The Nov./Dec. 2014 issue of the Ayden UMC newsletter is now available by clicking here. Articles include:

• From the Pastor: Having a Sharing Faith
• Apportionments: Small Local Portion Makes Global Impact
• Volunteers Needed at Ayden Christian Care on Thursdays and Fridays
• Camp Don Lee 2015 Registration Starts Dec. 1
• Have Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6
• Missions Dinner (and More!) on Dec. 9
• AUMC Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due Nov. 23
• Youth Group Plans Busy Advent Season
• Christmas Cantata to Feature “Sweet” Music
• Sign Up for AUMC’s E-Newsletter
• Rosa Marsh to Perform Recital on Dec. 16
• Feed a Child by Sponsoring a Backpack Buddies Christmas Box
• AUMC Women Invited to “Pursue the Passion”
• Order Holiday Poinsettias Now
• Support Youth by Donating Kids’ Clothes
• AUMC Selects 2014 Lay Persons of the Year
• AUMC Participates in Project AGAPE
• UM Women Present Special Awards
• A Farewell Note from Bunny Clothier
• Stay Up to Date on Church Events
• Youth Focus on Mission and Outreach in October
• AUMC Celebrates All Saints Day
• Church Calendar

By: The Finance / Stewardship Committee

Apportionments are often talked about and often misunderstood, but they are a small part of Ayden United Methodist Church’s budget that allows our church to have an impact in our state, in our nation and in our world. AUMC’s approved budget for 2015 totals $184,438 and, of that amount, apportionments represent 14% or $26,237.

What are apportionments?

The United Methodist Church is a connectional church which means that as a local church we are in shared mission not only with other local United Methodist churches, but nationally and internationally as well. We do this because we know that together we can accomplish more than we can alone.

A Closer Look at Apportionments

AUMC’s apportionments for 2015 total $26,237. Below is a chart that shows how that money is divided to support UM church ministries.

• World Service Fund – $20,962
• Past Service Liability – $4,096
• Episcopal Fund – $715
• Black College Fund – $327
• African University Fund – $73
• Interdenominational Cooperation Fund – $64
• Total budgeted apportionments for 2015 -$26,237
• Total amount of the approved 2015 budget -$184,438
• Apportionments as a percentage of 2015 budget -14%

This collective work is supported through something we call apportionments which are the funds our local church contributes toward these missions through the North Carolina Annual Conference and General Conference of the United Methodist church. These funds support the inter-connectional ministries of the church which are as follows:

• World Service Fund – The World Service Fund helps to build new churches, pay missionary salaries, expand Bible studies, provides leadership for youth ministry and much more. World Service is the financial lifeline to a long list of Christian mission and ministry throughout the denomination. By giving to World Service, we each play our part in doing God’s work in the world.
• African University Fund – Africa University is the only General Conference-approved degree-granting institution of higher education supported by the United Methodist Church on the continent of Africa. Men and women from 27 countries in Africa receive postsecondary education and postgraduate degrees. When we support Africa University Fund, we nurture students in Christian values and develop visionary leaders.
• Black College Fund – Through the Black College Fund, The United Methodist Church helps the 11 historically Black United Methodist related colleges and universities to maintain solid and challenging academic programs, strong faculties, and well-equipped facilities. Their graduates – teachers and doctors, ministers and bishops, judges, artists and entrepreneurs – are leaders nationally and internationally.
• Episcopal Fund – Bishops are an integral part of the spiritual and administrative leadership of The United Methodist Church. We elect and consecrate bishops to speak to and from the church. This fund pays bishops’ salaries and covers office and travel expenses. It also provides their pension and health benefit coverage.
• Interdenominational Cooperation Fund – The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to have a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical and interreligious organizations. It provides the United Methodist share of the basic budgets of these organizations and pays travel expenses of United Methodist representatives to meetings that advocate for unity among the worldwide Christian church.
• Past Service Liability – Pension and insurance support for retired clergy.

