Our prayers and concerns are with all who have been touched by life altering and devastating disasters. If you wish to make donations to help the people of Haiti and the Philippines, see the information below. 1 Corinthians 3:9a For we are God’s servants working together.
The General Council on Finance and Administration
UMCOR responds to the earthquake in Haiti Excerpts from UMCOR Press Release January 13, 2010
Council of bishops request special appeal for the Philippines
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers. In a statement to Global Ministries staff, the General Secretary said, “Events such as these can challenge both our faith and sense of security. As a church we know that the heart of our ministry is continuing and extending Jesus Christ’s ministry of outreaching love.”
How to Help
There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis has settled. At this time, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. In order to frame a response that is consistent with the churches’ needs, people wishing to volunteer should contact their jurisdictional VIM coordinator to determine when and how to appropriately respond. read more... (PDF 21 KB)
During the recent meeting of the Council of Bishops, a special appeal was issued for relief help to the people of the Philippines. This appeal is in response to the devastation caused by multiple typhoons that hit the area in a short time – leaving homes destroyed and lives affected.
Bishop Leo Soriano, a member of the GCFA Council, was in the US when the first of several typhoons hit the area. Working together, the bishops of the Philippines and others made a presentation to the Council of Bishops about the need for immediate relief funds. Long-term recovery will mean rebuilding livelihoods as well as homes, Soriano explained. Many flood victims "simply have only the shirt on their back ... so you have to help them rehabilitate and many of them will be relocated because they could not build again where they were before."
The funds raised through this appeal will directly impact the people affected by the severe damage caused by the storms.
The funds raised through this appeal will directly impact the people affected by the severe damage caused by the storms.
Administrative Services Ministry Is the Focus at
The General Council on Finance and Administration
“Serving the Church through the ministry of administration” is the mission of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). Guided not only by its mission, the board and staff also look to scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 3:9a, as the agency seeks ways to work with others to fulfill the agency’s servant ministry and the mission of The United Methodist Church.
GCFA is charged by Discipline to care for the administrative, legal and financial needs of the Church. In addition to departmental services as listed on this site, GCFA works with other boards and agencies and organizations outside the Church to offer several programs and services that will assist annual conferences and local churches throughout the connection with their administrative ministries.
Several of those services are listed below. More are in development. Check our site often for updates to the services provided by GCFA.
Latino President of United Methodist Foundation Follows Family Tradition Oscar Luis Garza of Humble, Texas, was nominated as president of the United Methodist Church Foundation (UMCF) Board of Directors for 2010. Garza is believed to be the first Latino to lead the board of a United Methodist foundation. He serves as a leader in his home congregation of Cypress Trails UMC in Spring, Texas, and on the Core Leadership Team of the Texas Annual Conference. read more... (PDF 15 KB)
DONATIONS TO HAITI DEDUCTIBLE ON 2009 TAX RETURNS A recent change to the tax code permits certain charitable contributions for Haiti relief made between Jan. 11, 2010 and March 1, 2010, to be deductible on 2009 individual tax returns. The following link at the IRS website has more details: http://www.irs.gov
GCFA Holds Annual Meeting in November
The Board of GCFA met in committee and plenary sessions November 18-20. For details on actions taken by the board, click here. (PDF 12 KB)
Electronic Funds Transfer Service with Vanco Services - UM EFT
The United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer Service (UM EFT) has been operational for several years. It allows members’ contributions to be electronically transferred from their checking or savings accounts and deposited into the church’s bank account on a steady, uninterrupted basis. This service can help your church reduce fluctuations in giving throughout the year while making it easier for your members to honor their pledges. (read more) (PDF 673 KB)
For information and forms related to available employment opportunities when they arise, please visit our PERSONNEL SERVICES page.
District Superintendent Conference
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (BGHEM) and the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) hosted a District Superintendent Conference on December 2-4, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event allowed District Superintendents the opportunity to obtain a beneficial educational experience through plenary and workshops. It also provided the District Superintendents the opportunity to network and share best practices with their peers. For access to conference materials, click here.
GCFA Staffers Travel to Africa Nashville, TN – Staff of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) recently traveled to Europe and Africa on a trip designed to build community and support systems that culminated in a renewed relationship focused on ministry to the people of The United Methodist Church for all parties involved. (Read full story) (PDF 91 KB)
Revised Administrative And Judicial Procedures Manual available The Administrative and Judicial Procedures Manual can be found here.
2009 Annual Conference Dates Click here for a list of the 2009 Annual Conferences.
(PDF 67 KB)
2009 Annual Conference Apportionments: This report shows the 2009 jurisdictional annual conference apportionments for the seven general funds, in accordance with the apportionment formula approved by the 2008 General Conference.
IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2010 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
50 cents per mile for business miles driven
16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
2009 – 2012 Financial Commitment Booklet Available Online and in Print The Financial Commitment Booklet for the 2009-2012 quadrennium is available on this website, www.gcfa.org. Printed copies are available and can be obtained by contacting Customer Service at United Methodist Communications 888-346-3862, or send a request by email to FCB@gcfa.org
During the recent meeting of the Council of Bishops, a special appeal was issued for relief help to the people of the Philippines. This appeal is in response to the devastation caused by multiple typhoons that hit the area in a short time – leaving homes destroyed and lives affected.
