presbytery`s Sept. 8 meeting

PRESBYTERY OF KISKIMINETAS P. O. Box 339, Yatesboro, PA 16263 Phone: 724‐783‐7196 E‐Mail: kiski@kiskipby.org Date: TO: August 26, 2015 Ministers, Clerks of Session, Members of Presbytery Cabinet, and Presbytery Commissioners who have been elected for the year 2015 Dear Friends: The Presbytery of Kiskiminetas will hold its next Stated Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the Union First Presbyterian Church in Cowansville, PA. As preparation for the meeting, the following items of interest are available on our website. Please call the office immediately if you need any of these items in print form: 1) Docket (on reserve page) 2) 2016 Budget for first reading and approval of Per Capita 3) 2016 Minimum Terms of Call 4) Overture being presented for first read 5) Statement of Faith and Bio for Drew Himes – Candidate for Atwood and Plumville Once again, a prayer request box will be located at the registration tables. Please have all prayer requests in the box prior to the start of the meeting. Attention Clerks of Session: Elder Commissioners do not receive this mailing since we do not know in advance who they will be. (The mailing is sent directly to those whose names and addresses we have received as having been elected for the year 2015.) It is important that you give the enclosed information to the Elder Commissioner(s) PLEASE NOTE: In order to be properly recognized and recorded, Elder Commissioners will be signed in via computer by a Presbytery assistant. Excused absences from attendance at the Presbytery meeting will be granted up to the meeting and for 2 days 48 hours) after the meeting. Requests for excuses after that time will not be granted. ALSO … Those Commissioners desiring to read the minutes of the meeting may do so at the Presbytery web page (www.kiskipby.org) by clicking on the Presbytery Meeting Central and using the password. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. If you do not know the password, contact the Stated Clerk or the Presbytery Office to obtain it. Those without Internet access may request a print copy of the minutes by calling the Presbytery Office. Cowansville ‐ Presbytery of Kiskiminetas
Stated Meeting – September 8, 2015
Union First Presbyterian Church, Cowansville, PA
7:00 PM Evening Worship – Led by CRE Kathleen Davis and Rev. Mary Marks King
7:40 PM
7:45 PM
7:50 PM
8:15 PM
9:00 PM
9:05 PM
9:10 PM
9:25 PM
9:30 PM
9:35 PM
Organization of Presbytery
A. Recognition of Elders and Pastors attending for the first time
B. Announcements
C. Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Reports of:
Stated Clerk
A. Action on Provisional Minutes of the May 12, 2015 meeting
B. Approval of Docket
C. Enrollment of Corresponding Members
D. Formation of Roll
Commission on Ministry
Cabinet (includes)
A. Action on Proposed Overture to amend BoO Section W-4.9000 Marriage
B. Action on Proposed Kiskiminetas Mission Strategy for Future Strategy
Administration
Diaconal
Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Synod Representative
Nominating Committee
+New Business, Miscellaneous, Report of Moderator, Adjournment with prayer
*indicates Order of the Day
+Unless previously docketed, no items of new business shall be introduced following the first
hour of the Presbytery meeting. Items of new business must be presented in writing to the
Stated Clerk. Consideration of such items shall take place at the time docketed for new
business. (M-1.05)
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING
Those Commissioners desiring to read the minutes of the meeting may do so at the Presbytery
web page (www.kiskipby.org) by clicking on Presbytery Meeting Central and using the
password. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. If you do not know the
password, contact the Stated Clerk or the Presbytery Office to obtain it. Those without Internet
access may request a print copy of the minutes by calling the Presbytery Office.
