REGIONAL REP REVIEW
AUGUST 2007
*Note: This is the sixth note in a series to highlight for you news from the Board of Pensions and keep in touch across the region. Please feel free to share this piece with your communications director or web master.
What is new? The Board of Directors has approved two new pilot grant programs: “Transition-to-College Assistance Grant” and the “Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grant”. “Transition-to-College Grants” are designed to help families deal with unanticipated costs when their children head off to college for the first time. Applications are now available online at www.pensions.org.
“Sabbath Sabbatical Grants” will begin in January 2008. “Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants” of up to $3,000 will be available to help pastors in congregations with fewer than 200 members. More details on how to apply will be available this fall.
Mark your calendar
Educational Workshops in our region will be: October 9-10, 2007 Southern Illinois Presbytery at Mattoon, IL; February 13-14, 2008 Heartland Center, Parkville, MO; March 25-27, McCormick Seminary, Chicago, IL. The workshop to be held in these locations is “Growing into Tomorrow…Today”. This is the pre-retirement workshop. For up to the minute listings of workshops please go to www.pensions.org, click on “education”, and then select the one you wish to attend.
FORM OF THE MONTH
“Personal Data Validation Response Sheet” ENR-109 was included in your recent “Annual Statement of Benefits Report”. Please check the information in your “Annual Statement of Benefits” to make sure the data is correct. If for some reason it is not correct, fill in the response sheet and return it to “Member Services” at the Board of Pensions. This is really, really important for you and your family.
Ask your Regional Rep... Can Inquirers and Candidates get medical coverage with the Board of Pensions? Yes--Inquirers and Candidates who are enrolled as full-time students in seminary are eligible for healthcare coverage through the Board of Pensions. Eligible students who desire coverage for the upcoming academic year must enroll between August 1 and September 30th.
Here is more help! As your Regional Representative, I am available to consult with local church sessions, personnel committees and employees regarding the Benefits Plan. I can help a congregation explore its options for providing benefits for its lay employees.
Please call on me whenever your COM, COPM, or Church Treasurers group would like additional information about the Benefits Plan or an overview. Possible topics include matters such as:
· Transitions in Ministry (first call, new call, or severance package)
· Effective Salary (including why it is vital to keep current in reporting)
· Seminary Student Medical Benefits and Seminary Debt
How to contact your Board of Pensions Regional Representative?
The Rev. Douglas Kelly
Regional Representative
Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Mid-America and Lincoln Trails
5559 NW Barry Rd, Suite #363
Kansas City, MO 64154
800-773-7752 ext 7045
800-511-0132
Fax 816-431-6117
dkelly@pensions.org