Neighbors in Need Special Offerings

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul encourages the church to “carry each other’s burdens.” This seems to be a clear enough encouragement. Why then, does he also say just a few verses later, “for each one should carry their own load?”

This scripture highlights a dynamic many of us face when we help others or receive help. There’s a difference between helping someone and taking over for them. Inversely, it can be both challenging and a source of comfort to receive care. Giving and receiving, with autonomy, is an integral part of justice ministries.

When the United Church of Christ gathers to collect the Neighbors in Need offering, we work to honor this complexity. The money collected supports the work of the UCC’s Washington D.C. Office for Public Policy and Advocacy. The advocacy done in this office can be on behalf of churches, but most of the time, it involves partnership with congregations and church members across the nation. The work is shared through collective advocacy, with and for one another.

Contributing to this offering allows us to share one another’s burdens. Two-thirds of your donation supports the UCC’s justice and witness ministries, such as the D.C. Office. The remaining one-third supports the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM), which has been witnessing to Native values and culture as a vital part of the UCC since 1971.

Thank you for your gifts as we work together, sharing our burdens to support our Neighbors in Need.