Pullman church challenges others to take offerings

 

Since May 2022, the Community Congregational United Church of Christ (CCUCC) in Pullman has selected different local nonprofit groups that fulfill its mission of social justice to receive the loose offerings it collects each Sunday.

"The process is administered by the Justice and Witness Team and engages the congregation by informing them that their gifts are being directed in ways that can truly benefit those in need," said Ginny Hauser of that team.

The loose offerings usually range between $500 and $800 per month.

"We thought at first people would give $1 or coins, but many give $5 and more," Ginny said.

"We are glad to continue this ministry," said member Kym Dye.

Carl Hauser, church treasurer, said the idea came from the Finance and Stewardship Team.

"We observed that most people who were significantly supporting the needs of the church were giving regularly through automatic payments," he said. "We wondered if the loose offerings were relevant anymore. How was the sense of offering relevant in terms of the church's liturgy or religious needs?"

Carl asked the team if the Sunday loose offerings were more than symbolic as part of the liturgy.

Could the loose offering be used for something more?

They decided the funds could be used for more than church operations. They could be used for positive actions in the community. So the Stewardship and Finance Team turned to the Justice and Witness Team to identify charities to support.

Carl's wife Ginny was chair of that team, which compiled a list of agencies the church has been involved with and asked members to suggest names of organizations in the community. They put those names in a box in the narthex.

They now have a list of about 30 agencies they decided to support.

Every week, the group that is the beneficiary of the offering is listed in the bulletin. In addition, the Zoom tech person puts a graphic on the screen in the sanctuary and on Zoom before the service.

"The graphics are creative and inviting, such as showing cute puppies and kittens for the humane society appeal," Carl said.

The Nonprofit of the Month is given time on the first Sunday of the month to share information about its programs. Someone from the nonprofit, someone involved in the program or someone who has received its services—often a church member or attendee—tells about it, Ginny said.

"People have been receptive to the idea of giving to something meaningful in the community," she commented. "Most recipients are local to the Palouse region."

Ginny and Carl moved to Pullman in 2001 after leaving their careers in the San Francisco Bay area, where Carl worked in the computer industry and Ginny taught in community colleges. Carl had graduated from Washington State University and then Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Ginny had studied at California State University East Bay in Hayward and Pacific Oaks College in Oakland and Pasadena.

When Ginny and Carl moved to Pullman with their daughter, Katie, Carl's parents were attending the CCUCC, so they drove his parents to church and soon began attending regularly.

With the church declining in membership—about 50 of 80 regulars attend on Sundays—Carl and Ginny took on more responsibilities.

Both are also involved in the church's music programs, Carl as choir director and Ginny playing flute.

"As I thought about what we do with our loose offerings, I began to think about sharing the idea with other congregations, to challenge them to think about how their offerings can contribute to their church and community," he said.

"Offering is part of worship for many, but how might it be used beyond supporting the needs of the church?" he asked.

CCUCC gives regularly as part of its budget to the wider United Church of Christ through Our Church's Wider Mission, but also offers people the opportunity to give to the denomination's Neighbors in Need fall offering and to One Great Hour of Sharing in March. There is also an offering for the Pastor's Discretionary Fund.

"Many of the people who support the denominational offerings place a check in the offering plate," he pointed out.

Beneficiaries of the loose change offerings include Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (ATVP), Community Action Center Emergency Housing Fund, Planned Parenthood, Inland Oasis, Family Promise of the Palouse, Pullman Child Welfare, Circles of Caring Adult Day Services, Whitman County Humane Society, Disability Action Center, PFLAG Moscow, Equal Justice Initiative, Blackbird Ranch Animal Sanctuary, N-Sid-Sen Camp and Retreat Center, BOOST Collaborative, Sojourners' Alliance, Latah Recovery Center, Palouse River Counseling, and Intersectional Advocacy Coalition for refugee families on the Palouse.

"We set our schedule of organizations a year ahead, but when Pullman Child Welfare found itself without sufficient food stores for the community, we immediately began dedicating the Sunday loose offerings to support their needs," said Kym, who has attended the church since 2001, after coming to a friend's commitment ceremony.

Kym, who taught third grade in Pullman, said she has heard back from organizations that the gifts have made a big difference for them. In addition, people in the congregation have told her they appreciate knowing where the offerings are going.

In April 2024, the loose offerings of $1,100 went to The Fig Tree on a Sunday after Marijke Fakasiieiki, development and editorial associate for The Fig Tree, preached at CCUCC.

"With The Fig Tree's role in connecting and inspiring congregations, I thought The Fig Tree could let other churches know about this idea, because they might be willing to provide such offerings for The Fig Tree and other community agencies, ministries and outreach centers."

Kym hopes other congregations will willl be inspired to take offerings for community groups.

For information, email carl.hauser@gmail.com or ginny.hauser@gmail.com.