few thousand people nationally have achieved the honor. Kathy is a member of Highland Presbyterian Church and lives with her beloved pets, two dogs and four cats.

FEBRUARY 2014

MISSION CO-WORKER Letter writing, new $500 annual COMMUNICATION allowance, and an update on the funds development efforts

NOTE: A version of this letter was individually addressed to each mission co-worker and sent by email during the last week of February 2014.

A warm and heartfelt greeting from cold and snowy Louisville! I am writing this letter following the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meeting and I am giving thanks for you, your commitment that you have to our global partners and God’s mission, and the privilege I have to be able to work with you. Thank you and I give thanks to God for you and all that you do as a Mission Co-Worker.

2013 has been a year of major changes in World Mission for our Mission Co-Workers (MCWs). You all received a letter in early April that articulated some specific goals/benchmarks for fundraising for the sending and support costs of your positions. You were also given specific assignments that clarified your role as we all work together to hit those benchmarks. Continue Reading

JANUARY 2014

MISSION CO-WORKERS AND FUNDS

It has been an incredible year of changes, challenges, successes and growth. We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to carrying out God’s mission with our global partners. One of the issues that we have been wrestling with is related to project funds and how those funds are sent and spent. We have been seeking clarity on this issue in the past year for a variety of reasons and I want to communicate our policy and the reasoning behind it. Continue Reading

REFLECTION
a devotional reflection by Greg Allen-Pickett
Continue reading

DECEMBER 2013

Looking for mads
We are beginning the process of selecting Missionary Advisory Delegates (MADs) for the 221st General Assembly. Our mandate is to get people who represent different parts of the world (as far as mission goes) and to vary those who were represented at the previous GA. If you are planning to be in the USA for Interpretation Assignment in June of 2014 and are interested in serving as a Missionary Advisory Delegate at the General Assembly, please complete this brief questionnaire. If you are unable to access the questionnaire, email Katie Rhodes to request the questions. Survey deadline: January 10, 2014

Salary Increase for Mission Co-workers
A 3% increase to the base co-worker salary was approved for 2014. The increase will appear on the January 17 paycheck for the pay period that runs from 12/29/2013 through 01/11/2014.

Regular World Mission Bi-monthly Paper Mailings Ending
Beginning in January, the Mission Personnel Team will stop sending regular bi-monthly paper mailings to all mission personnel. Over the past couple of years we have seen a decline in the amount of materials being sent by mail, with most communication and material now available electronically. Our office will continue to send the annual tax statements (W-2s), Presbyterian Planning Calendar, and Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study through the mail as needed. Other items received on behalf of mission personnel to our office will be forwarded by mail as they accumulate, sent at least quarterly. If you are still receiving your paystubs by mail, this would be another incentive to go paperless to receive them electronically as we are planning to no longer mail paper copies of paystubs that we receive after January 1.

Going Paperless and Online Paystub Access through ADP
The change in how MPT handles mail on behalf of mission personnel will impact those who have not logged into ADP to set up their paystubs to go paperless. (ADP is the organization that the Payroll Office works with to produce pay statements.) Suzan has sent numerous reminders to those individuals who have not yet logged into ADP, but if you have missed the directions on how to change the setting in ADP, you may access the instructions here. Accessing paystubs online saves trees and the PCUSA as ADP charges to print each paystub. Only you can change this setting, we are not able to do it on your behalf, so please take the steps needed to go paperless.

If you believe that you have made this change in the past, but you continue to receive printed paystubs, please let Suzan know. A few people have experienced this glitch but the Payroll Office has the ability to reset the system so that the change can be made again.

W-2’s
If you have registered with ADP for online paystubs you can retrieve your W-2 online through their website by the end of January 2014. By accessing ADP, you can copy and send your W-2 electronically to your tax accountant. If you access your W-2 online and do NOT want a hard copy mailed to you, please let Suzan know by January 13, 2014.

If you would like to have a printed W-2 sent somewhere other than where your normal mail is sent, please let Suzan Cantrell know by January 13. Otherwise, it will be mailed out by January 31, 2014 to the address we have on file for your bi-monthly mailing.

MPT Holiday Vacation Schedule
Below is the vacation schedule for the Mission Personnel Team. As a reminder, if there is an emergency need, and staff is not available to assist with the request, you can call the Emergency Phone at 502-569-8444. Nancy Cavalcante will be staffing the phone beginning Dec. 16 through Jan. 6.

