By: Deb Kraft Chair, SD Conference Board of Directors
To all our mothers and mother figures
On behalf of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences
Of the United Church of Christ
We PRAISE GOD for you
And wish you a Blessed and Happy
Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10th
A Time to Remember Giving
As we approach May, I am reminded of Mothers Day-assisting my family with planting flowers in paper cups for Mothers Day at the church or planting pansies in a window box for my mother-in-law. Often mothers are the unsung heroes in our families. They work quietly behind the scenes, getting work done and assisting others. In the same way, Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) works silently in the background too. OCWM funds provide the South Dakota Conference with the funds to provide assistance in many ways but does not claim credit or shout its presence. OCWM assists congregations with the search and call process, leadership development of both lay and clergy, youth ministry, and publicizing Conference, Association and National events. Planning and support for Conference events such as Joint Annual Meeting, or South Dakota Conference meeting is funded by OCWM. OCWM funding pays for the work of the Tri Conference Ministry staff. We see Rev. Roberto out and about but there are others behind the scenes. Think about who helps keep track of Rev. Roberto’s schedule and assists him with scheduling and arrangements. This is the TCM staff working for us. Executive assistant, Kim Springer, has sent out the notices about the special budget meeting, and set up the zoom sessions for various meetings. Conference Deacons, Rev. Emily Munger and Rev. Lorah Houser Jankord, employees of the SD Conference, make contact and support local congregations. There are more ways that OCWM funds assist local congregations but you get the idea!
Eighty-five percent of the funds given to OCWM remain within the South Dakota Conference. Churches may choose to designate OCWM giving as shared or unshared. Unshared OCWM giving stays entirely within the SD Conference.
Like all the ways that our mothers supported our faith development and worked behind the scenes, I urge you to consider making a donation to OCWM either through your local church or directly to the SD Conference.
Remembering all those who work behind the scenes,
Deb Kraft Chair, SD Conference Board of Directors
*Ms. Deb Kraft is the Chair of the South Dakota UCC Conference Board of Directors and a member of First Congregational UCC in Redfield, South Dakota
If you are led to DONATE to the OCWM in your Conference, you may do so at the following link:
DONATE TO THE IOWA CONFERENCE: Donate Iowa
DONATE TO THE NEBRASKA CONFERENCE: Donate Nebraska
DONATE TO THE SOUTH DAKOTA CONFERENCE: Donate South Dakota