2016 ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISSION/MINISTRY BUDGET
2015 Approved
PER CAPITA & ADMINISTRATIVE INCOME
Beginning Balance
2016 Per Capita for Presbytery (7,598 members X $18.78)
2016 Per Capita for Synod (7,598 members X $2.30)
2016 Per Capita for GA (7,598 members X $7.12)
Prior Year Per Capita
***Drawn from Endowment Income
Designated Reserves & Endowment Income for Specified Expenses
Interest
Other Income (Synod/GA Grants and miscellaneous)
Minister Illness/Death/Disability Premiums
Arin Early Intervention Program (Rent & Custodian Fee including SS)
TOTAL PER CAPITA & ADMINISTRATIVE PROJECTED INCOME
PER CAPITA AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Synod Per Capita
GA Per Capita
First Draft, Version 5
subtotal
$154,712
$19,197
$61,693
$1,000
2016 Proposed
$142,690
$17,475
$54,098
$1,000
$38,000
$2,000
$1,000
$2,000
$200
$6,865
$5,500
$1,000
$2,000
$400
$5,100
$250,602
2015 Approved
$19,197
$61,693
subtotal
subtotal
$265,329
2016 Proposed
$17,475
$54,098
$80,890
subtotal
$71,573
+/- 15 to 16
($12,022)
($1,722)
($7,595)
$0
$38,000
($3,500)
$0
$0
($200)
$1,765
$14,726
+/- 15 to 16
($1,722)
($7,595)
($9,317)
General Presbyter
Salary
Social Security
Medical Deductible Reimbursement
Pension/Major Medical Dues
Death/Disbability Coverage
Continuing Education
Professional Expense Reimb.
Travel
GA attendance or other denom mtgs
$55,620
$4,255
$1,669
$20,337
$573
$850
$850
$6,000
$2,000
$0
$92,154
$55,620
$4,255
$1,669
$20,337
$573
$850
$850
$6,000
$2,000
$92,154
$48,327
$5,141
$393
$0
$5,534
$37,488
$4,847
$371
$0
$5,218
$8,067
$171
$13
$1,640
$125
$1,949
$17,297
($8,034)
($615)
($8,649)
$5,383
$5,000
$383
$5,383
Administrative Assistant
Salary
Social Security
Continuing Education
$39,520
$3,023
$250
$44,661
$3,417
$250
$42,793
Resource Center Coordinator & Office Assistant
Salary
Social Security
Continuing Education
$29,744
$2,275
$250
$34,591
$2,646
$250
$32,269
Custodian
Wage
Social Security
ARIN
Social Security
$5,684
$435
$5,854
$448
$1,640
$125
$6,118
Bookkeeper
Wage
Social Security
$24,102
$1,844
$16,068
$1,229
$25,946
Treasurer
Wage
Social Security
$5,000
$383
$0
F:\DOCUMENTS\Budget & Financial\Budget\2016 Budget\2016 Version 5 date 7-31-15
Facility Costs
Heating
Water & Sewage
Electric
Trash Collection
Lawn Care/Snow Removal
Cleaning Supplies
Facility Maintenance
$5,000
$1,100
$3,500
$1,400
$2,000
$200
$2,500
$5,000
$1,100
$3,500
$1,400
$2,000
$200
$5,000
$18,200
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$2,500
$2,500
$24,100
($1,000)
($300)
($700)
$340
($3,300)
($2,500)
($2,000)
$300
$0
($230)
$0
($9,390)
$55,469
$18,624
($800)
$144
$11
($200)
$46
$4
$400
$0
$50
($4,500)
($32,000)
($36,846)
($43,768)
($88,374)
($73,046)
$15,700
Office Expenses
Office supplies, paper, etc.
Postage
Telephone & Internet Connection
Web Host
Computer Software Upgrades
Computer Maintenance
Equipment Reserves
Copier/Duplicator Expenses
Copier Lease
Payroll Charges
Miscellaneous
$6,000
$3,800
$3,700
$260
$3,800
$3,000
$3,000
$4,200
$4,000
$230
$1,500
$5,000
$3,500
$3,000
$600
$500
$500
$1,000
$4,500
$4,000
$0
$1,500
$33,490
Officers of the Presbytery
Moderator's Expenses (including GA Moderator's Conf.)