All Presbyterian Mission Agency Offices will be closed, 12/23, 12/24, 12/25 and 01/01.
Suzan – 12/20, 12/26 and 12/27; Anne –12/26 and 12/27; Ben – 12/16 through 01/01; Katie – 12/26 through 01/01; Nancy –12/19 through 01/01

Travel plans
As a reminder during the holiday season, we ask all mission personnel to contact Katie Rhodes whenever you travel outside your country of assignment, whether for personal or work related reasons.

Programmatic expenses reimbursement deadline for 2013 year-end
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Click here to access the notification from Tamron Keith regarding the programmatic expenses reimbursement deadline for 2013 year-end.

Regional Liaisons (and other Mission Co-workers authorized to be reimbursed by World Mission for certain programmatic expenses), be advised, all unsubmitted reimbursement requests for 2013 expenses, incurred through 12/31/2013, must be submitted to your assigned Area Office for approval and forwarding on to the Finance Team for processing no later than 1/3/2014 at 5:00pm EST.

THIS IS A HARD CUT-OFF. EXCEPTIONS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. DIFFERENT THAN IN YEARS PAST, THIS DEADLINE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. 2013 EXPENSES SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT AFTER THIS DATE, WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. *

* Under very unusual circumstances, when receipts cannot be submitted by the deadline, special authorization from the Area Coordinator and the Finance Manager are required, in advance of the deadline, in order for such reimbursement requests to be processed. Permission can only be granted for a very small window of time. After that, there will be no exceptions and reimbursements will not be made for 2013 expenses.

ANNUAL MINISTRY UPDATE INFORMATION
Your interpretation to churches, presbyteries and individuals of how God is working through the three-fold team of World Mission co-workers, global partners, and U.S. partners is being well received. Your increased communication, especially communication that shares personal stories of transformation through mission work and works-in-progress truly brings our U.S. partners into the circle, and they are responding with deeper engagement. Thank you for your faithful work in this.

Last year we introduced the Annual Ministry Update, a yearly narrative that you are asked to write to highlight the ways you have changed and what has changed around you. While this narrative has an official name – “Annual Ministry Update” – we want you to think of it as your annual version of a Mission Connections letter. Rather than telling about ministry from one quarter of the year, you will highlight your ministry for the previous year. Your audience is existing and potential U.S. partners – individuals, congregations and Mid Councils. The document will be used by our Funds Development Ministry Team when sharing about your work and the work of your global partner. You may also be able to use it when a U.S. partner asks for an annual report. Beginning in 2014, we plan to post a link to your Annual Ministry Update on your Mission Connections web page. Paper copies of Annual Ministry Updates will be made available to anyone requesting to receive one from a mission co-worker in a sensitive country. Continue reading

The following are examples of completed Annual Ministry Updates:
Annual Ministry Update by Sarah Henken
Annual Ministry Update by Nancy Collins

OCTOBER 2013

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL END-OF-YEAR DEADLINES

Information about all end of year 2013 reimbursement requests have been included in this month’s paper mailing and posted to your Quiet Site. Reimbursements will not be approved after the posted deadlines. Contact Suzan Cantrell if you have any questions.

Regular World Mission Bi-monthly Paper Mailings Ending
Beginning in January of 2014, the Mission Personnel Team will stop sending regular bi-monthly paper mailings to all mission personnel. Over the past couple of years we have seen a marked decline in the amount of materials being sent by mail, with most communication and material now available electronically. Our office will continue to send the annual tax statements (W-2s), Presbyterian Planning Calendar, and Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study through the mail as needed. Other items received on behalf of mission personnel to our office will be forwarded by mail as they accumulate, sent at least quarterly. If you are still receiving your paystubs by mail, this would be another incentive to go paperless to receive them electronically as we are planning to no longer mail paper copies of paystubs that we receive after January 1.

Going Paperless and Online Paystub Access through ADP
The change in how MPT handles mail on behalf of mission personnel will impact those who have not logged into ADP to set up their paystubs to go paperless. (ADP is the organization that the Payroll Office works with to produce pay statements.) Suzan has sent numerous reminders to those individuals who have not yet logged into ADP, but if you have missed the directions on how to change the setting in ADP, directions are available here. Accessing paystubs online saves trees and the PCUSA as ADP charges to print each paystub. Only you can change this setting, we are not able to do it on your behalf, so please take the steps needed to go paperless. If you believe that you have made this change in the past, but you continue to receive printed paystubs, please let Suzan know. A few people have experienced this glitch but the Payroll Office has the ability to reset the system so that the change can be made again.

