Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Dear friends in Christ,

We can only be certain of one thing right now: our hope in Christ. Our world is in constant flux as we all face a pandemic that is deeply disruptive to our daily lives, our work, our hobbies and even our worship experience.

The best way to love our neighbors right now is the antithesis of what we’ve been taught: by distancing ourselves to protect each other. In fact, it’s newly inspiring to see the ways that our nation has come together to cancel some of our most beloved spring activities out of a concern for those who could catch this virus and be unable to recover.

For this, we give thanks.

For us at the Presbyterian Foundation, this has been a time of planning, serious discussion and deep spiritual discernment as we work together to determine what is best for our employees and how to best serve our constituents and the PC(USA).

Resources available for you

We’ve developed resources for you that may be of assistance to you. In particular, Robert Hay Jr.’s article on Stewardship during a Pandemic provides helpful insight into how to keep generosity as part of your worship, even when worshiping virtually. Tips for engagement and online giving during worship are here. If you’d like to set up online giving, you can do that with us here. You’ll find helpful reflections and news stories, too.

We are continuing to be in conversation with pastors, Presbyteries, Synods and church leaders across the country to learn more about how we can be helpful to you. We are processing a very high volume of applications for online giving services, and we appreciate your patience as we process those applications. We are grateful to be of service to the PC(USA) in such tangible and meaningful ways!

We are still working

At the Foundation offices in Indiana, most of our staff is working remotely, with some team members coming in for short, staggered shifts beginning March 30. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb ordered all Indiana residents to shelter in place at least through April 7. Religious and financial organizations are exempt, and since we fall under both of those categories, this applies to us and provides us some flexibility.

Because we are a financial organization, it is imperative for us to maintain security and controls, which we are implementing in new ways as this situation changes. We will do all we can to serve you, and our hope is that most of our clients and constituents won’t even know that we are functioning differently.

Your funds are secure

Your gifts and funds are still safe and secure, and we are watching them closely even while we work remotely. We are aware of the stock market’s turbulence and are in daily contact with our custodians and investment advisors. We will remain vigilant during the coming weeks.

Please pray for our employees and their families as we work through this time, and we will pray for you, too. Let us lift each other up in the light of Christ, praying for strength, patience and wisdom during this difficult time.

Contact your Ministry Relations Officer if you need to speak to someone. We are here to serve you.

In Christ,

Tom Taylor
President and CEO
Presbyterian Foundation