Legacies A publication of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana
3rd Quarter 2026
Inside This Issue A $15 Million Investment in the Future of Louisiana UM Churches More on The Jubilee Initiative
The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana partners with the Louisiana Conference to remove financial barriers, strengthen congregations and create new possibilities for ministry.
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W
hat could your church accomplish if financial barriers were removed? What new ministries could take root if your congregation had the resources to turn its biggest dreams into reality?
How to Protect Your Social Security Number Page 3
Welcoming New Board Members Page 4
Those questions are at the heart of the Jubilee Initiative, an extraordinary $15 million investment in the future of United Methodist churches and ministries across Louisiana. Launched by the Louisiana Conference in partnership with the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, Jubilee is a two-year initiative designed to help congregations overcome financial challenges, strengthen ministries and pursue new opportunities to serve their communities. Rooted in the biblical concept of jubilee — a time of restoration, freedom from burdens and new beginnings — the initiative invites churches to imagine a future filled with renewed purpose and possibility.
Two Paths to a Stronger Future The Jubilee Initiative provides funding through two distinct programs:
1) Debt Relief Fund: $5 million For congregations carrying significant capital debt, Jubilee offers the opportunity to eliminate that burden and redirect resources toward ministry. Imagine what a church could accomplish if money currently spent on mortgage payments could instead support community outreach, discipleship, children’s programs or other ministries. 2) Missional Momentum Fund: $10 million This fund helps churches pursue opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. Funding may support major facility improvements, accessibility projects, staffing and innovative ministry initiatives. Rev. Dr. Van Stinson, Executive Director of Mission and Ministry at the Louisiana Conference and a current Foundation board member, said, “We have churches doing faithful ministry all across Louisiana. Some are carrying debt that consumes dollars that could otherwise be used for ministry. Others have ideas, opportunities and dreams for reaching their communities, but they need an investment to move those ideas forward. Jubilee addresses both.” continued, page 2
Legacies
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2026 Board of Trustees Rev. Jo Cooper Chairman Michael Belanger Rev. Katie Black Abby Cochran Rev. Clifton Conrad Brent Graham Michael Kearney Drew Kennedy Bob Kimbro Eunice Val Lavigne Richard Lewis Rev. Mimi McDowell Sen. Willie Mount Sabrina Short Dr. Van Stinson Rev. Drew Sutton
Chris Spencer President
Contact Us: 8337 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Phone: (225) 346-1535 Email: information@umf.org Web Addresses: www.umf.org www.umfgiving.org Legacies Editor: Kelly Johannessen kellyj@umf.org
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The possibilities are as varied as the congregations themselves. Whether a church serves a small rural community or a growing urban neighborhood, Jubilee encourages leaders to identify their greatest needs and consider how the new initiative could support them.
A Partnership Rooted in Mission
For more than 50 years, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana has helped churches build financial strength, cultivate generosity and sustain ministry for future generations. Partnering with the Louisiana Conference on Jubilee is a natural extension of that mission. Chris Spencer, Foundation president and CEO, sees Jubilee as a way to help churches look beyond their immediate financial challenges and envision a stronger future. “The Jubilee Initiative is an extraordinary opportunity to invest in the future of ministry across Louisiana. By partnering with the Louisiana Conference, the Foundation can help churches remove financial barriers, strengthen their ministries and pursue new opportunities to serve their communities. Together, we can provide resources to give our churches greater freedom to imagine what God can do through them now and for generations to come,” he said.
Turning Vision Into Action
Britney Winn Lee, the Foundation’s grants outreach coordinator and development director for North Louisiana, will serve as the Jubilee Initiative Coordinator. Lee brings extensive experience working with grants, including the evaluation of grant proposals, giving her a strong understanding of both what applicants need to clearly communicate their ideas and what reviewers need to thoughtfully evaluate them.
In her role with Jubilee, she will serve as a resource for churches and ministries as they move from an idea to a completed application. Churches interested in applying are encouraged to begin by identifying a significant need or opportunity and developing a clear vision for how Jubilee funding could make an impact. A brief letter of intent is the first step, followed by a full application. Applications will be considered through a twophase review process involving clergy and lay leaders from across Louisiana and a Jubilee Steering Committee.
A New Season of Possibility
The Jubilee Initiative represents more than a financial investment. It is an invitation for congregations to dream, plan and act with renewed confidence. By removing financial obstacles and focusing more on opportunities, Jubilee can help churches focus less on what limits them and more on what God is calling them to do. For the Foundation, that is the heart of our mission: partnering with churches and the Louisiana Conference to strengthen ministry today while preparing the church for generations to come. Because someone gave, ministry happens. And through Jubilee, new possibilities for ministry are taking shape across Louisiana.
