NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DIOCESE
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Diocesan Office Closed for King Holiday
Please note that the Diocesan Office will observe the holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20th. The office will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21st. |
Change in Diocesan Office Hours
In order to better serve our congregations in the Central Time Zone, the Diocesan Office is extending it's normal office hours to 9:30am - 5:30pm Eastern Monday through Friday. Please note that clergy members of the staff hold Mondays as their sabbath. |
Important tax deadline for all Churches: January 31, 2014 - 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, 2014 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 2013.
- 4th quarter 941 (employer's quarterly federal tax return) and remit any taxes withheld for the 4th quarter 2013.
- 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, 2013.
- In 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, 2013.
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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. Parish administrators, youth ministers, and bookkeepers will also start to receive information pertinent to their ministries throughout the year. 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 technical issues filling out the form, please call Brian Funk-Kinnaman in the Diocesan Office at 502-854-7148 ext. 243 |
2013 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 have received 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 |
EYE14 Registration is Now Open
 Registration is now open for the popular Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) scheduled for July 9-13, 2014 at Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia, PA.
Drawing hundreds of youth from throughout the Episcopal Church, EYE14 is being planned in partnership with the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
The 2014 event marks the twelfth EYE and remains a popular and well-attended event. EYE 2014 is geared for youth in grades 9-12 during the 2013-2014 academic year and their adult leaders.
Bronwyn Clark Skov, Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Officer, explained: "EYE is an opportunity for the youth of the church to meet their peers and church leaders in a richly diverse environment, actively engaging the Five Marks of Mission while in Philadelphia."
Each diocese is allowed up to 24 youth participants and six adult participants. Registration is $325 per participant (youth and adult) which includes meals and lodging. Diocesan delegations may also opt to participate in 3 Days of Urban Mission in Philadelphia immediately following the event for an additional $275 per participant.
Skov pointed out, "Diocesan delegations should represent all aspects of the diocese: ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural diversity, and a range of liturgical and theological expressions. They should be able to handle traveling away from home, honoring the community covenant, participating in all aspects of the event, and taking their learning home to their diocese, congregation, and community."
Registration materials, available in English and Spanish, are here.
For information contact Skov at bskov@episcopalchurch.org.
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Winter Gathering Cancelled
 Due to low registration, Winter Gathering: "EpiscoWHAT?!" which was to be held Jan. 19th - 20th has been cancelled.
Please be on the look out for information on our upcoming Spring Gathering event, which will be held March 14 -16th. This event will be for 7th - 12th graders. To learn more about the theme and registration for this event , please visit Gathering webpage.
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Calling all Bloggers
Would you like to include your blog on the diocesan website? If so, email the link to bkinnaman@episcopalky.org. The Diocesan Office is collecting blogs to publicize that span topics such from faith & religion to resources that our congregations could use. |
St. Thomas Seeks Lay Ministry Coordinator
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 9616 Westport Road, is seeking an outgoing and organized lay leader who will oversee evangelism and parish life in our small congregation. This coordinator will organize and direct efforts to incorporate newcomers and involve volunteers in parish ministries. He or she will maintain communication between staff, committees and volunteers to ensure the best possible match between parish needs and volunteer gifts for ministry. He or she will work to enrich life within the parish and nurture lay leaders in their ministries. The position is for a one-year renewable contract for 15 hours per week, including Sunday mornings from 8:30am until noon and the first and third Saturday nights of each month from 6:00 - 7:00pm Eastern. Other time is flexible and much can be done at home. Basic computer skills are required. If interested, please contact the Rev. Anne Vouga at avouga@gmail.com for more information. |
| Apply to Become an ECF Fellow in 2014
From Episcopal Church Foundation
 Innovative scholars and ministry leaders transform lives. Since 1964 the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) has provided support to emerging scholars and ministry leaders throughout the Episcopal Church. In additional to financial support, ECF helps these individuals to share their knowledge, experience, and best practices with the wider Church in practical ways. Open to both lay and ordained Episcopalians, ECF builds a relationship with Fellows not only when they are receiving financial support, but over the long haul, so that our community of Fellows may serve as a gift and resource to the Church in serving God's mission. Applying for an ECF Fellowship: Academic & Ministry Tracks Applicants to the Fellowship Partners Program must choose to apply to either the academic or ministry track of the ECF Fellowship Partners Program. The 2014 application process is now open. The application deadline is March 14, 2014. Typically, ECF has awarded three to four Fellowships per year. Awards range up to $15,000 and Fellows may apply to renew grants for up to three years (renewal grants are capped at $10,000). The application process is open to both lay and ordained Episcopalians. Click here to review Frequently Asked Questions. - Academic Track: Applicants will provide a synopsis of the proposed course of study, express a commitment to forming the next generation of scholars and ministry leaders, demonstrate the need for this particular study, and propose a methodology for sharing the knowledge, experience, or best practices gained in this study. Continue reading...
