| A STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE FOR YOUR CHURCH | HELPS FOR THE STEWARDSHIP CHAIR |
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#262 Giving involves more than gifts. “They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” Judy and Norm looked at each other and instantly knew what the other was thinking. It’s the second Sunday in January. Where is everyone who came to light a candle Christmas Eve? Judy put her hands together and whispered, “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the door, where are the people?” On the way home Norm remembered, “It was so exciting to go to church last month. The pews were full and we had kids singing, adults singing and instrumentalists playing at every service. I got so caught up in ‘Joy to the World’ I even agreed to serve on the finance committee when they asked! What was I thinking? Now we’re singing ‘In the Bleak Midwinter,’ there’s plenty of room in the pews and the offering plates have almost nothing in them. How in the world are we going to pay our apportionments on time?” Judy drove in silence and let him vent. As they sat down for their pizza playoff lunch before the game she said, “Remember what Pastor Eileen said about the fact that the story didn’t end when the wise men gave their gifts. They heard that Herod wanted to kill the child so they went home via another route so that they could tell everyone what they’d seen. When the wise men arrived at the stable, their journey wasn’t over. In fact, it had just begun. Our journey is about a lot more than going to church so we can pay the bills. It’s about helping people know how Jesus can change their lives for the better and inviting them to help us tell the story.” Norm had to agree with her. At halftime he suggested they sit down and make a list of the people they missed seeing in worship earlier and figure out when the two of them might call or email everyone before the next Sunday. |
Giving involves more than gifts. Quotes for Bulletins/Newsletters: When the song of the angel is stilled, “People think that if they were rich they would contribute to charities. My experience has been that if you don’t start giving away your money when you have very little, you won’t do it when you get a lot.” Robert Bainum “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa |
#263 Giving is an act of Love. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NRSV) Dorothy lived in the same house she and her husband bought on the east side of Madison 40 years ago. She spent the early years of her marriage working for the telephone company and her last job was at a neighborhood grocery story. For the last 15-20 years her health concerns left her a “shut in.” Those who visited her from the Bashford UMC in Madison enjoyed her spicy, cheerful personality. She had a great sense of humor and always had a joke or a story for Pastor Ed White when he came to call on her. Shortly after her death, Dorothy’s niece was very excited to deliver a gift to the church. Prior to her death, Dorothy named Bashford UMC as the beneficiary of a Certificate of Deposit. This meant the church received $15,300 as an undesignated gift from Dorothy to be used for their mission and ministry. Dorothy’s gift of this CD was a wonderful surprise and a reminder of her cheerful personality. Especially in such a difficult financial year when the church income was running behind the ministry needs. When her family notified the church of the gift, they shared how much her friends from Bashford church meant to Dorothy over the years. In these days of low interest rates and uncertain economic realities, we invite you to consider naming your church as the beneficiary of all or a portion of the principal in a Certificate of Deposit, a secondary life insurance policy, or an IRA. For more information, please contact the Foundation. |
Mickey’s Story My mother’s foster cousin died recently and we attended her funeral at the Baptist Church in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. When we arrived for her funeral service on a cold January morning, we were amazed to see the parking lot full of cars. We knew we were the only ones arriving from our side of the family. Once inside we waited in line for over 30 minutes to connect with her son. Who were all these people? Later we learned that many were relatives on the other side of her family, and a good number were members of her church and the community. While she only had one son, we learned that Mickey was known as “Mom,” “Ma,” “Grandma,” or “Grandma Mickey” by most everyone in town. The pastor told a wonderful story about taking the youth group Christmas caroling just a few weeks prior. When they arrived at her house, all of the teenagers jostled for position on the little porch of her trailer because they all wanted to ring the bell and get a Grandma Mickey hug! We also learned about the missionary student from China who called her his “summer mom,” because he lived with Mickey and her son during his summer breaks from college. Mickey was described by the congregation gathered there as a compassionate, non-judgmental believer who always had a smile for everyone. Her life had been tough from the beginning. Yet instead of being bitter and angry, she chose to offer God a giving heart that was humble and loving. She lived as a steward of all the mysteries of God. She offered all of who she was, and all of what she had, in gratitude for the love she received. Sometimes we think stewardship is just about money. Mickey reminded me once again that it’s not just about money. Stewardship is about how we live the Good News of the love of Jesus Christ every day. |
