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GCFA resolution notes United Methodist generosity

Nov. 22, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-The generosity of United Methodists will be
needed more than ever for the remainder of 2005 and throughout 2006 as
the Louisiana and Mississippi Annual (regional) conferences struggle to
recover from Hurricane Katrina.

That fact was noted in a resolution passed by the denomination's General
Council on Finance and Administration, which met Nov. 17-20 in Lake
Junaluska, N.C.

The resolution requests that annual (regional) conferences increase
their support for the church's global outreach to help reduce the
financial shortfalls congregations along the Gulf Coast have suffered
since the hurricane struck Aug. 29.

Jonathan Holston, chairperson of the council's connectional services
committee, proposed the resolution, which in part stated, "[We]
celebrate the generosity of United Methodists in support of the general
apportionments, the Advance, and special appeals for relief through
UMCOR. We further celebrate the faithful record of apportionment payment
by the Louisiana Conference and the Mississippi Conference.

"However, in light of the negative impact on some congregations in the
Louisiana Conference and the Mississippi Conference, caused by Hurricane
Katrina, the GCFA recognizes that these two annual conferences are
enduring a severe economic impact."

Sandra Lackore, GCFA's chief executive and treasurer, pointed out that,
over the years, both conferences "have been faithful to the
apportionment system that the United Methodist Church relies on for its
global ministries and connectional life. By other annual conferences
increasing their participation in the apportionment covenant, the
anticipated shortfall in apportionments from Mississippi and Louisiana
can be reduced."

Lackore also acknowledged the many responses throughout the United
Methodist connection helping the devastated area.

"In addition to humanitarian relief by the United Methodist Committee on
Relief and gifts to the Advance for Christ and His Church, the Council
of Bishops has just initiated a church wide appeal to support clergy,
church staff, and mission personnel in the affected areas," she said.

Local churches have led the United Methodist response by working within
devastated communities providing shelter, volunteers, and spiritual and
financial support.

"We will never know the total dollar figure of support that has been
given throughout the connection," Lackore added. "The blessing is that
the United Methodist connection is responding locally, nationally and
globally to the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. For this
outpouring of generosity, we are profoundly thankful."

In other business related to Hurricane Katrina, the council heard a
report of activity from the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust
(UM PACT), the separately incorporated insurance company established by
GCFA to assist members in managing property and casualty risks for the
United Methodist community.

Craig Parrish, council member and president of UM PACT, and Irene
Howard, chief executive officer of UM PACT, reported a coordinated
response to the hurricane disaster. Within 14 days of the hurricane, a
collaborative effort between UM PACT, the Mississippi Annual Conference
and the United Methodist Committee on Relief resulted in temporary
housing for displaced clergy and a pool of $1.3 million to defray clergy
housing and compensation, they said.

Other actions included identifying churches that could be used as
shelters and assisting to equip shelters. In addition, UM PACT responded
immediately with teams of adjusters to expedite the claims assessment
and payment process for needed repairs.

Donald Avery, council member from the Louisiana Conference, and Martha
Scarborough, council member from the Mississippi Conference, expressed
appreciation for the resolution and for the support of United Methodists
throughout the connection.

The full text of the resolution can be found at
http://www.gcfa.org/GCFAResponsetoHurricaneKatrina.pdf.

This report was adapted from a news release by Marsha R. Base, director,
Strategic Communications and Training for GCFA.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

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

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