Outreach and Benevolence
“As you have done it unto the least of these my children, you have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
Benevolence Committee Goal Statement
To research, propose, develop, and manage the benevolence ministries of St. Paul’s UCC. To consult with and inform the Church Council of the many charities and missions that St. Paul’s UCC is involved in. To present these to the congregation of St. Paul’s UCC during the year in a way as to encourage the support of our church members and friends.
Local Initiatives
Bridge works with the UCC to transform the lives of homeless families by providing housing and intensive life-skills mentoring.
CARE & SHARE
St. Paul’s groups, committees and indi-viduals join to supply lower income Ray Graham Association families with needed items, gift cards, and a holiday party.
Participants and sponsors fight hunger one step at a time. Local hunger agencies are supported by 25% of the money. Church World Service hunger programs are supported by 75% of the money.
Provides help and support for victims of domestic violence through individual and group counseling, court advocacy and services, shelter, hotline; teen, children and Latina services.
FISH offers a variety of emergency social services to local residents requesting help. FISH attempts to supplement, not replace, the work of church, philanthropic or governmental agencies.
HOPES FRONT DOOR (Walk-In Ministry of Hope)
Local churches coordinate this ministry of providing counseling and information about assistance to individuals and families in need of immediate help.
It’s a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to aid vulnerable youth and adults struggling with poverty or homelessness.
Local churches coordinate efforts to shelter and feed the homeless from October to April. St. Paul’s members provide food, cooks, servers, and site supervision for the evening and breakfast meals on Mondays in April.
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
People in need can receive small sums of money in gas cards and grocery gift certificates on an emergency basis.
National and Global Initiatives
The NIN offering in September is for a specific local cause with 25% of the money sent to the UCC.
Back Bay, MO was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina. The UCC decided to start a church there to help meet the need in this low-income community.
We sponsor this initiative to honor women and men in our lives with a donation. Church World Services supplies blankets, gardening, fishing equipment and shelter for disaster victims.
Money is sent to provide pension and health insurance premiums for low-income UCC retirees. Emergency assistance for clergy and lay employees and their families is also provided.
Common Hope partners with children, families and communities in Guatemala who want to improve their lives through education, health care and housing.
Funds are sent to help support the students and seminaries of the UCC.
Donations provide pooled money that is available for natural disasters and other emergencies through the UCC.
Funds are sent to support the center, still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. It is the first African American day care center in the US, located in New Orleans to provide affordable child care
Our Congregation sponsors Sergio, a 14 year old boy through this organization which provides some of the poorest children in Guatemala with the opportunity for an education. Here's a link to their most recent newsletter
OUR CHURCH’S WIDER MISSION (OCWM)
Funds are used where needed to support God’s mission in Illinois, nationally and globally. 74% of the donations stay in Illinois to support Young Adults in Missions, Youth Ministries, Justice Immersion Centers, Leadership, One Church.
The UCC works for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families.
This fund provides and immediate response for people affected by a local, state, or global disaster.