Special Mission Offerings which are collected by our church
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Annual Denominational Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ
Supports partners in more than 70 countries with ministries that fund development projects, feed the victims of famine, provide services for displaced people, and respond to natural disasters. These ministries are the responsibility of Wider Church Ministries, Global Sharing of Resources. Received annually on the fourth Sunday in Lent or anytime.
Strengthen the Church: Faithfully Building the Body of Christ
Supports church growth and leadership development in the conferences and through the national offices of Local Church Ministries. Provides funds for new church starts, as well as grants to struggling congregations. Received annually on Pentecost Sunday………..May 24, 2015.
Neighbors in Need: Justice and Compassion at Home
Supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including ministry carried out by the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) and by the national offices of Justice and Witness Ministries. Received annually on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of October, or anytime.
The Christmas Fund: Remembering Those Who Serve Our Church
Provides financial aid to retired and active ministers and their surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands; a ministry carried out by the Pension Boards. Received annually on the Sunday before Christmas…………December 20, 2015.
Other Mission Offerings
Tools and Blankets: A Church World Service Tools Offering helps people in need gain the resources and skills necessary to sustain themselves and their families, and to build viable communities. A Church World Services Blankets Offering provides comfort in communities recovering from disasters, and assists families that have been displaced. Our church will be collecting the two offerings together on January 25, 2015. The Youth Faith in Action Group will be chairing this special offering.
Feed My Starving Children: A not-for-profit Christian organization, Feed My Starving Children sends hand-packed meals to malnourished children in nearly 70 countries. The church collected an offering on February 22, 2015. The Youth Faith in Action Group promoted this special offering.
Food Pantry: The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry is a not-for-profit organization supported by the community as well as several local churches, including ours. The Pantry provides temporary, immediate access to food for families in need living within the boundaries of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills. A separate offering for the Food Pantry is taken on the first Sunday of each month by “passing the pigs” (piggy banks).
Other Opportunities for Giving
Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM): A denominational fund which is used for Conference and National Ministries of the United Church of Christ (Local Church Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, Justice and Witness Ministries, General Ministries and Pension Boards.) Funds come from our church’s Operating Budget and from donations made by individuals in the congregation. Giving to this fund, plus collecting of all four of the Annual Denominational Mission Offerings above, makes us a “Five for Five” church.
Child Sponsorship through the United Church of Christ Global Ministries Child Sponsorship Program: You are welcome to help the Faith in Action group sponsor two children on the Family Village Farm, an orphanage and destitute home near Vellore, India. Sheeba is a hard-working girl whose favorite subjects are math and English. Velmurugan is an energetic, attentive boy who is cheerful and highly motivated. All of your donation will go directly to the support of the children.