Annual open enrollment deadline is Dec 06, 2013
The annual benefits open enrollment period is the one occasion each year when employees have the opportunity to select their benefit elections for the next year. All benefit changes are effective January 1, 2014. This year we are not introducing any new plans and employees do not have to re-enroll in their current plans – the only exception being Flexible Spending Accounts. If you wish to participate in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for 2014, you will not be automatically enrolled. You must complete a new enrollment form. Click here to download the Board of Pensions annual enrollment flyer. To apply for coverage or to make changes to your current benefit elections, forms must be returned to Katie Rhodes no later than December 6, 2013. Contact Katie Rhodes if you have questions or need forms.

Mission Connections Letter Holiday & Year End Deadlines
Message sent on behalf of Bryce Smith
Deadline information has been emailed, enclosed in the October mailing, and can also be viewed here. Print letters are due by November 01 and web only letters are due by November 15, 2013. Email letter to: Mission.connections@pcusa.org. Contact Bryce Smith if you have any questions.

Mission Personnel Quiet Site
Over the past couple of months we have been updating and renovating the Mission Personnel Quiet Site. Katie Rhodes would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. And don’t forget, because it is not searchable through search engines, bookmark this address in your browser for future access, www.pcusa.org/missionpersonnel or https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionpersonnel.

AUGUST 2013

INCREASE IN SETUP, REAPPOINTMENT AND REASSIGNMENT ALLOWANCES
In an effort to provide additional funds to assist with ongoing technology expenses associated with ones work with World Mission and PC(USA) constituencies, the Set-up, Reappointment and Reassignment Allowances have been increased. The full policy is below and has been added to the Mission Co-worker Handbook. The Set-up Allowance went from $1,000 per appointed adult to $1,500 per single adult and $2,500 per couple. The Reappointment Allowance went from $175 per adult and $35 per child per year since last IA to $200 and $50. The Reassignment Allowance changed from $500 per adult to $750 per single person and $1250 per couple.

Set-Up Allowance

1. Appointment Allowance

Newly appointed Mission Co-Worker will be granted an allowance for set-up expenses. The allowance for a single person is $1,500, for a married couple $2,500, and $200 for each child accompanying parents.

2. Reappointment Allowance

For persons reappointed to an additional term of service after an interpretation assignment in the home country, an allowance will be granted in proportion to the term of service just completed away from the home country. The payment will be based on $200 per year of service away from the home country per adult and $50 per year of service for each child returning.

3. Reassignment Allowance

Mission Co-Worker reassigned to another country will be given an allowance equal to one-half of the allowance of newly appointed Mission Co-Worker. The allowance for a single person is $750, for a married couple $1,250 and $100 for each child accompanying parents.
*change approved by PMAB effective April 1, 2013.

Ending regular world mission bi-monthly paper mailings
Beginning in January of 2014, the Mission Personnel Team will stop sending regular bi-monthly paper mailings to all mission personnel. Over the past couple of years we have seen a marked decline in the amount of materials being sent by mail, with most communication and material available electronically. Our office will continue to send the annual tax statements (W-2s), Presbyterian Planning Calendar, and Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study through the mail as needed. Other items received on behalf of mission personnel to our office will be forwarded by mail as they accumulate, sent at least quarterly. If you are still receiving your paystubs by mail, this would be another incentive to go paperless to receive them electronically. Click here for instruction on how to access your paystubs.

ECO Cost Recovery rate
Click here for information that may be helpful if you receive questions from individuals or congregations in relation to the amount withheld from sending and support ECOs.

Contact information change
Please remember, whenever you have a change to your contact information, whether this is a mailing address where you want your PC(USA) mail sent, or a new cell phone number in your country of service, Octavia Coleman needs to be informed so that our database can be updated. Email Octavia Coleman with any changes.

mission personnel quiet site
Over the past couple of months we have been updating and renovating this Quiet Site. We now have a greater ability to update and move content. Please visit this site regularly and let us know if there is anything that is missing or could be modified for greater ease of access. Katie Rhodes would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. And don’t forget, because it is not searchable through search engines, bookmark the address in your browser for future access.

heads up!! 2014 open enrollment
Information will be forthcoming regarding the 2014 Annual Benefits Open Enrollment period. The optional benefits consist of: Aetna dental, Delta dental, flexible spending accounts (FSA), Davis vision, and supplemental death benefits. If you have questions regarding open enrollment, contact Katie Rhodes.

