Presbytery of the Northern Plain

Clerk's Corner

December 19, 2011

TO: Session Moderators/Clerks

FROM: Michael R. Lochow, Stated Clerk

RE: Year-end Reports

Statistics Due By: Tuesday, February 22, 2012 at midnight EST

It is time once again for the gathering of statistics. The booklet this year requests the same information as last year. A task force has looked at the information requested and will be asking General Assembly next summer to approve some changes they believe will ask for more relevant information. Again this year the booklet is available to be downloaded from PC(USA) web page or from the same link below where you enter your data. If those sources do not work for you, let us know and we can email the file or mail the booklet to you. We are hoping that most churches will access the booklet electronically.

Once again the Frequently Asked Questions are found on pages two and three of the booklet and most of the basic questions are answered there.

Resources:

Statistical Links

Other

Dates to know:

Spring Meeting - March 9 & 10, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Devils Lake
Summer Meeting - June 11, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church of Wilton
Fall Meeting - September 29, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead
Winter Meeting - December 1, 2012 at all video conference sites

You have until Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at midnight EST to enter your data. The system will not accept any data after that date and time! If you submit your information and believe you made an error or miss the deadline, please contact me immediately as I can help you but I have deadlines as well. If you cannot enter your data on your computer, then complete either your workbook or request one of my Short Forms for data entry and send it to me ASAP.

The link to enter your data is: http://oga.pcusa.org/stats. You will find your user name and password for your church on the hard copy of this memo mailed to each congregation. Please contact the Presbytery office if you have any problems.

Remember:

$ The session needs to approve the report, but the CONGREGATION DOES NOT.

$ The statistics are being submitted to the presbytery, not OGA.

$ The OGA cannot make changes to a church=s record. See above.

$ OGA does not give out user names and passwords. If you misplace your user name and password, call me.

$ If you receive this letter and you are not entering the statistics [whether at home or in a warmer climate], PLEASE, PLEASE get this memo to the person who is ASAP.

Call me with questions about the forms or any other questions, at 701-271-4775 or email me at sc.pbynp@gmail.com or teeitup75@hotmail.com.

2012 PER CAPITA

2012 Per Capita was approved at the September Presbytery Meeting. The per capita apportionment is based on the funds necessary for the Presbytery/Synod/General Assembly to do their essential ecclesiastical work.

The Presbytery office has a free brochure which will help individuals understand the fundamentals of Per Capita and Unified mission. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact the office at 701-772-0783 or email pnpoffice@gmail.com

2012 Per Capita Apportionment breakdown:

General Assembly                  $ 6.50
Synod of Lakes & Prairies        $ 5.00
Northern Plains Presbytery       $ 31.00
      Total 2011 Per Capita       $ 42.50

The 2012 apportionment is based on a church's membership as of December 31, 2010 as reported in the 2010 General Assembly Minutes (Part II, Statistics).