#264 Giving is Loving. “Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1-2 The Message One winter morning, two brothers decided to visit their neighbor. They had to cross a pond. But since it was frozen over, their father said they could walk across it. He sat on the porch with his binoculars to watch and make sure they would be all right. Along the way, the boys came across a crack in the ice. Their father watched as the 13 year old knelt down by the crack. He put his knees on one side of the crack and his hands on the other, and then told his 3 year old brother to walk across his back so he’d be safe. We practice giving when we’re willing to put ourselves in the middle of a situation in order to help others get where they need to be. At times we’ll be able to actually offer our gifts as a means to move from one place to another. At other times, such as with the current disaster in Haiti, we aren’t able to be directly involved. However, our prayers and our gifts are providing love offerings as the money we send provides food, shelter, water and medicine to those in need. We are so blessed that sometimes it’s hard for us to decide how we can respond to such overwhelming disasters. It’s not as easy as spreading ourselves over a crack in the ice so that someone can cross safely. How much is God calling us to give? Some have suggested one day’s salary. A faithful response may also be as straightforward as making sure our giving allows our church to meet our primary mission goals first this year. Our apportionments are a – portion – meant – for – others. These are mission dollars that allow us to have the “bridging” structures in place to make sure that as soon as a disaster strikes, United Methodists are there offering help and wholeness in the midst of brokenness. What is God calling you to give today? |
Giving is Loving When the Foundation received $44,100 in year end gifts for the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s emergency fund (UMCOR) and World Hunger, I remember wondering what kind of disaster needs we’d be faced with in the next year. By mid-January, we were dealing with an earthquake in Haiti and mud slides in California. The Haitian earthquake occurred on January 12th. On February 12th the 2010 version of “We Are the World” debuted during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Since its release, the original 1985 original version of “We Are the World”, by USA for Africa, has raised over $63 million for humanitarian causes. Ninety percent of the money was pledged to African relief, both long and short term. The remaining 10 percent of funds was earmarked for domestic hunger and homeless programs in the United States. It will be exciting to see how the 25th Anniversary version of “We Are the World,” will benefit the recovery efforts in Haiti and more. The 2010 version will feature updated lyrics and music, as well as a rap segment pertaining to Haiti. The original chorus still provides us with some good food for thought: We are the world, We are the children Stewardship is about all the choices we’re making today and tomorrow about how to use the gifts God has given us. Are we simply saving our own lives? Or will we choose to make this world a better place for all God’s children? |
#253 Give Willingly…..”Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar—and to God what belongs to God.” (Matt. 22:21) Every year as we finish up our tax preparation, I’m amazed at how the amount we give in donations compares to the amount we pay in taxes. Our total tax liability, including FICA, is generally 25-30% of our gross income. Our donations total is usually 10-11% of our adjusted gross income. Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes. As I finish my taxes and get ready to send them off to be reviewed by our accountant, I’m thankful we’re able to participate as fully as we are in building the household of God through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. In these days of wild uncertainty in the financial markets, and the stability of our life together in the church, I’m also thankful for those who have encouraged me over the years to include the church in our will. No matter what is in our estate at the time we leave this earth, a full 10% of what is left will be given to the church for a variety of mission and ministry needs. Since the average estate in the United States is $500,000 and many churches tend to average about 10 deaths per year, imagine what might happen to the vision and mission of our local congregations if all of us are able to make this ultimate faith statement by including a percentage gift of our final assets to building the Household of God. |
Wisconsin Stewardship Stories “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 How many of us remember that all we have is a gift from God? If we say our faith is in God, it should be in God (God’s giving) and not in the things of this earth (getting). As we grow in our faith, we need to get to the point where our focus isn’t on the getting, but on God’s giving. Every time we’re blessed – through a paycheck, a gift of some sort, or a surprise – do we take time to realize that it all comes from God? My great grandparents lived in the hills of rural North Carolina. The only job my great grandfather could find was working 3rd shift at a textile factory. He brought home $10/week, which didn’t go very far in the mid 1930’s while raising a few children. He continually struggled to make ends meet, so he handed the financial books over to my great grandmother. They weren’t always Christians. In fact, my great grandmother started learning about