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All active clergy members of The United Methodist Church: Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) invites you to attend the Clergy Benefits Academy!
The Clergy Benefits Academy is for all ages and stages of ministry—new ordinands, early-career clergy, mid-career clergy, ready-to-retire clergy, district superintendents, clergy in extension ministries—and spouses. There is something for everyone!
Plan now to attend! The Clergy Benefits Academy will be held February 6-8, 2017 in Pensacola, Florida. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about the many benefit issues that affect your life and ministry. You can even earn continuing education units (CEUs) for attending.
Clergy who attend the QBC will be provided a $500 scholarship by the Kentucky Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. The scholarship can be used to offset registration fees, hotel and travel. When registering online, choose the "pay by check" option. For more information, contact Celeste Doll at cdoll@kyumc.org
The Clergy Benefits Academy begins at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6 with worship and an opening plenary session. The event concludes on Wednesday, February 8 at 2:30 p.m. Classes are scheduled on a track, so you can attend each session. Your assigned track will be provided when you arrive at the event's registration table.
You can earn 1.5 CEUs if you complete 10 classes and 1 CEU if you complete seven classes.
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Registration is open!
Early-bird registration fee: ONLY $129.00 ($239.00 with spouse) by January 6, 2017. The registration fee after this date is $159.00 ($269.00 with spouse). The fee includes:
Wespath has negotiated a special room rate of $109.00 plus tax per night at the host hotel:
Hilton Pensacola Beach 12 Via De Luna Drive Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561 Phone: 1-850-916-2999
The room rate is available until Friday, January 20, based on availability.
Note: Making the hotel reservation and paying for hotel accommodations are the responsibilities of the attendee. Please tell the hotel you are attending the Clergy Benefits Academy to obtain the negotiated rate.
Wespath will provide a 50% discount on an additional hotel room for a child care provider (grandparent, friend, etc.). Call Anne Green (1-800-269-2244, ext. 4560) for more details.
Course descriptions and a schedule will be available soon.
Making a Difference: Personal Savings and Wespath Services Making personal contributions into the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) is key to enhanced retirement security. Learn ways to maximize your saving potential, as well as how to tailor your investments with the LifeStage Investment Management Service to reflect your needs and personal circumstances. You’ll also learn how to log in to Benefits Access—the online portal to your accounts at Wespath. UMPIP, LifeStage and Benefits Access are available to both clergy and lay employees. Instructor: Robert Christophel, Benefits Educator, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Healthy You…Healthy Church Get excited about creating a healthier you—and a healthier church. Nutrition and physical activity—from both an individual and a congregational perspective—will be the focal point of this class. Ever thought about creating an outreach ministry around food or organizing your refrigerator for healthier eating? Come prepared to think about food and physical activity in a new way and walk away with tools you can use! Instructor: Judy Johnston, MS, RD, LD, Research Instructor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Help! Clergy Tax Laws! The laws relating to taxation of clergy compensation can be confusing. This class will help you understand your tax liability, the clergy housing allowance, accountable reimbursement plans and other issues unique to clergy. This is a practical class that will focus on the basic issues. Instructor: TBD
Planning for the Future: Beyond the Basics Once you’ve set your financial goals, how do you use insurance policies, savings programs and our various denominational benefit plans to take your retirement planning to the next level? What preparations are necessary for those transitional moments when your well-thought-out plans go awry? How do you keep your plans for the future moving forward? This class is designed to help you make the most of your financial planning. Instructor: Mark Conner, CFP, CEBS, Benefits Educator, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Planning for the Future: Financial Goals and Tools Do you have financial goals? Is excessive debt eating away at you? Are you monitoring your spending? This class will discuss tools you can use to plan for a more secure retirement. You’ll learn about setting goals, the role of debt, the importance of net worth and other basic financial considerations that will help you plan for retirement security. This class is designed to give you basic tips and tools to improve your financial picture. Instructor: Lynette Rice, CPA, CFP, Benefits Educator, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Planning for the Future: Your Family and Your Estate Do you have a durable power of attorney or an advanced directive? Do you know where your important documents are located? Have you considered estate planning and your long-term financial legacy? Are you familiar with trusts and estate tax laws? This class is essential as you consider ways to care for your family’s future. Instructor: The Reverend David Bell, President and Executive Director, United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and a Senior Design Partner, Design Group International
Social Security for Clergy Social Security provides both retirement and disability benefits. Learn how Social Security can benefit you, how you might qualify for benefits and what you may expect from Social Security during different life events. Instructors: Mark Conner and Lynette Rice, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Unexpected Events: Benefits You Need the Most What happens when life throws you a curve and you face a difficult situation involving disability or incapacity? Learn how the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) helps you through unplanned transitions. In this class, you will learn “what to do” and “what to expect” at those times when you and your family need benefits the most. Instructor: Dale Jones, Managing Director of Education and Plan Sponsor Relations, Wespath Benefits and Investments
United Methodist Pension Benefits Review The United Methodist Church offers many benefits to its clergy. This class provides an overview of the benefits you and your family may expect from the Church when you retire. The class will focus on the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and the Ministerial Pension Plan. Instructor: Ron Coleman, Conference Liaison, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Healthy Living: Body, Mind, Spirit, Community Promoting health, in all its forms, is part of our United Methodist heritage, calling and challenge. Yet translating that calling into the daily lives of ourselves, our families and our congregations can be experienced as stressful itself. This class will offer a “check-up and check-list,” based on current clergy research, health promotion trends and a holistic model of wellness. As advocates for health in all its meanings, clergy know their own lives speak the loudest message. Instructor: The Reverend Ron Johnson, PhD, Pastoral Psychotherapist, Bartlett United Methodist Church Counseling Center, Memphis Annual Conference
One-on-One Consultation During on-site registration, schedule a consultation with a Wespath staff member. This private session is your opportunity to discuss your own account balance and pension projection. A knowledgeable Wespath representative will help you understand your specific benefit situation.
We Can Do It: Living a Healthy and Balanced Life Evening Consultation Group If you are looking for an opportunity to explore your individual wellness issues in a safe, confidential manner, this session—facilitated by a professional counselor—is appropriate for you. Gain perspective from someone outside your conference who can listen, problem-solve and bless you with a fresh outlook on how to resolve your specific issue as well as offer new ideas for living a healthy and balanced life.
The schedule will be available soon.
Do you have questions about registration, travel, hotel accommodations or the day care opportunity? Call: Anne Green at 1-800-269-2244, ext. 4560.
Do you have questions about the class schedule? Call: Renee Smith-Edmondson at 1-800-269-2244, ext. 4273.
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