- Ministry Track: Applicants will provide an outline of the proposed ministry, show how this helps to develop leaders in the Episcopal Church, describe how the wider Church will benefit from this ministry, and propose a methodology for sharing the knowledge, experience, or best practices gained in this project. Examples include, but are not limited to, pilot projects in an emerging area of congregational development, adaptations of existing programs in new locations, or the development and testing of resources designed for congregational or community use. Continue reading...
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| Toolkit from Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
From the Office of Public Affairs of the Episcopal Church
 Working in advance, topics March have been posted on The Toolkit, located on the Public Affairs pages of the Episcopal Church website. Items are presented to provide ample lead time for your communications initiatives. The ideas for January, February, and March background and suggestions include: - January 20 - The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- National Poverty in America Awareness Month
- February 2 - Super Bowl
- February 13 - Absalom Jones and Black History Month
- February 14 - Valentine's Day
- March 5 - Ash Wednesday
- March 17 - The Feast of Saint Patrick
- March 19 - Saint Joseph
- March 24 - Óscar Romero
Also included on the Public Affairs Toolkit page is a link to the Office of Government Relations Toolkit, with information on legislative happenings as well as guides and steps for individuals and congregations. The Toolkit is designed for your use to help enhance your message, broaden your reach and offer tips for placements into regional, secular, and other media - both traditional and social. The Toolkit is an aspect of Let's Invent This Together, a variety of resources and services available through diocesan partnerships. Through these partnerships we seek to further churchwide goals and diocesan mission. |
CONTINUING EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Continuing Education Funds Reminder
Clergy are reminded that requests for continuing education funds from the Commission on Ministry must be approved BEFORE the event occurs. If you have a request or any questions about this process, please contact the Commission on Ministry by emailing the Rev. Anne Vouga at avouga@gmail.com. |
Fraud Risks in Not-for-Profit Organizations Webinar
From Crowe Harwath LLP
The risk of fraud is a serious concern for all types of enterprises, but fraud can be particularly damaging to a not-for-profit organization, for which a damaged reputation can have devastating consequences. In this webinar, presenters Brenda Buetow, CFE, and Jennifer Richards, CPA, of Crowe Horwath LLP will cover the unique ways not-for-profits are vulnerable to fraud, discuss how and why fraud occurs in not-for-profits, and provide information and examples to aid in adoption of a fraud risk management program.
As a result of participating in this webinar, you should be able to:
- Describe what fraud is and how not-for-profit enterprises may be particularly vulnerable to it
- Define the roles of those charged with governance and management in developing controls to prevent and detect fraud in a non-for-profit
- Identify how to develop and maintain a fraud risk assessment program in your organization
Who Should Attend
Chief executive officers, chief finance officers, controllers, finance directors, board members, and audit committee members
When: Thursday, January 23 Noon - 1:00pm Eastern
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this webinar
Program level: Basic
Prerequisites: None
Advance preparation: None
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Clergy Collegial Study Group
From Canon Jason Lewis, Canon for Congregational Vitality
Part of my work on your behalf is to support and provide opportunities for our clergy to continue in the formation of their vocation. In the spirit of work, I provide you with an invitation to consider joining in the following "study course" to offer a way for us to read, study and discuss together.