Stated Clerk Salary
Stated Clerk Social Security
Stated Clerk Expenses & Conferences, & GA
Assistant Stated Clerk Salary
Assistant Stated Clerk Social Security
Assistant Stated Clerk Expenses & Conferences, & GA
Recording Clerk's Salary
Recording Clerk's Social Security
Leadership Team Travel & Expenses
Professional Consultants
$2,000
$4,790
$366
$4,000
$1,545
$118
$650
$5,000
$37,000
% of Staff Salaries allocated to mission
(GP/Admin Assistant/Resource Center/Bookkeeper)
Presbytery Cabinet; Committees; Task Groups: mileage & expenses
Presbytery Cabinet
Docket Committee
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
Committee on Congregational Ministries
Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Commission on Ministry
Committee on Presbytery Administration
Permanent Judical Commission
Committee on Representation
Nominating Committee
Presbytery Meetings (host church expenses)
Admin Commissions & Discernment Teams
$1,200
$4,933
$377
$3,800
$1,591
$122
$400
$650
$50
$500
$5,000
$2,000
$200
$350
$250
$400
$2,500
$500
$150
$100
$200
$400
$2,000
$100
$250
$250
$250
$2,000
$350
$150
$100
$200
$300
$350
$7,050
Corporate Expenses
Audit (Odd Calendar Years) / Review (Even Calendar Years)
Workers' Compensation Insurance Premium
Insurance(Comprehensive and Expanded Coverage) Premium
Legal Counsel Retainer
PER CAPITA & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE TOTAL:
NET (INCOME)/EXPENSE PER CAPITA & ADMIN
$4,350
$1,200
$6,200
$500
$6,300
$3,000
$1,200
$4,200
$500
$12,250
$268,209
($17,606)
$8,900
$268,038
($2,710)
$0
($100)
($100)
$0
($150)
($500)
($150)
$0
$0
$0
($100)
$350
($750)
General Presbyter Salary & ALL benefits
Administrative Assistant Salary & SS
Resource Ctr Coord, Office Salary & SS
Custodian Wages & SS
Bookkeeper Wages & SS
Stated Clerk Salary & SS
Assistant Stated Clerk Salary & SS
Recording Clerk's Salary & SS
Treasurer Salary & SS
$82,785
$48,077
$37,238
$6,302
$17,297
$5,311
$1,713
$700
$5,383
50%
50%
50%
$41,393
$24,039
$18,619
25%
$4,324
$88,374
($1,350)
$0
($2,000)
$0
($3,350)
($170)
F:\DOCUMENTS\Budget & Financial\Budget\2016 Budget\2016 Version 5 date 7-31-15
MISSION INCOME
2016 Unified Mission - Presby Portion (57%)
2016 Unified Mission Synod Portion (12%)
2016 Unified Mission GA Portion (31%)
***Drawn from Endowment Income
2016 Designate Mission - Presbytery
2016 Designate Mission - Synod
2016 Designated Missions - GA
2016 Mission to Rwanda
TOTAL PROJECTED MISSION INCOME:
2015 Approved
$126,000
$51,000
$91,000
$0
$15,000
$1,800
$40,000
$40,000
MISSION EXPENSES
Synod Unified Mission and Designated Mission
GA General and Designated Missions
Rwanda Missions
2015 Approved
$52,800
$131,000
$40,000
subtotal
2016 Proposed
$152,760
$32,160
$83,080
$5,600
$5,600
$40,000
$364,800
% of Staff Salaries allocated to mission
(GP/Admin Assistant/Resource Center/Bookkeeper)
COMMITTEE ON DIACONAL MINISTRIES AND MISSION
Presbytery Senior Care
Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Truck Stop Ministry
State Park Ministry
Presbyterian Media Mission
New Ministry and Program Development
Presbytery/Rwanda Partnership
Emergency/Local Disaster Aid
Prison Ministry
Presbytery Sponsored Mission Trip
Arcadia
Wee Kirk Conference Underwrite
subtotal
$319,200
2016 Proposed
$37,760
$83,080
$40,000
$43,768
$88,374
$44,607
$42,700
($5,000)
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
($2,000)
$0
$0
($7,000)
$10,000
$2,000
$10,000
$5,000
$1,500
$1,000
$10,000
$500
$200
$4,000
$5,000
$500
$5,000
$2,000
$10,000
$5,000
$1,500
$1,000
$10,000
$500
$200
$2,000
$5,000
$500
$900
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$100
$0
$17,000
$1,500
$10,000
$1,500
$13,500
($7,000)
$0
($6,900)
$4,000
($100)
$0
($100)
($200)
$2,500
$0
$750
$750
$700
$3,000
$500
$600
$3,000
$400
$4,200
COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
Seminary Student Aid
C. R.E Training
$1,000
$750
$1,000
$1,500
$1,750
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Emergency Aid Fund
1st Call Teaching Elders & C.R.E. Support
New Minister Orientation
$3,000
$600
$450
$3,000
$500
$250
MISSION EXPENSE TOTAL
NET (INCOME)/EXPENSE MISSION
$4,050
$347,668
$17,132
$3,750
$315,664
$3,536
TOTAL INCOME
TOTAL EXPENSES
PROJECTED DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INCOME & EXPENSES
$615,402
$615,876
($474)
$584,529
$583,703
$826
2016 Total Per Capita
2015 Total Per Capita
15 to '16 +/- Total Per Capita
$28.20
$27.05
$1.15
+/- 15 to 16
($15,040)
($47,920)
$0
($62,960)
$160,840
$20,400
Resource Center
Resource Center Operations
Resources
Resource Center Equipment
subtotal
+/- 15 to 16
$26,760
($18,840)
($7,920)
$0
($9,400)
$3,800
($40,000)
$0
($45,600)
$223,800
$49,700
COMMITTEE ON CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES
Youth Program
Enrichment Program Scholarships
Youth Triennium transportation
Christian Education Program
Camp Board Operating Funds
Church Growth & Leadership
subtotal
$0
($100)
($200)
($300)
($32,003)
(Presbytery $1.00, Synod + .10¢, General Assembly +.05¢ )
By action of the cabinet, only amounts received for Synod and GA per capita will be remitted in 2016.
