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Credit
Union checks in with new services
Financial institution begins
issuing checking accounts
BY JANET
KAWAMOTO
With
debit cards and automated banking services soon to follow, the Episcopal
Community Federal Credit Union of Los Angeles has begun offering checking
accounts to its members.
Chief Executive Officer
Urla Price presented the first checkbook to Bishop J. Jon Bruno in July. The
bishop also received the first ATM card to be issued by the institution,
which was founded eight years ago to serve the entire diocese, and
especially to assist low-income people who belong to or are served by the
diocese and its programs. |
Urla Price, chief executive of the Episcopal Community
Federal Credit Union, presents Bishop Jon Bruno with his new checking
account, the first to be issued by the institution.
PHOTO: RICK FLYNN |
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“Checking is a much-needed
service that over the years was the number-one request of our members,” said
Price, who has led the credit union since its founding.
To open a checking account
at the credit union, a person must be a member or employee of a congregation
or institution of the diocese, or involved in a church program, and open a
savings account with a minimum deposit of $25 and a one-time $5 fee. A $100
deposit is required to open the checking account. If the member signs up for
automatic deposit of paychecks, checking is free: otherwise, the credit
union charges a fee of $5 per month.
With the checking account,
the member is entitled to a debit/ATM card and access to a 24-hour member
information line.
Price says she is pleased
with the new services, but hopes to do much more. The next step, she says,
is to offer home loans, but the credit union must have $10 million in assets
before that can happen. Assets currently stand at $4.1 million.
“We are 147 churches strong
and have 85,000 members in the diocese,” says Price. “However, the credit
union has only 2,200 members.” Credit union membership is beneficial, she
points out. “We are not a big commercial bank, so we can give you personal
service and take the time to listen to your needs,” she said. “We are here
to help. We would like to see this institution grow and become a
full-service credit union.” |
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Competence urged in stewardship
Bishops to help
congregations bolster giving
New resources designed for
local consultations, Convention
BY
BOB WILLIAMS
In
a new effort to assist congregations in heightening stewardship and reaching
Mission Share Fund giving levels established by Diocesan Convention, Bishop
Jon Bruno has developed new resources that he plans to discuss personally
with vestries, bishops committees and Diocesan Convention.
“It is essential for local
ministries and the shared work of this diocese that we take seriously our
call to stewardship and the giving levels set by Diocesan Convention in
1996,” Bishop Bruno told Diocesan Council July 23 while introducing an
electronic PowerPoint presentation that he plans to screen personally during
visits to congregations around the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles.
Bishop Suffragan Chester
Talton and Bishop Assistant Robert Anderson will also use the PowerPoint
presentation to facilitate conversations with vestry and bishop’s committee
members starting in September, Bishop Bruno said.
“We want the presentation
to have a positive effect on new stewardship campaigns this fall, as well as
the work of year-round stewardship,” the bishop added.
Titled “Stewardship 101,”
the presentation “is an effort to position stewardship in a framework of
abundance,” notes program designer and Diocesan Council member Dina Ferguson
of St. Cross Church, Hermosa Beach. The program also “encourages
congregations to provide needed formation opportunities for members so that
they can come to know more of the abundance of God and give back
gratefully.”
“Bishop Talton and Bishop
Anderson and I plan to be in personal conversation with congregations about
giving and the power of abundance to transform our parishes and missions and
other ministries,” Bishop Bruno told the Council.
One goal is to encourage
parishes to meet Diocesan Convention’s asking of 15%, and not less than 12%,
of net operating income to the annual diocesan Mission Share Fund Budget.
Congregations wishing to
schedule a stewardship consultation with one of the bishops should phone the
Bishop’s Office at 213.482.2040. |
Well Done, Well Child Center!
St. John’s Well Child Center
identifies 4-year-old missing
from Echo Park where Cathedral Center community kept watch
Savvy staff members at St. John’s Well Child Center brought relief to the
Southland and the nation on Aug. 13 when they skillfully identified a child
brought to their clinic as Jessica Cortez, the 4-year-old who two days
earlier was reported missing in Echo Park—where Cathedral Center community
members joined an “Amber Alert” search for the girl even as divers combed
Echo Park Lake for any trace of her.
Located at St. John’s Episcopal Church near USC and directed by James Mangia,
the Well Child Center continues to receive accolades, as well as gifts to
assist new remodeling efforts. (Checks may be sent to 515 W. 27th St., Los
Angeles, CA 90007.)
The Center epitomizes the priority that Bishop Bruno, along with this issue
of The News, places upon competence as essential to the Church’s mission. —
Bob Williams |
Receptionist Denise DeLeon of St. John's Well
Child Center, Los Angeles, speaks to media about finding Jessica Cortez.
Looking on (right) is the Rev. John Phalen, interim pastor of St. John's.
PHOTO: RICK fLYNN
James MAngia, executive director, St. John's
Well Child Center |
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