KINGDOM GROWTH
Kingdom Growth Blog
10
Jun '21
Apportionment Ministerial Education Fund
10
Jun '21
The Ministerial Education Fund was established by action of the 1968 General Conference. It is nurtured and funded by United Methodists to provide vitally needed scholarships through annual conferences, essential funds for the support of our 13 United Methodist seminaries in the United States, programs that encourage men and women to respond to the call to ordained ministry, continuing-education opportunities for pastors across the connection and course-of-study education for local pastors. Every clergyperson who has served in The United Methodist Church over the past 50 years has been shaped in part by the ministries and institutions supported by the Ministerial Education Fund.
Did you know United Methodist have raised over $800 million to support clergy ordinations Over 40 years?
The funds collected over the years have provided scholarships through Annual Conferences as well as support the 13 United Methodist seminaries in 11 states.
At least 75% of the receipts goes to the theological schools of The United Methodist Church on a formula established by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. These seminaries depend on this fund to equip leaders with transforming impact. Of the total money raised in each annual conference, the annual conference retains 25% to use in its program of ministerial education as approved by the annual conference and administered through its Board of Ordained Ministry.
Did you know 25% of Ministerial Education Funds stay in local UM Annual Conferences?
These funds are used to assist candidates for ministry, support continuing education for pastors and clergy recruitment and provide financial aid for students in your annual conference.
Your Giving Equips Leaders for Ministry
Your giving makes it possible for leaders who’ve been called and gifted by God to faithfully serve The United Methodist Church. It supports our seminaries, it provides scholarships to students and it meets the needs of people in ministry today.
Rev. DaeHwa Park, serving in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, insists, “It was the grace of the Holy Spirit that drove me to the call to ministry.” In fact Park was ten years-old when he heard a message on salvation during a revival service at Wonpo Methodist Church, South Korea. In cooperation with the Spirit, the Ministerial Education Fund has made Park’s response to God’s call possible.
Together We’re Blessing the Church
God continues to call into service people like Reverend Park. And because of the Ministerial Education Fund, those who’ve been gifted to lead the church are able to say yes to that call.
If you feel inspired to contribute to the Doylestown United Methodist Church, click the “Give Now” button below.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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03
Jun '21
Apportionment Interdenominational Cooperation Fund
03
Jun '21
While we’re proud of what makes The United Methodist Church distinct, we’re also committed to recognizing and celebrating the presence and work of Jesus Christ among other Christian fellowships throughout the world.
Ignited by Jesus’ prayer, in John 17:21, that the Church’s unity would reflect Jesus’ own oneness with his Father, we’re fostering approaches to ministry and mission that more fully reflect the oneness of Christ’s church in the world.
Being a global church’s means you have to be concerned about the wellbeing of other Christians around the world. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund (ICF) enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. It provides the United Methodist share of the basic budgets of these organizations.
Together we stand as an ecumenical front to globally make a difference. Even though our customs may differ, promoting basic human rights in every corner of the world is the basic mission of the ICF. Giving towards the ICF helps Christians around the world stand together for those who are marginalized and persecuted for speaking about their faith.
In 1952, the General Conference agreed to share in the basic budget with other organizations to help provide for the budget of the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches.
Did You Know the UMC helps support 5 ecumenical organizations?
We’re partnering with the larger church to share the good news of Christ together and joining our voices with Christians around the world to advocate for peace and justice. The Interdenominational Cooperation Fund supports an array of important ministries operating through various ecumenical bodies such as National Council of Church of Christ in the USA, Pan-Methodist Commission, World Council of Churches, Churches Uniting in Christ and World Methodist Council.
To help in the basic mission for basic human rights, the United Methodist fund joins with other ecumenical organizations to give voice to those who are unable.
