07605
September 24, 2007

GAC distributes $2,729,758 to nine synods

Funds represent redistribution of unrestricted GA receipts

by Bill Lancaster
Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — The General Assembly Council’s Stewardship and Mission Support Committee approved the allocation of $2,729,758 in National Mission Partnership Funds (NMPF) to nine of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 16 synods.

The annual allocation represents 10.5 percent of the unrestricted contributions from congregations and presbyteries to the General Assembly mission budget during the previous budget year.

The funds are then redistributed to synods (who may distribute them to presbyteries) upon recommendation of a NMPF committee comprised of synod representatives and GAC staffers.

NMPF money can only be used for four purposes: staff support, support for congregations, racial/ethnic ministries and campus ministries.

This year’s allocations:

Alaska-Northwest       $438,672
Lakes & Prairies          $300,546
Living Waters             $235,851
Pacific                         $263,968
Puerto Rico                 $334,941
Rocky Mountains        $206,643
South Atlantic             $181,256
Southern Cal/Hawaii   $121,474
Southwest                   $646,407

An additional source of funds has come into the picture this year: the Heiserman Gift — a $9 million unrestricted bequest to the General Assembly from the late Geraldine Heiserman, who was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Yuma, CO.

A total of $996,653 from the bequest will be allocated to any of the 16 synods or the GAC for “funding mission and ministry together.” Any two of these 17 entities may apply together for the funds.

The NMPF committee has been asked to develop guidelines and approve the disbursement of these funds.

Bill Lancaster is associate executive presbyter for new church development for Foothills Presbytery.