Wespath Renames ‘Central Conference Pensions’ Program to ‘Connectional Pension Support’

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Wespath announces that the Central Conference Pensions (CCP) program is renamed Connectional Pension Support (CPS), reflecting the significant regionalization structural change within The United Methodist Church (UMC), and reaffirming the program’s connectional, worldwide mission. The program helps provide a steady source of retirement income for about 3,700 clergy and surviving spouses and surviving children in the regional conferences outside the U.S.—across Africa, the Philippines and Europe.

The name change follows the worldwide ratification of constitutional amendments approved in May 2024 by the United Methodist Church General Conference and certified by the Council of Bishops in November 2025. Under the newly ratified structure, the Church’s central conferences and the United States are now collectively referred to as ‘regional conferences,’ each with equal standing and certain legislative authorities within the denomination.

“The transition to Connectional Pension Support reflects the evolving structure of The United Methodist Church while honoring the deep connectional roots that have always defined this program,” said Wespath’s Andy Hendren, general secretary. “While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: supporting long-term retirement security for United Methodist clergy and their families around the world.”

A Program Built Through Global Connection

The Connectional Pension Support program traces its origins to General Conference 2000, when UMC leaders created a task force of bishops and general secretaries to address the lack of retirement security for clergy in many regional conferences. In 2004, The Book of Discipline was amended to authorize the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) under the auspices of Wespath, launching a denomination-wide fundraising effort to support pension development outside the U.S.

Following the successful completion of a $25 million fundraising goal in 2013, the program was renamed Central Conference Pensions, marking a shift from fundraising to long-term pension development and support.

What began as a small task force of eight leaders has grown into a global United Methodist network supporting 12 pension plans across 19 episcopal areas within seven regional conferences, many of which historically offered little to no pension assistance for retired clergy and their surviving family members.

Today, Wespath continues to provide support and consultation while working alongside regional conference leaders to strengthen pension sustainability. While financial support for these pension plans is stable and secure, funding and administration varies by plan. The program will continue to focus on enhancing plan long-term sustainability.

“For more than two decades, this program has demonstrated what is possible when United Methodists come together across borders in shared mission,” said Bill Kavanaugh, Wespath’s chief operating officer. “Connectional Pension Support affirms that legacy while looking ahead with clarity, unity and hope.”

In the next few months, Wespath will update the CPS webpage, publications and other communications to reflect the program name change.

Wespath rebaptise son programme « Central Conference Pensions » en « Connectional Pension Support »

May 11, 2026

Wespath annonce que le programme « Central Conference Pensions » (CCP) est rebaptisé « Connectional Pension Support » (CPS), reflétant ainsi l’important changement structurel de régionalisation au sein de l’Église Méthodiste Unie (UMC) et réaffirmant la mission mondiale et connective du programme. Ce programme contribue à fournir une source stable de revenus de retraite à environ 3 700 membres du clergé, conjoints survivants et enfants survivants dans les conférences régionales situées en dehors des États-Unis, notamment en Afrique, aux Philippines et en Europe.

Ce changement de nom fait suite à la ratification mondiale des amendements constitutionnels approuvés en mai 2024 par la Conférence générale de l’UMC et certifiés par le Conseil des évêques en novembre 2025. Dans le cadre de la structure nouvellement ratifiée, les conférences centrales de l’Église et les États-Unis sont désormais collectivement désignés sous le nom de « conférences régionales », chacune jouissant d’un statut égal et de certaines autorités législatives au sein de la dénomination.

« Le passage à Connectional Pension Support reflète l’évolution de la structure de l’UMC tout en honorant les profondes racines connexionnelles qui ont toujours défini ce programme », a déclaré Andy Hendren, secrétaire général de Wespath. « Si le nom a changé, la mission reste la même : garantir la sécurité de la retraite à long terme du clergé méthodiste uni et de ses familles à travers le monde. »

Un programme fondé sur une connexion mondiale

Le programme Connectional Pension Support trouve ses origines lors de la Conférence générale de 2000, lorsque les dirigeants de l’UMC ont créé un groupe de travail composé d’évêques et de secrétaires généraux pour remédier au manque de sécurité de la retraite du clergé dans de nombreuses conférences régionales. En 2004, le Livre de discipline a été amendé pour autoriser la Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) sous l’égide de Wespath, lançant ainsi une campagne de collecte de fonds à l’échelle de la dénomination pour soutenir le développement des pensions en dehors des États-Unis.

Après avoir atteint avec succès l’objectif de collecte de fonds de 25 millions de dollars en 2013, le programme a été rebaptisé « Central Conference Pensions », marquant ainsi le passage de la collecte de fonds au développement et au soutien à long terme des régimes de retraite

Ce qui a commencé comme un petit groupe de travail de huit dirigeants s’est transformé en un réseau méthodiste uni mondial soutenant 12 régimes de retraite dans 19 zones épiscopales au sein de sept conférences régionales, dont beaucoup n’offraient historiquement que peu ou pas d’aide en matière de retraite aux membres du clergé à la retraite et aux membres survivants de leur famille.