JULY 2013

A note from Greg Allen-Pickett regarding the fundraising model and expectations

I want to thank you for your patience and grace as we have worked through the new mission funding model. I have sincerely appreciated the opportunity to engage in dialogue with you about this, and hope we can continue to dialogue about this as we move forward. We are still trying to discern the most faithful way forward given the missiological and economic realities that we face. We certainly have not been perfect in how we are rolling out this new strategy and have made a number of mistakes and had some miscommunications about this. So please accept our apologies for that and know that we are grateful to each of you as we work together to address the future.

Each one of us has a role on the World Mission team. I want to try to further clarify what is expected from our mission co-workers, and what you can expect from your World Mission team in Louisville, and our Funds Development Ministry Team. Continue reading

JUNE 2013

Invitation from General Assembly Moderator
For your information, we have just published an invitation from the General Assembly Moderator to journey with him to Detroit via Heidelberg!
Click here to find the invitation – which has been emailed to a broad group of constituents and other Presbyterian media.

Mission Personnel Quiet Site
Over the past couple of months we have been updating and renovating the Mission Personnel Quiet Site. We now have a greater ability to update and move content. Please visit the Quiet Site and let us know if there is anything that is missing or could be modified for greater ease of access. Katie Rhodes would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. And don’t forget, because it is the Quiet Site, and therefore not searchable through search engines, bookmark or favorite one of the following addresses in your browser for future access (pcusa.org/missionpersonnel or https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionpersonnel/)

Board of Pensions Medical Dues
May 30, 2013 - The Board of Pensions Healthcare Committee made their recommendation with regards to the new dues structure this week. It will not be voted on until sometime in June. The recommendations included no changes in 2014 and any other changes to be effective in 2015. As more information becomes available and decisions are made, it will be shared on the Mission Personnel Quiet Site.

New to World Mission
A note from Ellen Sherby, Coordinator, Equipping for Mission Involvement

On behalf of Equipping for Mission Involvement I am pleased to announce that Christine Coy Fohr has accepted a call to serve as the new World Mission consultant for mission leaders. Christine comes to this position with experience as a Young Adult Volunteer, a Christian educator, parish minister, communicator and mission interpreter, network-facilitator, event organizer, and community and social services worker.

Please welcome Christine when she joins the staff of World Mission part time on June 17 and full time on July 29. Her work will focus on networking with, training and resourcing Presbyterian mission leaders – especially around faithful and effective mission practice. We’re excited about her work and how it will inspire, equip and connect Presbyterian mission leaders about and with World Mission strategy.

Travel Notification
As a reminder, we ask all mission personnel to contact Katie Rhodes whenever you travel outside your country of assignment, whether for personal or work related reasons. Katie passes the information along to the Risk Management Offices for insurance coverage purposes.

MAY 2013

mission co-workers funding q&a from Hunter Farrell, WM Director
As you are well aware, we’ve recently communicated with you about changes in funding. We started with a series of webinars in late March and then we sent every Mission Co-Worker a letter in early April. We asked you to prayerfully read and consider the presentations and letter we sent and to provide us feedback and questions. While some have understood the new requirements, we’ve heard from some of you that this is confusing. What follows is a paraphrased conversation in question and answer format that comes from questions we received from a variety of mission co-workers that we are sharing with their permission. We hope that this will be helpful to you as we move forward. Please reach out to us if your concerns are not addressed here. Continue reading

APRIL 2013

Update on Monthly Giving Reports from Tamron Keith, WM Finance Manager
World Mission has received several recent notifications that Mission Personnel have not been receiving monthly giving reports since the beginning of the year. The World Mission Finance Team consulted IT to determine the cause. In their research, the Finance Team discovered that completion of month end close triggers a financial report’s creation. January, February and March did not close until Monday (4/8/2013), so no giving reports were distributed through ReportSafe, prior to then, for the 2013 calendar year. It should be noted, it is standard practice for PC(USA) to report first quarter financials together. So, with the close of March, January and February financials were also closed and are now being reported on. Continue reading

MARCH 2013

Funding Model webinar held March 22, 2013:

FEBRUARY 2013

New Funds Disbursements' Procedure Webinar held February 15, 2013:
This video is a recording of the new Funds Disbursements’ Procedure training facilitated by Tamron Keith, WM Finance Manager, for Regional Liaisons. The webinar was given to provide a more in-depth look at the revised WM disbursements’ process prior to implementation. Continue reading

We have just completed January Orientation! The following people have began service with PC(USA):

