Far-Reaching Ministries | Bethlehem United Church of Christ

Far-Reaching Ministries

OCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission)

This mission supports the Tri-State Association of 30 local churches and the Indiana-Kentucky Conference and National United Church of Christ.  OCWM funds local, regional, and international missions.  We are one of the top five givers to OCWM in the Indiana-Kentucky Conference. When we donate to OCWM, our dollars are being used to support resources created by our denomination, local church ministries and training, funding for disaster ministries, and justice initiatives led by the UCC.

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

Bethlehem children participate in Trick-or-treat for UNICEF annually. They collect spare change for UNICEF during October, and then get together for a Halloween-themed celebration, where they turn in their donations. This is a simple and fun way to teach our kids about other children who don’t have the things we take for granted. It also reinforces that even the smallest among us can make a difference.

Every day, somewhere in the world, UNICEF is saving and improving children’s lives. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF helps provide kids in need with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. To learn more about this program, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

Eden Seminary

Bethlehem gives regular financial support to the seminary and to students in the form of scholarships.

Ministerial training

Bethlehem supports three United Church of Christ seminaries in the Midwest – Chicago, United, and Eden Seminaries.

Neighbors in Need

“Neighbors in Need”is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants.

Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice. Funding is provided through donations to the Neighbors in Need offering.

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