WI Conference Weekly ENews - December 22, 2021

Conference News

 

The Conference Office will be closed December 23 & 24 for Christmas. Normal business hours resume Monday, December 27.

 

 

Covid Task Team Update for Winter 2022

We continue to be plagued by the ongoing COVID pandemic and this winter there are new challenges driven by the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19. As we praise God in this season for our creation and the birth of his Son for our salvation, it is also a good time to reflect on what we can do to keep ourselves, our families, and others safe during the Wisconsin cold. Read More


 

photo by Mike DuBose,UM News

UMC Reaches Settlement with Boy Scouts

United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. Upon final court approval, the settlement would resolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congregation-sponsored Scouting programs. Read More


2021 Apportionments need to arrive by Wednesday, January 12th
Thank you for your apportionment payments for 2021! Through November 30, we received ­64% of the Gross Apportionments billed to churches for 2021. Our goal for 2021 is 79% and we are on target to achieve this.  We typically receive 15-18% of our annual income in December and the first 2 weeks of January as churches make their final payments toward the prior year apportionment.  If your church is able, we hope that you can fulfill your apportionment. Your generosity is appreciated! You may send in your final giving by mail to arrive in our office by noon on January 12, or until 5 pm through the Ministry Financial website https://umcdata.net/WI  .  Click here for instructions if you are interested in making your payments and special gifts electronically.  Note that you can also see your apportionment statements and health/pension billing statements on this website and make any donations to advances/special giving.  We ask churches to hold their 2022 apportionment payments to pay electronically after January 12.  Starting January 13, all apportionments received will be recorded as 2022 activity.


 

2021 Statistical Reports will be on EZRA again and due 2/28/21

Each year United Methodist Churches complete Statistical Reports which compiles data on Membership and Participation (Table #1), Church Assets and Expenses (Table #2), and Church Income (Table #3) for the entire denomination. The year-end reporting will continue to be done through the Ezra website. Login information will be sent in January.  Our Conference Statistician Donald Cramer and Conference Treasurer Sarah Sneider will be offering several Zoom webinars to walk through the statistical report and answer any questions/share common problems.  These statistics are our primary tool to track membership and expenses of our churches and this information will be used to calculate the 2023 Apportionment.   Don and his wife are expecting their first child this summer, so we hope to get statistics in early and correct.  Your help in submitting accurate and timely statistics by February 28, 2022 is greatly appreciated.  Please select one of the following for training:

January 5th at 12:00 pm:  Registration
January 5th at 6:00 pm:  Registration

February 2nd at 12:00 pm:  Registration
February 2nd at 6:00 pm: Registration


 

2022 Clergy Tax Workshop – In-person and Virtual, January 24, 2021

The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation’s Clergy Tax Workshop is designed to assist you in the preparation of your 2021 Federal and Wisconsin state income tax filings. This year's tax workshop will be both in-person, at Sun Prairie United Methodist Church, and virtual. James Tarp, a tax consultant with Mennenga Tax & Financial Service will facilitate.  Feel free to bring your tax returns, which you can finish filling out during the workshop. If you are a church treasurer and have questions about clergy taxes or tax forms, this workshop could be informative to you as well.
 
This workshop is made possible through a grant from a bequest from the Rev. Carl Berry is provided at no cost to the Wisconsin Conference or to apportionments.

Workshop is January 24, 2022 from 1-4 pm.  

Registration closes on January 17. Register here: https://forms.gle/ZFVUmBA6twy4Df9o6


 

Save the Date! Bishop's Convocation of Laity Leadership

Saturday, February 12, 2022 is the date set for the Bishop's Convocation of Laity.  Each year the Board of Laity hosts the Bishop's Convocation of Laity Leadership forum.  This is open to all lay persons in the Wisconsin Conference. More information about the gathering will be available soon! 


Mission News

 

Special Sunday - Human Rights Day, January 16, 2022

You are invited to be a part of building beloved community with your gifts on Human Relations Day, January 16, or a day of your choosing. Your contributions spark hope, develop skills and reimagine neighborhoods. Please give generously! Find resources to help your church celebrate this Special Sunday in the Pastor and Leader's Kit. 

Read More


 

"Joy to the World" from Global Ministries

We are pleased to share with you the missionary choir's rendition of "Joy to the World."
 
This video was made for the special #StillInMission Christmas worship that took place on December 9. We encourage you to share this video with your family, friends, and supporting churches through various social media. Watch Video

Other Resources

 

 

IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2022

The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

  • 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from the rate for 2021,
  • 18 cents per mile driven for medical, or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, up 2 cents from the rate for 2021 and
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2021.

Minimum Insurance Requirements Updated

Recently, GCFA, the denomination’s finance and administrative agency, approved a modification to the minimum insurance requirements needed for protection of our churches. These changes will benefit many small United Methodist churches seeking adequate insurance coverage and takes effect immediately.  Read More
 


Free Social Media Graphics

A variety of free, engaging graphics is available to help you quickly and easily create social media posts this winter, from Advent to Valentine’s Day. Choose the options that will best speak to your community and post them alongside written announcements, invitations or encouraging messages.  Explore options

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