Keynote Speakers
Ms. Grace Duddy Pomroy is a millennial stewardship ministry leader. She graduated from Luther Seminary in 2012 with a Master’s of Arts degree in Congregational Mission and Leadership. She served as the Assistant Director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary and the Executive Director of Operations for Kairos and Associates and the Joshua Group. She is the co-author of the recently published stewardship book, Embracing Stewardship: How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation’s Life, as well as author of the 2013 ELCA stewardship resource, “Stewards of God’s Love.” She lives in Apple Valley with her husband, Tyler. She is currently the Financial Education Specialist at Portico Benefit Services.
Rev. Charles R. Barton
is a graduate of Park University, class of 1963 and was ordained as a Teaching Elder by the Presbytery of Hudson River in 1966. He served as Pastor of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Thompson Ridge, NY, and the Graham’s United Presbyterian Church, Pine Bush, NY, for 16 years, and most recently as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, Yorktown Heights, NY. Now Honorably Retired, Charles is a member of Hudson River Presbytery’s Stewardship Team, and recently completed a six year term as Chair of the Presbytery’s Budget, Finance and Property Commission/The Board of Trustees.
Dr. Janis Upeslacis
received his Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Harvard University in 1975. He joined Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY, working as a bench medicinal chemist, synthesizing potential drugs to address a variety of human diseases. He retired as a Director of Medicinal Chemistry from Wyeth Research in 2006. During his career he supervised efforts to identify new drugs for cardiovascular diseases, anti-infective therapies, and oncology. He was co-inventor of the anti-cancer agent Mylotarg®, the first antibody targeted drug approved for human use. Though raised a Lutheran, he and his family joined the Germonds Presbyterian Church in New City, NY, in 1977, where he is now a Ruling Elder. He also serves on the Hudson River Presbytery’s Stewardship and Legacy Teams.
Hotel Information
RESERVE AT THE GROUP RATE: $99
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON KC-AIRPORT
7312 NW POLO DR
KCMO 64153
USE GROUP CODE: SPR
BOOK BY FEBRUARY 17TH
Spirit of Stewardship Conference 2017
Sowing Seeds of Generosity
March 3rd & 4th
Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church
Sponsored by the Presbyteries of Heartland and Northern Kansas
Register to attend this inspiring event. Pastors, stewardship committees, session members, Christian educators and other church leaders seeking to nurture faithful financial discipleship and promote meaningful spiritual development as stewards of God’s gifts should plan to attend. We encourage you to bring others with you. Discounts apply for groups.
COST: $75.00; You may register up to FOUR additional people at $60.00 each.
In addition to the networking opportunities and fellowship around the table...
There will be THREE plenary sessions:
Stewardship and Millennials by Ms. Grace Duddy Pomroy
Join Grace Duddy Pomroy as she grounds the conversation with an exploration of biblical stewardship through the lens of the "Good Samaritan." Then, she'll look at generational characteristics and giving patterns focusing particularly on Millennials. She'll also discuss at practical strategies for engaging Millennials and GenXers on their journey to living more grateful, generous lives.
Stewardship 101: Part 1 by Rev. Charles R. Barton and Dr. Janis Upeslacis
The Stewardship team of Hudson River Presbytery will share the story of how they were formed, how they have trained 80 of their 85 congregations with basic stewardship practices, and the curriculum and resources they have created. The conversation will include discussion of year-round stewardship education, the biblical basis of healthy stewardship, the theology of abundance in a world focused on scarcity, some do’s and don’ts of stewardship practices, narrative budgets and more.
Stewardship 101: Part 2 by Rev. Charles R. Barton and Dr. Janis Upeslacis
It is not just about money. This case study will describe how and why a church incorporated Time and Talent pledges into their fall stewardship campaign. This additional form of pledging was initially intended for adults, but now engages the youth and children of the congregation as well. Learn how your church can match the needs of your governing boards and committees with the interest and skills of your parishioners, ultimately providing everyone with meaningful ways to contribute more than just money.
...And there will be THREE workshop blocks of which you may choose from the TWELVE following options:
1. What's Your Why? by Ms. Grace Duddy Pomroy
Often we're so focused on what and how that we forget about the why. Whether it's why church or why we give - why is the most crucial question that we can ask or answer for our stewardship work. Join Grace Duddy Pomroy in discussing the "why" of stewardship and how that effects the way that we and others give.
