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Our Church's Wider Mission

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The OCWM Subcommittee serves the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ by promoting the mission of the church in all its settings: local, Conference, national and global.  In cooperation with other teams of the Conference the OCWM Team seeks to provide local churches and their members with creative opportunities to engage in and support the ministries of the church through faithful stewardship. Download the 2011 Minnesota Conference OCWM Brochure here.
 
The team has responsibility for the following tasks:
  • Create and provide educational materials on mission and stewardship in the United Chruch of Christ for local churches;
  • Engage in regular consultation with the Minnesota Conference representatives serving on boards of the denomination's covenanted ministries;
  • Promote Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) at the Conference Annual Meeting by developing workshops, presentations and promotional materials;
  • Coordinate and oversee Conference mission activities, such as the Mission Interpreter's Program and the Philippine Partnership Task Force;
  • Coordinate for the Conference the overall plan and responsibilities for the schedule of special offerings, including promotion of OGHS, NIN, the Christmas Fund and Strengthen the Church fund;
  • Work with other teams as requested or needed.
Is Your Church 5 for 5? 
Do you contribute to Basic Support (OCWM) and all four of our Special Mission Offerings?

1. UCC Basic Support Provides funding from congregations for Conferences and the national ministries of the United Church of Christ.
2. One Great Hour of Sharing works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy/resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports both domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. Suggested offering date is the fourth Sunday of Lent.
3. Strengthen the Church offering supports leadership for new and revitalizing congregations, programs for youth and young adults, and leadership development. Conferences retain 50% of the all gifts to the Strengthen the Church offering for their own church and leadership development efforts. Suggested offering date is Pentecost Sunday.
4. Neighbors in Need Supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The offering also helps support the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) as well as justice advocacy and direct service projects supported by Justice and Witness Ministries. Suggested offering date is the first Sunday of October.
5. The Christmas Fund, administered by the Pension Boards on behalf of the church, helps provide pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retirees, emergency assistance to clergy families in need and Christmas gift checks to hundreds of annuitants. Suggested offering date is the Sunday before Christmas.
 
Members of the Our Church's Wider Mission Team
Rudi Anders - Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler - UCC, New Brighton
Rev. Jeanne Bringgold-Pro - St. Matthew's UCC, Forest City
Rev. Don Portwood - Lyndale UCC, Minneapolis
Randall Pratt - Union Congregational UCC, St. Louis Park
Rev. Beth Benson - Zion UCC, Le Sueur
Rev. Richard Scheerer - First Congregational UCC, Zumbrota
Rev. Karen Smith Sellers, Conference Minister
Last modified at 11/10/2011 1:12 PM  by Alison Bents