Learn more about Jubilee
Churches and affiliated ministries can learn more about the Jubilee Initiative and start their application process at jubileelouisiana. com. The first letter of intent deadline is Oct. 23, 2026. For questions, contact Britney Winn Lee at jubileequestions@laumc.org.
“By partnering with the Louisiana Conference, the Foundation can help churches remove financial barriers, strengthen their ministries and pursue new opportunities to serve their communities.” Chris Spencer, President/CEO United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana
3rd Quarter 2026
Savvy Living How to Protect Your Social Security Number Dear Savvy Living, I am retired and was a victim of identity theft. I have already frozen my credit to protect myself, but I recently heard that I can also “lock” my Social Security number. What exactly does that mean and is it something I should do? Freezing your credit is an important step to take after identity theft. However, another layer of protection is to limit how your Social Security number (SSN) can be used. Specifically, you can block the use of your SSN being used by someone to secure a job or from gaining access to your online Social Security account. Your SSN is linked to your entire financial life. With data breaches becoming routine and identity thieves using increasingly sophisticated tactics, protecting your SSN is more important than ever.
E-Verify Self Lock The first tool is E-Verify Self Lock which prevents someone from using your SSN to get a job with employers that participate in the federal E-Verify system. If someone uses your SSN to get a job, the wages they earn may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under your name. Misreporting of wages can trigger IRS notices, delay tax refunds and require months of work to correct your tax and Social Security records.
To activate Self Lock, create a free myE-Verify account at myeverify. uscis.gov and answer the identityverification questions. Once in place, employers using E-Verify will not be able to confirm your SSN unless you first remove the lock. It remains in effect for one year and can be renewed annually. If you ever return to work for an employer that uses E-Verify, you can temporarily remove the lock online and reactivate it afterward.
Request an Electronic Access Block Secondly, you can request the Social Security Administration block electronic access to your account, which helps prevent criminals from taking over your online Social Security account. This disables online and automated telephone access to your Social Security record, including your own ability to access it. The block prevents scammers from changing your direct deposit information, redirecting your benefits or updating your personal information. To set it up, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office and request an Electronic Access Block. If you want online
access restored, you will need to verify your identity before the block can be removed. For many retirees, especially those who have already experienced identity theft, this extra step is well worth the added security.
Extra Safeguards A credit freeze remains one of the best defenses against identity theft, but it only prevents someone from opening new credit in your name. It will not stop someone from using your SSN for employment or trying to access your Social Security account. For even greater protection, create a my Social Security account before a scammer does by visiting ssa.gov/ myaccount. Keep your credit reports frozen unless you need to apply for credit and request a free IRS identity protection PIN (IP PIN). The six-digit IP PIN acts like a second password for your tax return, preventing someone else from filing under your Social Security number. You can get one by searching “Get an IP PIN” at IRS.gov. Identity theft has become a fact of modern life, but taking a few simple steps now can help protect your Social Security benefits, tax records and financial future. “Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of The Savvy Living book.
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Welcoming Three New Board Members The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Trustees: Michael Belanger, Michael Kearney and Sabrina Short. Each brings a unique background, professional experience and connection to the United Methodist Church — strengths that will help the Foundation continue serving churches and ministries across Louisiana. Their three-year terms began June 1. Michael Belanger is President and Chief Operating Officer of Querbes & Nelson, a Marsh McLennan Insurance Agency in Shreveport. He is a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church. Michael Kearney retired in 2022 as an independent financial advisor and certified financial planner with Pathway Advisors in Alexandria. A longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, Kearney brings years of experience in financial planning and investment management. Sabrina Short is a New Orleans-based community organizer, technology entrepreneur and founder and CEO of NOLAVATE Black, a platform and incubator focused on connecting Black technology talent with jobs and startup funding. She has also served
L to R: Mike Belanger, Mike Kearney and Sabrina Short
as a Youth Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Conference. Short is married to the Rev. Kaseem Short, of the Louisiana Conference. “We are grateful to welcome Mike, Mike and Sabrina to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees,” said Chris Spencer, President and CEO of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana. “Each brings a different set of experiences, gifts and perspectives, and together they will help us think creatively about how we can continue to serve churches, ministries and individuals across Louisiana. We look forward to the energy and insight they will bring to the Foundation.”