Everence Financial, located at 2160 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, believes that faith and finances can be combined successfully, and the organization offers help to achieve that goal. "There are a few things we do for communities through churches or organizations that partner with Everence," said Lynette Morales, stewardship consultant with Everence. "We provide the churches with resources to connect with their community in financial literacy."

Morales noted that resources might include helping a church or community partner with a webinar, where the church would invite community members and provide a meal. "The webinar might be how to protect your finances from fraud or money management or they can provide workshops and we provide the material resources," said Morales, who added that in-person workshops on one of several topics, such as retirement, might also be offered. "We have programs that are tailored to a community or people who need ground-level financial management," she said. "We also provide six free phone counseling sessions, and we make that available to our partnering churches."

Area churches that have relationships with Everence include Stumptown Mennonite Church in Bird-in-Hand, Ridgeview Mennonite Church in Gordonville, Old Road Mennonite Church in Gap, Hershey Mennonite Church in Kinzers, Millwood Mennonite Church in Kinzers, and Churchtown Mennonite Church in Narvon. Morales also pointed out that several churches in New Holland are connected to Everence, including Petra Church, Grace Ubuntu Fellowship, New Covenant Church, and New Holland Mennonite Church. "We provide grants for churches to meet financial needs through their benevolence," said Morales.

In addition, Everence offers financial services, such as second-chance accounts and a secured credit card.

Readers who want to know more may contact one of the churches listed, visit http://www.everence.com/centralpenn, or call 717- 394-0769, ext. 4345.