Aujourd’hui, Wespath continue d’apporter son soutien et ses conseils tout en collaborant avec les responsables des conférences régionales afin de renforcer la viabilité des régimes de retraite. Si le soutien financier apporté à ces régimes est stable et sûr, leur financement et leur gestion varient d’un régime à l’autre. Le programme continuera de se concentrer sur l’amélioration de la viabilité à long terme des régimes.

« Depuis plus de deux décennies, ce programme démontre ce qu’il est possible de réaliser lorsque les méthodistes unis s’unissent au-delà des frontières dans une mission commune », a déclaré Bill Kavanaugh, directeur des opérations de Wespath. « Le programme Connectional Pension Support (CPS) affirme cet héritage tout en se tournant vers l’avenir avec clarté, unité et espoir. »

Au cours des prochains mois, Wespath mettra à jour la page web du CPS, ses publications et autres communications afin de refléter le changement de nom du programme.

A Wespath renomeia o programa «Central Conference Pensions» para «Connectional Pension Support»

May 11, 2026

A Wespath anuncia que o programa Central Conference Pensions (CCP) passa a chamar-se Connectional Pension Support (CPS), refletindo a significativa mudança estrutural de regionalização dentro da Igreja Metodista Unida (UMC) e reafirmando a missão conexional e mundial do programa. O programa ajuda a proporcionar uma fonte estável de rendimento de reforma para cerca de 3.700 clérigos, cônjuges sobreviventes e filhos sobreviventes nas conferências regionais fora dos EUA — em África, nas Filipinas e na Europa.

A mudança de nome surge na sequência da ratificação mundial das emendas constitucionais aprovadas em maio de 2024 pela Conferência Geral da UMC e certificadas pelo Conselho dos Bispos em novembro de 2025. Ao abrigo da estrutura recém-ratificada, as conferências centrais da Igreja e os Estados Unidos são agora designados coletivamente como «conferências regionais», cada uma com igual estatuto e determinadas competências legislativas no seio da denominação.

«A transição para o Apoio à Pensão Conectional reflete a estrutura em evolução da UMC, ao mesmo tempo que honra as profundas raízes conexionais que sempre definiram este programa», afirmou Andy Hendren, secretário-geral da Wespath. «Embora o nome tenha mudado, a missão permanece a mesma: apoiar a segurança da reforma a longo prazo para o clero metodista unido e as suas famílias em todo o mundo.»

Um programa construído através da conexão global

O programa Apoio à Pensão Conectional tem as suas origens na Conferência Geral de 2000, quando os líderes da UMC criaram um grupo de trabalho composto por bispos e secretários-gerais para abordar a falta de segurança na reforma do clero em muitas conferências regionais. Em 2004, o Livro da Disciplina foi alterado para autorizar a Iniciativa de Pensões da Conferência Central (CCPI) sob os auspícios da Wespath, lançando um esforço de angariação de fundos em toda a denominação para apoiar o desenvolvimento de pensões fora dos EUA.

Após a conclusão bem-sucedida de uma meta de angariação de fundos de 25 milhões de dólares em 2013, o programa foi renomeado para Pensões da Conferência Central, marcando uma mudança da angariação de fundos para o desenvolvimento e apoio de pensões a longo prazo.

O que começou como um pequeno grupo de trabalho de oito líderes transformou-se numa rede global da UMC que apoia 12 planos de pensões em 19 áreas episcopais dentro de sete conferências regionais, muitas das quais, historicamente, ofereciam pouca ou nenhuma assistência em matéria de pensões aos clérigos reformados e aos seus familiares sobreviventes.

Atualmente, a Wespath continua a prestar apoio e aconselhamento, trabalhando em conjunto com os líderes das conferências regionais para reforçar a sustentabilidade das pensões. Embora o apoio financeiro a estes planos de pensões seja estável e seguro, o financiamento e a administração variam consoante o plano. O programa continuará a centrar-se no reforço da sustentabilidade a longo prazo dos planos.

«Há mais de duas décadas que este programa tem demonstrado o que é possível quando os Metodistas Unidos se unem além-fronteiras numa missão partilhada», afirmou Bill Kavanaugh, diretor de operações da Wespath. «O Apoio à Pensão Conectional reafirma esse legado, ao mesmo tempo que olha para o futuro com clareza, unidade e esperança.»

Nos próximos meses, a Wespath atualizará a página web do CPS, as publicações e outras comunicações para refletir a mudança de nome do programa.

