March 30, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
The United Methodist Church is a connectional church. We have long said that we can do more together than we can separately. It is our fervent conviction that, together, we can see each other through the COVID-19 crisis and emerge on the other side to once again gather in person as the Body of Christ.
Your Conference Leadership celebrates those churches that have found innovative ways to continue in ministry and, perhaps, begin new or different expressions of what it means to be Christ to a hurting, anxious world. And your Conference Leadership stands with you as many churches find themselves facing financial difficulties.
Therefore, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) has approved a plan to provide some financial relief during these difficult times. Specifically,
Billings for the church portion of pension (CRSP), welfare (CPP) and health insurance (HealthFlex) will be eliminated for the months of April, May, and June. Billings for the pastor’s portion of health benefits (flexible spending accounts, health savings account contributions, and dental and vision insurance) will continue. In the aggregate, this will save our churches $1 million.
The CBOPHB will evaluate the situation again in mid-June. At that time a decision will be made whether to continue billing relief and to what extent. Our prayer, of course, is that this health crisis will have waned and things will be somewhat back to normal.
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A), likewise, wants to provide help and support to the connection:
We join in prayer for those in your church and in your mission field who have lost their jobs, whose businesses are shuttered, and who are uncertain what they are going to do over the next few days, weeks and months.
We also realize that gathering to worship, whether it be in the parking lot or over the internet, is important and your Conference leadership is committed to helping you find the means and resources you can use.
An important part of worship in giving. Hopefully, your church has been accepting on-line and/or text giving for some time. If not, we can point you to a number of resources that will help you get electronic giving up and running quickly.
We are people of faith but, as Wesleyans, we also are realists who recognize that churches may need to scale back their expenditures. Your Shared Ministries support vital, life-changing ministries here in Northwest Texas and around the world. However, in these challenging times, CF&A is requesting that if you have to scale back your Shared Ministries giving, you contribute first to the categories of 1) Ministry Support and Leadership and 2) Strategic Priorities.
Above all, together may we remember: do not worry (Mat 6:25) and do not fear. God is with us. God will strengthen us, God will help us, and God will uphold us with God’s victorious right hand (Is 41:10).
With Prayer and Thanksgiving,
The Northwest Texas Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits
The Northwest Texas Conference Council on Finance and Administration
The Northwest Texas Conference Mission Advancement Team
CARES ACT Resources:
CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (“CARES”) ACT
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (“FFCRA”)
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) INFORMATION SHEET