The World Methodist Council
The World Methodist Council is a worldwide association of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan and related Uniting and United Churches representing over 40.5 million members. It engages, empowers and serves the member Churches by encouraging Methodist unity in witness, facilitating mission in the world, and fostering ecumenical and inter-religious activities. It promotes obedience to the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ to love God and neighbor and to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples through vibrant evangelism, a prophetic voice, cooperative programs, faithful worship and mutual learning.
Churches Uniting in Christ
After forty years of study and prayer through the Consultation on Church Union (COCU), the member churches agreed to stop “consulting” and start living their unity in Christ more fully. These churches inaugurated a new relationship to be known as Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC). Each communion retains its own identity and decision-making structures, but they also have pledged before God to draw closer in sacred.
National Council of Churches
Since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has served as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ. NCC unifies a diverse covenant community of 38 member communions and over 40 million individuals –100,000 congregations from Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African-American, and Living Peace traditions – in a common commitment to advocate and represent God’s love and promise of unity in our public square. NCC partners with secular and interfaith partners to advance a shared agenda of peace, progress, and positive change.
Your giving to the Doylestown United Methodist Church makes shared ministry through Christ’s body possible today. Because of it, The United Methodist Church is able to partner with other Christians to witness together to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ prayer to his Father, at the end of his earthly ministry, was that his church would be one:
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23, NRSV)
So that the world may know!
If you feel inspired to help us spread His word throughout the world, please consider contributing.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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27
May '21
Apportionment General Administration Fund
27
May '21
The General Administration Fund is one of seven apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church. The main way we support the ministries of the church is through our apportioned funds, a method of giving that proportionally allocates the churchwide budget to conferences and local churches.
The General Administration fund finances the administrative function of the denomination’s general activities and is what enables The United Methodist Church to function most effectively. It provides for the expenses of the sessions of the General Conference, the Judicial Council, covers the administrative functions of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the operating costs for the General Commission on Archives and History and maintenance of historic shrines, landmarks and sites. It funds the safeguarding of our denomination’s legal interests and rights and the managing of The United Methodist Foundation. The General Administration Fund was established as part of the original financial plan of the Methodist Church at its unification in 1939.
Did You Know The General Administration Fund supports the legal and constitution work of the United Methodist Church?
One of the reasons the General Administration Fund is so important is because of The United Methodist Church’s unflagging commitment to integrity. Polity of the UMC is established to be constitutional, Episcopal and connectional. Our church’s highest court, the nine-member Judicial Council, executes its directive to uphold church law. This council determines the legality and/or constitutionality of actions by agencies, boards, conferences, and officials of the Church. United Methodist Churches around the globe.
Did you know the General Administration Fund sustains the legislative work of General Conference?
The General Administration Fund underwrites and finances general church activities that are administrative in nature, rather than program-related—like General Conference, the legislative branch of the church. Every four years delegates from around the globe, selected by their peers, meet to discern the church’s future at General Conference. General Administration Fund supports the General Conference expenses, including delegate expenses, meeting operation costs expenses, language services, expenses of the offices of the secretary, business manager, and treasurer of the General Conference, and expenses of the several commissions and committees in support of the event.
Did you know the General Administration Fund helps preserve our historical United Methodist identity?
The General Administration Fund ensures that we, as a whole church, are rooted in our history, are held accountable fiscally and are maintaining our historical United Methodist identity even as we seek our way forward as The United Methodist Church. This fund helps support the agency General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) which preserve the historical interests of The United Methodist Church and its antecedents. GCAH accomplishes this uniquely administrative and programmatic mission by gathering, preserving, holding title to, and disseminating materials representing the ethos of the denomination.
Did you know the General Administration Fund supports the critical administrative work of the UMC?
Through the General Administration Fund, United Methodists implement a trustworthy system of administrative oversight and fiscal accountability; underwrite the legislative work of General Conference; fund the work of the Judicial Council to adjudicate questions of Church law; maintain United Methodism’s official documents and historical artifacts; and designate historical shrines, landmarks and sites. It also funds the work of General Council on Finance and Administration that coordinates and administers the finances of the church, receives, disburses and accounts for the church’s general funds, safeguards the denomination’s legal interests and rights, compiles and publishes denominational statistics and maintains the church’s records.
