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Leadership Newsletter December 2014
Tools & Resources for Leaders
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Collect for the Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 212
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ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BISHOP'S OFFICE
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Diocesan Office Christmas Hours
The diocesan office will be closed December 24th - January 2nd. We will reopen with normal business hours on Monday, January 5th. Also note that Canon Amy will be on pilgrimage to the Holy Land January 12th-23rd.
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Diocesan Directory
The Diocesan Directory is available year-round on the diocesan website under the About Us tab. It's updated throughout the year to provide current information to our church leaders. You can download the current version of the directory here.
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Wardens & Treasurers Workshop
Save-the-Date: Wardens & Treasurers Workshop will be held on March 7th at All Saints Center. Mark your calendars now. More information is forthcoming.
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Important Tax Deadline for all Churches: January 31, 2015
- W-2 (wage & tax statement) must be issued to each employee by this date. Copies of W-2 forms (Page A) must be mailed by February 28, 2015 to the following address: Social Security Administration, Data Operations Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001.
- 1099-MISC (statement for recipient of miscellaneous income) must be issue a 1099-MISC to any self-employed person to whom the church paid nonemployee compensation of $600 or more in 2014.
- 4th quarter 941 (employer's quarterly federal tax return) and remit any taxes withheld for the 4th quarter 2014.
- Kentucky Transmitter Report (form 42A806) accompanied by copies of all W-2 forms issued. Also submit form K-3 (Kentucky employer's Income Tax Withheld worksheet and annual reconciliation) along with any taxes withheld for the period ending December 31, 2014.
- Jefferson County churches must file the 4th quarter W-1 (Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Revenue Commission form for employers quarterly occupational license fees withheld) along with any taxes due/withheld for the period ending December 31, 2014.
- Imputed income for life insurance benefits for over $60,000 will be forthcoming. Amounts should be entered on W-2 forms.
For questions concerning any of the above tax deadlines, please contact Becky Meyer at 502-854-7148 ext. 240.
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 Bookkeeping Changes for All Saint's Center The bookkeeping for All Saint's Center has moved out of the Diocesan Office to All Saint's Center. All future invoice payments, donations, etc. should be sent to All Saint's Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Lietchfield, KY 42754 and made payable to All Saint's Center. |
The Rev. Dr. Michael Vollman appointed as diocesan Ecumenical Officer
The bishop has appointed the Rev. Dr. Michael Vollman to serve as our diocesan Ecumenical Officer. Deacon Vollman currently serves as the diocesan representative for the Kentucky Council of Churches, an ecumenical council of churches that focuses on public policy and social justice advocacy in the Commonwealth. Deacon Vollman also serves as parish deacon to Trinity, Russellville and Trinity, Owensboro.
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Bronson Howell appointed as Intake Officer for the Disciplinary Board for Ecclesiastical Discipline
The bishop has appointed Mr. Bronson Howell to serve as the Intake Officer for the Disciplinary Board for Ecclesiastical Discipline in the Diocese of Kentucky. Information about Ecclesiastical Disciple and the Title IV process may be found on the Ecclesiastical Discipline webpage on the diocesan website.
Mr. Howell can be contacted at:
4010 Dupont Circle, Suite L-30
Louisville, KY 40207 Phone: (502) 893-3030 Email: jho5116841@aol.com
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2014 Parochial Report
All Episcopal congregations are required to complete an annual statistical report called the Parochial Report. The report is established as a tool for the collection of data that is intended to assist the Church in planning for mission.
You should be receiving the Parochial Report, along with the the Diocese's Congregational Assets, Liabilities, and Insurance report (more commonly known as "Page 5") in the mail. These documents are also available on the Episcopal Church's and the Diocesan website respectively. See below for links.
Links
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Church Leadership Reports
At every annual meeting, a parish elects members to serve in their Vestry. Depending on its bylaws, either the congregation or the vestry also elects the wardens, secretary, and treasurer. Following that election, the Church Leadership Report form should be completed online and sent to the Diocesan Office.
Mission churches have their warden and Bishop's Committee appointed annually by the Bishop. Before submitting their Church Leadership Report, they should speak with the Canon to the Ordinary about certifying their Bishop's Committee membership.
Once the forms are on file, the master contact and email list will be changed at Diocesan Office, which, among other things, means that wardens, secretaries, and treasurers will start to receive information about upcoming events, training sessions, etc. through the Leadership Newsletter. Parish administrators, youth ministers, and bookkeepers will also start to receive information pertinent to their ministries throughout the year through various publications.
