2022 Annual Report

We’re all connected by . . .

Common threads

Table of Contents

Dear Friends of the Foundation,

Just as threads are woven together into patterns and designs to form a beautiful quilt, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana connects many diverse donors, churches and Methodist ministries to advance God’s Kingdom. Year after year, we are blessed to see how the Foundation impacts Methodist ministries, and 2022 was no exception.

From awarding scholarships that send future clergy to seminary, to supporting the construction of a new Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Robert, La., to facilitating hurricane disaster response for home rebuilds, the Foundation weaves a pattern of love and grace across Louisiana. Throughout this Annual Report, we review the ways the Foundation made a challenging and uncertain year better for our Methodist community.

2022 gave us a variety of challenges. The unrest rippling through the United Methodist Church impacted churches in the Louisiana Annual Conference, with some churches voting to disaffiliate from the denomination. Despite the uncertainty, the Foundation continued to support Methodist churches and ministries through its key services — funds management, planned giving, loans and grants.

We welcomed a new Bishop appointed to the Louisiana Annual Conference in November, Bishop Delores Williamston.

We bid a fond farewell to Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, who faithfully served the Louisiana Annual Conference for more than 10 years and has been appointed Bishop in the Texas Annual Conference.

We continue to grieve over the tragic loss of Rev. Michi Head, who served as the Foundation’s board chairman at the time of his passing in December. Michi was a wonderful advocate for the Foundation serving many years on our Board, and more than 30 years at numerous churches throughout the Louisiana Annual Conference. Rest in peace, Michi; you are greatly missed by all who knew you.

God weaves a pattern in all of us through our shared connections. As more and more threads come together people, experiences, triumphs, challenges, even tragedies — to help form our collective pattern, we know God is at work, guiding us to a common goal.

In Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote these timeless words about connection: “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

It is my humble wish that we remember these words as we work together to weave a beautiful tapestry that fully reflects God’s love for us in His kingdom.

Thank you for your continued support, and for your trust and confidence in the Foundation. May God continue to bless you all.

Sincerely yours,

Chris Spencer President/CEO United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana

Statement of Activities

As of December 31, 2022

With Donor Restrictions Without Donor Restrictions

414 DONORS WHO HAVE ESTABLISHED PLANNED GIFTS SINCE 1975

$300K AMOUNT AWARDED TO UNITED METHODIST MINISTRIES THROUGH GRANTS IN 2022

$325K

NEW PLANNED GIFTS AND ENDOWMENTS ESTABLISHED IN 2022

$8.3M DOLLARS CURRENTLY ON LOAN TO CHURCHES & MINISTRIES

$198M 2022 ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

108 CONFERENCE PASTORS WHO BENEFITED FROM SEMINARY SERVICE LOANS

$1.27M DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED VIA DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

The church is like a quilt: many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven together by a common thread.

Methodist Foundation of Louisiana

Planned Gifts

The Foundation was founded in 1975, with its primary purpose being to promote planned giving for the sustainment of Methodist churches and associated ministries. We continue to serve that purpose through the generosity of our donors. In 2022 the following planned gifts were established through the Foundation:

Strozier Family Camp Endowment Fund provides scholarships for youth to attend Methodist summer camps in Louisiana

Annie Elsie Smith Outreach Endowment Fund benefits outreach programs in the Ruston, Louisiana, community

Adelaide and Shelby Smith Centenary College Endowment Fund supports a faculty position in entrepreneurship at the Frost School of Business at Centenary College

University UMC of Baton Rouge Endowment Fund supports the church’s general fund in perpetuity

Grace UMC of Ruston Endowment Fund supports the church’s general fund in perpetuity

St. John’s UMC of Baton Rouge Endowment Fund supports the church’s general fund in perpetuity

Charitable Gift Annuity

benefits the general fund of University UMC of Baton Rouge Given by Pendery and Liz Gibbens

