THE NEWS FROM NORTHUMBERLAND

Weekly News for June 17, 2020

REFORMED AND ALWAYS REFORMING The late author Phyllis Tickle was a controversial writer and proponent of the Emerging Church Movement. Whether or not you agree with her work (some of us do and some of us don’t), she had an idea I’d like us to think about this week. She believed that the Christian church experiences a new reformation every 500 years, and she was convinced that we are in the midst of one now.

As many of our churches regather, I like us to at least consider this possibility. Now, more than any other time in recent years, we have an opportunity to live as a reformation church. The very questions our sessions have been asking since March and continue to ask are filled with reformation ideas and ideals.

• How will we continue to reform, adjust, and adapt to the world we live in?

• How will we find new and alternative ways to share the gospel message, bring scripture

to our members and our community, and offer care in ways unthought of before?

• As we regather or plan to regather in our worship spaces, will we let this opportunity fall

away or will we grab it with both hands?

• Will we continue what many of us started back in March and find creative ways to meet

the obstacles and honestly look at the changed world outside our doors, or will we race

back to what we had before as soon as it is safe to do so?

• Will we let this opportunity pass us by and just think of it as an inconvenient or flat out

bad memory, or will we see this as a reforming opportunity and adapt?

We’ve discovered what we need and what we don’t need in weekly church life. We’ve streamlined administration, creatively found ways to get ministry done, and we’ve seen amazingly creative ideas coming from our pastors and congregations. They say necessity is the mother of invention. Well, we just lived it. People found new ministry opportunities because they needed to. Churches found creative ways to connect.

In my mind, we are in the midst of a reformation and have been for some time. The question I ask is: will we embrace this reformation and move forward with it or will we resist it for the way we’ve always done things? What is your answer? Also, what do think the answer would be for all the youth and young adults who grew up in the church and are no longer a part of it? For the community outside our doors who are hungry to belong to something worthwhile, what do think their answer would be? If we truly believe that our role is to bring the gospel to the world in a way they can hear it, understand it, and embrace it, what should our answer be? If we truly are reformed and always reforming, how are we embracing the reformation that is right in front of us?

As our churches continue to decline in membership and society continues to move away from organized religion, I believe the time is come to embrace the reformation and live into the future. My friend and honorably retired pastor, Doug Orbaker, said it well: “Let’s stop trying to think outside the box and realize that the time is now to be in a whole new box.”

May God’s blessings be with you as we all ponder the possibilities,

Steve Rev. Steve Cureton Executive Presbyter, Northumberland Presbytery 570-204-2540 presbynorthep@gmail.com

THREE-PRESBYTERY WORKSHOPS CONCLUDE

For three straight weeks, the presbyteries of Lehigh, Lackawanna, and Northumberland, along with valuable support from the Synod of the Trinity, sponsored workshops aimed at helping churches navigate the future. The workshops were well attended and informative. The final workshop, featuring former PC (USA) Moderator Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, CA, was the best attended of the three and focused on regathering your congregation while maintaining a strong on-line presence. The presbyteries of Lehigh, Lackawanna, and Northumberland hope this is just the beginning of a continuing relationship and the sharing of valuable resources. All three workshops are available for on-line viewing:

Workshop 1: Theological, Ecclesiastical and Practical Issues Related to Re-opening Church Buildings, with Co-Moderator Rev. Cindy Kohlmann – HERE Workshop 2: Generosity in Uncertain Times: Stewardship and Giving Now and in the Future, with Ministry Relations Officer Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley and Vice President for Planned Giving Resources Karl Mattison, both from the Presbyterian Foundation - HERE

Workshop 3: THE EXPANDED TABLE: Hybridized Worship in Person and Online, with former PCUSA Moderator Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow – HERE

SAMPLE QUESTIONS WHEN RETURNING TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP As I’ve read session reports from our presbytery and presbyteries around the country, there are questions many sessions are asking with regard to the possibilities of regathering for in-person worship, meeting as committees and board, opening up offices, and allowing groups to meet in the church building again. Good questions are emerging that I think would be great for all our sessions to ask:

• What have we learned about ourselves?

