Friends in deed

Friends in deed
Friends and beneficiaries of the
Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust

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What do friends do?

The purpose of Friends of LWPT is to share friendship, fellowship, fun and fundraising. Friends of LWPT are people who support the values and objectives of the LWPT and value each person as important and unique.

Locally organised groups of Friends of LWPT can offer fun and fellowship opportunities such as meals, social occasions, study days, devotional activities. Friends of LWPT can establish opportunities for fundraising this can take different forms and may involve some education or giving of information about the work and values of the LWPT.

Individual Friends of LWPT can encourage their local churches and other Friends to make regular donations to LWPT. The leaflet `How we care', and Gift envelopes to support fundraising, are available in quantity from the LWPT Office and regular reminders about donations will be included with Ichthus.

Friends of LWPT are encouraged to remember LWPT in their will.

Friends of LWPT are needed to be constantly alert to those who may be in need and should refer potential beneficiaries to the local Minister or Pastor, the secretary of the Local Preachers' Meeting or direct to the LWPT Office. Confidentiality will be preserved in all cases.
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So who are Friends?

Friends of LWPT are part of an on-going organisation, which has transformed itself through metamorphosis into a modern, efficient, streamlined charity, which is dedicated to care for all who lead worship in our Methodist and Wesleyan Reform Union Churches and other participating denominations.

All leaders of worship and the members of the Methodist Local Preachers' meeting (lay and ordained), leaders of worship and preachers (lay and ordained) in the Wesleyan Reform Union and in any other participating denominations. Donations will be very welcome from anyone in this group.
Any other person, including those who were Honorary members of LPMA, who wishes to support the work of LWPT by donating money (possibly on an annual basis) or by supporting fundraising events.
Existing Life Members of LPMA
Churches who wish to support the work of LWPT by making an annual donation, by grant or from a special collection. Gift envelopes for this purpose are available from the LWPT National Office. These enable Gift Aid to be applied.
Beneficiaries of LWPT and potential beneficiaries, including the widows and widowers of Local Preachers.

Therefore, the LWPT includes all preachers (lay and ordained) and leaders of worship in participating denominations. At first this will consist of the Wesleyan Reform Union, the Methodist Church and others participating in LEPs. A congregation

How do Friends keep in touch?

The Journal, Ichthus, will be sent to all Friends of LWPT on a regular basis and will provide the means of keeping them up-to-date with the activities of LWPT, including local events which may be organised by groups of Friends of LWPT. It will also continue to be the medium through which information from the Methodist Local Preachers' Office will be received by preachers (lay and ordained) and leaders of worship.

All Friends of LWPT will be entitled:

to receive regular copies of the Journal, Ichthus
through Ichthus, to have the opportunity to nominate LWPT Trustees
to attend the LWPT National Assembly but at their own expense
to engage in dialogue with the LWPT Trustees
- via the Journal, Ichthus
- through direct correspondence with Trustees or the National Office
- through face to face question and answer at the National Assembly
to apply for a self-funded place in one of our Residential Homes. Priority will first be given to the "Beneficiaries" identified above, who may also be supported in times of need.

In order to carry out this information dissemination, it will be necessary for the names and addresses of all Friends of LWPT to be recorded at the LWPT Office. Anyone not wishing these details to be held, should advise the LWPT Office in writing.

How do friends get together?

Friendship within the LWPT is the new local way of support for leaders of worship and preachers. We hope that LWPT Friendship Groups will be based on friendship, fellowship, fun and fundraising.

It is suggested that, initially, LWPT Friendship groups might form and be organised according to the prevailing local situation, possibly within a circuit or local group of circuits.

It will be helpful if someone could take on the responsibility of co-ordinating the activities.

It is important that these activities seek to involve and attract as many LWPT supporters as possible.

Information on the details of local supporters who could be invited to such events will be available from the LWPT National Office.

Finance for the LWPT Friends' groups should be obtained through local fundraising activities. Activities may be advertised in Ichthus but copy dates must be rigidly observed.

It is not essential for there to be a local treasurer but someone needs to be designated to keep records of monies raised and to forward them direct to the LWPT Office with a note of the source.

Who do we help?

At the discrimination of the Trustees and subject to funds being available, LWPT can help any leader of worship or preacher (lay or ordained) in a church whose doctrinal standards are similar to those of the Methodist Church and the Wesleyan Reform Union, whether they are active or retired or in training, their widows/widowers and dependents. Our ministry of care may also extend to those recognised ordained and lay people who participate in local ecumenical partnerships (LEPs).

How do we help?

We support the pastoral care of all those leading worship and preaching, their widows/widowers and dependants.
We assist those in need by offering:

advice and practical help with government or local authority benefits
weekly allowances or occasional grants to those facing financial hardship
care in our LWPHomes
financial support to live in our LWPHomes or agreed partners in sheltered housing
offering top-up funding to those living in third party care homes

We aim to support leaders of worship and preachers, in their training and continuing development, with events, resources and materials.

Financial support will be considered for those who need assistance in training and carrying out their duties as leaders of worship or preachers.