Doing Our Part
Dear Members and Friends of Heritage United Methodist Church,
Happy New Year! I am eager to embark on this new year with you as we work together to design and build the New Heritage that will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by providing a gathering, growing, and loving place for our neighbors next door and around the world.
Shortfalls
Agreements are signed and the sale of the D building will take place this coming summer, which will give us financial relief from the mortgage and excessive expenses of its operation.
However, there are many opportunities for disciple-making, world-transforming ministries happening now that we’ve supported over the years alongside our brothers and sisters of the United Methodist Church to which we have not yet contributed. These are impactful ways Heritage has led our denomination in service to those in need for many, many years, and the deadline to contribute our share of these ministries for the 2022 year is this Friday, January 6. I hope that you might prayerfully consider a financial gift toward one or more of the following opportunities.
From Campers to Collegians
For example, we share in the funding for the camps and retreats that help people of all ages grow in their faith, the United Methodist Children’s Home that gives a safe and secure place where children without families are loved and supported, and the Wesley Foundations at colleges and universities throughout the conference, most of which have college students from Heritage attending them every week! Heritage's share of these ministries would be met for this year with a contribution of $35,124.
Innovation and Connection
The has been a leading church in our region since it’s inception in 1977. We help fund the starting of new churches and extension ministries, including sponsoring “fresh expressions” of what the church might be to introduce new people to the love of Christ in new ways. Further, as a connectional church, when one church is in need, all of our churches are in need. Every year we help to fund gatherings at which the Florida Conference is governed, and administrative and legal assistance for churches that need it. Heritage's share of these ministries and resources would be met for this year with a contribution of $11,478 to the Florida Conference and $458 to the Southeastern Jurisdiction, of which Florida is a part.
Clergy Senders
Each year we help pay salaries and expenses of the missions and relief workers we send around the world so that 100% of responses to appeals for help with disasters can go to those specific people in need. Our churches also send chaplains into hospice facilities, police and fire departments, hospitals, and to the front lines with our armed forces. Heritage's share of these ministries would be met for this year with a contribution of $5,619.
Making a Difference Through Partnerships Around the World
The United Methodist Church is connecting with other denominations to collaborate in serving the world we share through membership in the National and World Councils of Churches, and has established partnerships with other denominations including the
African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church
International Council of Community Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ
Moravian Church Northern Province
Heritage's share of these ministry partnerships would be met for this year with a contribution of $2,467.
Future Pastors in the Pipeline
We help people answer God’s call on their lives to professional and/or ordained ministry. There are thirteen United Methodist seminaries, and we contribute to help keep tuition costs affordable for the current and future students that will one day lead our churches. We also support schools for training local pastors like our own soon-to-be Rev. Janean Briseno, and help offer scholarships and regional conferences and events that help our leaders become more effective. Heritage's share of these ministries would be met for this year with a contribution of $6,060.
U.M.C. H.B.C.U.s
Our eleven United Methodist Historically Black Colleges and Universities that have given the opportunity for college education to those generations of students who might not otherwise have had the chance, including Florida’s Bethune-Cookman College. Heritage's share of supporting these schools would be met for this year with a contribution of $2,801.
Hope for a Whole Continent at Africa University
We contribute to the continent-transforming work of the United Methodist Church’s Africa University. Students come from Burundi, Kenya, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Tanzania, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Batswana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, Cameroon, Mali, Uganda, Benin, and Rwanda. It offers education so that students can invest their newfound skills and abilities in helping develop the nations they call home. Heritage's share of funding Africa University would be met for this year with a contribution of $630.
Gulf-Central
Finally, within the Florida Conference we are in the Gulf Central District, which is made up of about 70 churches and extension ministries supported by our District Superintendent, Rev. Emily Hotho, and other district staff members who provide support for churches, clergy, and lay leaders in a large variety of ways. As a leading church in our district, Heritage's share of our district's operations would be met for this year with a contribution of $5,782.
Our Tithe Together
Heritage has a long history of generous leadership in our district and around the world. Would you consider making an additional contribution toward helping us do our part to fund the many ministries we share with our fellow United Methodist churches?
To Contribute:
Online, click here. When you choose “one-time” or “recurring,” a “notes” box will appear where you can indicate which of the partnerships you’d like your contribution to support.
By cash or check, write in which of the partnerships you’d like your contribution to support on the memo line or on a giving envelope
By text message, text the word GIVE to (727) 275-2860. You will receive a response with a link that will take you to a page where you can enter your gift amount. When you choose “one-time” or “recurring,” a “notes” box will appear where you can indicate which of the partnerships you’d like your contribution to support.
Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity to accomplish our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Sincerely,
Pastor Matt