Jesus through God’s word when she was invited to a Bible study as an adult. She learned about God’s faithfulness, our being thankful for what God has given us, and giving back to God out of thanks. So, as soon as she took control of the family finances she told her husband that they wouldn’t be living off of $10/week, but $9/week. Their first payment each and every week was going to be given back to God. Like so many other tithers, my great grandparents were blessed for the rest of their lives. They never had a whole lot, but they also never had to worry – just like Jesus told us! Our giving is a reflection of our relationship with God. Our giving isn’t about the administrative assistant’s salary, the church bills, the church insurance, or the pastor’s salary. It’s all about our relationship with God. Each and every day, I believe Jesus would ask us, “Where does your treasure lie? Where is the place you want to be most?” |
#254 To Give is to Share Abundantly “Zaccheus said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor.’” (Luke 19:8a NRSV) Are you 70-1/2 or older? Don’t miss your opportunity to give from an IRA before the end of this year! June retired from teaching a few years ago. At that time she rolled over her retirement plan into an IRA. When she turned 71 last year, June learned that she could give a gift to her church from her IRA. With some additional medical expenses and unexpected travel for family purposes, she was finding it difficult to give her annual gift of $2,000 to the church from her regular monthly income. June attended a Charitable Gifts Seminar at her church led by a member of the Wisconsin U.M. Foundation staff. She learned that she could send a letter to her IRA administrator instructing them to make a “qualified charitable distribution” directly to her church from her IRA account. This provision was made through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, signed into law on October 3, 2008, which allows IRA rollover gifts to qualified charities through December 31, 2009. June loved the simplicity of the IRA charitable rollover. The $2,000 gift she made did not get reported on her income tax form and she did not have to itemize to take the deduction. The gift was sent to the church, completely tax-free to June. Since the opportunity to make qualified charitable distributions directly from an IRA will end on December 31, 2009, June has decided to make another gift from her IRA this year. She will give her usual $2,000 to the church’s operating budget, and she has decided to give an additional $1,000 to help retire the church’s mortgage. For more information on how you can use the temporary provision that allows donors 70-1/2 or older to make a direct, tax-free rollover of up to $100,000 from a traditional or Roth IRA to your local church or another ministry during 2009, contact the Foundation. |
What are the benefits to persons 70-1/2 or older of making a direct, tax-free rollover from a traditional or Roth IRA to their church or another United Methodist ministry? The charitable IRA rollover amount is never recognized as income to the donor. Therefore, by giving the gift directly from your traditional or Roth IRA account to the church or another ministry, you avoid making a taxable IRA withdrawal followed by a charitable gift. The money is sent directly from your IRA administrator to the church or other ministries you name and; therefore, is not reported to the IRS as taxable income. For a sample letter visit the Foundation’s web site at www.wumf.org. Remember, a charitable IRA rollover, will not affect the amount of the donor’s social security payments that are subject to federal tax. Of course, only donors who are sure they will not need these assets at a later date should consider a charitable IRA Rollover. Donors of any age can still make a deferred gift of an IRA or other retirement account by naming their church (or other ministries) as a beneficiary of the account at their death. IRA rollover gifts may be used to make an outright gift to your church to support the operating budget, the building fund, or any special ministry need this year. Or, the charitable IRA rollover gifts may be used to establish an Endowment Fund – a gift that keeps on giving in perpetuity. For more information on how you or someone you love might make a gift using a charitable IRA Rollover, please contact the Foundation office. |
It’s summer time and the ice cream carts are starting to make their rounds. In some places the vendors are on motorized carts, others use push carts and some ride bikes. All of them are eventually surrounded by excited patrons of all ages looking for a cool treat. Is ice cream a need or a want? That is the question late at night when I want something cool and sweet, but it’s the last thing I need! Ice cream isn’t the only temptation we face as summer begins to emerge. Vacations, graduations, family reunions, picnics with family and friends all call for extra travel and special food items. With these pressures and temptations we may be wondering how we can be faithful stewards, especially in these tough economic times. Each of us has to answer this question in our own way. What is God calling us to give? Praising God is something we all NEED to do as Christians to feed our souls. We need to continue praising God through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness even as the temptations of summer abound. As you consider your gifts, choose an amount to dedicate in praise to God that allows you to feel at peace. Choose a regular amount of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% and offer that gift first, before you buy extra treats this summer. If you’re preparing for a vacation this summer, even if you’re staying a lot closer to home than usual, consider this: It’s a lot easier to send your offering to the church before you go on vacation than to come up with two Sundays’ worth when you get back. If you give it to God first to say “thank you” for the opportunity to go on vacation, you’ll have a sense of the peace that comes from following the Great Commandment Jesus gave that we should love God FIRST – with all our hearts and souls and minds and strength – and our neighbors as ourselves. |
