From the PHEWA newsletter, third quarter 2007

Money, Money, Money

by the Rev. Nancy Troy

There is good news to tell …

The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) was awarded a Thank Offering Grant by Presbyterian Women to hold a consultation with seminary representatives to discuss some of the “best practices” for HIV/AIDS awareness and education in theological education.

PHEWA was awarded a grant for continuing our work in New Orleans from the Ada G. and Stanley I. Halbreich Foundation. The grant will be used to build the capacity of the Board of the Covenant Presbyterian Urban Ministry Institute (CPUMI) in New Orleans by funding congregation-based community organizing training, helping to support the work of a Community Outreach Worker, obtained through the PC(USA) Young Adult Intern Program, and providing ongoing consultation services by PHEWA members with special expertise in community transformation.

But, there are still challenges ahead …

Anyone attuned to what is happening in the PC(USA) concerning finances knows that, while giving by Presbyterians remains high, money is staying at a local level to fund those ministries that have captured the hearts of persons in local congregations. Good news — and not so good news. Often, ministries that might be considered “messy” get overlooked. Just try to engage congregations in domestic violence, mental illness, addiction work … not an easy task. These ministries, which include all networks of PHEWA, often need to be initiated, nurtured and supported by higher governing bodies. While PHEWA serves the entire church, we are also supported by membership fees. If you are not a member, please join. If you are able to send an additional donation, we would be very grateful. If you know of persons or foundations that might be interested in our work, let us know.

The PHEWA grant from the Halbreich Foundation is the result of one board member, past-president Bob Brashear, alerting us and paving the way for our application. David Cockcroft, long-term board member, celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordained ministry by asking friends to give a donation to PHEWA, which resulted in over $8,000. Pretty creative thinking! When someone calls to ask about putting PHEWA in his or her will, we celebrate. The money that has supported our ministries over these many years came from persons who carefully spelled out where they wanted a portion of their estate to go.

Will we ever stop asking for money? NO! But the promise we make is that we will be careful stewards of all the gifts that are designated for these ministries of justice. We have been living off the legacy of generous persons in past years. It is for us to create a future with hope for the generations yet to come and to sustain the prophetic values of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) into the future.