• What have we lost?

• What have we gained?

• What are we willing to leave behind?

• What do we want to embrace?

• What new realities now impact the future of our church?

• What possibilities could God be revealing to us?

Whether your congregation is regathering, already gathering, or considering regathering, please consider having a conversation with your session using some or all of these questions. They might lead to some helpful discussions and surprising ministry opportunities.

REGATHERING POLICIES

As our churches begin to return to their buildings many of our sessions are crafting policies to return safely to their sanctuaries. If your church has such a policy, we do ask that you please send a copy to us so we can post them on our website. This way, churches looking for samples can find ideas. If your church is looking to put together a policy for regathering for public worship, feel free to check our website.

RETURNING TO WORSHIP? CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER

We talked about this last week, but it is so important, we are featuring it again. During our three-presbytery June 3 workshop, an insurance provider who insures many of the churches in Lehigh Presbytery, reminded us that if a session creates a policy to return safely to worship, it is imperative that they follow it. If someone in the congregation gets sick, and the policy was not followed, then if legal action is brought against the church, the insurance company might not cover the congregation. He recommends that congregations check with their insurance providers regarding their coverage in returning to worship.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS JUNE 19 For the first time in our history, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will being holding its biennial meeting digitally. While the planners of our recent assemblies incorporated lots of technology and worked hard to make it as paper-less as possible, they weren’t expecting to go this far. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the planned host site, the city of Baltimore, unavailable, drastic alternatives were called for. With lots of discussion, planning, and hard work, the Office of the General Assemble feel they are ready to host the denomination on-line. To read more about the tech transition, check out this article. The assembly will be held on June 19, 26, and 27 and will run through the Zoom and PC-Biz platform, while spectators can watch the live-streaming through the denomination’s GA website. Please keep our commissioners, Rev. Lisa Kraus and Elder John Polhill, in your prayers as they seek to do the work of the assembly. Sadly, our elected YAAD, Isaac Kraus, will be unable to attend. For highlights of the assembly, I invite you to click HERE. For information about the agenda, click HERE. To follow the latest postings and to follow GA virtually, feel free to visit the denomination’s GA website HERE.

BULLETIN INSERTS AVAILABLE

What's coming to General Assembly? How will you explain the actions of GA to your congregation?

The 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meeting in June 2020 is shaping up to be an assembly like no other. For the first time, GA will be held virtually. Inform the congregation with summaries that give concise, level-headed analysis of what's coming to the assembly and what happened at the assembly. We know many congregations are facing unprecedented financial challenges this year. So, we are offering our balanced, trusted GA bulletin inserts for a special price. You will receive both the pre-GA and post-GA PDFs for the price of one in a full-color, easy to read format that you can easily email to all members of the congregation. Pre-GA and Post-GA bulletin inserts will help you share balanced news of this historic GA with your congregation. Pre-GA summaries are ready as an immediate download that you can email to your congregation. ORDER HERE

NORTHUMBERLAND PRESBYTERY’S TECHNOLOGY GRANT NOW AVAILABLE

As we continue into the 21st Century, we are ever mindful of the rapidly changing cultural landscape and our growing use of technology in all areas of life, including ministry. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent social distancing, closing of our physical buildings, and discovery of an on-line worshiping community highlighted ways we could benefit from technology while also spotlighting many of our deficiencies in this area. The purpose of this grant is to assist congregations who have a need to upgrade or update their technology for use in their ministry. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Computers

• Phone systems

• Video cameras

• Microphones

• Mixing boards

• Zoom membership

• Church WIFI

• Software upgrades

• Live-streaming equipment

• Podcasting equipment The presbytery’s desire is not just for our churches to be able to replace or update what they have, but to create an opportunity to reach out, serve, and share in an even greater way the love of Christ in their congregation and their community. To help make that possible, our General Commission approved a Technology Grant of up to $3,000.00 for our churches. The grant application is attached to this newsletter and will be available on our website: northumberlandprebytery.org.