An Attitude of Gratitude Being grateful is a way to control toxic stress. It can improve our sleep patterns and give us a better night’s rest. Try something for the next month: Either journal or share verbally with another person what you are grateful for each day and end your day with a prayer of gratitude. When we end our day with a focus on our gratitude, we tend to sleep better, with more REM cycles (Rapid Eye Movement) and less unwanted wake ups. We all know that a good night’s sleep is essential to good health, and good health is important for a good life. It is said that even on a bad day there is something good. However, we need to get rid of the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) to see the good. Journaling or sharing our gratitude helps us remove the ANTS from our brain, giving us greater power over our fears, anxieties, bitterness and insomnia. It helps us build courage, enthusiasm, and more joyful and positive relationships. Intentionally focusing on our gratitude helps us to see the hidden gift even in the hard times. If you’re still having trouble getting rid of those pesky ANTS, remember the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity |
#256 Giving means keeping life in balance. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted … (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NRSV) In Genesis 41, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream as a revelation of seven lean years of famine following seven years of plenty. He then led Egypt to plan and prepare for the lean years. Joseph encouraged the people to balance their lives, storing up grain in such abundance “that he stopped measuring it; it was beyond measure.” (Genesis 41:49 NRSV) Unfortunately, we did not listen to the “Joseph’s” in our midst during the years of the 90’s when we experienced incredible gains in the markets and elsewhere in the economy. Instead of saving, we spent and spent some more. Now that the “lean years” are upon us, it’s difficult for us to see beyond them. Let’s think outside-the-box about plans and alternatives for “lean years.” First, how can our circuit churches cooperate to provide the outreach ministries needed in each geographic area? Consider letting each congregation develop a “specialty”. For example, one congregation might become the center for a food or clothing pantry, another for youth ministry, another for senior ministry, and another for classes to assist people in developing faithful money management skills. Second, encourage people to focus more on God’s abundance and less on human scarcity and greed. As Christians, we believe that God owns everything. It’s not ours in the first place. How can we share who we are and what we have, to make sure everyone has “enough”? And third, let’s encourage each other to give to God and the ministry of Christ “off the top” rather than with what is “left over.” Budget and set aside a percentage gift, even if your income is cut, you can give 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10%. Giving regularly feeds our souls as it also ensures that our churches remain a “light on the hill” in these lean years. |
Giving means keeping life in balance. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted … (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NRSV) Here are some improvisations on this familiar text about balancing the “seesaw” of life: A time to break down our budgets – at home or church – in new ways, and a time to build them up by asset mapping; A time to weep for recession, unemployment and homelessness, and a time to meet doomsayers with humor and hope; A time to mourn for the time of famine of contemporary families, and a time to dance with our faithful volunteers; A time to embrace generosity, and a reminder to refrain from embracing consumerism; A time to keep – recycle, re-use, renew – in church and home – and a time to throw away responsibly; A time to tear our clothes on a mission trip with teens, and a time to knit prayer shawls in the parlor; A time to love our children enough to teach them stewardship, and a wake up call whenever and wherever they learn hatred for themselves or others; A time-out for war, and an always time-enough to work for peace … a peace for every season that blesses God’s purpose under heaven. Maren C. Tirabassi, Pilgrim Press author and UCC pastor in New Hampshire. |
