December 9, 2009

Editor: Brian Bakeman, 1501 NW 24^th St, Oklahoma City OK 73106

Phone: (405) 530-2067; Email: bbakeman@okumc.org; Website: www.okumc.org

 

 

 

 

 

The IRS has announced its mileage rates for 2010. The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly lower than this year’s reflecting generally lower transportation costs compared to a year ago.

 

Please remember that you may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle where you have claimed depreciation, repairs or gasoline charges.

 

The rates are as follows:    2009 2010

 

Business Use                      55¢ 50¢

 

Medical or moving expense   24¢ 16.5¢

 

Charitable Use                    14¢ 14¢

 

 

 

The end of the year is quickly approaching and I trust everyone is on top of what they need to be doing?

 

Giving for the month of November was up nicely from November of last year with an increase of nearly $155,000 in total giving. As many churches are quickly trying to pay the last of their apportionments for this year, many are calling to ask what their balances are. The easiest way to do that is to look on the Conference web site where every church’s contributions are posted.

 

Next week, our office will begin printing mid month statements to everyone to help you when making your final contributions for your 2009 apportionments. The statements will reflect your contributions through December 11^th and we plan to get them in the mail on December 14^th. To be recognized as a 100% paid congregation, you must pay each of the apportionments 100%. For those churches that are struggling this year due to the economy, please remember that the asterisked items for ministerial support are required to be paid 100%.

 

Please remember that we must have in our office by January 8^th, all contributions to be posted to 2009. If you are mailing in checks after January 1 for 2009, please mail them directly to the Conference Treasurer at 1501 NW 24^th Street, OKC, OK 73106 rather than to our PO Box.

 

 

On Sunday, January 17, 2010, we celebrate Human Relations Day. This Special Sunday celebrates the connectional work of United Methodist Churches. It supports Community Developers and United Methodist Voluntary Service (UMVS), both of which are Global Ministries programs, and the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program administered by the General Board of Church and Society.

 

The United Methodist Book of Discipline describes the purpose of Human Relations Day as a call to "the Church to recognize the right of all God's children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other."

 

 

Dec 24–25, 2009      Conference Office Closed

Jan 1, 2010             Conference Office Closed

Jan 8, 2010             Deadline for receiving 2009 contributions

Jan 15, 2010           Deadline for updating Brick River with local church leaders

Jan 22, 2010           Deadline for completing end-of-year reports

 

By Rick Carlin

 

As the year winds to an end, I would like to say “Thank you” to all of the churches participating in the Oklahoma Annual Conference Insurance and Risk Management Plan. By practicing true connectionalism, Oklahoma has over 90% participation in this voluntary plan which helps keep premiums down for all churches by spreading the risk across the state. It also helps all churches maintain coverages and limits they might not always be able to afford on their own.

 

For those churches not in the program, I will be calling on you in the coming year to quote your insurance. The Ministry Protection Committee wants you to receive the many benefits of this broad and comprehensive plan. I appreciate the opportunity to help you assess and secure the most appropriate protection for your congregation.

 

Risk management will be the main focus for the New Year. The Ministry Protection Committee and I will be doing all we can to prevent claims from occurring, by teaching local churches risk reduction strategies. This time of year, with winter weather and the high attendance for the Christmas holiday, please do what is necessary to keep your people and property safe.

 

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

 

The Local Church Leaders Workshops that are coming up this January and February will offer a new tool for the local church treasurers. My plan is to present a new church treasurer’s manual that will be online on the Conference web site. The manual will offer all of the current forms, policies and procedures, sample reports and other tools for the local church. By making this available on- line, we can keep the information current and make the changes as needed throughout the year.

 

For the new treasurers and financial secretaries, we will again try to go over the basic information every treasurer needs to have and go through their job descriptions and help the new financial secretaries understand current IRS requirements for reporting contributions. And as always, there will be plenty of time to ask questions.

 

I really want to encourage all treasurers, financial secretaries, chairs of Finance Committees, and pastors to attend the Local Church Leaders Workshops in your district. Below are the dates they are being held and the district. The locations will be announced soon.

 

January 16^th – Clinton, North and South OKC

January 17^th – Muskogee

January 23^rd – Tulsa

January 24^th – Enid

January 30^th – Bartlesville and Woodward

January 31^st – Lawton

February 6^th – Ardmore and Stillwater

February 13^th – McAlester