We will be utilizing the book by Eugene Peterson, "Working the Angles." I have found this text very helpful in my own priestly ministry. If you are not already familiar with Eugene Peterson, he is a well know Presbyterian minster and author of the dynamic "translation" of the Bible, "The Message." I have read many of his works and listened to many of his lectures/interviews and have found him to be a very engaging teacher. I believe this book, and the subsequent discussions that will arise form our engaging with it, will deepen our sense of calling and the practice of our ordained ministry.
If you are interested, please take a look at the course guide for further details. In short, here is a brief overview:
The course is simple enough: read through Eugene's work and weekly post conversation points to share your thoughts and ideas with others. "Working the Angles" can be purchased from Amazon.com in Kindle form for $10, or for $14 in the paper back edition. I believe you will find it a welcome edition to your library. We will be using a Facebook page I set up for this purpose entitled Vital Talk ( www.facebook.com/episcopalvitaltalk) to carry on our conversation. You can start your own "string" for conversation or share a reflection on someone else's "string." Our first deadline for posting on the first two chapters of the book will be Friday, January 31st. We will be finished with the course prior to Lent (so you can turn your focus and attention in your parish fully to that season) on Friday, February 28th. Please email me if you'd like to join the "course" and are starting the reading - jason@episcopalky.org. I'd like to keep a roster of all who is connecting with this opportunity.
I do hope you can join in! I look forward to sharing this formation opportunity with you! And I'd encourage you to please invite friends from other diocese/denominations to join in! All are welcome.
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Annual Conference on Renewal: What Would Jesus Tweet?
From St. Francis in the Fields, Harrod's Creek
 A study published last year in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found that the more time people spent on Facebook, the happier they perceived their friends to be and the sadder they felt as a consequence. While some of us look at our friends' vacation photos and see joyful memories, most of us see Who We Are Not or Who We Should Be. For all of technology's many advantages, when social media becomes a 24/7 venue of comparison, it can leave us feeling more alone instead of more connected.
Fortunately, the Christian message directly addresses those whose browser histories don't match their status updates. Join us as we explore what 'Rest for the Restless' might look like in a wired and tired world, the freedom and hope that Christ, our "Mediator and Advocate", extends to men and women whose bandwidth is overfull. Only requirement is a sense of humor about yourself.
Mark your calendars for this exciting Friday evening and Saturday event! Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you here!
When: Friday, February 7th 6:00 - 9:00pm and continues Saturday, February 8th 9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern Cost: $25 registration includes a copy of the Mockingbird Devotional: Good News for Today (and Every Day) |
Centering Prayer Workshop
From St. Francis in the Fields, Harrod's Creek
 Mark your calendar now for a workshop on "Contemplative Prayer" led by The Rev. Tom Ward from Sewanee, Tennessee. This prayer workshop is based on the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating whose desire was to bring the ancient practice of contemplative prayer out of the monastic milieu to those in the hurried, contemporary society. Along with sharing the method of contemplative prayer and its conceptual background, we will also establish the practices of Lectio Divina as a means of reading the bible. Further information will be available in the February Canticle.
Centering Prayer is a form of Christian silent mediation where one lets go of thoughts during periods of prayer typically lasting 20 minutes. It is rooted in the self-emptying love that forms the heart of Jesus' teaching and life. The effect on those who practice it is an ever-increasing awareness of God's action and presence in the course of ordinary life.
The Rev. Tom Ward is the retired university chaplain at the University of the South and now spends his days focusing on the contemplative dimension of the gospel, teaching Centering Prayer and leading retreats.
