CCC Board for Social Witness

CCC Board for Social Witness

Missions Funding

"The Board for Social Witness shall organize and lead a program to encourage and support our church’s Christian witness in the world, wherein our church undertakes to labor for the progress of knowledge, the assurance of responsible freedom for all persons, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the support of mission needs. The Board shall lead and coordinate action and advocacy on social justice and peace issues; educate the congregation about mission emphases and needs of the denomination; identify service opportunities for social justice and human service needs; and allocate financial support for appropriate missions, organizations, and activities related to these needs."

– Constitution of Christ Congregational Church

Revised June 13, 1999

"The Board of Social Witness carries out Christ’s charge to be Good Samaritans by allocating the CCC mission funds to local, national, and international causes and programs. In addition, the Board coordinates special church offerings and seeks to engage church volunteers to participate in mission-related activities – a soup kitchen, a nearby after-school program for troubled students, and emergency disaster relief. The Board also explores action CCC can take regarding economic, social, and political issues. In recent years, these initiatives have included environmental protection, housing for low-income residents, and social justice for people of different races, gender, and sexual orientation."

– Opportunities at Christ Congregational Church

Spring 2000

Missions Funding,
July 2000 – June 2001

Andean Rural Health Care (Lake Juanaluska, NC/South America) – $300
ANERA – American Near East Refugee Aid (Washington, DC/West Bank, etc.) – $500
ASSISST – Allied Silver Spring Interfaith Services for Seniors Today (Silver Spring, MD) – $2200
Back Bay Mission (Biloxi, MS) – $500
Casa of Maryland (Takoma Park, MD) – $500
Christ House (Washington, DC) – $250
Christian Blind Mission International (Greenville, SC/Africa) – $500
Christmas in April – $1650
Church Women United, Montgomery East Unit (Silver Spring, MD) – $100
Columbia Road Health Services (Washington, DC) – $1200
Colvin missionary funding (AIDS-related education/Botswana) – $1000
Comprehensive Rural Health Project (Aroles/India) – $500
Community Ministry of Montgomery County – $2000
Crossway Community (Kensington, MD) – $500
Dinner Program for Homeless Women (Washington, DC) – $700
FLOC – For Love of Children – $500
Good Shepherd Ministries (Washington, DC) – $250
Jubilee Partners (Comer, GA) – $500
Justa Paz (Columbia) – $1000 [plus $300 from Just Peace Offering]
Liberian family members aid – $2383.81
Moffat Mission (Gilleys/South Africa) – $500
N Street Village/Luther Place Memorial Church (Washington, DC) – $500
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (Washington, DC) – $500
New York Theological Seminary (New York, NY) – $300
Opportunity Associates (Philadelphia/Romania) – $200
Over 60 Counseling & Employment Service (Chevy Chase, MD) – $250
Project MALA (India) – $500
Sarah’s Circle (Washington, DC) – $250
Sharp Program (Montgomery Blair H.S., Silver Spring, MD) – $250
Silver Spring Community Leadership Initiative (MD) – $500
Shaw Community Ministry (Washington, DC) – $1400
Shepherd’s Table (Silver Spring, MD) – $1100
Silver Spring Community Vision (Silver Spring, MD) – $2000
Silver Spring Help/Helping Hand Food and Toys – $750
Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition (Silver Spring, MD) – $1000
Sojourners Neighborhood Center (Washington, DC) – $350
Widowed Person’s Service (Silver Spring, MD) – $100
Woman’s Day Circle (Silver Spring, MD) – $50

The Board for Social Witness invites members of the congregation to submit requests for funding on behalf of organizations that they’re involved in.

Guidelines for Nominating Organizations

The organization or program must provide the kind of service described by Jesus in Matthew 25 or must have as its central activity the spread of the word of Jesus Christ, in accordance with United Church of Christ precepts.
The organization must demonstrate that there is a clear-cut need for its services.
The organization must have goals and methods that are in consonance with those of the UCC.
Preference may be given to organizations where CCC contributions can make a significant impact.
Preference may be given to missions in which UCC/CCC members are actively involved.
Special consideration may be given to requests for one-time seed funding for start-up expenses for a new organization or program.
Allocations are generally balanced to ensure that at least three-quarters are directed to local organizations, with the remainder fairly evenly distributed between national and world missions. (Last year’s distribution was 73.9% local, 4.8 % aid to Liberian refugee family, 4.4% national, and 16.9% international.)