Pastor’s Corner – November 2019
There are many questions that have been raised about OCWM during this stewardship campaign. At our
conference’s recent annual meeting, we were informed that 75% of our OCWM money stays here in Southern Illinois.
The following is adapted from www.ucc.org/ocwm_basic-support. I hope this sparks even more questions and discussion.
Gifts to Basic Support of Our Church’s Wider Mission benefit the full range of the United Church of Christ mission across the country and around the globe.
Our faith is 2000 Years old but our thinking is not.
Because of our belief in a continuing testament, we are attentive to God’s creative movement in the world…
Our contributions are used for:
Preparing leaders who are open to and prepared for ministry in the present and future church.
Training leaders who grow spiritually, who build up the church, and put their faith into action.
Providing resources to aid new kinds of congregations and new modes of leadership.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Because we believe in extravagant welcome, we insist that God’s table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable…
We demonstrate this through public professions of our identity/purpose: multi-racial, multi-cultural, open and affirming, accessible to all.
The funds are used to advocate justice for all as an extension and expression of faith.
To explore and establish new ways of being church and forming Christian community, we affirm that cultural differences among our membership is a strength and we do our best to expand our reach to others.
We strive to keep our perspective global in our partnership with people of faith around the world.
Never place a period where God has placed a comma.
Because we believe in transformation, we believe the church’s mission is changing lives – individually, systemically and globally…
OCWM money supports, encourages and uplifts local churches where lives are being changed through worship, education, fellowship, mission, and justice advocacy.
The United Church of Christ identifies, recruits, educates and supports leaders who inspire others.
Our money supports churches and plants new churches as vital places of worship, learning, and justice advocacy.
With OCWM money lives are changed through our global partnerships, missionaries and advocacy.
I hope this review answers most of your questions. I also hope this writing brings up a whole new set of questions. Either way, I look forward to hearing from you.
Blessings, Cory