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What
is the McKee Fund Anyway?
What is the McKee Fund Anyway? A class, a class, my
soul for a class. Did you know that this phrase is from Richard the III,
and it really goes: 'A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse'? For those of you who
remember the church survey we sent out last year, one of the things you asked
for was a variety of classes offered on different days to accommodate your
different spiritual needs and schedules. The Board and Rev.
Sallie would love to offer more of these classes to you. However, Sallie cannot
teach them all due to her schedule and responsibilities. Our two Licensed Unity
teachers (LUTs) that are credentialed to teach such classes are no longer
available because of their current living situations. The one person, Rev.
Sharon Allmond, who will sometimes available to teach for us, must be borrowed
from First Unity Church on Butler Hill Rd. That is why we need
more teachers, and we are working on it! Both Gail Richmond and Judy Townsend
are feverishly taking classes that will qualify them to teach here at our church
- everything from Lessons in Truth to Christ in the Bible. Gail has expressed an
interest in becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher and has already started taking
some of the 25 required classes. Judy has expressed an interest in becoming a
minister/chaplain. Right now, 16 classes are required as a prerequisite, but
soon that amount will be increased to 25. Judy will be done with the
pre-requisites by July of this year, and will apply for the ministerial school
in August. Neither Gail, nor Judy will be able to teach ‘For Credit’ classes
for at least two, if not three years, due to timing and cost. Each class for a licensed teacher, or prerequisite class for the ministerial school, costs $150. That does not include room and board if the classes are taken at Unity Village , in Lee’s Summit . Once a person is accepted to the ministerial school, there is a set fee for completion of the program, which is in the $20 - $30,000 range. Sometimes limited financial aid is available for ministerial students, but not to licensed teachers. At one time, our church had quite a bit of money in a category called the McKee Fund, which we currently tithe to periodically. The fund was named after the founding minister of our church, Reverend Julia McKee. The Mckee Fund held a substantial amount, and was meant to help with the educational pursuits of budding teachers and ministers of this church, which it did. However, there was no provision to replenish the fund, either by the recipients or the congregation, except by periodic tithes. Currently, the fund has only $750. Friends, if you find
yourselves blessed with any extra funds, and you are interested in having more
classes, please consider donating to the McKee fund when you give your regular
tithe each week. It is a long-term investment and will do our church a lot of
good. In addition, both Gail and Judy have come up with a way to help replenish the fund creatively. Judy is becoming licensed in massage therapy, after having already been certified for ten years in this field, as well as having practiced and taught in a variety of venues in Missouri . She is willing to donate her time to provide this service in exchange for a love offering that would go to the McKee Fund. Gail likewise will be donating her time as a chaplain in the area of spiritual counseling and floral arranging in exchange for a love offering for the fund. More about these services will be provided in upcoming bulletins and announcements. And finally, please tell your Board how you would like this fund to be protected for the future. Blessings, Your Board and Rev. Sallie
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