VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/23/23)—Muriel Penn Jerigan, who achieved a 50-plus year record as the longest continuously serving employee in the history of MMBB and American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), made her transition from life to eternal life on Friday, February 10, 2023. Jerigan began her career with MMBB Financial Services on October 30, 1967, and retired on February 28, 2019, as Senior Member Service Specialist, serving a total of 51 years and four months.
In honor of her remarkable tenure and dedicated service to MMBB a formal celebration was held on December 12, 2017, at MMBB’s New York City headquarters to mark her noteworthy achievement. Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) at the time, was on hand to offer a special tribute and grateful appreciation for Jerigan’s longstanding and dedicated service. It was a time of great joy, fond recollections and laughter as her colleagues, friends, and family expressed tremendous admiration for her. To demonstrate their gratitude for her length of service, MMBB named a conference room in Jerigan’s honor. The MMBB Board of Managers presented her with a Resolution of Appreciation that cited how her “steadfast and joyful nature has been an unflagging source of inspiration to everyone who knows her.”
Muriel was known for her endearing smile, encouraging spirit and genuine love for the mission of MMBB. At the time of her celebration, MMBB CEO Louis P. Barbarin remarked, “We are very thankful for the years that Muriel has served with us. So many members have benefited from her steady approach, calming presence and warm smile.”
Upon sharing the sad news of her death with the MMBB staff, Barbarin commented. “Muriel was steadfastly dedicated to the mission and to the ministry of the organization. She often shared her pearls of wisdom with her colleagues, and many referred to her as ‘mom.’ ”
A Homegoing Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 25 at Crowe’s Funeral Home, 107-44 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, New York, 11435. The viewing will be from 2 p.m. to 3.p.m. followed by the service at 3 p.m. Longtime friend and MMBB colleague, Rev. Dr. Perry J. Hopper, will officiate and offer the eulogy.
MMBB Financial Services is the non-profit financial steward for more than 18,000 faith-based employers, churches and church-related organizations, ministers, missionaries and their families in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As pioneers in providing employee retirement benefits—and with nearly $3 billion in assets—MMBB carries forward a 100-year tradition of offering competitive returns, experienced management advice and sophisticated financial analytics tailored to the unique needs of the religious community.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.