OKLAHOMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
TREASURY ¶ NOTES
February 5, 2010
Editor: Brian Bakeman, 1501 NW 24th St, Oklahoma City OK 73106
Phone: (405) 530-2067; Email: bbakeman@okumc.org; Website: www.okumc.org
CONTENTS
Thank you for your 2009 Connectional Giving
2010 Connectional Giving
2010 Local Church Leaders Workshops
New Directions Web site
End of Year Stuff
Thank you for your 2009 Connectional Giving
Considering the tough economic environment of 2009, I want to say thank you to all of our clergy and lay leadership for giving to apportionments and missional causes last year.
The total apportionment giving for 2009 amounted to $15,079,371 which was down by $171,303 from last year. The really great news is that in addition to the apportionments, giving to other missional causes totaled $919,763 in 2009. This includes $94,047 that was given to the special offerings lead by the $54,960 given to One Great Hour of Sharing to support the work of UMCOR.
Special congratulations go to the people of the Bartlesville District for paying 100% of their apportionments for 2009. The Clinton and Woodward Districts both came in a close second with 99% paid.
2010 Connectional Giving
A couple of quick comments for this year. Please remember to use a current 2010 contribution form when making payments this year. Also remember to frequently check the conference web site to verify your conference giving record to be sure it is correct. If you ever have any questions concerning what is posted, please be sure to contact Sandie Weldon at sweldon@okumc.org or me at bbakeman@okumc.org.
I am hearing from an increasing number of people who would like to be able to pay their apportionments through ACH. To do this, you would have to agree to pay your apportionments in 10 or 12 equal payments. If you think your church would be interested in this, please send me an email at bbakeman@okumc.org.
Most important this month has been the huge contribution to UMCOR for Haitian Relief efforts. In January, $121,988 was raised for UMCOR designated giving. As always, United Methodists across our state are first in line when there is a crisis whether it is here in Oklahoma or around the world. Thank you for your continued support of our relief efforts.
2010 Local Church Leaders Workshops
Once again weather has plagued our workshops this year. If yours has been one of the ones cancelled, be sure to check on when it will be rescheduled. We are working hard to be in every District this year with the finance workshops. It really is great to meet so many of you each year and get to put a face with a name.
One of our main objectives this year is to share with you the new Local Church Treasurer’s Handbook. This tool is meant to be viewed on line so that it can be updated on a regular basis rather than trying to print out the 90 page handbook and it being out of date a week later. If you are interested in viewing the new Handbook, you can go to the conference web site or click on the following link: http://www.okumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1023.
For me, one of the most valuable parts of the workshop is to hear the questions you have or where you are struggling in your local church. For those who are still planning to attend one of the workshops scheduled in February, please come with your questions to share with the rest of the group.
Have you visited the New Directions web site?
This year our Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits announced a new relationship with New Directions. The board newsletter will highlight many of the healthy life styles that are promoted with New Balance but you are encouraged to visit their web site to see what they have to offer. To get there go to: www.ndbh.com.
Healthy living is important to all of us if we are going to be able to function at 100% of our capacity. What are you going to do differently in 2010 to improve your health?
End of Year Stuff
It’s that time of year when everything just seems to be going crazy, at least that is how I have felt the past 26 years working in the business office of the
church. First it’s the end of year contributions, then it’s closing the books, then it’s getting the statistical tables done, then it’s getting the W-2’s printed and out and then it’s getting all of the new year’s budgets into the computer. What happened to January? Is it all over already?
I really do know how crazy January was and then with all the snow it just killed so many of us. Please, I know many of you are running behind, but try to be aware of the many deadlines we are faced with. We have over 90 churches who have not completed their end-of-year reports that were due two weeks ago, and last week was the deadline for getting out contribution statements and W-2’s for your pastors and staff. These last two deadlines are really important since they are set by the IRS.
If you have any questions concerning your year-end reports, you should first contact your district statistician who in most cases is your District Administrative Assistant. These wonderful people have all been trained on the new reports and should be able to help you.
If you have any questions, our conference staff is here to help you. I have listed below our key staff members to contact here at the Conference Center if you have any questions.
