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Lenten Toolkit

Suggestions for Lenten Season Support to the Central Conference Pension Initiative

As early as 1774, Easter was a time to provide for aging clergy of The United Methodist Church. John Wesley initiated an Easter Offering that continued for years, serving as the precursor to the current pension system in the United States.

This Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) Lenten Toolkit was created to acknowledge the historical connection to our own U.S. pension system and in response to the popular idea of incorporating the CCPI into the Lenten Season. We hope that you will find these ideas—which were prepared by an ordained elder—thought–provoking and helpful as you determine how to communicate the critical need of central conference clergy to your congregation.

Lent is a truly unique time of year when we are given the opportunity to consider our blessings and the sacrifices of others. We hope you find this toolkit helpful and effective.

The Lenten Toolkit Includes:
Rev. Francisco Macitela Macie
"At 83, Rev. Macie is now dependent on his children to survive."
Rev. Francisco Macitela Macie
Retiree
Mozambique, Africa
Rev. Titus Panzela Nhancale
""Our pension is what it is, but now it does not stretch as far as we need."
Rev. Titus Panzela Nhancale
Retiree
Mozambique, Africa
Rev. Francisco Macitela Macie
"At 83, Rev. Macie is now dependent on his children to survive."
Rev. Francisco Macitela Macie
Retiree
Mozambique, Africa
Rev. Ishaku Vobeyere
"One bag of rice costs almost half of the pension Rev. Vobeyere receives for the entire year. "
Rev. Ishaku Vobeyere
Retiree
Nigeria
Edwige Dadie
"took five years for Edwige Dadie to receive her first pension payment as a surviving spouse. "
Edwige Dadie
Suriving Spouse
Cote d'Ivoire
Rev. Titus Panzela Nhancale
"Rev. Isaias struggles to even pay for clean water."
Rev. Amina Isaias
Retiree
Mozambique, Africa
Rev. Joseph Sunday
"We eat once a day."
Rev. Joseph Sunday
Retiree
Liberia, Africa
Rev. James Mazdeh
"Whatever God provides, I eat it for the day and pray for another."
Rev. James Mazdeh
Retiree
Liberia
Rev. Peeter Piirisild
"Before the church support I really had to work."
Peeter Piirisild
Retiree
Estonia
Rev. Laas Helde
"(With) the money I get from the conference board... it is just enough."
Rev. Laas Helde
Retiree
Estonia
Rev. Karma Early
"My Father is taking care of me."
Rev. Karma Early
Retiree
Liberia, Africa
Agnes Toe
"My faith is helping me ... console myself."
Agnes Toe
Surviving Spouse
Liberia, Africa
Tabitha Katsande
"It was difficult to save anything"
Tabitha Katsande
Surviving Spouse
Zimbabwe
Elijah Kabungaidze
"I have nothing to give them"
Elijah Kabungaidze
District Superintendent
Zimbabwe
Willie Marare
"Thankful to God, despite hardships"
Willie Marare
Retiree
Zimbabwe
Serafina Ngal
"My health has declined since my husband's death."
Serafina Ngal
Surviving Spouse
Mozambique, Africa
Rev. Daniel Islalm
"The cost of living in our country is very, very hard."
Rev. Daniel Islalm
Retiree
Liberia, Africa
Virginie Sonan
"“The monthly rent and one month’s 50-kilo bag of rice absorb slightly more than my entire monthly pension… It is only God who helps us.”"
Virginie Sonan
Surviving Spouse
Cote d'Ivoire
Albertine Djedjro
"The hospital can no longer afford to support us for free, so now they charge us a small fee. We cannot afford it."
Albertine Djedjro
Surviving Spouse
Cote d'Ivoire
Beatrice Kekeh
"We've got to eat."
Beatrice Kekeh
Surviving Spouse
Liberia, Africa
Minerva Kekeh
"What we're getting, it's small, but I thank God."
Minerva Kekeh
Surviving Spouse
Liberia, Africa
Rev. Sarah Fisk
"It's always good to appreciate what God gives you."
Rev. Sarah Fisk
Retiree
Liberia, Africa
Rosemary Chidzikwe
"These days it seems to be very difficult."
Rosemary Chidzikwe
Surviving Spouse
Zimbabwe
Rev. Willas Makunike
"We sometimes live by charity from the people."
Rev. Willas Makunike
Retiree
Zimbabwe
Martha Matongo
"It was difficult, but we depended on God."
Martha Matongo
Surviving Spouse
Zimbabwe
Rev. David Paye
"One of my sons wanted to go to college, but I couldn't make it."
Rev. David Paye
Retiree
Liberia
Rev. Markus Wina
"For the very poor, [rice] is a luxury."
Rev. Markus Wina
Retiree
Nigeria
Rev. Samuila Ali
Rev. Ali and his family survive on occasional token payments since a pension is not available from his conference.
Rev. Samuila Ali
Retiree
Nigeria
Rev. Bitrus Nwowin
"Rev. Bitrus Nwowin has been forced to grow his food at home instead of enjoying a well-deserved break after his 40-year career in the Church."
Rev. Bitrus Nwowin
Retiree
Nigeria
Hajara Barnabas
"Christ takes care of us through all of us."
Hajara Barnabas
Surviving Spouse
Nigeria
Rev. Kenneth Shamu
"I'm trying to survive, to be independent...although I'm not meeting the ends."
Rev. Kenneth Shamu
Retiree
Zimbabwe
Legina Mabunda
"You need medical help in a big way, but, unfortunately, we don't [have it]."
Legina Mabunda
Surviving Spouse
Mozambique
Rev. Henry Wheh
"Since I have retired, I don't have enough money to send my children to school."
Rev. Henry Wheh
Retiree
Liberia
Saratu Daniel
"If somebody can help you from afar, then you can help somebody who is closer to you."
Saratu Daniel
Surviving Spouse
Nigeria

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