Bishops' Club
The Bishops' Club is comprised of Arkansas United Methodists who make gifts annually in honor of the 78 Bishops who have served in our state since 1836. These gifts support the ministry of The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas. Members of the Bishops' Club recognize that The Church and its ministries benefit from a strong, active Foundation.
The members make the Foundation's ministry possible. Because of their generosity and foresight, the Church is strengthened and more is done in the name of Jesus Christ.
There are two levels of membership within the Bishops' Club. Life Members are donors who contribute a one-time gift of $15,000 to the Cornerstone Fund, an endowment to support the ministry of the Foundation. Individuals with life income gifts to the Foundation with a remainder interest of $15,000 or more are also eligible. Annual Members donate a gift of $1,000 per year to the Foundation.
We hope you will consider becoming a member of our Bishops' Club and join others who believe in our mission by sharing your gifts. These members are an important part of the Foundation. Please contact Janet Kernodle Marshall for more information.
Seminary Scholarships
 The Foundation announced a major priority to establish a permanent endowment fund to support Arkansas students attending United Methodist seminaries. These students will be committed to pursuing full-time, ordained ministry by pastoring local churches in Arkansas.
The endowment fund was created to address the shortage of pastors to fill pulpits across the state. We face a very large number of retirements in the next few years, more and more of our new pastors are coming from former careers and are therefore older when they answer their call to ministry. The cost of seminary attendance has escalated, and since we do not have a United Methodist seminary in Arkansas, this represents a significant financial challenge to persons called to ministry.
The Foundation's goal is to raise $3.5 million for the endowment fund, and eventually underwrite 9 full scholarships each year. The first scholarship was awarded in the Fall of 2001.
The Foundation is very excited about this initiative, for it offers the potential of strengthening every United Methodist local church in Arkansas. With stronger churches, more lives are enhanced and more ministry is accomplished in the name of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in applying for the Seminary Scholarship, you need to complete both the application and the Covenant. Click the links: Application and Covenant.
If you would like to contribute to this important effort, please contact Janet Kernodle Marshall and learn how your 100% tax-deductible donation will strengthen the ministry in our state. |
