Foundation gives thanks for retired clergy, loved ones

Each year around Easter, the Foundation expresses gratitude to retired clergy and their loved ones with a distribution from The Superannuate Endowment Fund.

Though its beginnings date back to 1916, the fund has been managed by the Foundation since 1992 as a way to provide supplemental retirement income to WNC Conference retirees, surviving spouses and dependent children.

Here are some important details:

• The UMF Superannuate Endowment Fund provides an annual gift to WNCC retired clergy and widows(ers).
• The amount of the gift is based on the fund’s annual spending policy calculation and the retirement/service rate schedule that the WNCC office provides to us. The approved total for this year is $165,829.
• This distribution is separate from the Advent/Christmas distribution from The Duke Endowment/WNCC.

In the 1600s, the word “superannuated” was generally understood to mean “Disqualified or incapacitated by age;” or “antiquated; made out of date or obsolete.” In this case, we prefer to focus on the prefix “super,” which means “over and above,” “extra,” or “surpassing all or most others of its kind.”

“Since the Foundation’s mission is to build the Church for generations to come, it is fitting to give thanks for those who helped us to fulfill this mission,” said President David Snipes. “It is an honor and privilege for us to share a small token of appreciation to those who have contributed to our success through the Superannuate Fund.”

For many recipients, the distribution comes as a pleasant surprise.

“Quite frankly, I did not realize there was a fund like this,” one retired clergy person wrote to us. “What a blessing and means of grace!”

If you have any questions, please contact Controller Donna Johnson at 888-450-1956, Ext. 1505 or via email at djohnson@umfwnc.org.