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BY ERIK ALSGAARD
UMCONNECTION STAFF

United Methodists in the Baltimore-Washington Conference continue to show their faithful response as disciples of Jesus Christ by their connectional giving to mission, according to recent statistics.

Pier McPayten, conference controller, said in a Nov. 7 report that receipts on apportionments were up, but just barely.

'The effective collection rate through Oct. 31, 2006, is 67.96 percent,' McPayten said. 'The collection percentage for the same period last year was 67.78. This shows an increase of .18 percent.'

Bishop John R. Schol applauded the congregations of the Baltimore-Washington Conference for their faithfulness.

'I am thankful and glad to see that we are a little ahead of last year,' he said. 'Our conference has worked hard in the last two years to practice good stewardship by reducing the benevolence factor. I know that our churches, as they continue to follow the Discipleship Adventure and become Acts 2 churches, will emphasize stewardship of all the treasures God provides.'

The benevolence factor is a percentage of a local church?s expenditures that is used to calculate apportionments. The lower the percentage, the more money each church retains for mission and ministry at home. In 2005, the benevolence factor was 24.8 percent; in 2007, it will be 23.25 percent.

In terms of dollars, the increase in giving means an additional $302,340 has been contributed by churches in the conference so far this year. That does not include an additional $709,784 in giving to so-called non-apportioned line items, such as Special Sundays and Advance Specials.

In addition to the good news on missional giving, McPayten reminded churches in the conference that certain deadlines are approaching for remittance of 2006 apportionments.

'As adopted at annual conference last May, the date for closing the financial books shall be Jan. 8, 2007,' McPayten said. 'That means all mailed payments to the conference center must be postmarked by Jan. 5, 2007, and all carry-in payments must be delivered to the treasurer?s office by Jan. 8, 2007.'