The one million member United Church of Christ may be best known by its incredibly successful multi-year “God is still speaking” campaign. Perhaps you have heard the message: No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We believe in extravagant welcome. (For more information read The Language of God and Uniquely UCC then watch some of the original television commercials.)
The United Church of Christ originated as the result of mergers that ultimately brought four traditions together to form a new denomination focused on Christian unity. The UCC’s motto, based on Jesus’ prayer, “that they may all be one” has shaped its life and provided the vision for an ambitious campaign in November 2011 called Mission 1. During the first 11 days of the 11th month of 2011, Mission 1 seeks to offer “a coordinated mission campaign” that will:
- collect more than 1 million items of healthy food and other household items for local food banks and outreach services
- gather online contributions of more than $111,111 for Neighbors in Need, offerings that will be shared for hunger-action purposes with agencies of justice and compassion throughout the United States
- offer more than 11,111 letters to Congress asking the government to reform U.S. foreign assistance in a way that more effectively benefits hungry and poor people worldwide, helping to provide a major final push to Bread for the World’s 2011 “Offering of Letters” campaign
So What?
According to the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, General Minister and President of the UCC:
Our hope is that Mission: 1 will prove to be a game-changer in how we think of ourselves as one church in shared mission . . . This is a recognition that every local church is a center of mission and collectively we have power to make a huge impact.
For those outside of the UCC:
- What is your initial reaction to this campaign? to a group of Christians working together to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice?
- Does your denomination or network of churches do anything that seeks to leverage this type of shared effort during a designated time period? If so, share that story. If not, consider what such an effort on a local or regional level might look like and start a conversation with others about the possibility.
For those who are affiliated with the UCC:
- Share your congregation’s plans for Mission 1.
- How will you be involved in this effort?