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 Keeping Up With
Savannah Presbytery
"REACHING BEYOND OURSELVES"
APRIL 30, 2010
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UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINESSpring Curriculum Review & Church School Teacher RoundtableSaturday, May 1, 10:00 AM, White Bluff PC in Savannah Monthly Pastor LunchThursday, May 6, 12:00 PM, Jesup PC Hispanic Ministry Kick-Off Weekend - CANCELLEDWill be rescheduled at a later date. Presbytery Staff MeetingTuesday, May 11, 10:00 AM, Presbytery Office Committee on Ministry MeetingTuesday, May 11, 1:00 PM, Presbytery Office School of the Laity New Class Registration DeadlineFriday, May 14 Summer Camp/Kayak Camp Registration Deadline Monday, May 24 Spring Stated MeetingTuesday, May 25, 10:00 AM (Registration begins at 9 AM) Click Here to see the Savannah Presbytery calendar online. |
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GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR PRESBYTERY
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GET CONNECTED TO YOUR DENOMINATION
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WHERE IS THE GP?
Ken's Comings & Goings
Ken McKenzie can usually be found in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. When he's not there, he will be...
May 1-6
PDA National Response Team Meeting, San Francisco
May 16-20
Executive Training, Louisville
May 23
Preaching at First PC in Brunswick
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SEMINARS & CONFERENCES AROUND THE DENOMINATION11th Annual National Multicultural Church Conference, May 27-30 at the Marriott O'Hare in Chicago. Following
the theme "H2O:
Deepening Our Faith, Widening Our Culture", this conference will look
at "growing the church deep and wide" in an increasingly diverse
world. Early bird registration deadline is April 30. Get information or
register by calling 1-888-728-7228 x5344, or CLICK HERE. Proclaiming the Text, May 31-June 4, 2010 at Montreat Conference CenterFor pastors, lay leaders,
seminary students, and all who seek the tools and inspiration needed for
proclaiming the Good News. CLICK HEREChristian Education, May 31-June 4, 2010 at Montreat Conference CenterFor Christian educators,
pastors, and lay leaders involved in the ministry of Christian education. CLICK HERE |
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Need to Contact Us? Contact information for the Savannah Presbytery Office & Staff is listed at the bottom of this e-newsletter.
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DON'T FORGET: SOL NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS COMING UP!
 New students who would like to register for the School of the Laity must have their agreement form sent in by May 14th. The first session of the new class is in June.
For more information, or to download a brochure and agreement form, visit the SOL Page on our website, or contact Lynn Garis at the Presbytery Office.
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 WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR SUMMER CAMP VOLUNTEERS!
The
Education & Training Ministry Team is busy finding adults to serve
as camp counselors this June. They need to fill the following positions:
Family Camp Director - June 25-26
Primary Camp Director - June 24 - 26
Life
Guard (paid position) - June
20 - 26
Male and
Female Cabin Counselors for each camp.
If
you are interested in serving, or want to know more about it, please
contact Lou Ellen Hartley at the Presbytery Office.
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 DO YOU HAVE MEMBERS GOING OFF TO COLLEGE THIS FALL?
If you have high school seniors that
will be headed off to one of the following colleges in the fall, we would like
to pass their name along to the Campus Minister so that they can extend a
welcome when they get to school in the fall:
Agnes
Scott College
Atlanta
University Center
Berry
College
Columbus
State University
Emory
University
Georgia
College and State University
Georgia
Southern University
Georgia
Southwestern University
Georgia
State University
Georgia
Tech
Kennesaw
State University
North
Georgia College and State University
University
of Georgia
Valdosta
State University
Please
visit www.pcmofgeorgia.org under the
referrals tab to provide the student's name and which college they will be
attending. The information will be distributed to the appropriate campus
contacts. Please include the student's home church. An email address would be
helpful if known.
Or, send the information to:
Susan Monk
Vice Moderator, Tri Presbytery Commission on Campus Ministry
4649 Jefferson Ridge Way
Marietta, GA 30066
monk@bellsouth.net
To learn about Presbyterian Campus Ministries of Georgia,
please visit their website.
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CHURCHES: ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HELP WITH YOUR ONLINE MARKETING?
For more information, CLICK HERE.
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Interesting facts and information for churches.