César Carhuachin – Colombia
Cynthia Corell – Haiti
Kurt Esslinger & Hyeyoung Lee – Republic of Korea
Suzette Goss-Geffrard – Haiti
S. Gorman & C. Gorman – Egypt
Marcia Murray - Congo
Leslie Vogel – Guatemala
J. Yoder & R. Kirkpatrick – Egypt

It's that time of year!
Download this tax letter that will be helpful to you in the preparation of your 2012 tax returns

UPDATING INFORMATION:
Please remember to contact Octavia Coleman if you have any changes of contact information (ie. physical address, mailing address, telephone number(s), email address, etc)

Children of Mission Personnel Scholarship:
Also enclosed in the bi-monthly mailing, click here for information about the pre-screening process for children to apply for scholarship assistance through the Financial Aid for Service Office. Must return the form to the Financial Aid for Studies by March 15, 2013.

Student Enrichment Scholarship Fund
A special fund has been created, through a generous donor gift, to provide funds to assist families with providing for the educational and enrichment needs of their children. This fund can be used for: extracurricular opportunities, for example, music or dance lessons, fees for sports teams, clubs, etc.; tutoring/educational testing; preschool; summer camp scholarships; third culture kids seminars. Reimbursements for pre-approved student enrichment scholarships are limited to a maximum of $1,500 per year for onetime events, or 50% of the cost up to $200 per month for ongoing courses or programs per child. Expenses must be validated by submitting receipts. Visit the Education and Training page to find more information about the scholarship and application form.

NOVEMBER 2012

Change in pcusa.org email address use requirements
Coaching for mission interpretation Introduction letter from Michelle Lori, Associate, Education for Mission Interpretation
News and Updates on behalf of the Mission Personnel Team

OCTOBER 2012

2012 Financial End-of-Year Deadlines Questions? Contact Suzan Cantrell
Annual Enrollment information Sign up for optional benefits effective January 1, 2013. Return forms to Katie Rhodes by December 14, 2012
Board of Pensions Board Bulletin provides information for same-gender domestic partner
Summary of Dallas II consultation

Programmatic Expenses Reimbursement Year-end Deadline

Posted on the Mission Personnel Quiet Site (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionpersonnel/financial_deadlines/ ) is information about year end deadlines for 2015. Many of the Mission Personnel Team deadlines have already come and gone, but those with programmatic expenses still have some time to submit receipts for reimbursements.

W-2’s

If you have registered with ADP for online paystubs you can retrieve your W-2 online through their website by the end of January 2016. By accessing ADP, you can copy and send your W-2 electronically to your tax accountant. If you access your W-2 online and do NOT want a hard copy mailed to you, please let Suzan know by January 15, 2016.

If you would like to have a printed W-2 sent somewhere other than where your normal mail is sent, please let Suzan Cantrell know by January 15. Otherwise, it will be mailed out by January 31, 2016 to the address we have on file.

Emergency Phone

Below is the vacation schedule for the Mission Personnel Team. As a reminder, if there is an emergency need, and staff is not available to assist with the request, you can call the Emergency Phone at 502-569-8444.

Looking for MADs!

We are beginning the process of selecting Missionary Advisory Delegates (MADs) for the 222^nd General Assembly. Our mandate is to have mission personnel who represent different areas of the world and to vary from those who were represented at the previous GA. If you are planning to be in the USA for Interpretation Assignment during the month of June 2016 and are interested in serving as a Missionary Advisory Delegate at the General Assembly, please send an email to Katie Rhodes no later than January 15 with answers to the following two questions:

1. Have you served as a MAD previously?

2. Are you able to be committed fully to this role (meaning NO other responsibilities) and available from June 17 (MAD orientation) through June 25?

MPT Holiday Vacation Schedule

All Presbyterian Mission Agency Offices will be closed, 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 01/01.

Anne – 12/22, 12/23

Suzan – 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/28, 12/29 and 12/30

Nancy – 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/28, 12/29 and 12/30

Newly Appointed Mission Personnel

In October six new mission co-workers and one future long-term volunteer attended new mission personnel Orientation.

Cathy Chang and Juan Carlos Lopez Carrasco, Philippines - Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration and Human Trafficking in the Philippines

David Cortes Fuentes and Josefina Saez-Aceveda, Cuba - Professor of New Testament and Greek and Partnership Facilitator for Christian Education

Charles and Melissa Johnson, Zambia - Development Specialist, Zambia

Donna Sloan, Malawi - future long-term volunteer at Zomba Theological College

Travel

As a reminder during the holiday season, we ask all mission personnel to contact Katie Rhodes whenever you travel outside your country of assignment, whether for personal or work related reasons.

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