One of the reasons for contributing to Rutgers is so that our gifts can be
combined and directed to worthwhile organizations.
In 1997 the Session made a decision that we would increase benevolence to 15%
of the total church budget. In 2002, having reached that goal, it was decided
to increase the benevolence allocation over the next 8 years to 31% of the total
church budget. At least 1% of this will be for AIDS-related mission. This year,
the amount is 20% of the budget and by 2010 will be 31%.
In order to be sure these larger amounts are directed to where they will do the
most good, the Session appointed an Ad-Hoc Committee to reconsider the make-up
of the Benevolence Committee. Briefly, the committee will now have a minimum of
12 members including 2 from the Peace and Social Justice Network, 1 from
Christian Education, 1 from Deacons, 1 from Trustees, 2 elders currently serving
on Session and 4 at-large members.
The benevolence amounts will be divided 50% for Presbyterian causes and 50% for
other causes. 30% will go to international organizations, 30% to national and
40% to local groups. The Benevolence Committee will be divided into 3
subcommittees for international, national, and local work. The subcommittees
will obtain information about each organization, both those we have been
contributing to and new groups, evaluate it and obtain follow-up information as
necessary on how the work is going and how our contribution is being used. We
will also use information supplied by our denomination on many organizations
they have already vetted.
To give a few examples of groups to which we have already been contributing:
Internationally – Church World Service, with which you may be familiar through
their Crop Walk. They provide food, medicines, tents, blankets and so on in
countries where emergency relief is needed. Also Doctors Without Borders who
send volunteer doctors, nurses and other professionals to join locally hired staff
to provide medical aid in nearly 80 countries.
Nationally – We have contributed to That All May Freely Serve which works for
our denomination to be an inclusive Church which honors diversity.
Locally – We help Presbyterian Senior Services, which among other things, has
given special attention to helping grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Hour
Children provides care and services for the children of women who are or were
incarcerated.
We recognize the tremendous need in New York City and around the world and hope
to use our resources for the maximum effect in helping others.