F:\DOCUMENTS\Budget & Financial\Budget\2016 Budget\2016 Version 5 date 7-31-15
2016 Minimum Terms of Call WITH MANSE
Proposed to Presbytery at Sept 8th Meeting
Item
2015 Minimum
Increase
2016 Salary
2016Deferred Income
2016 Housing/furnishing allowance
Subtotal to calculate manse value (boxes 2,3,4,16,17,18,19)
Box
1
1a
2
3
4
5
3%
$ 32,046.99
$ 961.41
$ 33,008.40
2016 Manse Value (utilities included) (Box 5 x 30%)
2016 Effective Salary (box 2,3,4,6,17,18,19)
2016 Subtotal (box 2,4,6)
6
7
8
$ 9,902.52
$ 42,910.92
$ 42,910.92
2016 Social Security Allowance (SECA) (Box 8 x 7.65%)
2016 Total Compensation (box 2‐box 3+box 4&9‐boxes 16‐19)
9
10
$ 3,282.69
$ 36,291.09
The greater of Effective Salary (box 7) or BOP Min. $44,000
2016 Major Medical Dues ($44,000 BoP Min. x 23%) single cov.
2016 Major Medical Dues ($44,000 BoP Min. x 24.5%)Family cov.
2016 Pension Dues (Box 7 x 11%)
2016 Death & Disability (box 7 x 1%)
2016 Total Maj. Med, Pension, Death/Dis Dues ‐‐‐Single Coverage
2016 Total Maj. Med, Pension, Death/Dis Dues‐‐‐Family Coverage
Major Medical Deductible Reimbursement Approximatation
Optical and/or Dental coverage
Group Term Life Insur. Premiums
Other
2016 Continuing Education (permitted to be carried for 2 additional years)
2016 Travel Reimbursement (estimated at $3,200)
2016 Books Subscription/Reimbursement
2016 Profressional Expense Reimbursement
One month vacation
Two weeks study leave (permitted to be carried for 2 additional years)
