wfn.org | Special offerings plus

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

03-July-1996 
 
GA96072 
 
Special offerings plus 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--The committee on Stewardship and Communications voted to 
reject a proposal on the special offerings received by congregations in the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  The proposal, submitted by a General 
Assembly Council task group, would alter causes supported by the Christmas 
Joy Offering and change the Witness Offering to the Pentecost Offering, the 
new cause being work with youth and young adults. 
 
    The committee accepted an alternative pattern for special offerings 
which they will recommend to the General Assembly.  It would restore the 
Christmas Joy Offering to its current status (50 percent to the Board of 
Pensions and 50 percent to racial/ethnic colleges).  The alternative 
proposes that the new Pentecost Offering would include the task group's 
recommendation on equipping youth for mission and would add the cause of 
"children at risk," which the task group had placed within the Christmas 
Joy Offering. 
 
    In both the task group proposal and the committee alternative, the 
other two offerings, One Great Hour of Sharing and the Peacemaking 
Offering, would essentially remain the same. 
 
    A minority report was presented to the whole committee which calls for 
the General Assembly to accept the original proposal of the GAC task group 
on special offerings. The minority report cites an anticipated loss in 
offerings for the cause of children at risk as well as for youth ministries 
if both are placed within the new Pentecost Offering.  It would restore the 
connection between children and the Advent/Christmas season, which the 
minority members feel is essential to the financial success of this new 
cause of the church. The minority report also asserts that the reduction to 
youth ministry would eliminate "the possibility of sending 80 young adults 
into Worldwide and National mission programs each year." 
 
 
Dee Wade 

------------
For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

--