#257 “Giving is the thermometer of our Love!” ”God loves a cheerful giver.” After returning from this year’s mission trip, one senior high youth group decided that they wanted to change their tradition of taking a trip every other year, to being in mission somewhere every year! As one father said, “It wasn’t just because they had fun and got to travel somewhere. It was such a powerful faith experience for them that they want to give in this way every year.” Our images of going on a mission trip usually involve doing something with our hands: fixing a roof, cleaning up after flood waters or another natural disaster, building a porch or a shed, packing health kits, school kits, or flood buckets. We often begin a mission trip focused on these physical tasks asking, “What will we be doing this week? What will we accomplish?” By the end of the week, we often realize that while these tasks are vital, the most important part of the trip is how we share our faith through simple acts of loving. God gives us time, talents and treasures to use for God's glory. They are not gifts given to us to store in bigger barns for ourselves. They are like seeds, given to us to plant in good, rich soil so that they can bear the fruit of God's love for us to share with the world. We often feel the temptation to use all the blessings that come to our own lives for our own benefit. Our Christian faith, however, invites us to live in community. Jesus calls us to TITHE, SHARE, and SACRIFICE from all our blessings. How will you use your time, talents, and treasures to share the love of Christ? |
Did you know … The average $1.00 bill given in our offering plates is distributed as follows:
Our apportionments (shared offerings) allow us to be the hands and feet of Christ, sharing God’s love throughout the world. Even in this difficult economy, Wisconsin United Methodists continue to faithfully lead in our world wide United Methodist connection by paying our General Church Apportionments in full monthly payments (1/12 each month). That consistent faithful giving is possible because of the consistent faithful giving in each of our churches. Thank you for your gifts which reach people around the world. For more information on how our gifts to the United Methodist Church make a difference here and around the world, visit the conference web site at www.wisconsinumc.org. The Stories of Offerings tab is on the right hand side of your screen. The official web site of the United Methodist Church around the world is www.umc.org. Thanks to your giving through our shared offerings, United Methodists have the resources to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ to our neighbors near and far. |
#258 “You cannot serve God and Money.” (Matt. 6:24) Edna loved children, yet she was never blessed to become a mother. Instead, she taught children all her life and cared for each one of them as a gift from God. As she prepared her will, Edna spoke with her pastor about leaving a portion of her estate to the church to be used for children’s or youth ministries. Pastor Phil suggested she make her gift available to provide seed money to start new ministries that might emerge during the program year, outside of the normal budget cycle. He pointed out that often there’s no money to even try some new and creative ideas for reaching out to children and youth, when they come up in the middle of the year. Edna was excited about that possibility and included a paragraph in her will stating that a percentage of her estate would be sent to First Church to establish a Ministries Fund. When she died in 1997, $20,000 came to the church and an account was established with the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation. Every year 6% (six percent) of the market value of the fund is sent to the church to be used for developing program ministries. Shortly after Edna’s gift established the Ministries Fund, another estate gift came to First Church from her friend, Mae. Mae and her husband, Bill, were also committed to caring for the children and youth of the church. Before he died 10 years earlier, Bill had named the church as the beneficiary of a Certificate of Deposit. He knew that if Mae needed it after he died, the money would be available to her first. But, if she didn’t need it, they both had the assurance that a significant gift would be given to the church at the time of her death. If you have questions about how you might leave a legacy gift to your church, please call us or visit our web site listed below. |
Wisconsin Stewardship Stories The following story is one of many stewardship stories that we will share from individuals throughout the Wisconsin Annual Conference. If you have a stewardship story or idea to share, please send it to us today. All items submitted are done so with the understanding that permission is granted by the author to the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation for the purpose of sharing items in this forum with other United Methodist Churches. SHOULD I GIVE LESS WHEN I RETIRE? Yes, my income is less. Yes, I need to tighten my belt. But please hear the experience of a couple from First UMC in West Allis when they reached retirement. Introducing Sheridan and “Lou” Ellsworth. Sheridan retired from a long career of teaching and as a Principal in the West Allis School System. “Lou” was a homemaker and a very talented artist. They loved this church! When retirement came they pondered “must we reduce our giving to match our reduced income?” After much thought and prayer the answer was, “Heavens, No!” They discovered that when not holding a regular job their expenses were much less, and so in retirement they actually increased their giving! You cannot love something and not offer your best – especially to your church, your family, your friends, and your Lord… “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!” Rev. Earl F. Lindsay |
#259 Giving Is … sharing. “Command them not … to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God.” 1 Timothy 6:17 NRSV
Mildred and Bill sold their farm years ago and invested the proceeds in Certificates of Deposit. Mildred is alone now, and the return on their CDs continues to decline. Mildred decided to transfer $10,000 from a maturing CD to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity at the Wisconsin UM Foundation.
