Budget 2011: Faith, Hope and Love in Action

God’s mission is for everyone. When we respond to God’s grace in love we are transformed and motivated to become mission-bearers in God’s world. United Methodist Women have been fulfilling God’s mission for the past 140 years. Everything we do is in keeping with what God wants to accomplish both in us and through us in reaching out to people.

This understanding fuels our vision and our work. The year 2010 was a strategic time for United Methodist Women when vision and expansion joined hands to turn faith, hope and love into action with women, children and youth.

United Methodist Women Living the Vision for 2010–2020 was adapted during this year. It adds goals to the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women and gives energy to its vision in order to remain vital in the years to come.

The year 2010 was also the first year when United Methodist Women returned to a direct relationship with two of its vital ministries. National mission institutions, international projects and regional missionaries working with women, children and youth came under the direct oversight and responsibility of United Methodist Women. The narrative of this fresh relationship is woven into the budget. The organization also assumed responsibility for the administration and funding of the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner committing to growing the lay ministry in the church.

The 2011 budget tells the story of this renewed vision, bringing us closer to our mission partners and deeper into the decisions being made about mission projects and future growth of mission in the context of a struggling economy, shrinking incomes and reduced giving.

The budget also speaks to the work that we do, which has not changed in the past 140 years. Women, children and youth continue to be the focus of our service and advocacy. Personal transformation is emphasized through study and prayer and participation in spiritual growth retreats. Leadership training for mission is made available at local, district and national levels for members. Mission education that brings awareness of social justice issues is offered to all. Membership outreach is underscored since United Methodist Women is first and foremost a membership organization organized for mission. The entire program is mission.

The budget is most of all a reflection of you: United Methodist Women members. As members you have given consideration to the biblical mandate in Micah 6:8. “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Our God requires that all have an equal opportunity to feast at God’s table and no one is left out.

By your generous giving you have enabled more to participate in this feast. You have not only shared God’s gifts with women, children and youth in the United States and around the world but also given witness to the love Christ. It is God’s mission for each life, and each woman, whether at the local or district or conference level, shares in God’s mission through her giving.

How does this happen? What makes it possible? This happens with the giving and stewardship of United Methodist Women. Let us take a look at our 2011 budget figures, for numbers do tell a story:

The program budget of 2011 shows total budgeted expenses for United Methodist Women at $17,713,87. This is slightly above the operating budget of 2010, which stood at $17,313,151.

• The percentage of budget used for administration remained the same at 9 percent.
• The percentage for membership outreach and development increased to 16 percent.
• There was a 1 percent decrease in the percentage allocated to mission support, which now stands at 75 percent.

While the program budget is based on the functions of the organization, the deliverable or outcome touches lives and results in transformation that is experienced both by us and the people and situations God wants to effect through us. There is mission happening all the way.

Seventy-five percent of the budget allocated to specific areas of mission and leadership development in 2011 is $13,327,165. This includes the following focuses of mission:

• Leadership for mission at 16 percent of 13 million.
• Mission education and spiritual growth at 13 percent.
• Mission projects receive 50 percent in direct funding.
• Mission support in the form of property maintenance and insurance equals 12 percent.
• Advocacy with women, children and youth at 9 percent.

Budget 2011 is a testimony to God’s grace and your partnership in God’s mission. Let us give thanks because we have new opportunities to grow in our relationship with God and serve those whom God loves.

Martha Sherman Knight is treasurer of Women’s Division.