2009-2010 Catalog Fall 2009
- Managing Parish Resources: A series of conversations
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A frequent complaint about seminary education is the absence from the curriculum of training on how to manage parish resources. Clergy are expected somehow to develop congregational management skills “on the job.” The purpose of this series of conversations is to share experiences and approaches to dealing with some common issues and concerns facing ordained leaders in different congregational settings. The topics are drawn from the combined experiences of the session leaders in dealing with actual situations in various Episcopal congregations. Case studies will be used to establish a framework for discussion. We will draw on the variety of experiences of the participants to add insight and share solutions.
The four scheduled sessions will take place on a series of Thursday afternoons, starting with lunch at the Mercer School at 12 noon, with the formal session starting at 1 p.m. The topics for the four sessions are: (1) financial management and reporting, including identification and selection of treasurer/ bookkeeper, handing of funds, parish audits, and internal controls; (2) property management and insurance, including use of property by outside organizations, plan maintenance, types and sources of insurance; (3) people management, both staff and volunteers; and (4) the clergy financial package, covering negotiating with vestries, allowances vs. reimbursed expenses, etc.
This program is designed to be flexible, and to adapt to the needs of the participants. As new topics of interest are identified, the session leaders will adjust the program and schedule as needed.
FR 1009A Financial Management and Reporting
Date: 10/08/09
FR 1009B Property Management and Insurance Issues
Date: 10/22/09
FR 1009C Personnel Management
Date: 11/19/09
FR 1009D Clergy Compensation and Benefits
Date: 12/10/09
(Additional Financial Management Spring 2010 to be announced)
Instructors: Dr. Ted Gerbracht and Louise Baietto
Fee: $50 per session (includes lunch and materials - Prepare/Enrich Marriage Preparation and Counseling Training Program
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Those eligible for this training include clergy and counselors. The PREPARE/ENRICH program is based on a set of five inventories that examine relationship issues a couple may experience. The five inventories target premarital couples, pre-marital couples with children, couples with or without children, married couples with or with out children, and couples over the age of 50. The major goals of this Program include: relationship strengths and growth areas; learning assertiveness and active listening skills; conflict resolution; families of origin and their impact on the relationship; financial planning and budgeting; and personal, couple and family goals. The use of these inventories will enhance premarital counseling by gaining an understanding of the dynamics of the couple and their other relationships.To register for this workshop either call Episcopal Community Services at (631) 665-7701 or log on to www.Lifeinnovations.com and an application will be emailed to you.
Course #: PE091105 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)
Course #: PE100128 (Thursday, January 28, 2010)
Course #: PE091105 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)
Presenter: Al Rosenvinge, Episcopal Community Services
Dates: Tuesday, November 5, 2009 / Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $195 (includes lunch and materials) Click here to register - Premarital Counseling Program
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Couples attending this seminar are usually referred by their parish priest, although other couples who are planning to get married are welcome to attend. At the end of this seminar, the couple will have a better understanding of factors and keys that lead to a successful marriage. This workshop covers communication; expectations; assumptions; decision making and planning; handling anger and stress; meeting the needs of each other; and discussing family of origin. To register for either workshop call Episcopal Community Services at (631) 665-7701, talk to your referring clergy, or log on to www.ECSlongisland.net and download an application.
Course #: PM091121 (Saturday, November 21, 2009)
Course #: PM100220 (Saturday, February 20, 2010)
Presenter: Al Rosenvinge
Dates: Saturday, November 21, 2009 / Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $175 (includes lunch and materials) Click here to register - Parish Health Conference
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Presented by the Parish Health Ministry Committee of Episcopal Community Services, this conference will address the different issues that impact us today and in the future. The topic, presented by Dr. Ledenosky, will be “Geriatric PolyPharmacy” To register for this workshop either contact Episcopal Community Services at (631) 665-7701, log on to www.ECSlongisland.net and down load an application.
Course #: PH091113
Presenter: Al Rosenvinge
Date: Check website
Time: 9:00am - 2:30pm
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $25 (includes lunch) Click here to register - Parish Revitalization Colloquium
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This four day course examines the life cycles of congregational life and offers insights into parish renewal and growth. With wit, humor and biblically-oriented presentations, Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara takes the cue from the prophet Elisha raising a dead child to life (II Kings 4:8-37) and offers “seven sneezes to parish revitalization,” namely: Prayer for Revival, Leadership in a Changing World; Stewardship in Hard Times; Mission in the Age of Globalization; Evangelism Through Signs and Wonders; Intercultural Ministry; and Contemporary Worship.
Course #: PR091024
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara
Date: Saturdays, October 24, 31, 2009; November 7, 21, 2009
Time: 8:45am - 11:45am
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $60 - Clergy Tax and Financial Planning Seminar - 2009
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Clergy – active and retired – who are interested in maximizing their income, staying out of trouble with the IRS, and any others (treasurers, finance committees) interested in being the best stewards for their clergy and parish finances, are encouraged to attend this day designed to focus on income received by clergy from their parishes. Among the issues to be covered are: clergy as employees vs. self-employed (i.e., W-2 vs. 1099); proper income and tax reporting by the parish; salary and self-employment income; car expenses; travel & education expenses; sabbaticals; continuing education; entertainment; record-keeping; discretionary funds; housing allowances; advantages and disadvantages of living in church-provided housing vs. home ownership or renting; Social Security and self-employment taxes; and personal financial and retirement planning.
Course #: CCE091124
Presenter: The Rev. Cn. William F. Geisler, CPA
Date: Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $50 (includes lunch & materials) - Seminar on the Emergent Church
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Are you curious about the talk of the “Emergent Church” and want to find out more? This session is for you. Join as we ruminate further in a context of fun and critical questioning. The session will include reflection on a text, discussion and sharing ideas, hopes and dreams. This Fall program is a short introduction to what will be a Spring Colloquium on this theme at Mercer. All are welcome.
Course #: EC091020
Presenter: The Reverend Simon Foster
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Place: The Mercer School of Theology
Fee: $30 (includes lunch) Click here to register - 2009/2010 Clergy Conference
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(Additional information will be placed on the Mercer web page.)