At age 80, she will receive annuity payments of 7.1%, or $710 per year, every year for the rest of her life. She also receives a charitable deduction for a portion of her $10,000 gift, and approximately 2/3 of her annuity payments each year will be tax-free until she reaches her life expectancy.
At the time of her death, 90% of the funds remaining in her annuity account at the Foundation will be sent to her church and any other charitable beneficiaries she designates. Mildred loves the assurance of knowing she will receive $710/year to use as she pleases for the rest of her life. And, she takes comfort in knowing that her church will receive a gift at the time of her death no matter what happens to her estate.
Charitable Gift Annuities can be established with gifts of as little as $2,000. Examples of current single life rates are:
Our Charitable Gift Annuity rates are set by the American Council on Charitable Gift Annuities. You can view all rates at www.acga-web.org. For more information on how you can experience the joy of establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity, please contact the Foundation.
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Wisconsin Stewardship Stories
The following story is one of many stewardship stories that we will share from individuals throughout the Wisconsin Annual Conference. If you have a stewardship story or idea to share, please send it to us today. We do reserve the right to edit.
Not too long ago I attended the funeral of Rev. Joyce Alford. Joyce was in the class before mine in seminary. She was a second career pastor. Her first career was as a nurse, then a teacher of nursing and finally the director of the nursing school. Joyce was a trail blazer. She was the first woman to serve as a vice president in a Madison area hospital. She was one of the first women district superintendents in Wisconsin. She was always the first to remind us to share the gospel in every thing we did.
Joyce was a wise, no nonsense person. She still laughed about the year I had my first confirmation class (at Eagle UMC) Saran Wrap her car during a Halloween night charge conference. She laughed and paid the kids fifty dollars to get five rolls of Saran Wrap off her car in three minutes. They did. I both feared and respected her. Now I miss her presence in the Conference tremendously.
I mention this because October is our stewardship month. My parents taught me the importance of regular giving by example. Milt Crosby taught me the importance of tithing by issuing a challenge. And Joyce Alford got me to start tithing by kicking me in the proverbial behind so I actually began the practice of regular tithing.
Joyce was wise. She knew the church didn’t need my money anywhere nearly as badly as I needed to make this offering to God. When we regularly write the first check or make the first gift of the month to God it changes our souls. It gets our priorities in life right. God comes first. Everything else comes after that.
This month as you receive your pledge card I invite you to feel the kicking power of Joyce Alford. Let’s get our priorities straight and make our first tithe of the month to God. Our credit card bill, the mortgage, groceries and everything else can come second. Putting God first in our financial lives changes how we live and look at life. We grow closer to God in the process.