The Church Leadership Report is due no more than 30 days after the election or appointment of your congregation's wardens, secretary, and treasurer.
If you have any questions about the report, visit the Church Leadership Report webpage on the diocesan website. If you have any technical issues filling out the form, please call Brian Funk-Kinnaman in the Diocesan Office at 502-854-7148 ext. 243
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Summary of the 187th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky
A Summary of Actions for the 187th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky may be found here.
Many thanks to Don Vish for documenting the convention! View his pictures on his Flickr page.
Workshops covered topics from Disaster 101 to parish websites to every day pastoral skills and more. An entire list can be downloaded here. The presentation resources can be found on the Diocesan Convention webpage as they become available.
Next year's Diocesan Convention will be held at Calvary Church, Louisville on November 13-14, 2015.
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Want to read more about what our youth are doing? Visit the Youth webpage and subscribe to the DioKY Youth News. It's chock-full of information about youth events, happenings throughout the diocese, and other exciting news. Sign up here.
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Give the Gift of Summer Camp this Christmas
 This Christmas, give your child a gift that is meaningful! Reserve your child's spot at All Saint's Summer Camp for the 2015 camping season. To reserve your child's spot apply online and pay the reservation fee. There is a $30 Primary and CIT fee and a $50 fee for Sr. High, New Horizon's, and Jr. High. These fees are refundable until March 1st, since prices for the 2015 camping season are still under review with Trustees and Council. We will notify you at the appropriate time to let you know when prices become available. Remember, it is our sincere hope that every child can go to camp; so if you need help with the fee, please notify Kendall Badgett at kendall@episcopalky.org.
Looking for a tangible way to share that your camper is going to camp this summer? Print out a Stocking Stuffer announcing your camper has reserved their spot for 2015. Click here for a printable PDF. |
Visit our Positions Open webpage for more information and additional opportunities. Have an open position to share? Visit the Submit A News Article webpage to have your position listed in the Diocesan News.
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Rector - Grace Church, Paducah
Grace Church, Paducah has published their profile and is receiving names for their rector position. Interested parties should be in touch with the Canon to the Ordinary.
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Interim Rector - Christ Church, Bowling Green
Christ Church, Bowling Green has posted a call for an Interim Rector. Interested parties should be in touch with the Canon to the Ordinary.
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Piano/Organ Player - St. George's, Louisville
St. George Episcopal Church is seeking a part-time piano/organ player for their Sunday services, which would be from 10:30-noon three or four times per week. Pay is negotiable. If interested, please contact Bonni Barron at 502-598-4702.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
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2015 Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling Education and Awareness Conference
Fifty (50) scholarships covering registration and one-night's shared lodging are available to attend the 18th Annual Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) Education and Awareness Conference, January 29-30, 2015, at the Clarion Hotel, Lexington. The scholarships are possible due to a supporting sponsorship from the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. Up to 11 hours of CEUs have been requested through DBHDID.
The conference theme is "Implications of Problem Gambling: Sports Gambling, Clergy Interventions, Prevention Integration, Counselor Certification." Download the registration brochure, which includes the agenda of diverse presentations mixing general sessions with concurrent breakouts. KYCPG is working with DBHDID to co-locate the quarterly meeting of Regional Prevention Center directors at the Clarion Hotel on the same dates.
The registration fee is $100, and single/double housing is $83 per night plus tax. To apply for a scholarship, complete the registration form and mail to KYCPG, P.O. Box 4583, Frankfort, KY 40604-4583, and include a short statement of need for the scholarship. The completed form and statement of need also can be scanned and e-mailed to kmstone@mis.net.) The deadline for submitting scholarship requests is January 5, 2015.
Direct questions to Mike Stone, KYCPG, 502-223-1823, kmstone@mis.net.
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One-Day Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
[St. Mary's Sewanee] Centering Prayer is a method of prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God's presence and action within. The introductory workshop is an opportunity to learn about the contemplative life and Centering Prayer as a discipline of prayer. The format for the workshop is an all-day session with opportunities to experience Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative tradition, notably the monastic practice of Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
When: Saturday, January 3 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fee: Commuter: $50.00 (Single), lunch included
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Eight-Day Intensive and Post-intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
[St. Mary's Sewanee] This retreat is an opportunity for practitioners of Centering Prayer to deepen their contemplative journey in the contemporary world. It is a weeklong experience of integrating contemplation and action through silence, solitude and community. The retreat offers two tracks. The Intensive Track is recommended for people who have completed the Introductory Workshop and who have a regular practice of Centering Prayer. The Post-Intensive Track is for those people who have previously made an Eight-Day Intensive Retreat. The Post-Intensive offers increased silence and additional periods of Centering Prayer. Both the Intensive and Post-Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat provide daily experiences of silence, solitude, walking, hiking, yoga, and spiritual companionship to foster an ever-deepening level of interior silence and awareness of the presence of God in everyday life.