Church Tax Exemption in Georgia
Questions often arise about what churches are obligated to and exempt from when it comes to state and federal taxes. The information below provides help with common subjects, but there is so much out there, it's important that your treasurer and/or finance committee is knowledgeable or has a good resource on both Federal and State tax laws and requirements.
Sales Tax - Georgia churches must pay all applicable sales tax on purchases.
Tax-Exempt Status Definition - According to the IRS, churches and religious organizations who qualify for exemption IRC section 501(c)(3) are exempt from Federal income tax and are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Employment Tax Requirements - Generally, churches are required to withhold, report, and pay income and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes for their employees. Employment tax includes income tax withheld and paid for an employee and FICA taxes withheld and paid on behalf of an employee. There are special rules involving Clergy income tax. Most Clergy hire a tax accountant that is familiar with these rules to make sure they pay their income taxes correctly.
Unemployment Tax Requirements - Churches are not required to pay Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes. Many church employees may not realize this and many churches may not realize they aren't paying into it. It's important to know, because if church employees are laid off, they are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Most churches have a severance policy for employees to offset this, and if the church chooses, it can pay unemployment taxes to protect their employees.
Tax Exempt Property - In Georgia, all places of religious worship and burial and all property owned
by and operated exclusively as a church that qualifies as an exempt religious organization under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is exempt from property tax along with property
owned by religious groups that is used as single-family housing and no income is derived from the property.
There are many places to go for more information on tax laws regarding churches:
"Did You Know" provides helpful information and facts regarding everyday church issues. To suggest a topic for this column, please contact Tavia Harrison.
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NEWS FROM AROUND SAVANNAH PRESBYTERY
The Hispanic Ministry Kick-Off Has Been Postponed. Originally scheduled for this weekend, May 8-9, the kick-off for the new Hispanic ministry has been postponed. The new date has not been scheduled, but we will keep you posted on the date. In the mean time, Rev. Ozeas Fernandez, whole will be heading up the Hispanic Ministry, and his wife have moved into the Swainsboro PC manse. Swainsboro members are very excited about having the Fernandezes, and ask for prayers as they embark of this special ministry.
Space Available to go to Montreat Youth Conference!
First PC in St. Marys has immediate openings for Montreat Youth
Conference Week 1. They are committed to a house that they have rented and need to
fill it up! They will leave on Saturday, June 6 and return on Saturday June 12.
Registration cost is $350 per youth and payment is due NOW! This conference is
for rising 9th graders through 12th grade. Graduating seniors are also
eligible. Montreat Youth Conference is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. This year's theme is "In These Waters". If you are interested in attending with FPC St. Marys, please call 912-882-4650 for more
information and registration procedures. To read more about the conference, CLICK HERE.
OGA Still Looking for Clerk Questionnaires. The denomination is still looking for Clerks of Session to complete the Annual Questionnaire. This important document helps the Office of the General Assembly compile obtain a lot of useful information, as well as compile annual congregational statistics. If you haven't filled it out, please do so right away by CLICKING HERE. You'll need a PIN and Password, which you can get by calling the Presbytery Office.
Prayer Concerns. Please keep the
following people and churches in your prayers:
-- Shellie Stroman, member of Washington Street PC and husband of former presbytery moderator Lois Stroman, as he recovers from serious medical issues
-- The Savannah Presbytery, its teams, leaders, and staff, as they learn and work into the new structure.
-- Victims of recent flooding in Nashville, TN and the Northeaster US, and those working to aid in their relief, recovery, and reconstruction.
-- The new Hispanic Ministry currently being organized in Swainsboro, its leaders and new congregants
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CONTACT US
Savannah Presbytery
3590 Darien Highway, Suite 8, Brunswick, GA 31525
Office: 912-264-1997 Fax: 912-262-6815
home@savannahpresbytery.org
www.savannahpresbytery.org
Ken McKenzie, General Presbyter
kmckenzie@savannahpresbytery.org
Russell Gladding, Stated Clerk/Treasurer
rgladding@savannahpresbytery.org
Lynn Garis, Associate Presbyter for Laity & Coordinator for the M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund Committee
lgaris@savannahpresbytery.org
Lou Ellen Hartley, Associate Presbyter for Christian Education lehartley@savannahpresbytery.org
Tavia Harrison, Communications & Presbytery Support Coordinator
tharrison@savannahpresbytery.org
Liz Richardson, Business Manager
lrichardson@savannahpresbytery.org
Savannah Presbytery and the Resource Center are open Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM, and Friday 9 AM - 1 PM.
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