ALL COUNTIES WITHIN NORTHUMBELAND PRESBYTERY ARE NOW GREEN

SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? As of last Friday, we are all “Green.” This is a good time to remind everyone what that means. This explanation comes from the governor’s PA Government website. You can find the full link HERE. Green Phase As of June 12, these 46 counties are in the green phase: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Juniata, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health. Some restrictions, such as mask-wearing, do remain in place.

While this phase facilitates a return to a “new normal,” it is equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum.

Work and Congregate Settings Restrictions

• Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged • Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building

Safety Requirements. • All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May Increase to 75%

Occupancy • Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance • Congregate Care Restrictions in Place • Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities • Schools Subject to CDC and Commonwealth Guidance

Social Restrictions

• Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited • Masks are Required When Entering a Business • Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy • Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy

and by Appointment Only • Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as

gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged • All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50%

Occupancy • Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of

Protocols

After a county transitions to the yellow phase, the commonwealth closely monitors for increased risk, such as significant outbreaks. If overall risk remains mitigated for fourteen days, we will transition the county to the green phase.

The state continues to use risk-based metrics from Carnegie Mellon University and the Department of Health and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency data dashboard available HERE.

The state continues to increase testing and ramp up contact-tracing efforts. As of June 11, there are a total of 496 contact tracers, and a total of 2,777 contacts being monitored. The Department of Health received a total of 80,498 test results in the past seven days, an average of 11,500 a day. The 30-day average of test results received is more than 10,500.

There were 3,371 new cases added to investigations for the week of June 4 through 11.

The latest business guidance, including outdoor recreation guidance, can be found HERE.

Preliminary sports guidance can be found HERE.

NEWS FROM LYNNE PABST

Our Certified Christian Educator and POINT Partner

In Case You Missed…

For those of you who missed the “VBS/Camp What to do midst COVID19 – All is not Lost” workshop and are still trying to figure out what to do this summer. Here are some of the thoughts and resources shared: Questions to ask when making the decision: No one can tell a church what to do in this situation. The community of faith needs to fully examine its context, its theological beliefs, its ecclesiastical views, and the practice to which those lead.

• What are we allowed to do? What stage are we in? Make certain that you understand

the government guidelines and CDC suggestions.

• What can we do in good Christian conscience? What is our responsibility to keeping

neighbor and church member safe? What is our theology of neighbor and freedom?

Having freedom to do something does not always mean it is the right thing to do. What

are the understandings of the scriptures and responsibility to neighbor?

• What is the main reason/goal for having VBS/Camp? Each church has its own reason

for offering VBS/Camp: outreach, building usage, always done it, childcare for

community, provide food to children, evangelism, to give Mrs. C. something to do,

replacing Sunday School and many other reasons. Discuss what the church’s main

reason is for providing VBS/Camp. If it is to provide food, then having a handout of bag

lunches with a Bible story in it meets the goal and is safe to do. Once you know the main

reason for your summer program it can be adapted to meet COVID 19 concerns and still

serve its purpose.

• Who are the volunteers? If volunteers are those vulnerable seniors, there may be

limited staff. If they are high school youth, staff may be available but have limits to what

they can do because of age.

• What resources are available? Is there technology? Is there strong internet? Do all

families have internet and technology? Is there old curriculum to be recycled? Is there a

budget to allow for purchase of technology to support new virtual curriculum? Is there a

large indoor/outdoor area where social distancing is possible or is the space just too

small to be safe?

• What are other churches in the community doing? Maybe in the past a big ecumenical

communitywide VBS was held. This may not be the time for that. Maybe each church in

order to limit contact, needs to restrict registration to only their families. Does the

community as a whole want to take the risk of group activities?

What are the options? • Totally face-to-face in-person old traditional way with safety precautions. Here the

traditional in-person model is followed with the institution of safety precautions: masks,

sanitizer. social distancing, limited sharing of materials, no singing.

• Totally Virtual but a traditional model. Here the traditional schedule is followed but it is

done over Zoom or some other face-to-face technology platform. There is no in-person

meeting.

• Totally non-touch – providing the home with parent materials and child materials to

study at home. Here the materials are put together at the church and mailed to,

dropped off to, or picked up by families. All experiences are completed in the context of

the home and family.

