We're a congregation with our arms open wide to embrace the whole world. We support local, national and worldwide missions through our offerings and our own involvement.
Regular Offerings:
By decision of our own church board, 9% of our non-specified giving goes to the Disciple Mission Fund to support the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA and around the world (http://www.disciples.org). 2% of our non-specified giving goes to support programs right here in Lincoln like WICs, People's City Mission, etc.
Special Offerings:
Week of Compassion
For two Sundays each February, we take up a special offering for The Disaster Relief and Development ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Gifts to Week of Compassion are also welcomed throughout the year. Sometimes, when there's been a major disaster, like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, or the Pakistani earthquake, we do a special appeal for Week of Compassion. Responding through local partners around the world, WOC responds when there are tornadoes close to home, and typhoons across the globe. WOC responds to disasters that make the evening news, and brings relief to people facing devastation unknown to most of the world. With even lower overhead than well known organizations like the Red Cross, more of our Week of Compassion dollars go directly to aid for those who need it most Follow the link to learn more. http://www.weekofcompassion.org/
Easter Offering
This offering provides financial resources for general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Contributions to the 2008 Easter offering benefits many ministries including Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, Global Ministries, web and internet ministries, Ministerial Relief and Assistance plus many more. See a powerpoint presentation about the Easter offering at: http://www.churchfinancecouncil.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=XAJjNgS8VjQ%3d&tabid=110&mid=419
Pentecost Offering
This special offering is given for two Sundays in late spring when the church celebrates Pentecost, the "birthday" of the church. Split between the national New Church ministry and the Regions, the Pentecost offering supports new church planting and development. Churches spread God's good news to a hurting world. Gifts to support new church development are key to our worldwide mission. East Lincoln Christian Church has been instrumental in helping start and support two new churches in Lincoln in recent years. South Pointe Christian Church and Cross Bridge Christian Church have both benefited from the Pentecost offering. Currently in Nebraska we are excited to be part of the formation of a new Hispanic congregation in South Omaha. Follow this link to learn more about new church ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). http://www.newchurchministry.org/
Reconciliation
On the first Sunday of October we receive an offering to support our national and regional anti-racism work. Read more here: http://www.reconciliationmission.org/
Thanksgiving
Our annual Thanksgiving special offering supports Disciples colleges, Universities and Graduate Seminaries. Becky Brown, our minister earned her degrees from Disciples affiliated schools. ELCC's been represented on the Chapman University Campus in Orange, CA for the past five years- James M. graduated last year, and Adam B's a freshman there this year. Other of our members have graduated from DOC colleges, too. We have 14 colleges and Universities, 7 Theological institutions and 6 schools with whom we are more loosely affiliated. Learn more about Disciples historic support for education here: http://www.helmdisciples.org/
Christmas
Our special offering at Christmas supports the ministries of the Christian Church in Nebraska. Ministries of the region include summer camps and conferences, Disciples Women, Disciples Men,
continuing education for ministers, and support for congregations. Dr. Kenneth Moore, the Regional Minister for Nebraska is a member of East Lincoln Christian Church. Learn more about regional ministry in Nebraska here: http://www.disciples-ne.org/
Refugee Resettlement:
In the fall of 2007 Linda Williamson called East Lincoln to ask if we could help the Refugee and Immigration Ministries of the Christian Church. The project was to resettle an extended family of 19 people from the Ukraine. Working together with the seven other Disciples churches in Lincoln, we set up homes for the Yefimchucks, the Brychkas and the Denysucks. Scroll through the newsletter from Church World Service and read about the first family we welcomed. http://www.churchworldservice.org/pdf_files/welcome/2007/01-07.pdf This year, we are again preparing to welcome refugees. We are awaiting word of the arrival date for a family of four from Iraq who have been living for two years in a refugee camp in Jordan. You can learn more about the refugee resettlement ministry of the Christian Church by clicking here: www.discipleshomemissions.org/rim
Foods Resource Bank Growing Project:
Every summer ELCC raises funds to help with the up-front costs of a crop of corn and soy beans. Farmers from the Pella Reformed Church in Firth, NE grow the crops. In the fall we have a harvest celebration when the crops are harvested. The proceeds are sold and given to fund sustainable agriculture programs in the developing world. Learn more about FRB at http://www.foodsresourcebank.org/
People's City Mission:
Wanting to expand our hands-on opportunities for ministry, ELCC has recently begun serving Friday night meals at the People's City Mission one Friday night each month. Additionally we have helped out in the PCM distribution center. Learn more about the mission at http://www.peoplescitymission.org/
Bore Hole for Sudan:
ELCC kids are working to bring fresh water to the people of Darfur, Sudan. With Sunday School offerings going into a water jug and rain guage, we're working toward a goal of $8000 along with the other Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska. One bore hole will allow a whole community in Sudan have safe, clean drinking water.
Child Saving Institute:
"Responding to the cry of a child" the Christian Churches in Nebraska have supported the mission of Omaha's Child Saving Institute. This spring ELCC participated along with others from Eastern Nebraska helping CSI staff move into their new building. If you'd like to know more about the amazing work done at CSI, check out their web page at http://www.childsaving.org/
CROP walk
Every fall, a team of ELCC members participates with Christians from all over Lincoln in the annual CROP walk to raise funds and awareness of world hunger. Proceeds are distributed nationally and internationally through Church World Service. A portion of the funds remain here in Lincoln to benefit local hunger reduction programs. http://www.cropwalk.org/
Food Pantry
Several times each year, and on the first Sunday of every month, we collect items for the food pantry of Bethany Christian Church here in Lincoln. A couple years ago we filled our baptistery with packages of toilet paper for the pantry. Last fall we filled a grocery cart, (graciously loaned to us by the north Hy-vee) with peanut butter and jelly.
