OCWM Donations

For many, the acronym OCWM is a mystery. It stands for Our Church’s Wider Mission, but that still doesn’t mean much to many. Some think of ‘wider mission’ as something that takes place in the heart of Africa when culturally insensitive Christians from western countries sought to impose their faith and their culture on native cultures. OCWM today is the financial support of local congregations which underwrites the work of the United Church of Christ in all its settings beyond the local congregation.

OCWM dollars support very mundane but essential services such as the maintenance of a Search and Call process which assists churches in calling pastors. It provides scholarships for seminary students and guidance for churches in strategic planning. Indeed at present 85% of our OCWM giving remains in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming providing staff services to churches, and providing dollars for youth ministry, summer camping, clergy support, campus ministry, new church starts and training for ministers and church personnel. When a church needs assistance in dealing with discontent or conflict, OCWM dollars provide staff assistance. So OCWM provides for the infrastructure of the church.
In the same manner, OCWM is the lifeblood of our church’s mission beyond our conference. Through the contributions we make, we support seminary education, the development of educational resources, ministries of justice and witness in our country and throughout the world. The networks and linkage we have make it possible for special offerings to be used directly without overhead in places of need. When disasters happen our gifts go immediately to provide assistance through churches and organizations that are already in place.

The work of our church is broad and deep. Just visit our website www.rmcucc.org, or the United Church Website www.ucc.org. Look around and be amazed. You are part of a church which for nearly 300 years has sought to discern what God would have it do, and then acted. It has not been perfect in its discernment, to be sure, but it has always been serious about undertaking deeds of compassion, and justice and care.

As the economy struggles, it is easy for OCWM to get lost in the array of local priorities. I urge you not to forget the work of the church that happens beyond the places you live. Many of you know that this year we have found it necessary to cut back our services. We ask that you at least be aware of what you are doing when you choose to reduce OCWM, for this mission belongs to you.

PS. Individuals are encouraged to support OCWM through their offerings to the local congregation where they belong, but you may make individual gifts to OCWM on the Conference website.

Click below to make a one time OCWM donation, or to scheule recurring donations.

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