Presbyterian Church of Barnet, Vermont
Searching for a Stated Supply, 3/14/2024

For more information, please contact one of our Elders:

Les Morrison 1-802- 535-5005 Les@MorrisonFeeds.com
or Deb Locke 1-802-633-4039 DebrahLocke@gmail.com

We are a vibrant, community-based Presbyterian Church in search of a full-time Stated Supply with the ultimate outcome being a long-term installed minister.

We will review this annual Covenant-Contract every six months. During this period the Pastor and the congregation will, in covenant with one another and with the help of God, seek to:

  • Provide for worship experiences and the practice of ministry with the Church and the community.
  • Engage in self-study and goal-setting by reviewing the past and planning for
    the future in such a way as to strengthen and enhance the mission and unity
    of the Church.
  • Help us prepare for a settled resident pastor.

In Barnet we are looking for a minister/leader who will:

  • Lead us in Sunday worship (and occasional special worship services) and
    administer sacraments for members and the community at wide.
  • Encourage our growth in faith and church leadership.
  • Want to become part of our community and spearhead our outreach to
    neighbors.
  • Support our Sunday School Teachers who lead and teach our active children
    and teens; and who will lead our current adult Bible study.
    AND
  • Someone who will like visiting our elderly, sick, and shut-ins, by themselves or with a church member.
  • Someone who will share our joys, concerns, and sense of humor.

Compensation: The Session agrees to provide the following compensation to our Stated Supply (following Presbytery of Northern New England, PNNE, guidelines.)

  • Base Salary: $33,000 per year on a full-time basis;
  • Social Security Offset of 7.65%.
  • Housing Allowance: We have a Manse, for full or part-time use. The Manse
    is within easy walking distance of our main church building. Value of the
    manse plus utilities (in 2023) was $20,016.
  • Study Allowance: $1,000/year, reimbursed.
  • Mileage (at IRS rate) and professional expenses: vouchered and reimbursed,
  • to $1,500.
  • Board of Pensions: based upon the requirements of the Presbytery, $24,732.
  • Other: Medical deductible or contribution to a Flexible Spending Account in
    the amount of $660.

Study leave: The Session expects the Pastor to attend seminars, workshops, and
courses up to two weeks per year.

Paid vacation leave: The Session encourages the Pastor to take vacation, one week including Sunday, for each three months of service.

Barnet Vermont is a small town (township) with a population of about 1,700. We are located in the ‘Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.’

Our Church was founded by Scottish settlers in 1790 (a year before Vermont became the 14th State.) In 1993, the two Presbyterian churches in Barnet merged. We usually have about 50 people taking Communion each month; average attendance at worship is 5-10 more than this. We worship in the church building in West Barnet from September through May, and in the Barnet Center building during the summer. The Manse is located in West Barnet, an easy walk to the church. We have a Retreat Center that we rent out from May through November.

The Presbyterian Church of Barnet owns five buildings; the Center Church and Green Mountain Retreat, the West Barnet Church and Church Store, and the pastoral Manse. The closest Presbyterian Church is about eight miles away, with a number of other small membership churches of various denominations, and two Buddhist Meditation centers.

Programs
The Presbyterian Church of Barnet strives to educate through Bible study, adult and youth Sunday school, and vacation bible school taught by teachers and leaders who volunteer their time and skills. In addition to worship and communion services, our monthly healing and wholeness services continue to draw congregants for healing prayers. Of special importance in worship is the sharing by congregants of joys and concerns. Coffee Hour after worship services provides time for congregants to share their lives with each other and build a feeling of family.

We participate in local supportive ministries such as the Senior Meal Site and church thrift store, community food bank, Facebook Live for shut-ins and those unable to attend in person, and a variety of charities for families in need. We support world-wide missions such as the Heifer Project, One Great Hour of Sharing, and others asoffered by the PCUSA.

We also are involved in activities that build community bonds, such our Annual Church Auction, 4th of July BBQ, and other community dinners. Our buildings provide meeting space for a variety of community functions.

Our school offers paid tuition for high school students, with 90% using the St Johnsbury Academy, a private boarding and day school. The recent median family income in Barnet was $65,000, slightly higher than the county average.

Mission Statement, Presbyterian Church of Barnet
The Presbyterian Church of Barnet is committed to the preaching of the Word, providing Christian fellowship and education, and encouraging an intimate relationship through prayer, welcoming everyone to participate in its life and ministry.

Conclusion
The Presbyterian Church of Barnet is a strong, healthy, growing congregation. We are educating our youth in Christian values and nurturing the faith of all of our congregants. We welcome all that approach our doors. We are a vital piece in the community makeup, and a tie that binds us as Christians.

Goals

  1. We will continue to support a full-time pastor.
  2. We will continue to grow worship attendance.
  3. We will improve our visibility to our community.
  4. We will maximize the use of our buildings in service to the community.
  5. We will explore ways to increase our community and world-wide mission
    outreach.