Online savings made available for United Methodists
Nashville, TN – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church continues to offer opportunities to impact the way we do ministry. GCFA connects with and vets reputable organizations, businesses and corporations that provide discounts and cost savings that can positively impact the ministry of our local churches and affiliate United Methodist organizations.
Beginning October 24, 2016, GCFA will begin a jurisdictional roll-out launch for the next 2 months of our newest platform,
UMCGPO.ORG, “UNITE TO SAVE”. This is an online discount and cost-savings vendor management platform designed for United Methodist churches and affiliate organizations. When churches join this exclusive group purchasing organization, they will immediately be able to reduce costs on everyday administrative overhead supplies and services when they use the preferred vendors. This will save all participants time and dramatically increase funds for ministry so that every United Methodist church can refocus these savings on disciple making and transforming communities. As more churches participate, the lower the pricing becomes for all participating churches. Best of all, the platform is 100% free to all UMC churches and affiliated organizations.
After a two-year vetting process, GCFA entered into an agreement with Consolidus in September, 2016. Consolidus is a Nashville based group purchasing organization (GPO). By combining the accumulated spending volume of the entire group, Consolidus offers pre-negotiated contracts on key supplies and services with exceptional pricing through highly vetted, top-tier vendors. These savings and discounts are available to local United Methodist churches and affiliate organizations and includes United Methodist camps and retreat centers; schools, universities and seminaries; hospitals and retirement homes. United Methodist organizations will have a customized website,
UMCGPO.ORG.
Moses Kumar, General Secretary and Treasurer of GCFA said: “It is an honor to introduce you to our newest corporate sponsor and partner, Consolidus, headed by Founder and President/CEO, Jason Ritchason. In conjunction with Consolidus, we will launch
UMCGPO.ORG, “UNITE TO SAVE’, an online discount and saving shopping platform designed for local United Methodist churches and affiliate organizations. It is our goal to continually seek ways to enhance your ministry and we feel this group purchasing program combines the buying power of United Methodists churches and organizations in a unique way to positively impact your church.”
For more information about this exciting cost saving program contact:
Bobby Lee Smith
Manager of Corporate Sponsorship
615-369-2407
blsmith@gcfa.org
Brittany Enright
Sponsorship Fulfillment / Sales Coordinator
615-369-2332
benright@gcfa.org
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The General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers financial resources, safeguards the legal interests and rights of the Church, and provides administrative resources to enable the fulfillment of the mission of The United Methodist Church.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
eLEAD
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Englewood Book Review
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Golden Circle
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Design Thinking
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
Be A Disciple
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Get Their Name
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Canoeing the Mountains
Fresh Expressions
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
Institute for Emerging Issues
Congregations 4 Children
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
The Duke Endowment
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.