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As a witness to United Methodism around the world, members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits unanimously agreed at its May meeting to donate $10,000 to the Central Conference Pension Initiative starting in 2010.

At this year’s annual conference in June, a special offering was taken that raised $1,743. The board members also approved supplementing the remainder for a total of $10,000 for the 2009 contribution, said Francess Tagoe, administrator of the Conference’s pensions and medical benefits programs.

The offering this year replaced money traditionally provided by profits made at area Cokesbury book stores, which went to provide a future with dignity to pastors who retire in Central Conferences. Difficult financial times have precluded that gift being offered this year.

Within 71 annual and provisional annual conferences in 42 countries outside the United States, there are approximately 2,000 retired pastors and surviving spouses, many of whom are struggling financially just to survive.

The Central Pension Initiative seeks to provide retirement financial security for those pastors who would otherwise have little or nothing. It is estimated that $10,000 will support one Central Conference retiree.
To learn more about the Central Conference Pension Initiative visit www.ccpi-umc.org.