The February Meeting of Winnebago Presbytery was held at Frame Memorial Church in Stevens Point. The day opened with a joyous worship service filled with music! The Frame choir sang, there were many congregational hymns and outgoing Moderator, Elder Barbara Jordanger preached on faith and music.

The morning continued with reports from Finance, Personnel, Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the Resource and Program Coordinating Team.

FINANCE

In 2007, the Presbytery ended the year with a $13,364 deficit. However, the projected deficit for 2007 was $42,049 so all in all, a positive outcome. Per Capita was paid at 100% (THANK YOU) and mission pledges came in at $214,485 - a full $4000 more than budgeted (THANK YOU AGAIN).

As planning begins for 2009 it is likely that there will be a $1 increase in Presbytery per capita and a request for a 3% increase in mission giving.

RESOURCE AND PROGRAM

The Global Partnership Task Group announced a trip to our partner Presbytery in Colombia in late summer (August) or later in the fall to jointly explore and study environmental and human rights issues. The cost is estimated at $300/person with participating churches adding $200. Global Partnership will subsidize the rest. People interested in going should contact the Presbytery office no later than April 1, 2008.

The Mission Grants Task Group helped us kick off a year of Mission. Mission 2008 is the theme for Presbytery meetings this year and each meeting will highlight the many areas of mission we support. A CD with a brief presentation on the 2008 Local Mission Grants was shown and distributed to every church. The presentation can be seen here. (It is large and takes a few minutes to download.)

Elder Rosangela Berbert (First Presbyterian - Oshkosh), Coordinator of Project Open Door, a counseling service to under-insured youth, gave a presentation on behalf of the Samaritan Center. Winnebago Presbytery has financially supported both the Samaritan Center and more recently, Project Open Door.

The meeting broke for a wonderful lunch of lasagna, warm bread, tasty salads and fabulous desserts. A big thanks to the many hands that went into providing, preparing (and cleaning up) lunch!

Elder Anne Dropp gave a Synod School preview. Winnebago Presbytery will be offering scholarships to between 25 and 30 individuals to attend Synod School beginning July 27th at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake Iowa. A presentation about Synod School can be found here. Brochures for publicity can be found here. Registration and class catalogs will be available soon.

COUNCIL

Barbara Jordanger recognized The Rev. Chuck Valenti-Hein with a word of thanks and a small gift on behalf of the Council for his twelve consecutive years of service!

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY 

The Committee on Ministry report included a welcome to The Rev. Bob Goebel who will begin his new pastorate at Athelstane and Wausaukee on March 1.

The day ended with the installation of new officers. For 2008, the Rev. Tom Willadsen is the Moderator and Commissioned Lay Pastor, Dennis Mannering is the Vice Moderator.

Picture from the day can be found here.