Presbyterian Church to Cut Budget, Staffing

The Presbyterian Church (USA) will cut its 2004 budget by $3.1 million, eliminating 19 staff positions and using $1.67 million from savings, officials announced this week.

Last year, the church laid off 66 people at its headquarters in Louisville, Ky.

One-third of the cuts will come from reducing services, officials said. The cuts will affect four church divisions, but will not include any overseas missionary appointments.

The Presbyterian News Service will save $127,500 by no longer distributing its stories in hard copy and relying instead on e-mail releases by January.