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What is Connectional Missional Giving (CMG)?

Pastor's Post

Members of First United Methodist Church, Killeen,

These funds were once referred to as, “Apportionments or Apportioned Giving.” Each church is assessed a specified amount to be given to the Annual Conference to support the missional needs of the United Methodist Church, as a world wide organization. The main way we support the ministries of the church is through our apportioned funds, a method of giving that proportionally allocates the churchwide budget to conferences and local churches.

For United Methodists this method of giving has become a strong, generous tradition.

Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone. In this way, individuals, families, and congregations give a fair share for the church's work. We combine our prayers, presence, gifts and service to make a significant difference in the lives of God's people.

The general funds include:

World Service Fund

The World Service Fund is the essential core of our global outreach ministry, underwriting Christian mission around the world. By giving to the World Service Fund we empower United Methodist evangelistic efforts…stimulate Bible study and spiritual commitment…encourage church growth and discipleship…and help God's children everywhere. 

Ministerial Education Fund

Men and women choose the ministry because God calls them. The Ministerial Education Fund is our way of helping them answer that divine call. Our United Methodist seminaries lead the effort to proclaim God's word in a world desperately in need of that message. 

Episcopal Fund

Bishops have always had a very special role in our church…elected and consecrated to speak to the church…and from the church. The apostle Paul called it "a noble task," but it is practical, too, since our bishops oversee and promote the church's spiritual and temporal interests as well. 

Apportionments also provide funds for colleges and universities worldwide.

General Administration Fund

This fund underwrites and finances general church activities that are administrative in nature, rather than program-related—like General Conference, the legislative branch of the church. General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers the finances of the church, receives, disburses and accounts for the church's general funds, safeguards the denomination's legal interests and rights, compiles and publishes denominational statistics and maintains the church's records. 

Since transparency is best. This is our reality:

   Each year, ALL churches must pay their “apportioned amount” by Dec. 31^st. Due to the multitude of NECESSARY building challenges our church has had, our CMG is WAY behind. Since we have had so MUCH on our plates this year and since you all have been AMAZINGLY generous, we understand, that we may not be able to pay our full “apportioned” amount by the end of the year. We are doing our best and hope the HTCUMC understands. It is our goal to pay at least half of the amount we have been assessed ($51,000) for this year. As you give each Sunday, please consider adding an extra $5 or $10, specifically earmarked for our CMG.

    Also, keep in mind, Oct. requires an extra paycheck for our CDC workers.

We celebrate that we have had eighteen people join the church this conference year. Unfortunately and sadly, we have also had fourteen members to pass, since July 1, of 2024. You are invited to come to the Church Council Meeting on Sunday after the 11:00 service to hear a full report on the financial state of the church. 

THIS SATURDAY!

*All Concession will be available for cash purchase only.

- Sweet Treats Concession -

We are preparing for our Sweet Treat concession for Saturday, October 25^th 9:00 - 2:00 at our Harvest Jubilee. We need your talents!

Please look through your favorite recipes for goodies that don’t require frosting or glaze. 

Package each item for individual sale (2 brownies, 4 cookies, 2 bars, 2 muffins, snack mix bags, etc…) or perhaps a bread, pie or cake. We want to know the item name and if it has NUTS or NO NUTS!

We ask that you bring your treats to sort & price the afternoon of October 24^th in the fellowship hall kitchen from 3:00-6:00 pm. If you have any questions or want to help with sales, please contact Lisa Kure at (254)220-5524.

An important Church Council meeting will be held following the 11:00 service this coming Sunday (October 26th). Light refreshments will be served. This meeting is held to give members an opportunity to vote on leadership recommendations in advance of the 2025 District Conference on November 9th, at FUMC, Salado (3:00 pm). All Committee chairpersons should be prepared to give a committee report. There will be a lot to cover; therefore, we are asking members to bring light refreshments: salads. sandwiches, drinks, desserts, etc.

November 1st marks a meaningful season in the Christian faith. This year, All Saints Day falls on a Saturday. We will celebrate the day on Sunday, November 2nd, at both the 8:00 and 11:00 am services. We will honor the people who have left us this year by inviting families to join us for this celebration. 

    Names will be read and prayed over, a candle will be lit in their memory, and a bell will toll to help us remember them. On this special day, people traditionally visit the graves of deceased relatives, giving God solemn thanks for the lives of our saints.   