• Creative hybrid mixes of the 3 above

What one church is doing? Title: Grove’s Traveling Bag Camp Theme: God’s Presence in the Wilderness (written by the Director of Christian Education) Framework: June -- Advertise and register families. Each family receives letter with details and scriptural background on theme. July -- Each Sunday afternoon families receive on their porch a bag with materials and activities for the week. Each Thursday have a zoom campfire. Enrollment: Limit to 20-25 families Ages: Completed Kindergarten through Grade 8 Fee: No Fee Type of Help Needed: Assembly of bags Delivery of bags Donation of bag items Host a Virtual CampFire (possibly in-person) Participation in Zoom Camp Material for Each Week’s Lesson in a Bag:

• Parent background letter

• Food Item (nonperishable)

• Clothing item (t-shirt, cap, visor, neckerchief) included in activities

• Outdoor activities

• Indoor activities

• Family activities

• Mission activity

• Individual activities

• Coloring page

• Story page

• Memory Verse

• Music CD

• Bible

What does the campfire look like?

• Zoom link needs to be sent prior to event

• Evening around 7:00pm (Zooming with children should be limited to half hour

segments)

• Say the memory verse

• Share learning

• Sing a song/hear a song

• Pray

Still have the problem of those who do not have internet or technology. Partner or host families if needed. If considering in-person VBS:

• Think small groups

individual church rather than community limit enrollment have several sessions with lower enrollment

• Check Liability – consider participants and volunteers signing disclaimer of responsibility

• Clearly outline your safety and cleaning precautions

• Train volunteers in the safety precautions

• Follow those precautions

• Think of grouping by family or neighborhood rather than age

• Be cautious

If you want to talk more about your particular context, I am available:

• Lynne Pabst

• nurture@grovepres.org

• Church Phone: 570-275-0692

• Cell phone: 570-850-2844

Helpful Resources: VBS Options -- https://pres-outlook.org/2020/05/staycation-bible-school-2020-feet-that-follow/ Virtual VBS Curriculum -BOLT -- https://www.gocurriculum.com/bolt-vbs VBS at Home – All God’s Children: Church Family Gathers --https://www.genonministries.org/collections/summer-resources-for-intergenerational-ministry Church to go -- https://buildfaith.org/church-to-go/ At Home Video Lessons – https://covidupdates.group.com/group-provides-new-at-home-video-lessons-to-address-kids-fears/ https://covidupdates.group.com/vacation-bible-school/ Family Resources -- https://buildfaith.org/ Group’s VBS Advice -- https://www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/childrens-ministry/vbs/vbs-and-covid-19.do Guidelines -- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/316368B_FS_COVID19_CommunityFaithBased.pdf Youth Activity and Camp Guidance midst COVID 19 -- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/summer-camps.html https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Special-Announcement--Child-Care-and-Summer-Camps-and-Recreation.html?soid=1112117859299&aid=5MjfGradVWc Offering Child Care Guidance midst COVID19 -- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html Synod Website Information -- https://www.syntrinity.org/how-when-to-return-to-worship-safely/ What Other’s are Doing – https://www.genonministries.org/blogs/blog/a-simpler-vbs-during-covid-season https://hope4ce.net/2020/05/05/diy-vacation-bible-school/

WEEKLY PRAYER LIST Each week throughout the year we ask our presbytery members to pray for the various churches of our presbytery, as well as our faith-based partners. If you are willing, please lift-up the congregations and partners in your prayers personally and during your worship service. God’s grace extends in so many wonderful ways and prayers touch hearts in ways we cannot even comprehend. This week please pray for our regional and national denominational connections:

1. The three Presbyteries of Lehigh, Lackawanna, and Northumberland

• As we continue to build relationships between our three presbyteries, we ask that you

continue to pray for us as we seek to do God’s work regionally.

