Administration

Second quarter letter from the conference treasurer

July 2008

Dear Church Treasurers and Nebraska United Methodist Church Congregations,

What a delight to meet and reconnect with many of you during the recent Annual Conference session. We learned about food and faith issues and made important decisions about the future structure of the Nebraska Annual Conference. We shared experiences and discussed fruitful ministries that are working well in many congregations across the Conference. Please thank your church's clergy and lay members who helped pave the way for the future.
Those persons attending also experienced and participated in "gracious generosity" as the offerings taken during the week greatly exceeded past year's goals. A total of $48,376.45 was collected in eight different offerings over the four-day event. The persons benefitting from your graciousness greatly appreciate this support and on behalf of them, I thank you.

During recent months, our state and many others have experienced storm damage, flooding, and the pain of rebuilding lives, property, and communities. Consumer prices continue to rise and we hear about the bleak economy. Despite these situations, many churches have responded well toward the financial commitment in supporting mission share goals. In fact, 30.87% of the 2008 funding plan has been received as of June 30, 2008. This is slightly down from 2007, but I remain optimistic about our future of supporting the various ministries contained in the 2008 funding plan between now and year end.

Together we can experience hope and healing for the future to change lives and make a difference in our state, country, and world. Thank you for your continued support and your faithful financial commitment.

Your partner in ministry,

RobinR.Kilgore Conference Treasurer/Director of Administrative
Services rkilgore@umcneb.org

IRS adjusts mileage rate for 2008

The Internal Revenue Service has raised the standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning July 1, 2008, the standard mileage rate will increase to 58.5 cents per mile compared to the current rate of 50.5 cents per mile. The charitable rate remains the same at 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization. The primary reasons for the increased rate include higher prices for vehicles and fuel costs.

Central Conference Pension Initiative

Dear Members of the Nebraska Conference:

Have you heard about the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI)? It's an effort by United Methodists to provide a minimal pension to pastors and their spouses who have served our church for years across the world, and who are now retired with little or no income.

Since 1774, even before the founding of the Methodist Episcopal Church, offerings have been received for retired preachers in the denomination. With our tremendous increases in membership and outreach in Asia and Africa, our pastors there are beginning to retire and the need to provide them with even a minimal pension is acute.

A pension program has been started in the African nation of Liberia which provides a pension of $45 per month to retirees and the spouses of deceased clergy. This is about enough to allow the retiree or widow(er) to buy enough rice to get through the month without needing to beg.

The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, along with the United States Conferences and the General Board of Global Ministries are partnering in the Central Conference Pension Initiative. The Nebraska Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits is enthusiastic in its support of the CCPI, and has already taken the following actions to provide a minimum of $100,000 over the next four years toward the total goal of $20 million to be raised churchwide to endow this program:

* Designating the annual check from Cokesbury to the CCPI, an action that at least 61 of the 63 US
Annual Conferences have also done;
* Designating some of the proceeds from our invested funds be used annually to reach our minimum of
$25,000 per year for four years;
* Asking churches and clergy of the Nebraska Conference to add an additional $25,000 in giving each
year to double our financial support for this vital ministry.

We invite all Nebraska churches to participate in this endeavor to honor and celebrate the service of pastors in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe who are faithfully proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Donations may be sent to the Conference Office designated for Fund #764, the Central Conference Pension Initiative.

On behalf of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and on behalf of pastors who will be able to live with dignity in retirement because of our efforts, we thank you.

Sincerely,


Dennis Headrick
Chr., Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits

Robin Kilgore
Conference Treasurer/Director of Admin. Services