Ministerial Scholarships

In January 2002 the church received a $30,000 bequest from the estate of Helen Erwin, a long-time member of the church. The Trustees elected to designate $20,000 of the bequest to be used for ministerial scholarships, with the program to be administered by the church’s Council of Ministries.

After considerable reflection, the Council on Ministries developed the program outlined below.

One of the objectives enunciated at the 2003 annual conference was “To identify, enlist and retain gifted young pastors who are passionate about making disciples for Christ.” It is our belief that this scholarship program promotes that objective.

HELEN ERWIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CROSSETT, ARKANSAS 71635

A $1000 per year scholarship will be made available to entries deemed worthy to (in order of priority):

1.	Methodists attending or accepted to attend an accredited
	United Methodist Seminary with the objective of ordination
	in the United Methodist Church.

2.	Methodists attending or accepted to attend an approved
	program leading to certification for diaconal ministry
	in the United Methodist Church.

3.	Methodists attending or accepted to attend an approved
	program leading to service in the Chaplaincy.

4.	Methodists attending or accepted to attend an approved
	program leading to full-time service in the United Methodist
	Church.

5.	Other Methodists based on special circumstances.

6.	Methodist ministers for sabbaticals or advanced degrees.

Geographically, priority will be given (in order) to:

1.	Methodists associated with Crossett First United Methodist
	Church.
2.	Methodists associated with United Methodist Churches in
	Ashley County.
3.	Methodists associated with United Methodist Churches in
	the four counties contiguous to Ashley County, i.e., Bradley,
	Chicot, Drew, and Union.
4.	Methodists associated with United Methodist Churches in
	the Southeast District.
5.	Other Arkansas Methodists with special consideration.

Only one new scholarship will be granted per year. However, scholarship recipients can qualify for a 2^nd and 3^rd year by submitting proof that they have maintained at least a 2.5 GPA for the previous year and are enrolled for the next term. Therefore, theoretically, as many as 3 scholarships might be granted in a particular year.

Applications for scholarships should be in the form of a letter presenting the applicants case and must be received not later than June 1 of any given year. Applications should be sent to:

	First United Methodist Church
	ATTN: Helen Erwin Memorial Scholarship Committee
	500 Main Street
	P.O. Box 738
	Crossett, AR 71635

The Helen Erwin Scholarship Committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Council on Ministries, 3 members of the COM, and the pastor. The committee will announce its decision each year not later than July 15 and checks to recipients will be issued not later than August 1. All applicants will receive notification of the committee’s decision.

Last Updated 01/24/09