Programang Central Conference Pensions ng Wespath papalitan na ang pangalan sa ‘Connectional Pension Support’ Program

May 11, 2026

Inanunsyo ng Wespath ang pagpapalit ng pangalan ng Central Conference Pensions (CCP) program, na tatawagin na ngayong Connectional Pension Support (CPS). Ang hakbang na ito ay bunsod ng malawakang pagbabago sa estruktura ng The United Methodist Church (UMC)—ang Regionalization—na naglalayong pagtibayin ang pandaigdigang koneksyon at misyon ng simbahan. Sa kasalukuyan, ang programa ay nagsisilbing sandigan ng humigit-kumulang 3,700 na pastor, gayundin ang mga naiwang asawa at anak sa mga rehiyonal na kumperensya sa Africa, Pilipinas, at Europa.

Ang pagbabagong ito ay resulta ng ratipikasyon ng mga amyenda sa konstitusyon na inaprubahan noong Mayo 2024 ng UMC General Conference at kinumpirma ng Council of Bishops noong Nobyembre 2025. Sa ilalim ng bagong sistema, ang mga central conference at ang Estados Unidos ay magkakasama nang tatawaging “regional conferences”—na may pantay na katayuan at kapangyarihang lehislatibo sa loob ng denominasyon./p>

“Ang pagpalit ng pangalan sa Connectional Pension Support ay salamin ng umuunlad na estruktura ng UMC habang binibigyang-importansya ang malalim na ugnayan na pundasyon ng programang ito,” ani Andy Hendren, General Secretary ng Wespath. “Nagbago man ang pangalan, hindi natitinag ang aming misyon: ang tiyakin ang seguridad sa pagreretiro ng mga pastor at ng kanilang mga pamilya sa buong mundo.”

Isang Programang Pinagtibay ng Ugnayang Pandaigdigan

Nagsimula ang Connectional Support Program noong General Conference 2000, nang lumikha ang mga pinuno ng UMC ng isang task force na binubuo ng mga obispo at general secretary bilang tugon sa kakulangan ng pondo para sa pagreretiro ng mga klero sa maraming regional conferences. Noong 2004, binago ang The Book of Discipline upang pahintulutan ang Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng Wespath, na naglunsad ng isang pangangalap-pondo sa buong denominasyon upang suportahan ang pag-unlad ng pensiyon sa labas ng Estados Unidos.

Matapos malikom ang target na $25 milyon noong 2013, ang programa ay kinilalang Central Conference pensions na nag-udyok sa pagbabalangkas na maging pangmatagalang suporta at pagpapaunlad ng pensyon.

Mula sa pagiging isang maliit na task force na binubuo ng walong tao, lumago ito at naging isang malawak na global United Methodist Network na sumusuporta sa 12 pension plans sa loob ng 19 na episcopal areas ng 7 regional conferences – kung saan dati ay may maliit o walang sapat na tulong pinansyal para sa mga retiradong lingkod ng Diyos at ang kanilang mga pamilya.

Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang Wespath sa pagbibigay ng tulong at gabay sa mga pinuno ng mga regional conference upang mas patatagin ang pundasyon ng kanilang mga pension program. Bagaman masigasig at ligtas ang suportang pinansyal para sa mga planong ito, nagkakaiba-iba ang paraan ng pagpopondo at pamamahala depende sa pangangailangan ng bawat rehiyon. Mananatiling prayoridad ng programa na tiyaking magiging pangmatagalan at sapat ang pondo para sa hinaharap.

“Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada, naging patunay ang programang ito sa mga katangi-tanging bagay na kayang makamit kapag ang mga United Methodist ay nagkaisa sa iisang misyon, anuman ang hangganan ng kanilang bansa,” pahayag ni Bill Kavanaugh, Chief Operating Officer ng Wespath. “Pinagtitibay ng Connectional Pension Support ang pamanang ito, habang sumasalubong sa kinabukasan nang may malinaw na layunin, pagkakaisa, at pag-asa.”

Sa mga darating na buwan, ia-update ng Wespath ang kanilang website, mga lathalain, at iba pang paraan ng komunikasyon upang opisyal na ipakita ang bagong pangalan ng programa.

Wespath Hubadilisha Jina Mpango wa “Kiinua mgongo cha Mkutano Mkuu” Hadi kuwa “Msaada wa kiinua mgongo cha uhusiano” 

May 11, 2026

Wespath inatangaza kwamba mpango huo wa kiinua mgongo au malipo ya kustaafu ya Mkutano wa Kati, yaani “Central Conference Pension” (CCP) imebadilishwa jina na kua Msaada wa kiinua mgongo cha uhusiano, yaani Connectional Pension Support (CPS), ikionyesha mabadiliko makubwa ya muundo wa kikanda ndani ya Kanisa la United Methodist (UMC), na kuthibitisha tena dhamira ya kimuunganisho, wa mpango huo Duniani kote. Mpango huo husaidia kutoa chanzo thabiti cha mapato ya kustaafu kwa Makasisi wapatao 3,700 na wenzi wa ndoa walio hai na watoto walio hai katika mikutano ya kikanda nje ya Marekani, kote Afrika, Ufilipino na Ulaya.

