Presbyterian News Service
06249 May 5, 2006
23 presbyteries bucked five-year downward mission giving trend
Cascades, Carlisle, National Capital, Alaska led way in 2005
by Jerry L. Van Marter
LOUISVILLE -- While unrestricted giving by congregations and presbyteries
to support the General Assembly mission budget has declined by almost 25 percent since 2000, 23 of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 173 presbyteries have actually increased their contributions.
The Stewardship and Mission Funding office of the General Assembly Council
released mission giving figures for 2005 last week.
Oregon's Cascades Presbytery led the denomination last year in total dollars given for Basic Mission Support (unrestricted money). Carlisle Presbytery
led the way in per member unrestricted giving.
National Capital Presbytery was the leader in total mission dollars given
--
unrestricted plus restricted dollars -- also ranking first in giving to the four churchwide special offerings -- One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Joy, Pentecost and Peacemaking -- and in giving to other specific appeals, which includes Extra Commitment Opportunities, Disaster Assistance and the Theological Education Fund. Pittsburgh Presbytery was the leader in total dollars given through Presbyterian Women.
In per member giving, Alaska Presbytery led in total mission giving and in giving to the special offerings; Tres Rios Presbytery led in giving to other specific appeals; and Eastern Oregon Presbytery led Presbyterian Women's giving.
The 23 presbyteries that have increased their Basic Mission Support since 2000:
Abingdon Boston Cascades Cayuga-Syracuse Charleston-Atlantic Cherokee Eastern Virginia Flint River Foothills Greater Atlanta Mid-Kentucky Midwest Hanmi New Harmony New Hope New York City Noroeste Santa Fe Savannah South Alabama Suroeste Trinity Western Colorado Wyoming
The top 10 presbyteries in total gifts to Basic Mission Support in 2005, in order: Cascades, Philadelphia, Chicago, Greater Atlanta, Donegal, Carlisle, Lake Michigan, Los Ranchos, Mission and Grace.
The top 10 presbyteries in per member giving to Basic Mission Support last year, in order: Carlisle, Santa Fe, Cascades, Southeastern Illinois, Lake Michigan, Des Moines, Donegal, Alaska, West Virginia, Kiskiminetas.
Read this story online: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06249.htm