2. Creating a Presbytery Stewardship Commitment Support Team by Dr. Janis Upeslacis and Rev. Charles Barton
Presbytery leaders can follow up with Charles and Janis in which they will share the story of how they arrived at where they’re at, as well as their major learnings. There will be ample time for give and take between them and the workshop participants.
3. Children, Youth and Stewardship by Rev. Sally Wright, Acting Associate Executive Presbyter, Heartland Presbytery
Our children and youth are part of the financial story of other organizations, fundraising for scouts, swim team and band. Can we nurture them toward a deeper sense of stewardship, as spiritual exercise and not simply asking for money? We will discuss ways to deepen understandings of God’s gifts to us and our response in return.
4. Spirituality of Fundraising by Rev. Sally Wright, Acting Associate Executive Presbyter, Heartland Presbytery
Is there Spirituality in fundraising? Looking to a spiritual anchor for guidance, we will use Henri Nowen’s “A Spirituality of Fundraising” as a place to deepen our theological understanding of stewardship, money and fundraising.
5. Making Money Move for Mission and Ministry by Ms. Lisa Longo, Relations Officer, Presbyterian Foundation and Rev. Charles Spencer, Executive Presbyter, Heartland Presbytery
It exists—it is there—millions of dollars that can make a difference in the mission and ministry of Christ’s church. It may be in the rainy day fund or your pocket or someone else’s pocket. We will discuss how to inspire the movement of these resources, removal road blocks to generosity and other issues to get money for the support mission and ministry. Relations Officer for the Presbyterian Foundation and Charles Spencer is Executive Presbyter of Heartland Presbytery.
6. A Telling Secret by Rev. Charles Spencer, Executive Presbyter, Heartland Presbytery
This workshop will look at the impact the secrets we keep about stewardship and giving. How is what we keep hidden suppressing generosity in our congregations? How do secrets impact the culture of giving and the funding of Christ’s work in the church? We’ll explore opening the financial discipleship conversation with grace and comfort.
7. Planned Giving 101 by Ms. Lisa Longo, Relations Officer, Presbyterian Foundation
Work with Lisa Long of the Presbyterian Foundation to learn how planned giving is not about finding another way to get church members’ money. Rather, it is an opportunity for us all to return to God that which God entrusted us with during our lifetime. It is also an opportunity for us all to further strengthen Christ’s church for the future by providing for ministry and mission for those who come after us. This workshop will include some great resources to help you equip your congregation to shape their faith legacies.
8. PCUSA Special Offerings by Mr. Bryce Wiebe, Director, Special Offerings and Appeals, Presbyterian Mission Agency
This workshop will explore how promoting and giving to the PCUSA Special Offerings can inspire all ages of your congregation to further mission in your local church and in the larger world. Learn how interpreting all four offerings demonstrate stewardship moments throughout the liturgical year. Learn how the Special Offerings can open a broader stewardship conversation in your congregation.
9. Money and Banking by Mr. Brad Scott, Market Head for Private Client Services, US Bank
Have questions about the “nuts and bolts” of money and banking? This workshop will have a local Kansas City area banker who works with churches. Online giving? Credit Card Giving? Bring your questions. Conversation about electronic giving, accepting debit cards, electronic transfer of funds. How to set up ways to give besides check in the offering plate? What help can the bank be in investing?
10. Narrative Budgets by Ruling Elder Melanie Hancock, Transitional General Presbyter, Presbytery of Northern Kansas
Learn how to use narrative budgets to help your congregation understand the impact of the work that is done with their dollars. Narrative budges fill the gap in understanding between utility bills, snow removal and salaries, and mission that is done in your building, by your staff and for your community to change lives and witness to the faith we profess. Review examples from churches that have used narrative budgets and learn how to create one for your own church.
11. Preaching Stewardship by Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, Interim Pastor, Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO
Are you only preaching once a year on stewardship? Do you only use the same three texts? Do you share your own stewardship story? Come learn how to preach about stewardship year round with an abundance of themes and texts to work with.
12. The Annual Campaign in Today’s Church by Rev. David Crittenden
This workshop will explore that annual campaign as an integrated element of an effective year round stewardship program. We’ll consider various styles of campaign and what situations are best served by each. Do particular styles lose effectiveness over time? Is a mail based campaign more than the same letter sent every year? Does a single message speak to everyone? How do we take advantage of the teaching opportunities of the annual campaign to foster faithful financial discipleship?
The registration process will be as follows - you will select your TOP 3 workshop interests. A block schedule will be built based on the feedback received in the registration. Please note that some workshops may be offered in multiple blocks to accommodate numbers and interest level.