wfn.org | UCC General Synod evolves plan for a new vision of giving

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

PROVIDENCE, RI - July 6 1999 - 
        In response to a previous directive calling for better stewardship,
General Synod 22 today July 5) reduced the number of special mission offerings
from six to four. This action comes as a result of a 1997 resolution, “Toward a
New Vision of Giving.” 
        This move will “enable us to work toward the day when the church will
support all four offerings,” said the Rev. Earl Miller, Stewardship Council
executive.
        Missouri Conference member Don Driemier called the decision a
“nobrainer,” citing the minimal return on the Just Peace Appeal and Hunger
Action Fund versus the costs for promoting the efforts.
        The new offerings are:
        * One Great Hour of Sharing, aimed at “giving help, hope and life” by
supporting disaster relief and development; 
        * Strengthen the Church, designed to faithfully build the body of
Christ
with dollars equally allocated by the conferences and Local Church Ministries
in conjunction with the Office of General Ministries;
        * Neighbors in Need, which supports justice and compassion ministries;
and 
        * The Christmas Fund, which helps support “those who serve the
church as
pastors and leaders among us,” said Miller.
        The new offerings are designed to be easily promoted, widely inviting
and consistent with the new structural realities, according to the resolution.
The new plan will begin in February 2001.