Total Cash Outlay by the congregation ‐ Single Coverage
Total Cash outlay by the congregation ‐ Family Coverage
11
12
13
14
15
15a
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
$ 33,008.40
$ 44,000.00
$ 10,120.00
$ 10,780.00
$ 4,720.20
$ 429.11
$ 15,269.31
$ 15,929.31
$ 850.00
$ 3,200.00
$ 55,610.40
$ 56,270.40
2016 Minimum Terms of Call WITHOUT Manse Options
Proposed to Presbytery at Sept 8th meeting
Item
Box
1
1a
2
3
4
5
$ 45,344.91
2016 Effective Salary (+ boxes 16,17,18,19)
6
$ 45,344.91
2016 Social Security Allowance (SECA) (Box 2 x 7.65%)
7
$ 3,468.89
2016 Total Compensation (box 5 +7)
10
$ 48,813.79
2016 Major Medical Dues (Box 6 x 23%) single cov.
2016 Major Medical Dues (Box 6 x 24.5%)Family cov.
2016 Pension Dues (Box 6 x 11%)
2016 Death & Disability (box 6 x 1%)
2016 Total Maj. Med, Pension, Death/Dis Dues ‐‐‐Single Coverage
2016 Total Maj. Med, Pension, Death/Dis Dues‐‐‐Family Coverage
Major Medical Deductible Reimbursement Approximatation
Optical and/or Dental coverage
Group Term Life Insur. Premiums
Other
2016 Continuing Education (permitted to be carried for 2 additional years)
2016 Travel Reimbursement (estimated at $3,200)
2016 Books Subscription/Reimbursement
2016 Profressional Expense Reimbursement
One month vacation
Two weeks study leave (permitted to be carried for 2 additional years)
Total Cash Outlay by the congregation. Single Coverage
Total Cash outlay by the congregation. Family Coverage
11
12
13
14
15
15a
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
$ 10,429.33
$ 11,109.50
$ 4,987.94
$ 453.45
$ 15,870.72
$ 16,550.89
2015 Minimum Salary/Housing
2016 Increase
2016 Salary/Housing
2016 Deferred Income
Subtotal (Add boxes 2+3)
3%
$ 44,024.18
$ 1,320.73
$ 45,344.91
$ 850.00
$ 3,200.00
$ 68,734.51
$ 69,414.68
Kiskiminetas Presbytery
MISSION STRATEGY FOR FUTURE MINISTRY
Mission Statement
Kiskiminetas Presbytery exists to
partner in mission and ministry with
congregations, urging one another to
serve God and neighbor in love and
good deeds.
“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,
not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another all the
more…”
-Hebrews 10:24-25
Vision of Kiskiminetas Presbytery
Growing Congregations
Growing Disciples
Growing Relationships
Kiski Values
 Fidelity to Jesus
Christ
 Fellowship in Jesus
Christ
 Freedom with
Accountability
before Jesus Christ
and to one another
Strategy
 Nurture Hope
Become a more relational presbytery
 Communicate broadly; Care deeply; Foster trust
through mutual forbearance and forgiveness (Eph. 4:2)
 Participation together
 Encourage a mutual relationship between
congregations and presbytery
 Frequency of gatherings for worship, study, service,
and fellowship
 Be a catalyst for mission-shaped ideas

Strategy
 Help Congregations Strategize for Mission and
Growth
 Seek and incubate innovation
 Pursuing best practices
 Finding fresh ways to be the body of Christ in a new day
 Advocate for flexibility and resiliency
 Develop a network of mission-shaped communities of
faith
 Network= working together
 Mission-shaped= engaged in our (actual) environment
 Communities= belonging to the place we live
Strategy
 Procure Excellent Congregational Leadership
 Secure,
Train, and Encourage competent leaders for
presbytery and its churches
 Pastor Competency: mentoring for new pastors
 Elder Engagement: Encourage CREs; Prepare
Elders to Supply Preach; Continuing of
Elder/Deacon Training; Train the Trainer
Strategy
 Connect to our Heritage
 Teaching
what it means to be Presbyterian (our
Ethos)
 Connectional; Confessional; Constitutional;
Education
 Be a resource for the Administrative Tasks of
our churches
 Financial
 Material procurement: take advantage of presbytery
buying power
 Technology Utilization
To live into this mission
strategy, the structure of
presbytery needs an overhaul
3 at Large
Members
Transition
Team/G.P
Standing Committees
of PAT
Personnel, Property,
Finance
Standing Committees of
PMT
Rwanda, PDA, Self
Development of People
.
Standing Committees
of MRT
Youth Ministries,
Camps
Standing
Commissions of MST
COM (15)
CPM (4)
Each Team will form short term Task Forces as needed
Presbytery Administrative Team (PAT)
 Purpose: Conduct the administrative work
of the Presbytery
 Presbytery admin. functions with oversight
of finances, property, and personnel and
also works to enhance the administrative
ministry of local congregations.
Presbytery Administrative Team (PAT): Goals
 Develop and present a plan to the Cabinet to
assess the congregations’ needs for support
in their administrative ministry
 Create a proposal for the optimal presbytery
facility
 Present to Cabinet a proposal for the staffing
model that supports the new mission, vision,
and values of the presbytery.
