Liberian President Supports CCPI Fundraising Effort 

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2009

Contact: M. Colette Nies, Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-4296 or cnies@gbophb.org

Evanston, IL—Southern Methodist University was the site for a Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) donor reception on April 14, attended by Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, president of The Republic of Liberia. This private CCPI donor reception was hosted by Bishop Ben R. Chamness, Dr. William Green and Bishop John Wesley Hardt.

Following her scheduled lecture at SMU, President Sirleaf joined the 40 CCPI invited guests and shared spontaneous personal remarks on the conditions and dire circumstances faced by UMC clergy in Liberia. She spoke of the ongoing struggle for peace and stability in her home country and the diligence and fortitude of local clergy and the challenges they have endured during extremely difficult times, developing local churches, maintaining schools and keeping the connection alive.

The ongoing financial needs of retired central conference clergy and their surviving spouses  are the mission of the CCPI. Over the past two years the fundraising effort has realized $15.2 million in gifts and pledges toward a goal of $20 million.

Visit www.ccpi-umc.org for more information about CCPI and ways to participate in this effort.

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About the Central Conference Pension Initiative

The Central Conference Pension Initiative is designed to become a long-term solution and a foundation for retirement security for dedicated church leaders who would otherwise have little or nothing to support them when their careers in ministry end.

There are 72 annual and provisional annual conferences in 42 countries outside the United States. The complexities of local laws, cultures, history and traditions in these diverse areas present a variety of challenges in establishing pension programs. Pilot projects are under way in Liberia and Mozambique. CCPI, under the auspices of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, continues to explore ways to expand pension assistance to additional conferences.

About the General Board

The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits is a not-for-profit administrative agency of The United Methodist Church, responsible for the general supervision and administration of the retirement, health and welfare benefit plans, programs and funds for more than 74,000 clergy and lay employees of the Church.

The General Board is the largest faith-based pension fund in the United States and ranks among the top 100 pension funds in the country. As a socially responsible investor, the General Board is actively involved in shareholder advocacy, proxy voting, portfolio screening and community investing.