Two new 60-second radio spots are now available for use by UCC churches, and the UCC's Stillspeaking Ministry is offering grants to make sure the ads make it on the air in multiple communities.

Through the Stillspeaking Ministry's "Media with a Mission" program, clusters of UCC congregations can apply before Feb. 25 for up to $4,000 to purchase radio air time. Individual churches can apply for as much as $2,000.

The grants can be used to fund 40 percent of a local or regional radio campaign sometime between March 10 (two weeks before Easter) and May 10 (Mother's Day / Pentecost Sunday).

"Stillspeaking will provide $2 for every $3 your church or group of churches commits to the campaign," says the Rev. Felix Carrion, Stillspeaking Coordinator.

Participating churches can choose from three available 60-second spots. Two new commercials — "Legal Copy" and "Telephone Tree" — have been specifically produced for the most-recent push, but churches also can elect to include "Fashion Show," an older spot, in their ad-buying plans, Carrion says.

Both of the new radio ads rely heavily on humor to emphasize the UCC's theme of extravagant welcome.

"Legal Copy" begins with a syrupy-sweet announcer introducing people to a sappy, fictitious church. "Welcome to the Church of Total Acceptance," the drawn-out voice says, "where we accept all of God's children." That mushy welcome, however, is followed by legal jargon that compartmentalizes the invitation: "Our interpretation of 'all' may vary and is subject to change," adds the announcer speaking in a rushed pace. He then blurts out a lengthy list of groups — both real and far-fetched — that "all" does not include. A mood shift, with music, then introduces the UCC and its core message: "God doesn't exclude people. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here."

"Telephone Tree" starts with welcoming words by an automated answering system for the fictitious "Church of Total Acceptance." The female voice then prompts certain groups, such as "divorced single parents" and "gays and lesbians" to push different numbers on their key pads. After each, a pleasant-but-dismissive female voice says, "Goodbye!" The UCC is then introduced with the phrase, "God doesn't reject people…"

Each of the ads includes space for a 15-second tag to customize the ad and localize the message for a particular church or group of churches.

In order to be eligible for grant funding, congregations must "embrace the message of the God is Still Speaking Ministry," Carrion says. That means communicating God's radical acceptance and extravagant welcome, reaching out to "spiritually homeless" persons who may feel alienated from the church, and making a home for all in the life of the congregation, he says.

Churches also must commit to displaying some form of exterior Stillspeaking signage or banner, which can be purchased at <stillspeakingstore.com>.

Listen to the ads here.

Learn more about applying for grants here.