University UMC of Baton Rouge Summer campers

Centenary College, Shreveport

$300K Awarded in Grant Funding in 2022

The Foundation’s Grants Committee approved $300,416 to fund ministries in 2022. The Practical Church Leadership program, a clergy leadership training program administered by Dakota Wesleyan University, received the most grant dollars. This investment in the Louisiana Annual Conference clergy provides ongoing systemic support for the church, strengthening pastors’ skills to be effective leaders and administrators. Other top grants were awarded: 1) to continue church revitalization efforts, which support office staffing and training initiatives for the Congregational Development and Transformation Office of the Louisiana Annual Conference; 2) to support seminary students through the Seminary Service Loan program and collegiate members involved in campus ministry; 3) the Foundation’s Endowment Match Program that matches a church’s $5,000 contribution establishing an endowment at the Foundation; and 4) a clergy coaching program for those experiencing burnout, that develops resilience in ministry and promotes clergy health and excellence. The 2022 grant recipients are summarized below:

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up.”

John 15:5

St. John’s UMC of Baton Rouge doubled their funds using the Foundation’s Endowment Match Program.

Grants

The Foundation awarded $2,380 to various pastors to enroll in Saving Grace, a Wespath educational curriculum on financial wellbeing. Many pastors subsequently presented the course to their congregations, using the theory that households with finances in order are more likely to give charitably.

The New Orleans Street Choir at St. Mark’s UMC enhances the church experience during worship and community outreach meals. A Foundation grant helped pay for musical equipment.

Asbury UMC received a $5,000 Foundation grant to develop Circuit Rider, an online game that educates confirmands nationwide on Methodist history and doctrine in a fun and interactive way.

Practical Church Leadership, a graduate school certificate program at Dakota Wesleyan University, equips pastors to meet the demand of increasing administrative expectations. Recent participants and leaders: Dr. Debra Davis, Rev. Deirdre Allen, Rev. Jo Cooper, Rev. Tim Barnes, Rev. Jessica Lowe, Rev. Kennon Pickett, Rev. Colleen Bookter, Rev. Sonya Lars, Rev. Ben McGehee, Rev. Bradley Swire, Rev. Michelle Harris and Rev. K.C. Roberson

Highlights of the Year

In an effort to support clergy leadership and development, the Foundation sponsored eight Louisiana pastors in Dakota Wesleyan University’s Practical Church Leadership graduate program this year. The year-long course is designed to increase pastors’ capacity and confidence to be effective church leaders and administrators. Participation in the course allows the pastor to earn 21 graduate credits in the areas of finance, personnel management and stewardship. Those enrolling in 2022 included: Rev. Deirdre Allen, Rev. Tim Barnes, Rev. Colleen Bookter, Rev. Sonya Lars, Rev. Jessica Lowe, Rev. Kennon Pickett, Rev. Joanne Pounds and Rev. Bradley Swire.

Participants: (L to R) Rev. Pounds, Rev. Pickett, Rev. Bookter, Rev. Lowe, Rev. Barnes, Rev. Lars, Chris Spencer, Rev. Allen and Rev. Swire

Graduates this year include: Rev. Jo Ann Cooper, Rev. Stephen Fife, Rev. Michelle Harris, Rev. Ben McGehee and Rev. K.C. Roberson. Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, who previously graduated from the Practical Church Leadership Program, continued in the program to receive her MBA from Dakota Wesleyan University.

Early in the year, the Foundation invited one of its favorite speakers, Rev. Ken Sloane, to present a collection of webinars. Sloane is currently Director of Stewardship & Generosity at Discipleship Ministries in Nashville and served over 20 years in local United Methodist church ministry. He offered his expertise on a variety of topics, including stewardship strategy, clergy taxes and planned giving.

All of the webinars were recorded and are housed on our website at www.umf.org/webinars.

Bob Carrell, Foundation Development Director for northern Louisiana, retired on September 1.

“The Practical Church Leadership program (PCL) was an incredible journey into learning more about the business aspects and administrative roles that we have as pastors while also helping the church develop a strategic plan and vision for the future.”

Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, graduate of PCL St. John’s United Methodist Church Baton Rouge

Carrell came to work for the Foundation in 2001, after 23 years of service in the U. S. Air Force as an intelligence officer, and over three years as a financial planner.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Bossier City until he moved to Kansas to be closer to family. Bob Carrell

The Foundation celebrated its 47th anniversary in April with an Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the LSU Lod Cook Alumni Center in Baton Rouge, with nearly 100 donors, board members and other Foundation friends in attendance.

Dr. Loren Scott, LSU Professor Emeritus of Economics and President of Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., gave the keynote address, sharing his expertise on the Louisiana economic forecast and how it can affect us demographically within the church.

Two new board members, Rev. John Robert Black and Rev. Jo Ann Cooper, were elected at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting. Rev. Black is the senior pastor of St. LukeSimpson United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, and Rev. Cooper is the senior pastor of Gretna United Methodist Church. Their terms began in August of 2022.

The Foundation offered a special thanks to Rev. Weldon Bares, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles, and Lt. Col. Jarvis Jones of New Orleans, who completed their board terms this year. Rev. Bares has served on the board since 2011, including two years as Chair, and Jones served for three years.

Rev. John Robert Black Rev. Jo Ann Cooper

2022 New Board Members

Dr. Loren Scott

Rev. Weldon Bares, President Chris Spencer and Lt. Col. Jarvis Jones at the 2022 Annual Meeting

The Board of Trustees at the 2022 Annual Meeting in April.

Highlights of the Year

At the Louisiana Annual Conference in June, the Foundation hosted a large hospitality area, complete with charging stations, hot beverages, snacks and even ice cream. Daily door prizes were awarded and Sue Hortman of First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches won the grand prize drawing: a $500 ministry grant for her church. According to her pastor, Rev. Gary Willis, the prize was used toward an ongoing church project: Operation Christmas Child, where volunteers gather shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts for children in need around the world.

In September, a Foundation grant made it possible for several local clergy to attend the National Fellowship of Associate Members & Local Pastors annual meeting in Branson, Mo.

The meeting theme, Helping Small Churches Thrive, focused on the differences between small and large churches, discovering and using what your church does well, thriving in a post-pandemic world and how to use music for success. Scholarship recipients included: Rev. Emily Carroll, Rev. Amy Castro, Rev. Joel Carter, Rev. Trina Williams and Rev. Robert Johnson.

Sue Horton won the Foundation’s prize drawing for a $500 ministry grant that ultimately benefited children in need around the world.

Foundation President Chris Spencer hosted a series of “Meet-N-Greets” — casual lunches for pastors — around the state as part of a larger initiative to connect with clergy in each district. Gatherings were held in the spring and fall, in Monroe, Alexandria, Shreveport, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

President Spencer said about the lunches, “Now I can connect with pastors around the state and hear their feedback in a face-to-face setting.” The in-person Meet-N-Greets were a welcome change from so many virtual meetings in the last two years brought on by the pandemic.

Attendees at the National Fellowship of Associate Members & Local Pastors annual meeting in Branson, Mo., L to R: Darin Castro, Rev. Emily Carroll, Rev. Joel Carter, Jennifer Carter, Rev. Trina Williams, Rev. Amy Castro and Rev. Robert Johnson.

The Foundation Meet-N-Greets

Since 2017, the Foundation has participated in the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation’s Dollars For Scholars Program, a scholarship matching initiative. To date, the Foundation has supported 22 Methodist students in Louisiana through this program. Recipients can receive up to $4,000 by matching with UMHEF, their college or university and their Conference’s Foundation.

New recipients this year are: Endia Clark, Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, Zachary; Graham DeForest, Trinity United Methodist Church, Ruston; Suzanne Rivera, First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge; and Owen Rodrigue, First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge.

The Foundation continued its $5,000 Endowment Match Program into 2022 and as a result, three new endowments were created that will ultimately help ministry: Grace United Methodist Church of Ruston, St. John’s United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge and University United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.