Mabadiliko ya jina yanakuja kufuatia uthibitisho wa Duniani kote wa marekebisho ya katiba yaliyoidhinishwa mwezi wa tano mwaka 2024 na Mkutano Mkuu wa Kanisa la United Methodist na kuthibitishwa na Baraza la Maaskofu mnamo mwezi wa kumi na moja mwaka 2025. Chini ya muundo mpya ulioidhinishwa, mikutano mikuu ya Kanisa na Marekani sasa hujulikana kwa pamoja kama ‘mikutano ya kikanda,’ kila mmoja akiwa na hadhi sawa na mamlaka fulani ya kisheria ndani ya dhehebu. </p.

“Katika kipindi hiki cha mpito cha ‘Msaada wa kiinua mgongo cha uhusiano’ unaakisi muundo unaoendelea wa Kanisa la United Methodist, huku ukiheshimu mizizi ya kina ya uhusiano ambayo imefafanua mpango huu kila wakati,” Alisema Andy Hendren, katibu mkuu wa Wespath. “wakati jina limebadilika, dhamira inasalia kuwa ileile: kusaidia usalama wa kustaafu wa muda mrefu kwa makasisi wa Kanisa la United Methodist na familia zao ulimwenguni kote.”

Mpango Uliojengwa Kupitia Muunganisho wa Kimataifa

Mpango wa msaada wa kiinua mgongo cha uhusiano inatokana na chimbuko lake la mkutano mkuu wa mwaka 2000, wakati viongozi wa Kanisa la United Methodist walipounda kikosi kazi cha Maaskofu na makatibu wakuu ili kushughulikia ukosefu wa usalama wa kustaafu kwa makasisi katika mikutano mingi ya kikanda. Mnamo mwaka 2004, Kitabu cha Nidhamu (Book of Discipline) ilifanyiwa marekebisho ili kuidhinisha Mpango wa kiinua mgongo wa Mkutano wa Kati (CCPI) chini ya usimamizi wa Wespath, na hivyo kuanzisha au kuzindua juhudi kubwa ya uchangishaji au ukusanyaji fedha ili kusaidia maendeleo ya kiinua mgongo nje ya Marekani.

Kufuatia kukamilika kwa mafanikio ya lengo la kukusanya pesa takribani dola milioni 25 mnamo mwaka 2013, Mpango huo uilibadilishwa jina na kua kiinua mgogo au malipo ya kustaafu ya Mkutano wa Kati, yaani “Central Conference Pensions”, kuashiria mabadiliko kutoka kwa uchangishaji wa fedha wa maendeleo ya kiinua mgongo cha muda mrefu na msaada.

Kilichoanza kama kikosi kazi kidogo cha viongozi wanane kimeongezeka na kuwa na mausiano ya mtandao wa kimataifa wa United Methodist unaosaidia mipango 12 ya kiinua mgongo katika maeneo 19 ya kiutawala ya Kiaskofu ndani ya mikutano saba ya kikanda, ambayo kihistoria mingi haikutoa msaada wowote wa kiinua mgongo kwa makasisi waliostaafu na wanafamilia walio hai.

Leo, Wespath inaendelea kutoa msaada na ushauri huku ikifanya kazi pamoja na viongozi wa mikutano ya kikanda ili kuimarisha uendelevu au uboreshwaji wa malipo ya kustaafu. Wakati huo msaada wa kifedha kwa mipango hii ya kiinua mgongo ni thabiti na salama, ufadhili na usimamizi au utawala hutofautiana kulingana na mpango husika. Mpango huu utaendelea kulenga katika kuimarisha mpango endelevu wa muda mrefu.

“Kwa zaidi ya miongo miwili, mpango huu umeonyesha kile kinachowezekana wakati washirika wa Kanisa la United Methodist wanapokuwa pamoja huvuka mipaka katika ushirikiano wa dhamira ya pamoja,” alisema Bill Kavanaugh, afisa mkuu wa uendeshaji wa Wespath. “Msaada wa kiinua mgongo cha uhusiano’ unathibitisha urithi huo huku ukitazama mbele kwa uwazi, umoja na matumaini.”

Katika miezi michache ijayo, Wespath itauhisha (kuboresha) ukurasa wa tuvuti wa CPS, machapisho na mawasiliano mengine ili kuonyesha mabadiliko ya jina la mpango.