Faith in the Future
MMA 2009 Report
Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference
June 18-20, 2009
In the fall of 2008, a Katrina Hurricane-like storm hit the finances of American society. To aid people recovering from this turmoil, MMA is working with the broader church community, focusing on trust in God as the first step toward healing. Undergoing its own restructuring and reorientation, MMA is adapting itself toward pursuing its vision of helping people integrate faith and finances. In the world around us and within our own doors, MMA is seeing significant change. Yes, the road ahead is unknown, but we move ahead with faith in God and the future. Show young adults how to use money in responsible, faith-based ways with two presentations that can be given by local MMA representatives: Money talks, God is listening, for highschoolers and 7 things young adults need to know about money, for college-aged classes. BRAC Africa Loan Fund supports microfinance efforts in Tanzania, Uganda, and Southern Sudan. MMA Community Development Investments has committed $500,000 to BRAC to further its impact through programs in education, health, and job training to alleviate poverty. Living healthier can help reduce the need for medical treatment, saving dollars for other needs. Eligible individuals can save up to 16 percent on their MMA health insurance by participating in MMA’s wellness program. The discount through this program recently increased to further encourage people to pursue wellness. MMA’s Sharing Fund will give congregations new flexibility in 2009 to determine how their faith community uses the fund’s matching grants. This change allows churches to focus financial resources on their calling as a congregation and on where there is the most need.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not to harm, to give you a future with hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
(NRSV)
Mennonite Financial Federal Credit Union and MMA have new joint offices in Kidron, Ohio, and Sarasota, Fla., in addition to existing joint offices in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Mennonite Financial has a range of services that benefit the faith community, including no-fee electronic giving to churches and charities. Creation Care: Keepers of the Earth debuted in 2008. It is a new group-study book from MMA, exploring the biblical perspective of Christian stewardship of God’s creation.
An Anabaptist leader in faithbased creation care, author Luke Gascho encourages readers to determine what role they can play in caring for God’s creation – a role that can also reduce materialism and increase justice.
MMA is leading efforts to address predatory credit card practices by financial service firms that can pose serious risks, particularly to people in financial difficulty. In fall 2008, MMA began working with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility on advocacy with six large credit card issuers by filing shareholder resolutions to begin dialogue on these practices.
We would be glad to assist you with the stewardship resources and services mentioned in this report. For more information, please contact your local MMA advisor, visit MMA-online.org, or call us at (800) 348-7468.
Report prepared March 19, 2009.
Dear Friends: You are well aware of the turmoil our economy has experienced since late last year. While there remains much uncertainty and fear in our society, I can report MMA, your organization, remains strong and stable. Many people in our faith community have experienced a significant decline in their investments or may have strained family finances today. MMA is here to help. We have free budget and debt counseling; we have advisors dedicated to helping you align your finances with your calling and goals in life. We are grateful to join with the Mennonite Church USA faith community that is practicing mutual aid and generosity to help people with serious needs during these difficult economic times. In 2008, MMA devoted time to setting up a new internal structure to transform our organization to better serve you. We respect and thank the leaders who brought MMA to this point. Our new leadership team is committed to the church and to keeping Christian faith central as we advise individuals, congregations, and institutions in making stewardship decisions. Larry D. Miller President and CEO