Yesterday, we learned about where 50% of offering receipts go for the Christmas Joy Offering: Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges. The second half of this offering is dedicated to Assistance Grants of the Board of Pensions.
Rooted in a nearly 300-year-old tradition, the Assistance Program embodies the connectional Church at its best. As the Assistance Program relies on voluntary gifts, legacies, endowments, and one-half of the Christmas Joy Offering — not dues — for its funding, it provides a way for caring Presbyterians to support those who serve the Church during their times of need. Assistance is granted for needs that lie beyond the scope of the Benefits Plan.The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides critical financial assistance to eligible workers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and their families, and to qualifying retired church workers and their families. The Assistance Program also sponsors grants for vocational training of clergy.
In 2013, the Assistance Program distributed 1,324 grants and more than $5.6 million to qualifying pastors, missionaries, other church workers, and their families.
The Assistance Program offers nine distinct programs in one of these three categories:
- church workers with urgent financial needs
- retired church workers with financial and housing needs
- pastors with vocational leadership needs
Don’t just take it from me, watch the video below to hear from past recipients:
Faith Guides, Faith Gives from The Board of Pensions PC(USA) on Vimeo.