DIMENSIONS Aftertransitioningfrombi-vocationalworktofulltimeministry,Dawnfacedasignificantchangein income ParticipatinginSavingGracehelpedDawn adjustherfinancialhabitstomatchhernewreality. “Icouldnolongersustainthesamelevelofspending Ihadbefore SavingGracehelpedmerecognizethat andtakepracticalstepstowardahealthierfinancial future.”
Beyondthepracticaltools,SavingGraceoffered Dawnspiritualencouragement,empoweringherto manageherfinanceswithintentionalityandgrace “It’shelpedmereducefinancialstressandbecomea betterstewardoftheresourcesGodhasgivenme,” shesaid “Theprogramhashelpedmelivemore faithfullyandsustainablyinthisseasonoffull-time ministry.”
ForDawn,theimpactofSavingGracewasboth immediateandlasting.Thesimpleyetpowerful programbecameacornerstoneofherfinancial journey,helpinghergrowmoreconfidentinhandling herpersonalfinances.“Inowfeelmoreequippedto makesoundfinancialdecisions,andI’mmorehopeful aboutmyfinancialfuture.”
WhenaskedifshewouldrecommendSavingGraceto others,Dawnresponded:“Absolutely.SavingGrace offerspracticaltoolsgroundedinfaiththathelpyou understandyourfinancesandmakewisedecisions.It’s notjustaboutnumbers—it’saboutaligningyour financiallifewithyourvaluesandyourcalling.The programgavemeaplanIcouldactuallyfollowand remindedmethatmanagingmoneyisalsoaspiritual practice.Ibelieveanyoneseekingfinancialclarity, peaceandpurposewouldbenefitgreatlyfromthis experience.”
Whetheryou’rejuststartingyourprofessionalcareer orre-evaluatingyourfinancialpath,SavingGracecan providetheclarityandconfidenceneededtohelpyou thrivefinancially.
Wespath and Wesleyan Impact Partners Host Church Property Strategic Summit ChurchpropertyrepositioningisbecomingadefiningchallengefortheUMCandmanyotherdenominationsdue todecliningparticipationinmanycongregations,buildingsagingandbecominghardertomaintain,and congregationalendowmentsbecomingstretchedthin.Thisleavesanestimated100,000churchesacrosstheU.S. facingpotentialclosureinthenearfuture.
That’swhythissummer,WespathandWesleyanImpactPartnersco-hostedagatheringinsuburbanChicagowith individualsfromacrossthedenominationtodiscussstrategies,processesandideasrelatedtochurchproperty redevelopment.
Thetwo-dayconveningwasaproductiveandencouragingtimetosharesuccessfulcasestudies,challengesand ideasinthehopeofworkingtowardcollectivesolutionsasaunitedchurchbody.
Rev.DorlimarLebrón, ConnectionalRelationsManager atWespath,said,“Thissummit wasaboutmorethanproperty— itwasaboutpurpose.Itwas encouragingtoseeleaders acrosstheconnectionthinking strategicallyandfaithfullyabout howwealignourresourceswith themissionoftheChurch.”
Rev. Dorlimar Lebron, Wespath
DIMENSIONS HealthFlex Annual Election: Tips to Help You Save More AnnualElectionisalmosthere!RunningOctober29throughNovember13,you’llgetthechancetochooseyour HealthFlexmedical,dental,visionandhealthaccountoptionsfor2026.
It’simportanttoreviewyourbenefitseachyearandmakesurethey’restillrightforyou.Dependingonyour needsandusage,choosingtherightplancouldsaveyouhundredsofdollarsperyear.
Butforthoseofuswhodon’tspecializeinhealthplans,itcanbechallengingtofilterthroughthejargonto determinewhichplanisbestforyou.We’reheretohelpbreakitdownforyou.
