Wespath and Gammon Partner to Address Financial Wellness for Underserved and Pandemic-Impacted Clergy

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July 14, 2022

GLENVIEW, IL – Gammon Theological Seminary and Wespath Benefits and Investments’ Clergy Financial Well-Being Initiative announced a partnership July 14 that will expand the programming and resources used to help United Methodist clergy address financial challenges, with a special focus on underserved/underrepresented and pandemic-impacted pastors. Together these organizations seek to discover new ways to share materials, connections and strategies that support their shared vision.

As a globally recognized resource for faith-based solutions to the socio-economic challenges confronting the African-American community, Gammon is a well-known and trusted partner that will help the Initiative bridge the gap between Initiative resources and under-served pastors. Gammon will help to inform this effort by sharing research about the effects of COVID on clergy of color and their communities. Using its findings, Gammon and the Initiative will partner with other UMC organizations to design and implement financial well-being activities, resources and programs that meet the needs of clergy of color, including distribution of financial resources.

This week, Gammon will launch a survey for clergy of color requesting input on their personal experiences related to COVID. The feedback gathered from this survey, along with other research, will be valuable in shaping the Initiative’s ongoing priorities.

"This partnership directly includes a financial investment and commitment to supporting the long-term recovery needs of underserved UMC pastors COVID has adversely impacted."

– Dr. Candace M. Lewis, Gammon Theological Seminary

"This partnership with Wespath emerged as a result of our inaugural research project focused on the Impact of COVID on Black UMC Pastors, Leaders and Congregations report shared in November 2021," explained the Rev. Dr. Candace M. Lewis, President-Dean at Gammon. "The Gammon Research Institute seeks to amplify the voices of Black and Brown Clergy of Leaders sharing concerns, needs, opportunities and stories of hope and resilience. This partnership directly includes a financial investment and commitment to supporting the long-term recovery needs of underserved UMC pastors COVID has adversely impacted.

"Additionally, Gammon has hosted listening sessions among pastors from communities including Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American brothers and sisters. The stories of loss and grief are heartbreaking. We are grateful we can help directly connect resources with pastors who have needs," said Dr. Lewis.

The Initiative recently was awarded a $250,000 grant as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders (ECFPL). ECFPL seeks to improve the financial acumen of clergy who, in turn, will go on to lead and grow vibrant congregations in the churches they serve, unburdened by financial stress. This grant includes an additional award of up to $250,000 if dollar-for-dollar matching funds are secured from United Methodist sources.

"For generations, people of color have shouldered disproportionate challenges that were further exacerbated by the human, economic and social impacts of the pandemic. We look forward to supporting vitality and financial acumen among clergy of color to help lift these long-underserved communities."

– Andy Hendren, Wespath CEO

"Wespath is pleased to partner with Gammon on this important work to strengthen ministry by addressing inequities in communities of color," said Andy Hendren, general secretary and CEO of Wespath.

"For generations, people of color have shouldered disproportionate challenges that were further exacerbated by the human, economic and social impacts of the pandemic. We look forward to supporting vitality and financial acumen among clergy of color to help lift these long-underserved communities."

For more information on clergy financial literacy partnership opportunities please contact Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis, deanclewis@gammon-itc.org, or Bonnie Marden, clergyfinance@wespath.org.

Located in Atlanta, Ga., Gammon Theological Seminary is the United Methodist constituent member of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), a consortium of six historically African American theological schools. Gammon at the ITC is a co-educational, professional graduate school of theology. Its faculty personifies vigorous scholarship, rigorous academic discipline, and significant research in the service of the church and other communities in the world. Gammon at the ITC is the world’s premier resource for Black church scholarship and faith-based solutions to the spiritual and socio-economic challenges confronting not only the African American community, but the world as a whole.

Wespath has partnered with a broad coalition of United Methodist organizations, including the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), Discipleship Ministries, and the National Association of United Methodist Foundations (NAUMF). The Initiative supports low-interest debt refinancing opportunities, provides scholarships for full-time students pursuing their Master of Divinity at UMC seminaries or schools of theology, and supports financial literacy education projects at a local level. In November 2020, in partnership with the United Methodist Publishing House, the Initiative launched a faith-based money management curriculum, "Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being." This curriculum helps clergy and congregants learn how to reach personal financial goals and achieve a sustainable financial life. Funding for these programs has come from previously awarded Lilly Endowment grants.

Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) is a not-for-profit agency that has been serving The United Methodist Church (UMC) for over a century. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, Wespath administers benefit plans and, together with its subsidiaries, including Wespath Institutional Investments, invests over $29 billion in assets on behalf of over 100,000 participants and over 100 United Methodist-affiliated institutions (as of December 31, 2021). Wespath invests in a sustainable manner that seeks to achieve positive financial, social and environmental impact while upholding the values of the UMC. Wespath maintains the largest reporting faith-based pension fund in the world. For additional information about Wespath Benefits and Investments, follow the agency  on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Original Article https://www.wespath.org/News/PR-7-14-22#!/page:1