Rev. Carly Kuntz, Emmanuel Community UMC Menomonee Falls, WI, written October 2008
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#260 Giving is … for everyone. “The Rich Man” Read Mark 10: 17-22 Have you ever wondered what kind of person you would be if you had nothing of value? I have traveled to Cuba about seven times in recent years to visit the people of the Methodist Church of Cuba in all corners of the island nation. They share many things in common, especially their lack of money and their lack of material possessions. I remember one poignant experience that occurred on the western end of Cuba in the town of Guane. The pastor of the Methodist Church in the community took us on a walk to visit many of his parishioners. Some lived in minimal homes consisting of sheet metal scraps, boards nailed and wired together, and dirt floors. We were joyously welcomed by a woman in one such home. She asked us to come and sit under a sheet metal roof outside the house, since there was no room to gather within. She brought out the two old wooden kitchen chairs, which were all she had, and gave us each a cup of the traditional strong, sweet Cuban espresso type coffee. After a short visit she asked for just one thing, “Would we pray for her young daughter who was sick?” I could see the young girl lying on a simple bed behind a filmy curtain room separator. As I prayed the tears fell from my eyes. She who had nothing found it so easy to share the best that she had with a stranger. As you gather this Thanksgiving, will you consider your full potential to share? Especially this year there will be many close by with far less than you. Remember the Nigerian proverb –“It is the heart that gives; the fingers just let go.” By Rev. William F. Helwig |
Questions and Answers about making Stock GiftsAfter two years of negative stock markets we are beginning to see significant growth again. This may be the time for you to consider a year-end gift of appreciated stock to your church. How can the Foundation transact stock gifts at no fees? Through our special relationship with our broker, Robert W. BAIRD and Company, we are able to transact these gifts at no commission fee, leaving higher proceeds for your church. How does the transaction work? Whether you complete an electronic transfer form for shares held with a broker, or complete the paperwork required to sell stock held in certificate form, you will transfer ownership of the shares to the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation. By using the forms we provide, you are designating your gift for your church or another United Methodist ministry of your choice. The Foundation is serving as the pass-through agent. When the shares of stock are liquidated, the Foundation receives a check from BAIRD for 100% of the proceeds. Within a week, we send a new check to your church for the full amount of the sale. You will receive a properly executed gift receipt from the Foundation for tax deduction purposes. When are shares sold? As soon as we are made aware that they have been received into our account. If your broker transfers shares to our account before 3:00 pm on any business day, the shares will be sold the same day. What do I need to do first? Call the Foundation office at 1-888-903-9863 to inform us of your gift intent and to ensure that you have our most recent forms. Then call your broker to make sure he or she will accept our Electronic Transfer form. |
#261 Give to Grow Spiritually – "For a child has been born -- for us!... and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings." (Isaiah 9:6-7, The Message.) Jesus is counting on us – all of us – to care for all the children of the world this Christmas season. How do we as United Methodists do that best? A) By ringing bells in our community for the Salvation Army red pots. B) By providing items for the food pantry. C) By giving our apportionments in full this year. In my book, the answer is C – through our shared, connectional giving … or, D) all of the above are great ways to live our faith this holiday season! When we place our holiday gifts in the church’s offering plates, 84.3 cents of every dollar, on average, will remain in our local church to provide for utilities, building maintenance, pastoral and staff salaries, children’s and youth ministries, etc. Another 12.4 cents out of every dollar we give will provide signs of hope to children, youth and adults who participate in the ministries of Northcott Neighborhood House, United Methodist Children’s Services, our United Methodist camps, Youth CONVOs, and campus ministries on ten different campuses. This small amount of our shared connectional giving also supports all of our retired clergy. Signs of hope are shared through 1,329 mission personnel supported through the General Board of Global Ministries, in 165 countries, for just 3.3 cents out of every dollar given. As United Methodists we are connected. We are called to Give, Live, and Love……Beyond all Expectations! We see that vision come alive when our people respond to disastrous events and the ongoing need to share the hope and love of Christ throughout the world. Even as energy costs continue to rise and the economy remains uncertain, we have the sure and certain hope that our God is with us and gives us the grace we need to share the love of Christ with the world. As United Methodists, let’s celebrate the many ways hope is shared through our connectional giving this holiday season. |
How to Keep Christmas Well In “A Christmas Carol”, Dickens wants each of us to discover what old Scrooge had to learn the hard way: The only way to hold on to something is to give it away. This is the paradox of giving: The one who gives (from substance and without counting the cost) is the one who is most grateful. Besides being a donor, the generous person is also a beneficiary. That’s why Scrooge says, “I thank you fifty times,” and also why he asks the gentleman, quite sincerely, to do him a favor by accepting the gift. Ever afterward, Mr. Dickens says, it was said of Scrooge “that he knew how to keep Christmas well.” Like any good steward, Scrooge kept it well by giving it away. And so, as Mr. Dickens observes at the conclusion of his story, “May that be truly said of us…every one!” * * * * * * * * * * Consider a “Simple Home” Christmas: Check out these sites:
•www.freepatterns.com for free craft patterns If you’re going to give a gift…
• Buy Fair Trade or purchase locally
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