December 2008

The purpose is to provide resources for a year-round stewardship program. Each issue will include a “to-do” list for the month as well as articles for newsletters, worship bulletins and other timely stewardship resources.

Brian Sheetz of the East Ohio U.M. Foundation sent out the following information, simply passed on here:
YOUR IRA CAN SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH
In early October, Congress passed legislation to allow donors to make charitable gifts (including gifts to the church) directly from their IRAs.
When you transfer the gift directly from your account to the church, you do not have to recognize that withdrawal as income, and it counts against your mandatory minimum distribution for the year.  For most donors, the net result is a “tax neutral” gift and provides the same benefits as if you itemized your tax deductions.
You can use this for any gifts you want to make to the church, from your usual weekly offering to special gifts.
Some important things to remember:

• Donors must be age 70 ½ or older
• Gifts must go directly from your account to the church.  If you receive the funds and then write a check to the church, you will not receive the tax benefits.
• Currently this opportunity expires at the end of 2009.  You may want to consider doing some or all of your 2010 giving during 2009.
• Traditional or Roth IRAs are eligible.
• Gifts count toward your required minimum distribution for the year.
• You can give up to $100,000 per year.  Couples with separate IRAs can double this amount.

      For more information or to request a distribution to the church, contact your plan administrator.  After you make the request, please notify the church office so we can be sure to credit you with the gift when it is received.

December To-Do List

• Secure final approval of 2008 budget.
• Send a letter, like that above, encouraging year-end giving.
• Send Shared Ministry payment to Conference Treasurer.
• Send United Methodist Student Day offering to Conference Treasurer.
• Print total of Student Day offering in worship bulletin and thank those who supported this important ministry.
• Use offertory introductions (see below).

Offertory Introductions

Dec. 7
This is Pearl Harbor Day, a day some refer to as a day that “lives on in infamy.” Advent points us toward another day, not one of great evil or wickedness, but one of great grace and love. When we give to the ministry of ___________ United Methodist Church, we help to share that grace and love throughout all our ministries as a local church, annual conference and a denomination.

Dec. 14
Isaiah says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me . . .he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.” When you financially support the  ministry of this church you offer the same gifts of hope through after-school programs, homeless shelters, prison ministries and food banks throughout the districts of the East Ohio Annual Conference.

Dec. 21
“May it be with me according to your word,” said Mary to the angel when told the news of the baby within her. She responded to God with her entire being. You and I are called to respond to the gift of Jesus through our words, our actions, our giving, our care for one another, even the care of our earth. Let us respond to the gift of Jesus with our financial resources that the ministry of this congregation may be strong and vibrant.

Dec. 24
The greeting card company used to advertise their cards with the slogan, “When you care enough to send your very best.” God sent the very best in the gift of Jesus whose birth we celebrate this night. Having received God’s very best, we are challenged to support the ministry of __________ United Methodist Church with our very best gifts so the message of this birth may continue to be proclaimed here and around the world.

Dec. 28
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God,” says John as he begins his gospel. That Word is still proclaimed through the ministries of The United Methodist Church. When you support the ministry of this church you help the voice of Christ to continue to speak to a hurting humanity.

Those pastors who preach from the lectionary may choose to print the following statements in their worship bulletins right at the place for the offering:

Dec. 7
John the Baptist called on the people to undergo a “change of heart.” The faithful steward is one who has undergone such a change.

Dec. 14
John’s ministry and mission was to point to “one more powerful.” How do we, as good stewards, allow our lives to point to this same One?

Dec. 21
Mary’s openness to God’s dream for her allows her to respond with, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord. May it be with me according to your word.” As a faithful steward could you say these words?

Dec. 24
God gives us the gift of God’s very self. What more can one give to show one’s love, one’s generosity? How do we show our love and generosity, as creatures made in God’s likeness?

Dec. 28
Anna and Simeon find themselves unexpectedly rewarded and blessed for their years of faithful obedience to God. God’s blessings come to us in many unexpected ways! How does the good steward faithfully share those blessings?

Excellent web site for Stewardship Resources: www.gbod.org/stewardship

Other stewardship questions, concerns or comments can be sent to revbill_bumc@sbcglobal.net.