Advance giving program undergoes leadership transition
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A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose The
Rev. William T. Carter (left) and Joy Magnus (center) with the Advance
visit with the Rev. Mary Virginia Taylor - later elected bishop - at a
hospitality center for the program in Pittsburgh in 2004.
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The
Rev. William T. Carter (left) and Joy Magnus (center) with the Advance
for Christ and His Church, visit with the Rev. Mary Virginia Taylor at a
hospitality center for the program during the United Methodist Church's
General Conference in Pittsburgh in this 2004 file photograph. Carter, a
clergy member of the Northern Illinois Annual (regional) Conference, is
preparing for retirement in June after 27 years as the top staff member
of the 60-year-old Advance. Taylor was elected a bishop in the church
in July 2004. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo #06-243. Accompanies
UMNS story #145. 3/14/06 |
March 14, 2006
By Elliott Wright*
EL PASO, Texas (UMNS) — A major administrative transition is under way
at the Advance for Christ and His Church, the multimillion-dollar designated
mission-giving program of the United Methodist Church.
The Rev. William T. Carter, a clergy member of the Northern Illinois Annual (regional)
Conference, is preparing for retirement in June after 27 years as the top staff
member of the 60-year-old Advance. Two other veteran staff members retired in
late February.
Carter announced his plans to retire at a March 9-11 meeting in El Paso of the
Advance Committee, which oversees the program for the United Methodist Board
of Global Ministries.
“The church owes enormous gratitude to Bill Carter for his leadership
of the Advance across almost three decades,” said the Rev. R. Randy Day,
chief executive of the mission board. “His hand has been steadfast and
his heart has been passionate for mission.”
Day will assume the leadership of the Advance on a temporary basis at the
end of March, and Carter will continue as a board staff executive until his
retirement. The Rev. Rena Yocom, a former board executive and special assistant
to Day, also will work with the Advance during the transition period.
The Advance covers hundreds of mission projects and appeals, including disaster
relief and missionary support, around the world and in the United States.
One hundred percent of every dollar goes to the program stipulated by the
contributor. A total of $137.65 million, including donations to South Asia
tsunami and Gulf Coast hurricane relief, was given to the Advance in 2005.
Contributions in more normal years amount to about $30 million to $35 million.
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A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose Bishop
Joel Martinez (left) and the Rev. Paul Dirdak visit a camp in Bateilik,
Indonesia, for people displaced by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami.
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The
Advance funds disaster relief efforts around the world, including the
response to the December 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. United
Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez (left) and the Rev. Paul Dirdak, director
of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, visit with children at a
camp for people displaced by the Dec. 26 tsunami in Bateilik, Indonesia.
The Advance for Christ and His Church, the multimillion-dollar
designated mission-giving program of the United Methodist Church, covers
hundreds of mission projects and appeals, including disaster relief and
missionary support. A major administrative change is under way at the
Advance with the approaching retirement of the Rev. William Carter as
top staff member. A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose. Photo #06-244.
Accompanies UMNS story #145, 3/14/06 |
“
The Advance is one of the most important components in mission support,” said
Bishop Joel N. Martinez of San Antonio, Board of Global Ministries president. “The
transition we are currently experiencing is generational in nature. We are
thankful that it is coming at a time when the Advance is strong, a condition
that Bill Carter has helped to maintain.”
In his report, Carter noted that from 1948 through
2005, $1.15 billion has been contributed to mission through the Advance. “On behalf of our partners
in mission in the United States and around the world, thank you!” he
said. “Every gift makes a difference.”
Two longtime staff members, Russell Scott, executive secretary for Advance
coordination, and Barbara Campfield, Advance computer coordinator, retired
in February.
The denomination’s General Council on Finance
and Administration serves as treasurer of the Advance. Since 100 percent
of every
gift goes to mission,
Global Ministries pays staff and overhead costs out of other funds.
*Wright is the information officer for the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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