The North Georgia Conference has made $1,211,504.40 in donations to the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) and 971 churches and individuals from our conference have made pledges. These gifts go toward pensions for clergy in Central Conferences (conferences outside the United States) who often serve in areas of great need only to face hunger and poverty in retirement.
"For individual and church gifts to CCPI, North Georgia is the leader in the denomination," said Dan O'Neill managing director of CCPI.
CCPI launched in 2006 to raise $20 million for short-term relief and to enable the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits to develop pension programs in the central conferences. To date $18.5 million has been raised total -- and pilot projects are underway in Liberia and Mozambique.
The CCPI steering committee is commending United Methodists for the work that has been done so far and encouraging everyone to continue to "close the gap and put us over the top, so we can provide the economic security our retired clergy and their spouses have justly earned by their faithful service."
"To those who have pledged, we're doing great, but we still need those funds," said O'Neill.
To make a donation via the North Georgia Treasurer's Office, use Fund Number 1111. Or make a donation directly to CCPI at www.ccpi-umc.org or call (847) 866-4230.