Tip #1
Familiarize yourself with these terms and acronyms necessary for understanding your options and how the plans work:
DIMENSIONS Tip #1 (CONTINUED)
Formulary Prescription drug list that shows which medications and alternatives are covered by HealthFlex
HMO Health Maintenance Organization (a type of health plan)
HRA Health reimbursement account
HSA Health savings account
Network
Out-of-Pocket Max (OOP)
PPO
Group of healthcare providers who have a contractual agreement with a specific insurance company Typically, you’ll pay less when you use in-network providers
Maximum amount you pay for covered medical, pharmacy and behavioral health expenses during each calendar year
Preferred Provider Organization (a type of health plan)
Premium Your monthly (or annual) health plan payment to enroll in a plan
Premium Credit Amount your plan sponsor provides toward your HealthFlex premiums
Review the following health plan comparison guides:
Tip #2 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
DIMENSIONS GetpersonalizedhelpbyusingALEXBenefits Counselorto:
Estimateout-of-pocketcosts,suchas deductibles,co-paymentsorco-insurance
CompareHealthFlexplans,seewhichplan mightcosttheleastoverallandlearnwhich planmightbemostcostefficientif unexpectedcostsarise
Estimatehealthaccountcontributions
Remember: If you don’t make any elections, you will either remain in your current elections or default into the plan chosen by your plan sponsor. If you are making health account contributions in 2025, they will not continue into 2026 you have to “elect” these contributions each year. HSA contributions can be changed mid-year, but FSA contributions cannot. Take the time to explore your plan options to ensure you choose the health plan that meets your needs.
—you’ll find
including short videos, plan comparisons and more.
Pleasenote:MDLIVEmedicalandbehavioralhealthvisitswillbeavailableatnocostbeginningJanuary1,2026
Tip #3
Tip #4
ALEX
Your Planner, Your Way: Online or By Phone Gettingpersonalizedfinancialguidanceiseasier thaneverwithEYNavigate.Whileyoualwayshave theoptiontocallEYdirectly,yourEYNavigate accountgivesyouanotherconvenientwayto connectwithaplanner,rightatyourfingertipswith directmessaging.
Simplyloginatwespath.eynavigate.com,click “Workwithaplanner,”andsendamessagetoyour financialplanner.It’sasimple,securewaytogetthe guidanceyouneed,whenyouneedit.
EYfinancialplannerscanhelpyouwith:
Creatingapersonalizedsavingsstrategy
Understandingyourinvestmentandretirement options
Managingdebtorstudentloans
Planningformajorlifeeventsortransitions
Budgetingandimprovingfinancialwellness
Prefertotalktosomeoneonthephone?
Call+1800-360-2539MondaythroughFriday, 8:00a.m.–7:00p.m.CT,tospeakwithaEYfinancial planner.
Whetheryoumessageonlineorcallbyphone,help fromEYiscloserthanyouthink.
EY Financial Planning Is Available at No Cost to Wespath Participants
EYisavailabletoactiveparticipantsand survivingspouseswithanaccountbalancein Wespath-administeredplans,aswellasto terminatedandretiredparticipantswithan accountbalanceofatleast$10,000.Costsare includedinWespath’soperatingexpensesthat arepaidforbythefunds
Central Conference Pensions: Changing the Lives of United Methodist Retirees Around the World Wespath’s General Secretary Andy
members and surviving spouses
Forover20years,Wespath’smissionof“caringfor thosewhoserve”hasextendedbeyondUS borders bysupportingeffortstoprovidelong-termretirement securityfornearly3,700United Methodistclergyand theirfamiliesin69annualconferencesinTheUnited MethodistChurch’s(UMC)centralconferences Many oftheseclergyworkincountriesacrossAfrica,the PhilippinesandEuropethathavenogovernmentalor otherfinancialsupportinretirement
GeneralSecretaryAndyHendrenfirstwitnessedthe directimpactoftheCCPprogramwhenhetraveledto MozambiqueandZimbabwein2023tovisitwith retiredpastorsandtheirfamilymembersintheir homesandlocalchurches
Andywasdeeplymovedasheheardpensioners describethepersonalsacrificestheyhadmadein ordertoliveintotheircallingtoserveGod.“Iwas remindedofthepoweroftheUnitedMethodist mission,witnessinghowevenmodestChurch pensionscanimprovethelivesoftheseservantsof Godintheirlateryearsbyprovidingfinancialsecurity thathelpsthemaffordessentialslikemedicine, eyeglassesandsometimesevenfood.”
