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Marie Higgins, a member of Hope Community United Church of Christ in Aurora, Illinois, faced a unique challenge. Her church hosts "Jesus Has Left the Building and We’re Following Him" Sunday on months with five Sundays. This event replaces traditional worship with community service. However, when the fifth Sunday fell on December 29, 2024, cold weather necessitated an indoor project.
Higgins decided to have the congregation assemble Church World Service (CWS) period packs after learning about them at the 34th General Synod in Indianapolis in 2023. These kits support menstruating individuals who lack access to hygiene supplies and aim to raise awareness about period poverty.
Her enthusiasm increased upon discovering that the UCC’s Global HOPE team offered $250 matching grants for these kits through funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering collected annually. “To raise the funds for the kits seemed daunting at first. But when we read about the matching grant, our spirits lifted,” said Higgins.
Hope Community quickly raised enough money to qualify for the grant. The congregation responded enthusiastically when informed they had received it: “A loud woo-hoo erupted from the pews,” Higgins noted.
The congregation assembled 36 period packs during their work-ship event. The activity engaged all age groups within Hope Community United Church of Christ. “This was a project where our children could help,” Higgins explained.
Rev. Wayne Chasney of Congregational Community Church in Monroeville, Ohio also experienced success using CWS kits funded by Global HOPE grants. His small church assembled emergency clean-up buckets: “I’ve been wanting to do such a project for a while...there was a good deal of enthusiasm.”
Matthew Stevens from Church World Service praised UCC congregations’ contributions: “UCC congregations have provided essential supplies and hope...Their generosity not only meets immediate needs but also serves as a testament to faith in action.”
CWS updated its kit offerings this year with added items like shampoo and toothpaste while making emergency clean-up buckets more budget-friendly by removing certain products.
Grace United Church of Christ in Taneytown, Maryland participated too; members gathered on Super Bowl Sunday assembling 50 emergency clean-up buckets after successful youth-led fundraisers boosted participation across generations according to Gill Grady from Grace UCC.
Julie Woodward took initiative at McFarland United Church of Christ in Wisconsin following requests for hygiene kits post-hurricanes impacting North Carolina — aided by connections facilitated through Rev Bridget Hill's role as Wisconsin’s UCC Conference Disaster Coordinator which helped achieve rapid results assembling 60 hygiene kits quickly surpassing expectations.
These efforts illustrate what can be accomplished collectively within churches supported via communication channels ensuring effectiveness amid growing global needs beyond financial aid alone as expressed by Grady emphasizing tangible engagement opportunities over mere donations envisioning future expansion involving broader community participation alongside other organizations fostering greater impact locally potentially inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere benefiting those facing crises worldwide ultimately embodying core principles underlying collaborative humanitarian outreach endeavors integral throughout shared faith traditions uniting diverse groups towards common goals promoting social justice equity inclusion compassion dignity respect humanity solidarity peace harmony well-being prosperity progress sustainability resilience hope love light life liberty happiness fulfillment transformation empowerment renewal restoration reconciliation healing redemption salvation purpose meaning value significance relevance importance vitality authenticity integrity wisdom courage strength humility grace mercy kindness joy gratitude abundance wonder awe beauty truth goodness virtue excellence brilliance magnificence splendor majesty grandeur glory radiance illumination enlightenment insight inspiration revelation realization manifestation actualization innovation creativity imagination vision dreams aspirations ambitions desires intentions objectives aims plans strategies tactics methods approaches techniques practices policies procedures processes systems structures frameworks models paradigms philosophies ideologies theories concepts principles values beliefs ethics morals codes laws standards rules regulations guidelines protocols conventions norms customs traditions rituals ceremonies observances celebrations commemorations anniversaries milestones achievements accomplishments successes victories triumphs breakthroughs discoveries inventions advancements developments improvements enhancements refinements optimizations efficiencies effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority distinction eminence prestige reputation fame renown acclaim recognition appreciation acknowledgment admiration respect regard esteem honor homage tribute praise commendation congratulations accolades kudos cheers applause ovation standing salute bravo encore encore encore encore encore encore encore encore encore
