Giving

Elizabeth Knotts collects the offering at New Hope Valley United Methodist Church in Valley Furnace, W.Va., in 2015. Churches are dealing with tight finances in this time of suspended worship and shuttered businesses because of COVID-19. Still, giving continues. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Pandemic presents challenge to church giving

Churches still must collect an offering even when social distancing means they can’t pass the plate. But church leaders also want to be sensitive to the faithful’s own economic needs.

General Church

Moses Kumar discusses the denomination’s budget at the 2020 Pre-General Conference Briefing in January in Nashville, Tenn. Kumar, the top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration, helped lead a Feb. 21 online meeting dealing with the denomination’s financial challenges. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Looking at financial impact of GC2020 plans

No matter what happens at General Conference, United Methodist leaders predict a loss of funding. That makes planning a budget especially tough.

General Church

A woman holds an offering plate during a service at Boise United Methodist Church in Boise, Idaho. United Methodist collection rates in 2019 dipped below recent years, but the drop wasn’t as steep as initially projected. Photo courtesy of the Marketing Department, United Methodist Communications.

Church giving overcomes worst fears

Apportionment collection rates in 2019 dipped below recent years, but the drop wasn’t as steep as initially projected.

Local Church

Obert Chikwato shows off a gift he received from members of The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe on Dec. 13. “This is my first time to get a Christmas gift,” said the 16-year-old, who lives at Good Samaritan Children’s Home, a foster home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, UM News.

Young church members collect gifts for foster children

Members of the Harare East District in Zimbabwe delivered gift boxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, apparel and candy to Good Samaritan Children’s Home.

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