Did you know the General Administration Fund supports unforeseen or emergency situations of the Church?
Sometimes you just have to plan for what you can’t imagine. The General Administration Fund allocation provides funding for unforeseen or emergency situations that fall within the scope of general administration called the contingency reserve. The concept of reserves is at least as old as Genesis when Joseph advised Pharaoh to set aside produce from seven good years to feed people during seven bad years, he initiated what we call today a contingency reserve. Having reserves is necessary for us to be able to carry out the ministry in really unsettled and uncertain times and be faithful to what the Church ask us to do. Because of the General Administration Fund, United Methodists are able to implement a trustworthy system of administrative oversight and fiscal accountability which helps us ensure these emergency funds are available.
Your Giving Secures a Hopeful Future
Your giving is what ensures that the faithful ministry we’re doing today, in the name of Jesus Christ, will continue far into the future. Thanks to your generosity, the vital work of The United Methodist Church will continue to transform individuals and communities.
One of the reasons the General Administration Fund is so important is because of The United Methodist Church’s unflagging commitment to integrity.
We echo Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Apostle Paul’s message to the church in Corinth, “[We don’t want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves.] We’re being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God.” (2 Corinthians 8:20-21, The Message)
Your Giving Matters
Churches around the globe, through people like you, are ensuring the integrity and long-term effectiveness of the ministry of The United Methodist Church. Thank you for your part in this important work.
If you feel inspired to give to the Doylestown United Methodist Church, 2% of your contribution will go towards apportionment funds like the General Administration Fund.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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20
May '21
Apportionment Black College Fund
20
May '21
Following the Civil War, the former Methodist Episcopal Church organized the Freedmen’s Aid Society to help educate African Americans who could not read or write. In 1972, The United Methodist Church established the Black College Fund to provide reliable support for UM related historically Black colleges and offer a chance to everyone with a dream and a commitment to excel – regardless of race, class, gender, or ethnic heritage. Many of these students, often the first in their family to go to college, would fall through the cracks and never earn a college degree though they have the intellectual capacity to do so.. The United Methodist Church supports the largest number of fully accredited historically Black colleges and universities in the United States.
Did You Know the UMC supports the largest number of black colleges …
Through United Methodist Church giving, we support 11 Black colleges and universities in the U.S. that are committed to academic excellence based on the Christian perspective of community service and social responsibility. The United Methodist Church supports the largest number of fully accredited historically Black colleges and universities in the United States. The Black College Fund distributes 95% of all funds received equally to these 11 institutions. Those with the highest enrollments receive a slightly higher amount.
Did you know colleges supported by the Black College Fund are able to keep lower tuition rates?
The colleges supported by the Black College Fund keep tuition relatively low so students with modest incomes may attend. The fund gives the participating colleges and universities the finances they need to support college staff and faculty who can serve as strong intellectual, cultural and spiritual mentors. The faculty and staff of Black colleges are committed to helping everyone with a dream excel regardless of race, class, gender, or ethnic heritage.
Did you know The Black College Fund has intern programs teaching communication skills?
The Black College Fund Lina H. McCord Summer Intern Program follows a model of communication and itineration (moving from place to place) prominent in the Methodist tradition. Itineration enables students to cross jurisdictions at least once while completing short-term and regular assignments. This provides understanding between and among different groups throughout the church.
Did you know The Black College Fund distributes 95% of all funds received equally to 11 Black colleges?
The Black College Fund distributes 95% of all funds received equally to the 11 institutions supported by this fund. The 11 Black colleges are located in the Southeastern and South Central Jurisdictions. Those with the highest enrollments receive a slightly higher amount. Five percent of the funds are awarded for special projects or activities. Administrative costs for the Fund are less than 5%. This is not a scholarship fund; the money goes directly to the institutions.
