Katrina Relief

Presbyterians donated 24 million dollars to aid in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf coast of Lousiana and Mississippi in 2005. The Presbyterian Church works by using the money for long-term recovery work, which continues long after the disaster has left the headlines. These donations will continue to be used for the next 3-5 years, as volunteers from across the nation continue to help with the rebuilding.

THE WORK OF THE SYNOD

Old Union Church is affiliated with the Synod of the Trinity, the Presbyterian governing body that coordinates mission and ministry for churches in Pennsylvania, most of West Virginia, and a portion of Ohio. A portion of our per capita payments help to support their work. So what exactly does the synod do? Here's a summary of the highlights of synod's budget:
· 32.5% of the budget supports student ministries, which include college chaplains, scholarship programs, and assistance for Presbyterian-related colleges.
· 30.75% of the budget supports ecclesial, administrative and building operations. This helps to coordinate the work of 1,300 congregations and 16 presbyteries in the synod.
· 14.25% of the budget supports church development: both forming new churches and helping existing churches develop new ministries.
· 8.5% of the budget supports the work of racial/ethnic churches, and ministries to new immigrant communities.
· 7.25% of the budget supports the work of our two synod co-executives, who work with congregations and presbyteries in a variety of ways.
· 6.5% of the budget helps us work cooperatively with other denominations in our region as we work together in Christ's work
As our pastor prepares for a mission trip to Ghana this summer, the synod provided $500 to help with the costs of this trip. You can learn more about the synod by visiting www.syntrinity.org, or by looking at its narrative budget in the back of the church.

THE MISSION OF THE PRESBYTERY

Old Union will support the mission budget of Beaver-Butler Presbytery, which works with and oversees the Presbyterian churches in Beaver and Butler Counties. We will provide $400 to help with more than $130,000 that will be spent on 26 different projects. Here are some of the major projects that Presbytery mission supports:
· $28,000 to the Camping Association, for the ministries of Westminster Highlands and Camp Lambec
· $25,000 for the Resource Center and its director
· $10,000 each for evangelism support, new church development, and Presbyterian Media Mission
· $8,200 for church redevelopment
· $5,000 each for congregational support, Christian Associates (an interdenominational organization in our region), and people in mission.
As our pastor prepares for a mission trip to Ghana this summer, the presbytery provided $1,000 to help with the costs of this trip. You can learn more about the presbytery by visiting www.beaverbutler.org, or by looking at its mission budget on the bulletin board in the basement of the church.