Endowments provide a constant and continually growing stream of income for an organization’s operating budget and ministry, and the match program created an incentive for these churches to establish one.

Dollars For Scholars Recipients

The Foundation Meet-N-Greets

Endia Clark Centenary College Shreveport, La.

Graham DeForest Hendrix College Conway, Ark.

Suzanne Rivera Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston, Ill.

Owen Rodrigue Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas

The Foundation sponsored Louisiana attendees at the AR/LA/MS 5-Day Academy at The Wesley Center in Woodworth, La.: Front Row, L to R: Rev. Mimi McDowell, Lorrie Rogerson, Catherine Long, Rev. Pattye Hewitt, Stacy Garrett, Rev. Nancy Wofford, Rev. Shannon Sandifer, Laura Vaughan and Rev. Joy Comeaux. Back Row, L to R: Rev. Kathy Fitzhugh, Rev. Paul Fontenot, David Burroughs, Rev. Craig Davis and Rev. Steve Porter.

The Foundation sponsored The Academy for Spiritual Formation’s 5-Day Academy at The Wesley Center in the spring, providing an affordable registration fee for 17 Louisiana clergy and laity. The retreat’s theme, Seeing Anew, Living Forward, focused on combating burnout and emphasizing holistic spirituality.

Attendees shared their spiritual journey with others while learning new ways to deepen their relationship with God.

The Foundation donated $10,000 for the sponsorship, and a portion of that was funded by a gift from the late Rev. James O. Evans.

The Methodist Children’s Home of Southeast Louisiana in Robert, La., celebrated its Grand Opening in June with an open house event and tour. The Children’s Home paid tribute to the Foundation’s $100,000 gift by naming their lobby for the Foundation.

The beautiful new home brings much-needed care to children ages 7-14 across southeast Louisiana, where half of Louisiana’s families reside.

“I speak for the team in expressing our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Foundation for their financial support.

The Spirit worked in powerful ways nourishing, affirming, and inspiring their lives so that they could return to their communities restored and energized to do the work God has called them to do.”

Catherine Long AR/LA/MS 5-Day Academy Team

Foundation President Chris Spencer and Controller Tracie Wharton in the Children’s Home lobby, named for the Foundation.

Bishop Delores “Dee” Williamston, a Kansas Army National Guard veteran and Methodist church administrator, was elected bishop of the Louisiana Annual Conference on November 3, at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Houston.

The newly elected bishop had been the clergy excellence director of the Great Plains (Kansas) Conference of the United Methodist Church and assistant to that bishop since July 2021. Bishop Williamston is the first African-American bishop of the Louisiana Conference. Her term began January 1, 2023.

Bishop Williamston began working as a part-time local pastor in 2002 in Kansas, then earned her Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in 2007, when she became an elder. She also served as a District Superintendent in the Great Plains Conference in 2014.

Her background includes a 22-year military career in the Kansas Army National Guard, and she is currently pursuing a doctorate of ministry from Philips Theological Seminary in Tulsa.

The Wesley Center at Woodworth, La., began construction on a 20-bunk lodging facility on its campus in 2022, made possible by a generous gift given by the late Rev. James O. Evans and facilitated by the Foundation. The Evans Eden Bunkhouse was dedicated this fall, and it is expected to open in 2023. The new space will serve as a much-needed venue for youth and young adults to grow in their faith.

Rebecca Herin, an LSU Mass Communications senior and Foundation communications intern, created a communications plan including social media and a new electronic newsletter in 2022 for The Wesley Center, working with Director Roseanne Borland. The plan provided recommendations for strategic public relations activities to enhance the reputation and occupancy of The Wesley Center. The Foundation sponsored Herin’s time, resources and tools for creating and implementing the plan.

In September, The Wesley Center held a dedication for the Evans Eden Bunkhouse, which will open in 2023. Inset: Chris Spencer addresses the gathering at the dedication. Rebecca

Director Borland said, “I believe Rebecca’s work helped to build awareness of The Wesley Center, which spurred interest and growth in actual reservations.”

