Two-thirds of Neighbors in Need supports program initiatives and direct grants offered by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries. Small but essential grants are made throughout the year to congregations and organizations engaged in community organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct service. Although grants are made to address a wide range of justice priorities, a significant portion of these grants are made to address issues of hunger and poverty.
One-third of Neighbors in Need supports the work of the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministry, which is the voice for American Indians in the UCC. The Council for American Indian Ministry supports the work of local churches and their pastors; encourages youth and young adults; supports persons preparing for Christian ministry; empowers American Indians who are members of non-Indian congregations; and advocates for justice on issues affecting American Indian life. Historically, the NIN fund supports the forebears of the UCC established churches with the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Ho-Cak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Northern Nebraska. Today, there are 19 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban inter-tribal congregation in Minneapolis. In addition, there are more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations scattered in nearly every conference in the UCC. Our contributions to Neighbors in Need directly impact the UCC's ability to support American Indian ministries and congregations.
The Just Peace Appeal is now part of Neighbors in Need. Through Neighbors in Need, the UCC remains strongly committed to ministries of peacemaking, violence reduction, conflict resolution, federal budget priorities, and global solidarity. With CUCC's long-standing commitment to the Just Peace Appeal, we are encouraged to continue our support for this vital ministry by strengthening our support for Neighbors in Need.
– submitted by Jo PerryNeighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC directed to ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. NIN funds go to the Council for American Indian Ministry and the Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. CUCC will collect its Neighbors in Need offering on October 9.