We Are A Connexional Church!
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, used the term “connexion” to describe the connection between the Methodist societies of his day, and the term has continued to be used in both British and United Methodism (though United Methodists spell it differently!) to this day. We celebrate the way that the people and congregation of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church are connected with others around the world! Here are a few things we want to share with you as we start the new year:
Apportionments
Apportionments are a means of supporting ministry beyond the local church. Each United Methodist Church is “assigned” a figure annually, based on a formulate that is primarily their non-capital expenses from 3 years prior (but also incorporates some factor based on the number of members). Apportionments support the ministries of those who provide leadership in annual conferences (bishops, superintendents, directors of connectional ministries, etc) and also missions and ministries around the world including medical clinics, schools, outreach programs, and more. Our apportionments are an expression of our mission in the world.
You may recall that after struggling to pay our apportionments in previous years, in 2022 we pledged to pay, at a minimum, 10% of our actual income toward our assigned figure. We are excited to share that we not only did that, but our Church Council fulfilled our commitment and we paid 100% of our 2022 apportionment (apx. $114,000)!
Our 2023 budget continues the pattern we established in 2022, guaranteeing that we will pay at a minimum 10% of income toward our 2023 assigned apportionment value of $108,000.
Global Missions and Ministries
A joy of being part of a connexional church is knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of people globally. In addition to the portion of our annual apportionments that support missions around the world, we join with other churches regularly to share the opportunity to support UMCOR – the United Methodist Committee on Relief – that responds to crises around the world. We will continue to share about the seven “special Sundays” that The United Methodist Church recognizes, and how special offerings at those times support national and international missions. In addition to these, St. Paul’s has a long-standing connection to a United Methodist ministry in John Dean Town, Africa, where we support a school named after long-time St. Paul’s member, Greta Moffat.
Connexional Events
John Wesley started the practice of an “annual” conference of Methodists, gathering clergy (and later laity) together yearly for worship, accountability, and planning. Our clergy and representatives of our churches in each region still gather annually (ours tends to be in June), and every four years representatives from each of these Annual Conferences gather for General Conference. But those aren’t our only connexional gatherings.
The United Methodist Men and United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) hold their own regular gatherings, both regionally and nationally. Clergy and laity gather for training and inspiration (including our upcoming event on January 28). Our youth gather with other churches for district events regularly. Members of several of our Tucson churches are also traveling together in May for a Wesley Heritage Tour of sites important to Wesley and the Methodists in England!
And this year youth from around our country will gather for YOUTH 2023 in Florida, joining together in worship, learning, and mission work. St. Paul’s has ten youth and adults planning to attend the gathering! (And, of course, you can help support them with a financial gift toward the cost of the event’s travel. Watch for more information and opportunities to help as the year goes on.)
Connexional Resources
Because we are connexional, we are able to share our expertise and skills with others throughout The United Methodist Church. Pastors may contribute materials to publications, provide training in areas of specialty, or serve on regional or national boards. Our annual conference staff provide specific expertise to help resource our clergy and lay leaders and churches. (For example, Rev. Rachel Gilmore, the Director of Vital Faith Ministries, will join our January Church Hall session to provide training on church revitalization.) With the shared expertise, we benefit with curriculum, trainings, coaching, and inspiration to be the best we can at following our shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
What’s Up with the X?
Yes, I could spell it “connectional.” Why do I use Wesley’s spelling with the X? Not only is the X the Greek character that is associated with Jesus’ name (the “chi-rho” is the XP you will see on Chrismon ornaments or church banners), it also reminds me of a leaning cross. Both help me remember that Jesus is at the center of all of our connexional efforts!