Presbytery Mission Team (PMT)
 Purpose: Encouraging partnership in service
 The committee will identify need and
connect those seeking to fill that need with
resources. It will interpret the opportunities
and stories. Cast a vision that ignites passion
Presbytery Mission Team (PMT): Goals
 Identify mission resources available through the




presbytery, synod, general assembly, and other sources
Develop a resource to assist Sessions in assessing the
community needs
Provide a way for congregations to network around
shared mission interests
Develop ways for congregations to share mission
stories with one another especially utilizing technology
Strengthen the connection between the Rwanda
Partnership and congregations
Ministry Resource Team (MRT)
 Purpose: Growing congregations in strength
and discipline
 Providing opportunity to train leaders,
ruling elders, new teaching elders, training
in Presbyterian heritage, advertising
ministry successes in the local congregation,
providing resources for the local
congregation
Ministry Resource Team (MRT): Goals
 Plan a retreat for people in pastoral leadership
(pastors, CREs, elders and deacons) to educate
on the essential tenets of the Reformed
Tradition developing opportunities for
partnering and educating our congregations
 Have a mechanism in place to advertise local
ministry success
Ministry Resource Team (MRT): Goals
 Offer a series of classes to churches and those
church leaders unfamiliar with the technology
available for web resources in ministry
 Offer classes to equip elders and deacons for
ministry in the 21st century
 Offer classes for those ministers in a first call
ministry designed to help those pastors stay in
their ministry for at least five years
Ministry Support Team (MST)
 This committee will carry out all the
function of the Commission on Ministry
(COM). It will also do the work of the
Commission on Preparation for Ministry
(CPM).
1 2 3 4 DREW HIMES STATEMENT OF FAITH I believe in One God, revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father demonstrates that God is Creator of all that is seen, unseen, known, and unknown. God created the world in loving kindness for humanity’s benefit and to glorify God’s self continually forever. I believe that the Son reveals to humanity that although we are broken and sinful by the actions of our 5 first parents, God continued to love and believe in the power of God’s Creation, and sought to redeem all 6 people, all places, and all things and not forsake them. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, both fully 7 human and fully God, who was sent in human flesh by the Father to reveal the Truth existing only in the unity of 8 the Godhead. Christ was born of lowly human parents and lived amongst the poor, rejected, and forgotten. He 9 served and was not served. His love was a love that crossed all boundaries and sought to reject no one based on 10 human conditions, qualifications, or actions. Christ took the cross willingly to conqueror what we as humans 11 had created but could not destroy: death itself. In Christ there is life in abundance which is offered to all that 12 are called by God to be the chosen children of God. 13 I believe the Spirit reveals God’s continual action in the world that although the Son has gone to sit at 14 the right hand of the Father, God is still present and active in this world, seeking to end division, hatred, war, 15 oppression, and brokenness. 16 I believe that God calls forth God’s children into a righteous community, the Church. The Church is 17 called by word and deed to go out to every place and to every people, not to make converts, but to demonstrate 18 the love of God. I believe that every person is a unique and loved creation of God, regardless of what label, title, 19 role, or situation this world has placed them into. The human notion of separation by race, gender, religion, 20 sexual orientation, creed, nationality, or socioeconomic/political status have no place in God’s Kingdom and no 21 place in God’s Church for as the Scripture assures us, all are equal in Christ. 22 I believe in one baptism for all who are called as a confirmation of God’s first action of grace and love. I 23 believe that the Church is called continually to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in 24 the holy Eucharist, with all fellow believers of every time and place. 25 The fullness of God is revealed first by the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ our 26 Lord and confirmed by the Holy Scriptures which is the inspired word of God placed into the trust of human 27 authors. These words are inspired and continually confirmed by the action of the Holy Spirit. Drew Himes
Brief Biographical Sketch
Drew was born and raised in a one stop light town about 20 minutes north of
Youngstown, Ohio. He was nurtured in his faith at Vienna Presbyterian Church, having
been baptized there. In his earlier years he was active in the church school and
eventually youth group. His faith dwindled over the years, however, and he spent most
of his adolescence questioning the very existence of God and wondering if God was truly
loving and merciful. He was blessed to have such a loving (and patient!) family of origin
(Sue, R.B. and older brother Evan) and church family at VPC. One very patient man was
The Rev. Dr. Paul Johnson who became the pastor at VPC while Drew was a teenager.
Paul said to Drew one Sunday, “You know, you and me are going to go look at
Seminaries one day.” Drew laughed knowing that God would never have use for such a
person as him and knowing he was destined to be a lawyer and work in government.
