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February 2021
Dear Friend,
On behalf of the entire Friends United Meeting community, I want to thank you for your generous and committed support of Robert Wafula, Principal of Friends Theological College, over the last few years. Your prayers, personal care, and financial investment in his ministry make our work and witness possible. Thank you—and God bless you—for your faithful partnership!
As part of our commitment to financial integrity and sustainability, FUM policy requires our Field Staff to be fully funded for their entire term of service (usually three years) before continuing their call. We calculate Field Staff support levels by adding together the monthly and annual commitments by supporters like you. One-time gift pledges round out the entire amount.
The global pandemic created challenges for all of us, including FUM Field Staff. Generally, these ministers come to the US each year to connect with the individuals and congregations who support them and to reach out to new people interested in investing in their work. As you know, travel is severely limited now, and to keep everyone safe and to slow the spread of the virus, Field Staff have remained in their work locations. As it turns out, the end of Robert's term of service coincided with the pandemic travel restrictions, and he had no opportunity to connect with current or new supporters.
Because of the pandemic's exceptional circumstances, the FUM Board opted to allow Robert to continue at FTC even though his funding for his 2021–2023 term of service is insufficient. Along with Robert, the FUM staff is working through the remainder of this year to raise the needed pledges to keep him on the field and continue the ministry God has called and equipped him to carry out.
While Robert has a strong base of current supporters, he needs additional individuals, families, and congregations to fund his 2021–2023 term of service altogether. It is a great sense of relief and freedom for our Field Staff when they can focus on the work, rather than worrying if their support is adequate and sustainable.
Whether monthly or annually, a pledge to his Field Staff support account enables Robert to continue his outstanding leadership for the College. Please consider rejoining Robert’s list of supporters by making a financial pledge toward his ministry!
If you will take a moment to prayerfully consider your call to support Robert, fill it out, and return it to the FUM office, we will appreciate it. If you prefer, you can also pledge and set up an automatic monthly credit card payment or bank transfer by going to https://donorbox.org/robertwafula. Please indicate in the "write us a comment section" how long you intend to continue monthly donations.
You may wish to respond by email. Either way, we are grateful for you and appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about your pledge or would like to explore other ways to support FUM, please contact me. If your Meeting/church is interested in inviting Robert or another FUM staff person to a virtual gathering (until we begin meeting in person again), please let me know!
Finally, we are hosting a Zoom gathering of Robert's current and past supporters for an update on FTC on Wednesday, March 17 at Noon (Eastern). I hope you will plan to join us for this event. Exciting developments are happening with the College, and Robert will be greatly encouraged to see the faces of the Friends who make his ministry possible.
Here is the Zoom link information for this event.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85102069074
Meeting ID: 851 0206 9074
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,85102069074# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,85102069074# US (Houston)
We will send out a reminder invitation by email ahead of the gathering.
Friend—thank you! I find myself so humbled and filled with gratitude over the generosity of people like you who are committed to the mission of Friends United Meeting.
Peace and joy to you!
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