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ThE WEsT ViRGinia UniTED METhODisT • www.wvumc.org


DECEMBER 2010


Clendenin UMC nearly triples fair-share payout


By Adam Cunningham


On most Sundays, 72 people worship at Clendenin United Methodist Church in Kanawha County. For the past five years, the congregation’s average appor- tionment payout each year was around 25%. So far this year, payout is at 71%. Clearly, some-


thing has changed. Te church presented apportionment giving as a


major funds campaign, cutting up a picture of the church like a puzzle to show members they were part of something bigger. “Te whole church became involved. It was some-


thing the whole church can take part in,” said Clen- denin UMC member, Rita Lynch. Members say it’s important to explain where ap-


portionment dollars go. “As folks become better in- formed about apportionments and see where their money goes, they understand it’s more than a letter from the Conference asking for money,” said church member David Townsend. “Te United Methodist Church exists beyond our


walls,” said member Huford Boylard. “Our charge, dis- trict, conference, and worldwide church help people. “ It’s up to the church, he says, to help fund that help. Pastor Scott Ferguson is proud of the turnaround


PhOTO By aDaM CUnninGhaM


Wesley Chapel, on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. “The chapel holds many memories for the Conference,” said West Virginia Conference Bishop, Ernest S. Lyght. A task force established in September 2010 will work on raising funds to improve and repair Wesley Chapel, beginning with a chair lift near the chan- cel area and repairs to the chapel organ.


Task force to strengthen ties to WV Wesleyan


By Laura Allen


Te West Virginia Annual Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church founded West Virginia Wes- leyan College (WVWC) in Buckhannon, W.Va. in 1890. “Our conference gets a lot of energy through our relationship with WVWC,” said Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, who is resident bishop for the West Vir- ginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Te Bishop announced the formation of a task


force on Wesleyan/Conference relations last fall af- ter meeting with college president Dr. Pamela Balch. “We want to explore ways in which the Conference can strengthen WVWC, help it be a better institu- tion,” he said. Two projects the task force will take on this year are


some needed repairs to the chapel’s organ, and the installation of a liſt near the chancel area to make it handicapped-accessible. “We are focused on the


chapel for our first projects because it’s our spiritual home, and holds many memories for our Confer- ence,” said Bishop Lyght. Fund #922 has been established for churches and


individuals to make contributions to the Wesley Chapel Liſt project. Several churches have already agreed to contribute money to the fund, accord- ing to task force member Rev. Monty Brown. “So far, churches have committed more than $7800 in pledges for the chapel liſt,” he said. Churches may direct their offerings for the project to their Church treasurer. Conference connections with WVWC will also be


heightened via Conference communications media platforms (web, print, social media). Look for regu- lar news pieces and features about WVWC in the enews and on the conference Facebook page.


PhOTO By aDaM CUnninGhaM


Direct questions about the Wesley Chapel Lift fund to Rev. Monty Brown at sheepdogfortheshepherd@msn.com.


Rev. Scott Ferguson leads Sunday worship at Clendenin UMC in Kanawha County.


his congregation has made in their fair-share pay- ment. “It’s exciting to see the church become pas- sionate about our apportionment,” he said. “We are taking hold of something that’s very special, our connectional system.” For more information on where your apportion-


ment dollars go, visit the Giving is Worship page at wvumc.org/GIW. Please see page 4 for more infor- mation on the deadline for apportionment remit- tances for 2010.


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