• Special prayers go to our neighbor presbytery leadership:

o Rev. Rhonda Kruse, Transitional Leader, Lehigh Presbytery

o Rev. Dr. Michael A. Drake, Stated Clerk, Lehigh Presbytery

o Rev. Jenn Baer, Stated Clerk, Lackawanna Presbytery

o Rev. Steve Cureton, Executive Presbyter, Northumberland Presbytery

o Rev. David Smith, Stated Clerk, Northumberland Presbytery

2. The three presbyteries that own Krislund Camp and Retreat Center

• As Krislund goes through a new time of transition, we pray for the three owner

presbyteries: Huntingdon, Carlisle, and Northumberland.

o Rev. K. Joy Kaufmann, General Presbyter, Huntingdon Presbytery

o Elder Ginny Rainey, Stated Clerk, Huntingdon Presbytery

o Rev. Cheryl Galen, Interim Executive Presbyter, Carlisle Presbytery

o Elder Jim Speedy recently retired as Stated Clerk, Carlisle Presbytery

3. The Synod of the Trinity – 16 presbyteries in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio

• Rev. Sue Wonderland Transitional Synod Executive

4. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

• Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk

Are there other concerns that need to be shared? If so, please send them to Steve Cureton at presbynorthep@gmail.com.

SUMMER COMMITTEES STARTING SOON

Each summer, several of our committees kick into gear. The pandemic set us back a couple of weeks, but we are starting to set our schedules for the remainder of the summer. These committees are:

• Shared Gifts – select nominees to serve on our various boards and committees. These nominees will be presented at our September and November presbytery meetings for a vote.

• Personnel – review the staff and set staffing budget recommendations. The reviews will be presented at our September presbytery meeting.

• Budget – create a proposed 2021 budget and present it at the September presbytery meeting for a vote.

• Audit – Review the 2019 finances and make a report to the September presbytery meeting.

If you are on one of these committees, take a look at your calendars. We will be contacting you soon.

PULPIT SUPPLY AND CHURCH PROCEDURES

Please remember, if you have a guest preacher leading your worship in the weeks ahead, either online or in person, make sure she or he knows your policies and procedures.

PASTOR’S CHECK-IN

This is a reminder that we have pastor check-ins each Thursday at 11:00 a.m. If you are a pastor within our presbytery (this include HRs and CPs – Certified and Commissioned) and are not receiving a Zoom code for the gathering, please let me know. Email me at presbynorthep@gmail.com.

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THE PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOLDS SPECIAL WEBINAR

This Thursday, June 18, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., the Presbyterian Historical Society will hold a Zoom gathering to teach us how to navigate the records of the Presbyterian Church to research family history.

For more information click HERE.

NEWS FROM THE SYNOD OF THE TRINITY

Synod Plans to Sell Their Building in Camp Hill

I am writing to share some news with you:

Since the fall, the Governing Commission, the Budget and

Finance Advisory Team, and your Synod staff have been

engaged in conversations about our building at 3040 Market

Street in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania! The ministry springing from

this location has been a gift to the church, and there are

memories of people and ministry dreamed and grown here

since the 1960s.

As we consider a big picture about current and future regional ministry, we believe the

time has come to move from this building, sell it, and find a smaller office to serve our

current needs without having to be landlords! It is a question of faithfulness and good

stewardship.

What prompts this decision?

1. The size of the building is much larger than we and the Presbytery of Carlisle

can use well – even together. Our staff is much smaller than when this center was

created, and there are many empty rooms!

2. The pending capital needs of the building are significant, and while we have

kept the building and the property up well, monies to replace roofs and HVAC, etc. are

not part of an annual budget and so must come out of a corpus that we would prefer

to access for regional ministry and mission.

3. Ministry has changed, and we do not need the space for staff, nor do we often

use the meeting spaces that are so wonderfully a part of this space. Gathered meetings

are usually offsite and located in varied places, and as we had been learning long before

these last few months, many more and regular meetings are taking place online.

We believe that good stewardship of current and future financial resources challenges

us to take this big step and downsize that we might focus even more clearly on our

call to serve presbyteries as they minister to and with congregations.

The funds from the sale of the building will help to continue this ministry in whatever

shape and form is needed for the church in the months and years to come.

Renting space will allow us to stay nimble as we go, and should there be a need down

the road to move or become completely virtual, the process to do so will not be bogged

down by all that is involved in a sale.