When: Saturday, March 1st 9:00am - 3:00pm Eastern Cost: $10 to cover the cost of lunch |
| ECF's Winter 2014 Web Conference Series
From the Episcopal Church Foundation
 As part of ECF's on-going efforts to assist congregations in developing their leadership and financial resources, we are offering a wide range of web conferences for clergy and lay parish leaders this spring. There is no cost to participate in ECF's web conferences and all lay and clergy leaders are welcome to participate. Topics include planned giving, capital campaigns, stewardship, vision and planning, parish finances, stewardship, endowments, communications, and leading change. Click on the links below to register, or click here to learn more. - Transformation by Capital Campaign (January 28, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- Whether you are considering embarking on a capital campaign, fearing that you need to conduct one, ignoring the need for one, or recovering from mistakes made in a past campaign, you should come hear the surprising good news - A capital campaign done right, has significant transformational effects on a church community. Fear not! The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) will share the secrets of conducting a capital campaign successfully, and how the process can have long lasting positive influences on stewardship, lay leadership, and focused vision.
- Vision & Planning (February 4, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- What is the difference between a congregation's "mission" and its "vision"? This web conference focuses on the basic principles of a vision and planning process. Topics covered include key definitions, ideas for getting started, and examples of Episcopal congregations of a range of sizes and budgets that are engaging in vision and planning processes well. This is intended for individuals and groups who are new to vision and planning processes.
- Basics of Parish Finances (February 5, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- How congregations spend their money is a clear indication of their understanding of mission and ministry. For any parish leader, lay or clergy, a quick look at the financial situation can help one discern a key piece of the congregation's identity and can be a valuable aid in ministry. Building on how Jesus challenged us to consider proper use of our resources, this workshop will offer a broad overview of the most important aspects of parish finance and will share how your parish can improve in this vital aspect of its mission.
- Year Round Stewardship: Talking About Money When You're Not Asking for It (February 11, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- We hear it all the time: You need to be doing year round stewardship! But how do we engage the topic of money in a way that is fun, engaging and deeply spiritual? How do we offer stewardship formation in a way that encourages giving as a spiritual practice so that the annual campaign is a time of harvest and celebration, not an annual beg-a-thon that everyone dreads? In this webinar focusing on the intersection of personal financial wellness and personal stewardship, you will learn how to engage discussion and reflection as a way to develop an individual theology of stewardship. Practical budgeting and saving skills for your parish and community included.
- Vestry Orientation (February 18, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- This web conference will help you understand roles, responsibilities, and best practices for vestries. You will learn how to move your vestry from a focus on day-to-day management or crisis response to a more effective form of leadership. Designed for clergy, wardens, and vestry members, this webinar will explore the role of the vestry in selecting new leadership, orienting new members, planning and evaluation, and supporting staff and volunteers.
- Basics of Endowments (March 6, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- This workshop reviews basic principles and best practices for endowment management. You will examine important, and easy to use, documents to use for structuring your endowment and for clarifying its purpose. Participants will also learn about endowment policies and investment options which not only seek to protect an existing endowment, but will demonstrate how endowments can be used as to enhance your ministries and overall mission, and build trust and confidence among your potential donors.
- Communications for Episcopal Leaders (March 6, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- While the topic of parish communications covers a broad range of issues, this web conference focuses on the need for leaders to communicate effectively. Geared toward lay and clergy leaders of Episcopal congregations, this web conference will explore basic principles and best practices for 1) building engagement within and beyond the congregation and 2) communicating effectively around major decisions and/or changes in the life of the congregation.
- Debt: What it is, its impact, and what to do with it (March 12, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- Does your church have debt? Are there different types of debt? Is there "good" debt? How does it impact your mission? We will discuss these central themes and review strategies for debt reduction or elimination as well as opportunities to bring the congregation together around common goals. Learn how a Capital Campaign can raise resources for your future mission and ministry while also retiring debt.
- Leading a Major Change (April 8, 2014, 7:00-8:00 PM ET)
- Leading change can be one of the most rewarding - and challenging - aspects of lay and clergy leadership in Episcopal congregations. This web conference focuses on general principles and best practices for leading a change process effectively. The presentation will also highlight examples of Episcopal congregations that have led change processes effectively.
Click here to see a complete listing of upcoming ECF web conferences. |
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