Giving

We give away money
We believe we have an obligation to support the efforts of our denomination at the local, state, and national level

Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM)
OCWM provides operating funds for the Iowa conference and national and international programs and ministries of the United Church of Christ. UCC, Congregational contributes through the operating budget for this effort. Efforts include the Iowa Conference of the UCC, Wider Church Ministries, pension boards, stewardship council, justice and witness ministries, evangelism church extension, ministries to students at institutions of higher education, campus and outdoor ministries, and direct services to congregations and pastors.

Special UCC Offerings
These are not part of the budget, but provide funds for special purposes.
One Great Hour of Sharing
A Lenten offering, One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God's message of love and hope to people in more than 80 countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Strengthen the Church
Taken on Pentecost Sunday, this offering helps enhance the future of the United Church of Christ churches by funding new church starts and invigorating existing congregations, nurturing lay and pastoral leadership, building youth and young adult ministries, and supporting the God is Stillspeaking ministry and its extravagant UCC welcome for all.
Neighbors in Need
Collected on World Communion Sunday in October, Neighbors in Need supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of the funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries for a variety of initiatives, advocacy efforts and direct service projects.
Christmas Fund
The Christmas Fund provides pension and health premium supplements to low-income retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy families in need and Christmas checks to hundreds of annuitants, administered by the UCC Pension Boards.

Church World Service
CROP Hunger Walk
One of the best-known programs administered by Church World Service is Crop Walk. Members of many congregations walk on an autumn Sunday and collect sponsorships. Founded in 1946, Church World Service is an ecumenical relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS supports sustainable self-help development, meets emergency needs, aids refugees, and helps address the root causes of poverty and powerlessness.

Blankets+ Offering
(formerly called Tools & Blankets) The offering is a special mission coordinated by Church World Service (CWS). CWS works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. For more than 60 years, Church World Service has worked with local communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future, including: blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster; tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields; wells for families living in drought prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens; and literacy training and microcredit for women struggling to realize their potential.