Apportionments are our first mile of mission giving which forms the framework for the rest of our congressional ministry and mission. As you prayerfully consider your financial contribution to God and the church, please consider generously supporting the ministries of our church. We are committed to being a warm hearted and open minded church that welcomes everyone who comes to experience God’s love in Christ regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey of stewardship.

Twice, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus miraculously feeds large groups of his followers with scant resources; five thousand the first time, and then four thousand just a few chapters later. Both times, his disciples doubted that such a thing was possible and stood around asking themselves, “where are we going to get enough food in this wilderness to satisfy such a big crowd?” Both times Jesus answers their doubt by taking whatever is available, giving thanks, blessing it and somehow making it more than enough.

Some believe that Jesus supernaturally multiplied the loaves and fishes he was given. Others say that instead he was able to work a miracle in the hearts of those gathered to eat; that when a few people were willing to share what little they had, suddenly everyone was willing to share what they had as well and there was plenty to go around.

I tell this story because although Matthew is talking about loaves and fishes, he could just have well have been talking about the way God calls us to financial generosity, especially as it pertains to the life of the church. Like any other organization, the church needs to meet its budget to keep the doors open, but unlike other organizations, we who are part of this community of faith believe that God has called us to more than keeping up with the bills. We believe that God has called us to be in transformative ministry in this community, changing lives and building the Kingdom of God.

Unfortunately, just like many families right now our church is living week to week, having difficulty meeting even the most basic expenses. So far this year our budgeted expenses have totaled $147,497 and we’ve only received $133,245 in gifts toward that amount. When you see those two numbers next to each other, it’s not hard to see that financially, we are in an unsustainable position. We’ve struggled to pay our basic bills and we’ve fallen behind on our missional giving through apportionments.

As easy as it is to become pessimistic about those numbers, it’s also easy to see that God is blessing Ayden UMC in so many ways right now. We’ve had several fantastic community outreach events this year, new families joining the church and a growing presence of children and youth. Our ministry to the local school district has expanded, and we’re constantly seeking new ways to serve others in the name of Christ. All of this is made possible through financial contributions to the church.

Giving is a spiritual discipline. When we join the church, each of us promises to support the church not only with our time, talents and service, but also financially. We exist as a church today by God’s grace and the generosity of past generations, so if you’re a part of this community I want to encourage you to consider how you are being called to contribute financially to the work of God through this church right now.

If you’ve never participated in this good work by making a financial contribution I encourage you to start. It will change your life. If you’re a regular giver you already know that tithing is transformative, and so I want you to consider what you currently give and honestly ask yourself if God is calling you to do more. I’m asking you to do this because I am utterly convinced that God is at work in this place, and I know that if we put our trust in God, he will find a way to multiply our gifts and continue to bless and expand the work of this church.

When the disciples questioned Jesus about how he was going to feed the gathered crowds he turned to them and said simply, “you feed them.” He knew they already had everything that was required, they just needed the faith to see that and to share what they had.

It has been said that the church today has all the money it will ever need, the only problem is that it’s sitting in the wallets, checkbooks and purses of its members instead of in the offering plate! As a congregation we have all the resources that God needs to work miracles in this place. All we need is the faith to share.

Rev. Jim McConnell

The Methodist Youth Fellowship will have regular meetings on Nov. 16 and 23, and Dec. 7 under the leadership of youth intern Sarah Grace Gaines. Youth will meet at 4 p.m. and finish with dinner at 5 p.m.

The elementary youth group (up to fourth grade) will meet Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. to work on shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, make a craft and have dinner with the older youth at 5 p.m. They will also meet Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. and plans are still being made for that meeting.

The youth will also present a Christmas play during the Sunday School hour on Dec. 7 in the Sanctuary. All youth are invited to participate, and all members of AUMC are invited to attend.

For more information, contact Allyson Meyer and Dee Stroud.