When: Sunday, January 4 at 5:00 pm - Sunday, January 11 at 11:00 am
Fee: St. Mary's Hall: $795.00 (Single), New Building: $995.00 (Single)
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WIDER CHURCH NEWS & RESOURCES
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TREC presents final report for General Convention 2015 consideration
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) has presented its final report to the 78th General Convention and to the Church, and for inclusion in Reports to General Convention, commonly referred to as The Blue Book.
The report is available in English and Spanish.
Also on Dec. 14, TREC also released A Word to the Episcopal Church about its final report.
TREC's work was directed by Resolution C095, which was approved by the 77th General Convention in 2012, with the specific task of preparing recommendations to the 78th General Convention for reimaging and restructuring the church.
The Episcopal Church's 78th General Convention, June 25-July 3 will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Episcopal Church's General Convention is held every three years, and is the bicameral governing body of the Church. It is comprised of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay representatives elected from the 109 dioceses of the Church, at more than 800 members.
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Top 10 Resolutions for Church Leaders in 2015
[The Episcopal Church Foundation] ECF Vital Practices, after taking a look back at the questions you asked us, has pulled together a Top 10 list of resolutions for congregational leaders to consider in 2015. And, as always, if you find this list helpful, we ask you to share this with others in your congregation and diocese and invite them to subscribe to ECF Vital Practices.
10. Get that endowment started. Been thinking about starting an endowment? Make 2015 the year it happens. "Endowments" will introduce you to the basics while "Swimming Naked" offers a look at the consequences of not having one.
9. Learn something new in a webinar. Webinars bring information about a variety of topics to you. We recommend checking out ECF's 2015 webinar series on vestry orientation, capital campaign basics, team leadership development, and more as well as the e-learning opportunities offered by The Center for Ministry in Teaching's webinar "Spiritual Resources Online" on January 13 and website resources.
8. Start a community garden. "Gardens have always been places to meet God and God's people." Get some inspiration and ideas for a garden for your congregation in "Meeting God in a Faith Garden." Also, if you move quickly, apply for a Kitchen Garden Grant for a garden that supports a food pantry.
7. Deal with debt. There are healthy ways to address debt. Both "Is Debt Limiting Mission?" and "A Debt Campaign is Never About Debt" raise important questions congregations with debt should consider. And, "Forgive us our Debts" offers on important questions parishioners may want to think about related to their personal debt and their spiritual health.
6. Review and update insurance coverage. Liability, liability, liability: don't be caught off-guard. CPG offers several helpful, easy to use guides for evaluating your insurance needs in "For Things Done and Left Undone" and "Help When You Need It."
5. Schedule a vestry retreat. Get practical tips for both an enjoyable and productive retreat in "Create Holy Time Away for Your Vestry" and "Bootstrap Your Vestry Retreat." Also consider bringing your vestry to the Leadership Conference presented by Kanuga and ECF. It's a great event for vestry learning and formation in a beautiful setting.
4. Have some fun with the stewardship campaign. Adding an element of fun in your stewardship campaigns can be a good way to engage your congregation. Here are two fun campaign ideas developed by congregations: "All Saints' Mad-lib Pledge Card" and "Hello! Taking the Mountain to Mohammed."
3. Be more prayerful, especially at meetings. Learn more about how prayer can transform meetings in "The Lord Broke Through." Also look into the offerings and resources of RenewalWorks for increasing spiritual vitality in your congregation.
2. Rethink the annual audit. Rather than thinking of the annual audit as an annual - and costly - chore, consider your audit as both a resource and a planning tool. "Sharing Audits" describes ways to team up with neighboring churches to conduct an audit. "Audits: Practicing Internal Controls" shares how regular audits can help prevent future problems by identifying areas of concern early on.
1. Become a well-functioning lay+clergy team. Conflicts in leadership styles can bring a congregation to a brink. Two different takes on this issue, "Confronting Clergy Congregational Conflict" and "Equal Partners" examines how effective lay+clergy team leadership may be an answer to this problem. Find out more about the importance of team ministry and ECF's new initiative to promote effective lay+clergy partnerships in "Why Vital Teams."
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425 S. 2nd St., Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202 · (502) 584-7148
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