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Texas Methodist Foundation Epistle Online News

January 10, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE:

CONTACT TMF:
Offering Investments, Loans, Stewardship Services,
Planned Giving, Grants & Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence

Invest in a Money Market Alternative You Can Feel Good About – Financial advisors often suggest low risk short-term alternatives such as money market accounts to reserve cash. Individual Fund and Methodist Loan Fund investments through the Foundation offer competitive rates when compared to money market accounts. You’ll also realize the advantage of knowing those funds are being loaned to United Methodist churches throughout Texas for building projects and other capital needs.

To learn more about the Texas Methodist Foundation's investment options for churches and individuals, contact Sara Beltran at sbeltran@tmf-fdn.org or visit our website.

CURRENT INVESTMENT INTEREST RATES:

Variable Rates for January 2008*

Fund

Current Rate
TMF Methodist Loan Fund
3.85%
TMF Short-Term Fund
3.10%
TMF Individual Fund/IRAs
3.70%
Fixed Rates through 1/11/2008**

Fund

1 year

2 year

 3 year

4 year

5 year
TMF Methodist Loan Fund
4.70%

4.70%

4.70%

4.80%

4.90%

TMF Individual Fund/IRAs
4.55%

4.55%

4.55%

4.65%

4.75%

Past Performance is not an indication of future results.
*Variable Rates are subject to change monthly. **Fixed rates are set on a weekly basis.

Celebrating the Offering

by Melvin Amerson and James Amerson

For congregations looking to cultivate a spirit of generosity, Celebrating the Offering provides simple and effective ways to expand the offertory experience. Written by Texas Methodist Foundation Stewardship Consultant Melvin Amerson and his brother Rev. James Amerson, pastor of Simpson UMC in Austin, this resource addresses many concerns and misunderstandings relating to the offering encountered in today's churches. Through biblical precedents, prayers, litanies and examples, the authors demonstrate how to reshape the offertory into an authentic celebration involving members of all ages.

"Most Christians grow in generosity as they grow spiritually," write the authors. "Churches grow in generosity when stewardship is preached, taught, embraced and celebrated. For the celebration to occur, a process of transformation needs to take place."

To purchase this book, visit DiscipleshipResources.org.

Suggest a Merit Increase for Giving - It’s not uncommon to receive a merit increase from an employer commencing in the New Year. But how often to do we review God’s “work” in our lives and deem an increase in giving appropriate? And when we do, does our increased level of giving match the percentage of our salary increases?

Remind your congregation to praise God from whom all blessings flow by reviewing giving commitments and adjusting them appropriately early in the year. This type of general reminder can be especially useful if your church does not plan on conducting an annual campaign as 2008 progresses.

For more information on the Foundation’s stewardship services and how we can help you Grow Faithful Givers, contact Ed Engleking at eengleking@tmf-fdn.org or 800/933-5502 or visit our website.

Offer Ways to Witness to the Love of Our Neighbors - With the turn of a new year, we are afforded an opportunity to reflect on the past with gratitude. During 2007, many members of the Church took advantage of the Pension Protection Act (PPA) and made gifts through a charitable rollover from IRA accounts. This act is now expired, yet there is hope for its renewal in 2008.

In the meantime, it’s important to reiterate the many ways available to help fund ministry. As you express your gratefulness to your congregation for the gifts of last year, continue to encourage such generosity through traditional means now and on a deferred basis through bequests, charitable trusts and gift annuities. Every gift affords faithful Christians an effective way to witness to the love of our neighbors.

Download a customizable brochure, Do You Have a Dream for Your Church?, designed to help you educate your members about planned giving options.

For assistance with gift planning, church endowments or planned giving education, contact Darrell Loyless at dloyless@tmf-fdn.org or 800/933-5502 or visit our website. To locate the development officer for your annual conference click here.