Paul remained patient with Drew and kept reminding him of the fact that Seminary was
in Drew’s future, although it appeared to Drew this was the exuberant belief of a
misguided pastor. Well, one morning, while a freshman at Westminster College, Drew
awoke to hear a voice inside him say, “Go change your major to religion.” Without
questioning or hesitation, Drew went to the Registrar and made the administrative
move. He then called Paul. “Rev. Paul, I changed my major to religion.” “I told you so,”
was Paul’s retort.
That summer, Drew spent a lot of time with Paul in discussions and reading books Paul
provided. He explored his faith openly for the first time in many years and found that
God was truly loving and merciful; Drew just didn’t want to accept God’s grace.
Over the next several years, Drew not only studied religion, but he became engaged in
the Chapel Staff, joined a fraternity founded by Christian men whose motto was, “To live
by the law of the helping hand,” and even went to Washington, D.C. to serve homeless
and impoverished men, women, and children. At this time it was placed on Drew’s heart
to seek to serve God in mission to others.
While Paul was a major contributor, mentor, and friend to Drew’s development and
discernment of his call to serve God in ministry, sadly, Paul never got to see the final
products of his work. Early on a Sunday morning in the summer of Drew’s Junior year
in college, the Clerk of Session at the Vienna Church called Drew’s parents (who are
both Elders) to inform them that Paul had died suddenly. And then the Clerk asked
Drew to lead worship that very morning…with 45 minutes of preparation. Later that
same year, the Session at Vienna asked Drew to lead the Church through Advent and
Christmas Eve (all while having no formal training in pastoral ministry). After Paul’s
death, Drew was counseled and mentored by The Rev. Dr. Beverly Cushman, Associate
Professor of Religion (Old Testament and Christian Education) at Westminster and by
The Rev. Frank Zanni, Pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church in Vienna
(Father Frank is an old friend of Drew’s dad). These two together helped Drew to grieve
the loss of his friend and mentor and to continue prayerful discernment about his call to
ministry.
Drew graduated from Westminster with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion (and
minor in political science). He enrolled that fall at Princeton Theological Seminary but
this still didn’t feel like the right fit. He felt called to expand his ministry to beyond just
the parish and to keep mission to others a central aspect of his ministry. Informed by a
close friend from college about a dual program between Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh, Drew left Princeton after a year and enrolled
at these institutions. After moving to Pittsburgh, he was able to work with a 300
member congregation in Warren, OH and assisted the Deacons with enriching their
outreach ministry. He was also able to serve in a Chaplaincy at a United Methodist
retirement community providing end of life spiritual care to residents, families, and
staff. He also worked with a 120-member rural congregation in Northeast Ohio,
assisting them in grieving the loss of a negative pastoral relationship, sharpening up
their CIF, and getting prepared to call a new pastor. He went on to assist with case
management at a Christian community free clinic on the Northside of Pittsburgh, and
finally worked with a large Catholic behavioral health/addictions agency, serving those
with mental illness and addictions. He has been there ever since. He has received
specialized addictions training, and focusses his therapeutic work with adults who have
survived sexual trauma and treating addictions, anxiety, and mood disorders. He holds a
Master of Divinity, Master of Social Work (with Mental Health certificate), and a license
to practice Social Work. It was through this work and Drew’s clients that he was able to
discern a call to return back to parish ministry. Many clients would ask, “Why aren’t you
pastoring a church? You should be.” Through prayer and discussion with friends, Drew
was able to realize God was calling him to go back to the parish where his ministry
began and use the gifts and experiences from serving elsewhere to enrich this work.
On a more personal level, he has served as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT with busy a
suburban department (about 600 calls for service per year) for the past three years and
currently serves as First Vice President. He has a wonderful girlfriend, Brady, who is
also a graduate of Westminster. His family has grown over the last several years and
now he and his parents get to celebrate (and spoil!) Drew’s three year old niece Hadley
(aka Miss Haddy) and one year old nephew Samuel (aka Sammy J). Drew is a lifelong
Presbyterian, avid Calvinist (some days), and a student of pretty much anything. He
loves the Steelers and Pirates, but also owes some allegiance to his hometown Cleveland
Indians (but NOT the Browns!!!).
Names being presented by Nominating Committee To being immediately: Marty Cartmell Diaconal Committee Class of 2016, 1st Term Jeanne Henry Resource Center Class of 2017, 2nd Term