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From Pastor Alan “Pastor’s Paragraphs” I am occasionally asked, “What is the apportionment?” This is a good question and a fair question. Because of the connectional nature of our United Methodist Church, apportionments – or what some annual conferences call “mission shares,” “a portion meant for ministry” or “the first mile” – are a prime expression of that covenantal connection. They make the ministry and programs of the conference possible. Together all the churches, as represented by their clergy and lay members at annual conference, determine the conference program and its budget, and together we agree to fund it fully. When we join the United Methodist Church , we promise faithfully to participate in its ministries with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Prayers are fairly easy. So are presence, service, and witness, whether that means attending worship regularly or reaching out to sisters and brothers in need. Gifts – well, that may be a little tougher. In a culture of bigger everything, finding good ways to simplify our lives, focus our fortunes, and honor God with our money calls on us to be the best stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. When we support our church with our offering each week, we are expressing a commitment to honor God and our baptismal covenant. And that money is put to good use – all in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. On average in our denomination, 84.3 cents of every dollar we put in the offering plate stays in our local church to support important ministries and expenses. Another 12.4 cents supports the regional connectional ministry of our annual conference, Episcopal area and jurisdiction. Less than 4 cents goes to United Methodist churchwide missions, salaries and administrative costs. When we examine our own Davis Street UMC budget for 2008, the above referenced figures correspond pretty accurately. It is an exciting privilege to be part of the United Methodist Giving Program that takes seriously the call to participate with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Blessings L. Alan Sasser |
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Davis Street United Methodist Church |
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