West Michigan Conference  
 
Last Statement Update - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Verse of the Day

MINISTRY SHARES 


Through the Ministry Shares covenant, the people of The United Methodist Church connect together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Ministry Shares provide an opportunity to do together what no one person or congregation could do alone. It is an opportunity to multiply and share God's gifts in the world.


Track Your Church's Ministry Shares Performance

The Council on Finance and Administration is providing a tool to help members of local congregations keep track of how their church is doing in meeting its obligation to support the shared ministry of The United Methodist Church. A file showing the amount of each church’s Ministry Share and the progress each has made in paying that amount is available to all for viewing and/or download. To access that file point to this link to the Treasurers’ website.

The churches in the file are organized by district; click on your district to find your church. In addition to the progress being made this year, the percentage each church paid of their Ministry Share for two prior years are also listed. Please check on your church’s progress. If there any questions or discrepancies between the church's records and this report, contact Pros Tumonong, Conference Treasurer, treas@wmcumc.org, or Ann Buck abuck@wmcumc.org at 616-459-4503 or 1- 888-217-1905.

Links to Helpful Websites 

2013-05 E-Newsletter 
Conference Treasurer e – Newsletter Issue: 2013-05-15

2014 Projected Health Insurance Cost

Board of Pension Information Session at Annual Conference

Virgin HealthMiles Challenge to Benefit No More Malaria

Virgin HealthMiles Challenge:

The West Michigan Conference HealthMiles (VHM) No More Malaria Challenge is sponsored by the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits and administered by the Conference Treasurer’s Office.

The first Conference-wide challenge will be an award of up to $5,000 directed to the West Michigan Conference No More Malaria Campaign. We hope to recognize the District with the most Health Miles at Annual Conference. A donation of $0.20 per HealthMile will be directed to the WMC No More Malaria project. The purpose of the challenge is to improve health through increased activity and to highlight the No Malaria campaign as a world health concern of the UMC.

How the Challenge works

The Challenge is managed within the VHM program itself. The Administrator simply provides the details about the challenge. Since this is a Conference wide challenge, here’s how it will work.

1. All current Participants in VHM will receive an invitation email from the administrator of the Challenge. Participant who joins the challenge will be assigned to the Team which is the District he/she had identified when enrolling in VHM.

2. Each of the six Districts will comprise the 6 Teams in the Challenge. Members of the Team that has accumulated the most healthmile s will be awarded the Challenge Badge.

3. A donation of $0.20 per healthmile will be given to the No More Malaria project on behalf of the West Michigan Conference up to the maximum amount of $5,000.

4. Other standard VHM Challenge Rules will apply and can be viewed when you join the Challenge.

5. Dates to remember: (All local time)

Join by: May 22, 2013, not later than 11:59 PM
Starts: May 23, 2013, 12:00AM
Ends: May 30, 2013, 11:59PM
Results: May 31, 2013
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Haven’t enrolled in VHM yet?

If you are a Clergy spouse or Clergy who participates in CPP, now is the time to enroll in the Virgin HealthMiles Program. About 200 have already signed up. Join the journey to health and have fun.
  • To enroll click here


    • 2014 Projected Health Insurance Rate:

    The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits approved a projected rate increase of 6.2% in 2014. This projected rate is provided to local churches and conference agencies in response to their need to develop their budgets for 2014. While this rate increase is preliminary, some observers have varying reports of rate increases in the range of 8%-18% for other groups that are somewhat similar to ours. The final rate details will be announced after the August meeting of the Board.

    Board of Pension Information Session at Annual Conference May 29, Wednesday 9:30AM - Noon:

    Significant changes in Pension Benefits came out of the 2012 General Conference. A general board Benefits Educator will make a presentation and answer questions. Likewise, changes in Health Care before and during retirement are also coming. The Pension presentation will be followed by Health Care Benefits presentation and open forum. These are complex issues that deserve attention. Have you always wondered what, why and when these important benefits change? Be a good steward of your benefits. Come early and save your seat in the new Recital Hall, FAC Calvin College.

    Thank you for your prayers and financial support of our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Chris1. Visit the Treasurers website
  • wmc.umconline.org
    • to track your financial giving to Ministry Shares and for other resources.

    Questions? Contact Us
    Pros Tumonong, Conference Treasurer & Benefits Officer (treas@wmcumc.org )
    Russ Geske, Accounting Manager (rgeske@wmcumc.org )
    John Kosten, Benefits Coordinator & Payroll (johnk@wmcumc.org )
    Ann Buck, Receivables, Property & Workers Comp Insurance (abuck@wmcumc.org )

    Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    UM Conference Center
    11 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    Phone: (616) 459-4503 Fax: (616) 459-0191