Did you know the UMC gave $9.6 million to 11 Black colleges in 2018 through the Black College Fund?
The United Methodist Church has been supporting the Black College Fund at about 90 to 92% the past two years through apportionment funding. In 2018, United Methodists gave $9.6 million which was 90.2% of the apportionment. The colleges supported by the Black College Fund keep tuition relatively low so students with modest incomes may attend. And, these colleges are and always have been open to all.
Your giving to the Doylestown United Methodist Church supports the Black College Fund which enables schools like Rust College, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Clark Atlanta University to continue to develop students who will impact the world God loves.
“HBCUs continue to play an important part of educating our nation’s youth and producing future doctors, lawyers, business executives, scientists and philanthropists.” –Tom Joyner
Through the Black College Fund, we’re working together to ensure that the institutions that have equipped our nation’s finest leaders continue for years to come.
If you feel inspired to give to Doylestown United Methodist Church, 2% of your contribution goes to The United Methodist Church apportionment funds, like the Black College Fund.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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10
May '21
Apportionment Episcopal Fund
10
May '21
When you hear “The Episcopal Fund,” what comes to mind? Do you think them—that’s the church across town—or do you think us?
The Episcopal Fund is, in every way, for us!
Episcopal is derived from the New Testament Greek “episkopos,” which the book of Acts and several of the pastoral letters use to indicate someone who’s an overseer of a Christian church. This is the person who’s charged with the duty of seeing that the work being done by others is done properly—and that’s exactly what our bishops do as they shepherd the life and ministry of our congregations.
Did you know the Episcopal Fund supports the work of the UM Bishops?
Your bishop, and others around the globe, are hard at work for The United Methodist Church. Bishops prayerfully determine pastoral appointments. They counsel with pastors and encourage congregations. Our bishops not only lead in the connectional ministry of the church, but you will also find them on the forefront of world issues encouraging secular leaders to incorporate faith into their decision making. This fund supports salaries, benefits and expenses. The Episcopal Fund is what supports our bishops as they support The United Methodist Church.
Did you know the Episcopal Fund was one of the original general apportioned funds of the UMC?
The Episcopal Fund was one of three general apportioned funds which were a part of the financial plan of the Methodist Church from the time of its unification in 1939. It continued as the source of funding for the office of the episcopacy with the unification that created the United Methodist Church in 1968. All funds collected for the Episcopal Fund are sent by the Conference Treasurer’s Office to the General Council on Finance and Administration on a monthly basis and are then distributed back to our Bishop’s Office on a regular basis. All active bishops are paid the same salary based on General Conference action each quadrennium.
Did You Know the Episcopal Fund supports UM Bishops all around the world?
Your support, through your faithful giving to the Doylestown United Methodist Church, is what makes the shepherding ministry of our bishops possible. It is how we serve together as Christ’s body in the world. Today the bishops of The United Methodist Church are providing spiritual leadership to more than 12.4 million persons in a broad range of settings on four continents, including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
To contribute to the Doylestown United Methodist Church, click on the “Give Now” button below.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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06
May '21
Apportionment Africa University
06
May '21
Because of generous gifts to this The Africa University Fund, Africa’s new generation of leaders is better prepared and equipped to prevent conflict and resolve conflict and build lasting peace on the continent.
The Africa University Fund is one of seven “apportionment funds” that DUMC contributes to from our annual offerings. Thank you for your support of DUMC and the Africa University Fund.
Africa University is the first and only fully-accredited institution of higher learning established on the African continent by action of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1988. For over 25 years Africa University has shaped the lives of thousands of young people all over the continent of Africa by equipping them with the knowledge to alleviate poverty, build peace, stability and drive development. Most of the graduates return to their home country to make a difference. Because of generous gifts to this The Africa University Fund, Africa’s new generation of leaders is better prepared and equipped to prevent conflict and resolve conflict and build lasting peace on the continent. This fund is managed through the office of Africa University Development office.
