NOTE: Deadline to RSVP is today, November 12th:

(From David Bartley)

Clergy Tax Seminar

Thursday, November 15,
2007 @ Kirkmont Center in Goodrich Lodge
10:30 AM – 2 PM

Do you know how to negotiate terms of call that puts more money in your pocket and doesn’t cost the congregation anything extra?

What’s the IRS publication for Clergy Tax Law?

Even if you live in a manse, what do you need to know about Housing Allowance?

Have you heard of an HRA Plan? For some of you, it might work. Mine saved me $300 this year.

Goal: If you follow the tax law, you may actually save money by paying less in taxes and putting more in your pocket.

Don’t let the 1040, Schedule A, Schedule C, or Schedule E scare you!

Do you have a 403(b)? If not, why not?

Create a plan for 2008 Salary Package, 2007 Tax Return, & the 2008 Tax Year.

I’m a church pastor who follows the tax law and has put money in my pocket without costing the church any extra.

This can amount to a $500 to $2,500 difference in what you actually can save.

Seminar Leader: Rev. David Bartley, Eastminster United Presbyterian Church, Toledo, Ohio

$10 Per Person Includes Lunch & Materials

Please RSVP by Monday, November 12, 2007

1-800-572-1747 or 937/593-2141 or Kirkmont@bright.net

(Note: a schedule is posted at the end of this article.) Rev. Tomeh is currently assigned to serve with the Middle East Council of churches (MECC) as an associate general secretary, in charge at present of the Iraq relief and rehabilitation program, which is part of the ecumenical relief services of the MECC.

In addition to his duties with the MECC, Rev. Tomeh is also the regional liaison of the PC(USA) for Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and the Gulf. He is assisting with the newly formed Iraq Mission Network in the PC(USA).

Rev. Tomeh holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and psychology from Beirut Arab University in Beirut and a master of divinity from the Near East School of Theology. He received his doctorate of ministry in pastoral care and counseling from Christ Seminary Seminex (ELCA) in St., Louis Missouri. His clergy membership is with the Synod of Syria and Lebanon, which is the Presbyterian Church of Syria and Lebanon.

Nuhad is in contact with the five Presbyterian churches in Iraq and is deeply aware of the struggles of these churches. These churches, and Christians in Iraq in general, have come under increasing threat and danger from Islamic extremists who have kidnapped and in some cases killed Christians. Elder Yousif Al-Saka of the Presbyterian church in Mosul, was kidnapped and murdered in January 2007. (See page 171 of the 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study).

The website of Refugees International says that the displacement of Iraqis is now the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. The U.N. estimates that over 4 million Iraqis have been displaced since 2003: over 2 million have moved within Iraq itself; another 1.5 million have fled to Syria, 3/4 million have gone to Jordan; 1/4 million have gone to Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and Turkey.

It is unofficially estimated that over 50,000 Christians have emigrated to Syria and the same number to Jordan. Another 6,000 have gone to Lebanon. Yousif Al-Saka’s son, Mazen Al-saka M.D., has had to flee to Lebanon from Mosul.

Rev. Tomeh will share with us throughout the day the situation of the Presbyterian churches in Iraq and what we might do to help. All are welcome to attend any or all of these events.

Schedule of the day

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Presentation at the Adult Forum (Parlor)

10:30 am - 11:30 am
Worship
Rev. Nuhad Tomeh preaching

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Presentation and discussion

For more information on Rev Tomeh, see:
http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/tomehn.htm

NOTE: The information from this post is also available in a PDF flyer suitable for printing.

God With Us: Discernment

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Boulevard Presbyterian Church
1235 Northwest Blvd., Columbus, OH

What is God calling you to do? Are you listening?

Come learn to discern!

Learn about…

The theological background of discernment
* Spiritual practices of prayer and meditation
* Discerning for groups and individuals
* Resources, books, and more!

Our retreat leader:

Tim Jones received his Masters in Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1965 and his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick in 1978. After serving churches and presbyteries in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, he retired in 2005.

He continues to serve the church as a consultant for conflicted churches, mission studies and planning. He also teaches Interim training for the denomination at Pittsburgh Seminary and Austin Presbyterian Seminary.

He has led over 100 retreats in the areas of spirituality and discernment. Tim currently is serving as the interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Ohio.

Registration
Due by Sunday, October 21, 2007.
A registration fee of $20 per person will be due by the beginning of the retreat.

Boxed lunches & drinks will be provided.

Please make checks out to Boulevard Presbyterian Church and put “retreat” in the For/Memo line.

Questions can be directed to Brett Swanson at 614.486.0267 or rev.brett@blvdchurch.org.

Rev. Carol Wickersham, an ordained Presbyterian minister and Beloit College faculty member, will speak in central Ohio from September 16 - 18 on faith, terrorism, and the use of torture. Rev. Wickersham is a co-founder of the No 2 Torture movement (www.no2torture.org).

She helped write “Resolution on Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism and Torture,” approved by the 217th General Assembly, and the congregational curriculum, “Out of Horror, Hope.”

She has helped organize national conferences on the church’s response to war, terrorism, and torture.

Rev. Wickersham will make the following appearances:

• Sunday morning, September 16, preaching on faith and fear at Broad Street Presbyterian Church at the 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. services.

• Sunday afternoon, 3 to 5 p.m., speaking at a public forum at Broad Street Presbyterian Church on “Beyond Fear: Faith in a Time of Terrorism and Torture.” A question and answer period with the audience will follow.

• Monday, September 17, from 10:45 to 12:30 p.m., Rev. Wickersham will speak to faculty and students at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

• Tuesday: September 18, from 10 to 11 a.m., she will be a guest on “Open Line” with Fred Andrle, WOSU-AM, 820 on your radio dial.

• Tuesday, 3:00 p.m, Rev. Wickersham will speak at the Pre-Presbytery forum at the meeting of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley at Brookwood Presbyterian Church. At 4:30 p.m., she will preach the sermon at the Presbytery meeting.

Rev. Wickersham’s visit is sponsored by the Presbytery of Scioto Valley Peace and Justice Committee and by the Synod of the Covenant. For more information, please contact Mary Hershberger at (614) 499-5001 or 442-5915 or at hershberger.54@osu.edu, or Rev. Phil Bougher at (614)766-7865. These events are free and open to the public.