AC10 Mission Offering

 

The Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) is a long-term solution that provides retirement financial security for retired pastors, lay workers and surviving spouses in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe who are struggling to survive post retirement.

In these areas of the world, Methodist movements have taken shape and established congregations and other ministries. The churches of the central conferences—comprised of the annual conferences outside the United States—have nearly tripled their membership over the last decade, establishing United Methodist churches around the world—from Angola to Zimbabwe, from Russia to Liberia.

In many corners of our world-wide connection, the courageous men and women who serve The United Methodist Church do so in spite of the dire local conditions marked by rampant poverty, political instability and threats of violence. These conferences and local churches often struggle to achieve financial security to cover just the minimum of daily living requirements for their pastors. The clergy shepherding these congregations often find it challenging to assure stable futures for their families.

CCPI is designed to become a long-term solution—a foundation for retirement security for those who would otherwise have little or nothing after years of devoted service.

The goal of the CCPI Campaign for the creation of pension programs is $25 million. There has already been $19.3 million committed, $304,000 from the North Alabama Conference.

This year North Alabama Conference congregations can support this initiative through the Annual Conference offering which will be collected during the Ordination Service on Friday night, June 4, 2010. For every $10,000 contributed, approximately one central conference retiree will be supported.

Providing these faithful servants, and others like them, with a measure of financial security in retirement is a matter of justice.

Learn more about CCPI and download resources for use in your congregation at www.ccpi-umc.org