Did you know more than 8,500 students have graduated from AFrica University Over the last 25 years?
Did you know your gifts to the africa university fund supported over 1,800 students from 29 countries?
Africa University students arrive from across Africa with big dreams and high hopes. Most are first-generation college students. These graduates called and committed to serve God in communities across the continent and in mission settings around the world.
Did you know over 90% of Africa University Graduates Return Home To improve the quality of life in their communities?
Did you know over $1.5 million in Africa University scholarships are awarded annually?
Thanks to your gifts students earn bachelors, master’s and doctoral degrees in health, agriculture and natural sciences; social sciences, theology, humanities and education; and business, peace, leadership and governance.
Three decades ago, when African bishops of The United Methodist Church surveyed the emerging socio-economic and political needs in their countries, they called on the church to invest in higher education in Africa. At the cry of Bishops Arthur Kulah and Emilio J.M. de Carvalho—for “a university for all of Africa”—The United Methodist Church worldwide responded.
Today we’re still investing in Zimbabwe’s first private university for young men and women from all over Africa. These promising leaders are being equipped to transform their content through dynamic programs that include: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers postgraduate diplomas and master’s programs.
By the turn of this century, one-fifth of the world’s population will live in Africa. This is why it’s so crucial that Africa’s greatest needs—sustainable agriculture, disease prevention, ethical leadership and governance, and more—continue to be impacted by Africa University’s 4000+ graduates.
Propelling Christ’s Ministry In Africa
Africa University’s strong reputation is based on the relevance and impact of its efforts. Teaching at Africa University emphasizes the practical application of knowledge to alleviate poverty, build peace and stability and drive development.
The desire of the university’s founders was to nurture an institution that would be deeply rooted in Africa—drawing its agenda and priorities from the challenges of African communities and combining the social wisdom and indigenous know-how of African people with new knowledge to aid development and improve quality of life on the continent.
When you give, you equip indigenous solution-finders who are tackling some of their continent’s most pressing challenges with wisdom, innovation and spiritual maturity.
Because of your generosity to the Doylestown United Methodist church, The United Methodist Church is making a difference in Africa.
If you feel inspired to give to the Doylestown United Methodist church, click on the “Give Now” button below.
Articles provide by United Methodist Communications
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29
Apr '21
Apportionment World Service Fund
29
Apr '21
If The United Methodist Church were to reflect the ministry of Jesus in our life together, we’d be doing the things he did:
Jesus discipled those who would lead his church
Jesus welcomed those who didn’t know his Father, and those who did
Jesus met the physical and spiritual needs of the poor
Jesus healed the sick
Jesus welcomed those who didn’t know his Father, and those who did
Jesus met the physical and spiritual needs of the poor
Jesus healed the sick
Have you ever wondered if our church is doing those things?
The people of The United Methodist Church are engaging the world by imitating the ministry of Jesus—and the World Service Fund makes our Christian outreach possible.
The UMC is building leaders, like Jesus did. We’re sharing his love with those who hunger for it and shepherding those who’ve already tasted it. Like Jesus, we’re ministering among the poor. And we reflect his healing touch as we battle disease and fight to improve global health, all through the World Service Fund.
World Service Fund
The World Service Fund is one of seven apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church and is the cornerstone for the funding of the connectional system of the United Methodist Church. The World Service Fund provides basic financial support to general agencies, which are especially important to the common vision, mission, and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through World Service funding, agencies support annual conferences and local congregations in living out God’s mission for the worldwide Church. General agencies also provide essential services and ministries beyond the scope of individual local congregations and annual conferences through services and ministries that are highly focused, flexible, and capable of rapid response.
Did You know UM World Service Funds address poverty and ministry with the poor?
