Each year, in the fall, we participate in a United Church of Christ special offering called Neighbors in Need, which supports UCC programs for justice, healing and hope in the United States. For 2021, the offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. One-third of NIN […]
The Edwards Church Board of Finance
The Board of Finance meets on the first Thursday of each month to review and compare reports of income and expenses, and discuss current and potential rental opportunities. Of recent focus:
Investment Team
In 2017 we established an Investment Team subcommittee of the Board of Finance. The team researched various socially responsible options and decided to make an initial investment in the Conservative Balanced Fund at United Church Funds, a firm that works exclusively with UCC congregations. We are currently working to diversify our investments through UCF or other avenues with an emphasis on social and environmental responsibility.
Regular Rentals
Community of Saint Luke (Ecumenical Catholic Communion) meets Saturday afternoons in the sanctuary. El Toque Del Maestro (Hand of the Master) meets Sunday afternoons in the sanctuary. Comunidade Cristã Paraíso (Brazilian Pentecostal church) holds weekly worship services on Sundays in Edwards Hall. We have a relatively new rental (a new Brazilian congregation) meeting on Saturday evenings on a trial basis.
Sprint/Nextel contracts
The rental income from the Sprint continues to contribute to the financial health of the church. In past years we have heard rumors that one of our two sites would be decommissioned, but that has not come to pass. We continue to assume that this income source will continue.
VA Vet Center Community Access Point
The Vet Center contributes financially to the church by paying the gas bill for Edwards Hall and by paying for snow removal from the large parking lot by Edwards Hall.
Unified Pledging
We now manage our members' contributions through unified pledging. In this system, 16% of our total pledged income goes to Wider Mission, with a portion of this going to the local and national settings of the United Church of Christ.
Stewardship
The Stewardship theme for 2017 was “The Giving Team.” The theme emphasized all the work we are able to accomplish together, and we explored different forms of teamwork as they apply to our work. Activities included stewardship testimonies during worship; a sermon series; tee-shirts created by youth and children; and a PowerPoint presentation during a congregational meeting. The committee created a streamlined mailing and sent individual thank-you cards to each pledging unit.
Our 2017 annual report is available, and you will find our latest activities below.
Stewardship 2021
“In Celebration of Love”As the stewardship team (Mike Ellis, Joanie White, Scott and Susan Cleveland) gathered to imagine a theme for our stewardship emphasis, we kept coming back to celebration and love. We celebrate returning to the sanctuary, for it is a place that has been built and maintained with love, a place that holds […]
Caring for One Another
SPECIAL OFFERING FOR SEPTEMBERSupport for the People of Haiti For the last month, we have been praying for the people of Haiti and Afghanistan. And the Board of Wider Mission (also known as the Love and Justice in Action Team) has been researching ways to offer support to our siblings in both nations. We don’t […]
Special Epiphany Offering
The offering for our Combined Epiphany Service will be donated to the Tree for Life Project of the Organization of African Instituted Churches, in cooperation with the United Church of Christ. Members of small, independent, mostly rural churches in Kenya and Nigeria plant trees to combat desertification and drought. Phyllis Byrd, our UCC mission partner […]
An Oasis of Hope: Expanding the Vision
Dear friends, Each year, as autumn arrives and winter approaches, we naturally begin to think about keeping warm and ensuring our homes are equipped to keep us comfortable and safe. It is also a time when families come together during the holiday season to renew connections and refresh their spirit. Home is an oasis of […]