An Important OCWM Update for our Churches and Clergy

The Conference books will be closing on Tuesday, January 21. At present, there is about a $40,000 shortfall in Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) contributions to the Michigan Conference compared with 2012. Because so many churches share their annual OCWM contribution in December or January, the Conference is not aware of significant shortfalls until the end of the year. This is a much larger deficit than expected, and the Conference staff is working hard to close the deficit. Just so you know:

• 23 churches show less giving-to-date of $1,000 or more than in 2012;
• 16 churches are showing a $500 - $999 differential from 2012 to 2013;
• 21 churches show a difference of $499 or less than in 2012;
• 23 congregations gave the same in 2013 as they did in 2012 (thank you);
• 33 churches increased their OCWM from 2012 - 2013 (thank you very much!);
• For whatever reason, 32 churches do not make any OCWM contributions.

If your church has a pending 2013 OCWM contribution, we look forward to receiving it within the next week. If possible, please notify the Business Manager, Bob Heisler, at bob@michucc.org that this 2013 OCWM contribution is on the way.

After your church has completed its annual financial meeting for the 2014 budget, please let Bob Heisler know your projected OCWM contribution for 2014. This way we can budget appropriately for the coming year.

The Board of Directors thanks you for your ongoing support of your Association, the Michigan Conference, and the United Church of Christ! We truly are committed to living out our mission statement: "equipping churches and clergy for faithful and effective ministries."

Charles Corley                                                                                Campbell Lovett

President, Board of Directors                                                        Conference Minister

Blessings to All on this Special Weekend!

"Martin Luther King deserves a national holiday because he rescued the American people from the shallows and miseries where they had chosen to live their lives.  He deserves a national holiday because more than any other public figure in this century he asserted his individuality in order to affirm community on the widest possible scale; because better than any other public figure he understood the nature of compassion, that it did not exclude confrontation.  It was Martin's message that it is not enough to suffer with the poor; we must confront the people and systems that cause poverty.  It was Martin's message that you cannot set the captive free if you are not willing to confront those who hold the keys.  Without confrontation compassion becomes merely commiseration, fruitless and sentimental."