wfn.org | Celebrations recognize Advance mission work

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 24, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
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By United Methodist News Service

This year's 50th anniversary celebration of The Advance has prompted
greater recognition of mission work by United Methodists, according to
the Rev. Bill Carter.

Carter, a United Methodist Board of Global Ministries executive, is
director of The Advance for Christ and His Church, a voluntary giving
program that supports nearly 2,000 projects in dozens of countries.
During the past 50 years, gifts by United Methodists to The Advance have
surpassed $700 million.

"The excitement of celebrating the 50th is living up to my
expectations," Carter said, noting that many annual conferences have
recognized the anniversary in a variety of ways.

In Central Pennsylvania, for example, planning a big celebration was "a
natural" in light of its long and significant history in mission.

"The anniversary gave us an opportunity to recognize people who had
given their lives to mission," explained the Rev. Ed Zeiders, conference
council director.

The conference steering committee decided to tie the celebration to
Howard and Elizabeth Brinton, establishing an endowment fund in their
name to honor "those individuals and congregations which carry the
spirit of the Brintons into mission." Howard Brinton, who died this
spring, was a former director of The Advance.

More than $10,000 has been raised so far for the endowment fund, Zeiders
said. The first cash gifts were disbursed during the celebration, with
the recipients designating the money to Advance projects of their
choice.

The Central Pennsylvania celebration also included a banquet honoring
missionaries and the creation of a "mission storybook," highlighting the
work of three churches in each of the nine districts.

Overall, annual conference giving to The Advance has been steady at
about $25 million for 1996 and 1997, during what Carter called a "period
of uncertainty" as many conferences restructured their staffs.

Goals for Advance promotion include maintaining connections with
conference staff and leadership, building on the awareness created
through the Advance celebrations and increasing the number of
participating churches, he said.

During 1997, the West Michigan Conference led the giving with a
contribution of $1.62 million. West Michigan's per capita giving average
was $19.29, compared to the denominational average of $2.97. North
Indiana was second with per capita gifts of $8.58, followed by the
Dakotas with $7.61. All three conferences are part of the North Central
Jurisdiction, which led the other jurisdictions with per capita giving
of $5.61.

For 1997 funding by country, including programs, missionary support and
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) work, a total of $5.97
million was designated to the United States.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) received $1.64
million, followed by Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States,
$656,423; Haiti, $630,867 and Bolivia, $524,761.

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United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
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