Massachusetts
Conference churches have donated $176,835 to the United Church of Christ
Hope from the Rubble fund, which is being used to aid the victims
of the terrorist attacks of September 11th and their families.
“The
response to this fund has just been tremendous,” said Meredith Hutchison,
Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development.
The UCC has sent $266,000 to Church World Service for response and recovery
efforts. In addition, the UCC has developed a three- to ten-year plan
for continuing response. That plan includes such items as:
-
Retreats for pastors from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and
the Central Atlantic Conference who need spiritual care and respite
time;
- Development
of a New York task force to coordinate continuing pastoral care and
advocacy for families of victims in New York and New Jersey;
- Assistance,
through the Long Island Council of Churches, for the unemployed, particularly
for hourly wage earners, migrant and seasonal workers;
- Assistance
for those whose health is at risk because of exposure to toxic materials
around “Ground Zero;”
- Day
camp opportunities for children directly impacted by September 11th.
For more detailed information on plans for the Hope from the Rubble
fund, visit www.ucc.org/disaster/d020702a.htm.
Conference churches have also responded generously to the Afghanistan
Emergency Appeal Fund for relief efforts in that war-torn country,
donating $22,193.
On Ash Wednesday, the Conference’s Executive Staff took part in a Fast
for the Hungry of Afghanistan, agreeing to donate money they would have
spent on food to the Afghanistan fund. The entire executive staff went
without coffee, pastries and lunch at their monthly meeting that day,
and some members skipped other meals that day. In total, they donated
$327 to the fund.
The UCC is now asking churches that want to continue to help out after
September 11th to send donations to the Emergency USA fund, which will
be designated for any future disasters in the United States or Puerto
Rico. Gifts may be marked Emergency USA and sent to the Conference office,
or can be made online at www.ucc.org/disaster/.
Return
to United Church News front page
Return
to Massachusetts Conference home page