And so we go – prayerfully and watchfully into this next step!

Blessings!

Susan Wonderland Transitional Executive

NEWS FROM THE BOARD OF PENSIONS

DON WALKER TO SUCCEED JUDY FREYER AS CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, BOARD OF PENSIONS

June 04, 2020

The CIO is responsible for management of the Board of Pensions Balanced Investment Portfolio, valued at approximately $9 billion.

The Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions has named Donald A. Walker III to succeed Judith D. Freyer as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. The appointment is effective July 1, 2020. Ms. Freyer announced her retirement in March after more than 30 years at the agency. She will remain as Chief Investment Officer Emeritus and assist in the transition through July.

“Judy’s diligent stewardship throughout more than 30 years has greatly benefited thousands of Benefits Plan members, retirees, and their families,” said the Reverend Frank Clark Spencer, President of the Board of Pensions. “For nearly half that time, Don has been at her side. The Board is deeply grateful to Judy for mentoring him through the years and is equally confident in his leadership as we move forward.”

Mr. Walker currently serves as Vice President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at the Board of Pensions, managing the public securities and operations staff of the Investment team. Ms. Freyer was instrumental in bringing Mr. Walker to the Board of Pensions 14 years ago to serve as Director of Investments.

Mr. Walker joined the Board of Pensions in 2006 from the investment firm Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, where he was Vice President, Portfolio Strategist. Previously, he had been Vice President, Equity Portfolio Manager/Analyst at First Albany Capital.

The Board of Pensions promoted Mr. Walker to Managing Director, Investments in 2011 and named him Vice

President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer in 2016.

The CIO is responsible for management of the Board of Pensions Balanced Investment Portfolio, valued at approximately $9 billion. The portfolio invests assets for the Pension Plan and Death and Disability Plan, as well as other assistance plans and programs. The 11-member Investment team, under CIO leadership, oversees investment managers for each asset class in the portfolio.

“Judy and I have worked together for more than half of my career,” Mr. Walker said. “We’re regularly bouncing ideas off each other. She’s very collaborative and encourages team input. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor — or a better CIO model. Her dedication to our mission has been steadfast and her success as an investor is remarkable. She led the team and deftly steered the portfolio through several periods of economic crisis.”

A steady hand is critical, especially when markets exhibit volatility. At such times, Mr. Walker said, it is important for the team to manage emotions, to help everyone “take a deep breath. That’s easier when we remember the members and employers for whom we work.”

When asked about becoming CIO amid tumultuous times, Mr. Walker said that his heart goes out to those directly impacted. “What our plan members and employers need to know is that the portfolio is managed for the long-term, with an eye toward protecting it from potential risks.”

Going into 2020, the Investment team anticipated a general market downturn and built up additional cash reserves. This liquidity buffer ensures that the Board of Pensions can continue meeting its obligations to members, retirees, and family members through the crisis without disruption.

Mr. Walker is an active member of the investment community, speaking regularly at industry conferences. He is a charterholder of the CFA Institute, which promotes ethics and professionalism in the investment industry, and a former member of its Disciplinary Review Committee.

Mr. Walker serves on the investment subcommittee of the American Friends Service Committee and as co-President of Wolf Performing Arts Center, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern history, cum laude, from Amherst College and an MBA from Villanova University.

Mr. Walker resides in a suburb of Philadelphia with his wife, Pam, and two daughters.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE

June 17 9:30 a.m. - General Commission Meeting via Zoom 1:00 p.m. – Committee on Service Meeting via Zoom

June 18 11:00 a.m. - Pastor Check-In via Zoom June 19 General Assembly – Digital Meeting June 25 11:00 a.m. – Pastor Check-In via Zoom

5:30 p.m. – SINDR Meeting via Zoom June 26-27 General Assembly – Digital Meeting

JULY

July 2 5:00 p.m. Commission on Ministry Meeting July 14 12:00 p.m. Joint Camp and Conference Board Meeting - Krislund July 28 10:00 a.m. Worship and Nurture Committee Meeting

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO OUR NEWSLETTER LIST

If you have information to share for our newsletter, please send them to Steve at presbynorthep@gmail.com or to Patty at presbynorth@comcast.net. We put the newsletters together on Monday and Tuesday, then get the information out on Wednesday.

