Changing Lives...That's Our Church's Wider Mission
"Changing Lives, That's Our Church's Wider Mission" is more than a slogan or phrase; it is the lifeblood of ministry and mission in the United Church of Christ. Thank you for your support of the many local and global ministries provided through your contributions to this offering of our covenant together. Our covenant as local churches, associations, conferences and the national settings of our denomination is made evident through this mission together.
What is OCWM?
Our Church's Wider Mission: Plain TalkAn easy to understand, entertaining explanation of Our Church's Wider Mission. Great for new members and long time church committees alike. DVD also includes thirteen stories from pastors and lay leaders talking about what it means to be part of the UCC. DVD - FREE To order call UCC Resources 800-537-3394.
Mission is Local
UCC congregations are involved with mission in many ways. In the United Church of Christ, we affirm that, although the congregation is the fundamental unit of mission, mission is not just local. We are connected to one another, across boundaries of neighborhood, class, race, and national border.
Mission is Global
Our Church's Wider Mission is the name we use to describe the work we do as the United Church of Christ beyond the local church–through our Conferences, national ministries, and UCC-related institutions. Our Church's Wider Mission is also the name we give to the financial support given by UCC members and congregations that makes this broader mission possible.
Congregations are central to the ability of The United Church of Christ to do mission in local communities, within the United States and internationally. As a congregation works in its own community, it is a representative of the entire denomination and embodies the UCC in that place. And when a congregation determines its giving to Our Church's Wider Mission, there is a direct impact on levels of funding for the Conference and national ministries. Every local congregation has a responsibility to be aware of opportunities for local mission and to be knowledgeable about the work underway by its own Conference and by the national ministries.
Our Church's Wider Mission, often referred to simply as OCWM, has two parts: OCWM Basic Support and OCWM Special Support (Special Mission Offerings).
Tools for Financial Transformation
Annual Stewardship Theme Materials including worship resources, posters, bulletin covers, theme related bulletin inserts, stationary including letterhead, envelopes and note cards, pledge cards for a single commitment, double commitment, faith-promise pledge, and a time and talent pledge card.
Capital Campaigns are much more fun with a team of experts. Priscilla Bizer and Susan Mitchell, UCC Capital Campaign consultants, can be reached by calling 866.822.8224 Ext. 3834
Changing Lives testimonials and the Plain Talk video about Our Church’s Wider Mission are on the UCC YouTube channel.
Electronic Giving makes it easy to receive offerings consistently, even when church members vacation or spend winters away.
Financial Wellness resources for your church members:
- Financial Literacy as recommended by the UCC Pension Boards offers helpful guidance through articles, tools and frequently asked questions for all financial stages of life.
- Financial Fitness through America Saves, a nationwide campaign with a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate and government groups helps individuals and families save and build wealth. Another program congregations are using to help low-income seniors is a Benefits Check-Up offered by the National Council on Aging which directs you to over 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Making Sound Strategic Choices in Anxious TimesAlban Institute consultants Susan Beaumont and Alice Mann offer UCC pastors some suggestions for guiding the budget making process during tough financial times.
Narrative Budgets including examples from nine UCC congregations.
Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) tools are available on the web.
Planned Giving resources are outlined
online and can be mailed to you so please email or call 800 846-6822. Here are some examples of what other UCC churches are doing (online) in the area of financial development through
donor education and
estate planning.
Pledge drives can be organized in many ways but here is one of four campaigns offered in
Inspiring Generosity.
Stewardship Messages offer 52 inspiring, biblically based reflections for use in your newsletter, on your bulletin board, website, as an insert in your giving statement or Sunday Bulletin.
Special Mission Offerings links you to online resources and ideas for the promotion of all four Special Mission Offerings including
Strengthen the Church,
One Great Hour of Sharing,
Neighbors in Need and
The Christmas Fund.
Tools for Mission
Special Mission Offerings of the Church 