InJune2025,AndyreturnedtoAfrica,thistimewith ChiefInvestmentOfficer(CIO)JoharaFarhadiehathis sideastheyvisitedtheUMC’sEastAngolaandWest AngolaConferences AlongwithCCPconsultant ThomasKemper,AndyandJoharametwithbenefits officers,bishopsandretirees,worshippedwithlocal residents,andwitnessedfirst-handChurchmembers’ strongfaithamidlifechallenges.
Hendren, CIO Johara Farhadieh and CCP consultant Thomas Kemper meet with staff, board
of the West Angola pension plan at the Methodist University of Angola in Luanda.
CCP in Action: A Personal Story OnesuchvisitwaswithCCPpensionrecipients
ReverendsPedroandBenvindaJoão—afaith-driven couplewherebothhusbandandwifehaveservedas ordainedpastorsintheUMCintheEastAngolaAnnual Conference.Whenthepairwasordainedin1977,the EastAngolaEpiscopalAreahadjustrecentlybeen established,withonly12pastorsservingthearea. Benvindajoinedastheconference’sfirstfemale pastor.
Duringtheirservice,theAngolancivilwardividedthe countryanddestroyedentirecommunities.Benvinda losthermother,grandmother,andseveralniecesand nephewsduringtheconflict.Yetbothsheandher husbandstayedcommittedtorebuildingwhatwas lost.
Benvindalaterservedasadistrictsuperintendent, withPedroservingasadministrativedirectorofthe conferenceandasdirectorofQuessuaMission,which providesinfrastructureinagriculture,health,nutrition, educationanddevelopingthesurroundings.
“Ileftthevisitfeelingdeeplygrateful,notonlyforthe hospitalitywereceived,butalsoforthechanceto witnesstheimpactofWespath’sworkfirst-hand. SupportingleaderslikeReverendsPedroandBenvinda Joãoisexactlywhywedowhatwedo.Theirstories remindusthatbehindeverypensionpaymentisa lifetimeofservice,andit’sourresponsibilityto stewardthoseresourceswithcare,respectand purpose,”Joharasaid.
Supporting the Cause It’sthepersonalstoriesofCCPrecipientsthat exemplifytherealimpactoftheCCPprogram. Wespathwillcontinuetoworkwithourcentral conferencespartnerstosupporttheseretireesaftera lifetimeoffaithfulservice,butwewouldn’tbeableto doitwithoutthehelpofprogramdonors,whomwe areincrediblygratefulto
Ifyouwouldliketosupportpensionsinthecentral conferences,pleaseconsiderdonatingtoCCP Evena littlecangoalongway,andnomattertheamount, knowyoursupportchangeslives.
ExploremoreCCPpensionsrecipientstoriesandinitiativesinourCCP Updatenewsletter
DiscoverinsightsintotheCCP-supportedpensionplansaroundtheworld inourCCP2024Report(availableinEnglish,FrenchandPortuguese).
Learn More About the CCP Program
Learn More About the CCP Program
Wespath’s CIO Johara Farhadieh and CCP consultant Thomas Kemper with the João family and East Angola Conference Benefits Officer Alcides Martins (far left).
The Art of Forest Bathing: Taking John Wesley’s Advice to the “Open Air” Inaworldofconstantchange,therearestillsomeuniversaltruthsthatholdsteady,likethelawsofphysics, fundamentalhumanexperiences,and—inthefollowingcase—JohnWesley’shealthadvice.
Inhisbook“PrimitivePhysick,”publishedin1747,Wesleywrote:“Useasmuchexercisedailyintheopenair,as youcanwithoutweariness…Theopenair,whentheweatherisfair,contributesmuchtothebenefitofexercise.” AlthoughthewayweenjoytheoutdoorsmayhavechangedsinceWesley’stime,sciencecontinuestoshowthat spendingtimeinnaturecanimprovestress,anxietyanddepression.
The Concept of Forest Bathing Anoutdooractivitythathasrecentlyemergedis foresttherapy,anidearootedintheJapanese practiceofshinrin-yoku,or“forestbathing,”which referstoimmersingyourselfintheatmosphereof theforestorwoods.
