In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ, the 50th Anniversary Fund has been created to offer an opportunity to invest in four national ministry initiatives that recognize UCC heritage while also positioning the Church for a vibrant future:
• The New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund — The Stillspeaking experience of the United Church of Christ (UCC) has shown that there is a great hunger in our land for new congregations with the witness and welcome of the United Church of Christ. The Evangelism Team of Local Church Ministries has set a goal to welcome 250 new churches to the United Church of Christ by the year 2011 and 1600+ by the year 2021. The New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund provides financial support for the formation of these new congregations.
• The Jean and Scott Libbey Fund – This endowment fund honors the legacy of Scott Libbey and the ongoing support of Jean Libbey to the work of global ministries. It supports ministries that reflect Scott's visionary leadership, such as the sharing of people in mission, commitment to mission personnel, and support for mission partners during critical periods.
• The Fund for Franklinton Center (capital campaign) — Franklinton Center promotes and encourages justice and empowerment, as well as leadership development and education, especially for the marginalized, oppressed, and poor. The Center, which is associated with Justice and Witness Ministries, is situated on 200-plus acres in rural North Carolina. The Fund for Franklinton Center will provide support to build a new $1.5 million retreat facility to enhance the capacity of the Center to provide hospitality and programming to regional and national groups.
• The Strategic Initiatives Fund - The Strategic Initiatives Fund is a discretionary tool for the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ to - in consultation and partnership with the President's Advisory Council, members of the Collegium of Officers and others - foster innovation and excellence in ministry in all settings of the United Church of Christ with a particular emphasis on the national and global expressions. The Fund is designed to provide start-up funding for new ministry initiatives with the clear potential for advancing the strategic interests of the Church and for which funding is not available or sufficient. The Fund will give the Church's leadership the flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to emerging ministry opportunities.
Individuals and congregations wishing to support these initiatives may direct their gifts to the 50th Anniversary Fund or to any of the individual initiatives described. Make a contribution today, click on the name of the fund above or make a gift to be divided equally among the four funds by clicking here. Checks may be made out to the United Church of Christ with "50th Anniversary Fund" (or other specific initiative title) in the memo line) and sent to the Financial Development Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. For more information, contact Don Hill at (800) 846-6822 or giving@ucc.org.
