The UCC's Stillspeaking Ministry is receiving favorable feedback to an announcement on June 10 that it plans to return to the airwaves in September with the heartwarming "Steeples" ad, if donations from individuals and churches will make it possible.

"Having viewed the ad, I think it sends a wonderful, positive message… excellent PR work," emailed Hans Bader, a member of Trinity UCC in Waynewboro, PA. "I will definitely contribute to have this ad come to fruition."

The Rev. Paul Whitmore, senior minister of Southport Congregational UCC in Connecticut, said he affirmed the decision to air a "positive, non-controversial ad."

"Thank you," he wrote. "We could use more of these [ads]."

The Rev. Ron Ruggles, pastor of Zion UCC in Central City, Ill., and St. Peter UCC in Centralia, Ill., said he welcomed the news. "This announcement comes just in time for me to present the ad to both of my church councils and see if we can generate some support," he said.

The Rev. Felix Carrion, Stillspeaking coordinator, said the responses have been enthusiastic, and he is confident that the denomination's widespread support will be validated by fundraising efforts, which were launched yesterday and will continue over the next two months.

"This effort is going to require the commitment of every church, every member, if we are going to raise sufficient money to saturate the public with our message of God's love for 'all the people,'" Carrion said.

Contribute to the fundraising effort.