wfn.org | United Methodist giving continues to grow

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Oct. 10, 2002  News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202) 546-87227Washington
10-21-71B{468}
 
By United Methodist News Service

United Methodist giving to the churchwide budget for ministry and mission is
up more than $1 million for the first nine months of the year compared with
the same period of 2001.

The denomination's finance agency reports that $62.6 million was given by
Sept. 30 to the seven apportioned funds that support basic work at the
churchwide level. Last year, the funds received just under $61.6 million
during the same period, according to the General Council on Finance and
Administration, based in Evanston, Ill.

The $62.6 million contributed during the first three-quarters of 2002
represents an increase of 1.7 percent, and it is 49 percent of this year's
apportionment. Apportionments are specific dollar requests made to the
annual (regional) conferences, which collect contributions from the
congregations. Last year, 48.4 percent of the annual apportionment had been
received by Sept. 30. 

Traditionally, the October-December quarter yields the largest giving
amounts, as individuals and conference treasurers alike finalize their
accounts at year's end.  

All six apportioned funds are up from last year. The largest of these, World
Service, underwrites Christian mission and ministry around the globe. It has
received $33.6 million, an increase of 1.3 percent over last year.

Three of the apportioned funds support outreach efforts. Africa University
has received almost $1.3 million, up 1.8 percent; the Black College Fund,
almost $5.3 million, up 2 percent; and Ministerial Education Fund, nearly
$10 million, up 1.7 percent.

Administrative needs are met by three funds. The Episcopal Fund, supporting
the bishops and their work, has received almost $8.7 million, a 1.4 percent
increase. The General Administration Fund, which provides for such
churchwide needs as GCFA and the church's legislative assembly, stands at
$2.8 million, up 8.6 percent. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund,
which supports ecumenical efforts, has slightly more than $1 million, an
increase of 0.7 percent.

GCFA also reports special Sunday offerings totaling $4.3 million, a 2.3
percent increase over last year. This figure includes One Great Hour of
Sharing, which supports the work of the church's relief and development
agency. It has received almost $3 million this year, a decrease of 2.5
percent.

The other special Sundays with their offerings and percentage increase so
far are Human Relations Sunday, $537,316, up 5.8 percent; Native American
Ministries Sunday, $309,671, up 23.2 percent; Peace with Justice Sunday,
$175,878, up 17.4 percent; United Methodist Student Day, $157,256, up 17.6
percent; and World Communion Sunday, $143,096, up 29.8 percent. 

Together, these two categories of giving - apportioned funds and special
Sunday offerings - total $66.9 million so far this year, 1.8 percent more
than the first three-quarters of last year. 

Churchwide advance specials, in which 100 percent of the gift goes to the
designated program, are not compared with other years because such donations
vary with the need. So far in 2002, giving to the three categories of
Advance Specials totals more than $23.8 million. The bishops' appeals have
received $853,420; mission programs, $11.7 million; and United Methodist
Committee on Relief, almost $11.3 million.

Two other outreach funds account for $625,896. They are the World Service
Special Gifts of $537,244 and the Youth Service Fund at $88,652.

"We are grateful that all (apportioned) funds reflect increased receipts
from this time a year ago," said Controller Franklin SooHoo. He urged the
church to keep up the good work.

The denomination has nearly 10 million members worldwide, including 8.4
million in the United States.

# # #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org