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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-The generosity of United Methodists will be needed more than ever for the remainder of 2005 and throughout 2006 as the Louisiana and Mississippi Annual (regional) conferences struggle to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

That fact was noted in a resolution passed by the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration, which met Nov. 17-20 in Lake Junaluska, N.C.

The resolution requests that annual (regional) conferences increase their support for the church's global outreach to help reduce the financial shortfalls congregations along the Gulf Coast have suffered since the hurricane struck Aug. 29.

Jonathan Holston, chairperson of the council's connectional services committee, proposed the resolution, which in part stated, '[We] celebrate the generosity of United Methodists in support of the general apportionments, the Advance, and special appeals for relief through UMCOR. We further celebrate the faithful record of apportionment payment by the Louisiana Conference and the Mississippi Conference.

'However, in light of the negative impact on some congregations in the Louisiana Conference and the Mississippi Conference, caused by Hurricane Katrina, the GCFA recognizes that these two annual conferences are enduring a severe economic impact.'

Sandra Lackore, GCFA's chief executive and treasurer, pointed out that, over the years, both conferences 'have been faithful to the apportionment system that the United Methodist Church relies on for its global ministries and connectional life. By other annual conferences increasing their participation in the apportionment covenant, the anticipated shortfall in apportionments from Mississippi and Louisiana can be reduced.'

Lackore also acknowledged the many responses throughout the United Methodist connection helping the devastated area.

'In addition to humanitarian relief by the United Methodist Committee on Relief and gifts to the Advance for Christ and His Church, the Council of Bishops has just initiated a church wide appeal to support clergy, church staff, and mission personnel in the affected areas,' she said.

Local churches have led the United Methodist response by working within devastated communities providing shelter, volunteers, and spiritual and financial support.

'We will never know the total dollar figure of support that has been given throughout the connection,' Lackore added. 'The blessing is that the United Methodist connection is responding locally, nationally and globally to the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. For this outpouring of generosity, we are profoundly thankful.'

In other business related to Hurricane Katrina, the council heard a report of activity from the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust (UM PACT), the separately incorporated insurance company established by GCFA to assist members in managing property and casualty risks for the United Methodist community.

Craig Parrish, council member and president of UM PACT, and Irene Howard, chief executive officer of UM PACT, reported a coordinated response to the hurricane disaster. Within 14 days of the hurricane, a collaborative effort between UM PACT, the Mississippi Annual Conference and the United Methodist Committee on Relief resulted in temporary housing for displaced clergy and a pool of $1.3 million to defray clergy housing and compensation, they said.

Other actions included identifying churches that could be used as shelters and assisting to equip shelters. In addition, UM PACT responded immediately with teams of adjusters to expedite the claims assessment and payment process for needed repairs.

Donald Avery, council member from the Louisiana Conference, and Martha Scarborough, council member from the Mississippi Conference, expressed appreciation for the resolution and for the support of United Methodists throughout the connection.

The full text of the resolution can be found at http://www.gcfa.org/GCFAResponsetoHurricaneKatrina.pdf.

This report was adapted from a news release by Marsha R. Base, director, Strategic Communications and Training for GCFA.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or .