Bishop-elect Delores “Dee” Williamston (R) stands with Chris Spencer (L) after she was announced as Louisiana’s new episcopal leader during the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in November in Houston.

Herin

2022 Executive Committee

Omer Davis Interim Chair

Bobby Fahey Vice Chair

Chris Spencer President

Mike DeHart Investment Chair

Debra Davis Grants Chair

Sandra Kuykendall Secretary

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey Ex-Officio

2022 Board of Trustees

Rev. John Robert Black Nettles Brown

Rev. Jo Ann Cooper Rev. Doug deGraffenried

Drew Kennedy

Irwin Felps Eunice Val Lavigne

Richard Lewis Troy Searles Rev. Drew Sutton Dianne Wilkinson

Dean Harvey

Foundation Staff

Rachel Baio

Tamara Bello

Violet Frost

Director of Trusts

Accounting Assistant

Office Manager

Rebecca Herin Communications Intern (not pictured)

Kelly Johannessen

Chris Spencer

Director of Communications

President/CEO

Tracie Wharton Controller

Staff, Pictured L to R: Kelly Johannessen, Tracie Wharton, Tamara Bello, Chris Spencer, Rachel Baio and Violet Frost

We mourn the passing of several Foundation friends and donors in 2022. These advocates and visionaries made a difference in the life of the Foundation, their United Methodist Churches and other Methodist ministries through their generosity of time, talent and treasure.

Dorothy Burleigh (7/6/33 - 2/10/22)

Dorothy set up her first Charitable Gift Annuity in 2013, and liked the idea of it so much that she subsequently set up two more. Now that Dorothy is gone, these gifts will become endowments that support the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in perpetuity.

Rev. James O. Evans (1/27/25 - 2/28/22)

Rev. Evans set up a Charitable Gift Annuity in 2001 for the benefit of Kairos Prison Ministry. He also donated $280,000 for the new bunkhouse at The Wesley Center in Woodworth, La., in 2021. Throughout his life, he made multiple stock gifts to support several United Methodist churches and ministries.

Rev. Michi Head (3/16/60 - 12/22/22)

Michi was a top advocate and friend of the Foundation who was called home too soon at the age of 62. He made an impact on Methodism by serving on our Board of Trustees in various roles since 2012, including as the 2022 Board Chair and 2021 Grants Chair, and through his 30+ years of service as a pastor at numerous churches throughout the Louisiana Annual Conference. His service in the Methodist church leaves a legacy forever.

Patricia Kneipp (7/28/28 - 12/31/22)

Patricia and her late husband L.E. Kneipp created a Charitable Gift Annuity in 1998 to benefit their church, Broadmoor United Methodist of Shreveport. They were able to enhance their income in retirement, and now that they both have passed, their church will benefit forever.

Dr. Ken Reed (7/7/32 - 8/30/22)

Dr. Reed was President of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana from 1990 to 1998 after serving nearly 50 years as a United Methodist pastor and district superintendent. He was instrumental in cultivating the first 500+ church accounts at the Foundation, as well as securing the most significant gift the Foundation ever received. Dr. Reed and his wife, Bobbie, also established a Charitable Gift Annuity in 2006, which is now a permanent endowment benefiting the Foundation’s grants program forever.

Jean Roberts (2/4/30 - 7/22/22)

Jean and her late husband, Murphy Roberts, established two Charitable Remainder Unitrusts that are enhancing the income of their loved ones. Upon the loved ones’ deaths, the Foundation, the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and their church, Broadmoor United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, will ultimately benefit from their generosity for generations to come.

Marlene Wilcox (1/12/37 - 6/26/22)

Marlene and her late husband, Gerald Wilcox, created a Charitable Gift Annuity in 2002 to benefit their church, Broadmoor United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge and Southeast Ministries, a Baton Rouge food pantry. During their lifetimes, the annuity enhanced the Wilcoxes’ income. The annuity has now been converted to a permanent fund or endowment at the Foundation, that will benefit these ministries forever.