With recent market downturns on everyone's mind and a new year ahead, finances were a concern at the November meeting of Assembly Council.
The church's consolidated portfolio was down 4.8 per cent as of September 30. According to Stephen Roche, chief financial officer, the loss was akin to losing only a foot when others have lost a leg or two. Comparatively, the United Church was down about nine per cent by September, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) more than 15 per cent. Nearing the end of the fourth quarter, the church's budgeted deficit was $112,000 less than expected, which Roche called “good news.”
Contributions to Presbyterians Sharing have remained steady over the past several years, despite declining membership. In 2008, 45 per cent of congregations increased their gifts, 19 per cent maintained their gift levels, and 36 per cent decreased their gifts. Although most congregations are not meeting the suggested allocation to Presbyterians Sharing many are giving generously, reported Karen Plater, associate secretary of Stewardship/Education for Mission.
The council approved a new set of salary ranges for support staff based on the report and recommendations of the personnel committee and Mercer, an HR firm which matched staff job descriptions and salaries with those of other non-profit organizations in the Toronto area. Each of the five ranges includes eight incremental steps; employees will advance one step on July 1 each year. No salaries were decreased as a result of the change.
Executive stipends were also evaluated, and a recommendation for a 6.9 per cent increase will be put before this year's General Assembly in June. If passed, the increase will be applied retroactively from January 2009.
The Long-Range Planning Committee is planning an event that would bring together presbytery representatives from across Canada. It is intended to help presbyteries develop strategic plans for their own context and contribute to a national vision for the church. A total of $130,000 is currently budgeted for the event, but this is only enough to accommodate 23 of Canada's 46 presbyteries, and would require a financial contribution from each participating presbytery. The council will pursue more funding. Other methods, such as live-streaming the event via Internet or satellite, will also be examined.
A Korean translation of Living Faith began in December. A draft will be circulated to Korean churches for proofreading, and Assembly Council hopes to have printed versions available at assembly.