Vital congregations reflect God’s transforming love into their communities and around the world. As United Methodists, we will challenge and transform broken systems and structures that create and perpetuate poverty. Leveraging connections and partnerships within and beyond The United Methodist Church, we can transform communities and open doors for children to a more promising future. Through the apportioned giving through the World Service Fund we envision the people called United Methodists engaging in at least 400 partnerships that focus on ministry with poor people and communities.
Did you know UM World Service Funds Help support health all over the world?
One of the four areas of focus for the United Methodist Church is Abundant Health for all. This initiative has a vision to reach 1 million children with life-saving interventions. We believe every child is a life filled with promise and potential, yet, every five seconds a child dies from preventable causes. The United Methodist Church has a sacred calling to ensure abundant health for all children, engaging disciples to be agents of God’s healing transformation in the world by educating, administer direct health services to those in need, and increased access to medical care. There is a global movement to significantly improve health for all people by 2035, with a specific goal of saving the lives of 15 million children by 2020. This work can be reached through the World Service apportioned funds.
Did You Know UM World Service Funds Help to Develop Principled Christian Leaders?
The United Methodist Church needs leaders – clergy and laity – to fulfill God’s mission for the Church and the world. United Methodist believe nurturing God’s call to Christian leadership is essential. One on the four areas of focus for the Church is the calling and shaping principled Christian leaders. We celebrate the many innovative approaches to developing principled Christian leaders, but also see the need to strengthen a culture of call throughout the Church so that every disciple’s leadership potential can be realized. This work is supported through the World Service apportioned funds.
Did you Know World Service Funds Help create new places of worship for new people?
Creating new, vital, faith communities is critical to the task of making new disciples and transforming the world. One of the four areas of focus for the Church is to create and sustain new places for new people with a vision of 1,000,000 new disciples who profess their faith through renewed and new faith communities around the world. A faith community is a group that gathers under the lordship of Jesus Christ to worship, engage, and send. It is within faith communities that we receive new disciples through professions of faith and increase professions of faith. Some of this work is accomplished through the World Service apportioned funds.
Did you know World Service Funds Provide Funding for the administrative structure of the United Methodist Church?
World Service dollars provide funds for the administrative structure of our church. It represents the minimum needs of the denomination’s general agencies which serve as a resource to local churches and as an extension of local churches in ministry and mission on a conference, national and world level. The major thrust in mission giving in our church begins here. Because our contributions to World Service cover overhead expenses for our general agencies, every dollar given to relief efforts goes directly to people in need and every dollar given to support the work of mission personnel goes directly to that personnel.
Your faithful giving makes the heart-changing and world-transforming ministry of Jesus possible today. Because of your generosity, The United Methodist Church continues to share good news with the world God loves. Bishop Mary Ann Swenson explained why the World Service Fund is so very vital to the ministry of the UMC, “It is a way in which neighbor helps neighbor, and it helps Christians reach out all around the world.” She continues, “World Service Fund is everything that defines our church. It is the way that we connect together, the way that we become powerful in our response to injustice and to poverty, and to tragedy, and to need.”
When you contribute to the Doylestown United Methodist Church, two percent of your giving goes towards the collecting United Methodist Church apportionment funds. One of those funds is the World Service Fund. If you feel called to help, please click the button below.
Articles provided by United Methodist Communications
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01
Apr '21
Selah Thank You
01
Apr '21
We hope you have joined us in Selah moments over these past several weeks and invite you to continue to find moments within your own lives to:
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25
Mar '21
Pause Think Reflect Cross
25
Mar '21
Selah is indicated 71 times in the book of Psalms. It indicates a moment to pause and reflect on what you have read.
God’s world has been in a tailspin of crisis in recent months. No doubt, you have also experienced personal crises that leave you feeling breathless.
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18
Mar '21
Selah Reflect Gods Love
18
Mar '21
A Psalm of David.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. (Psalm 23:6).
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