November 19, 2010 Volume 2: Edition 11

Is Your Church Five For Five?

by Trinaka Jamison-Finger, LCM Representative

5for5 As the Wisconsin LCM Board representative, I hear a lot about 5 for 5. As the former Association Moderator for the Southeast, I certainly had my share of discussions about 5 for 5. I have often wondered how many people who sit in the pews every Sunday know about 5 for 5, or if their church fits this category.

Let's begin with the basics. 5 for 5 is the term we use to describe the five annual ways of giving through your church:

One Great Hour of Sharing
Strengthen the Church
Neighbors in Need
The Christmas Fund, and
Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)

Join an Online Book Study: Ten Money Myths

with Steve Clapp, Author

Rev. Steve Clapp Study takes place online Monday each week beginning January 10 from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM and concludes on February 7th.

There are so many myths about money that impact our lives as Christians - bringing harm to our financial lives and spiritual lives. This book is a frank look at those myths combined with practical advice that balances healthy financial planning with healthy spirituality. This book avoids the trite and often manipulative advice sometimes associated with Christian financial planning.

The Wisconsin Conference is pleased to be hosting an online book study with author Steve Clapp.

Cost: $25

Call or email Liisa Analore at 608-846-7880, lanalore@wcucc.org with any questions.

**Christmas Gifts - Giving and Receiving**

View the complete wish list from the CHHSM agencies of Wisconsin.

0.5094339622641509 As the holidays draw near it is a good time to think about how you can make a difference in the folks we serve through our Council for Health and Human Service Ministries. The different agencies that make up Wisconsin CHHSM have shared with us their "wish lists" for this year. Just like in years past when churches sent off packages to our Sunburst Home ministry, our agencies today continue to have things on a wish list that they know would brighten the lives of the ones they serve. Your Church, a Sunday School class, as an individual or as part of a church group may want to consider them in your holiday giving this year.

Here are just a few suggestions as you consider your gift giving plans for Residents of Cedar Community.

From Cedar Community: Christmas has always been a time of giving and receiving gifts - when God gave us His only Son, we gratefully received Him knowing that in this gift we were loved and cared for. For some of us the ability to give has many variables but the joy of receiving is something we can all participate in and thereby feel loved and cared for.

Newspaper, Magazine subscriptions - Crossword puzzles and wordgames
Cedar Community gift card
Large selection of items in our Independence Store such as walker baskets, bags and trays, cup holders for wheelchairs, reachers, magnifying glass, and designer canes. A talking watch or low vision watch is great for those with visual deficits as is a speaker phone with extra large keys and lift chairs that can provide both comfort and ease of standing for the resident.
Tell someone you'll pay their phone bill for a month or two or give money to cover long distance phone charges.
Make a home movie of greetings from you and your family or people that haven't seen you for awhile.
Make up a photo album of pictures (with writing underneath of who, what, when) that can be shared with friends.
Make a commitment of regular visits.

If you choose to purchase clothing items, the second most important thing you can remember is to make sure they get labeled. All you have to do is take the items to the nurse's station and ask that they be sent to laundry for labeling. Our laundry department will happily label all clothing items free of charge and ensure they get back to the right person. Please feel free to call the Household Social Worker for additional suggestions or questions about specific individual needs.

Chiapas, Mexico-A Service Learning Experience July 25-August 5

Watch the Video

Chiapas Flag

Registration Deadline

May 1, 2011

Cost: $2,000 for airfare, lodging, food, instruction and donations. To reserve a place, please send a $100 per person deposit with the registration form to: The Wisconsin Conference UCC, PO Box 435, DeForest, WI 53532-0435.

Trip Leader: Carol Merriman

email Gail O'Neal if you are interested in being part of the trip

Registration Form

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ

Youth @ General Synod 2011 - Tampa FL
June 29 - July 5

Why Should You Attend?

☺ Friendships, old and new!

☺ Two days of immersion in service and justice! ☺ Learn more about the UCC and have faith conversations to help you on your journey!
☺ Help the church discern how we can respond to significant issues in our churches, communities, nation and world!
☺ Worship that feeds your soul, food that feeds your body, adventures that feed your heart and mind and spirit!
☺ Concerts, workshops, exhibits, movies, games, socializing... and more!

Youth @ General Synod is for youth who will be in grades 9 - 12 in 2011 (including 2011 high school graduates). Youth groups are invited to register with a minimum of 2 adults and 2 youth, with adult genders matching the gender of the youth. Youth group leaders and their adult chaperones are responsible for the supervision of their respective youth groups during the event. Groups may register as local church, church clusters, and Association or Conference groups.

More information

Printable Invitation - Please Distribute

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORLD

An event of First Congregational Church of Appleton

March 26 to April 2, 2011

A seven-day coach tour of the UCC, meeting its leaders, visiting related organizations and sites, gaining insight, vision and a sense of calling.

Highlights: WI Conference offices; Elmhurst College; Trinity UCC; UCC National offices in Cleveland; Church World Service; UCC Justice & Witness Ministries in Washington D.C.

Costs & Deadlines: $450 plus meals & lodging; $250 deposit w/reservation & remainder due by reservation deadline of Jan. 15, 2011. (at least 20 people required)

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact Deb Burich, First Congregational UCC, Appleton, 920-733-7393

dburich@firstcongoappleton.org

Jesus Core Retreat
Jan 7-9, 2011 Pilgrim Center

Retreat for High School Students, individually or with their church groups.
Andra Moran

Experience faith in community, meaningful worship and great music, silence and time for prayer, getting to know new people and hanging out with friends. Rest from the stress of school, listen to God's word, connect with yourself and others, and find satisfaction in silence and in fun activities. Be inspired by the beauty of God's Creation on Green Lake, and by workshops and discussions with adult leaders and your peers.

Printable registration
Additional Forms

Is Your Church 5 for 5? Cont.

Usually churches will place offering envelopes for these programs in the pews, but not every Sunday and not for every program. Is your church Five for Five? If not, here are some suggestions on getting there.

Stewardship information sessions

The fact is many people do not even know about our special offering programs, what they provide for and how their dollars can help. It is also true that people support what they know and understand to be important. It is relatively easy to learn about these giving programs; just go to ucc.org and go to the "church stuff" item on the menu. In it you will find a listing for One Great Hour of Sharing and a listing for Special Offerings.

When you click these choices, you will find a wealth of information to share with your church. Brochures and other informational material can also be found here to order for your congregation to get the conversation going. Stewardship lessons do not have to be guilt-ridden, boring affairs. Just think of it as friends getting together to talk.

Host special events

Now I know that we UCC church folk know how to have fun. So why not make some of your normal events fundraising opportunities for special offerings. A luncheon can be held in honor of Neighbors in Need and a bible study group can collect offerings at their meetings for OCWM. When you purchase flowers for the church during Easter and Christmastime, consider giving a little extra for One Great Hour of Sharing or the Christmas fund.

Designate giving months

Your church could spread the five special offerings throughout the year. For example, designate December as the Christmas Fund month. Allocate special offerings collected toward the Christmas Fund. The purpose of the Christmas Fund is to support retired clergy.

Becoming a 5 for 5 church doesn't have to be a major effort; it requires faith, dedication and enthusiasm, all of which I am sure our Wisconsin Churches have in abundance. Pass that plate around and let's see how much good we can do! God is still speaking and He needs us to spread His Word with thought and deed.

Respectfully submitted, November 8, 2010

Trinaka Jamison-Finger

LCM Board Member, class of 2013