Stewardship

We understand ourselves to be God's trustees on earth. In keeping this trust, we seek to manage our gifts of family, time, talent, energy, finances, and the earth and its resources. Our members and friends share their financial resources through regular giving of tithes, offerings, and supplemental giving.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
Individuals have a variety of opportunities to support the ministries of United Christian Church. Contributions above and beyond General Offerings support a variety of ministries.

General Offerings, collected on a weekly basis during worship, support the day-to-day ministries of the church, including worship and music, pastoral care, spiritual development, community and world outreach, and care of facilities. Once a year we ask our congregation to pledge money for the next calendar year.

Building Fund gifts are placed in a special “reserve account” that is used to help maintain the structural elements of the congregation’s facilities that provide comfortable and attractive space for worship, study, fellowship and mission. (Link to Capital Campaign)

Permanent Fund gifts provide opportunities for members and friends to make a lasting legacy to the ministry of Jesus Christ and the ministry of his church. Permanent Fund gifts often come through wills, bequests, and planned giving.

Designated Gifts are given in support of particular ministries. In the past, individuals have specified gifts to help fund youth mission trips, landscaping projects, music ministries, local social service agencies, and many more. Gifts in memory of a loved one are often designated for a particular ministry.

UNITED MISSIONS OFFERINGS
At United Christian Church supplemental offerings are called "United Missions Offerings" and are received on two consecutive Sundays during the year. These offerings give individuals the opportunity to give "above and beyond" their regular offerings in support of the church in the world. The total amount received is divided equally among the following.

• Week of Compassion offers disaster relief and self-help ministries. Known in other denominations as One Great Hour of Sharing, Week of Compassion partners are often the first to arrive at the scene of disasters. (Click here to find out more about the Week of Compassion.)

• Easter Special Offering supports ministries which strengthen and support the work of the church around the world. Ministries include supporting mission partners in all parts of the world, spreading the vision of Christian Unity in a divided world, and strengthening local congregations for ministry into the world. (Click here to find out more about General Ministries.)

• Pentecost Special Offering helps to ignite the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to start as many new churches in as many ways as possible. (Click here to find out more about New Church Ministry.)

• Thanksgiving Special Offering nurtures future leadership for the church by helping to support 17 colleges and universities, 10 theological institutions, and more than 80 campus ministry programs across the country. (Click here to find out more about Higher Education and Leadership Ministries.)

• Christmas Special Offering undergirds the ministries of the Indiana region, including camps and conferences, youth programs, and oversight and support of clergy.

• Reconciliation Special Offering is dedicated to fighting the primary causes of racism and poverty in North America.