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News for Church Treasurers and Financial People
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September 2012 Newsletter from Financial Services, UCA Presbytery and Synod of SA
Dear Friends Gratitude. As the father of three young children I know the importance of training them in the value of saying ‘thank you’, especially since, in comparison to so many others in the world we are incredibly blessed, both materially and socially. Gratitude is an attitude which our heavenly father encourages. For example, the gospels tell us that out of a group of lepers who were healed, only one returned to Jesus to say thanks. Paul reminds us in Thessalonians to be thankful in every circumstance.
Peter Battersby Deputy General Manager, Resources/Manager, Financial Services Team
So it is with sincere gratitude, that we too would like to give thanks, not just to God but also to the congregational and ‘parish’ leadership which makes so much possible. Thank you for your Mission and Service contributions - we know that this comes at a cost. Thank you for sending in audited copies of your congregational (and ‘parish’) 2011 financial statements which help us as we look ahead and plan for the future. Thank you for keeping our Payroll Bureau updated with leave and other forms, which helps them provide an up to date and efficient service. Also and above all, thank you for your dedicated service to the people of God in your local church community. Finally, it was great to see and meet so many Treasurers who took advantage of the recent Treasurers’ workshop. I wish to thank those members of our team who helped prepare and deliver the workshop. Please look out for our next workshop – hopefully we will see you there.
Regards, Peter Battersby
Meeting the team - Kathryn Bennett Kathryn, a Payroll Administrator, is one half of the Financial Services Team’s Payroll Bureau. Together with Yvette de Reuver she helps manage the payroll for about 450 personnel, providing a valuable service for the Presbytery & Synod. Many congregations have found it easier to let Kathryn and Yvette process their payroll as they provide a friendly, efficient and cost-effective service which reduces the pressure on many of our volunteer Treasurers. Kathryn has about 40 years of experience in payroll, working mainly in the retail sector, although she also worked for a few years with a labour hire company. Kathryn is a fabulous cook and from time to time will grace us with some of her magnificent baking. Aside from her love of cooking she is also a passionate gardener. She has colourful flower beds, a herb garden just outside her kitchen and enjoys the fresh produce from her citrus and cherry trees. Kathryn, her husband (Chris) and their Siamese cat (Thomas) form a family unit, a family which is shortly about to expand as her son is getting married in October. Kathryn also has a daughter who is engaged.