    The saints we will be honoring are: Gwyn Caviness, Marie Deane, Karl Nedela, Jos Portmann, Pearl Hubbard, Craig Cunningham, Bill Kozlik, Allie Krebs, Lacy Smith, Joe Friddle, Annette Lucksinger, Susan Walters, Alma Ruiz, Sandy Kearney and Veda Kay Waheed. I would encourage you to drop a note of encouragement to the families of our dearly departed friends. If you need a family address, please let me know. 

Blessings,  

Marty Portmann, Worship Chairman 

On October 18th, three teenagers and several adults participated in our Fall Open Confirmation Class. The Confirmands are: Alana Kendall, Spencer Madrid, and Josiah Hardaway. Participating adults were (in alphabetical order): Shawn & Andrea Carriere, Rich & Barb Rinehart, Ken & Debbie Smith, Yvonne Smith, Nile Townsend, Margaret Tucker, Mike & Bev. Tuggle, and "drive by" participants were: Jeff & Dagmar Bain, and Eric & Christian Madrid.

The confirmands will offer their written creed as our Affirmation of Faith on Sunday. They will also participate in serving Holy Communion.

The Kendall's have requested Baptism by Immersion, so this will take place immediately following Sundays 11:00 Service. If you have not been baptized, and would like to be (by immersion), please let the Pastor know before Sunday. If you desire to be Baptized by immersion, please bring an oversized, white T-shirt and be sure to bring a towel and a change of clothes.

The Child Development Center is currently enrolling! We have enrollment spaces available for crawlers/toddlers and Pre-K 2 children. Vacancies will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please reach out to the CDC office at 254-634-5149.

Winner!

Rob Lichtenberger pulled the winning 50/50 raffle ticket! Rob and Linda Lichtenberger have been members of our church for nearly 20 years. They have blessed us in countless ways. Rob is blessing us again, by donating his winnings back to the church! Remember to thank you for his generosity!

- "Fun" Raisers -

Well…speaking of “FUN” Raisers (pun intended), we have SEVERAL going on at the same time. So, we are keeping them altogether, under the same umbrella (thank you, Sara Charlton and Chloe King). The following "Fun" raisers are dedicated to various building projects (parking lot lights, etc.):

The Tote Bag "Fun" Raiser is dedicated to general funds.

Everyone is invited to join Reverend Steve Ramsdell for the

God Is Big Enough Workshop

On November 22, 2025, God Is Big Enough Ministries will share with FUMC of Killeen on how God guides and how effective prayer works. Please start praying for this event. We look forward to a great morning of spiritual growth and fellowship. See you there!

The first Sunday of next month, November 2nd, is the end of Daylight Saving. Don't forget to fall back 1 hour!

- Opportunities at FUMC - Killeen -

Click to view the Church Calendar

Below is a list of highlighted events for the upcoming week. Items in italics indicate off-site events. Click on the link above to view the full church calendar.

Sunday, October 26

8:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Worship

9:30 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group

9:30 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class

9:30 AM | Children's Sunday School Class

11:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group

4:00 PM | Youth Group Meeting - English muffin pizzas w/ Brandy

Monday, October 27

8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday

Tuesday, October 28

9:00 AM | Quilting Circle

9:30 AM | Mary Ruth Circle Meeting - Book Study

10:00 AM | Dominoes/42 Group

5:30 PM | Abigail Circle Meeting

Wednesday, October 29

10:00 AM | Church Staff Meeting

10:30 AM | Morning Bible Study with Ken Smith

5:00 PM | Deeper Waters Bible Study w/ Snack Meal

7:00 PM | Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, October 30

11:00 AM | Celebration of Life for Service for Veda Kay Waheed

Friday, October 31

8:30 AM | Frisch Park Workday

Saturday, November 1

10:00 AM | Feed the Need in Killeen - with Methodist Men

6:00 PM | Family Movie Night - Playground side of church grounds or Fellowship Hall

Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back 1 Hour)

Sunday, November 2 All Saints Day

8:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Worship

9:30 AM | Adult Sunday School Classes & Emmaus Prayer Group

9:30 AM | Guiding Young Minds (GYM) Sunday School Class

9:30 AM | Children's Sunday School Class

11:00 AM | “Kids Korner” Group

4:00 PM | Youth Group Meeting - Dia De Los Muertos Hispanic Heritage

November 11 | Veteran's Day Church office, CDC, and Building Closed