Our Church's Wider Mission  

WHAT   IS   “OCWM”  IN  OUR  CHURCH  BUDGET?

 OCWM stands for “Our Church’s Wider Mission” which represents financial support each UCC congregation contributes for the funding of Conference and national ministries.  OCWM has two components:

• Basic Support which funds the core programs of UCC national ministries
• Special Support which funds specific mission opportunities through the four special mission offerings of the UCC.

BASIC SUPPORT dollars are allocated:

• Global Mission  30%
• Ministries to Local Churches 17%
• Justice Ministries 14%
• Retiree Pension Supplementation 13%
• Communication & Interpretation 7%
• Offices of Executive Ministers 6%
• General Administration 6%
• Governance 4%
• Research 1%
• Covenantal Relations 2%

SPECIAL SUPPORT includes:

• One Great Hour of Sharing – domestic & international disaster preparedness and response; building sustainable communities
• The Christmas Fund – pension & health premium supplements to low-income retired clergy
• Neighbors in Need – ministries of justice & compassion throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico
• Strengthen the Church – leadership for new church starts, revitalization, youth programs

According to the UCC website, OCWM managed a spending plan of $15,822,061 in 2004.  Traditionally, FCCB has contributed 10% of our budget to OCWM efforts.  How much will we contribute this year?

HAVE  YOU  CHECKED  THE  U.C.C.  WEBSITE?

When you are surfing the net, try checking www.ucc.org to learn more about The United Church of Christ, of which FCCB is a member.  You may be interested to learn more about guidelines for a Pastoral Relations Committee (click on “Ministries”) or OCWM.