Blessings to you and thank you for reading all the way to the end.

Grace and Peace to you all,

Steve & Patty

Patty Beggs Administrative Assistant Northumberland Presbytery 570-368-3906presbynorth@comcast.netwww.northumberlandpresbytery.org

Rev. Steve Cureton Executive Presbyter Northumberland Presbytery 570-204-2540presbynorthep@gmail.com 430 Broad Street, P.O. Box 334, Montoursville, PA 17754

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TECHNOLOGY GRANT APPLICATION

Established: June 3, 2020 Purpose: As we continue into the 21st Century, we are ever mindful of the rapidly changing cultural landscape and our growing use of technology in all areas of life, including ministry. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent social distancing, closing of our physical buildings, and discovery of an on-line worshiping community highlighted ways we could benefit from technology while also spotlighting many of our deficiencies in this area. The purpose of this grant is to assist congregations who have a need to upgrade or update their technology for use in their ministry. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Computers • Phone systems • Video cameras • Microphones • Mixing boards • Zoom membership • Church WIFI • Software upgrades • Live-streaming equipment • Podcasting equipment

The presbytery’s desire is not just for our churches to be able to replace or update what they have, but to create an opportunity to reach out, serve, and share in an even greater way the love of Christ in their congregation and their community. A specific need is to be established by the grant applicant with details of product(s), cost, and intent listed. Depending on the request, one-time grants up to $3,000 are available.

The Presbytery of Northumberland

430 Broad Street PO Box 334 Montoursville, PA 17754

Executive Presbyter: Rev. Steve Cureton, presbynorthep@gmail.com, (570) 204-2540 Stated Clerk: Rev. David Smith, presbysmith@gmail.com, (570) 368-4747 Office Manager: Patty Beggs, presbynorth@comcast.net, (570) 368-3906

Treasurer: Peter Wallace, peter.wllc1@gmail.com, (570) 368-3906

www.northumberlandpresbytery.org

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Deadline: By vote of their sessions, congregations of the Presbytery of Northumberland may apply for the grant between now and October 1, 2020. A Grants Team will review each grant application and inform applicants as to whether they will receive all or part of their grant request. Please be specific and intentional about your plans. Review Information:

1. The Tech Grant Team will review all grant applications and determine the practicality and functionality of the requests. They will also determine whether the entire amount, a partial amount, or no amount of the request will be granted.

2. Grant recipients will have six months to a year to complete their proposals at which time the grant

team will review their progress and report their findings to the General Commission.

3. After three years, the grant recipients will evaluate the effectiveness of the upgrades and report

their findings to the grant team who then will report their findings to the General Commission. A form will be provided for this purpose.

Grant Information: Name of Congregation ____________________________________________ First and Last Name of Contact _____________________________________ Street Address _________________ City _______________ State _____ Zip Code ________ Email Address _____________________ Preferred Phone ________________________ Please answer the following questions: For what purpose do you wish to use the funds from this grant. Please be specific?

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Please list the equipment you wish to purchase and the associated cost. (Include installation estimate costs.) If the cost exceeds $3,000.00, how will the remaining expenditures be covered? What specific results do you hope to achieve through these technological improvements? With these improvements, where do you see the ministry of your congregation five years from now? Please provide a specific timeline for the implementation of these improvements.

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If these improvements require on-going funding, how will that funding be sustained? Please list the names of those implementing and those using the improvements. (For example, will you need a tech team or a sound crew? Who will they be?) Total Grant Amount Requested: _________________________ If granted, and unless otherwise specified, the check will be written to the church and sent to the

church office. This grant was written by: _____________________________________ This grant was approved by the session on (please list date): ____________________ Clerk of Session Signature: _________________________ , Date: _________________ PLEASE RETURN GRANT APPLICATION TO:

The Presbytery of Northumberland PO Box 334

Montoursville, PA 17754