MACUCC churches urged to participate in Mission: 1

9/1/2011 - Justice and Witness

Mission:1 Newsfeed:

The Commission for Stewardship and the Commission for Mission & Justice Ministries are inviting Massachusetts Conference churches to take part in 11 days of living faithfully by participating in Mission 1 - a shared effort to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice - Nov. 1 - 11, 2011.

The goals of MISSION: 1

In 11 days, the United Church of Christ will collect more than 1 MILLION ITEMS OF HEALTHY FOOD and other household items for local food banks and outreach services.
In 11 days, the United Church of Christ will make an extra-special push to gather on-line contributions of more than 111,111 DOLLARS for Neighbors in Need, offerings that will be shared for hunger action purposes with agencies of justice and compassion throughout the United States.
In 11 days, the United Church of Christ will offer more than 11,111 LETTERS to Congress, asking our 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".

New! On August 29, 2011, the UCC expanded the Mission:1 goal to include a church-wide appeal to raise more than $111,111 to aid famine-stricken Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. Read more details here.

For 11 days in November, our UCC motto and Jesus' prayer "that they may all be 1" will become a focused, concerted mission emphasis across the whole United Church of Christ to educate ourselves and one another about food-related policy issues through sermons, seminars and conversations; to advocate on behalf of hungry people at home and around the world; to raise money for hunger-action purposes; and to share bread - and tuna, and peanut butter, and vegetables, and cereal - with our neighbors in need.

Ending celebration in Boston

A national service of blessing will take place at 4 p.m. (ET) on Friday, Nov. 11, at Old South Church in Boston, UCC, and will be webstreamed live at ucc.org. Plan now to attend the service — either in person or virtually via your computer.

This service will also serve as the conclusion for Bless! - A National Conference for Worship Leaders.

Churches are also encouraged to hold their own service of blessing and celebration on Sunday, Nov. 13, at which time they can announce local and national tallies to their congregations. This is traditionally Stewardship Sunday in many congregations.

Resources:

New! From MACUCC Resource Director Martha Cook - Download a list of related resources

Download the Guide (PDF): 11 Steps for Starting Your Mission 1 Campaign

Click here to find out more information about Mission 1

MACUCC Email alerts:

Mission:1 Bulletin #1: An Overview (8-19-11)

MIssion:1 Bulletin #2: Collecting Food for the Hungry (8-24-11)

Mission: 1 Bulletin #3: Offerings For Our Hungry Neighbors (8-31-11)

Mission: 1 Bulletin #4: An Offering of Letters (9-9-11)