The Neighbors in Need offering, which we will receive on October 5th, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.  The UCC channels resources for international programs in health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international and domestic disaster response, administered by Wider Church Ministries, Global Sharing of Resources.   

The NIN offering also supports leadership for new and revitalizing congregations, programs for youth and young adults, leadership development for the whole church, and the God is still speaking Ministry.  

By now, most of you have seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike in the Gulf Coast area of Texas.  Would you like to help?  There is a great need for health kits and clean-up kits and that is where you come in.  On the narthex table are instructions from the Illinois Conference Disaster Ministry team for putting together these kits.  If you would like to help, please put a kit or two or three together and bring it ready to go (as per the instructions) to the church.  We'll be collecting kits for the next three weeks ending Oct. 5th.   

Whether or not you are able to help with this project, please keep the people of the Gulf Coast region and people in our own area affected by flooding in your prayers.