“Theintentofforestbathingistoputpeoplein touchwithpresent-momentexperienceinavery deepway,”explainedclinicalpsychologistSusan Albers,PsyD “Thesights,soundsandsmellsofthe foresttakeusrightintothatmoment,soourbrains stopanticipating,recalling,ruminatingand worrying“
The Health Benefits of Forest Bathing Althoughtheconceptofforestbathinghasonly beenaroundforaboutfourdecades,researchonits healthbenefitshasbeenpromising:
A2007studyshowedthatforesttherapy reducescortisol,astresshormone. Researchconductedin2010foundthatpeople whowalkedintheforestforfourhoursaday hadgreaterlevelsofcancer-killingproteinsand immunecells
DIMENSIONS The Health Benefits of Forest Bathing (CONTINUED)
A2011studyfoundthatshinrin-yokuhada positiveimpactonbloodpressureand adiponectin,aproteinthathelpsregulateblood sugarlevels
Researchconductedin2022foundthatforest bathingreduceddepressioninasignificantway. Additionally,“foresttherapycanhaveapositive impactontheoxygenlevelsinyourbrain,”saidDr. Albers.“Andthepleasantaromasofnaturecanhave apositiveimpactonmoodandemotionalwellbeing.”
Track Your Hike (and Other Healthy Habits) with Personify Health
YoucanjoinPersonifyHealthiftheprogram isincludedinyourplansponsor/employer’s benefitspackage.PersonifyHealthis availableto:
HealthFlexparticipantsandcovered spouses
Non-HealthFlexparticipants* ViaBenefitRetirees*
*Contactyourconferenceofficeorhuman resourcesrepresentativetoconfirmeligibility.
Toreapthebenefitsofforesttherapy,youneedto engageinitregularly.Ideally,youshouldbeimmersed innatureforafewhoursatatime,butevenafew minutesadaycanmakeadifference.
TheForestService,anagencyoftheU.S.Department ofAgriculture,providesahelpfulonlinetooltofind localforests.Ifyou’replanninganextendedforest therapysession,checkoutthisquickto-gowraprecipe tobringonyouradventure.
Ifyou’relivinginanurbanareaandcan’teasilyaccess aforest,visityourlocalparkorgreenspace.Studies suggestwalkinginanurbanparkcanimproveyour mood,heartratevariabilityandmemory.
Ifthat’snotfeasible,considerbringingtheoutdoorsto theindoorsbyopeningyourwindows,pottingplants, listeningtorecordedforestsoundsorburninga woodsy-scentedcandle,whicha2009studyfound mayhaveapositiveimpactonyourhealth.
Whicheverwayyouchoose,trymakingmindfulnessa habit.Remembertotakethetimetobreathedeeply, turnyourfocusinwardandleaveyourworriesbehind —evenifit’sjustforafewminutes.
Practicing Forest Bathing
Outdoors and On the Go: Chicken Curry Wrap with Mango Chutney Recipe Thecool,crispautumnweatherofferstheperfectopportunitytoexploretheoutdoorsandgetsomeexerciseout intheopenair Whetheryoudecidetogoforahikeorpracticeforesttherapy*thisfall,you’lllikelyneedtobring aneasy-to-eatmealtosatisfyyourhungerduringyouradventure.
Considerthissimple,healthychickenwraprecipeforyournatureventure:
Ingredients:
3ozshreddedskinlessrotisseriechickenbreast
2Tbsplow-fatGreekyogurt
1tsplimejuice
⅛tspcurrypowder
1whole-wheattortilla
2Tbspmangochutney
¼cupbabyarugula
¼cupthinlyslicedcucumber
Instructions:
1.Combinechicken,yogurt,limejuiceandcurry powder;tosstocoat
2.Spreadtortillawithchutneyandtopwith arugula,cucumberandchickensalad;rollup.
Serves:1 17
*Learn more about forest therapy and its health benefits in our forest bathing article.
Chicken Curry Wrap with Mango Chutney
WeightWatchers (WW) 101
Who:IfyouareaHealthFlexparticipant,you, yourspouseandyourdependentsage18or olderareeligibleforaWeightWatchersdiscount
Cost:$975permonthforthedigitalplan; $19.11permonthforthedigitalandworkshops plan(morethan50%offtheretailprice)
United Methodist (UM) Communications’ Our UM Table digital cookbook provides recipes from across the UM community. Consider sharing your favorite recipes or exploring other submissions.
Our United Methodist Table
