Our Church's Wider Mission

Our Church's Wider Mission means teaching and healing, sending missionaries overseas, working here in the U.S. toward justice and compassion for all people. But Our Church's Wider Mission also keeps the church strong . by helping in every way possible to support local United Church of Christ congregations: the foundation of all mission.

The United Church of Christ is a strong religious presence in countless communities across the country-thanks above all to faithful people, gifted leaders, and to the quiet steady support of Our Church's Wider Mission.

Our Church's Wider Mission is helping right now to bring the United Church of Christ message to more and more people.

Each UCC congregation decides how much of its members' financial support the congregation will contribute to Our Church's Wider Mission for the funding of Conference and national ministries. In turn, each Conference, the regional setting of the church, decides how much of its congregations' financial support it will contribute to Our Church's Wider Mission for the funding of national ministries.

OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION HAS TWO COMPONENTS:

BASIC SUPPORT: National Basic Support provides for the funding of the core programs of UCC national ministries. The Massachusetts Conference gives 60% of Basic Support to national ministries. For a description of how Basic Support is used by the national setting, click here. For a description of how your gifts are used throughout the UCC - locally, by the Massachusetts Conference, UCC and nationally, click here.

SPECIAL SUPPORT: Special Support provides funding for specific mission

opportunities through the four special mission offerings of the UCC. 100% of contributions to Special Support are forwarded on to the national ministries. For a description of the Special Offerings and the work they fund, click here.

With your congregation's support, Our Church's Wider Mission can come closer to fulfilling God's mission. And by being a part of Our Church's Wider Mission, your congregation can come closer to being all that God intends it to be, touching lives at home and around the world, in the name of Jesus Christ.

For resources to help educate your congregation about the good news of Our Church's Wider Mission please contact: Andrew Gustafson, Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development.

What are the Special Mission Offerings?

One Great Hour of Sharing - Giving Help, Hope, and Life

February 7, 2004

This Lenten offering supports ministries of disaster relief, economic development, refugee resettlement, health care, and social service in over seventy countries, including the United States and Canada.

Strengthen the Church - Faithfully Building the Body of Christ

May 18, 2004

This Pentecost offering supports the renewal of congregations, helps fund leadership for new churches, and strengthens the witness of the United Church of Christ.

Neighbors in Need - Justice and Compassion Like a Mighty Stream

October 3 , 2004
This offering allows us to reach out and touch neighbors with justice and compassion and to advocate for a society in which all people have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. This offering includes support for the work of the Council for American Indian Ministry, efforts to eradicate hunger, and the promotion of justice, peace, and reconciliation.

The Christmas Fund - Remembering Those Who Serve the Church

November 29, 2004

Monies collected for the Christmas Fund provide emergency grants and supplementation to pensions and health insurance premiums for low-income ministerial and lay retirees.