A fundraising effort to return UCC TV ads to the national airwaves has gathered more than $100,000, according to a blast e-mail announcement today.

The total includes a single gift of $25,000 from a UCC member who is enthusiastic about the potential run of the 30-second Steeples ad on prominent Cable networks in late September.

In addition to the $25,000 major gift, hundreds of smaller gifts have been collected. Most gifts have been less than $100, even though three UCC members have now given above the $1,000 level. About 30 contributors have given more than $250 each.

The Stillspeaking Ministry has set a goal of raising at least $350,000 by Sept. 1 in order to fund a respectable ad buy. The pay-as-you-go plan means that the denomination will spend only what it can raise to air the ads.

In an e-mail blast to UCC members and supporters, the Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president, and the Rev. Felix Carrion, Stillspeaking Ministry coordinator, announced a new goal of asking for 100 percent participation of the UCC's 5,700 congregations, regardless of the size of the gift.

"Imagine. The collective body of the United Church of Christ acting as a single voice to bring Steeples to a national audience," Thomas and Carrion wrote. "Whatever the amount, your church's contribution counts."

Churches are being encouraged to use a new online fundraising tool that enables groups and individuals to create their own personalized fundraising pages online, whereby churches can set their own fundraising goals, encourage members to participate, and track their success.

"It's fun, easy and takes less than 10 minutes," the e-mail message emphasized.

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