The Middlebury Endowment team is hosting Gary Melville from Boston at the Middlebury United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11 to speak about investing with the New England United Methodist Foundation.  All those who are interested in your congregation's future financial picture and who are interested in knowing more about the Foundation's investment practices are encouraged to attend.  In particular, members of the East Middlebury congregation are encouraged to attend since they have already invested funds in the New England Foundation.  Also, members of all finance and trustee teams are strongly encouraged to attend.  As this event was to have taken place last month and had to be rescheduled due to snow, we are praying for spring weather on April 11.

Here is a brief history of the current endowment:

In 2006 the Middlebury congregation began thinking about an endowment that would allow people to make major contributions to both the present and future financial support of the church.  A new Endowment Committee was subsequently established.  The Frontier Foundation of the United Methodist Church allows individual churches to invest funds which would exceed regular returns otherwise held in a bank savings account. Our church invested then; the total is now over $44,000.  Each year we receive from the fund a payment of 3.5% to use for current expenses and mission projects while the fund grows in excess of those payments.

We have been with the Frontier Foundation in New York for several years. The Endowment Committee is considering transferring to the New England Foundation because of our change to a new Annual Conference.

The Church Endowment Fund is composed of two Funds: one general church ($33,000) and the other Mozambique Mission ($10,000). For the year 2009 the church endowment paid 3% to assist our local budget and our commitment to support Jeremias Franca, hospital administrator in Chicuque, Mozambique for his salary support. The dividend, which does not affect the basic principle of the funds sent $886.42 toward our budget expenses for 2010 and $292.48 for missionary support.

Contributions to these two funds can be given at any time from any person interested in the church and its mission. Designate a gift in the normal Sunday offering or phone Lee Adkins (352-4526). Persons may to donate stock which gives the church both the original purchase and all appreciated income.

Even with the stock market downturn and difficult economic times, our investment in the United Methodist Frontier Funds has remained stable.  We have two different funds invested that are benefiting and will benefit the congregations’ current and future ministries. 

The first is the Middlebury Endowment Fund, which has exceeded $32,000 in just a few short years.  Because the congregation has elected to receive some of the income from the fund for current ministry, we will shortly receive $1,872.00 (without touching the principle).  The Administrative Council has voted that this money will be used for our current budget to pay some of our apportionments (dues) to Troy Conference for 2009. 
The second fund of $9,133 is designated for the Chicuque Hospital in Mozambique where Jeremias França, the UM missionary with whom we have a special relationship, is the Administrator.  Income from this fund will help to pay our congregations’ annual commitment to support Jeremias at the hospital.

It is good news that our investment in the United Methodist Frontier Funds remains strong.  It is good news that income from the funds is supporting our current ministry.  It is good news that income from the funds will continue to support ministry for as long as there is a Middlebury United Methodist Church.

It is possible to contribute to either of these funds through your Sunday morning offering or by mail.  (Please designate your intentions on your check.)   If you would like more information about long-term giving options, memorial giving, etc. and the church, speak to Lee Adkins, endowment treasurer, at 352-4526 or Julie Coons, finance chairperson, at 388-2916. 

- Lee Adkins, Endowment Treasurer

Middlebury United Methodist Church Endowment Fund  offers individuals many possibilities for giving

There are many means by which you can make a lasting gift to the Middlebury United Methodist Church through the United Methodist Frontier Foundation, Inc., including:

• Wills—you can leave specified items, a set amount of money, a percentage of your estate, or your residuary estate (what remains after all other persons and interests have been satisfied).

• Gift Annuities—these contracts between donors and the Foundation guarantee individuals lifetime income, with the remainder of the gift benefiting the church.

• Trusts—may be set up as part of a will (Testamentary) or may become operable during the donor’s lifetime (Living).  The Foundation is available to manage trusts and serve as trustee.

• Donor Advised Funds—you can make a donation now and then request distributions four times a year to provide income for your church.

• Estate Planning Preparation—we will help you consider the important individuals and institutions in your life and how you want your property to be distributed when you will no longer need it—think of this as our help with “doing your homework” before you meet with your attorney.

• Stewardship Education—our Lord said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  We can help you get treasure and heart in focus.

If you have questions or want further information, please contact Scott Needham at 388-3384.