or
over 50 years, Methodist churches of Texas have been providing scholarships
to deserving United Methodist students in our United Methodist colleges
and universities in Texas.
Each
congregation in Texas United Methodism is apportioned a yearly amount
for the Texas Methodist College Association. Paying in full the TUMCA
apportionment means that deserving United Methodist students receive
vital assistance for their academic accomplishments, life-skills training,
and faith enrichment.
TUMCA
distributes the apportionment funds to its member colleges and universities
by an equitable formula. No funds go to bricks and mortar or to institutional
administration.
TUMCA's
mission statement--"Helping Texas United Methodist students attend
Texas United Methodist colleges and universities"
--reflects our
strong commitment to faith-based Christian higher education. Through
TUMCA, every United Methodist congregation in Texas has a unique opportunity
to make a vital difference in the lives of students from our congregations.
Spokesperson
Program
The
TUMCA Spokesperson program gives a "face and voice" to the
TUMCA apportionment in each local church budget. Students selected each
year from the seven United Methodist schools in Texas are available
to speak about their scholarships in various Annual Conference and district
settings. (These scholarships come from TUMCA in five of the schools
and from the Black College Fund in two of the schools.) Leaders desiring
spokespersons for specific gatherings are encouraged to contact Marsha
Hartos at the TUMCA office, 325-793-3805.
"Thank you" Witness Program
TUMCA scholarship recipients are requested to give a "Thank you" witness in their home churches. Since each United Methodist Church in Texas receives a TUMCA apportionment through its Annual Conference Apportionments, the student "Thank you" witness helps a congregation to appreciate the direct results of their TUMCA giving.
Annually students are notified if the United Methodist university in Texas they attend has awarded them a TUMCA scholarship. These students, as well as their home church pastors, are requested to arrange a "Thank you" witness moment in a Sunday morning worship service or at an appropriate congregational gathering.
Connections
In addition
to TUMCA Spokesperson appearances, Bishop Solomon visits with United
Methodists in various settings--Annual Conference and district meetings,
conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, bishops and
cabinets of the Annual Conferences, local congregations, and the seven
colleges and universities.
Bishop
Solomon assists groups and persons to understand and appreciate the
important difference that TUMCA funds make in the educational journeys
of our scholarship recipients.
Those wishing
to contact Bishop Solomon are encouraged to call his office, 325-793-4899.
