Stewardship & Mission Committee Checklist

JANUARY

•Order Copies of "Inspiring Generosity" from your Conference Office (contact

  Lynda McGarrahan-Blunt, 508-875-5233 ext.234 to order copies)

•Evaluate understanding of UCC mission work in congregation    

•Plan year-round program of interpretation and promotion of UCC Mission

-local, conference, national, global                                  

•Publish a quarterly congregational financial report                                        

•Mail a personal giving statement to each member of the congregation

FEBRUARY

•Begin Lenten study on stewardship using Chapter 1 of Inspiring Generosity   

•Plan "One Great Hour of Sharing" promotion    

MARCH

•Evaluate endowment policies                                                                     

•Promote preparation of wills and planned giving (contact Stephen R. Silver at 508-875-5233 ext.222 for help in evaluating or developing endowment policies and for instituting a Planned Giving Program at your church)

•Receive "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering on the fourth Sunday of Lent   

APRIL/MAY

•Choose annual stewardship program for this year. Choose from programs described in Chapter 4 of Inspiring Generosity. (If you need help, contact Andrew Gustafson at 508-875-5233 ext.231)    

•Mail a personal giving statement to each member of the congregation

•Publish a quarterly congregational financial report                                             

•Read Chapter 2 of Inspiring Generosity                                                       

•Hold a congregational meeting to review the mission understanding or mission statement of your congregation. Develop possible priorities for your church that come from the statement. List possible mission and program priorities for the coming fiscal year.

•Plan "Strengthen the Church" promotion

MAY/JUNE

•Schedule a mission education event: mission speaker, mission fair or other mission/Our Church's Wider Mission event.

•Review how Our Church's Wider Mission basic support relates to your church's total mission giving. Review annual meeting guidelines and discus bringing OCWM Basic Support up to at least 50% of total mission giving if it is not there already.

•Begin detailed budget preparation, based on April/May meeting and Chapter 3 of Inspiring Generosity.

•Plan "Strengthen the Church" promotion

JULY

    If not already begun -

•Develop annual stewardship program using Chapter 4 of Inspiring Generosity (If you need help, contact Andrew Gustafson at 508-875-5233 ext. 231)

•Order materials and supplies from United Church of Christ Resources, 1-800-325-7061

•Begin detailed budget preparation

•Publish a quarterly congregational financial report

AUGUST

•Mail a personal giving statement to each member of the congregation

•Plan "Neighbors in Need" promotion

SEPTEMBER

•Publicize the proposed budget

OCTOBER

•Begin annual stewardship program publicity

•Schedule a mission event: mission speaker, mission fair or other mission/Our Church's Wider Mission event

•Present the proposed budget for discussion at a special congregational meeting. Use the proposed budget in your annual stewardship program.

•Publish a quarterly congregational financial report

•Receive "Neighbors in Need" offering (first Sunday in October)

•Plan "Christmas Fund" promotion

NOVEMBER

•Conduct annual stewardship program

•Review pledge kit for Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support

•Mail a personal giving statement to each member of the congregation

DECEMBER

•Follow up and evaluate enlistment program

•Return pledge for Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support

•Receive offering for "Christmas Fund", suggested for Sunday before Christmas or Christmas Eve.