CCP Forum Welcomes New Faces, Creates Space for Collaboration

In November, Wespath’s Central Conference Pensions (CCP) team traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to host the most highly attended United Methodist Central Conference Pension Forum in recent years. The four-day meeting welcomed nearly as many new attendees as returnees, hosting a range of representatives, including central conference benefits officers, treasurers, Board of Pensions members and chairs.

The opening worship, performed in multiple languages and recognizing many cultures, set the Forum’s overarching theme of collaboration. Attendees participated in the spiritual coming together of pension leaders, treasurers and other key leaders from across the world singing and dancing in worship. From the beginning, this sense of connection instilled an openness to dialogues with differing perspectives between the Forum participants.

Wespath’s CCP team presented alongside other experts on a mix of topics such as global trends for retirement plan offerings and how things are evolving, the comparison of pension plans and defined contribution plans, actuarial valuations, auditing programs and best practices for conference staff and boards. The priorities of the upcoming General Conference were also discussed. In addition, each pension plan’s representatives had a chance to meet with Wespath staff to ask questions, share feedback and explore the specific needs of their plan.

The ongoing need for education about retirement plans, difficulty in collecting contributions, and importance of complete and accurate data were also addressed at the gathering. Attendees affirmed efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of the CCP program’s features. Attendees were also assured of Wespath’s steadfast support throughout a changing UMC.

Between sessions, attendees had time to dine together and engage in local recreation and camaraderie. Wespath staff and other Forum participants journeyed through a safari and visited a conservation center where they fed giraffes undergoing rehabilitation. “Most of us had never done something like this before,” noted Wespath’s Ross Lundstrom (manager, Church Relations). “It was incredible, and to share that experience as a group for the first time made it even more so.”

The Forum’s concluding sermon emphasized the importance of making balanced choices and remaining resilient when faced with challenges, exemplified by the living testimonies of the CCP program’s impact:

Gertrude Ntamajo, 71 (Province of Gisuru, Burundi)

Gertrude Ntamajo served as a pastor for nearly 30 years with a special focus on women and young girls at a church center established by missionaries. Now, with the support of her pension from Wespath and the Burundi Annual Conference, she is able to employ local workers for her farm and provide them with livelihood opportunities. Her pension has also enabled her to build a three-bedroom house, which she shares with her daughter, grandchild and great-grandchild.

Dagri Koliahon Virginia Epse Sonan, 57 (Côte d’Ivoire)

After the loss of her husband, a dedicated UMC pastor, she transformed her grief into hope. Her son discovered a niche in sourcing girls t-shirts at an affordable price. The duo uses their modest pension not just as a means for sustenance, but also as seed money for this business venture. With her son and business partner, they created a clothing business that is doing fairly well. Sonan acknowledges the vital role of the UMC pension system in her entrepreneurial journey.

Emmanuella Bodjo, 21 (Côte d’Ivoire)

In the shadow of losing her father, the Reverend Noël Bodjo, Emmanuella was able to turn to the UMC pension plan for the light and support she needed to pursue her dream of becoming a chartered accountant. Initially, Esaie, Emmanuella’s older brother, used the pension to fund his academic pursuits. Once he graduated, the baton was passed to Emmanuella. She used the pension funds wisely, focusing on covering tuition fees and essential academic materials.