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, 6% of our non-specified giving goes to support programs in Lincoln like WIC, 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 at: http://www.weekofcompassion.org/
Easter Offering
This offering provides financial resources for general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Contributions to the Easter Offering benefit many ministries, including the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, Global Ministries, web and internet ministries, Ministerial Relief and Assistance, plus others. A power point presentation about this offering can be seen at the following link: 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. 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. ELCC was represented on the Chapman University Campus in Orange, CA for 5+ years. Other members have graduated from DOC colleges as well. We have 14 colleges and Universities, 7 Theological institutions and 6 schools with whom we are 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, ELCC was contacted by the Refugee and Immigration Ministries of the Christian Church to assist with the resettlement of an extended family of 19 people from the Ukraine. Working together with the seven other Disciples churches in Lincoln, we set up homes for three families. 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 In the summer of 2008 we welcomed refugees from Iraq. 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
In the past, ELCC served Friday night meals at the People's City Mission once a month, and has assisted in the PCM distribution center. Learn more about the mission at http://www.peoplescitymission.org/
Bore Hole for Sudan
In a past project, ELCC Sunday School offerings went into a water jug. Combined with donations from other Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska, these contributions helped fund a bore hole for Sudan. Each bore hole allows a whole community to have safe, clean drinking water.
Child Saving Institute
The Christian Churches in Nebraska have supported the mission of Omaha's Child Saving Institute. In past years, ELCC participated in the "Crisis Kits for Kids" project of the Christian Churches in Nebraska (Disciples of Christ) to benefit the youth who arrive at CSI's crisis center. If you'd like to know more about the work done at CSI, check out their web page at http://www.childsaving.org/
CROP walk
Many years in the 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, ELCC collects items for the food pantry of Bethany Christian Church in Lincoln. Several years ago, we filled our baptistery with packages of toilet paper for the pantry. One fall, we filled a grocery cart with peanut butter and jelly.
