wfn.org | Arkansas United Methodist Foundation receives $20 million gift

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

Nov. 24, 1999 News media contact: Thomas S. McAnally (615) 742-5470  10-71B
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By Jane Dennis*

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) -- A $20 million endowment fund to be used for
ministries and deserving charities has been given to the United Methodist
Foundation of Arkansas by a longtime supporter.

The charitable endowment -- the largest in the foundation's 36-year history
-- was given by Richard C. Butler of Little Rock, who in 1963 helped
establish the foundation and was a member of its board of directors until
his death in September. 

Butler, a member of First United Methodist Church, Little Rock, was an
attorney and bank officer active in church, civic and community affairs.

Jim Argue Jr., executive director of the foundation, said he often turned to
Butler when problems or needs would arise at the foundation. Whether it was
a typewriter or copy machine that needed replacing, or whether it involved
construction of a new building as home for the foundation, Argue said Butler
cared for and fostered the foundation's growth in "countless ways."

Argue called the endowment "a great witness of Christian discipleship," and
"the last expression of a lifetime of faithful discipleship and generosity."
He described Butler as the personification of Methodism founder John
Wesley's direction to "earn all we can, save all we can and give all we
can."  

Income from the endowment fund will be used to support United Methodist 
ministries in Arkansas and other worthy charities, Argue said. The
foundation's 32-member board of directors will make decisions regarding
grants and the distribution of funds. 

The Butler gift was celebrated Nov. 12 during the foundation's annual
Bishops' Club luncheon. On hand to celebrate the occasion and to reminisce
about Butler were retired bishops Kenneth Hicks and Richard C. Wilke, who
formerly served in Arkansas, and the state's current resident bishop, Janice
Riggle Huie.

The United Methodist Foundation, with offices in Little Rock, is owned by
the Little Rock and North Arkansas annual conferences. It serves as trustee
for more than 400 endowments and trusts with assets of more than $60
million. The Rev. Jim Beal of Conway is the board president. 

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* Dennis is director of communications for the Arkansas Area of the United
Methodist Church.

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United Methodist News Service
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